US3620228A

US3620228A - Soil irrigator water and sediment drain

Info

Publication number: US3620228A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard C Schmid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-24
Filing date: 1969-11-24
Publication date: 1971-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-16

Abstract

An improved device for attaching in the pipes of irrigating systems for removing silt and draining water composed of a tee for inserting in pipeline, a long drop pipe accommodating a valve seat, interior longitudinal flanges above said seat, and a buoyant captive ball between; ball being forced to seat under water pressure and rising when pressure is relieved, permitting silt and water to pass into open end sump below.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Howard C. Schmid 2700 Queen St., Missoula, Mont. S9801 Appl. No. 879,335 Filed Nov. 24, 1969 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 SOIL IRRIGATOR WATER AND SEDIMENT DRAIN 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

2,272,304 2/1942 LOhman et a1 137/433 X 3,454,005 7/1969 Eubanks et al. 137/192 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,301,426 7/1961 France 137/519.5

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson ABSTRACT: An improved device for attaching in the pipes of irrigating systems for removing silt and draining water composed of a tee for inserting in pipeline, a long drop pipe accommodating a valve seat, interior longitudinal flanges above said seat, and a buoyant captive ball between; ball being forced to seat under water pressure and rising when pressure is relieved, permitting silt and water to pass into open end sump below.

SOIL IRRIGATOR WATER AND SEDIMENT DRAIN This invention relates to a device for improving the performance of irrigating systems which use pipes as a means for transporting water. Such systems as use sprinkler heads above the surface of the soil or other means below the surface are continuously subject to foreign particles in the water. This operational hazard is particularly harmful in subsurface irrigating systems. Subsurface irrigating systems which operate under constant pressure to prevent root damage can be further improved by a draining device to empty the system after use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device composed of a crossmember or tee for attaching into irrigating systems and a long drop pipe of similar size containing a buoyant ball, a seat, and longitudinal flanges to restrict movement of ball which will permit unrestricted flow in an irrigator pipe, but restrain water in the device while water in irrigator is under pressure and allow the water to drain out of the irrigator when pressure is relieved.

It is another object of this invention to furnish an irrigator drain composed of impermeable pipe of such length as to reach below normal grass or cultivated plant root growth which will tend to collect silt or solid particles out of the water as it passes through the irrigating pipe over the mouth of the device and when water pressure is relieved allow passage of water and silt through the valve structure to the well formed by elongated member below.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a silt and water draining device with relatively large flow capacity, a minimum of obstruction, of simple design with only the bare essentials of structure, and in which any failure after years of use will result in a closed valve to permit optimum continued operation of irrigating system to which attached having three thin rounded longitudinal projections in a drop pipe to retain buoyant ball, a large opening in ball seat, and a long sump to hold silt and allow passage of water to close valve at beginning of each cycle.

The foregoing objects explicating the advantages of this invention together with various other advantages which will become obvious, may be attained with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an irrigator drain constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2- 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

' FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the pipe 2 preferably formed from polyethylene has an integral part of its upper end a tee l which fits into and becomes a part of irrigator to which attached.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawing showing in detail an embodiment of this invention the pipe 2 has an annular ring 4 formed as part of its interior surface which becomes a set for hollow ball 5 constructed of polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, or other suitable material. Above the annular ring longitudinal projections or flanges 3 impede the upward movement of ball 5 while occupying a minimum of space within pipe 2. As water enters through opening 6 which is incorporated in irrigator, ball 5 floats up until flow and pressure is increased sufficiently to force it down on ring or seat 4 where it remains until pressure is relieved causing it to float again allowing water and silt to pass around it and through seat opening to pipe chamber below.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawing showing an embodiment of this invention ring 8 is constructed of stainless steel of like material and hollow ball 9 may be of stainless steel or hard smooth plastic material to withstand the effect of coarse sand into the device from the irrigator.

Refemng to FIG. 6 of the drawing pipe 2 may be extended and increased in size to form a large sump 10 below valve thereby increasing its capacity to hold silt and sand.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the present invention though not affecting the flow of water in irrigator pipe to which attached when said water is under pressure, permits smooth, substantial flow out of irrigator when pressure is relieved, due to configuration, minimum obstruction of thin, longitudinal projections, large diameter of annular ring-forming seat, and ample passageway around float when suspended, resulting in water conducting all previously accumulated sand and silt to the chamber below.

I therefor desiring to protect by Letters Patent do claim:

1. A soil irrigator water and sediment drain comprising a plastic pipe having an integral tee at its upper extremity, an integral narrow annular ring projecting inwardly from an interior surface of said pipe substantially midway between the upper and lower ends thereof forming a seat for a hollow ball valve resting thereon, ball stop means positioned between said seat and tee comprising thin integral longitudinal projections extending inwardly from said interior surface of the pipe considerably above said ball and permitting ample upward movement of the ball resulting in a minimum of restriction to flow of water and movement of sand and silt within the drain.

2. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which a pipe chamber is provided below said ball valve and is extended and enlarged for admission of additional sand and silt.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in combination with an irrigation pipe, said tee portion being interposed in said irrigator pipe and forming a downward leg extending therefrom.

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