US3785563A

US3785563A - Shut-off device for traveling sprinkler

Info

Publication number: US3785563A
Application number: US00251261A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Maple
Original assignee: LR Nelson Corp
Current assignee: LR Nelson Corp
Priority date: 1972-05-08
Filing date: 1972-05-08
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15

Abstract

A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure for communicating the water source to a hose-guided traveling sprinkler during the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communication of the water source thereto in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, the device includes a housing having a waterflow passage extending therethrough with an annular valve seat adjacent the outlet end thereof, and an actuating structure including an interior rod portion extending through an over-sized opening in offset relation with the axis of a spherical valve member, a spherical intermediate mounting portion sealingly engaged and mounted within the housing by a swivel socket assembly and an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, and an improved insert structure molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubber mounted within the passage in a position to engage the free end of the rod portion of the actuating structure when the latter is disposed in its open position to retain the ball valve member against water biased movement with the valve seat operable when the exterior portion of the actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid to yieldingly releasr the interior rod portion of the actuating structure to thereby permit the valve member to move into closed relation with the valve seat.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Maple 1 SHUT-OFF DEVICE FOR TRAVELING SPRINKLER [75] inventor: Steven E. Maple, Peoria, Ill.

[73] Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation, Peoria,

Ill.

22 Filed: May 8,1972 [21 Appl. No.: 251,261

152 us. or. 239/183, 251/298 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney-John W. Malley et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure for communicating the water source to a hose-guided traveling sprinkler during the operative Ian. 15, 1974 run thereof and for interrupting the communication of the water source thereto in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, the device includes a housing having a waterflow passage extending therethrough with an annular valve seat adjacent the outlet end thereof, and an actuating structure including an interior rod portion extending through an over-sized opening in offset relation with the axis of a spherical valve member, a spherical intermediate mounting portion sealingly engaged and mounted within the housing by a swivel socket assembly and an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, and an improved insert structure molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubber mounted within the passage in a position to engage the free end of the rod portion of the actuating structure when the latter is disposed in its open position to retain the ball valve member against water biased movement with the valve seat operable when the exterior portion of the actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid to yieldingly releasr the interior rod portion of the actuating structure to thereby permit the valve member to move into closed relationwith the valve seat.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED- 1 51974 3. 785.563

. sum 1 or 2 24 50 46 /4 i6 32 4 30 56 l I i l 66 v 1 SHUT-OFF DEVICE FOR TRAVELING SPRINKLER This invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of water under pressure, and more particularly, to a device of this type for communicating a source of water under pressure to a hose-guided traveling sprin kler during the operative run thereof and for closing off communication of the water under pressure with the traveling sprinkler when the latter reaches the end of its operative run.

Various types of traveling sprinklers have been known and have been in widespread use for many years. One conventional type of such sprinklers utilizes the hose which serves to communicate a water source with the sprinkler as the means for guiding the traveling sprinkler during its operative run. Traveling sprinklers of this type include a water motor, operable in response to the communication of a source of water under pressure therewith to propel or move the traveling sprinkler along a predetermined path during its operative run. The water which flows through the water motor passes into the sprinkler head to effect the sprinkling action during the movement of the sprinkler. The sprinkler usually embodies a steerable wheel or other guide means which is adapted to engage the hose to determine the path which the traveling sprinkler will take during its operative run. Since the communication of water with a traveling sprinkler serves to effect, not only the sprinkling action thereof, but the movement thereof as well, it is important to shut off the water when the traveling sprinkler reaches the end of its operative run.

Various devices have been provided to accomplish this function. An exemplary embodiment is disclosed in the expired US. Pat. to Wilson, No. 2,218,964, dated Oct. 22, I940. The Wilson patentdiscloses a device including a housing having a waterflow passage extending therethrough, the passage having a valve seat formed between the inlet and outlet ends thereof. Mounted on the housing for pivotal movement is an actuating structure movable between an operative position wherein a valve member is disposed in space relation to the valve seat and a closed position wherein the valve member engages the annular valve seat. The actuating structure disclosed in the Wilson patent includes an upwardly curved lever extending in a downstream relation so as to be engaged by the traveling sprinkler as it reaches theend of its operative run. The weight of the upwardly curved actuating leverserves to maintain the valve in its open position, and upon engagement by the traveling sprinkler theweight bias of the lever is changed permitting the valve to move into a closed position. The utilization of a device which depends upon a weight biased maintenance of the valve in its open operative position presents several disadvantages. For example, a valve which is weight-biased into its open position requires a fairly extensive actuating stroke to move the same into its closed position. Moreover, the operation of the valve can be detrimentally affected where the device is mounted on ground which is not entirely level.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, these disadvantages are overcome by providing a yieldable detent means for maintaining the valve in its open position against a bias due to waterflow acting on the valve at all times during operation. With such an arrangement, a'very small amount of actuating movement serves to release the valve so that it is moved into a closed position by the action of the water itself. Moreover, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the releasable detent is preferably in the form of an insert molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubber mounted with the housing so that it is not subject to damage as would be the case were it to be mounted exteriorly of the housing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described having improved means for releasably retaining the valve member in its open position during normal operation of the traveling sprinkler.

Still another object of the present invention is a provision of a device of the type described which is simple in construction, effective in operation and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a device embodying the principles of the present invention illustrating the valve member in its closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the valve member in its open operative position;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the device with the actuating structure disposed in an intermediate vertical position;

' FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of the lower sealing member of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the releasable retainer insert of the device; and

FIG. -6 is a side elevational view showing the device of the present invention in operative relation with a known traveling sprinkler.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. ll 3 of the drawings, there is shown therein a device, generally indicated at 10, embodying the principles of the present invention. The device 10 includes a housing assembly, generally indicated at 12, a valve mechanism 14 and an actuating structure generally indicated at 16. The housing assembly 12 includes a main housing body 18 having a flow-passage 20 extending therethrough. Mounted within an inlet end of the passage 20 is a female hose fitting assembly, generally indicated at 22. As shown, the assembly includes an inner collar 24 which is exteriorally threaded at one end portion thereof for engagement within interior threads formed in the inlet end of the passage 20 of the housing body 18. The collar 24 includes an exterior annular flange at its opposite end, which is adapted to be engaged by a conventional female swivel fitting 26. Formed in the exterior of the main housing body 18 adjacent the outlet end of the passage 20, is a male fitting in the form of exterior thread of 28.

Formed within the passage 20, adjacent the outlet end thereof, is a annular valve seat 30 of a size less than the size of the portion of the passage 20 extending upstream therefrom. The valve seat 30 forms one part of the valve assembly 14, a second cooperating part of which is provided by a valve member 32 of rubber or other suitable material. As shown, the valve member 32 is preferably of spherical shape having a size greater than the valve seat 30, but less than the associated upstream portion of the passage 20.

The actuating structure 16 includes an interior portion 34 in the form of a rod element, and intermediate mounting portion 36 providing a spherically arcuate exterior surface and an exterior portion 38 adapted to be actuated when the traveling sprinkler reaches the end of its operative run. The interior portion 34 is operatively connected with the valve member 32 for controlling the position of the valve member with respect to the valve seat 30. This operative connection, as shown, is preferably accomplished by simply extending the rod element 34 through a cylindrical opening 40 formed in the valve member 32. The opening 40 is a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod element 34 and has its axis offset from the central axis of the spherical valve member 32 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The actuating structure 16 is pivotally mounted for movement between open and closed positions by means of a socket sealing assembly, generally indicated at 42, which cooperates with the intermediate mounting portion 36 thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 1 3, the housing body 18 has an opening 44 provided in the upper portion thereof which is formed by a bore communicating with the passage and a counter bore formed exteriorly in the bore. The socket sealing assembly 42 includes a lower annular sealing member 46, which is mounted within the opening 44 as shown in FIGS. 1 3. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the sealing member 46 includes an elongated opening 48 extending therethrough for receiving the rod element 34 and an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface 50 surrounding the opening 48 for engaging the lower portion of the spherically arcuate surface of the mounting portion 36.

The assembly 42 also includes an annular retainer member 52 which is suitably mounted within the opening 44 as by press fit or the like, the retainer having an annular groove formed in the interior periphery thereof for receiving an O-ring seal 54 which sealingly engages the upper portion of the spherically arcuate surface of the mounting portion 36. It can thus be seen that the actuating structure 16 is sealingly mounted for pivotal movement between two limiting positions, one a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and the other an open position as shown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a means for yieldingly releasably retaining the actuating structure 16 in the open position shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, this means is in the form of an insert, generally indicated at 56 and shown in detail in FIG. 5. As best shown in FIG. 5, the insert is molded as an integral structure from a suitable resilient material, such as plastic, rubber or the like. The insert structure includes a pair of exterior longitudinally extending flanges 58 which are shaped to engage within an undercut slot 60 formed in the bottom portion of the housing body 18,.in communicating relation with the passage 20. As best shown in FIG. 1, the bottom of the undercut slot 60 is arcuate and aligned with the opening which receives the collar 24 and the upstream end of the slot is open so as to permit the insert structure 56 to be mounted therein by a longitudinal sliding action. As will be evident from viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting of the insert structure 56 within the undercut slot 60 is accomplished prior to the mounting of the collar 24 within the inlet of the passage 60. After the insert structure has been positioned as indicated above, the collar 24 is threadedly engaged within the inlet end of the passage 20 of the housing body 18. The engagement of the insert structure within the slot is sufficient to retain the same in operative position, however, it will be noted that the mounting of the collar 24 in its operative position provides a positive retention of the insert structure within the slot 60.

Again referring to FIG. 5, it will be noted that the insert structure includes upstanding wall sections 62 which are spaced apart so as to receive therebetween the free end of the rod element 34 of the actuating structure 16. The upstanding wall section 62 includes an opposed inwardly and outwardly extending detent portions 64 disposed so as to resist movement of the actuating structure 16 out of its open position and toward its closed position. The detent portions 64 are flexible and inherently resilient so as to yieldingly release the actuating structure 16 from its open position for movement toward its closed position in response to the actuating of the exterior portion 38 by the traveling sprinkler when the latter reaches the end of its operative run. In this regard, it will be noted that the exterior portion 38 of the actuating structure 16 is formed by an annular member preferably molded of resilient material such as plastic or rubber, the annular member being embedded on an upward extension of the intermediate mounting portion 36. The molded member 38 is of generally umbrella shape and preferably provides an exterior periphery of circular configuration of a size substantially greater than the size of the spherical surface 36 so as to permit engagement of the sprinkler in any position of rotational adjustment of the actuating structure 16.

It will also be understood that the housing 12 may be provided with a separate base member 66 suitably fixed to the bottom exterior of the housing body 18 and extending transversely from opposite sides thereof. The base member 16 may be of any desirable configuration other than the elongated configuration as shown.

In operation, the female fitting 26 is engaged with a cooperating hose fitting leading from a water source, such as fitting 66 on the end of source hose 68 as shown in FIG. 6. The male fitting 28 is connected to a cooperating fitting 70 on one end of a hose 72 leading to a traveling sprinkler 74, which, as shown in FIG. 6, is of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Wilson patent. The hose 72 and traveling sprinkler 74 are then initially set up by placing the hose in the area to be sprinkled so that its position defines the path of movement of the operative run. The sprinkler is then looped onto the outer end portion of the hose so that its direction of travel will be along the hose and toward the device 10.

Assuming that the actuating structure 16 of the device 10 in its closed position as shown in FIG. 1, the traveling sprinkler 74 is set into operation by simply manually pivoting the exterior portion 38 so that it moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that during this movement, the free end of the rod element 34 will engage the flexible detent wall portions 64 so as to flex the latter outwardly and permit the rod element to move thereby. When the exterior portion 38 of the actuating structure 16 is released by the operator, the flow of water through the passage in engagement with the valve member 32 will bias the actuating structure toward its closed position. However, the detent wall portions 64 prevent this movement. Thus, with the device in its open position as shown in FIG. 2, water under pressure is continuously communicated with the traveling sprinkler 74, effecting the sprinkling action and at the same time the traveling movement of the sprinkler. When the traveling sprinkler 74 reaches the end of its operative run, a predetermined portion of the traveling sprinkler engages the exterior portion 38 of the actuating structure 16 moving the same in a direction toward the closed position. With this added force, the detent wall portion 64 yieldingly release the free end of the rod element 34 permitting the valve member 32 to move into its closed position under the action of the water source. in this regard, it will be noted that the offset opening connection of the valve member 32 with the rod element 34 insures that the valve element will be properly positioned to engage the valve seat due to the rudder action caused by the flow ofwaternearby.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiment has been shown anddescribed for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure for communicating the water source to a hose guided traveling sprinkler during the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communication of the water source theretoin response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, said device including a housing having a water flow passage extending therethrough, an inlet fitting means adjacent an inlet end of said passage for connection with a hose or the like having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith, outlet fitting means adjacent an outlet end of said passage for connection with the guide hose of the traveling sprinkler, said passage having an annular valve seat therein adjacent the outlet end thereof of a size smaller than the adjacent upstream portion thereof, a valve member of a size greater than said valve seatbut less than the adjacent upstream portion of saiid passage disposed within the latter so as to be biased toward said valve seat in response to the flow of water through said passage, an actuating structure including an intermediate mounting portion, an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run and an interior portion for controlling the water biased movement of said valve member, means on said housing sealingly engaging the intermediate portion of said actuating structure and mounting the same for pivoted movement between opened and closed portions, the interior portion of said actuating structure being operatively associated with said valve member so as to maintain said valve member in spaced relation to said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said open position and to permit said valve member to be biased into engagement with said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said closed position, the improvement which comprises means mounted within the upstream portion of said passage in a position to engage the free end of the interior portion of said actuating structure when the latter is disposed in said open position to retain said valve member against water biased movement into engagement with said valve seat operable when the exterior portion of said actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid to yieldingly release the interior portion of said actuating structure to thereby permit said valve member to move into closed relation with said valve seat.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said, releasable retaining means comprises an insert structure molded of resilient material.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein the bottom of the upstream portion of said passage has a longitudinally extending undercut slot formed therein with the upstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongated member having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot, lsaid elongated member being engaged within said slot by a longitudinal sliding movement.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein said elongated member includes integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive the free end of the interior portion of said actuating structure therebetween, said wall sections including yieldable portions extending toward and away from each other for accomplishing the aforesaid yielding release of said actuating structure.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior portion of said actuating structure comprises a rod element, said valve member being spherical in shape and having a through opening therein through which said rod element extends.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said through opening is offset with respect to the spherical axis of said valve member and is of a size greater than the size of said rod element. 7

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has an opening formed in the top thereof communicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposed within said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating structure having a spherically arcuate exterior surface, the lower portion of which is disposed in engagement with the upwardly facing surface of said lower sealing member, an upper annular member engaged within said housing opening havingan interior O-ring seal engaging the upper portion of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of said intermediate portion.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein the exterior portion of said actuating structure includes a molded member having a circular exterior periphery of a diameter size substantially greater than the diameter size of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of the intermediate portion of said actuating structure.

9. The improvement as defined in claim fi, wherein said molded member is of generally umbrella shape.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said releasable retaining means comprises an insert structure molded of resilient'material, the bottom of the upstream portion of said passage having a longitudinally extending undercut slot formed therein 'with the upstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongated member having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot, said elongated member being engaged within said slot by longitudinal sliding movement, the interior portion of said actuating structure comprising a rod element, said valve member being spherical in shape and having a through opening therein offset with respect to the spherical axis through which said rod element extends, said elongated member including integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive the free end of said rod element therebetween, said wall sections including yieldable portions extending toward and away from each other for accomplishing the aforesaid yielding release of said actuating structure, said housing having an opening formed in the top thereof communicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposed within said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating the spherically arcuate exterior surface of the intermediate portion of said actuating structure. 1

Claims

1. A device adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure for communicating the water source to a hose guided traveling sprinkler during the operative run thereof and for interrupting the communication of the water source thereto in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run, said device including a housing having a water flow passage extending therethrough, an inlet fitting means adjacent an inlet end of said passage for connection with a hose or the like having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith, outlet fitting means adjacent an outlet end of said passage for connection with the guide hose of the traveling sprinkler, said passage having an annular valve seat therein adjacent the outlet end thereof of a size smaller than the adjacent upstream portion thereof, a valve member of a size greater than said valve seat but less than the adjacent upstream portion of saiid passage disposed within the latter so as to be biased toward said valve seat in response to the flow of water through said passage, an actuating structure including an intermediate mounting portion, an exterior portion adapted to be actuated in response to the traveling sprinkler reaching the end of its operative run and an interior portion for controlling the water biased movement of said valve member, means on said housing sealingly engaging the intermediate portion of said actuating structure and mounting the same for pivoted movement between opened and closed portions, the interior portion of said actuating structure being operatively associated with said valve member so as to maintain said valve member in spaced relation to said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said open position and to permit said valve member to be biased into engagement with said valve seat when said actuating structure is disposed in said closed position, the improvement which comprises means mounted within the upstream portion of said passage in a position to engage the free end of the interior portion of said actuating structure when the latter is disposed in said open position to retain said valve member against water biased movement into engagement with said valve seat operable when the exterior portion of said actuating structure is actuated as aforesaid to yieldingly release the interior portion of said actuating structure to thereby permit said valve member to move into closed relation with said valve seat.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable retaining means comprises an insert structure molded of resilient material.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein the bottom of the upstream portion of said passage has a longitudinally Extending undercut slot formed therein with the upstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongated member having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot, said elongated member being engaged within said slot by a longitudinal sliding movement.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said through opening is offset with respect to the spherical axis of said valve member and is of a size greater than the size of said rod element.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has an opening formed in the top thereof communicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposed within said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating structure having a spherically arcuate exterior surface, the lower portion of which is disposed in engagement with the upwardly facing surface of said lower sealing member, an upper annular member engaged within said housing opening having an interior O-ring seal engaging the upper portion of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of said intermediate portion.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said molded member is of generally umbrella shape.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said releasable retaining means comprises an insert structure molded of resilient material, the bottom of the upstream portion of said passage having a longitudinally extending undercut slot formed therein with the upstream end thereof open, said insert structure including an elongated member having an exterior shape complementary to said undercut slot, said elongated member being engaged within said slot by longitudinal sliding movement, the interior portion of said actuating structure comprising a rod element, said valve member being spherical in shape and having a through opening therein offset with respect to the spherical axis through which said rod element extends, said elongated member including integral upstanding wall sections spaced apart to receive the free end of said rod element therebetween, said wall sections including yieldable portions extending toward and away from each other for accomplishing the aforesaid yielding release of said actuating structure, said housing having an opening formed in the top thereof communicating with said passage, a lower annular sealing member disposed within said opening having an upwardly facing spherically arcuate sealing surface, the intermediate portion of said actuating structure having a spherically arcuate exterior surface the lower portion of which is disposed in engagement with the upwardly facing surface of said lower sealing member, an upper annular member engaged within said housing opening having an interior O-ring seal engaging the upper portion of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of said intermediate portion, the exterior portion of said actuating structure including a moldable member having a circular exterior periphery of a diameter size substantially greater than the diameteR size of the spherically arcuate exterior surface of the intermediate portion of said actuating structure.