US3856207A

US3856207A - Spray deflector and arrangement for rotatable sprinklers

Info

Publication number: US3856207A
Application number: US00405953A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Rees
Original assignee: Johns Manville
Current assignee: COSEN JAMES R; Johns Manville Corp; Johns Manville
Priority date: 1973-10-12
Filing date: 1973-10-12
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24

Abstract

A rotatable impact sprinkler is disclosed herein and utilizes a water deflector having a passageway extending therethrough for receiving a cylindrical pin such that the deflector pivotally moves about the pin. This passageway is designed so that a large portion of the pin within the passageway cannot engage against or make contact with the deflector. Additional passageways may be provided to extend into the pin receiving passageway allowing water to pass from the sides of the deflector through the pin receiving passageway and out the front of the deflector. Further, wave washers located around the pivot pin between the ends of the pin and deflector may be utilized in supporting the deflector for movement about and along the pin.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Rees, Jr.

[ Dec. 24, 1974 SPRAY DEFLECTOR AND ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTATABLE SPRINKLERS [75] Inventor: Charles E. Rees, Jr., Fresno, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Johns-Manville Corporation,

Greenwood Village, C010.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 405,953

[52] US. Cl. 239/230, 239/233 [5 1] Int. Cl B05b 3/02, B05b 3/14 [58] Field of Search .L 239/230 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,309,025 3/1967 Malcolm 239/230 3,350,015 10/1967 Friedmann et al.,.. 239/233 X 3,658,252 4/1972 Costa 239/230 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,283,287 12/1961 France 239/230 Primary ExaminerRobert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Krone; Stephan C. Shear [5 7] ABSTRACT A rotatable impact sprinkler is disclosed herein and utilizes a water deflector having a passageway extending therethrough for receiving a cylindrical pin such that the deflector pivotally moves about the pin. This passageway is designed so that a large portion of the pin within the passageway cannot engage against or make contact with the deflector. Additional passageways may be provided to extend into the pin receiving passageway allowing water to pass from the sides of the deflector through the pin receiving passageway and out the front of the deflector. Further, wave washers located around the pivot pin between the ends of the pin and deflector may be utilized in supporting the deflector for movement about and along the pin.

20 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures SPRAY DEFLECTOR AND ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTATABLE SPRINKLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed generally to rotatable sprinklers and more particularly to an arrangement including a readily pivotable spray deflector for use with rotating impact sprinklers.

2. Description of Prior Art Rotating sprinklers of the impact type are well known. The typical sprinkler of this type includes a sprinkler body having a jet nozzle, an oscillatable arm and a water deflector mounted on the arm for pivotal movement. In order to obtain satisfactory operation from a sprinkler of this type, the deflector has heretofore been designed preferably in the shape of a wedge and pivotally mounted on the oscillatable arm. Water issuing from the jet nozzle impinges upon this deflector causing it to pivot in an oscillatory fashion and also causing the arm to oscillate. Oscillation of the arm, in turn, causes the sprinkler body to rotate. It is important to the operation of the sprinkler that the deflector be free to oscillate and therefore the bearing surface against which the deflector pivots must be free of foreign materials.

Heretofore, there have been improvements made on the deflector used with the aforedescribed sprinkler. For example, US. Letters Pat No. 3,309,025 issued to Willian R. Malcolm on March 14, 1967 discloses a self-cleaning spray deflector wedge for sprinklers." The particular deflector described in this patent includes a bore which extends entirely through the deflector and which, along substantially its entire length, is defined by a cylindrical bearing surface through which a cylindrical journal pin extends for supporting the deflector for pivotal movement. The cylindrical bearing surface must be slightly larger in cross-section than the journal pin so that the deflector can readily pivot about the latter. In most cases, as the deflector pivots, there is only line contact between the bearing surface and the pin along the length of the pin, which is typical. Hence, except for this line contact, the pins outer surface is spaced a short distance from the bearing surface along its entire length, thereby defining a space around the pin between the pin and the bearing surface. This space, extends substantially the length of the pin in the Malcolm deflector.

It should be noted that foreign matter can lodge within the aforestated space between Malcolms pin and bearing surface, thereby preventing the deflector from pivoting freely. In this regard, the deflector described in the Malcolm patent also includes apertures extending from the wedged surfaces of the deflector into communication with the journal pin. According to the description in the Malcolm patent, a portion of the water issuing from the sprinkler jet enters the apertures and-flows into the annular space defined by the walls of the bore, i.e, the cylindrical bearing surface, and the pin to wash out any foreign or deleterious material which may have accumulated during operation of this sprinkler. Also in accordance with the description in this patent, when the water enters into this space, it flows axially so as to wash any accumulation at the axial extremities of the bore.

As will become apparent hereinafter, the deflector disclosedand claimed in the present application is substantially different than Malcolms deflector and includes various features which allow the deflector to freely pivot in an oscillatory fashion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present. invention is to provide a water deflector and overall arrangement in a rotatable impact sprinkler, which deflector is capable of freely pivoting about a cylindrical pin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water deflector and overall arrangement designed to improve the oscilllation capabilities of the deflector.

The present invention is directed to a water deflector which comprises part of a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet, an oscillatable arm and a cylindrical pivot pin connected with and extending from the arm. The deflector includes a passageway through which the pivot pin extends such that the deflector pivots back and forth, i.e., oscillates, about the pin. The present invention is concerned with insuring that the deflector is free to pivot back and forth, i.e., oscillate, about the pivot pin.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a deflector is provided and designed so that a longitudinal segment of the aforestated passsageway 'is not defined by a cylindrical bearing surface. This is contrary to deflectors of the past such as, for example, the aforedescribed Malcolm deflector which includes a pivot pin receiving passageway defined along substantially its entire length by a cylindrical bearing surface. By reducing the bearing surface acting on the pin, the amount of space in which foreign matter can lodge is reduced by the same amount. Hence, the possibility that foreign matter may prevent free pivotal movement of the deflector about the pin is reduced. In this regard, it should be noted that the term foreign matter is meant to include particles such as sand, dirt particles or the like which are sufficiently small to enter the space between the bearing surface and pin and obstruct pivotal movement.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a wave washer may be disposed around the pivot pin between one end of the pin and the deflector. In fact, a second similar washer can be provided around the other end of the pin between the latter and the deflector. In either case, the bearing surface area between the washerv or washers and the deflector is substantially less than would be the case between a flat washer or washers and the deflector. With a reduction in this bearing surface area there is a proportional increase in shearing forces at the bearing surface area. These increased shearing forces are more able to remove foreign matter lodged in the bearing surface areas between the washers and deflector than would be the case with shearing forces of lesser magnitude. In addition, by using a pair of wave washers on opposite sides of the deflector, the deflector is caused to oscillate axially along the pivot pin as its pivots about the latter. This combined movement aids in removing any deleterious or foreign matter which does lodge in the space between the pivot pin and bearing surface segments of the aforestated passageway, which segments must, of

course, be provided for pivotally supporting the deflector.

As a further feature of the present invention, additional passageways may be provided from the front and side of the deflector to the pin receiving passageway.

These additional passageways are designed to allow water issuing from the jet nozzle of the sprinkler to pass through the side passageways, into the pin receiving passageway and out the front passageway which, in turn, aids in cleansing the deflector about the pivot pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rotatable impact sprinkler including a water deflector arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the sprinkler of FIG. 1 as viewed from line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3. illustrates a portion of the sprinkler of FIG. 1 as viewed from line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the sprinkler of FIG. 1 with the water deflector omitted for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a water deflector comprising part of the sprinkler of FIG. I and constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the deflector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the deflector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a back elevational view of the deflector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the deflector of FIG. 5, taken generally along line 99 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the deflector of FIG. 5, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is another sectional view of the deflector of FIG. 5, taken generally along line 11-11 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is still a further sectional view of the deflector, taken generally along line 12-12 in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, a rotatable impact sprinkler is illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sprinkler includes a stem 12, the lower end of which is screw threaded for connection to a water supply line. Sprinkler 10 also includes a body 14 which is conventionally rotatably mounted on the stem and which is provided with a laterally and upwardly directed jet nozzle 16. Extending above the body 14 is a frame 18 having a somewhat rectangular opening and a shaft 20 which extends from body 14 to frame 18 and which bisects the opening defined by the latter.

An oscillatable drive member 22 ispivotally mounted about shaft 20 and is biased in one direction by a spring element 24 which is disposed around the shaft and which'is connected to the drive member and frame in a conventional manner. Drive member 22 includes a weight arm 26 extending approximately horizontally past the frame 18 and an oscillatable drive arm 28 extending laterally and upwardly in approximate parallel relationship to the axis of jet nozzle 16.

In order to affect oscillation of drive member 22 and therefore rotation of sprinkler body 14, sprinkler 10 includes a water deflector arrangement 30 comprising a pivot pin 32 and water deflector 34. The pivot pin is fixed at one end to and depends from the extremity of drive arm 28 (see FIG. 4) and the deflector is mounted around the pivot pin for pivotal movement. Hence, the entire water deflector arrangement is movable with arm 28 into and out of the path of the water stream issuing from jet nozzle 16.

Water deflector arrangement 30 functions to produce oscillation of drive member 22 which, in turn, results in rotation of sprinkler body 14, as stated above. More specifically, the deflector is positioned such that water issuing from nozzle 16 impinges upon the deflector with an impact sufficient to cause movement of arm 28 about shaft 20 and away from the front of frame 18. As the drive arm moves back to the front of the frame by force of spring element 24, it hits the frame with sufficient force to pivot body 14 an increment. This procedure is repeated to provide 360 rotation. In order to insure rotation of sprinkler body 14 in response to the movement of arm 28, the deflector is designed to pivot back and forth about pivot pin 32 in response to the impact on its opposite side surfaces from water issuing from the jet nozzle. This produces a sustained oscillation of the deflector about the pivot pin.

In order to provide an efficiently operating sprinkler, the deflector must be free to oscillate with as great an oscillation rate as possible. As will be seen hereinafter, arrangement is designed to insure that the deflector is free to oscillate. In this regard, as will be seen hereinafter, the deflector is preferably of the wedge shape.

This not only enhances sustained oscillation of the deflector but also enhances water spread capabilities of the sprinkler.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 5-12, deflector 34, which is preferably constructed of integrally molded plastic, includes a top somewhat rectangular frame 36 which includes two spaced-apart stop members 38 and which defines a central opening 40 between the stop members. As will be seen below, drive arm 28 extends through the opening 40 of the frame and stop members 38 to limit the deflector to back and forth oscillation as opposed to complete rotation about pivot pin 32.

Deflector 34 also includes a deflector body 42 which depends from and extends forwardly of frame 36. The deflector body includes a flat top surface 44 and a flat bottom surface 46 which extend from the front end 48 of the deflector to its back end 50. The deflector body also includes opposite side surfaces 52 and 54 which converge inwardly preferably in substantially straightline paths from front end 48 to back end 50 where they meet to form the apex of what, in effect, is a wedge. In this regard, it should be noted that the deflector does not converge inwardly at its top and bottom surfaces but rather remains somewhat rectangular, thereby defining

flanges

56 and 58 directly above and below the wedge surfaces. These flanges add strength to the overall deflector. In addition, it should be noted that the front end of deflector body 42 is cut out to provide what resembles spaced-apart

wings

60 and 62 which are respectively defined by front portions of side surfaces 52 and 54 and

opposite surfaces

64 and 66 resulting from cutting out the front end.

As stated above, deflector 34 is provided to pivotally move above pivot pin 32. In this regard, the deflector includes a passageway 70 which is approximately centrally located between side surfaces 52 and 54 near the front end 48 of the delfector and which extends from top surface 44 to bottom surface 46, as best illustrated in FIG. 9. As best illustrated in FIGS. I, 2 and 3, drive arm 28 extends through the opening 40 of frame 36 and pivot pin 32, which depends at one end from the drive arm, extends through passageway 70 such that its other end passes below bottom surface 46 of deflector body 42. In. this regard, the bottom end of pivot pin 32 includes an enlarged head 72 or other such means which prevents the pivot pin from moving up into passageway 70.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the length of pivot pin 32 from head 72 to drive arm 28 is slightly greater than the length of deflector body 42 from its bottom surface to its top surface. Hence, in addition to the deflector being pivotally movable about the pin, it is also capable of moving a slight amount back and forth along the pin.

A washer 74 may be provided around pivot pin 32 between the drive arm and the deflector and another such washer may also be provided around the pin between the deflector and enlarged head 72 (not shown). In this case, as the deflector pivots or oscillates, it engages against one or both of the washers or, if washers are omitted, it engages directly against drive arm 28 or enlarged head 72. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, water deflector arrangement 30 includes a pair of wave washers 76 disposed around pivot pin 32 between deflector body 42 and drive arm 28 and enlarged head 72 respectively.

There are two distinct advantages to using wave washers are opposed to conventional flat washers or no washers at all. One such advantage is that the wave washers reduce the effective bearing surface area at the top and bottom surfaces of the deflector body. More specifically, only small portions of the wave washers engage against the deflector body during pivotal movement of the latter as compared to the amount of engaging surface area of conventional washers or the amount of engaging surface area of the drive arm and/or enlarged head if no washers are used. By reducing these effective bearing areas, the shearing forces in these areas are increased. This, in turn, provides improved self-cleaning action, i.e., because of the increased shearing forces. The second advangtage which is obtained by utilizing these wave washers is that as the deflector oscillates about the pivot pin, the wave washers act as springs causing the deflector to simultaneously oscillate back and forth along the pivot pin in response to water issuing from nozzle 16. Hence, any deleterious matter lodged within passageway 70 between the pin and deflector body is subjected to both of these movements of the deflector relative to the pin and therefore is more likely to be removed than if only being sub- .jected to the pivotal movement. In this regard, the wave washers must be made of a material which provides the Y resiliency to achieve this end.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the particular configuration passageway 70. As illustrated best in FIG. 9, this passageway may be divided into three segments, a top segment indicated by arrow 80, a second or intermediate segment indicated by arrow 82 and a third or bottom segment indicated by arrow 84. Each of the top and bottom segments is defined by a

cylindrical bearing surface

86 and 88, respectively, which comprises part of the interior of deflector body 42. The diameter of each of the passageway segments 80 and 84 is slightly greater than the diameter of pivot pin 32- so that those portions of the pivot pin which extend through segments 80 and 84 make contact, preferably only line contact, with the bearing surfaces 86 and 88 as the deflector oscillates about and along the pivot pin. Hence, there are spaces between bearing

surfaces

86 and 88 and the pin portions passing though passageway segments 80 and 84.

The intermediate segment 82 of-passageway 70 is not defined by a cylindrical bearing surface. Rather, as willl be seen below, the cross-sectional configuration of passageway segment 82 is such that the front and back surfaces of that portion of pin 32 which passes through segment 82 is completely free from contact by deflector body 42. Hence, there are no spaces similar to those described above in which foreign matter can lodge. In fact, the side surfaces of this pin portion are preferablly at most only in tangential contact with the deflector body.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 9 and 12, the rearward extent of intermediate segment 82 of passageway 70 is limited by forwardly facing shouldered surfaces 90 which are spaced a substantial distance rearwardly of bearing

surfaces

86 and 88 and a passageway between these shoulder surfaces, which passageway will be described hereinafter. The forward most extent of segment 82 is not defined by a walled surface at all but rather a further passageway extending out of the front of the deflector body, which passageway will also be discussed hereinafter. As illlustrated best in FIG. 12, the lateral or side most extent of pas'sagway segment 82 is limited by flat side walls 92 which, in the embodiment shown, are spaced apart a distance equal to the diameter of bearing

surfaces

86 and 88. i

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that the portion of pivot pin 32 which passes through segment 82 of passageway 70 has its surfaces facing the front and back of the deflector at all times completely out of contact with the deflector and at most the sides of this pin portion tangentially engage deflector body 42, i.e., at surfaces 92. In this regard, these surfaces 92 would be readilly set back so that they do not engage the pivot pin'at all. In either case, the amount of engagement between the deflectr body and pivot pin along segment 82 is so slight (if at all) and the open area around the pin along segment 82 is sufficiently large that foreign matter of the typically small particle size which normally obstructs pivotal movement of the deflector will not likely lodge itself within segment 82 around the pin.

By providing segment 82 of passageway 70, the effective bearing surface area is. substantially reduced as compared to a pivot pin receiving passageway which along its entire length is defined by a cylindrical bearing surface such as, for example, the one defined in the aforedescribed Malcolm patent. That is, of course, true onlyvwh'ere the passageways are of approximately the same length and diameter which is generally the'case due to dimensional requirements of deflectors of the type disclosed herein. By reducing the effective bearing surface areas along the passageway, the amount of space in which foreign material can lodge around the pin within this passageway is subsantially proportionately decreased. In this regard, it is to be understood that the relative term such as decreased space is used when comparing passageway of the present invention with a passageway of similar length and diameter having its entire length or substantially its entire length defined by a cylindrical bearing surface.

Because of the dercrease in space, i.e., space between the pivot pin and bearing surfaces, foreign matter is less likely to lodge around the pivot pin within passage 70 than would be the case where the space extends the entire length of the passageway. Hence, it is less likely that foreign matter will prevent the deflector from freely pivoting.

The exact length of segment 82 depends, in large part, on the overall length of passageway 70 and the particular material comprising deflector body 42. The cylindrical bearing surfaces 86 and 88 must be of sufficient length to reliably support the deflector for sustained oscillation in a mechanically sound fashion. In a preferred embodiment, segment 82 comprises at least approximately one third of the entire length of passageway 70 with the other segments 80 and 84 comprising the other two thirds of the passageway. In this regard, it is not a requirement that passageway 70 has only two bearing segments (segments 80 and 84) and only one non-bearing segment (segment 82) but may be divided into more than two of the bearing segments and more than one non-contacting segment. This is true so long as the deflector is mechanically sound. In any event, the likelihood that foreign matter will lodge in passageway 70 and obstruct pivotal movement of the deflector will depend upon the length of segment 82. If this segment is, for example, one-third the length of the overall passageway, the likelihood may be reduced by as much as approximately one-third.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the design of additional passageways provided in the deflector body 42 for aiding in the self-cleaning action within passageway 70 and about pivot pin 32. In this regard, the side surfaces 52 and 54 include

small apertures

94 and 96 respectively which are located near the backend of the deflector and which are preferably in lateral alignment with one another. As illustrated best in FIG. 11, aperture 94 defines the opening of a passageway 98 (indicated by arrow 98) which extends from the aperture to a central passageway 100 (indicated by arrow 100) in the deflector body. In the same manner, aperture 96 defines the opening of a passageway 102 (indicated by arrow 102) which exends from the aperture into central passageway 100. As seen best in FIG. 9, the passageway 100 enters into segment 82 of passageway 70. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 13, a further passageway 104 (designated by arrow 104) is provided in deflector body 42 and extends from segment 82 out the front end of the deflector body and between

wings

60 and 62.

With the combined passageways, including segment 82 of passageway 70, there is complete fluid communication between

apertures

94 and 96 and the front end of the deflector body through the passageways. This is even true when pin 32 is positioned through passageway 70 since there is sufficient room, or, at least, there should be sufficient room, for water to pass at least alternatively between the pivot pin and surfaces 92 (see FIG. 12). Hence, as water issusing from jet nozzle 16 engages against the wedged side surfaces of the deflector body, some of the water washes into

apertures

94 and 96, through the passageways and out the front of the deflector. This cleanses the segment 82 of passageway 70 about pin 32. In this regard, it should be noted that as the deflector oscillates along the pivot pin due to the action of wave washers 76, some of the water passing into segment 82 tends to move into the

passageways

86 and 88 by relative movement of the deflector and pivot pin the axial direction of the pin.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that rotatable impact sprinkler 10 includes a novel water deflector arrangement which has improved selfcleaning capabilities and improved deflector oscilllation capabilities. In this regard, it is to be understood that the various features described above may be provided alone or in combination with one another. For example, the particular advantages obtained by using the wave washer arrangement described does not depend upon the particular configuration of passageway 70 and the advantages obtained by the latter do not derpend upon the particular washers used. In the same manner, the advantages attributed to the additional passageways described do not depend upon either the wave washers or the particular configuration of passageway 70, however, there must, of course, be sufficient room through the passageways for the water to pass to achieve the aforedescribed advantages. It should be apparent, of course, that by using these various features together all of the advantages of each are achieved. In actual working embodiments, all of the aforedescribed features have been provided and in another working embodiment, the

apertures

94 and 96 have been omitted, i.e., closed, preventing water from passing through the passageways.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising:

a. a cylindrical pin connected with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said jet;

b. a water deflector having a front end, a back end,

opposite top and bottom surfaces extending between said front and back ends and opposite side surfaces extending between said ends, said deflector including a passageway extending therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface;

c. said cylindrical pin extending through the passageway of said deflector such that i. said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin,

ii. the front end of said deflector faces substantially away from said sprinkler jet, and

iii. at least one of the side surfaces of said deflector is adapted to deflect water issuing from said jet when said pin moves into the path;

(1. said passageway including a longitudinal segment through which a longitudinal portion of said pin passes, said passageway segment having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that those surfaces of said pin portion which face the front and back ends of said deflector during pivotal movement of said deflector are at all times out of contact with said deflector. 2. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said passageway includes a second longitudinal segment through which a second longitudinal portion of said pin passes, said second segment being defined by a cylindrical bearing surface against which said second pin portion engages during pivotal movement of said deflector.

3. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said second segment is located to one side of said first-mentioned segment and wherein said passageway includes a third longitudinal segment through which a third longitudinal portion of said pin passes, said third segment being located on the opposite side of said first-mentioned segment and being defined by a cylindrical bearing surface against which said third pin portion engawges during pivot movement of said deflector.

4. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the first-mentioned segment of said passageway comprises at least approximately one-third of the length of said passageway.

5. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said passageway segment has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that the entire circumferential surface of the pin portion passing through said segment is out of contact with said deflector.

6. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a. said deflector includes a second passageway extending between the front end of said deflector and said longitudinal segment of said first-mentioned passageway. 7. A water deflector according to claim 6 wherein: a. said deflector includes third and fourth passageways respectively extending between opposite side surfaces of said deflector and said longitudinal segment of said first-mentioned passageway, and b. said segment of said first-mentioned passageway has a cross-sectional configuration which allows water to pass at least intermittently between said second passageway and respective third and fourth passageways through said segment and on opposite sides of said pin portion. 8. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 including a wave washer disposed around said cylindrical pin between said deflector and said oscillatable arm.

9. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said cylindrical pin extends beyond the bottom surface of said deflector and includes an enlarged portion spaced from said bottom surface, said arrangement including a second wave washer disposed around said pin between said bottom surface and said enlarged portion.

10. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said side surfaces of said deflector converge inwardly from the front end of said deflector to the back end thereof and meet at said back end, whereby said side surfaces are adapted, alternatively, to deflect water issuing from said jet during pivot movement of said deflector.

11. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinklet jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and above said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising:

a. a cylindrical pin including an enlarged portion at one end, connectedf at its other end with and depending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into and out of the path of water issuing from said jet;

b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends,

ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends.

iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to saidback end and meeting at said back end,

iv. a first passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface, y

v. a second passageway extending through said deflection from said front end to said first passageway, and I vi. third and forth passageways respectively extending through said deflector from said side surfaces to said first passageway; j r

c. said cylindrical pin extending through the first passageway of said deflector such that i. said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin,

ii. the front end of said deflector faces substantially away from said sprinkler nozzle,

iii. said side surfaces of said deflector are adapted, alternatively, to deflect water issuing from' said jet when said pin moves into the path of issuing water as said deflector pivotally moves, and

iv. said enlarged portion of said pin is spaced from the bottom surface of said deflector;

d. two wave washers disposed around said pin, one of said washers being located between said oscicllatable arm and the top surface of said deflector and the other washer being located between the enlarged portion of said pin and the bottom surface of said deflector;

e. said first passageway including i. first and second longitudinal-opposite end segments through which opposite longitudinal end portions of said pin pass, said segments being defined by cylindrical bearing surfaces against which said pin portions engage during pivotal movement of said deflector, and

ii. A third intermediate longitudinal segment through which an intermediate longitudinal portion of said pin passes and to which said second, third and fourth passageways extend, said-third segment having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that those surfaces of said intermediate pin portion which face the front and backends of said deflector during pivotal movement of said deflector are at all times out ofcontact with said deflector and such that water can pass at least intermittently between said second passageways and respective third and fourth passageways through said third segment and on opposite sides of said intermediate pin portion. 12. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said third segment has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that the entire circumferential surface of said intermediate pin portion passing through said segment is out of contact with said deflector.

13. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said third segment of said passageway comprises at least approximately one-third of the length of said passageway.

14. A water deflector for use with a rotatable sprinkler, said deflector comprising:

a. a deflector body having i. a front end and a back end,

ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said 7 ends, and

said third segment comprises at least approximately one-third dof the entire length of said passage.

iii. opposie side surfaces converging inwardly from I said front end to said back end and meeting at said back and; Y b. said deflector body including a passageway extending therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface, said passageway including i. first and second opposite longitudinal segments being defined by cylindrical surfaces of substantially identical cross-sectional diameters, and ii. a third, intermediate longitudinal segment having a cross-sectional configuration greater in extent towards the frontand back ends of said deflector than the diameter of said first and second segments. 15. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said third segment is greater in extent in all directions than said diameter.

16. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein 17. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein said deflector body includes and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement comprising:

a. a cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into and out of the path of water issuing from said jet;

b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends,

ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends,

iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back end and meeting at said back end, and

iv. a passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface;

c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that its other end is located beyond the bottom surface of said deflector;

d. two wave washers disposed around said pin, one of 50 said washers being located between the top surface of said deflector and said arm and the other of said washers being located adjacent to and exernally of said bottom surface; and

e. means for preventing said other washer from sliding off of said pin.

19. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising:

a. A cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said j b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends,

ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends,

iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back endand meeting at said back end, and

c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin; and

d. means for causing said deflector to move axially along said pin during pivotal movement of said deflector.

20. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of sdid jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising:

a. a' cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said'pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said j b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends,

ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends,

iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front and to said back end and meeting at said back end, and iv. a passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface; c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin; and

said deflector including openings in said side surfaces and said front end and additional passageways communicating with said openings and said firstmentioned passageway so that water can pass from said side openings through said passageway and out said opening in said front end.

Claims

1. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising: a. a cylindrical pin connected with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said jet; b. a water deflector having a front end, a back end, opposite top and bottom surfaces extending between said front and back ends and opposite side surfaces extending between said ends, said deflector including a passageway extending therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface; c. said cylindrical pin extending through the passageway of said deflector such that i. said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin, ii. the front end of said deflector faces substantially away from said sprinkler jet, and iii. at least one of the side surfaces of said deflector is adapted to deflect water issuing from said jet when said pin moves into the path; d. said passageway including a longitudinal segment through which a longitudinal portion of said pin passes, said passageway segment having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that those surfaces of said pin portion which face the front and back ends of said deflector during pivotal movement of said deflector are at all times out of contact with said deflector.

2. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said passageway includes a second longitudinal segment through which a second longitudinal portion of said pin passes, said second segment being defined by a cylindrical bearing surface against which said second pin portion engages during pivotal movement of said deflector.

6. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a. said deflector includes a second passageway extending between the front end of said deflector and said longitudinal segment of said first-mentioned passageway.

7. A water deflector according to claim 6 wherein: a. said deflector includes third and fourth passageways respectively extending between opposite side surfaces of said deflector and said longitudinal segment of said first-mentioned passageway, and b. said segment of said first-mentioned passageway has a cross-sectional configuration which allows water to pass at least intermittently between said second passageway and respective third and fourth passageways through said segment and on opposite sides of said pin portion.

8. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 1 including a wave washer disposed around said cylindrical pin between said deflector and said oscillatable arm.

11. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinklet jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and above said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising: a. a cylindrical pin including an enlarged portion at one end, connectedf at its other end with and depending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into and out of the path of water issuing from said jet; b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends, ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends, iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back end and meeting at said back end, iv. a first passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface, v. a second passageway extending through said deflection from said front end to said first passageway, and vi. third and forth passageways respectively extending through said deflector from said side surfaces to said first passageway; c. said cylindrical pin extending through the first passageway of said deflector such that i. said deflector iS pivotally movable about said pin, ii. the front end of said deflector faces substantially away from said sprinkler nozzle, iii. said side surfaces of said deflector are adapted, alternatively, to deflect water issuing from said jet when said pin moves into the path of issuing water as said deflector pivotally moves, and iv. said enlarged portion of said pin is spaced from the bottom surface of said deflector; d. two wave washers disposed around said pin, one of said washers being located between said oscicllatable arm and the top surface of said deflector and the other washer being located between the enlarged portion of said pin and the bottom surface of said deflector; e. said first passageway including i. first and second longitudinal opposite end segments through which opposite longitudinal end portions of said pin pass, said segments being defined by cylindrical bearing surfaces against which said pin portions engage during pivotal movement of said deflector, and ii. A third intermediate longitudinal segment through which an intermediate longitudinal portion of said pin passes and to which said second, third and fourth passageways extend, said third segment having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that those surfaces of said intermediate pin portion which face the front and back ends of said deflector during pivotal movement of said deflector are at all times out of contact with said deflector and such that water can pass at least intermittently between said second passageways and respective third and fourth passageways through said third segment and on opposite sides of said intermediate pin portion.

12. A water deflector arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said third segment has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration such that the entire circumferential surface of said intermediate pin portion passing through said segment is out of contact with said deflector.

14. A water deflector for use with a rotatable sprinkler, said deflector comprising: a. a deflector body having i. a front end and a back end, ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends, and iii. opposie side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back end and meeting at said back and; b. said deflector body including a passageway extending therethrough from said top surface to said bottom surface, said passageway including i. first and second opposite longitudinal segments being defined by cylindrical surfaces of substantially identical cross-sectional diameters, and ii. a third, intermediate longitudinal segment having a cross-sectional configuration greater in extent towards the front and back ends of said deflector than the diameter of said first and second segments.

15. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said third segment is greater in extent in all directions than said diameter.

16. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein said third segment comprises at least approximately one-third dof the entire length of said passage.

17. A water deflector according to claim 14 wherein said deflector body includes a. a second passageway extending from said front end to the intermediate segment of said first passageway, and b. third and fourth passageways respectively extending from said side surfaces to said intermediate segment.

18. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement comprising: a. a cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into and out of the path of water issuing from said jet; b. a water deflector having i. front and back endS, ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends, iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back end and meeting at said back end, and iv. a passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface; c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that its other end is located beyond the bottom surface of said deflector; d. two wave washers disposed around said pin, one of said washers being located between the top surface of said deflector and said arm and the other of said washers being located adjacent to and exernally of said bottom surface; and e. means for preventing said other washer from sliding off of said pin.

19. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of said jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising: a. A cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said jet; b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends, ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends, iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front end to said back end and meeting at said back end, and iv. a passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface; c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin; and d. means for causing said deflector to move axially along said pin during pivotal movement of said deflector.

20. In a rotatable sprinkler including a sprinkler jet and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of sdid jet, a water deflector arrangement, comprising: a. a cylindrical pin connected at one end with and extending from said oscillatable arm, said pin being movable into the path of water issuing from said jet; b. a water deflector having i. front and back ends, ii. top and bottom surfaces extending between said ends, iii. opposite side surfaces converging inwardly from said front and to said back end and meeting at said back end, and iv. a passageway extending through said deflector from said top surface to said bottom surface; c. said cylindrical pin extending through said passageway so that said deflector is pivotally movable about said pin; and d. said deflector including openings in said side surfaces and said front end and additional passageways communicating with said openings and said firstmentioned passageway so that water can pass from said side openings through said passageway and out said opening in said front end.