WO2008084049A2

WO2008084049A2 - Irrigation apparatus particularly for gardens or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2008084049A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/050154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Zannetti
Original assignee: Orved S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-01-09
Filing date: 2008-01-08
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: WO2008084049A3; ITVR20070005A1

Abstract

An irrigation apparatus (1) particularly for gardens or the like, comprising an irrigation head (2) which can move on command over the ground, along a preset path, and is provided with at least two nozzles (5a, 5b) which are adapted to dispense on command respective water jets (6a, 6b) which have mutually different throws in order to water regions (7a, 7b) of the ground which are located at different distances from said irrigation head (2).

Description

IRRIGATION APPARATUS PARTICULARLY FOR GARDENS OR THE LIKE

The present invention relates to an irrigation apparatus particularly but not necessarily adapted to irrigate gardens and the like.

Apparatuses for irrigating ground cultivated as a garden are currently used which comprise a plurality of nozzles which are distributed on the ground and are each capable of dispensing a jet of water in order to water a region of the ground that is adjacent to them.

Such nozzles are connected to a pressurized water source or to the water mains by means of buried feed ducts and generally can rise from the ground due to the thrust applied thereto by the pressure of the water when they are activated. The number and distribution of the nozzles is studied in relation to the specific perimetric shape of the ground, so as to ensure correct irrigation of every region of the ground.

Although irrigation apparatuses of the type described above are used extensively, they suffer however the drawback of requiring, for their installation, a considerable number of ground excavations, with consequent long installation times and high labor costs. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to devise a valid solution to the problems noted above, by providing an irrigation apparatus particularly for gardens or the like which can be installed in a short time without requiring execution of a large number of ground excavations.

Within this aim. an object of the invention is to provide an irrigation apparatus which can be installed easily on grounds having any shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irrigation apparatus which is capable of performing, in a fully automatic manner, the correct irrigation of every region of the ground to which it is applied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation apparatus which, thanks to its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation apparatus which can be obtained starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is also competitive from a merely economical standpoint. This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an irrigation apparatus particularly for gardens or the like, characterized in that it comprises an irrigation head which can move on command over the ground, along a preset path, and is provided with at least two nozzles which are adapted to dispense on command respective water jets which have mutually different throws in order to water regions of the ground which are located at different distances from said irrigation head. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of ground irrigated by means of an apparatus according to the invention, in which the irrigation head has been shown in several positions assumed during the operation of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional side elevation view of the irrigation head of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along a vertical plane, of a portion of the irrigation head; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the means for the automatic driving of the irrigation head;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line V-V of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of a conduit according to a possible constructive variation thereof; Figure 7 is a side view of a constructive variation of the automatic driving means of the irrigation head;

Figure 8 is a schematic top plan view of the variation of Figure 7, with some parts omitted and others shown in phantom lines for greater clarity; Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the ground, of another embodiment of the irrigation head, illustrating a body for supporting the nozzles in an inclined position with respect, to the ground;

Figure 10 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 9 with the nozzle supporting body in a position which is substantially parallel to the ground;

Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of the supporting body of the irrigation head according to a further embodiment;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispensing assembly according to the embodiment of Figure 1 1 , illustrating an element for supporting the nozzles in the position in which one of the nozzles is mated to a water feed duct;

Figure 13 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 12, in which however the nozzle supporting element is in such a position that the nozzles are uncoupled from the feed duct; Figure 14 is a sectional view, taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure

13. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the irrigation apparatus particularly for gardens or the like, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises an irrigation head 2, which can move on command over the ground 3 to be irrigated, along a preset path 4, which can be straight or curved according to the requirements and preferably but not necessarily extends practically along one side of the ground 3, as shown in the example of Figure 1. The irrigation head 2 is provided with at least two nozzles 5a, 5b, which are designed to dispense on command respective jets of water 6a, 6b which have mutually different throws, so as to water regions of the ground

7a and 7b which are located at different distances from the irrigation head 2.

More preferably, the irrigation head 2 has a plurality of nozzles, designated by the reference numerals 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f, which are arranged at different heights with respect to the ground and dispense jets of water, designated respectively in Figure 1 by the reference numerals 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f, whose throws increase progressively as the distance of the nozzles from the ground increases, so as to be able to reach and consequently water respective regions 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e and 7f of the ground 3 arranged at different distances from the irrigation head 2.

Generally, the several nozzles of the irrigation head 2 are oriented so as to deliver a jet which traces a path with a component which is parallel to the ground and is substantially perpendicular to the path 4 followed by the irrigation head 2.

Conveniently, in order to prevent the presence of any obstacles which rise from the ground, such as trees, hedges, built-up structures and so forth, from leaving regions of the ground without irrigation, it is also possible to provide one or more nozzles which are oriented so that their jet can trace a path which has, parallel to the ground, a component which is inclined with respect to the path 4 traced by the head 2 and is optionally parallel to one side of the piece of ground, so as to be able to affect also the regions of the ground which, with respect to these obstacles, lie in the opposite direction relative to the path 4 traced by the irrigation head 2. As shown in the example of Figure 1 , it can be seen that with such a configuration, i.e., by means of the several jets dispensed by the several nozzles provided on the irrigation head 2 and the possibility to move the irrigation head 2 along the preset path 4, the apparatus according to the invention allows to perform correct irrigation of every region of the ground 3, regardless of its perimetric extension and regardless of the distribution thereon of plants or accessory or decorative elements.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to provide for the presence, on the irrigation head 2, of a plurality of nozzles which are ordered in rows which run substantially parallel to the ground and are arranged at different heights from the ground.

In this case, the nozzles arranged along a same row are adapted to dispense a water jet with a throw which is substantially mutually identical and shorter than the throw of the nozzles arranged in the upper rows, so as to have an increasing progression of the throw of the jets as the distance of the rows of nozzles from the ground increases.

It should be rioted that the number of nozzles and the throw of the respective dispensed water jets can vary according to the specific irrigation requirements and to the specific shape of the ground.

In this regard, it should be noted that the throw of the jet dispensed by the nozzles can optionally be changed, in a per se known manner, by acting manually on an adjustment screw 8 provided on each nozzle to control the corresponding discharge port.

Preferably, the nozzles arranged at a lower height than the others, such as for example those designated by the reference numerals 5a and 5b in Figure 2, dispense a fan-shaped water jet which allows adequate irrigation of the regions of the ground that are directly close to the irrigation head 2 and of the corner portions of the ground.

Conveniently, the nozzle or nozzles arranged at a higher level than the others, such as for example those designated by the reference numerals 5e and 5f in Figure 2, and optionally also those designated by the reference numerals 5c and 5d, are fitted to the irrigation head 2 with the possibility to oscillate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground, so as to be able to affect, with their jet, large regions of the ground.

According to a preferred embodiment, the irrigation head 2 is fitted so that it can slide on a base 9 which runs along the preset path 4 of the irrigation head 2, acting in practice as a guide for the movement of the irrigation head 2 on the ground 3.

As shown, the base 9 can be constituted by a supporting conduit 10, which can be at least partially buried, preferably arranging its upper side 1 Oa flushed with the surface of the ground 3.

A feed duct 11 is conveniently accommodated within the conduit 10, supplies the irrigation water to the irrigation head 2 and is arranged within a containment recess 12 which is conveniently defined by the conduit 10 on its bottom, as in the example of Figure 2, or laterally to its longitudinal extension, as in the constructive variation shown in Figure 6.

With reference to Figure 2, the irrigation head 2 has a frame 13 formed advantageously by a supporting structure 14 which is for example shaped like a bracket and has, in a downward region, a contact foot 15, which engages within the conduit 10, and is connected in an upward region to a nozzle supporting body 16.

Conveniently, the conduit 10 has, on its upper side 10a, a longitudinal opening 10b which is crossed by the supporting structure 14.

Advantageously, in order to avoid the entry of foreign objects into the conduit 10, the longitudinal opening 10b is provided with a pair of opposite closure lips 10c, which are preferably made of elastically flexible material and are designed to engage by contact the supporting structure 14.

Conveniently, the supporting structure 14 is provided with tapering portions 14a which wedge themselves, during the translational motion of the irrigation head 2 along the conduit 10, between the closure lips 10c, allowing their divarication. As can be seen in Figure 3, the supporting body 16 provides a plurality of engagement seats 17, in which the nozzles applied to the irrigation head 2 can be accommodated detachably.

In particular, the nozzles can be advantageously connected, by way of the interposition of respective dispensing valves 18, to a water distribution compartment or tank 19, which is defined monolithically with the irrigation head 2 and is adapted to receive in input the water that arrives from the feed duct 1 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the feed duct 11 is connected directly to the water distribution compartment 19. In this particular case, the feed duct 1 1 is provided advantageously by means of a flexible hose, for example made of rubber, which runs, for a first portion

1 1a, along the conduit 10 and, after passing beyond the irrigation head 2, bends back in order to lead, with a second portion l ib, into the water distribution compartment 19. In this manner, the feed duct 11 can extend or contract within the conduit 10, varying correspondingly the useful length of the second portion 1 Ib, depending on whether the irrigation head 2 is made to advance in one direction or in the opposite direction along the conduit 10.

In a possible alternative exemplary embodiment which is not shown, the water distribution compartment 19 can also be connected in input to a water supply duct, which is provided with connecting means which can engage by snap action water outlets which are provided on the feed duct 1 1 and are spaced one another along the extension of the feed duct 1 1.

In this case, once the irrigation head 2 is moved at one of the water outlets, the automatic snap connection of the connecting means with the outlet allows to connect the feed duct 1 1 to the supply duct and Iherefore to the water distribution compartment 19.

Advantageously, the irrigation head 2 is provided with automatic driving means, which are associated with its frame 13 and are designed to actuate the translational motion of the irrigation head 2 along the path 4 traced by the conduit 10, preferably with an intermittent motion.

Such automatic driving means are conveniently constituted by at least one pair of actuation wheels 20, which are opposite one another and are connected rotatably to the contact foot 15 of the supporting structure 14. In particular, the actuation wheels 20 rest against internal walls 21 of the conduit 10 and are kinematically connected to motor means, constituted for example by a pair of electric motors 22.

As shown in the example of Figure 4, the electric motors 22 are functionally connected to a gear assembly 23, which is constituted by pinions 24 which mesh with a gear 25 which is keyed to an end of a transmission shaft 26, which is connected, at its other end, by way of the interposition of a reduction unit 27, for example of the epicyclic type, to a differential unit 28, from which two axles 29 protrude, each supporting a respective actuation wheel 20. It should be noted that it is also possible to provide rolling wheels 30, which are fitted so that they can turn freely on the contact foot 15 of the supporting structure 14 and rest against the same internal walls of the conduit 10 engaged by the actuation wheels 20.

In order to give greater lateral stability to the irrigation head 2, it is further possible to provide for the presence of at least one pair of auxiliary contact wheels 31 , which are connected so that they can rotate freely to the contact foot 15 of the supporting structure 14 and advantageously engage the internal walls of the conduit 10 which face the walls engaged by the actuation wheels 20 and by the rolling wheels 30. According to a different constructive embodiment, shown in Figures

7 to 10, the automatic driving means are constituted by at least one pair of driving wheels 40, which engage on mutually opposite sides the longitudinal lateral faces of a rail 41 , which is anchored to the bottom of the conduit 10. The driving wheels 40 are rotationally actuated by motor means, constituted for example by a motor 42 of the electric type, which is fixed to the frame 13 and is connected to the driving wheels 40 in a per se known manner by means of a gear transmission 43, which is accommodated conveniently inside the contact foot 15 of the supporting structure 14 and is adapted to turn a pair of actuation shafts 44 on which the driving wheels 40 are keyed coaxially.

Conveniently, freely rotating contact rollers 45 are associated in this case with the contact foot 15 and are designed to engage the top surface of the rail 41 in order to ensure optimum lateral stability of the supporting structure 14. In order to facilitate the provision of any bends along the extension of the rail 41 , advantageously there are portions 46 which are articulated, by means of appropriately provided hinges 47, to the main body of the contact foot 15, each provided with at least one respective pair of engagement wheels 48, which can slide along the opposite longitudinal lateral faces of the rail 41 , and with respective contact rollers 45, which engage slidingly against the top surface of the rail 41.

Advantageously, control and actuation means are associated with the irrigation head 2 and control the activation of the irrigation head 2 and of the automatic driving means. Conveniently, the control and actuation means are constituted by a programmable controller 32, which is rigidly coupled to the irrigation head 2 and is functionally connected to the dispensing valves 18 and to the motor means of the automatic driving means.

Advantageously, it is possible to connect to the programmable controller 32 a unit for remote programming via communication means, such as a wireless transmitter 33 or a data communications network, which is partly accommodated, with its wires, within the conduit 10.

The remote programming unit is for example preset within a home, so that it can be accessed conveniently by the user, and is provided appropriately with a keyboard by means of which the user can set the operation of the apparatus, entering for example the times and conditions of activation of the irrigation head 2.

The automatic driving means and the programmable controller 32 are advantageously powered by batteries 34 which can be placed within suitable containment compartments which are conveniently provided within the supporting body 16 and can be closed for example by means of a lid 35, as shown in Figure 2.

For the sake of completeness, it should be added that it is possible to provide advantageously on the irrigation head 2 also means for the adjustable orientation of the nozzle supporting body 16 with respect to its supporting structure 14 and therefore also with respect to the ground.

Such adjustable orientation means conveniently comprise first rotation means 49, which are adapted to turn on command the supporting body 16, with respect to the supporting structure 14, about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and second rotation means 50, which allow to turn the supporting body 16, with respect to the supporting structure 14, about an axis which is substantially parallel to the ground.

In greater detail, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first rotation means 49 can be constituted advantageously by a meshing ring 51 , which is arranged so that its axis is oriented substantially at right angles to the ground and is fixed to the supporting structure 14. The meshing ring 51 has, in particular, an internal set of teeth 51 a, on which one or more planetary gears 52 mesh, can rotate with respect to the supporting structure 14 about their own axis and are distributed around the axis of the meshing ring 51. One of the planetary gears 52 is functionally connected to a first step or brushless motor 52a, which is supported by the supporting structure 14. The planetary gears 52 further engage an internal sun gear 53, which is rotatably supported about its own axis by the supporting structure 14 and is rigidly rotationally connected to a footing element 54, on which the supporting body 16 is fitted. The second rotation means 50 are conveniently interposed between the footing element 54 and the supporting body 16 and arc provided for example by means of a gear sector 55, which is rigidly connected to the supporting body 16 and can oscillate with respect to the footing 54 about a pivot 55a which is oriented substantially parallel to the ground. The gear sector 55 is engaged by meshing with an actuation pinion 56, which draws its motion from a second step or brushless motor 56a, which is fixed to the footing element 54.

Conveniently, the means for adjustable orientation of the supporting body 16 can be connected functionally to the above cited control and actuation means, which can thus act to vary automatically the orientation of the supporting body 16 and therefore of the nozzles with respect to the supporting structure 14 in order to ensure that the regions of the ground to be irrigated are reached by the jets dispensed by the nozzles even in the presence of any interposed obstacles which rise from the ground.

As shown, the control and actuation means, and more particularly the programmable controller 32, can be conveniently fixed to the footing element 54, which can be shaped so as to act in practice also as a box-like containment body. Operation of the apparatus according to the invention is as follows.

When the apparatus is switched on, the user can set some parameters, such as for example the activation time of the irrigation head 2 or the dispensing conditions of the water jets on the part of the several nozzles of the irrigation head 2. During its activation, the irrigation head 2, starting from one end of the conduit 10, moves, actuated by the automatic driving means, with an intermittent translational motion along the conduit 10.

Every time the irrigation head 2 stops, the nozzles are activated sequentially so as to irrigate the regions of the ground 3 that in each instance face the irrigation head 2. It is also possible to provide for simultaneous activation of all the nozzles and a continuous movement of the irrigation head 2 during its activation.

Once the irrigation head 2 has reached the other end of the conduit 10, operation of the apparatus is stopped and in the subsequent cycle the irrigation head 2 starts from the new position that it has reached.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves, in all of its embodiments, the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that it allows easy and quick installation, since it does not require considerable work for setup.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, for example, the irrigation head 2 can also be structured as shown in Figures 1 1 to 14, and in particular can have one or more dispensing assemblies 60, each of which comprises a respective water feed duct 61 , which is connected to the water mains, and a respective plurality of nozzles 5a-5f, which can be connected selectively to the feed duct 61.

In particular, the nozzles of each dispensing assembly 60 have a different throw with respect to each other and with respect to the nozzles of the other dispensing assemblies 60.

Moreover, it should be noted that the feed duct 61 of each dispensing assembly 60 can be constituted for example by a respective branch of the feed duct 1 1 arranged within the conduit 10. According to this constructive variation, the supporting body 16 of the irrigation head 2 can have, for example, a shape which is substantially formed by a plurality of lobes, at which the several dispensing assemblies 60 are arranged, as shown in Figure 1 1.

Conveniently, each dispensing assembly 60 comprises a supporting clement 62, to which the several nozzles 5a-5f are fixed. The supporting element 62 can move on command with respect to the feed duct 61 so as to be able to place a selected nozzle at the feed duct 61 , in order to connect it to the feed duct 61.

In particular, the nozzles 5 a- 5 f are for example positioned around an axis of the supporting element 62.

In greater detail, the supporting element 62 advantageously has an annular body 63, along which the several nozzles 5a-5f are distributed so as to be mutually spaced. The annular body 63 is mounted, preferably by way of the interposition of appropriately provided bearings 64, so that it can rotate about its own axis 63a and perform an axial translational motion in a corresponding mating seat 65 which is formed in the supporting body 16 and is open outwardly.

Moreover, the feed duct 61 that belongs to the corresponding dispensing assembly 60 is accommodated in the mating seat 65. In particular, the feeder duct 61 is rigidly coupled to the supporting body 16 for example by means of an anchoring frame 66 which is arranged inside the mating seat 65.

As shown, the feed duct 61 is conveniently provided with a coupling end 68, which is directed toward the opening of the corresponding mating seat 65 and is arranged so as to face a portion of the corresponding annular body 63.

Advantageously, the nozzles 5a-5f carried by the annular body 63 are each provided with a respective engagement portion 69, which can be mated detachably to the coupling end 68 of the feed duct 61 so as to be able to provide the connection between the feed duct 61 and the nozzle selected in each instance.

In particular, the feed duct 61 is conveniently controlled by a closure valve, not shown, which is designed to open automatically when the engagement portion 69 of a nozzle is mated with the coupling end 68 of the feed duct 61 , so as to achieve dispensing of water by the mated nozzle. The movement of the annular body 63 is provided by way of automatic means for rotary actuation, comprising a first electric motor 70, which is fixed to the supporting body 16, for example by means of the anchoring frame 66, and is designed to actuate, by means of a gear 71 , a circular rack 72 which is rigidly connected to the annular body 63 and is coaxial thereto.

Moreover, automatic means for translational actuation are functionally associated with the annular body 63 and comprise a second electric motor 73, which is rigidly coupled to the supporting body 16 and is functionally connected, by means of its output shaft, to a set of transmission toothed pinions 74, which mesh with a linear rack 75 which is rigidly connected to the annular body 63 and runs substantially parallel to the axis of the annular body 63, so as to be able to perform the translational motion of the annular body 63 along its axis 63a, toward or away from the feed duct 61.

It should be noted that the linear rack 75 runs advantageously also around the axis 63a of the annular body 63, so as to keep constantly meshed therewith the transmission pinions 74 regardless of the angular position of the annular body 63. Conveniently, the first electric motor 70 and the second electric motor

73 of each dispensing assembly 60 are actuated by the control and actuation means and more particularly by an electronic controller, for example of the PLC type, which is designed to control the activation of the first electric motor 70 and of the second electric motor 73, so as to be able to place a selected nozzle, carried by the annular body 63 of one of the dispensing assemblies 60, so that it mates with the corresponding feed duct 61 , so as to achieve dispensing, on the part of the irrigation head 2, of a water jet which has a preset throw.

It should be noted that the valve for closing the feed duct 61 also can be controlled by the electronic controller, to which sensors for detecting the position of the annular body 63, which are constituted for example by encoders associated with the first electric motor 70 and with the second electric motor 73, are functionally connected, so as to be able to open or close the closure valve as a function of the position of the annular body 63 with respect to the feed duct 61 and therefore of the mating or uncoupling of the nozzles with respect to the feed duct 61.

In particular, with the described configuration, when the activation of a selected nozzle of the irrigation head 2 is required, the electronic controller controls the activation of the first electric motor 70 connected to the annular body 63 that supports the selected nozzle, so as to perform a rotation of the annular body 63 until the selected nozzle is arranged at the feed duct 61.

At this point, the rotation of the annular body 63 is locked and the second electric motor 73 is activated in order to move the selected nozzle toward the feed duct 61 until its engagement portion 69 mates with the coupling end 68 of the feed duct. 61 , so as to achieve the automatic opening of the closure valve of the feed duct 61 and the consequent dispensing of the jet on the part of the selected nozzle.

Once a time sufficient to achieve adequate wetting of the soil by the jet delivered by the selected nozzle has elapsed, the electronic controller controls the second electric motor 73 so as to uncouple the engagement portion 69 of the selected nozzle from the coupling end 68 of the feed duct 61 , with the consequent automatic activation of the closure valve supported by the latter. It should be added to the above, for the sake of completeness, that the supporting body 16 can be conveniently covered with a protective corrosion-resistant enclosure 76, which is fixed for example to the supporting body by means of screws 77.

Advantageously, the internal walls of each of the mating seats 65 provided in the supporting body 16 are covered by a layer of protective material 67, which is conveniently fixed to the supporting body 16 again by means of the screws 77.

All the characteristics of the invention indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

The individual characteristics presented with reference to general teachings or particular embodiments may all be present in other embodiments or may replace characteristics in such embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2007A000005 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An irrigation apparatus particularly for gardens or the like, characterized in that it comprises an irrigation head which can move on command over the ground, along a preset path, and is provided with at least two nozzles which are adapted to dispense on command respective water jets which have mutually different throws in order to water regions of the ground which are located at different distances from said irrigation head.

2. The irrigation apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said nozzles are oriented in a direction which has, parallel to the ground, a component which is substantially perpendicular to said preset path.

3. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said nozzles is oriented in a direction which has, parallel to the ground, a component which is inclined with respect to said preset path.

4. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head is mounted so that it can slide on a base which is extended along said preset path.

5. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base comprises a supporting conduit, which can be buried at least partially and accommodates internally a duct for feeding the irrigation water to said irrigation head.

6. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head supports a plurality of nozzles, which are arranged at different heights with respect to the ground and dispense water jets whose throw increases progressively as the distance of said nozzles from the ground increases.

7. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head has a plurality of nozzles, which are ordered in rows which run substantially parallel to the ground and are arranged at different heights from the ground, the nozzles arranged along a same row dispensing a water jet whose throw is substantially mutually identical and shorter than the throw of the nozzles arranged in the upper rows.

8. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle or nozzles arranged at a lower height than the others are adapted to dispense a fan-shaped water jet.

9. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle or nozzles arranged at a higher level than the others are associated with said irrigation head so that they can oscillate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground.

10. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said nozzles are connected by way of the interposition of respective delivery valves to a water distribution compartment, which is rigidly coupled to said irrigation head and can be connected to said feed duct.

1 1. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water distribution compartment has an intake port which is connected to a water supply duct provided with connecting means which can engage by snap action water discharge outlets which are mutually spaced along the extension of said feed duct.

12. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head is provided with means for automatic driving along said preset path.

13. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head can be actuated by said automatic driving means with an intermittent motion along said preset path.

14. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automatic driving means comprise at least one pair of actuation wheels, which are mutually opposite and rest against internal walls of said conduit, said actuation wheels being kinematically connected to motor means.

15. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head is provided with at least one pair of auxiliary contact wheels which engage the internal walls of said conduit that face the ones engaged by said actuation wheels.

16. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automatic driving means comprise at least one pair of driving wheels which engage, on mutually opposite sides, the longitudinal sides of a rail, which is anchored to the bottom of said conduit.

17. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automatic driving means comprise contact rollers which can rotate freely and are designed to roll on the top surface of said rail.

18. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling and actuating said irrigation head.

19. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and actuation means comprise a programmable controller which is rigidly associated with said irrigation head and is functionally connected to said dispensing valves and to said motor means.

20. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said programmable controller can be connected, by way of communication means, to a remote programming unit.

21. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head comprises a supporting structure which is connected to said automatic driving means and a supporting body which is connected in an upward region to said supporting structure and supports said nozzles.

22. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for the adjustable orientation of said supporting body with respect to said supporting structure.

23. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for adjustable orientation comprise first rotation means, which are adapted to rotate on command through a preset angle said supporting body with respect to said supporting structure about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and second rotation means, which are adapted to rotate on command through a preset angle said supporting body with respect to said supporting structure about an axis which is substantially parallel to the ground.

24. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said irrigation head comprises at least one dispensing assembly, which has a respective water feed duct, which is supported by said supporting body, and a respective plurality of nozzles with different throws, which are mounted so as to be mutually spaced on a supporting element which is connected to said supporting body and can move on command, with respect to said feed duct, in order to connect selectively said plurality of nozzles to said feed duct.

25. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of nozzles is distributed on said supporting element along the extension of said supporting element and can move with respect to said feed duct along a movement path.

26. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting element comprises an annular body which supports said plurality of nozzles, said annular body being fitted within a corresponding mating seat, which is defined within said supporting body and is open outwardly, said feed duct being accommodated within said mating seat and having a coupling end which is directed toward the opening of the seat and faces a portion of said annular body, said coupling end being detachably associable with said plurality of nozzles, said supporting body being able to rotate about its own axis and to perform a translational motion axially toward or away from said feed duct in order to mate or detach said coupling end of said feed duct and a selected nozzle of said plurality of nozzles.

27. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling end has a closure valve which is adapted to open automatically when the selected nozzle of said plurality of nozzles mates with said feed duct.

28. The irrigation apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises automatic means for rotary actuation and automatic means for translational actuation of said annular body with respect to said feed duct.

29. An irrigation head, comprising a supporting body for at least one dispensing assembly provided with a respective water feed duct supported by said supporting body, and a respective plurality of nozzles with different throws, which are fitted so as to be mutually spaced on a supporting element which is connected to said supporting body and can move on command with respect to said feed duct in order to connect selectively said plurality of nozzles to said feed duct.

30. The irrigation head according to claim 29, characterized in that said supporting element can rotate about its own axis with respect to said feed duct, said plurality of nozzles being distributed around said axis of said supporting element, said supporting element being actiiatable on command so as to rotate about said axis in order to move a selected nozzle of said plurality of nozzles so that it mates with said feed duct.

31. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29, 30, characterized in that said supporting element comprises an annular body which supports said plurality of nozzles, said annular body being fitted in a corresponding mating seat, which is formed in said supporting body and is open outwardly, said feed duct being accommodated in said mating seat and having a coupling end which is directed toward the opening of the seat and faces a portion of said annular body, said coupling end being delachably associable with said plurality of nozzles, said supporting body being able to rotate about its own axis and to perform a translational motion along its axis toward or away from said feed duct in order to mate or uncouple said coupling end of said feed duct and a selected nozzle of said plurality of nozzles.

32. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 31, characterized in that said coupling end has a closure valve which is adapted to open automatically when the selected nozzle of said plurality of nozzles mates with said feed duct.

33. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 32, characterized in that it comprises automatic means for rotary actuation and automatic means for translational actuation of said annular body with respect to said feed duct.

34. The irrigation head according to claim 33 , characterized in that said automatic means for rotary actuation comprise a first electric motor, which is fixed to said supporting body and is functionally connected to a set of gears which mesh with a circular rack which is arranged coaxially to, and rotates rigidly with, said annular body.

35. The irrigation head according to claim 34, characterized in that said automatic means for translational actuation comprise a second electric motor, which is fixed to said supporting body and is functionally connected to pinions which engage a linear rack which is rigidly connected to said annular body and runs substantially parallel to the axis of said annular body.

36. The irrigation head according to claim 34, characterized in that said first and second electric motors are driven by an electronic controller.

37. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 37, characterized in that it comprises means for the adjustable orientation of said supporting body with respect to a supporting structure.

38. The irrigation head according to claim 37, characterized in that said means for adjustable orientation comprise first rotation means, which are adapted to turn on command through a preset angle said supporting body with respect to said supporting structure about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and second rotation means, which are suitable to turn on command through a preset angle said supporting body with respect to said supporting structure about an axis which is substantially parallel to the ground.

39. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 38, characterized in that it can move on command on the ground along a preset path.

40. The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 39, characterized in that it comprises means for automatic driving along said preset path.

41 . The irrigation head according to one or more of claims 29 - 40, characterized in that it can be actuated by said automatic driving means with an intermittent motion along said preset path.