Rain Bird Corporation

Jonathan Yeh

Bradley D Helzer

Bob Patterson

A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.

Internal particulate protective obstruction for sprinklers

The invention is directed to a sprinkler body having a side inlet and improved strength and durability. The side inlet is reinforced with additional structure at a cylindrical wall defining the side inlet. The structure may include a reinforcement rib located within the sprinkler body and intersecting the side inlet. The structure may include a plate located within the cylindrical wall, and the plate may include a collar and/or a crosspiece spanning the side inlet. The structure permits passage of water therethrough and serves to reinforce localized weakened portions or stress concentrators of the side inlet or the sprinkler body.

Sprinkler housing with side inlet

A slip-clutch assembly including a slip gear and clutch for a sprinkler motor of a sprinkler is disclosed for reducing damage to movable portions of the sprinkler is disclosed. The slip-clutch assembly allows at least a portion of a motor assembly or a sprinkler head to rotate at a rate lower than under normal operating conditions. The slip-clutch assembly includes a first component or portion with deformable portions received under normal operating conditions within recesses or cooperating structure of a second component or portion. The deformable portions are able to release or slip from the cooperating structure when the rotation of a portion of the sprinkler is impeded by a force exceeding a predetermined level. The deformable portions of the slip-clutch assembly may include deflectable arms with an engageable portion received within the cooperating structure. The engageable portion may dis-engage by camming out of the cooperating structure when the impeding force exceeds the predetermined level.

Growing community of inventors

Chino, CA, United States of America

Jonathan Yeh