Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.

Karl J Mussler

Gary A Van Exel

Glenn S White

Alvin F Godsey, Jr

A multiple pattern spray nozzle is provided for connection to a supply of water under pressure, wherein the spray nozzle is adjustable upon movement of a single selector ring to one of several different spray pattern settings. The spray nozzle comprises a nozzle housing for mounting, for example, onto a hose end trigger valve or the like and supporting a stem unit for receiving the supply of water under pressure. A pair of flow control sleeves are carried by a perforate faceplate for sliding movement relative to the stem unit and nozzle housing to define different water flow paths leading respectively from the stem unit to different nozzle outlets formed by the faceplate in cooperation with the stem unit and nozzle housing. The selector ring in turn supports the faceplate and flow control sleeves and is threaded onto the nozzle housing for rotation thereabout to displace the flow control sleeves to select the water flow path and associated nozzle outlet open to water flow, thereby selecting the spray pattern setting. In the preferred form, the selector ring is rotatable to any one of five different setting positions to provide a discharged water stream in the form of a low flow mist, a conical spray, a narrow collimated jet spray, a gentle shower spray, or a generous low-force soaker flow.

Multiple pattern spray nozzle

An oscillating wave-type lawn sprinkler is provided of the type having a water-powered drive mechanism for angularly oscillating an elongated spray tube generally about its own axis, wherein the drive mechanism has a crank link coupled to the spray tube by an improved releasable coupling assembly. The releasable coupling assembly comprises a C-shaped clamp at one end of the crank link, sized to fit around the spray tube, an indentation in the spray tube, and at least one tab on the interior surface of the clamp for releasingly engaging the indentation. During normal operation, the tab is engaged in the indentation and the angularly oscillatory motion of the crank link is imparted to the spray tube. When the spray tube is subjected to an external rotational force exceeding a predetermined magnitude, the spray tube rotationally disengages the indentation from the tab to move independently of the crank link, thereby preventing damage to the drive mechanism. Normal engagement of the spray tube with the crank link is restored by manually rotating the spray tube until the indentation returns to alignment with the crank link tab.

Growing community of inventors

Alta Loma, CA, United States of America

Karl J Mussler