Trw Technar Inc.

The Toro Company

Saroj Manandhar

Long T Su

James Purves

Steven C Renquist

Peter Janku

Richard C McClure

Robert J Bolender

Steve Kish

Matt Hall

Chris Asmus

Rengan Rajendran

Thomas Antonucci

Described herein is an irrigation controller having a rotating user interface where the front side of the user interface can be rotated 180 degrees so that it faces the inside of the controller housing. This functionality allows the user to install or modify the irrigation wiring while also programming the irrigation settings and/or schedule.

Irrigation controller having a rotatable and non-detachable user interface module

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.

Sprinkler with dual shafts

A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises a base (12) and a mass (60) pivotable from an unactuated position to an actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. A first electrically conductive portion (70) is connected to a first electrical terminal (46) mounted on the base (12). A support structure (40) supports the mass (60) on the base (12) to pivot from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The support structure (40) comprises a second electrical terminal (42) mounted on the base (12) and a second electrically conductive portion (50) interconnecting the second electrical terminal (42) and the mass (60). The second electrically conductive portion (50) comprises a spring portion (52) which deflects into electrical contact with the first electrically conductive portion (70) to electrically connect the first and second electrical terminals (46, 42) when the mass (60) pivots to the actuated position.

Deceleration sensor switch for use in a vehicle occupant safety system

A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises a base (12) and a mass (20) pivotable from an unactuated position to an actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. A support (18) supports the mass (20) on the base (12) to pivot from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The support (18) comprises a single continuous piece of plastic molded material having one rigid end (97) portion fixedly attached to the base (12) and an opposite rigid end (99) portion to which the mass (20) is fixedly attached. The single continuous piece of plastic molded material has a resilient central portion (98). The central portion (98) acts as a hinge about which the mass (20) is pivotable from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The opposite rigid end portions (97, 99) are inflexible relative to the resilient central portion (98). First and second electrical terminals (30, 34) move into engagement with each other to electrically close the switch (10) upon the mass (20) pivoting from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Deceleration switch with a switch base supporting a flexible oscillating

A deceleration sensor switch comprises a base (12d) including a plate portion (15d) and a rod portion (18d) having a longitudinal central axis (99d). In one embodiment (FIGS. 11-15), a rectangular mass (20d) is mounted on the rod portion. The mass is spaced apart from the plate portion at a distance which prevents rotation of the mass about the axis of the rod portion. When the mass moves from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the mass moves away from a releasable tab portion (42d) of a contact (40d) to allow a contact portion (52d) of the contact to move into engagement with an electrical terminal (34d). The contact portion is spaced apart a predetermined distance (D) from the terminal when the mass is in the unactuated position. The tab portion includes a pair of contact ears (334) having convex-shaped arcuate edge surfaces (338) which allow the contact portion to maintain the same predetermined distance from the terminal upon movement of the mass in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod portion. The mass has a protection tab (306) which prevents a cover (11d) from striking the contact when the cover is moved into engagement with the base.

A deceleration sensor switch comprises a base including a plate portion, a pedestal portion projecting from the plate portion, and a rod portion spaced from the plate portion and projecting from the pedestal portion. The plate, pedestal, and rod portions comprise a single continuous piece of plastic molded material. A mass is mounted on the rod portion and is movable relative to the rod portion between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The mass moves from the unactuated position to the actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of a predetermined magnitude. A helical coil spring provides a restoring force which acts on the mass to move the mass relative to the rod portion from the actuated position back to the unactuated position after the mass has moved to the actuated position. An adjustable calibration screw is disposed at one end of the rod portion. The calibration screw is adjusted to adjust the restoring force of the helical coil spring acting on the mass.

Growing community of inventors

Chino Hills, CA, United States of America

Saroj Manandhar