The Toro Company

Stephen L Tyler

John L Staylor

James W Zimmerman

Gregory B Holcomb

Glendale Grizzle

Joseph J Walto

Michael J Grundy

Wilson V Cochran

Jon A Bivens

Glen Grizzle

An adjustable arc sprinkler nozzle comprises a nozzle body which has a plurality of radial channels for forming radial streams out of water flowing into the nozzle from a sprinkler body to which the nozzle is joined. A crown shaped deflector member includes a plurality of vertically extending fingers which operatively coact with the radial nozzle channels to restrict the amount of water flowing therethrough. A selectively operable adjusting member is cooperatively engaged with the deflecting member for moving the deflecting member vertically relative to the nozzle body to vary the position of the fingers relative to the channels to change the amount of water restriction imposed by the fingers on the water flowing through the channels, whereby the throw radius is selectively adjusted by vertical movement of the deflecting member.

Adjustable radius sprinkler nozzle

An improved solenoid comprises a housing having a compartment in which at least two electrical connectors are contained. Each connector comprises a spring clip which resiliently grips the bare wire end of a conductor that is inserted into the connectors. After the conductors are so joined, a separable strain relief cap may be inserted over the solenoid to bend the conductors into a non-linear configuration, resisting accidental displacement. A third connector is preferably electrically joined to one of the first two connectors, to allow the common line to be conveniently extended from one solenoid to the next in a series of such solenoids. In addition, a waterproof grease or gel is injected into the compartments around the connectors.

Solenoid

A sprinkler (10, 10') including a riser assembly (14) and a removable nozzle module (34) operatively connected thereto. Nozzle module (34) includes a nozzle holder (36, 36') and a nozzle (38). Nozzle holder (36, 36') is accessible even when sprinkler (10) is buried and the riser assembly (14) is completely retracted. In a preferred embodiment, a bayonet fit exists between nozzle module (34) and riser assembly (14) so that it is only necessary to twist nozzle module (34) a few degrees to disconnect it from riser assembly (14). Once nozzle module (34) is removed, nozzle (38) can be replaced or unplugged as necessary. Sprinkler (10') preferably includes a security cover (77) which, when in place, prevents access to nozzle module (34) and prevents removal of same from the riser assembly rotating portion (30).

Sprinkler nozzle module

A fluid flow control valve has a resilient diaphragm that engages a valve seat. A line contact is formed between the diaphragm and the valve seat at or closely adjacent the outer diameter of the valve seat. This enhances the ability of the valve to seal under low fluid pressures. The diaphragm is reinforced by a plastic reinforcing member which is formed separately from the diaphragm. The reinforcing member and the diaphragm are inserted together in a press fit, and barbed posts on the reinforcing member hold the two together.

Irrigation valve

An improved rain switch includes a tubular L-shaped housing having an enclosed compartment in one arm in which an electrical switch is contained and an apertured compartment in the other arm in which a moisture absorptive assembly is contained. When mounted on a building with the apertured arm parallel to the ground, the electrical switch will be located to one side of the apertured arm and is not prone to coming into contact with any of the rain water passing through the device. Thus, a non-sealed electrical switch can be used. In addition, the housing is snap fit to the building and the electrical switch is releasably contained on a slide member received in the housing to ease switch replacement. A cover also hides a threaded adjusting cap to prevent unauthorized adjustment for how much water is required to be absorbed before the electrical switch is actuated.

Rain switch

An improved valve includes an inlet, an outlet and a valve seat. A flexible diaphragm assembly seals against the valve seat. A bleed assembly extends into a pressure chamber located above the diaphragm for bleeding fluid pressure out of the chamber, thereby opening the valve. The bleed assembly includes a hollow tube inserted into a plastic plunger seat that is carried on the cap of the valve beneath the plunger of an actuating solenoid. Such a bleed assembly does not need a bleed tube having a precisely controlled length, and is not sensitive to flexure of the cap.

Valve having improved bleed assembly

A sprinkler (10) including a riser assembly (14) and a removable nozzle module (34) operatively connected thereto. Nozzle module (34) includes a nozzle holder (36) and a nozzle (38). Nozzle holder (36) is accessible even when sprinkler (10) is buried and the riser assembly (14) is completely retracted. In a preferred embodiment, a bayonet fit exists between nozzle module (34) and riser assembly (14) so that it is only necessary to twist nozzle module (34) a few degrees to disconnect it from riser assembly (14). Once nozzle module (34) is removed, nozzle (38) can be replaced or unplugged as necessary.

An improved sprinkler head (2) having a hollow housing (4) has a fluid inlet (5) for admitting water into housing (2). A drain valve (40) comprises an elongated flexible nipple (34) having an open upper end (35) and a closed lower end (36) having a normally closed drain passage (42). Nipple (34) is mounted in any drain port in housing (4). Whenever fluid pressures inside housing (4) increase above a first level, nipple (34) will have its walls bowed outwardly until the drain passage (42) is opened. Preferably, drain valve (40) is part of a check valve (30) which incorporates into it the structure of nipple (34).

Sprinkler head drain valve

An improved adjustable arc sprinkler head (2) includes a pop-up riser (20). Riser (20) comprises a housing (26) having a rotatable nozzle assembly (28) carried adjacent the top thereof. A driven gear (50) is fixed to nozzle assembly (28) and cooperates with a drive train contained inside a motor compartment (30) in riser housing (26). An adjustment member (58) is normally rotatably locked to driven gear (50) by matching serrations (69) and (70). Nozzle assembly (28) is moveable downwardly relative to riser housing (26) sufficiently far to disengage serrations (69) and (70) and allow driven gear (50) to be rotated relative to adjustment member (58). This rotation varies the circumferential distance between two stops (56) and (64) carried on driven gear (50) and adjustment member (58) to vary the angular extent of the arc segment being watered by sprinkler head (2).

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Diamond Bar, CA, United States of America

Stephen L Tyler