Impact drive sprinkler

Abstract

An impact drive sprinkler is provided from a relatively small number of easily assembled components which can be formed predominantly from lightweight molded plastic or the like. The sprinkler includes a unitary sprinkler body having a lower riser tube rotatably supported within a one-piece bearing sleeve adapted for connection to a water supply riser or the like, wherein the lower riser tube is joined to an upper range tube through which an irrigation water stream is projected. An oscillatory impact drive arm and a spring are snap-fit mounted with a controlled spring preload onto the sprinkler body for spring-loaded rotation of the drive arm toward a position with a deflector spoon unit thereon interrupting the projected water stream. A one-piece reversing mechanism is also snap-fit mounted onto the sprinkler body for shifting movement between forward- and reverse-drive positions, with a pair of integral spring arms thereon cooperating with cam surfaces on the sprinkler body to releasably retain the reversing mechanism in the desired position. The sprinkler further includes a combination diffuser and range deflector having a one-piece construction for snap-fitting onto the sprinkler body and adjustable to select the droplet size and range of the projected water stream. A one-piece stream diverter may also be provided in addition to or in lieu of the adjustable diffuser/deflector and includes a spring-loaded diverter blade for variably diverting the projected water stream as a function of water pressure to control stream fall-out distribution.