# US 10,864,534 B2 · Rigid mount orbitor sprinkler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,534 B2 - Document ID: US10864534B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/946,382 - Filed: 2018-04-05 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-21 - Assignees: Nelson Irrigation Corporation - Applicants: Nelson Irrigation Corporation - Inventors: George L. Sesser; Craig B. Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864534B2 ## CPC - B05B 3/0426: {the liquid driven rotor being a deflecting rotating element} - B05B 3/003: {with braking means, e.g. friction rings designed to provide a substantially constant revolution speed} - B05B 3/008: {comprising a wobbling or nutating element, e.g. rotating about an axis describing a cone during spraying (B05B3/043 takes precedence)} - B05B 15/18: for improving resistance to wear, e.g. inserts or coatings; for indicating wear; for handling or replacing worn parts - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract A rigid mount orbiter sprinkler assembly incorporates a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly. The sprinkler incorporates structure to reduce drool that may fall in a concentrated area below the sprinkler and to prevent debris from sandy water or the like from accelerating sprinkler component wear. With reduced vibration, the assembly may be rigidly mounted on a center pivot or other supporting structure while achieving the advantages associated with wobbling and rotating sprinkler assemblies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sprinkler comprising: a sprinkler body; a nozzle associated with one end of the sprinkler body; a cap secured to or integral with an opposite end of the sprinkler body, the cap including a central opening; a deflector plate assembly supported by the cap and including a deflector plate at an upstream end facing the nozzle, a spool assembly supported in the central opening of the cap, and a counterbalance weight at a downstream end, wherein the deflector plate assembly is pitched at an angle relative to the sprinkler body, and wherein the counterbalance weight is disposed in a housing coupled with a distal end of the spool assembly, wherein the cap comprises contact surfaces surrounding the central opening on both sides thereof, and wherein the spool assembly comprises a pair of flanges positioned on opposite sides of the cap, the pair of flanges engaging the contact surfaces of the cap, respectively; and a cover positioned over the deflector plate assembly and secured to the sprinkler body, the cover including a pitch member disposed facing the housing, wherein the housing comprises a tab member at a distal end, the pitch member and the tab member cooperating to pitch the deflector plate assembly at the angle relative to the sprinkler body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the spool assembly further comprises a bushing separating the pair of flanges. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A sprinkler according to claim 2, wherein the bushing comprises a circumferential indentation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the spool assembly comprises a spool shaft disposed between a pair of facing spool shoulders, and wherein the pair of flanges are respectively positioned adjacent each of the pair of spool shoulders and on the spool shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A sprinkler according to claim 4, wherein the spool assembly further comprises a bushing positioned on the spool shaft and separating the pair of flanges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A sprinkler according to claim 4, wherein the pair of flanges include respective integral bushing halves in abutting engagement on the spool shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of flanges is formed of an elastomer material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the counterbalance weight is longitudinally displaceable within the housing between a high-speed extended position and a low-speed retracted position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A sprinkler according to claim 8, wherein the counterbalance weight is biased toward the low-speed retracted position by a spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A sprinkler according to claim 8, wherein the housing is coupled with a distal end of the spool assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises fan blades. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the counterbalance weight of the deflector plate assembly is bottommost relative to gravity, and wherein the housing includes exterior fins that taper outwardly from top to bottom. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the deflector plate assembly further comprises a shield member positioned on a downstream side of the deflector plate, the shield member preventing debris from reaching the spool assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A sprinkler according to claim 13, wherein the shield member defines an upstream side of the spool assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A sprinkler according to claim 13, wherein the shield member comprises impeller blades. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A sprinkler according to claim 1, further comprising a start-up rib or lip disposed adjacent an inside diameter of the central opening.