Arc arrest mechanism for irrigation sprinklers
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorTravis L. Onofrio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism is described to resist or prevent rotation of portions of an irrigation sprinkler riser when in its lowered or popped-down position. Hence, when a pedestrian walks over a lowered sprinkler or a lawn mower rolls over a sprinkler, for example, the riser will remain fixed in its rotational orientation relative to its outer body and surroundings. By resisting or preventing this rotation, this rotational locking mechanism prevents damage to the internal transmission, gears, and arc trip mechanisms of the sprinkler, as well as prevents the watering arc from being accidentally adjusted.
Claims13
A sprinkler comprising:
- a sprinkler base assembly connectable to a water source;
- a riser that increases in a height from the sprinkler base assembly during irrigation;
- the riser comprising a turret that rotates a nozzle;
- and,
- a rotational brake mechanism comprising a plurality of rigid raised elements and a flexible material;
- wherein the plurality of rigid raised elements and the flexible material are positioned at locations between a lower surface of the turret and an upper surface of the sprinkler base assembly;
- wherein each rigid raised element of the plurality of rigid raised elements is spaced circumferentially apart from two other rigid raised elements of the plurality of rigid raised elements about the lower surface of the turret, wherein each rigid raised element of the plurality of rigid raised elements has the same radial dimension;
- and wherein the plurality of rigid raised elements engage the flexible material when a downward force is applied to a top of the riser when the riser is in a lowered position.
A sprinkler comprising:
- a sprinkler base assembly connectable to a water source;
- a riser having a raised position during an irrigation event and a lowered position relative to the sprinkler base assembly;
- the riser comprising a turret that rotates a nozzle;
- and,
- a rotational brake mechanism comprising a plurality of rigid raised elements and a flexible material;
- wherein the plurality of rigid raised elements and the flexible material are positioned at locations between a lower surface of the turret and an upper surface of a lower riser portion of the riser;
- wherein each rigid raised element of the plurality of rigid raised elements is spaced circumferentially apart from two other rigid raised elements of the plurality of rigid raised elements about the lower surface of the turret, wherein each rigid raised element of the plurality of rigid raised elements has the same radial dimension;
- and wherein the plurality of rigid raised elements engage the flexible material when a downward force is applied to a top of the riser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.