Irrigation sprinkler unit and method of irrigation
AssigneeRX Plastics Limited
InventorJohn Kirk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stripwise method of irrigation is disclosed, for use with an irrigation system comprising a length of flexible conduit to which a plurality of sprinklers are fixed, each sprinkler being fastened to a protective device which also keeps the sprinkler upright when the conduit is drawn across the ground. The conduit is connected to a water main riser positioned within the area to be irrigated and while maintaining water supply to the sprinklers, the conduit is drawn over the ground by a tow vehicle between set positions. In a preferred variation of the method consecutive set positions are on alternate sides of an imaginary line through the riser that bisects the area.
Claims41
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head, for a water delivery system which is operable at a predetermined pressure and volume, said device including:
- a base adapted to slide over ground terrain;
- clamping means to releasably clamp said device to a water pipe which provides water to said sprinkler head;
- at least two sides, or portions of sides, which are opposite each other and oriented in line with the direction of the said water pipe, said sides are secured to said base and protrude substantially above any moving part of said head;
- and
- means to releasably secure each sprinkler head to the device;
- wherein said releasably securing means also supplies a water path between the pipe and the sprinkler head;
- a water jet from a sprinkler head inside the device does not impinge upon the sides of the device at said predetermined pressure and volume;
- and
- said device protects said head from damage by impact with another object either when said device is stationary and said head is either rotating or stationary, or when said device is moving over ground terrain and said head is either rotating or stationary.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sides of the device encircle the sprinkler head.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said device is in the shape of a bowl.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sides and base are formed integrally.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said base is reinforced with a layer of a hard wearing material which has a high resistance to abrasion.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sides include holes, cut-outs and or patterns of holes.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed any one of the preceding claims wherein said clamping means includes at least one sleeve shaped to fit over the water pipe and at least one bolt for releasably securing the pipe within the or each sleeve.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sprinkler head includes an upright section and said means to releasably secure the sprinkler head includes a shaped central sleeve for releasably securing said upright to the water pipe, said central sleeve being releasably bolted to the base.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said base further includes additional means to assist in sliding said device along the ground terrain.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said device is made substantially from material selected from the group:
- plastics, wood, metal, metal alloy, and a combination thereof.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said water delivery system is capable of delivering water selected from the group:
- water as such, fluid effluent, agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential wastes, all of which are capable of being pumped and conveyed in a piped reticulation system, and all of which are capable of being sprayed from low or high pressure spray devices, a fluid with a high concentration of dissolved material and/or suspended particles and a combination thereof.
A device for the protection of a water sprinkler head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein ground terrain may be selected from:
- level ground, undulating ground, sloping ground (where the angle of slope is less than 50°), ground capable of being ploughed, and a combination thereof.
An irrigation system, which includes:
- a length of pipe with two ends, a first end being adapted to releasably connect to either another length of pipe or to a water source, the second end of the pipe being adapted either to be releasably attachable to another length of pipe or to be releasably attachable to a closed end;
- and
- a plurality of devices as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said devices being spaced evenly along the length of pipe, with a sprinkler head secured within each device and to said pipe;
- means attachable to one end of said system for towing said system behind a vehicle;
- wherein
- said system is slidable along the ground in either a straight line or a curve.
A method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32 wherein said method further includes the step of releasing said one end from the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.