Irrigation Sprinkler Nozzle with Enhanced Close-In Water Distribution

An irrigation sprinkler nozzle, comprising:

• a nozzle body defining a nozzle passage having an upstream end for mounting in flow communication with a supply of water under pressure, and a downstream end defining a nozzle outlet for outward projection of a water stream to irrigate surrounding terrain, said nozzle outlet being shaped generally at an inboard side thereof for laterally converging water flowing through said nozzle outlet to form at least a lower portion of said stream with a generally vertically oriented fan-like spray pattern;
• said nozzle outlet including a lower margin, and having an outboard side defining a front face plane;
• and
• a plurality of ramps formed at said lower margin of said nozzle outlet and extending forwardly and angularly downwardly therefrom each with a selected different declination angle, each of said ramps having an upstream end disposed at least a short distance upstream relative to said front face plane of said nozzle outlet, and at least a short distance downstream relative to initial lateral convergence of water flowing through said nozzle outlet, whereby a portion of the water passing through said nozzle outlet is forced and guided downwardly generally along said ramps to irrigate surrounding terrain relatively close to the sprinkler nozzle.

An irrigation sprinkler nozzle, comprising:

• a nozzle body defining a nozzle passage having an upstream end for mounting in flow communication with a supply of water under pressure, and a downstream end defining a nozzle outlet for outward projection of a water stream to irrigate surrounding terrain;
• said nozzle outlet said nozzle outlet further including laterally converging tapered transition surfaces formed generally at an upstream side thereof and at opposite sides of said nozzle outlet for laterally converging water flowing through said nozzle outlet to form at least a lower portion of said stream with a generally vertically oriented fan-like spray pattern;
• said nozzle outlet including a lower margin, and having an outboard side defining a front face plane;
• and
• a plurality of ramps formed at said lower margin of said nozzle outlet and extending forwardly and angularly downwardly therefrom each with a selected different declination angle, each of said ramps having an upstream end disposed at least a short distance upstream relative to said front face plane of said nozzle outlet, and at least a short distance downstream from an upstream end of said laterally converging tapered transition surfaces, whereby a portion of the water passing through said nozzle outlet is forced and guided downwardly generally along said ramps to irrigate surrounding terrain relatively close to the sprinkler nozzle.