# US 5,699,962 A · Automatic engagement nozzle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,962 A - Document ID: US5699962A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/540,246 - Filed: 1995-10-06 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1994-01-07 - Assignees: Hunter Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Loren W. Scott; Kurt Kulberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699962A ## CPC - B05B 15/00: Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories - B05B 15/65: Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits - B05B 3/0432: {the rotation of the outlet elements being reversible (B05B3/0444 takes precedence)} - 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 sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet, the outlet having a nozzle receiving socket, a nozzle for detachably mounting in the outlet, a latching device in the socket for latching engagement with the nozzle for retaining the nozzle in the socket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, the sprinkler unit comprising: a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting said inlet to said outlet, said outlet having means defining a nozzle receiving socket having an axis; a nozzle for detachably mounting in said outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from said housing; latching means in said nozzle receiving socket for latching engagement with said nozzle; and biasing means in said socket for biasing said nozzle and forcing it to tilt relative to said axis into latching engagement with said latching means for retaining said nozzle in said socket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sprinkler unit according to claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises a projection in said socket for engagement with a shoulder on said nozzle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A sprinkler unit according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means is a wall in said socket that extends at an angle to an inlet wall of said socket. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A sprinkler unit according to claim 3 wherein said socket includes an oval outermost portion, a generally conical intermediate portion and a cylindrical innermost portion. ### Claim 5 A sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, the sprinkler unit comprising: a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting said inlet to said outlet, said outlet having means defining a nozzle receiving socket; a nozzle for detachably mounting in said outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from said housing; a latching protection in said nozzle receiving socket for latching engagement with a shoulder on said nozzle, wherein said projection is a screw adjustably extending into said socket; and biasing means in said socket for biasing said nozzle into latching engagement with said latching projection for retaining said nozzle in said socket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A sprinkler unit according to claim 5 wherein said biasing means is a wall in said socket that extends at an angle to an inlet wall of said socket. ### Claim 7 A sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, the sprinkler unit comprising: a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting said inlet to said outlet, said outlet having means defining a nozzle receiving socket, wherein said socket includes an oval outermost portion, a generally conical intermediate portion and a cylindrical innermost portion, a nozzle for detachably mounting in said outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from said housing; latching means in said nozzle receiving socket for latching engagement with said nozzle; and biasing means for biasing in said socket for biasing said nozzle into latching engagement with said latching means for retaining said nozzle in said socket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A sprinkler unit according to claim 7 wherein said latching means comprises a projection in said socket for engagement with a shoulder on said nozzle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A sprinkler unit according to claim 8 wherein said projection is a screw adjustably extending into said oval outermost portion of said socket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A sprinkler unit according to claim 8 wherein said nozzle has a generally cylindrical tubular body having an end wall with an orifice, an outwardly projecting wall portion with a slot therein forming a shoulder for latching engagement with said latching means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A sprinkler unit according to claim 10 wherein: said body has a generally fiat circular top with a tab receiving recess therein; and said nozzle has a tab that extends over said top and into said recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A sprinkler unit according to claim 11 wherein said sprinkler unit is an adjustable arc oscillating unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A sprinkler unit according to claim 11 wherein said sprinkler unit is an adjustable arc fixed head unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A sprinkler unit according to claim 13 wherein said generally conical intermediate portion of said socket defines said biasing means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A sprinkler unit according to claim 11 wherein said sprinkler unit has a range of arc adjustment and includes multiple nozzles selectable for a predetermined rate of precipitation for selectable ranges of spacings over said range of arc adjustment. ### Claim 16 A sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, the sprinkler unit comprising: a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting said inlet to said outlet, said outlet having means defining a nozzle receiving socket having an axis; a nozzle for detachably mounting in said outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from said housing; latching means extending into said nozzle receiving socket for latching engagement with a shoulder on said nozzle; and biasing means in said socket for biasing said nozzle laterally relative to said axis into latching engagement with said latching means for retaining said nozzle in said socket. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A sprinkler unit according to claim 16 wherein said biasing means is a wall in said socket that extends at an angle to an inlet wall of said socket. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A sprinkler unit according to claim 17 wherein said socket includes an oval outermost portion, a generally conical intermediate portion and a cylindrical innermost portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A sprinkler unit according to claim 16 wherein said latching means is a screw adjustably extending into said socket, and said biasing means is a wall in said socket that extends at an angle to an inlet wall of said socket. ### Claim 20 A sprinkler unit having a system of nozzles for a wide range of conditions, the sprinkler unit comprising: a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting said inlet to said outlet, said outlet having means defining a nozzle receiving socket having an axis and a generally oval outermost portion; a nozzle for detachably mounting in said socket for distributing a stream of water outward from said housing; and latching means in said nozzle receiving socket and on said nozzle for latching engagement upon tilting said nozzle relative to said axis.