Above-ground adjustable spray pattern sprinkler

An irrigation system for disturbing water to soil, the irrigation system comprising:

• a sprinkler comprising:
• a body;
• an inlet coupling disposed to conduct water into the body from a source of pressurized water;
• a head comprising a cover having an outlet aperture, the head further comprising a plurality of flow control features, each of which is movable into fluid communication with the outlet aperture to control distribution of water received through the inlet coupling to the soil through the outlet aperture, the head comprising a dial axially displaced from the flow control features, wherein the dial is manually rotatable to move the flow control features into fluid communication with the outlet aperture;
• and
• a drive mechanism, at least a portion of which is encased by the body, wherein the drive mechanism is coupled to the body to induce reversing rotation of the outlet aperture about a generally vertical axis through an angle of rotation, wherein the drive mechanism is coupled to first and second levers extending outward with respect to the body, wherein the first and second levers are relatively movable to control the angle of rotation.

A sprinkler for distributing water to soil, the sprinkler comprising:

• an inlet coupling disposed to receive water from a source of pressurized water;
• and
• a head comprising a cover having an outlet aperture, the head further comprising a plurality of nozzles, each of which is movable into fluid communication with the outlet aperture to control distribution of water received through the inlet coupling to the soil through the outlet aperture, wherein the cover comprises a substantially tubular shape having an outer wall, wherein the outlet aperture is formed in the outer wall, wherein the head further comprises a flow control member comprising a substantially tubular shape comprising an outer wall in which the nozzles are formed, wherein the flow control member is rotatable about a generally vertical axis, wherein the head further comprises a dial extending from the flow control member, wherein the dial protrudes from the cover to permit rotation of the flow control member with respect to the cover via manual rotation of the dial;
• wherein all of the nozzles are simultaneously in fluid communication with the inlet coupling;
• and
• wherein the nozzles are disposed within a chamber defined by the cover.

A sprinkler for distributing water to soil, the sprinkler comprising:

• an inlet coupling disposed to receive water from a source of pressurized water;
• a head comprising a cover having an outlet aperture, the head further comprising a plurality of flow control features, each of which is movable into fluid communication with the outlet aperture to control distribution of water received through the inlet coupling to the soil through the outlet aperture, the head further comprising a dial manually rotatable to move the flow control features into fluid communication with the outlet aperture;
• and
• a drive mechanism coupled to the cover to induce reversing rotation of the outlet aperture about a generally vertical axis through an angle of rotation;
• wherein the dial extends outward with respect to the cover and is displaced from the flow control features toward the inlet coupling.

A sprinkler for distributing water to soil, the sprinkler comprising:

• an inlet coupling disposed to receive water from a source of pressurized water;
• a head comprising a cover having a substantially flat plate in which an outlet aperture is formed, the head further comprising a plurality of flow control features, each of which is movable into fluid communication with the outlet aperture to control distribution of water received through the inlet coupling to the soil through the outlet aperture, wherein the head further comprises a flow control member comprising a substantially flat plate adjacent to the substantially flat plate of the cover, and a plurality of tubular extensions extending from the substantially flat plate of the flow control member, wherein each of the tubular extensions is disposed to convey water to one of the flow control features, wherein the flow control member is rotatable about the generally vertical axis to align any of the tubular extensions with the outlet aperture;
• and
• a drive mechanism coupled to the cover to induce reversing rotation of the outlet aperture about a generally vertical axis through an angle of rotation.

A method for irrigating soil through the use of a sprinkler comprising an inlet coupling, a head comprising a plurality of flow control features and a cover having an outlet aperture, and a drive mechanism comprising a reduction gear train, the method comprising:

• disposing one of the flow control features in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to provide a selected flow control feature;
• receiving water from a source of pressurized water through the inlet coupling;
• transmitting torque to the cover with a positive mechanical advantage via the gear train to induce oscillating rotation of the outlet aperture about a generally vertical axis, wherein the reduction gear train is exposed to the water received through the inlet coupling;
• distributing the water to the soil through the outlet aperture along a spray pattern controlled by the selected flow control feature;
• and
• wherein the cover comprises a substantially flat plate in which the outlet aperture is formed, wherein the head further comprises a flow control member comprising a plurality of tubular extensions, each of which is disposed to convey water to one of the flow control features, wherein disposing one of the flow control features in fluid communication with the outlet aperture comprises rotating the flow control member about the generally vertical axis to align one of the tubular extensions with the outlet aperture.

A method for irrigating soil through the use of a sprinkler comprising a body, an inlet coupling, a head comprising a plurality of flow control features, a cover having an outlet aperture, and a dial, the sprinkler further comprising drive mechanism comprising first and second levers, the method comprising:

• relatively positioning the first and second levers to establish an angle of rotation of the cover, wherein the first and second levers extend outward with respect to the body and the body encases at least a portion of the drive mechanism;
• manually rotating the dial to dispose one of the flow control features in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to provide a selected flow control feature, wherein the dial is axially offset from the flow control features;
• receiving water from a source of pressurized water through the inlet coupling;
• directing the water to flow through the drive mechanism to induce oscillating rotation of the outlet aperture about a generally vertical axis through the angle of rotation;
• distributing the water to the soil through the outlet aperture along a spray pattern controlled by the selected flow control feature.