AU644089B2 - Flush sprinkler - Google Patents

Abstract

A pop-up sprinkler (1) has on a sprinkler unit (2) which can be hydraulically raised and lowered in a shaft (3) a plurality of nozzle units (9) which, by means of a handle (10) located at the top, can be selectively switched to spray mode and whose nozzle jet can be varied, in each case independently, by means of a jet dispersing element (22) which can be adjusted with an associated handle (12). In addition, handles (14, 15) for changing a spray dispersing angle are provided according to size and according to position. All the handles (10, 12, 14, 15) can be raised and lowered with the sprinkler unit (2) and are therefore easily accessible. An automatically valve-controlled rinsing device (81) is provided for cleaning the bearing of the sprinkler unit (2), and a draining valve (72) which is located directly in the through-flowing stream of water, the valve body (74) of which valve is clipped into a valve bore (73) of the shaft component, is provided for reliably draining the pop-up sprinkler (1). <IMAGE>

Description

644089 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME ADDRESS OF APPLICANT: GARDENA Kress Kastner GmbH Lichternseestrasse D-7900 Ulm/Donau Federal Republic of Germany NAME(S) OF INVENTOR(S): SWolfgang LINDERMEIR SRam Krishna AGRAVWAL S. Johann SCHAFFER Franz LOPIC Christian STEPHANY ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: Flush sprinkler The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- -la- The invention relates to a sprinkler and more particularly to a sprinkler having improved water discharge performance.

One preferred object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler wherein the discharge state of the water is adjustable or settable with respect to at least one operational parameter, so that it is possible to adjust the size of the watered area, its position, the watering intensity, etc.

DE-OS 20 36 462 e.g. discloses a watering means, in which the water supply can be 20 varied with a handle, which is located on the component flush-mounted in the ground, namely a shaft receiving the watering unit in a raiseable and lowerable manner. The handle turns the entire shaft, which is naturally hindered, as a function of the soil characteristics, by a varying sliding friction with respect to the soil and also easily leads to dirtying. By merely increasing or decreasing the water supply it 25 is only possible to vary to a very limited extent the working characteristic.

Much the same applies with regards to the watering means described in German SPatent 24 62 474, in which the sprayed pattern is substantially uncontrollably modified in that on turning the nozzle head individual spray nozzles are successively controlled by a stationary disk cam. Thus, although the nozzle head performs complete turns, water is essentially only discharged from all the spray nozzles in the same segmental area, namely those in which the said nozzles are supplied with water 930826,p:\oper\kay,flushclal -2via a control opening in the disk cam. There is no manual adjustability of said segmental area or its position with respect to a central axis.

An object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler in which the disadvantages of the prior art are avoided or at least substantially reduced and which can be adapted in many different ways to the watering requirements. The sprinkler is preferably easy to handle and is secured against unintentional adjustment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sprinkler comprising: at least one sprinkler unit which in an operating position is arranged to have specified operational parameters such as spray width, spray density or spray jet fanning of discharge streams, at least one nozzle unit having at least two separate first and second nozzle ports; at least one adjusting means including a nozzle port selecting device and comprising at least one operating member for changing the operational parameters of the sprinkler unit; and wherein said nozzle port selecting device is arranged to selectively enable discharge of water in a discharge state from said first and second nozzle ports.

SPreferably, said sprinkler unit is transferable between a retracted position and said operating position with respect to a shaft member.

Preferably, at least one of said at least one operating member is formed as a handle.

For example at least one handle can be arranged in the manner of an upper, disklike cover on the upper end of the sprinkler unit and can protect the latter and optionally a shaft receiving the sprinkler unit in the flush position against the penetration of water, dirt, etc and it appropriately cooperates in the manner of a closing piece with an upper end cap of the shaft. At least one further handle can be located directly below the upper end on the sprinkler 930826,p:\oper~kayIusb.da,2 I 3 unit, e.g. in such a way that with its much smaller circumference than the sprinkler unit it is located in the vicinity of the outer circumferential surface of said sprinkler unit, so that after raising the latter it is easily accessible and several such handles can be housed in the same longitudinal area of the sprinkler unit for several Circumferentially distributed spray nozzles. At least one handle can also be provided below the nozzle head or at least one spray nozzle, in such a way that it forms in the manner of a ring a longitudinal portion of the outer circumference or outer casing of the sprinkler unit. In order to be able to raise the sprinkler unit independently of the water supply, e.g. for maintenance or for carrying out adjustments, it is appropriate to provide a corresponding device to be operated with a handle, the latter advantageously "being positioned at the upper end of the sprinkler unit and can in a simple embodiment be formed by a handle of San adjusting device, which for setting the latter is rotatable S about a central axis of the sprinkler unit, whilst it can be engaged from below for manually raising the sprinkler unit out of the flush or concealed position. This handle can also be used for blocking the water supply to the particular spray nozzle or all the spray nozzles, so that then the sprinkler unit can also be raised hydraulically under hydraulic pressure without the water being discharged.

It is particularly appropriate if water only exits from a single spray nozzle in the working state, but if several different spray nozzles are distirbuted in roughly radially i. outwardly directed manner about the central axis of the sprinkler unit each of said nozzles can be connected to the water supply by switching over. Thus, nozzles with different spray characteristics can be provided and as a function of the requirements can be used as required by switching over the associated adjusting device. In addition, with each spray nozzle can be associated an 4 adjusting device, in such a way that a jet spreading member can be moved to a greater or lesser extent roughly radially from the outside in to the spray jet leaving the nozzle, said jet spreading member then being fixed in the set position with respect to the associated spray nozzle.

This jet spreading unit can fan out the spray jet to a greater or lesser extent enabling both the shape and size of its cross-section and also its range to be modified.

Advantageously the nozzle opening of the spray nozzle or the jet spreading member is countersunk within a widened exit depression of the sprinkler unit, so that the relatively widely deflected parts of the spray jet can once again undergo a certain bundling or focussing on the inner face of said depression.

According to a further dcvclpment of the N a sprinkler head of the sprinkler unit, which has at least o. one of the spray nozzles, is automatically pivotable or S* rotatable during operation about a generally approximately vertical central axis of the sprinkler unit and for this purpose is appropriately provided a drive driven by the fluid or water to be sprayed and which therefore flows through the sprinkler unit. Preference is given to the use of a hydraulic geared motor similar to that of patent application P 38 33 984.6, to which reference should be S. made for further details and effects. It is only necessary to adapt an end carrier provided at the upper end of the motor and an end cap provided at the uppper end, together with adjusting rings on the connected areas of the sprinkler unit. This drive can form a longitudinal portion of the sprinkler unit in such a way that the outer circumference of its motor, gear and control casing, as well as its adjusting rings form the outer circumference of said longitudinal portion. Preferably the srinkler head is driven in such a way that it can rotate at a maximum over an arc angle of approximately 3600, but performs a reciprocating XS^sq, rotary movement, whose arc angle and position with respect 5 to the sprinkler axis can be modified with one of the aforementioned adjusting devices. As the water supply tu the particular spray nozzle exclusively passes through the interior of the drive casing, the latter requires no further covering.

The inv-entiv;e sprinkler unit can be assembled in simple modular manner from at least two longitudinal portions, which in each case form a closed subassembly, said subassemblies being assemblable and/or screwable together in the longitudinal direction, optionally accompanied by bonding. One subassembly is appropriately formed by a base body forming the lower end of the sprinkler unit and which simultaneously constitutes the lower end carrier for the rotary reception of the remaining sprinkler unit or the sprinkler head. To the upper end of said base body is appropriately connected as a further subassembly *o ;the drive with a hydraulic motor, which is connected by means of a hollow shaft to the base body in such a way that it can rotate with respect to the latter. At the lower end of the hydraulic motor or the drive casing are appropriately provided as a sump assembly to directly adjacently superimposed adjusting rings for the manual setting of the associated adjusting device. These adjusting rings which surround the hollow shaft are positioned between the drive casing and the base body. To the upper end of the hydraulic motor is connected as a further subassembly the sprinkler head and to its upper end a subassembly containing at least one of the described handles. All 55.

the subassemblies are interconnected in an almost continuous manner and have the same external cross-sections or the same external diameters, so that a relatively smoothsurfaced outer jacket for the sprinkler unit is obtained, over whose upper end can radially project the top handle over whose lower end a reciprocating piston one piece with the base body.

1 6 In place of the desribed construction or in addition thereto, according to the invention there is also a device for the cleaning or lubricating flushing of at least one bearing of the sprinkler unit and in particular the lift bearing.

Appropriately an upper bearing of the sprinkler unit is provided in the vicinity of its passage through the upper end of the shaft, whilst the lower bearing is formed with respect to the shaft by the reciprocating piston. The said device is constructed in such a way that flushing is blocked in the working position of the sprinkler unit, whilst in at least one position differing therefrom and in particular substantially over the entire stroke is opened in such a way that part of the water supplied to the flush sprinkler is branched off and flushes the bearing gaps. This can be achieved in a very simple manner in that at least one piston packing is deformed in a limited untight position over the associated part of the stroke by projections on the piston travel path formed through the shaft, so that water can enter from below the annular space, which is free from components other than possibly a restoring or return spring, between the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit and the inner circumference of the shaft and during the stroke can pass out upwards from the upper bearing accompanied by flushing. The projections only extend so far upwards that they substantially free the piston packing in the upper stroke end position, so that complete tight closure is obtained and no for further water can pass through. The projections can simultaneously be used in the manner of longitudinal guides for providing a positive protection against the the turning of the sprinkler unit or its base body with respect to the shaft.

Particularly in positions where there is a frost risk, importance can be attached to an automatic draining of the flush sprinkler, as is e.g. knwnArrom German Utility Model 80 08 808. The use of a valve having a valve housing

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7 and constructed as a closed subassembly is relatively costly and prone to faults. However,'a~aerding- t thze *invention in the case of a flush sprinkler of the described type or of another type a drain valve is proposed, which comprises a very small number of simple componnents and is not prone to faults. Appropriately said drain valve has a bolt or pin-like valve closure, which is positioned in the draining bore of the shaft, so that the valve housing is constructed in one piece with the shaft. A valve spring opening the valve closure in pressure dependent manner can be formed by the valve packing e.g. in the form of an O-ring, which in radial view is curved in the relieved state, so that it can only be transferred from this curved state into its approximately uncurved sealing position under pretension. This packing ring surrounding the valve closure and positioned between two faces of the valve 4* e closure and the valve housing moves the valve closure in the pressureless-state so far in the direction of its S* open position, that a through-flow gap opens, which is penetrated by the water in the shaft, so that the valve closure can be completely transferred into its open position.

If a head of the valve closure with its face remote from 4. the valve packing is located at right angles in the supply 01: flow of the water supplied by the inlet duct to the square sprinkler, then the drain valve is immediately closed at the start of water supply. It is also conceivable to provide a separate valve spring for the valve opening.

The drain valve is also suitable for shafts other than flush sprinkler shafts, namely e.g. those which are intended to receive a water main stop valve, a water connected ci socket, etc.

Also in the case of shafts for different uses, but particularly in the case of a shaft for a flush sprinkler or the like to be buried in the ground and connected to a water main, it is advantageous if means are provided for iconnecting the water main directly to the shaft without -8any separate components or fastenings. For this is in particular suitable a plug connection, whereof one of its two plug parts is in one piece with the shaft and the other is in one piece with the main to be connected, e.g. being formed by a hose end of said main. The connecting part of the shaft is formed by a connecting piece or nipple projecting freely and in particular radially at the lower end and which has on its outer circumference profilings for securing with respect to the main part to be fitted on.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 depicts a flush sprinkler in axial section and in the concealed position; Figure 2 depicts the flush sprinkler according to Figure 1 in the working position; Figure 3 depicts the flush sprinkler head in axial section and on a larger scale; Figure 4 depicts the sprinkler head according to Figure 3 in plan view; Figure 5 shows a nozzle unit in front view;

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Figure 6 shows the nozzle unit according to Figure 5 in axial section; Figure 7 shows a handle of an adjusting device in a view from below; S: SFigure 8 shows a detail of the shaft according to Figure 1 in axial section;

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Figure 9 shows the shaft according to Figure 8 in plan view; 30 Figure 10 shows a drain valve closure; Figure 11 shows the base body of the sprinkler unit according to Figures 1 and 2 in 930210,p:\oper\ky,59920.cla,8 elevation; and Figure 12 shows the base body according to Figure 11 in plan view.

The flush sprinkler 1 according to Figures 1 and 2 has a sprinkler unit 2 mounted in raiseable and lowerable manner in e.g. a shaft 3 to be placed in an almost completely concealed manner in the ground. The sprinkler unit 2 has a vertical central axis common to the shaft and in the concealed position only projects above an upper shaft end with a circular disk-like part. For raising purposes is provided a hydraulic lifting device in the manner of a lifting cylinder working against a restoring spring. The upper of the sprinkler unit 2 forms a sprinkler head 6, whilst the lower, shorter end having half the overall height of the sprinkler unit is formed by a base body 8 associated with the lifting device 5. Between the base body 8 and the sprinkler head 6 is provided a rotary drive 7 whose outer body carrying in stable manner the sprinkler head during operation is rotatable backwards and forwards with respect to the base body 8 by an adjustable angle about the central axis 4.

The sprinkler head 6 carries at the same level three uniformly circumferentially distributed nozzle units 9, which are concealed or flush with respect to its outer "20 circumference. The axial planes of the nozzle units 9 coincide with the

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*o *o~o *o• o* *~i 930210,p:\oper\kay,5992.cIa,9 axial planes of the central axis 4, but the nozzle axes rise radially outwards under angles of less than 450, so that they spray in an upwardly sloping direction.

Only a one of the nozzle units 9 is in operation in each case and on it can be resiliently lockingly set the sprinkler head by means of an adjusting device 11 by rotating about the central axis 4. The sprinkler head can be set in such a way that all the nozzles are disconnected. The adjusting device 11 has a circular disk and cap-like handle fixed in non-rotary manner to the sprinkler head 6 and which essentially forms the upper end of the sprinkler unit 2, which engages as a closure in the interior of head 6 and has a portion connected to its upper end and projecting over its outer circumference. Thus, the handle in the concealed position engages over the upper passage of the shaft 3 for the sprinkler unit 2 with a limited gee.

axial spacing or so as to axially abut, so that a closing *o cover for the upper shaft opening is formed.

Se see In a ring around the central axis 4 the handle 10 carries on the underside and together with the sprinkler head 6 a number of adjusting devices 13 corresponding to the number of nozzle units 9 enabling the spread of the water eec.

jet passing out of the nozzle unit 9 to be modified.

Each adjusting device 13 has a handle 12 positioned eccentrically to the central axis 4 and rotatable about an ee axis roughly parallel thereto and which is positioned in axially secured manner between the handle 10 and the sprinkler head 6 stable with respect to the same. The egg 0. substantially cylindrical handles 12 extend approximately up to the outer circumference of the sprinkler head 6, so that part of the circumference, after raising the sprinkler unit 2, is accessible immediately abovP the associated nozzle unit 9. A further adjusting device 16 spaced below the nozzle units 9 is used on the one hand for modifying the size of the rotation angle of the sprinkler head 6 and on the other for the random positional modification of the spray field determined by said rotation angle with 11 respect to the central axis 4. The adjusting device 16 has an eccentric switch pin rotating backwards and forwards between stops adjustable relative to one another together with the sprinkler head 6 or the outer body of the drive 7 and which on running on to the particular stop so reverses a double valve through which the water flows that the drive is reversed with respect to its rotation direction.

The stops are provided within two circular or sleeve-like handles 14,15, which in the manner of adjusting rings and axially following onto one another are fixed relative to the base body 8 in the adjusting position and are located between its upper end and the lower end of the outer body of the drive 7. The handles 14,15, like the handles 12 are only accessible after moving out the sprinkler unit 2 and are then closely juxtaposed above the upper end of the shaft 3. By reciprocal adjustment of the handles 14,15 the magnitude of the rotation angel is modified and by joint adjustment its position with respect to the central axis is modified.

By means of a bearing sleeve 18 open at both ends and located at the inside in radial spacing, the sprinkler head 6 is rotatably engaged on an upwardly projecting bearing shaft 17 and is axially locked with a locking cover 19 fixed to the upper end of said shaft 17 and which g. engages over the upper face of the component forming t i handle 10 in such a way that the latter projects over its outer circumference with a circular disk-like gripping ring 20, which forms the said closure. The locking cover 19 is prevented from rotating relative to the bearing shaft 17 and can easily be loosened with a central screw, so that the components of the adjusting devices 10 are readily accessible and can be removed from for maintenance and the like. The gripping ring 20 has markings related to the nozzle unit 9, a corresponding counter marking being associated therewith on the cover 19. The handle resiliently locks in the working rotation position 12 with respect to the locking cover 19 in such a way that it can easily be overcome.

On the lower face of the gripping ring 20 sleeve-like bearing bushes or sockets 21 are shaped in a ring about the central axis 4 and on each of them is mounted from below one of the handles 12 and is consequently mounted in rotary manner. The opening of each bearing bush 21 receives in longitudinally displaceable manner, e.g. through hexagonal cross-sections and in rotation-preventing manner, in the form of a longitudinal guide a correspondingly profiled head 23 of a cylinder bolt-like jet spreading member 22 in which e.g. with a thread portion extending over its entire length traverses a taphole in the bottom eoo• .0.:of the associated, cup-shaped handle 12.

*0 The jet spreading member 22 located in an axial plane 0S0* of the nozzle opening of the associated nozzle unit 9 r which is parallel to the central axis 4 and is therefore under an upwardly opening obtuse angle to the associated nozzle axis projects freely downwards and its lower end can be moved to a greater or lesser extent in to or out

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•00 of the water jet passing out of the nozzle by rotating the handle 12 and is held in self-locking manner in the set position. During adjustment with respect to the nozzle unit 9, as a result of the angular position the jet spreading 0e0 member 22 not only approaches its axis, but also the exit opening of the nozzle, which it can almost cover in an axial view, so that the water jet passing out in a bundled "go manner can be fanned out.

The upper end of the shaft 3 is closed by an end cap 24 screwed on in the manner of a screw cap and which has a passage opening 4 the sprinkler unit 2. The cylindrical outer jacket 25 of the sprinkler head 6 is mounted from above on an end cap 26 with the same external diameter, which is in turn engaged on an upper, diameter-reduced end portion of the casing 27 of the drive 7 forming the *1 13 outer body and also having the same external diameter and forms the bearing shaft 17. The handles 14,15 have substantially the same external diameters, which also applies to the connecting outer jacket 30 of the base body 8. Thus, the sprinkler unit 2 is to this extent formed by longitudianlly engaged, separate and substantially assembled components, but all said components together form an approximately continuous outer surface of constant cross-section, so that they successively contribute to guidance in the vicinity of the upper shaft opening.

The drive casing 27 is connected in non-rotary manner to an inner hollow shaft 28 traversing the handles 14,15 and which is axially locked and mounted in rotary manner in a bearing socket 29 of the base body 8 projecting upwards @0 over the outer jacket 30. Between the bearing socket 29 and the hollow shaft 28 is arranged an intermediate sleeve carrying at the top end a tread and in the latter engages a driven pinion of a multistage reduction gear of the drive 7. This reduction gear is driven by a drive rotor int he form of a turbine wheel located in the upper end or within the end cap 26, which is eccentric to the central axis 4, so that the water flowing upwards through the hollow shaft 28 within the drive casing 27 flows through the rotation direction valve control located at right angles to the central axis 4 along side the reduction gear which is sealed relative to the water and then drives the drive rotor adjacent in the axial direction to the reduction gear and to the valve control. The water leaving the drive 7 is then supplied through the end cap 26 and the bearing shaft 17 which is hollow over part of its length to the nozzle unit 9 set to operate. The handles 14,15 are mounted on the outer circumference of the bearing bush 29. With radial ribs or the like projecting upwards and over the outer circumference of the bearing bush 29, the base body 8 can engage in the ring jacket of the lower handle 15, so that it is additionally mounted and centred.

'1 4 14 At a limited distance below its upper end the outer jacket has a frustum- shaped, upwardly tapering, circular end wall for connecting to the bearing socket 29 which is more slender than its internal diameter.

Advantageously a sieve or screen for holding back impurities is provided on the sprinkler unit 2 and can be raised and lowered together with the latter. A corresponding sieve 31 is appropriately easily interchangably or detachably inserted from below in the jacket 30 of the base body 8, so that the entire hollow cross-section of the latter is suitable for receiving a correspondingly large sieve 31.

The lifting device 5 has a reciprocating piston 32 in so one piece with the base body 8 and projecting at its lower end over the outer circumference of the outer jacket and which is guided in positive rotation-prevented manner S. with respect to the shaft.3. The reciprocating piston so** 32 has a circular groove 33 open towards the outer circumference and in which is mounted in floating manner with and/or an axial -te4 radial clearance a packing ring 34 whose internal diameter is larger than the base diameter of the circular groove 33. As the rotation prevention means for the base body 8 are provided two diametrically facing axial or longitudinal guides, which in each case have a projection 36 projecting over the otherwise cylindrical inner face of the shaft 3 and with a longitudinal groove 37 in the centre of its width. The projections 36 do 9.o not extend up to the upper end of the shaft 3 and instead only extend to a EiMght reaching the longer longitudinal portion of the reciprocating piston 32 positioned below the circular groove 33, so that the packing ring 34 in the stroke end position becomes free from the projections 36 despite the fact that the rotation prevention persists and can be applied under the hydraulic pressure in sealing manner to the inner circumference of the shaft 3 and to the upper groove side of the circular groove 33.

f I, 15 The reciprocating piston 32 has a small radial clearance with respect to the shaft 3, so that at least one passage gap for the water is formed. Above and below the circular groove 33, the reciprocating piston 32 is provided with flattened portions of the outer circumference adapted to the projections 36 and over which project guide cams 38, which engage in the longitudinal grooves 37. The guide cams 38 (Fig.11) positioned above the circular groove 33 in the stroke end position are located above the upper ends of the guide grooves 37, in which still engage the guide cams 38 positioned below the circular groove 33.

The upper ends of the projections 36 decrease in height in ramp-like manner, so that in unhindered manner the packing ring 34 can run on and off.

*6 The sprinkler unit 2 is only mounted with respect to the as e shaft 3 in the vicinity of its lower end with the reciprocating piston 32 and in the vicinity of the upper end of the shaft 3 by means of a bearing 39 and in between it is substantially contact-free relative to the shaft 3. The bearing 39 has a centring sleeve 40 inserted into the upper end of the shaft 3 and which has at the upper end a sleeve-like bearing bush 41 projecting upwards and downwards over a circular disk-like portion and on which 0* the sprinkler unit 2 can be slidingly supported with said circumferential portions. The bearing bush 41 engages 0 too in the end cap 24 and has almost the same internal diameter as its passage opening for the sprinkler unit 2, so that both parts contribute to the bearing effect. In the concealed position the handles 12 of the adjusting devices 13 are essentially in the vicinity of the bearing gaps formed by these components. As the handles 12 and their receptacles form gaps as a result of the inpart irregular profiles forming them, water can still pass upwards in these areas in the concealed position.

The centring sleeve 40 engages with a sleeve jacket 42 It I

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16 on the inner face of the shaft 3 and with the reciprocating piston 32 in the stroke end position it strikes with its upper face on the lower end of said jacket 42. By modifying the length of the sleeve jacket 42 of the centring sleeve which can be easily replaced by removing the end cap 24, the stroke end position can be modified in a simple manner. In its axial position engaging on the upper end of the shaft 3 or on the inner face of the end cap 24 the centring sleeve 40 is only secured by a restoring spring 43 for the sprinkler unit 2 and said spring 43 surrounding the unit 2 at the outer circumference centred with its upper end between the bearing socket 41 and the sleeve jacket 42 engages on the circular disk-like intermediate portion. The lower end of the restoring spring 43 engages on the upper face of the reciprocating piston 32. There are no further components, apart from the centring to 0 sleeve 40 and the restoring spring 43 in the annular space see: between the sprinkler unit 2 and the shaft 3, so that said space can be made very small.

At a limited distance above the lower end of the one-part shaft 3 and below the reciprocating piston 32 in the concealed or flush position, on the jacket 46 of the shaft 3 is to. provided a sleeve-like connecting fitting or nipple 44, constructed in one piece therewith, whilst projecting 0 to approximately radially over the outer circumference.

The outer circumference of the niple is provided with a barb-like ring profile and circular ribs, in such a too way that a mounted hose is securely held, even without additional hose clips. An extension of the connecting *0 nipple 44 projecting inwards over the shaft jacket 46 is upwardly open between the longitudinal guides or rotation preventing means 45, so that the water flowing through can flow axially from below against the centre of the lower face of the reciprocating piston 32, which is essentially formed by the lower face of the sieve 31. The projections 36 and longitudinal grooves 37 project downwards into 17the channel portion 47 formed by the extension.

The lower end of the shaft 3, which is cylindrical over most of its length, is formed by an angular and in particular square base flange 45 when considered in an axial view and whose basic shape is like that of the corresponding angular end cap 24. The base flange 45 projecting over the shaft circumference ensures a very good anchoring in the soil, so that the shaft 3 only projects over the soil by the end cap 24. Immediately below the end cap 24 the shaft 3 can have angular profiles of a similar nature projecting over the outer circumference and then terminate flush with the soil surface.

0o The sprinkler head 6 or the nozzle units 9 can also be eused for watering means other than flush sprinklers.

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I Appropriately the bearing sleeve 18 is connected in one piece to the outer jacket 25 by means of a number of casinglike hollow spokes 48 corresponding to the number of nozzle units 9 and whose interior is supplied with water by supply openings 49 positioned roughly radially in the jacket of the bearing sleeve 18. With a single radial overflow *555 o.5* opening in the hollow jacket portion of the bearing shaft 17, the supply openings 49 form a type of slide valve, in such a way that the particular supply opening 49 coinciding with the overflow opening only supplies the associated nozzle unit with water. The supply opening 49 issues in to a circular jacket-like reception flange 50 located r •on the bottom of the associated hollow spoke 48 and with OI which is associated at the rear end of the one-part nozzle body 51 of the associated nozzle unit 9 a complimentary plug-in flange 52, so that the reception flange 50 engages in close-coupled manner in a circular groove of the plugin flange 52 and the outer boundary jacket of said circular groove engages in close-coupled manner in a circular groove of the hollow spoke 48 surrounding the reception flange In the fixed state, the nozzle body 51 is located entirely within a blind hole depression 53 closely surrounding 18 the same and formed by the interior of the associated hollow spoke and whose bottom is formed by the reception flange The external shapes and plug-in flanges of all the nozzle bodies 51, like the counterflanges and depressions of all the hollow spokes 48 are the same, so that each nozzle body 51 can be arranged in securely held and identically acting manner in any one of the depressions 53. For fixing the position a snap connection is provided, which has on the jacket of the nozzle body 51 a rearwardly freely projecting, resilient spring catch 51 with a radially outwardly projecting catch nose, with which is associated in the jacket of the depression 53 adjacent to the outer circumference of the bearing sleeve 18 a catch opening 55. For fixing purposes the nozzle body 51 is axially pressed into the depression 53, so that the catch 54 gives way elastically resiliently and radially inwards until it jumps into the catch opening 55. In the latter it is accessible from the upper end of the sprinkler head 6, so that it can be pressed out for releasing the nozzle body 51 from the catch opening 55. Roughly in the extension of the spring catch 54 the nozzle body 51 has an attachment 56 projecting over its front face and constructed in one piece therewith and which is recessed in fork-like manner at the front end, so as to form a closely adapted orienting or guiding opening 57 for the displaceable reception of the jet spreading member 22. Thus, based on its central axis, the nozzle body 51 assumes a single, precisely defined position relative to the nozzle casing surrounding it.

Above each hollow spoke 48 the outer jacket 25 forms a pitch circular bounded pocket 58, in axial view, which is open at its upper end and towards its circumference and in its lower base is provided a bore 59 leading into the depression 53. In each of these pockets 58 is located one of the handles 12, whereof only a single handle is I1 II 19 shown in Figs.4 and 7. The internal diameter of the pockets 58 is closely adapted to the external diameter of the handles 12. A cylindrical attachment on the bottom of the particular handle 12 engages in centred manner in a depression in the bottom of the associated pocket 58.

The shaft of the jet spreading member 22 is guided in the bore 59 aligned with the guiding opening 57 and directly following onto the same.

The upper cover of the sprinkling head 6 forming the handle has on its jacket part projecting over its underside and engaging in centred manner on the inner circumference of the outer jacket 25 corresponding pockets 60, which are wider than the jacket thickness of the pockets 58, so that the latter can be inserted in the pocket 60 and the handle 10 is prevented from rotating relative to the sprinkler head 6. The handles 12 are axially locked between the facing base faces of the two pockets 58,60, the hexagonal recess bearing sockets 21 projecting freely downwards from the bottom faces of the pocket 60. After releasing the handles 10, the handles 12 can be drawn from the bearing sockets 21 and also the nozzle unit 9 can be easily detached and e.g. cleaned.

Each nozzle u-it 9 or its nozzle body 51 has a single nozzle opening 61 in the form of a through-opening in the axial direction and which towards the front face 63 of the nozzle body 51 passes into an outlet opening 62 which is wider e than its cross-section, so that part of its circumference is connected to a radially extending depression 64 in the face 63 at right angles to the nozzle axis 70. The nozzle opening 61, which forms the front, in axial section tapered end of an apprcximately hollow spherically rounded nozzle channel 65 passing into the same and connected to the associated supply opening 49, is in axial view approximately tear-shaped, so that it is bounded on its top surface by an approximately semi-circular round boundary I 20 67 and following on to the same in the lower area by an acute-angled, V-shaped flanked constriction 68. To the latter is connected over its full width or with a width corresponding to the diameter of the round boundary 67 the depression 64, so that the latter forms a radial groove connected to the circumferential area of the nozzle opening 61. The depression 64, whose depth is greater than the axial extension of the nozzle opening 61 and whose base consequently extends in to the widened area of the nozzle channel 65, is also tapered in acute-angled manner in its cross-section parallel to the axial plane of the nozzle opening 61; the flanks of the constriction 68 on the associated, radially inner end of the depression 64 coinciding with the flanks thereof and consequently the flanks of the constriction 68 slope rearwards with respect to the nozzle axis 70 roughly from the front face 69 to the flank tip. Consequently in the vicinity of De* the constriction 68 the nozzle opening 61 forms on the radial, inner end of the depression 64 a depression inlet 66 extending over the associated partial circumference of the nozzle opening and through which part of the water flowing through said opening 61 passes into the depression 64. Simultaneously the flanks of the constriction 68 of the nozzle opening 61 located in the depression flanks and also the round. boundary 67 form separating edges fr the through-flowing water, where the water is freed from the boundaries of the nozzle opening 61.

Thus, the upper part of the water jet associated with the round boundary 67 remains relatively well bundled or focussed for obtaining a maximum range, whilst the water jet part passing out of the equilateral triangular constriction 68 is more extensively downwardly fanned out and consequently the complete water jet strikes the ground linearly at a certain distance and not in punctiform or circular manner. The lower part of the water jet is not impeded in its fanning effect by the depression 64 I I 21 and in spite of this the flank angle of the depression 64 is led to the front face 63, so that the fanning effect can be very precisely determined. At its end facing the nozzle opening 61 and close to the outer circumference of the nozzle body 51, the depression 64 is bounded by an end wall up to the front face 63, so that here again the associated water jet part is guided.

The greatest width of the nozzle opening 61 at right angles to its plane of symmetry coinciding with the median plane of the depression 64 is appropriately between 1 and 7 mm, particularly between 3 and 4 mm, said nozzle width varying by more than 0.5 mm and less than 1 mm for the different nozzles units 9 of the sprinkler head. The diameter of eol@ the associated jet spreading member 22 in said common axial plane of the nozzle opening 61 and the depression r 64 is approximately the same as said nozzle width. All the jet spreading members 22 can have the same diameter, ago so that the member subject to action on its circumference has a slightly larger diameter than the width of a nozzle opening or depression and a slightly smaller diameter than a further nozzle opening or depression.

*o ri ~With the approximately right-angled or conical tip at the lower end of the particular jet spreading member 22,

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S, the associated nozzle opening 61 can be almost completely closed at its front end so that a larger or the largest part of the water entering the nozzle opening 61 is deflected by the depression inlet 66 in to the associated depression 64 and passes out of the same. The particular depression 64 is located on the side of the associated nozzle opening 61 facing the guidance opening 57 and has a greater longitudinal extension than its width. The inventive construction is particularly suitable for nozzles, which are operated with an arrangement diverging from an approximately vertical position of the nozzle axis, in such a way that the common median plane of the nozzle opening 61 and the depression 1 1 22 64 is approximately vertical and the constriction 68 is positioned below the round boundary 67. The greater the rotation angle of the sprinkler head 6, the greater is the water flow through the nozzle.

For the locking of the sprinkler head 6 in the operating position associated with a particular nozzle unit 9, the handle 10 according to Fig.7 has an internal circumferentially projecting locking cam 61, which can snap in to not shown locking depressions of the locking cover 19.

As is also shown in Figs.l and 8 to 10, in the bottom area of the lifting cylinder formed by the shaft 3 and located above the baE flange 45 is provided a drain valve 74 whose axis is at right angles to the central axis 4 o and which therefore appropriately in the central axis s e of the connecting nipple 44 or the channel portion 47 and therefore also with respect to the closing force acting So*" thereon is positioned directly in the flow of-the inflowing water, where said flow is deflected at right angles upwards to the inlet under the reciprocating piston 32. In a partition closing the channel portions 47 at the associated end and constructed in one piece with the shaft 3 is provided a valve bore 63, in which snaps a setbolt-valve body 64 in axially displaceable manner between two end positions in such a way that its head 76 is located in the channel portion 47. Around the shaft of the valve body 74 and following on to the head 76 is provided a valve packing in the form of an 0-ring, with which is associated as the valve seat 78 the face of said partition. In the relaxed position according to Fig.10 the valve packing is not planar and flat and is instead curved at right angles to its plane, so that it must be resiliently pretensioned for transferring into its approximately planar closed position. The valve body 74 has a snapping member located on its longitudinally slotted shaft end and which 23 simultaneously forms the end stop for the axial movement of the valve body 74 facing the head 76 or the valve packing and it makes it possible to mount the valve body 74 merely by inserting it in the valve bore 43 from the channel portion 47.

To the partition forming the valve seat 74 is directly connected the supply opening 79 provided at the top in the jacket of the channel portion 47 and issuing under the reciprocating piston 32 resting on rib stops in the c icealed position. After opening a stop valve associated with the supply line, the water flowing in via the connecting nipple 44 firstly strikes the head 76 of the valve body 74, where it is deflected upwards and simultaneously presses it in impact-like manner against the valve seat 78 under the aforementioned pretension of the valve packing so that the drain valve 72 is closed and remains dosed under the pressure which builds up. Under said hydraulic pressure the sprinkler unit 6 is raised counter to the tension of the return spring 43, e.g. into the working position according to Fig.2.

As soon as the hydraulic pressure in the flush sprinkler has dropped below a given value by interrupting the water supply, accompanied by a return towards its curved position in Fig.10, the valve packing 75 presses the head 76 away from the valve seat 78, so that gaps form on two facing circumferential areas of the valve packing 74 or the valve seat 78 through which the water can enter the valve bore 73 which is slightly wider than the shaft of the valve body 74 and can flow away through the same below the bottom of the reciprocating or lifting cylinder and through the hollow base flange 45 into the soil.

As the reciprocating piston 42 is lowered under the tension of the compression spring 43, up to the complete lowering 24 a corresponding hydraulic pressure is maintained in the cylinder area or chamber through which the valve body 74, after initial gap opening by the valve packing can optionally be completely transferred into its widest possible opening position and through which the water in the cylinder chamber is at least partly forced out through the drain valve 72. As is in particular shown in Fig.8, the bottom 80 of the cylinder can fall away to the supply opening 79 which can also serve as a discharge opening, which ensures a complete emptying of the cylinder and also the water in the sprinkler unit 2. As the upper bearing of the sprinkler unit is not completely tight, at least in the concealed position, a vent is formed, through which any water which may have remained in the shaft 3 and the sprinkler unit is not prevented from compoooo letely draining away.

o: For the flushing of the flush sprinkler, particularly *e of any parts which may have remained on the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit 2 through dirtying and which .l impair its function, an integrated flushing device 81 is provided before reaching its working or stroke end position or at least approximately during the entire stroke, through which part of the outflowing water is branched off between the reciprocating piston 32 and the piston 'ravel path by a control acting like a valve and is pressed upwards between the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit 2 and the cylinder jacket.

Fig.9 shows a circumferential portion of the piston packing ring 34 in a partial leaking position, in which it is pressed inwards out of its circular shape by the projections 36, so that overflow gaps are formed on either side of said projections 36, as well as along the longitudinal grooves 37. If the inflowing water flows from below against the reciprocating piston 32, then part of said water can flow through the overflow gaps upwards along the longitudinal grooves 37 to the reciprocating piston 32, so that the longitudinal guides forming the rdation preventing means 25 can be cleaned and simultaneously there is a water lubrication for the guide cams 38.

This water flows upwards and, at the latest after filling the annular space, flows out through the upper bearing gap, so that the latter can also be cleaned and lubricated during the stroke or travel. The height of the crosssectionally circular portion-like bounded projections 36 decreases in ramp-like manner at their upper ends by chamfering, so that the sealing ring 34 on reaching the stroke end position comes free from the projections 36 or the longitudinal grooves 37 and said overflow gaps are closed again.

As soon as the sprinkler unit 2 starts to return to its concealed or flush position from its stroke end position again, the overflow gaps are opened and once again there ego is a flow-through of water, which ensures the easy operation

S.

of the piston guide. As the cross-section of the sealing ring 34 is smaller than that of the circular groove 33, the latter is also flushed. Thus, the water not only passes between the guide cams 38 according to Figs.ll and 12 and the longitudinal grooves 37, but also over a large part of the remaining circumference of the reciprocating piston 32 and consequently flushes the entire piston travel path, Thus, the reciprocating piston 32 can be guided in a floating and almost contact-free manner with respect to the piston travel path.

When the shaft is filled with water and the water-through flow is blocked, by a pump-like manual pressing down or raising of the sprinkler unit 2 said cleaning action can be made more intense, so that any sprinkler unit 2 which may become difficult to operate can be made easy to operate again in a simple manner. The flushing valve 82 formed by the packing ring 34 and the projections 36 is not only opened and closed in position-dependent manner but can I 1 26 also be further opened compared with its position-dependent opening position by pressure increases.

The flush sprinkler according to the invention has a simple construction, assembly, installation, maintenance, service and operation with respect to each of its components, whilst being functionalJreliable, not prone to faults and rapidly reacting when the water supply is opened.

As the nozzle units 9 are open towards the shaft in the flush position, at the start of the stroke the shaft interior is also flushed via the nozzle unit 9 connected in, so that the sprinkler head 6 starts its rotary movement and consequently it is not only the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit 2 which is flushed from top to bottom before leaving the shaft 3, but also during the passage of the nozzle unit 9 through the upper bearing gap its boundary associated with the shaft 3 is precleaned by flushing. In addition, the sprinkler unit 2 is vented by the nozzles in the flush position.

The rzfcrcnco numcralc in tho following olaimo do net iany way limit tho coopo of tho roopootive elaims-.

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Claims (30)

1. A sprinkler comprising: at least one sprinkler unit which in an operating position is arranged to have specified operational parameters such as spray width, spray density or spray jet fanning of discharge streams, at least one nozzle unit having at least two separate first and second nozzle ports; at least one adjusting means including a nozzle port selecting device and comprising at least one operating member for changing the operational parameters of the sprinkler unit; and wherein said nozzle port selecting device is arranged to selectively enable discharge of water in a discharge state from said first and second nozzle ports.

2. A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein said sprinler unit is transferable between a retracted position and said operating position with respect to a shaft member. A sprinkler according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of said nozzle units is manually switchable into and out of the discharge state.

4. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a jet spreading member substantially fixed in an operational position with respect to an associated nozzle unit.

5. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a nozzle opening of at least one of said first and second nozzle ports is concealed in a too**:widened outlet depression of the sprinkler unit. A sprinler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one operating member is mounted on said sprinler unit.

7. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one 930826,p:~oper\kay~flush.cda,27 -28- of said at least one operating member is formed as a handle.

8. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of said at least one operating member is located in said shaft member arranged to internally receive the sprinkler unit when substantially out of said operating position.

9. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when out of said operating position one of said at least one operating member is accessible and/or at least one of said at least one operating member is unaccessibly concealed. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein at least one of said at least one operating member acts as an upper closure for said shaft member substantially concealing the sprinkler unit in said retracted position.

11. A sprinkler according to claim 10, wherein said at least one operating member forming the upper closure comprises a cap structure arranged at an upper end of the sprinkler unit to engage in or over an upper opening of the shaft member.

12. A sprinler according to any one ofteprecdin clis hri at latone 20 of said nozzle units is fixed in the operating state with respect to an outer jacket connecting to at least one of said nozzle units in the longitudinal direction of the sprinlder unit.

13. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said nozzle units is transferable with respect to a radially outwardly directed supply opening and having a handle located on an upper end face of the sprinler unit.

14. A sprinler according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein said jet spreading member is movable at a limited distance in front of a nozzle opening by a jet spreading handle located between the nozzle unit and the upper face of the sprinler unit in the vicinity of the outer circumference thereof. 9308Z,p:~oper\",f~usIb,2 29 A sprinkler according to claim 14, wherein the jet spreading handle is mounted on another one of said at least one adjusting member.

16. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein said jet spreading member is in the form of a pin or the like and is arranged to engage in a freely projecting manner from above and into said outlet depression under an angle to a jet direction.

17. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein said jet spreading handle is mounted radially completely outside a central axis of the sprinkler unit so as to rotate about an axis approximately parallel thereto.

18. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said nozzle units is fixed by a snap fastening to the sprinkler unit.

19. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 5 to 18, wherein said at least one nozzle unit is fixed in the base area of said outlet depression of the sprinkler unit and/or has a guide located upstream of its nozzle opening or the jet spreading member. o°o

20. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one nozzle unit is arranged on a sprinkler head having a hollow jacket providing an i' external circumference of the sprinkler unit and/or connected to an internal bearing sleeve by at least one nozzle casing.

21. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a rotary drive is provided for rotating a sprinkler head of the sprinkler unit.

22. A sprinkler according to claim 21, wherein said rotary drive provides stop- limited rotation of said sprinkler head over a restricted rotation angle.

23. A sprinkler according to claim 22, wherein the position of said rotation angle 930826,popr\kaynfluscla,29 30 is adjustable by at least one operating member located on the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit and/or provided by a ring member.

24. A sprinkler according to claim 23, wherein said operating member forms an associated longitudinal portion of the outer circumference of the sprinkler unit. A sprinkler according to claim 21, further comprising a water-carrying drive casing for the rotary drive, said water-carrying drive casing being arranged to form an associated longitudinal portion of the outer circumference of the sprinkder unit.

26. A sprinler according to claim 25, wherein with an end cap a sprinler head is fixed to an upper end of said water-carrying drive casing by plugging on.

27. A sprinkler according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein on a lower end of a water-carrying hollow shaft of the water-carrying drive casing is a fixed base body of said sprinler unit, said base body providing a pop-up piston.

28. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 12 to 27, wherein said outer jacket of the sprinkler unit has a substantially constant external cross-section over most of its length and is multiply subdivided into separate length sections like said sprinler head, said end cap, a drive casing preassembled with said rotary drive and/or at least one of said operating members.

29. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one filter or sieve through which flows the inflowing water is positioned on said at least &too*:one sprinler unit. A sprinler according to claim 29, wherein said at least filter or sieve is inserted from below the sprinler unit and forms at least a part of a lower face of a pop-up piston.

31. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising 930826,p:\oper~kay~flush.cda,30 31 a through-flow flushing device for at least one bearing of the sprinkler unit in which a water guide is provided for lubricating and flushing of at least one longitudinal guide and/or at least one bearing gap between a shaft and said at least one sprinkler unit, said guide being substantially closed by means of a flush valve controlled in a stroke-dependent manner.

32. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sprinler unit is raiseable under hydraulic pressure.

33. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 27 to 31, in which the sprinkler unit is raiseable under hydraulic pressure and is at least partly sealed with respect to the shaft member by a packing ring mounted in a circumferential annular groove of said pop-up piston with radial and/or axial motion clearance on the lower end of the sprinler unit to provide a valve opening and closing as a function of motions of said sprinler unit.

34. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 2 to 33, characterised in that the shaft member has an inner circumferential surface in the form of a cylindrical travel path. A sprinkler according to any one of claims 2 to 34, wherein the shaft member includes means to prevent rotation of the base body of the sprinkler unit comprising at least one longitudinal projection and/or a longitudinal groove, on which runs a packing ring and to which is longitudinally connected a substantially circumferentially uninterrupted bearing face for the packing ring. *36. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a drain valve controlled in pressure-dependent manner and/or resiliently forced towards an open state by a valve packing in the lower region of the sprinkler.

37. A sprinkler according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a water connecting nipple constructed in one piece with a casing jacket and freely 930826,p;\oper\kay~fiusI~da,31 32 projecting over an outer circumference of said casing jacket in a transverse orientation.

38. A sprinkler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 31st day of August 1993 Gardena Kress Kastner GmbH By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE *s a. a 0* a a. a. a a C a a a a a a. a a a a a a a. ba a a a 930831,p:\oper\kay,flus.ca,32