Sprinklers

Abstract

 A sprinkler is arranged to distribute fluid via a rotatable arm 6 which is supplied to it via a hosepipe. The pressure of the fluid in the hosepipe also provides motive power for the sprinker which includes two driven rear wheels 2 and 3. The sprinkler also has two front wheels 4 and 5 which are arranged to lie over the hosepipe and thereby guide the sprinkler along a path determined by the pattern of the hosepipe. A differential is included between the drive wheels 2 and 3 so as to ensure that the sprinker does not disturb the position of the hosepipe. Means 23 are provided for automatically stopping the sprinkler at a predetermined position.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to sprinklers and more particularly to the type of sprinkler known as a "creeping sprinkler" in which the sprinkler moves relative to the ground.

[0002] Sprinklers are devices which are used to apply a fluid over the surrounding ground. They may be used to irrigate, for example, private gardens or horticultural fields by applying water or chemically enriched fluid to the earth or vegetation in order to assist growth.

[0003] In a known type of creeping sprinkler, the pressure of fluid being distributed by the sprinkler is used to provide its motive power, enabling it to travel along the ground. This permits the spread of fluid to be controlled and enables it to be evenly distributed. However, problems tend to arise in controlling the path taken by the sprinkler.

[0004] The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved sprinkler.

[0005] According to this invention, there is provided a sprinkler to which fluid to be distributed by it is applied via a hosepipe, the sprinkler being capable of moving relative to the ground and comprising guidance means arranged to cooperate with the hosepipe to define the direction of movement of the sprinkler. By employing a sprinkler in accordance with the invention, a desired distribution pattern for the fluid may be readily accomplished by laying the hosepipe over the ground in an appropriate pattern. For example, the hosepipe could be placed in a serpentine configuration across a lawn. It is preferred that the sprinkler includes two wheels which are driven to move the sprinkler and that a differential is included between them. By using a differential, the driven wheels may rotate at different rates, permitting the sprinkler to follow quite sharp turns in the hosepipe without disturbing it. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the differential is such that only one wheel is driven at a time.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the guidance means comprises a wheel having a recess for receiving the hosepipe. As the sprinkler reaches a bend in the hosepipe, the guidance wheel is constrained to follow it so that the sprinkler follows the pattern of the hosepipe. In an alternative, preferred, embodiment of the invention, the guidance means comprises two wheels on a common spindle which are independently rotatable and between which the hosepipe is arranged to be located during operation of the sprinkler. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in enabling the sprinkler to negotiate acute turns.

[0007] Advantageously, the flow of fluid to be distributed provides the motive power of the sprinkler. It is preferred that means are included for disengaging the motive power to enable the movement of the sprinkler to be stopped. Also, it is preferred that means are included for automatically stopping the movement of the sprinkler at a predetermined position along its path. This may advantageously be done by including a member which is arranged to be displaced by means located at the predetermined position and arranged such that the displacement shuts off motive power to the sprinkler. Preferably, displacement of the member also stops fluid distribution by the sprinkler, thus preventing flooding.

[0008] One way in which the invention may be performed is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sprinkler in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side-view showing part of the sprinkler of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sprinkler showing it connected to a hose;

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic part-sectional views illustrating parts of the internal mechanical arrangement of the sprinkler; and

Figure 6 illustrates the sprinkler in use.

[0009] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a sprinkler in accordance with the invention comprises a housing 1 on which are mounted two rear, driven wheels 2 and 3 (only one of which is shown in Figure 2) and two guidance wheels 4 and 5 located at the front. Fluid is distributed by the sprinkler via an arm 6 which is mounted on a rotatable hollow shaft 7. The ends of the arm 6 are bent in the same sense and include nozzles 8 and 9. A hosepipe connection 10 is included at the rear of the sprinkler, the hosepipe being shown in position in Figure 3.

[0010] A hosepipe is attached to the connection 10 and fluid is transmitted along it, up the hollow shaft 7 and along the arm 6, to leave via the nozzles 8 and 9, producing two jets which cause the arm 6 and shaft 7 to rotate. Fluid is thus distributed in a fairly uniform manner over the ground surrounding the sprinkler.

[0011] The pressure of the fluid which is distributed provides the motive power for the sprinkler, the arm 6 being mechanically connected to the wheels 2 and 3. Part of the mechanical linkage is illustrated in Figure 4 which is a sectional view of part of the sprinkler. The fluid is applied from the hosepipe along a duct 11 through a valve 12 and passes along the shaft 7 to the arm 6 via a rotating joint 13. A peg 14 is arranged circumferentially about the base of the shaft 7 to rotate with it within the housing 1. The peg 14 engages with a Geneva gear wheel 15 which is attached to a spindle 16. Rotation of the shaft 7 causes the spindle 16 to revolve and this movement is transmitted via a worm gear 17 to a worm wheel 18 which is located on the rear axle 19, shown in greater detail in Figure 5. Movement of the worm wheel 18 is transmitted to the wheels 2 and 3 via a differential 20 which is arranged such that only one of the wheels is powered at any one time.

[0012] In operation, the sprinkler is placed so that the guidance wheels 4 and 5 lie one on each side of the hosepipe. When fluid is sent along the hosepipe it causes the arm 6 to rotate and also provides power to the wheels 2 and 3. The guidance wheels 4 and 5 follow the path defined by the hosepipe, the inclusion of the differential 20 ensuring that the sprinkler follows the hosepipe round a bend without disturbing it.

[0013] A switch 21 is located on the top of the sprinkler housing 1 and enables the motive power to be disengaged from the wheels 2 and 3 whilst still permitting the fluid to be distributed by the rotating arm 6. The switch 21 includes a lever 22 which, when it is depressed, causes the spindle 16, to which the Geneva gear wheel 15 is fixed, to be lifted out of engagement with the worm gear 17.

[0014] The sprinkler also includes a facility enabling it to be stopped automatically when it has reached a predetermined position along the track of the hosepipe. A bar 23 is located on the underside of the housing 1 and is arranged such that one end of it extends in front of the sprinkler and to one side, and its other end is connected to a spring mechanism 24 which is arranged to actuate the valve 12. When the sprinkler is initially set up, the bar 23 is arranged such that it is held on a ledge, so that the spring 24 is compressed and the valve 12 is open. At a predetermined position along the hosepipe where it is wished to stop the sprinkler, a disc-like object 25 is fixed in the ground to one side of the hosepipe. When the sprinkler reaches the disc 25, the bar 23 is displaced by it, causing it to be dislodged from the ledge. This permits the spring 24 to close the valve 12, preventing fluid from entering the duct 11. Thus, distribution of fluid is stopped and, as the arm 6 no longer revolves, motive power to the rear wheels 2 and 3 is shut off.

[0015] The sprinkler may be constructed of plastics materials and does not require electrical power to operate.

Claims

1. A sprinkler to which fluid to be distributed by it is applied via a hosepipe, the sprinkler being capable of moving relative to the ground and comprising guidance means arranged to co-operate with the hosepipe to define the direction of movement of the sprinkler.

2. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 1 and including two wheels which are driven to move the sprinkler and a differential between them.

3. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the guidance means comprises a wheel having a recess for receiving the hosepipe.

4. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the guidance means comprises two wheels on a common spindle which are independently rotatable and between which the hosepipe is arranged to be located during operation of the sprinkler.

5. A sprinkler as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sprinkler includes a rotatable arm by means of which the fluid is distributed.

6. A sprinkler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the flow of fluid to be distributed provides the motive power of the sprinkler.

7. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 6 and including means for disengaging the motive power to stop movement of the sprinkler.

8. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 7 wherein, where the sprinkler includes a rotatable arm via which the fluid is distributed, the arm is capable of rotating and distributing fluid whilst the motive power is disengaged.

9. A sprinkler as claimed in any preceding claim and including means arranged to automatically stop movement of the sprinkler at a predetermined position along its path.

10. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means arranged to stop the sprinkler comprises a member which is arranged to be displaced by means located at the predetermined position and thereby shut off motive power to the sprinkler.

11. A sprinkler as claimed in claim 10 wherein the displacement of the member stops fluid distribution by the sprinkler.

Drawing