Patent ID: 6732950
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
An irrigation sprinkler for controlled distribution of irrigation water over surrounding terrain, comprising:a sprinkler housing adapted for connection to a supply of irrigation water under pressure; a spray head rotatably carried by said housing, and including nozzle means for projecting at least one stream of irrigation water outwardly from said housing; a water driven gear drive transmission for rotatably driving said spray head to sweep said at least one stream of irrigation water over the surrounding terrain; and a reverse assembly including a shift mechanism movable between forward and reverse drive positions for respectively shifting said gear drive transmission between forward and reverse drive rotational directions for correspondingly reversing the direction of rotatable driving of said spray head; said reverse assembly further including a trip unit having a pair of end trip stops rotatable with said spray head and defining the opposite end limits of a predetermined part-circle path of reversible spray head rotation, and clutch means for engagement by said end trip stops respectively at said opposite end limits of part-circle spray head rotation and for responding thereto to displace said shift mechanism between said forward and reverse drive positions; said clutch means being disengageable upon forced over-rotation of said spray head beyond one of said opposite end limits of part-circle spray head rotation to uncouple said end trip stops from said shift mechanism, said clutch means being re-engageable upon return rotation of said spray head to a position between said opposite end limits of part-circle rotation.