Patent ID: 6439477
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
A nutating sprinkler assembly comprising:a sprinkler body having one end adapted to be coupled to a water supply conduit and an opposite end supporting a nozzle; at least one arm extending from said sprinkler body for supporting a removable cap assembly downstream of said nozzle, said cap assembly having a center body supporting a rotor plate having off-center grooves for distributing a stream exiting said nozzle and impinging upon said grooves; a spool bearing assembly having upper and lower bearing flanges; said center body mounting an interior ring loosely confining said spool bearing assembly and said rotor plate and between said upper and lower bearing flanges; said center body having an end wall formed with a post extending toward and received within a cavity of a lower spool bearing component of said spool bearing assembly, said spool bearing assembly resting on said post when said rotor plate is in an at-rest position, thereby creating an unstable arrangement causing said rotor plate to tilt to an off-center position, said lower spool bearing component comprised of a material of sufficient mass to balance said rotor plate and said spool bearing assembly when moving about a center of nutation.