Abstract:
A spacer system for attachment to a sprinkler to prevent the positioning of the sprinkler too close to a sidewalk or curb, etc., including a spacer which can be attached to the sprinkler, and an elongated stake having a notch for receiving and holding the spacer. Also described is a tool for use in installing the stake in the ground.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to application Ser. No. 10/626,910, filed Jul. 25, 2003 and application Ser. No. 10/674,222, filed Sep. 29, 2003. This application is also related to, and claims the benefit of, our Provisional Application No. 60/423,783, filed Nov. 5, 2002. This application is also related to issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,380. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sprinkler systems commonly used for sprinkling lawns or other landscaped areas. More particularly, it relates to installation techniques for sprinkler systems and to spacer guides for positioning sprinkler heads. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typical sprinkler systems used for lawns and other landscaped areas include water supply lines which are placed below ground and extend from a main supply pipe to each sprinkler head. The sprinkler head extends upwardly to the upper surface of the ground. Typical sprinkler heads are of the “pop-up” style which extend upwardly above the grass when pressure is applied to the water in the supply line, and then the sprinkler head retracts when it is no longer in use. The top of the sprinkler head remains exposed at ground level. 
     In some installations, the sprinkler head is connected to the water supply pipe with a flexible pipe. Although this enables the installer to more easily position the sprinkler head in a desired place, the flexible pipe provides little, if any, support to the sprinkler head (either lateral or vertical support). As a result, when soil is filled in around the sprinkler head, the sprinkler head can tilt to one side or the other, and the sprinkler head can also sink downwardly. When the sprinkler head is too close to a sidewalk or curb, etc., the spinning metal blade of an edger can irreparably damage any sprinkler head which is too close to the sidewalk, curb, etc. Then the sprinkler head must be replaced, at considerable time and expense. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,146,181 (Soos), 5,678,353 (Tsao), 6,186,416 (Jones) and D410,731 (Bowman et al.) describe various types of sprinkler head guards, grass guards, and mats for use on or around sprinkler heads. However, there has not heretofore been provided a sprinkler spacer and installation technique of the type described herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sprinkler head spacer system for attachment to the body of a water sprinkler to prevent the positioning of the sprinkler too close to a sidewalk or curb, the spacer system comprising:
         (a) a spacer member having first and second lateral edges, and including attachment means for attaching the spacer member to the sprinkler; and   (b) an elongated stake member having upper and lower ends and a notch below the upper end; wherein the notch is of a size suitable for receiving and holding the spacer member a predetermined distance from the surface of the ground.       

     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tool for positioning an elongated support stake a predetermined distance from a sidewalk, curb, etc. The tool preferably comprises upper and lower portions; wherein the upper portion includes a handle and a laterally extending depth gauge. The lower portion is adapted to engage the upper end of the stake, and the lower portion is sized such that it provides a predetermined distance between the stake and the sidewalk, curb, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an elongated stake, a sprinkler spacer, and an installation tool useful in this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of one embodiment of sprinkler spacer member useful in this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of another embodiment of stake member useful in this invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view showing a stake member, sprinkler, spacer and the edge of a sidewalk or curb. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing an elongated stake member  10 , a sprinkler spacer  20 , and a tool  30  useful for inserting the stake into the ground. The stake is preferably tapered at its lower end to facilitate insertion into the ground. The stake includes a notch or recess  11  near its upper end which is sized to slidably receive the sprinkler spacer  20 . The notch may be located, for example, about 1 to 1.5 inches below the upper end of the stake. 
     Preferably the notch or recess in the stake is defined by spaced-apart, parallel plates  12  and  13 , as shown, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stake. The distance between these two plates is slightly greater than the thickness of the spacer  20  so that the spacer can slide between the plates  12  and  13  and will be securely held there during use. The rear face or side  10 A of the stake may be slightly concave, if desired, in order to more closely fit against the side wall of the cylindrical body of a sprinkler. 
     The sprinkler spacer  20  includes outer peripheral edges  21 ,  22  and  23  as well as an inner edge  24  and opposing spring finger clips  25  for attaching the spacer to a sprinkler body. The spacer is intended to be slidably received in the notch or recess between the plates  12  and  13  of the stake, with edge  24  of the spacer being against the stake. The spacer is accordingly securely held in place between plates  12  and  13  on the stake. One or more of the outer peripheral edges of the spacer are intended to contact the edge of a sidewalk, curb, etc. so as to prevent the sprinkler from being positioned too close to the sidewalk or curb. Preferably the spacer includes vertical openings through it to enable water and fertilizer to flow through. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a tool  30  which is useful for (a) inserting the stake into the ground, and (b) positioning the stake a predetermined distance from a sidewalk, curb, etc. and also assuring that the sprinkler spacer  20  will be positioned a predetermined distance below the upper surface of the sidewalk, curb, etc. and the sod to be laid later. 
     The lower portion of the tool preferably includes a slot  30 A (defined between vertical spaced-apart plates  32  and  33 ) for receiving the upper end of the stake. The lower portion also has a width which prevents the stake from being positioned too close to the sidewalk, curb, etc. For convenience in use, the tool preferably includes a handle  31  on its upper portion. The lower portion of the tool is positioned on the upper end of the stake, with the width of the lower portion determining the distance that the stake will be located away from the edge of the sidewalk, curb, etc. Then the stake can be pushed into the ground by applying downward pressure to the handle (or by using a hammer to tap on the top of the handle). When the horizontally disposed depth gauge  34  on the tool contacts the upper surface of the sidewalk, curb, etc. the stake is at the proper height for attachment of the sprinkler spacer in the notch on the stake. This assures that the head of a sprinkler to be installed will be positioned a sufficient distance away from the edge of the sidewalk, curb, etc. so that the head will not be contacted by the spinning metal blade of an edger. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of another embodiment of spacer  40  which includes a notch  42  in its inner side for accommodating a stake member (e.g. of FIG.  3 ). The spacer also includes resilient finger clips  43  for engaging a sprinkler body.  FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of stake member  50  having a notch or recess near its upper end defined by parallel plates  52  and  53 . A spacer of the type shown in  FIG. 2  can be inserted between the plates and held in place on the stake so that the spacer is perpendicular to the stake. 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view illustrating the positions of a sprinkler  60 , stake  50  and sprinkler spacer  40  relative to the edge of a sidewalk or curb  70  after installation. The stake and spacer support the sprinkler in the ground both vertically and laterally relative to the sidewalk or curb. The spacer is located sufficiently below the upper surface of the sidewalk and the top of the sprinkler that it will not be contacted by the metal blade of an edger. Also, the spacer prevents the sprinkler from drifting or tilting toward the sidewalk or curb anytime after installation. 
     Other variants are possible without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the length of the stake and the shape of the taper may vary, as desired.