Abstract:
An irrigation tool is described that may be used to unloosen a sprinkler head of an underground water irrigation system without the need to expose the entire sprinkler head assembly. The device allows for sufficient torque to be applied to the sprinkler head without the need for a wide unobstructed wrench turning radius about the sprinkler head.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the filing benefit and priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/304,164 filed on 13 Jun. 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    This invention pertains generally to irrigation tools used to tighten and loosen the cap of a sprinkler head of an irrigation system. More particularly, the invention pertains to an irrigation tool that reduces the need to remove large amounts of terrain surrounding the sprinkler head cap when replacing a riser of the sprinkler head assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    Over the years various underground irrigation systems have been devised for both residential and commercial settings to irrigate the surrounding landscape. These irrigation systems typically include a multitude of sprinkler head assemblies coupled to underground irrigation water conduits. A portion of each sprinkler head assembly actuates between a lowered and stored position to an elevated and spraying position when a water pressure is applied through the sprinkler head assembly. Typically, a sprinkler head assembly includes a body or base that is fixed to the irrigation conduit. A cap threads onto the body and the cap restricts a riser and sprinkler nozzle within the body that actuates up and down. The base and cap are buried below the surface of the landscape. 
         [0006]    From time to time the sprinkler riser may require replacement. To remove the riser, grass or other terrain surrounding the sprinkler body must be removed to expose the cap secured to the body. The amount of terrain surrounding the cap of the sprinkler body that must be removed is dependent upon the amount of unrestricted free space required to turn a tool used to unloosen the cap. Tools available for loosening the cap typically require a large turning radius and, thus, a large amount of terrain surrounding the sprinkler assembly must be removed to allow a turning of the tool. A smaller turn radius would require the removal of less terrain but would also limit the length of the tool that could be used. Oftentimes, a longer handled tool and greater turn radius is required to provide sufficient torque to unloosen the cap. Also, tools having multiple functions are required to replace a sprinkler riser. A single tool capable of performing the multiple functions may reduce cost and increase efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments according to aspects of the invention provide an irrigation multi-function wrench combination that requires a smaller turning radius while still providing sufficient torque to unloosen the cap of a sprinkler head assembly. 
         [0008]    In accordance with aspects of the invention, an embodiment of the invention includes a first handle, second handle, a pivot member having first and second tool members extending from the pivot member, and gripping jaw members extending from an end of each handle. Extending from the bottom of the gripping jaw members are lugs. The lugs align and engage with features such as ribs or flutes on the sides of a sprinkler head assembly cap. The pivot interconnects the first handle and second handle so that a gripping jaw member of each handle is aligned in an opposing relation to the other gripping jaw member. The handles rotate about the pivot to increase or decrease a separation distance between the gripping jaw members. The first tool member extends from the pivot, wherein the first tool member has a flattened tip portion. The second tool member extends from the pivot, wherein the second tool member has a keyed tip portion. 
         [0009]    Additionally, the gripping jaw members have a top surface, bottom surface and opposing inner and outer side surfaces. Gripping teeth are formed on the inner side surface of each gripping jaw member. The inner surface may have a continuous curve or alternatively may include a v-shaped geometry to provide better gripping of various sized and diameter objects. The teeth may be formed continuous along the inner surface or may include groups or sets of teeth with space in between the sets. By way of example, first and second teeth sets are formed on the inner side surface of each gripping jaw member, with each teeth set having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth has a flat chisel like front edge and an angling away back edge. In an embodiment of the invention a first teeth set has the flat chisel like front edge facing towards the handle and a second teeth set having the flat chisel like front edge facing away from the handle. Alternatively, the direction each teeth set faces may be modified to provide different gripping characteristics when unloosening and tightening with the tool. For example, both teeth sets may face the same direction or may be staggered in opposing directions within the gripping jaws to provide a chisel grip when rotating the tool in either direction. 
         [0010]    The first and second opposed gripping jaw members together have a gripping jaw longitudinal axis. Similarly, a portion of the handles near or adjacent the gripping jaw members have a handle longitudinal axis. The gripping jaw longitudinal axis is not parallel with the handle longitudinal axis but intersects the handle longitudinal axis at an obtuse angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Also, in an embodiment of the invention, the gripping jaw longitudinal axis is not coplanar with at least a portion of the first and second handle. 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front left perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the irrigation wrench of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top right perspective view of the irrigation wrench of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom left perspective view of the irrigation wrench of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial sectioned top view of the gripping jaw members of the irrigation wrench of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a left perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the irrigation wrench of the type shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a left perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a back left perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a right perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a back perspective view of an irrigation wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a front left perspective view of an irrigation tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a right side perspective view of an irrigation tool of the type shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of an irrigation tool of the type shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a left front perspective view of an irrigation tool of the type shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a bottom right perspective view of an irrigation tool of the type shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top front right perspective view of a pivot bolt tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a bottom back right perspective view of the pivot bolt tool of the type shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is an exploded bottom front perspective view of the pivot bolt tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and with the nut removed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is an exploded back perspective view of the pivot bolt tool of the type shown in  FIG. 17 ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is an exploded top perspective view of the pivot tool of the type shown in  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0035]    An irrigation tool  10  particularly well suited as a sprinkler head wrench generally includes handles  14  and  16 , griping jaw members  20  and  22 , pivot  18 , lugs  36  and teeth  40 . The handles extend from the gripping jaw members at an angle such that the top plan surface of the handles is not in the same plane as the top plan surface of the gripping jaw members. In use, the teeth and lugs grip the cap, allowing the user to apply a torque to the cap to either loosen or tighten the cap. The handles extend from the gripping jaw members at an angle sufficient to significantly reduce the turning radius of turn while at the same time the lugs keep the tool aligned on the cap to provide a required torque to loosen or tighten the cap of the sprinkler assembly. 
         [0036]    With reference to the figures and in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an irrigation wrench or tool  10  is generally illustrated having two handles  14  and  16  and two gripping jaw members  20  and  22 . Lugs  36  extending from a bottom plan surface of the jaw gripping members engage a side of a cap of a sprinkler head assembly. A pivot  18  interconnects the handles  14  and  16  in a rotational relation. The pivot includes an adjustable pivot slot  68  that allows the separation distance between the two gripping jaw members to be increased and decreased as desired to best match the diameter of the object to be gripped. 
         [0037]    The angled handles reduce the required turning radius of the tool. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the handles together have a longitudinal axis  90  and the jaw members together have a longitudinal axis  92 . The longitudinal axis of the handle and the longitudinal axis of the jaw members intersect at an angle less than 180 degrees but greater than 90 degrees. Without limitation intended, the preferred angle approximates 135 degrees. By angling the handles away from the jaw member&#39;s longitudinal axis, a required turning radius is reduced. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  depicts the longitudinal axis of the handles coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the jaw members. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 5  each gripping jaw member  20  and  22  has an outer side  28  and inner side  30 . The inner side  30  includes an inner profile  32  that may be optimized to increase the amount of surface area of the teeth that contacts the surface of the object to be gripped. For example, a shallow v-shaped inner profile optimizes the number of teeth that contact the cap of the sprinkler head assembly. The profile of each jaw member may include at least a front set of teeth  50  and a back set of teeth  52 . The orientation of the two sets of teeth may be modified to further engage the object. Each tooth includes a chisel face front  42  and a slopping back  44 . At least one set of teeth on each jaw gripping member  20  and  22  faces towards the corresponding handle. In this manner at least one set of chisel face front teeth bite into the object as the handles are turned, regardless the direction of rotation. 
         [0040]    In other embodiments of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , at least a first or second portion  80  and  82  of the handles  14  and  16  may be further offset at an angle  96  from the jaw members  20  and  22  such that the longitudinal axis  90  of the handles are neither parallel nor coplanar with the longitudinal axis  92  of the jaw members. An angle of offset  96  less than 180 degrees increases the torque transferred from the handles to the jaw members when rotated in one direction but an amount of transferred torque is reduced when the handles are turned in the opposite direction. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an embodiment of the invention having voids formed in the handles  14  and  16 . The voids reduce the amount of required material for the handles and makes for a lighter tool. Lugs  38  extending from the bottom  26  of gripping jaw members  20  and  22  are buttressed to form rigid lugs. Pivot  18  interconnects the handles  14  and  16  in a rotational relation. The pivot includes an adjustable pivot slot  68  that allows the separation distance between the two gripping jaw members to be increased and decreased as desired to best match the diameter of the object to be gripped. The outer tip of each gripping jaw member includes additional teeth that may be used to grip smaller diameter objects. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 12-16  illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein pivot  18  includes a pivot bolt  200 . The pivot bolt  200  may be aligned in adjustment holes or cavities  64  and  66 . Further, the pivot bolt  200  includes a pivot shoulder  206  that is sized to compliment rotation of the handles while the pivot bolt is positioned within one of the adjustment holes. The pivot shoulder  206  includes flat portions  208  formed on the shoulder  206 . The distance between the two flat portions is sized slightly smaller than a width of pivot slot  68 . The flat portions  208  may be aligned with the pivot slot  68  such that the pivot bolt  200  may be slid between the adjustment holes  64  and  66  through the adjustable pivot slot  68 . Pivot bolt  200  includes a head  202  at one end of the bolt and a threaded tip  210  on an opposing end of the bolt. The head  202  abuts in pivotal relation a top surface of one of the jaw gripping members  20  or  22 . Nut  212  is twisted onto the threaded end portion  210  of the bolt and abuts in pivotal relation a bottom surface of one of the jaw gripping members  20  or  22 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 17-21  illustrates the pivot bolt  200  removed from the irrigation tool or wrench  10 . The pivot bolt  200  includes a head  202  end portion and an opposing threaded end portion  210 . A relief shoulder  204  is adapted for retaining tool  220 . Pivot shoulder  206  extends between the relief shoulder  204  and threaded end portion  210 . Head  202  may include a recess  214  shaped or configured to mate with an allen wrench or other shaped tool that may be utilized to restrain the bolt  200  from rotating. Tool  220  includes collar  222  having a center bore or aperture  224  in which the relief shoulder  204  of bolt  200  rotates. When the pivot bolt is mounted to wrench  10  the bolt  200  remains relatively fixed in place and the tool  220  rotates about bolt  200 . The bore  224  inner diameter is sized slightly larger than the outer diameter of the relief shoulder  204  of bolt  200  to allow a smooth rotation of the tool  220  about the bolt  200 . In the manner the orientation of the extended tool member  226  and extended tool member  230  relative to the wrench may be altered to a preferred orientation. 
         [0044]    These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document.