Irrigation system

An irrigation system includes one or more valve assemblies which are connected in series to a pressurized source of water. Each valve assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a ball valve, an inlet and two outlets with one outlet generally opposite from the inlet in a lower portion of the housing. The other outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing and adapted to direct water to an area of ground for irrigation. A pit and float are associated with each valve assembly and arranged so that some of the irrigation water will flow into the pit and raise the float. The float is connected spring biasing element and a U-shaped pivotal member. This U-shaped pivotal member maintains a spring in a compressed or energy-stored condition and releases the spring biasing element when the float reaches a predetermined level so that the ball valve will spring upwardly to close the upper outlet and redirect the water to another assembly. Water pressure will then maintain the valve in that position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an improved irrigation system and, more 
particularly, to an improved apparatus for sequentially irrigating a 
plurality of areas or basins, automatically stopping the flow of water to 
an area when that area has received sufficient irrigation and redirecting 
the flow of water to another area. 
Irrigation systems have been used for many years to provide plants and 
trees with water at various times during their growing cycle. For example, 
it has been common practice to provide plants and trees with water by 
means of irrigation ditches, hoses, sprayers, pipes and other types of 
apparatus. However, in certain situations, such as in orchards where the 
terrain is uneven, water will run from the high ground to the low. In such 
cases, the low lying trees may receive more water than those on higher 
ground. 
In other cases, where the cost of water is relatively high it is desirable 
to control the amount of water provided for each area and to avoid wasting 
water by providing additional water to some plants in order to adequately 
water others or by leaving the water on for too long a period. 
The above problems have been overcome to a degree by irrigation systems 
having a plurality of valves with each valve connected by means of pipes 
to a pressurized source of water. For example, the U.S. Pat. Nos. of 
Rodieck, 3,797,253 and 4,014,361, disclose systems wherein each item to be 
watered is provided with a well around its base and a separate valve 
within each of the wells. In such systems, one or more risers may be 
provided in order to force each valve that has been closed by the water 
reaching a preselected height in the well and to remain closed for as long 
as there is water pressure applied to the system. Such systems also 
include means to prevent the flow of water to a second valve until such 
time that a first area has been provided with a predetermined volume of 
water. 
A more recent development is disclosed in my co-pending application 
entitled "Irrigation System," Ser. No. 07/457,870, which was filed on Dec. 
27, 1989, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
As disclosed therein, an irrigation system includes one or more valve 
assemblies which are connected in series to a pressurized source of water. 
Each valve assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a ball valve, an inlet 
and two outlets with one outlet generally opposite from the inlet in a 
lower portion of the housing. The other outlet is disposed in an upper 
portion of the housing and is adapted to direct water to an area of ground 
for irrigation. A pit and a float are associated with each valve assembly 
and arranged so that some of the irrigation water will flow into the pit 
and raise the float. The float is connected to spring biasing means and 
when the float reaches a predetermined level, the ball valve will spring 
upwardly to close the upper outlet and redirect the water to another 
assembly. Water pressure will then maintain the valve in that position. 
The present invention contemplates an improved system of the type which is 
disclosed in my aforementioned application. For example, in the 
aforementioned system, the pressure resulting from the flow of water 
creates friction between a ball and seat (outlet). Thus, as the water 
pressure is increased, the force which is required to move the ball 
upwardly out of contact with a first seat and into contact with the second 
seat increases. Consequently, it is necessary for the float to rise up to 
a higher level to activate the change. In other words, the prior art 
devices may be sensitive to changes in water pressure and increase or 
decrease the amount of water applied to an area in response to a change in 
water pressure. 
It is presently believed that an improved irrigation system as disclosed 
and claimed herein provides for a more accurate determination of the 
amount of water to be delivered to a given area. Also, the amount of water 
delivered is independent of any changes in water pressure. In addition, 
the system disclosed herein is reliable in operation, minimizes the 
likelihood that a gate member will become stuck in a first position and 
thus fail to turn off a valve and will have a more rapid trigger action. 
It is also believed that the system disclosed herein may be readily and 
economically manufactured, relatively free of maintenance and simple to 
operate. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In essence, an irrigation system according to the present invention is 
designed for use with a pressurized source of water. The system includes a 
hollow valve housing having an upwardly extending hollow cylindrical 
portion with a first annular opening or outlet in an upper portion 
thereof. The housing also includes second and third annular openings which 
are preferably axially aligned and opposite from one another. The second 
annular opening or inlet is connected by a pipe to the pressurized source 
of water, while the third annular opening serves as an outlet and may be 
connected by suitable pipe means (a distribution pipe) to an inlet in a 
second valve housing. A valve seat or seat means is associated with each 
of said outlets and a ball-shaped gate member or ball valve is disposed 
within the housing and adapted to move upwardly and downwardly within the 
cylindrical portion of the housing between the outlets. The seat means are 
constructed and arranged for receiving the ball shaped gate member therein 
and thereagainst for mating therewith to close each of the outlets. 
The irrigation system also includes means for defining a pit and/or basin 
which are disposed above the valve housing and float means are disposed 
within the pit or basin. The irrigation system includes an upwardly 
extending pipe which is connected to the first outlet and which extends 
upwardly above the basin. This upwardly extending pipe also includes an 
opening or spout means in an open portion thereof for directing the 
irrigation water outwardly and into the basin when the ball-shaped gate 
member is blocking the second outlet. Thus, when sufficient water has been 
applied to the area around the basin, excess water will run into the pit 
and raise the float. A rod is connected to the top of the ball-shaped gate 
member and extends upwardly through the upwardly extending pipe and has a 
spring, preferably a coil spring, fixed to an upper portion thereof. In 
the practice of the invention, the rod has a nut or stop means fixed to an 
upper portion thereof so that the coil spring may be slipped over the rod 
with one end of the spring resting against the nut or stop means. A 
displaceable biasing member engages a second and preferably the upper 
portion of the spring, so that any downward movement of the biasing member 
will compress the spring. Means for positioning and/or maintaining the 
biasing member and spring in a force stored position, preferably spring 
compressed position, and means for connecting the biasing member and float 
are also provided so that when the float is lifted by a change of the 
level of water in the pit, the spring biasing member is moved upwardly to 
thereby assert an upward force on the rod by means of the spring. And, 
when and upward force on the rod exceeds the force of the water holding 
the ball-shaped gate member in place, the ball will spring upwardly out of 
engagement with the seat which is associated with said second outlet and 
into engagement with the seat means which is associated with said first 
outlet to thereby close off the first outlet and direct the flow of water 
through the second outlet. Under such conditions the water pressure within 
the housing will hold the ball in a closed position with respect to the 
first outlet. 
In other words, an irrigation system in accordance with the present 
invention includes means for storing a force, such as a compressed spring, 
which is sufficient to overcome a force against the ball-shaped gate 
member due to the flow of water. Therefore, when the float reaches a 
preselected height, the force in the spring is released to thereby direct 
the flow of water through the second outlet. In such systems, the opening 
of one outlet and closure of a second is solely dependent on the position 
of the float, i.e., the water level within a pit. 
For comparison, the system according to my earlier invention did not 
incorporate means for storing a force in a spring, but instead used a 
float to compress a spring as a float moved upwardly with a rising level 
of water in a pit. In that system, the ball-shaped gate member remained in 
place until the force of the compressed spring exceeded the force against 
the gate member. Consequently, the release or opening of a gate was not 
solely dependent on the height of the float but also on the force 
attributed to the water pressure. 
The invention will now be described in connection with the following 
drawings in which like numerals have been used to identify like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
An irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention 
includes a plurality of valve assemblies as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Each 
of the valve assemblies 2 may be considered to be an irrigation system per 
se, but are normally connected together in series for irrigating a 
plurality of trees or plants sequentially as illustrated in FIG. 5. 
The valve assembly 2 includes a hollow cylindrical housing 4 which is 
preferably disposed on a vertical axis, an annular opening or inlet 6, a 
first outlet 8 and a third annular opening or second outlet 10. Each of 
the annular openings 6, 8 and 10 are constructed and arranged to receive a 
pipe therein as, for example, by force fit, threaded, weld or etc. The 
housing 4 also defines a portion 12 which extends outwardly and tapers 
downwardly toward opening 6 to provide a longitudinally enlarged opening 
13 on the inner side of housing 4. This enlarged opening 13 is reduced in 
cross section along a vertical axis as it extends outwardly until it 
coincides with the right circular cross section of opening 6. 
The inlet or opening 6 is connected to a source of pressurized water by 
means of a distribution pipe 14 and valve 16, as is more clearly 
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
The opening 8 in the upper portion on top of housing 4 may be fitted with a 
suitable coupling 18 which may be force fit in housing 4 and which is 
constructed and arranged to receive a riser 20 or upwardly extending pipe. 
The coupling 18 also includes a valve seat 22. A second valve seat 24 is 
formed in the second outlet 10 and is axially aligned along a horizontal 
axis with opening 6 and opposite therefrom. 
A ball-shaped gate member 26 is disposed in the cylindrical housing 4 and 
has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of either of the outlets 
8 and 10, but is less than the height of the enlarged inlet opening 13. 
The sizing of the ball-shaped gate member is important since it is freely 
fitted within housing 4 and mates with the valve seats 22 and 24 to close 
each of the outlets. However, the larger opening 6 on the inlet side 
allows water to flow past the ball-shaped gate member to the upwardly 
extending pipe or riser 20 when the ball-shaped gate member 26 is against 
the seat 24 with a minimal obstruction. 
The ball-shaped gate member 26, housing 4 and coupling 18 are constructed 
and arranged so that when the gate member 26 is in its upper position 
against seat 22, the top of the enlarged opening 13 is below the middle of 
the gate member 26. Therefore, the flow of water and water pressure will 
hold the gate member 26 in its closed position. 
The housing 4 and distribution pipe 14 are preferably buried in the ground 
as illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a pit 30 is formed 
immediately above housing 4. The pit 30 may, for example, define a right 
circular excavation or reservoir of sufficient depth to house a float 32 
which actuates the closing of outlet 8 in a manner which will be described 
hereinafter. 
The float 32 may be in the shape of a right circular cylinder with a 
central aperture or opening for attachment to a rod 57 which is next to 
and generally parallel to the upwardly extending pipe or riser 20 so that 
it will be moved upwardly therealong as the level of water in pit 30 rises 
in much the same manner as disclosed in my aforementioned application. 
However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the float 
32 is not concentric with riser 20 but moves up and down on an axis which 
is parallel with the axis of riser 20. 
A rod 34 is connected to the top of gate member 26 and extends upwardly 
through the upwardly extending pipe or riser 20. 
A coil spring 36 is disposed on an upper end of rod 34 and is positioned on 
rod 34 and a rubber grommet 37 is provided (see FIG. 2) to prevent water 
from flowing upwardly around rod 34. A displaceable biasing member 38 
defines a central portion 39 having an aperture therein which passes over 
the rod 34 so that the spring biasing member 38 can move upwardly and 
downwardly on rod 34 with the spring 36 disposed between the nut 37 and 
the biasing member 38. A cap nut 37' is disposed above displaceable 
biasing member 38 so that rod 34 will be moved upwardly with an upward 
movement of the biasing member 38. The biasing member 38 also includes a 
pair of arms 38' which extend outwardly from the central portion 39. A 
tubular member 46 which defines a pair of vertical channels 46' is 
disposed above and axially aligned with the riser 20 and is constructed 
and arranged so that the ends of arms 38' extend through and slightly 
beyond the channels 46'. 
A coupling 50 and spout 52 are disposed at the top of riser 20, between the 
riser 20 and tubular member 46 and supports a generally U-shaped pivotal 
member 47. The U-shaped pivotal member includes a central portion 48 and a 
pair of end portions 48' extending forward of the central portion 48 with 
end portion 48' parallel with one another. A stop means 49 positions the 
U-shaped member 47 within a generally horizontal plane when the U-shaped 
member 47 is in a first position. 
The U-shaped member 47 also includes a pivotal mounting means 53 and a pair 
of upwardly extending elements 54 which define an upper cam surface 54' 
and stop means or shoulder 55. A yoke-like engaging means or connector 56 
extends rearwardly from the central portion 39 of the U-shaped member 47. 
The connector 56 is adapted to receive a rod 57 within the yoke or open 
portion with a cap nut 58 at the top end of rod 57 and a second stop nut 
59 shortly therebelow so that any upward movement of rod 57 will rotate 
the U-shaped member 47 about the pivot means 53. A float 32 is threadedly 
attached to a bottom portion of rod 57 and may be adjusted upwardly or 
downwardly thereon. 
A cone-shaped member 61 is disposed in an upper portion of valve assembly 2 
and may be formed as an integral part or top of tube 46. The cone-shaped 
member 61 defines a central aperture or opening which is adapted to 
receive a rod 62 which passes therethrough. The rod 62 extends upwardly 
and is fixed to a tubular cover 63 by means of a screw 63'. A spring 64 is 
coaxially aligned with and passes over and around rod 62 and is disposed 
between the top of tubular cover 63 and the cone-shaped member 61 so that 
the tubular cover 63 is biased upwardly by spring 64. 
An actuating assembly 65 is disposed at the bottom of rod 62 and 
immediately below the cone-shaped member 61 and may include an additional 
spring 66 and actuator 67. 
An irrigation system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 
invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. As shown therein, the valve assembly 2 
incorporates a relatively shallow basin or pit 30' wherein the basin 30' 
is disposed above ground, thus eliminating the need for the relatively 
deeper pits which have been used with various prior art devices. In the 
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the float 32 may be moved 
upwardly a few millimeters in order to trigger the spring-biased movement 
of the ball valve 26. 
In the operation of a valve assembly 2, an individual manually prepares the 
system by pushing down on each of the tubular covers 63. This downward 
movement of cover 63 compresses spring 64 while pushing or moving rod 62 
downwardly through the aperture in cone-shaped member 61. The downward 
movement of rod 61 moves the actuating assembly downward into engagement 
with the cap nut 37'. As the cap nut 37' engages washer 37", it forces the 
displaceable biasing means 38 downward so that the ends of arms 38' which 
extend beyond the channels 46' engage cam surface 54' to thereby rotate 
the U-shaped member 47 until the ends of arms 38' pass beyond shoulder 55. 
At this point, the weight of float 32 will return the pivotal U-shaped 
member 47 to a generally horizontal plane against stop 49 so that the 
shoulder 55 prevents the spring biasing member 38 from moving upwardly in 
channels 46' to thereby maintain spring 36 in a compressed or force stored 
condition. 
The operation of an irrigation system in accordance with a preferred 
embodiment of the invention can be more readily explained with respect to 
FIG. 5. As illustrated therein, a valve 16 is connected to a pressurized 
source of water (not shown). Thus, when the valve 16 is opened, water 
under pressure flows into the inlet 6 of valve assembly 4 and forces a 
ball valve against a second outlet to close the outlet and force the water 
upward through the riser 20, and outwardly through the spout 52 and onto 
the ground in the area of the pit 30 and the basin 61. It is preferred 
that the area to be irrigated (basin 61) is surrounded by a suitable dike 
(border) 68 which separates the various basins. And then, when the water 
reaches a certain level in the basin 61 and hence in the pit 30 
surrounding the irrigation system, the float 32 rises up and exerts 
pressure on the yoke-like connector 56 to rotate the U-shaped member 48 
which releases the biasing member 38 which is then forced upwardly by the 
stored energy in spring 36. Since the force exerted by the spring 36 
exceeds the force of the water against the gate member 26, the gate member 
26 will spring upwardly into engagement with seat 22 to close the first 
outlet 8 and direct the water through outlet 10 and distribution pipe 14'. 
Each of the successive valves 2, 2' etc. then operate in the same way until 
the entire area to be irrigated has been watered. An individual may then 
reset selected valve assemblies manually so that a number of plants can 
receive additional irrigation without requiring a complete recycle. For 
example, an individual can press cover 63 downwardly to reset a selected 
valve assembly. 
The mechanisms of each valve assembly are preferably surrounded by a 
suitable housing 70 which may include a door 71 for adjusting the level of 
float 32 as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. 
The systems disclosed herein are presently thought to be more reliable than 
certain prior art systems since they incorporate a closed system, i.e., 
one which is protected against any irrigation water flowing back into the 
system. For example, the openings inside the hollow cylinder 4 and the 
ball-shaped gate member 26 are not exposed to the previously provided 
irrigation water from the basin 61. Thus, there is little or no chance for 
water to enter the system. 
While the invention has been defined in connection with a preferred 
embodiment, it should be understood that changes and modifications may be 
made therein without departing from the scope of the claims.