Fence sprinkler system

A fence sprinkler system is described in which tubular posts include an interior cavity, a water line extends upwardly through the cavity, and a sprinkling unit is connected to the water line at the upper end of each post. The sprinkling unit can be recessed into the upper end of the post, and a cap is attached to the top of the sprinkling unit to close the upper end of the post when the sprinkling head is retracted into the post.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
 This invention relates to water sprinkling systems. More particularly, this
 invention relates to systems for incorporating a water sprinkler into a 
 fence to sprinkle water over an area adjacent to the fence. 
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
 Water sprinkling systems have been known and used for a long time. However,
 existing sprinkler systems are not always suitable or efficient for 
 applying water in certain situations or in certain areas. For example, 
 some areas are too large to be efficiently or practically watered using a 
 hose connected to a conventional lawn sprinkler. Also, pastures for 
 livestock normally cannot be watered with conventional sprinklers because 
 the animals could damage the sprinklers. It is also possible for the 
 animals to be injured when coming into contact with the sprinklers. 
 There has not heretofore been provided a sprinkler system having the 
 features and advantages provided by the present invention. 
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sprinkler 
 system which is supported by and integral with a fence. In a preferred 
 embodiment, the fence sprinkling system comprises: 
 (a) a plurality of upright tubular post members having upper and lower ends
 and an interior cavity; 
 (b) a water line supplying a source of pressurized water, wherein the water
 line extends upwardly through the interior cavity in each post member; and
 (c) a sprinkling unit connected to the water line at the upper end of each 
 post member. 
 The sprinkling system of the invention provides several advantages over 
 existing sprinkler systems. For example, the system of the invention 
 avoids the need for running hoses or sprinkler lines through the middle of
 pastures or other areas to be watered. It also avoids the need for 
 installing posts in the middle of the area to be watered. The presence of 
 ground level sprinkler systems in pastures and paddocks can lead to 
 injuries to livestock, and livestock can cause damage to the sprinkler 
 system. Such problems can be avoided with the system of this invention. 
 Other features and advantages of the fence sprinkler system of the 
 invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the
 accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
 In FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred embodiment of a fence sprinkler system
 10 of the invention comprising a plurality of upright tubular post members
 12 having upper and lower ends. The lower ends are secured below ground 
 level. 
 Each post member is hollow or includes an interior cavity 12A. Such post 
 members are preferably composed of durable plastic such as PVC or the 
 like. The posts can have a square or circular cross-section. Horizontal 
 rail members 13 are secured to the posts to form an appropriate fence 
 around or along the area to be watered. 
 A water supply line 14 runs below ground level to supply pressurized water 
 to the location of each post. Couplers 15 connect the water line to water 
 line 16 extending upwardly through the interior cavity 12A in each post, 
 as shown. A plate member or disk 18 is secured inside each post near its 
 upper end to secure the upper end of water line 16 and hold it in a fixed 
 position. 
 Because the upper end 16A of each water line is threaded, a sprinkler head 
 20 can be threadably attached to the upper end of the water line within 
 the recess at the upper end of each post. A cap member 22 is mounted on 
 the top of the sprinkler head to close the interior recess or cavity in 
 the upper end of the post when water is not passing through the sprinkler 
 head. 
 The sprinkler head 20 is a pop-up sprinkler which is caused to extend 
 upwardly past the top of the post when water passes through the water line
 to the head. When the water is turned off, the sprinkler head 
 automatically retracts into the recess in the upper end of the post where 
 it is out of sight and where it is protected from the elements and from 
 any livestock around the fence. Preferably, the sprinkler head is a 
 rotating sprinkler which rotates completely or oscillates back and forth 
 to water the selected area. 
 FIG. 2 shows the upper end of a post member 30 in which a tubular sleeve 32
 is slidably received. The upper end of the sleeve includes a flange 32A 
 which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the post so that the 
 flange rests on, and is supported by, the upper end of the post. The 
 sleeve includes a floor or bottom 32B in which a fitting or coupler 34 is 
 secured. The upper end 34A of the coupling 34 extends into the sleeve and 
 a sprinkler 36 can be threadably secured to it. A cap 22 is attached to 
 the top of the sprinkler. The water supply line can be attached to the 
 lower end of the coupling. 
 FIG. 3 is an explosion view of another embodiment of a post member 40 which
 has a square cross-section. The wall members at the upper end of the post 
 have been cut or shaped to provide inverted V-shaped projections 40A. The 
 cap member 42 is secured to the upper side of an adaptor 44 which has four
 sides (each of which includes an inverted V-shaped notch 44A). A bolt or 
 screw 43 extends through the adaptor to secure the cap and adaptor to the 
 upper end of a sprinkler unit housed within the post. This type of cap 
 arrangement for a square post assures that the cap will properly align 
 with and enclose the opening at the upper end of the post when the 
 sprinkler unit is turned off. When the sprinkler unit retracts into the 
 post, the cap will self-align on the upper end of the post due to the 
 sloped walls of the post and the cap with attached adaptor. The depth of 
 cut of the notches 44A in adaptor 44 is equal to the height of the 
 corresponding projections 40A on the top of the post so that when the cap 
 and adaptor are in the lowered position, the adaptor notches will mate 
 with the projections on the top of the post. 
 Other variants are possible without departing from the scope of this 
 invention. For example, it is possible to use the sprinkler system in 
 conjunction with a single post member, or multiple post members, in an 
 area to be watered, without including rail members between or otherwise 
 connected to the post(s). It is also possible to use the system of this 
 invention without using pop-up type sprinkler heads. It is also possible 
 to attach the water supply line to the backside of the horizontal fence 
 rails and then extend the line into the interior cavity of each post 
 (through a side wall of the post) and then upwardly to the sprinkling 
 unit. Other variants are also possible within the scope and spirit of the 
 present invention.