SPRAYER FOR A SPRINKLING INSTALLATION

Abstract: A sprayer for a sprinkling installation comprising a base or frame (15), a water supply pipe (3) by means of which the sprayer is rotably connected to a flexible water supply tube or hose (7) of the installation, and means for moving the sprayer between a position in which the axis of the sprayer and the axis of the hose cross each other at right angles and a position in which said axes are parallel to each other. According to the present invention, the means comprise an eccentric disk (11) mounted on the rotary part of the water supply pipe and operable by a lever (18) which, in operation, is under the influence of the water supplied in the water supply tube or hose.

Description: Title: Sprayer for a sprinkling installation. This invention relates to a sprayer for a sprinkling installation, comprising a base or frame, a water supply pipe by means of which the sprayer is rotatably connected to a flexible water supply tube or hose of the installation, and means for moving the sprayer between a position in which the axis of the sprayer and the axis of the tube or hose cross each other at right angles and a position in which said axes are parallel to each other. Such a sprayer construction has the advantage that, as a result of the sprayers being rotatable, the hose can be wound on a reel without removing the sprayers. Such a construction is known from NL-A-7414971. In this prior device, the means for moving the sprayer between the positions referred to consist of a pin mounted on the rotatable part of the water supply pipe for cooperation with a curved slot formed in the fixed part. Consequently, in this prior device, the performance of the rotary movement contemplated also requires an axial displacement of the rotary part relative to the fixed part of the sprayer supply pipe. Not only do these movements require substantial forces, but in addition, as a result for example of fouling or damage, problems are prone to occur in the cooperation between the pin and the slot. It is an object of the present invention to remove the disadvantages referred to. To this effect, according to the present invention, a sprayer of the kind defined in the opening paragraph hereof is characterized in that said means comprise an eccentric disk mounted on the rotary part of the water supply pipe and operable by a lever which, in operation, is under the influence of the water supplied in the water supply tube or hose. Since, when water is supplied, the tube or hose will assume a prismatic shape, the sprayer will automatically be rotated. In a further elaboration of the invention, the end of the lever remote from the eccentric is provided with a portion extending across the hose or tube and equipped with a rotatable roller. Although it has been found that, as the tube or hose is wound on the reel, the sprayer automatically turns into its starting position, it may be recommendable, in certain cases, to provide the lever with at least one springy which ensures that after the removal of the pressure in the water supply tube or hose, the sprayer is automatically returned to its starting position. One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig I shows a side-elevational view of the apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Referring to the drawings, which show the apparatus in the operative position, a sprayer for a sprinkling installation, equipped witch a base or frame 15, includes a sprayer body 1 that is known per se (see e.g. NL-A-7414971). This sprayer body is connected by means of a bend 2 to a supply pipe 3. The end of supply pipe 3 remote from bend 2 extends through a guide member 4 mounted with screwthread in a collar 9 welded in the wall of a coupling member 5 which by means of hose clamps 6, shown in the example illustrated, is integrated in a water supply hose 7. As shown in the drawings, see in particular Fig. 3, the supply pipe 3 is retained in guide member 4 by means of, on the one hand, a sealing ring 10 arranged between a collar 8 of supply pipe 3 and collar 9 in which guide member 4 is mounted, and on the other hand, a disk 11 fixedly connected to supply pipe 3 Engaging the disk ecccentrically is a lever 12, the other end of which is rotatably connected to a U-shaped strap 13. The end of strap 13 remote from lever 12 extends into a sleeve 14 connected fixedly to a frame 15 of the device. As further apparent from the drawings, the portion of the U-shaped strap 13 connected to lever 12 rests on water supply tube 7 by means of a freely rotatable roller 16 mounted on it. As further shown in the drawings, coupling member 5 is also connected to frame 15 by means of a supporting strip 17. In a similar manner, other parts may also be welded to the frame, with or without the aid of supporting strips. Connected further to coupling member 5 is a, known per se, automatic water drain 18 provided with a ball valve 19, whereby it is ensured that when the pressure in the water supply tube falls out, the water will be removed from it automatically. Welded to frame 15 is further a supporting plate 20, on which the sprayer body 1 can rest in the inoperative position, by virtue of which the body 1 is "enclosed" within the circumference of the frame, so that it cannot be damaged. Naturally, a large number of modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the inventive idea. Thus, for example, a spring may be provided to engage the portion of the U-shaped strap 13 that extends within roller 16, and to urge the strap and hence lever 12 to a position with a collapsed sprayer.

Claims: Claims 1. A sprayer for a sprinkling installation, comprising a base or frame, a water supply pipe by means of which the sprayer is rotatably connected to a flexible water supply tube or hose of the installation, and means for moving the sprayer between a position in which the axis of the sprayer and the axis of the hose cross each other at right angles and a position in which said axes are parallel to each other, characterized in that said means comprise an eccentric disk mounted on the rotary part of the water supply pipe and operable by a lever which, in operation, is under the influence of the water supply in the water supply tube or hose. 2. A sprayer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the end of the lever remote from the eccentric is provided with a portion extending across the hose or tube and equipped with a rotatable roller. 3. A sprayer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame comprises a curved supporting plate on which the sprayer body can rest in the inoperative position. 4. A sprayer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the lever is provided with at least one spring.

Inventors: KREEFTENBERG, HENDRIK WILLEM
Applicants: WATERKRACHT B.V.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01G25
IPC codes: A01G25