Abstract:
A side ingress water supply conduit arrangement for use with a height adjustable riser for a sprinkler head that reduces labor required for installation of the water supply conduit. The housing of a height adjustable riser is modified to include an integrally molded conduit, which delivers pressurized water to the bottom of an adjustable riser housing by introducing the water supply to the housing via the side of the housing. This allows the conduit to be located closer to the surface of the ground by installing conduits in a shallow burial location slightly below the top of the riser housing. Therefore, less earth removal and replacement is required, which reduces the labor necessary to install a sprinkler system. Another embodiment creates a modified conduit or tube shape, such as a “J” that works with the individual components of the adjustable riser as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,648.

Description:
Priority claimed based on Ser. No. 60/506,489 filed Sep. 29, 2003 pending. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the field of irrigation sprinkler systems, and more particularly to a water supply line laterally coupled to an adjustable riser included in an irrigation sprinkler arrangement and which permits the water supply conduit to be located in close proximity to the surface of the ground. 
   2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
   In the past, conventional irrigation sprinkler systems have been employed wherein a plurality of individual irrigation sprinkler heads or units are connected with a water supply line in order to provide irrigation water to a selected terrain area. The supply line is often buried underground and is coupled by various joints and extending risers to the individual sprinkler unit or head. The length of the risers are individually chosen to achieve partial or full exposure of the individual sprinkler unit at a selected height relative to the ground level in accordance with the buried depth of the supply line, as well as the type and height of the specific surrounding vegetation. Usually the housing for the risers are elongated and are installed in the ground in a vertical orientation with the water supply line or conduit attached to the bottom of the housing. Therefore, the water supply line is buried deep enough to connect with the bottom of the riser housing which often requires that the lines or conduits be installed in a deeply dug trench. Since conventional risers are of different lengths, the digging of trenches are burying of water supply lines or conduits is a tedious and labor intensive procedure. 
   Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a simplified installation procedure and maintenance thereof for irrigation systems which permits the water supply lines to be installed near the surface of the ground so that deep trenches and deep burial of the water supply line is unnecessary. The installation of risers should include a portion of the water supply line or conduit which permits the line or conduit to be located closer to the surface of the ground. A typical adjustable height riser is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,648 which is suitable for practice of the present invention and the disclosure therein is incorporated into the present Application by reference. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a side ingress water supply conduit arrangement for use with a height adjustable riser for a sprinkler head which substantially reduces labor required for installation of the water supply conduit. The labor reduction requirement is achieved by modifying the housing of the height adjustable riser to include an integrally molded line or conduit which laterally delivers a pressurized fluid, such as water, to the bottom of an adjustable riser housing assembly. By laterally introducing the pressurized water supply delivery and entry to the housing from the side of the housing, the supply conduit is located closer to the surface of the ground. The conduit is installed in a shallow burial location slightly below the top of the riser housing. By locating the conduit in a shallow location, less earth removal and replacement is required, which reduces the labor necessary to install a sprinkler system. Another embodiment of the present invention creates a modified conduit or tube shape, such as a “J” that works with the individual components of the adjustable riser as disclosed in my issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,648 referenced herein. 
   Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a lateral water supply conduit arrangement for a height adjustable riser employed in a sprinkler device that permits closer location of the supply conduits to the surface of the ground, wherein such conduits are lateral to the longitudinal axis of the housing for the height adjustable riser. 
   Another object of the invention resides in providing a side or lateral ingress height adjustment riser for a sprinkler system which reduces the labor required for installation and which is achieved by providing the water supply system integral with the riser housing whereby an integrally molded unit is produced for laterally delivering fluid or water to the underside or bottom of the adjustable riser housing. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid delivery and entry conduit arrangement integrally attached to the side of an adjustable riser housing so that the delivery and entry arrangement is slightly below the top of the riser housing which permits the delivery and entry conduits to be located closer to the surface of the ground. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a water supply conduit arrangement which requires less earth removal and replacement and reduces the labor necessary to install a sprinkler system. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a water supply conduit system which includes compressible or expandable tubing which may or may not include a “T” shaped conduit so as to provide expansion joints for minimizing conduit damage in climates that experience periodic soil freezing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a height adjustable riser for a sprinkler device including a lateral water supply conduit or line in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lateral or side ingress height adjustable riser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating adjustable mounting for the height adjustable riser shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the securement device used to retain the housing of the riser shown in  FIG. 3  in releasable securement; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a compressible/expandable water supply conduit which may or may not include a “T” section. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the novel side ingress height adjustable riser for a sprinkler device is indicated in the general direction of arrow  10  which includes a housing  11  having an adjustable riser  12  movably carried by the housing  11  so that the riser may be elevated to a desired position. As illustrated, the adjustable position of the adjustable riser  12  is so that the sprinkler device  13  may be elevated above the height of foliage and such foliage is indicated in general by numeral  14 . It is of importance to note that a water supply line or conduit  15  is illustrated having a central body terminating at right angles with an output section  16  that is directly and integrally coupled with housing  11 . An input segment  17  is connected to a main water supply pipe  18 . It is to be particularly noted that because of the conduit  15 , the main water line  18  can be installed close to the surface of the ground and does not require extensive digging or burial. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the housing  11  is integrally formed with the water supply conduit  15 , wherein the section or segment  16  is integrally formed with the cylindrical wall of the housing at the bottom thereof. The section  16  includes a collar  20  for securement with the end  21  of an extendable or compressible pipe  22 . The opposite end of the section  16  is coupled to the input section  17  by an elongated body  23  integral with the housing and defining passageway  24 . It is to be particularly noted that the housing  11  is of unitary construction with the conduit  15  defining an open-ended passageway indicated by numeral  24 . The opposite ends of the passageways are connected to the compressible/expandable pipe  22  at one end and the water supply line  18  at its opposite end. The top of the housing  11  includes a flange  25  which rests on the surface of the ground. Therefore, it can be seen that a pressurized water supply can be introduced through water supply line  18  in the direction of the arrow so that the pressurized water is conducted through the passageway  24  into the pope  22 . The supply of fluid or water through the passageway is determined by valve means (not shown) attached to line  18 . 
   Referring further to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the sprinkler device  13  can be elevated against the expansion of a coil spring  30  when pressurized water is supplied from a water source in the direction of arrow  31 . The sprinkler unit  10  is coupled to the water supply by the hose or conduit  18  and passageway  24  which introduces the pressurized water through the variable length hose  22  to impinge against an impact plate  34  carried on the lower end of the tube supporting the sprinkler device  13 . As part of the pressurized water supply, it is noted that the pressurized water passes through a cartridge  29  via a coupler piece  35  which includes communication with a passageway  36  terminating at the underside of the impact plate  34 . Therefore, pressurized water introduced from the conduit is forwarded through the expansion hose or pipe  22  and the passageway  36  to the underside of the impact plate so that the pressure forcibly urges the sprinkler nozzle upwardly. The upward positioning of the sprinkler device  13  is against the expansion pressure of the spring  30 . Therefore, when the pressurized water is reduced, or shut-off, the compressed spring  30  will expand outwardly between the cap (not shown) and the impact plate  34  causing the sprinkler nozzle to retreat through the cap to the storage position or non-operative position, as shown in solid lines. 
   Referring further in detail to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the cartridge  29  is threadably connected to the adjustable riser  12  by threads  37  so that a unitary construction is provided. Also, it is noted that the inside wall surface of the body  11  includes a plurality of notches, such as notch  38 , into which catches, such as catch  39 , is normally biased by means of an expansion spring  40 . As illustrated, at least four catches are shown and are carried on the cartridge  29  within an internal cavity thereof. Outward movement of the catches in response to expansion of the spring  40  is restricted when the catches engage their inner wall surface of the housing  11 , as shown in broken lines. Also, penetration of the catches within the notches will limit the outward expansion movement of the catches. Spring  41  bears against the underside of the cartridge and normally, forcibly urges the cartridge upwardly and the upward movement is limited only by engagement of the catches with the notches, as previously described. Notches can be placed along the inside surface of the bore of housing  11  and additional notches at a lower level are not shown engaged by catches. It can also be seen that O-rings  42  installed on the coupling and bear against an open-ended bore carried at the center of the cartridge  29 . The open-ended bore is illustrated by numeral  43 . Each catch includes an angular under-surface slidably engageable with a sloping ramp in the notch. Further disclosure of the riser is indicated by U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,648, as noted above. 
   Therefore, in view of the foregoing, it can be seen that water supplied under pressure to the impact plate  34  will cause the sprinkler head or nozzle to rise to an extended position. When the supply line is turned off or reduced, the expansion of the compressed spring will cause the sprinkler head to retract into the sprinkler device. When it is desired to raise or lower the adjustable riser unit, the user only need to push down slightly and twist or rotate the adjustable riser unit in order to disconnect the catches from the notches. The catches are urged against their expansion spring and the cartridge can be moved upwardly or downwardly accordingly. When it is desired to set the sprinkler nozzle at a certain elevation, the user twists or turns the adjustable riser unit assembly until the catches match a desired level of notches. Various levels are illustrated by numerals  70 – 73 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , securement means are shown for retaining the adjustable riser  12  in a fixed position. The housing  11  is shown buried beneath the surface of the ground, which is indicated by numeral  50 , and the housing  11  includes flange  51  which is on top of surface  50 . The flange  51  includes a lug that further includes a threaded bore  53  for receiving a threaded shank  54  is threaded into a selected aperture, such as aperture  56 , carried on the sidewall of adjustable riser  12 . The adjustable riser  12  may move within the bore of the housing  11  as represented by numeral  57 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that a mainline conduit is indicated in the direction of arrow  60  which may or may not be a T-shape. As illustrated, the main conduit is indicated by numeral  61  and includes a plurality of convolutions, such as convolution  62 , which may be extendable or expanded to lengthen the distance between the opposite ends of the conduit  61 . Therefore, the sidewall is flexible and the opposite ends of the conduit terminate in flanges  63  and  64 . When the T-shaped conduit is employed, the expandable section  65  will absorb any pressure surges in the conduit  61 . Pressurized fluid, such as water, will enter the section  65  to expand. Expansion is achieved since the sidewall of the section  65  is convoluted and a typical convolution is indicated by numeral  67 . Upon reduction of pressure, the section  65  will retract into its original condition. Such a conduit may be coupled with the mainline water supply conduit  18  and the section  65 , if used, may be oriented vertically or horizontally so that the conduit may be placed closed to the surface of the turf or ground. 
   Thus, it can be seen that the improved, adjustable riser of the present invention that includes the input water supply passageway  25  within the tubing  15  is an improvement because it will not only supply the pressurized fluid to the bottom of the housing  11 , but permits the water supply line  18  as well as conduit  61  to be placed near the surface of the ground. This requires less digging and removal of earth in order to install a sprinkler system. 
   The cost and labor benefits resulting from this novel approach are self evident. A traditional installation delivering fluid vertically from a buried conduit requires trenching at a depth equal or greater than the depth of the sprinkler riser, e.g. 6″ sprinkler/riser requires trenching, or removal and replacement, of at least 6 to 8 includes of soil. Similarly, a 4″ sprinkler/rise requires removal and replacement of at least 4 to 6 includes of soil. By introducing the irrigation fluid into the side of the sprinkler housing, the depth of the conduit can be reduced to a depth necessary to place the conduit in the soil plus a small amount of soil used to cover the conduit. Locally at the site of the sprinkler installation a hole can be placed in the soil using common tools, such as shovel or post hole digger. Since the fluid enters all sprinkler/risers from the side rather than the bottom, a singe reduced depth trench can be used for multiple combinations of different height sprinkler/riser assemblies. This approach allows lawns and shrubbery to be easily and efficiently irrigated on the same circuit or station. 
   Due to surface proximity probability of damage to the conduits is increased. Also, an increased potential for expansion damage due to freezing exists; therefore, an expandable/compressible fitting is also provided which minimizes potential repairs due to damage caused either by maintenance crews or fluid solidification due to freezing. 
   Presently, repairs of the type noted above require removal of locally surrounding soil, installation of rigid clip-on kits or rigid bonded joints, and replacement of the soil. Both methods require substantial amounts of soil removal to expose, clean, and prepare for bonding, bon and allow the reinstalling of the new rigid components. The novel compressible/expandable fitting minimizes this task. Because the fitting can be compressed and placed between the ends of the conduit embedded in the soil, then allowed to expand over the end of the conduit, the removal of surrounding soil is minimized. Furthermore, reliability of completed repairs increases. 
   A slight modification of the compressible/expandable fitting, T-shaped rather than linear, provides expansion joints to minimize conduit damage in climates that experience periodic soil freezing. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that change and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in is broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.