Abstract:
A sprinkler head vegetation shield that includes a sloping wall defined by a single-piece curved plate. A lip extends horizontally away from the wall along an upper perimeter thereof for supporting the shield adjacent a sprinkler head without attachment thereto. A notch is located substantially near a lower perimeter of the sloping wall and configured to accommodate movement of the sprinkler head relative to the plate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,892, filed on Month Apr. 9, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to lawn sprinkler systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a protector shield, for lawn sprinkler heads, of various configurations and sizes suited to meet the needs of sprinkler heads in various locations of the lawn and which serve to prevent fouling of the sprinkler head and back splashing on to fencing and walls. 
     Pop-lawn sprinkler heads are attached to underground water lines, and are normally located below ground level. When the water is turned on, the head pops up out of the ground, so that water can be sprayed onto the lawn. 
     Oftentimes, such sprinkler heads are protected with a plate or the like to prevent being broken or otherwise damaged by lawnmowers or automobiles. 
     In the case of residential sprinkler systems, an overriding concern is that grass or weeds, over time, grow around the sprinkler heads. The excessive growth can occur to such a degree that it virtually covers the sprinkler heads and seriously interferes with their proper operation. 
     It has become an increasing gardening practice to trim around such sprinklers with a cord or spinning weed trimming machine. However, it has been found that such practice make for aesthetically unpleasing areas surrounding the sprinkler head. 
     Vegetation shields for sprinkler heads are known in the art. However, these are typically complicated in use and installation. Many of these shields are directly attached to the sprinkler itself. Yet others are formed in sections which must be assembled. Most of these shields are not visually appealing. 
     Another problem with sprinkler systems is that the sprinkler can wet sidewalks which are to be traversed by the homeowner, or wet and discolor adjacent fences or walls. Previous back splash guards have been attached to the sprinkler itself. 
     Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a sprinkler head vegetation shield which prevents fouling of the sprinkler head by stopping the growth of grass and/or weeds. The sprinkler head shield should be versatile and visually appealing. The sprinkler head shield should also be capable of forming a back splash to prevent discoloring of adjacent walls and fences. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a sprinkler head vegetation shield which prevents fouling of the sprinkler head by stopping the growth of grass and/or weeds. The present invention also provides a sprinkler head shield that is versatile and visually appealing. The present invention further provides a sprinkler head shield capable of forming a back splash to prevent discoloring of walls and fences adjacent to a sprinkler. 
     The present invention discloses a sprinkler head vegetation shield that includes a sloping wall defined by a single-piece curved plate. A lip extends horizontally away from the wall along an upper perimeter thereof for supporting the shield adjacent a sprinkler head without attachment thereto. A notch is located substantially near a lower perimeter of the sloping wall and configured to accommodate movement of the sprinkler head relative to the plate. 
     A plurality of apertures spaced about the sloping wall. A plurality of mounting spikes extend through the apertures for securing the plate to a surface. Each spike includes a head larger than the aperture to prevent movement of the plate past the head of the spike. 
     The shield is at least partially circular and the notch is centrally located with respect to the shield. The wall slopes inwardly towards the notch. 
     Portions of the wall on opposite sides of the notch extend a distance generally parallel to each other, defining an elongated slot with the notch at one end. An insert is slidable into a groove surrounding the elongated slot. 
     The at least partially circular shield includes a sloping wall that is generally concave. 
     The at least partially circular shield includes a notch centrally located with respect to the shield, and the wall slopes outwardly from a center defined by the at least partially circular shield. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention, illustrating a pop-head sprinkler in phantom; 
         FIG. 2  is another sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is yet another sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention, and having apertures for the insertion of stakes therethrough; 
         FIG. 4  is yet another sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an elongated sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a straight and continuous sprinkler head vegetation shield used in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is yet another embodiment of a sprinkler head vegetation shield embodying the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a sprinkler head vegetation shield and soil retainer which is designed to stop grass, soil and/or weeds from fouling a sprinkler head. The invention is intended to allow mowing up to the shield perimeter, providing a neat appearance to the area immediately surrounding the sprinkler head or stem. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a full circle, bowl-shaped, sprinkler head vegetation shield  10  is illustrated. The shield  10  includes a peripheral lip  12  which is generally horizontal to allow for an area of clear vegetation and a clean edge which serves to anchor the shield  10  and allow the grass surrounding it to be mowed to a clean edge. An inwardly sloping and concave surface  14  extends downwardly from the lip  12  to a central aperture  16 . The aperture  16  is sized to allow the stem  18  of a sprinkler head  20  to extend therefrom. Thus, when the sprinkler head  20  is in operation, it extends upwardly from the shield  10 . However, when not in operation, the sprinkler head  20  rests in a lower portion of the shield  10 . 
     The shield  10  can be made of weather resistant plastic, stainless steel, brass, fiberglass or other moldable material conducive to outdoor use. Preferably, the shield is of a green color so as to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. However, contrasting colors can be provided, as well as decorative motifs to suit the needs of the owner. The shield  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is typically used for those sprinkler heads  20  which are disposed within the lawn, thus needing peripheral protection from fouling by grass and the like. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2–4 , if the sprinkler head  20  is disposed in a corner of the lawn, or other peripheral edge, the shield  22 – 26  may be sized and configured to accommodate such placement. All of the shields incorporate the lip  12  for the benefits described above. Also, the shields include the aperture or notch  16  sized to fit around the pipe or stem of the sprinkler head  20 , and in the case of pop-up sprinklers, allow the stem  18  and sprinkler head  20  to extend upwardly therefrom. A shown in  FIGS. 1–4 , depth of the shields  10  and  22 – 26  and degree of slope of internal wall  14  can be varied to accommodate the needs of the particular location. 
     Preferably, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shield includes one or more apertures  28  for anchoring the shield to the ground or surface with a thin stake or needle having a small flat round head (not shown) to limit the entry of the stake into the ground, yet hold the shield tight to the surrounding surface. Use of the peripheral lip  12  and stakes within the apertures  28  secure the shield to the ground. Yet, if a shield needs to be replaced or otherwise removed, such removal is relatively easy as there is no attachment to the sprinkler itself. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a shield  30  is illustrated which is of an elongated or elliptical nature. The shield  3  also includes the lip  12  and sloping wall  14 . Typically, the shields of the present invention are intended to be positioned close to an area of concrete, such as a pathway or concrete so that the shield abuts the concrete while cradling the sprinkler head. However, if this is not possible, the elongated shield  30  illustrated in  FIG. 5  can be used. The shield  30  can be trimmed to any length to suit the distance of the sprinkler head from the edge of the concrete, or other obstruction. The shield  30  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is particularly versatile as it includes an elongated open-faced slot  32  which is sized and configured so as to receive the pipe or shaft of the sprinkler. An insert  34  can then be slid into a groove  36  surrounding the slot  32  to create an aperture  16  around the pipe or stem of the sprinkler head. The shield  30  can then be trimmed to the appropriate dimension. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , shields  38  and  40  of yet other configurations and sizes are illustrated. The shield  38  illustrated in  FIG. 6  includes the aforementioned lip  12 , apertures  28 , and inwardly directed wall  14 . Such a seal  38  can be used at the periphery of the lawn having a pop-up sprinkler or elevated sprinkler extending through aperture  16 . The shield  38  can also serve as a back splash to prevent water from staining a fence or wall. The shield  40  illustrated in  FIG. 7  can also serve such purposes while having a wall  42  which extends generally outwardly, and to a height to prevent back splashing. 
     It will be appreciated by the reader that the invention is not limited by size or configuration, but can be designed to accommodate the placement of virtually any sprinkler head. The shields of the present invention allow mowing up to the peripheral edge or lip  12  of the shield to create a very neat and clean cut edge. The shields of the present invention also prevent grass, soil and weeds from growing over the sprinkler head and preventing its optimal operation. The shields are especially useful on slopes. The shields of the present invention can also be extended in height, in some cases, in order to protect the spray back splash from the sprinkler to avoid discoloration of a fence or wall area adjacent to the sprinkler head. It should also be appreciated that the shields of the present invention can also be utilized for other purposes, such as drainage outlets that are let into the ground, in order to avoid grass or weed fouling of the drainage outlet and allowing for neat mowing surrounding outlet. For example, the invention may be used as grass and weed repressants around flag poles, tubular fence posts (and other cross-sectional shapes), letter box posts and other ground inserts or protrusions where neatness and edge trimming ability is required. 
     The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.