Abstract:
An irrigation system having at least one water distribution member, a water supply source and a horizontally oriented, shut-off control device located in a fluid flow line between a water supply source and the at least one water distribution member for automatically shutting off the flow of supply water to the at least one water distribution member in response to a predetermined increase in force of fluid flow. The shut-off control device has a housing with an interior flow path having rails and projections dimensioned to support a compressible ball which moves within the housing and limits side-to-side motion or turbulence.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to irrigation systems and more particularly to a horizontally oriented, in-line automatic shut-off control device placed upstream of a water distribution member to shut off and prevent water flow to the water distribution member in the event a malfunction or damage occurs to the water distribution member. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Lawn and grass areas are typically irrigated by in-ground sprinklers, which may or may not pop-up when water flows from a supply source. Most systems are automatically operated either by a timer or by some type of ground moisture sensing arrangement. 
   Conventional water distribution members in the form of sprinkler heads are prone to breakage for a variety of reasons. For example, sprinkler heads may be run over by lawn mowers or be stepped on by a person walking across the lawn. 
   Breaking one or more of the sprinkler heads results in the majority of the water in the system being disbursed through the broken heads, instead of all of the heads as programmed. This is not only a waste of water, but can be quite expensive in areas where water shortages are common. Water is a precious commodity in many areas, such as desert developments and the like. In addition, the area around the broken sprinkler head can be damaged by the excessive water flow to this area. With automated systems, breakage of a sprinkler head is often not detected until extensive damage occurs. Moreover, the entire system may be shut down until appropriate repair can be made, thus causing other areas in need of water to be damaged. 
   The inventors of the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,951 address these issues. However, it was found that applications wherein the shut-off control devices must be oriented horizontally or less than vertically presented additional problems. These problems are addressed by the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device for a fluid flow line for automatically shutting off fluid flow in response to a predetermined increase in force of fluid flow. The shut-off control device includes a housing having an interior flow path having an inlet end and an outlet end, a valve seat located at the outlet end, a ball stop assembly located in the housing spaced between the inlet end and the outlet end, and a compressible ball located in the interior flow path in the housing. The compressible ball is positioned during normal operation behind the ball stop assembly at the inlet end. In use, a predetermined fluid flow force will cause the compressible ball to be compressed to a shape and size allowing the compressible ball to pass through an opening in the ball stop assembly and engage the valve seat at the outlet end stopping fluid flow through the shut-off control device. The housing includes an interior wall having inwardly projecting rails shaped and dimensioned to support the compressible ball as it moves within the housing by limiting side-to-side motion or the turbulence of the compressible ball to stabilize the compressible ball within the housing such that upon activation the compressible ball is stable and it can react as designed to shut-off the flow of water out of the shut-off control device. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the ball stop assembly includes an adjustable stop member. 
   It is also another object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the adjustable stop member extends through the housing from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing for adjustment thereof from the exterior of the housing. 
   It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the ball stop assembly further includes a plurality of projections. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein each of the plurality of projections extends along an axis substantially parallel to the inwardly projecting tails. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the housing includes a longitudinal axis which is horizontally oriented. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the inwardly projecting tails extend substantially an entire length of the housing. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shut-off control device wherein the housing is cylindrical. 
   It is also a further object of the present invention to provide an irrigation system including at least one water distribution member, a water supply source, a horizontally oriented, shut-off control device as discussed above located in a fluid flow line between a water supply source and the at least one water distribution member for automatically shutting off the flow of supply water to the at least one water distribution member in response to a predetermined increase in force of fluid flow. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide an irrigation system wherein the at least one water distribution member is a sprinkler. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an irrigation system wherein the at least one water distribution member is a drip hose. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the control device of the present invention in use with a low volume drip hose irrigation system. 
       FIG. 2  is a view of the control device of the present invention in use with a sprinkler head irrigation system. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the control device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the control device of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     FIGS. 1 to 4  illustrate an in-line shut-off control device  10  for a fluid flow line used horizontally in a lawn or landscaping irrigation system  12 . As used herein, the shut-off control device  10  is specifically adapted for use in a horizontal orientation or less than vertical installation. With this in mind, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is intended to mean that the longitudinal axis of the shut-off control device  10 , that is, the axis line extending between the inlet end  30  and the outlet end  38  of the shut-off control device  10  is substantially horizontally oriented when the device is installed for use in accordance with the present invention. The irrigation system  12  generally includes a water distribution member, for example, sprinkler heads  14   a  and/or low volume drip hoses  14   b  connected via underground pipes to a water supply sources via supply lines and valves. The shut-off control device  10  provides an automatic shut off function in the event a water distribution member in the form of a sprinkler head  14   a  or low volume drip hose  14   b  is broken or removed. 
   It is contemplated numerous shut-off control devices will be used in association with numerous water distribution members in a typical irrigation system. In implementing such a system, one shut-off control device will preferably be associated with one water distribution member. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate one shut-off control device may be used in association with plural water distribution members without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the irrigation system  12  includes a water source  15  connected to a water supply line  16 , which in turn is connected to a supply valve  17 . The valve  17  is then connected via lower horizontal pipe  19  to a horizontally oriented shut-off control device  10  of the present invention. The shut-off control device  10  is connected to a water distribution member in the form of a low volume drip hose  14   b  often used for watering landscaping. The low volume drip hose  14   b  is shown to have a break  25  often caused by ground crews tending to the landscaping. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the irrigation system  12  includes a water source  15  connected to a water supply line  16 , which in turn is connected to a supply valve  17 . The valve  17  is then connected via a lower horizontal pipe  19  to a horizontally oriented shut-off control device  10  of the present invention. The shut-off control device  10  is connected to a water distribution member in the form of a sprinkler head  14   a  often used for watering lawns. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each sprinkler head  14   a  is attached to a threaded vertical riser pipe  22  or similar connecting structure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the connection between components of the irrigation system  12  can be made via mating male and female threaded surfaces or glued together via various resins to create watertight seals. Threaded vertical riser pipe  22  is connected to an elbow  23  and then lower to horizontal pipe  20 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sprinkler head  14   a  will generally be made from plastic, but other materials, such as various metals, may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A second, lower horizontal pipe  19  is connected to the water supply line  16  using conventional valves and control systems to control water flow which, in turn, is connected to a water source  15 . 
   The shut-off control device  10  is preferably connected between the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20  and the lower horizontal pipe  19  in a horizontal orientation so as to be located upstream of and beneath the sprinkler head  14   a . The shut-off control device  10  is oriented horizontally within the ground and is generally located under the ground surface and in-line with the water supply flowing through the lower horizontal pipe  19  to the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower horizontal pipes  20 ,  19  are generally plastic, however, numerous suitable other materials, such as metal, could be used while staying within the spirit of the present invention. 
   The horizontal orientation of the shut-off control device  10  offers definite advantages by allowing placement of the water supply line  16  at minimal depths, which permits use in conjunction with low volume drip hose  14   b . These low volume drip hoses  14   b  either lay directly on the surface of the landscaping or are slightly covered by mulch. The low volume drip hose  14   b  is simply a flexible hose that is perforated with holes  13  periodically along its length. As water runs through it, the holes  13  allow water to irrigate the surrounding bushes and trees. Typically, there is no grass in these landscape plots. To adequately protect the low volume drip hose  14   b , the shut-off control device  10  is placed between the water supply, typically a meter or valve (at or close to the surface of the ground), and the low volume drip hose  14   b . The ideal placement for the shut-off control device  10  is horizontal as this requires the least amount of soil excavation. 
   The present invention has been particularly designed to be used in a horizontal orientation, since a vertically oriented shut-off control device would require extensive excavation to account for all the turns necessary to take the water from a horizontal meter, to a device that is vertical, and then back to a horizontal low volume drip hose. Additionally, there are numerous applications wherein the water supply lines are too dose to the soil surface and only horizontal oriented shut-off control devices will be able to be buried in the soil. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a cross-section of the shut-off control device  10  is shown. The shut-off control device  10  includes a cylindrical housing  26  defining an interior flow path and a removable cap  28  at one end thereof (in accordance with a preferred embodiment, at the inlet end  30  of the housing  26 ) that allows access to the interior of the housing  26 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shut-off control device  10  and the cap  28  can be made from various materials, such as plastic and metals, although plastics are preferred. The opposite end (that is, the outlet end  38 ) of the cylindrical housing  26  includes an extension  32  for connection to the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20  or the low volume drip hose  14   b . Located within the cylindrical housing  26  is a compressible ball  34  and a ball stop assembly  40  formed by at least one adjustable stop member  42  and static stop members composed of a plurality of static projections  52 . The adjustable stop member  42  can be made from various materials, such as, plastics and metals, although plastics are preferred. 
   The extension  32  includes a valve seat  44  that cooperates with the compressible ball  34  to shut off water flow to the sprinkler head  14   a  or low volume drip hose  14   b . The compressible ball  34  is positioned within the interior of the housing  26  and is freely moveable therein at the upstream end, or inlet end,  30  of the housing  26  behind the ball stop assembly  40 . The size and type of the compressible ball  34  are determined by the size of the interior circumference of the housing  26  and opening defined by the adjustable stop member  42  and the static projections  52  as they extend into the housing  26  limiting the space for movement of the compressible ball  34 . 
   The adjustable stop member  42  is a screw type device threaded into an aperture  46  in the housing side wall from the exterior wall  29  to the interior wall  27  of the housing  26 . The distance adjustable stop member  42  extends within the interior of the housing  26  and is adjustable by merely turning the adjustable stop member  42 . Thus, the adjustable stop member  42  can change the size of the opening for passage of the compressible ball  34  therethrough. The greater the distance the adjustable stop member  42  extends into the interior of housing  26 , the larger the fluid flow force will need to be in order to compress and push the compressible ball  34  past the ball stop assembly  40  and into contact with the valve seat  44  as the size of the opening formed by the adjustable stop member  42  and the static projections  52  has been decreased. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compressible ball  34  is made from rubber, however, any suitable material which compresses and is sized to seat within valve seat  44  could be used. 
   A ball stop assembly  40  having any number of static and adjustable stop members may be used in keeping within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   It will be appreciated that the compressible ball  34  is designed to be maintained in the upstream location during normal operation of the sprinkler system  12  such that water flows around it and to the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20 . As can be seen from the sectional view, there is sufficient space in the shut-off control device  10  to allow a sufficient amount of water flow to travel around the compressible ball  34  when located on the upstream side of the ball stop assembly  40  to operate the water distribution member in a normal manner. 
   It should be noted that if the space between the compressible ball  34  and the interior wall  27  is too large the shut-off control device  10  will not operate properly. That is, if too much water is permitted to flow between the compressible ball  34  and the interior wall  27  of the housing  26  during normal operation, then there would not be a sufficient change in the force of the fluid flow to force the compressible ball  34  past the ball stop assembly  40  should a break occur. 
   Controlled movement of the compressible ball  34  as the shut-off control device  10  is in a horizontal orientation is achieved by the inclusion of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced, inwardly projecting rails  50  within the housing  26 . The inwardly projecting rails  50  extend inwardly within the housing  26  and provide a guide surface for the compressible ball  34  maintained therein. By limiting the side-to-side motion and/or the turbulence of the compressible ball  34 , the compressible ball  34  is stabilized within the housing  26 . As a result, when the compressible ball  34  is called on to be activated, its condition is stable and it can react as designed and shut off the flow of water. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment, four equally spaced inwardly projecting rails  50  are provided at positions about the circumference of the interior wall  27  of the housing  26 . Each of the inwardly projecting rails  50  extends substantially the entire length of the housing  26 . 
   Associated with the inwardly projecting rails  50  are static projections  52 , as discussed above, that extend along an axis substantially parallel to that of the associated inwardly projecting rail  50 . However, the static projections  52  only extend along a portion of the housing  26  adjacent the outlet end  38  thereof and the projections extend further into the housing  26 . In particular, each static projection  52  extends from the outlet end  38  adjacent the valve seat  44  of the housing  26  to a position approximately in line with the adjustable stop member  42 . The two static projections  52  and the adjustable stop member  42  represent three points of a plane that supports the compressible ball  34 . The adjustable stop member  42 , when screwed in or out changes the opening that supports the compressible ball  34 . The larger the opening (the more the adjustable stop member  42  is screwed out) the less pressure or flow is required to push the compressible ball  34  past the three points of the plane supporting the compressible ball  34 . Without the static projections  52  and rails  50 , the compressible ball  34  would slip along the interior wall  27  of the housing  26 , and uniform control could not be attained. 
   During proper operation, should a sprinkler head  14   a  or low volume drip hose  14   b  be removed or broken, the flow of water greatly increases and the flow force of the water will push the compressible ball  34  past the adjustable stop member  42  and the static projections  52  when they are properly adjusted. Once past the adjustable stop member  42  and the static projections  52 , the compressible ball  34  seats against the valve seat  44  and blocks the opening to stop water flow to the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20  and in turn to the broken or removed water distribution member  14 . 
   The ball stop assembly  40  is adjusted and set into proper operating position by using a broken water distribution member  14  connected thereto. Specifically, water is turned on and the adjustable stop member  42  is screwed out of the housing  26  to decrease the distance it extends into the interior of housing  26  until the compressible ball  34  is allowed to sufficiently compress so as to pass freely past the adjustable stop member  42  and the two static projections  52 , and seats itself against the annular valve seat  44  in outlet end  38 . It then becomes a simple matter to turn the water off, and force the compressible ball  34  back past the ball stop assembly  40  to the upstream position where it is ready to use again after a properly functioning sprinkler head  14   a , or other irrigating device, replaces the broken head. The compressible ball  34  can be repositioned to its upstream position behind the ball stop assembly  40  by applying pressure with a suitable tool inserted through a union  11  connecting the outbound upper horizontal pipe  20  to the shut-off control device  10 . The union  11  functions the same as the end of a garden hose when it is attached to a spigot. The rotating part of the union  11  is unscrewed from the shut-off control device  10  and then pushed slightly aside, enough to get a screw driver or pliers&#39; handle inserted into the outlet end  38  of the shut-off control device  10  to push the compressible ball  34  back past ball stop assembly  40 . The union  11  is then placed back onto the shut-off control device  10  by rotating in the opposite direction and the broken sprinkler head  14   a , or low volume drip hose  14   b , is repaired and/or replaced. The union  11  is a standard plumbing device well known in the art. 
   If the sprinkler head  14   a  or low volume drip hose  14   b  is broken in the future and a similar water distribution member is used to replace it, no further adjustments are necessary. Should a different sprinkler head or low volume drip hose be used, the force needed to cause the compressible ball  34  to actuate should be retested as explained above and readjusted if necessary. 
   While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.