Patent Publication Number: US-RE41302-E

Title: Sprinkler diffuser device, especially for plants for the spray distribution of water and other similar liquids

Description:
FIELD OF APPLICATION 
     This invention is generally applicable in the filed of irrigation plants and units for the distribution of liquid products, and particularly relates to a sprinkler device for water and other similar liquids. 
     The device may advantageously be used in agriculture, but it may also be used in other industrial fields, for example in the mining industry, to knock down dusts and to cool materials which are likely to self-ignite. 
     STATE OF THE ART 
     Numerous sprinkler devices of the type for irrigation are known. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,348 describes a sprinkler assembly comprising a central hollow body defining a longitudinal direction which is provided with an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A connecting sleeve to a water supply line is also provided, and onto this can be screwed the inlet portion of the central body. Within the sleeve and the central body there is located a convergent nozzle, which is of one piece with a closed ring which can be seen from the exterior and this is designed to accelerate the water to a diverter unit connected to the central body. The convergent nozzle has an annular flange close to its discharge which extends radially outward, from which a plurality of elongated elements which are designed to support the closed ring extend in a longitudinal direction. During assembly the connecting sleeve is slidably inserted into the closed ring so as to abut against a sealing O-ring positioned on the annular flange. 
     One main disadvantage of this arrangement lies in the need to use an O-ring to ensure a seal between the convergent nozzle and the connecting sleeve. This feature complicates construction of the device, with a consequent deterioration in overall costs, and forces the user to periodically check the state of wear of the O-ring and, if necessary, to replace it. 
     The need to replace the convergent nozzle by another having a different cross-section to adjust the quantity of water to different irrigation requirements frequently arises. In this case the sleeve remains connected to the water feed line while the central body is disconnected. In particular, when the central body is disconnected the sleeve slides with respect of the nozzle, which remains in its seat within the central body. Thus in order to remove the nozzle it is first necessary to remove the central body and then through an additional operation to slide the nozzle off the central body, and it is not possible to remove the sleeve and the nozzle from the central body together in a single operation. 
     In this arrangement the diverter unit is removably attached to the central body and can be replaced by applying a force manually to it in the direction of the longitudinal axis and a simultaneous rotation force so as to release it from appropriate snap means. This operation may require considerable force because of the hardness and rigidity of the snap means, and may therefore give rise to consequent tiring of the operator, especially if the number of diverter units which have to be replaced is high, as is frequently the case. 
     In addition to this the diverter unit comprises a plate on which a shaped surface and, conveniently, a second shaped surface on the opposite side is mounted. One disadvantage of this arrangement lies in the complexity of having to construct three separate parts and then having to assemble them, with a consequent increase in manufacturing costs. In addition to this the two shaped surfaces are difficult to remove from the plate. This feature, together with the fact that it is not possible to fit more than two shaped surfaces, substantially reduces the possibilities of adjusting the device to different applications. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of this invention is to eliminate the abovementioned disadvantages providing a sprinkler device which is reliable and which is capable of maintaining its properties unchanged over time without requiring particularly onerous maintenance. 
     A particular object is to provide a sprinkler device which can be easily adapted to different requirements and applications. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler device whose components can be rapidly and conveniently replaced without requiring the application of a strong force. 
     Another particular object is to provide a sprinkler device which is economically advantageous, in order to reduce costs for both the manufacturer and the final user. 
     These objects, as well as others which will be more apparent below, are achieved in accordance with claim  1  by a sprinkler device particularly for spray distribution units for water and other similar liquids comprising an at least hollow central body defining a longitudinal axis, a connecting sleeve to a feed line which is removably attached to the central body, a convergent nozzle to accelerate the liquid located between the central body and the sleeve, a diverter unit located downstream from the nozzle to divert the flow in a substantially transverse direction so as to spray the fluid outwards, characterised in that it comprises first snap connection means between the nozzle and the sleeve. The first snap connection means are designed to hold the nozzle in an axially immobilised position with respect to the sleeve when fitting the latter to and removing it from the central body. Through this configuration it is possible to remove the nozzle from the central body together with the sleeve in a single simple operation instead of two separate operations, and use of the most appropriate nozzle for any particular application is therefore made easy. 
     Preferably a supporting member extends from the central body to removably anchor the diverter unit and is provided with guide means to permit the diverter unit to be selectively inserted and axially immobilised by sliding along a substantially transverse plane. 
     Through this feature a sprinkler device can be easily adapted to different requirements and uses and in particular the diverter unit can be quickly and conveniently replaced without requiring the application of a great force. 
     Advantageously the diverter unit is substantially plate-shaped with a first shaped surface facing the outlet cross-section of the nozzle and a second shaped surface opposite the first. Through this feature the diverter unit with the two shaped surfaces forms a single piece and can be constructed through a single moulding operation with a consequent saving in comparison with the construction of three separate parts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a sprinkler device according to the invention illustrated by way of a non-limiting example through the appended tables of drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a sprinkler device according to the invention in partial cross-section, 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the device in  FIG. 1  in cross-section, 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of the device in  FIG. 1  from above, 
         FIG. 4  shows a second side view of the device in  FIG. 1  in cross-section, 
         FIG. 5  shows a second view of the device in  FIG. 1  from above, 
         FIG. 6  shows a partly magnified view of the device in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the device in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a detail of  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  shows a second perspective view of the detail in  FIG. 8 , 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a second detail in  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 11  shows a second perspective view of the detail in  FIG. 10 , 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a third detail in  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the detail in FIG.  12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A sprinkler device according to the invention, indicated as a whole by reference number  1 , particularly for spray distribution units for water and other similar liquids, is described with particular reference to the figures cited. 
     Sprinkler device  1  comprises an at least partly hollow central body  2 , to which there is removably attached a connection sleeve  3  to a feed line (not shown in the drawings). Central body  2  is substantially cylindrical and defines a longitudinal axis L. Between central body  2  and sleeve  3  there is located a convergent nozzle  4  to accelerate the liquid towards a substantially plate-shaped diverter unit or deflector member  5 . 
     Diverter unit or deflector member  5  is removably attached to a supporting member  6  in a position downstream from nozzle  4  to divert the flow in a substantially transverse direction and spray the fluid outwards. In particular supporting member  6  extends from central body  2  and may be of one piece with the latter. 
     In accordance with the invention sprinkler device  1  comprises first means  7  for snap connection between nozzle  4  and sleeve  3 . Nozzle  4 , when fitted to and disconnected from central body  2  is held in an axially immobilised position with respect to sleeve  3  by first snap connection means  7 . 
     In this way, when it is desired to replace nozzle  4  of a sprinkler device  1  it is sufficient to remove central body  2  in a single operation from the assembly comprising nozzle  4  and sleeve  3 , which remains connected to the liquid feed line, releasing nozzle  4  from first snap connection means  7 , placing the new nozzle  43  in its stead and fitting central body  2  to the new assembly of nozzle  4  and sleeve  3 . 
     Diverter unit  5  may be selectively inserted into supporting member  6  through suitable guide means  8  which allow diverter unit  5  to slide along a plane which is substantially transverse to longitudinal axis L while preventing any possibility of axial displacement of the same. 
     Suitably supporting member  6  comprises at least one projection  9  which can be selectively snap engaged onto at least one corresponding recess or cavity  10  provided in diverter unit  5 . Projection  9  and corresponding cavity  10  also make it possible to selectively immobilise diverter unit  5  in a direction transverse to longitudinal axis L and as a whole define second snap connection means  11 . 
     More particularly, first snap connection means  7  comprise a spherical joint  12  formed by a rounded portion  13  projecting in the axial direction of nozzle  4 , which can be snap connected to a matching surface  14  provided in sleeve  3 . 
     Spherical joint  12  allows nozzle  4  to rotate freely about longitudinal axis L with respect to sleeve  3  and to be inclined at a predetermined angle to the said axis. 
     In order to avoid undesired leakage of liquid into the connection zone between nozzle  4  and sleeve  3  the latter comprises a substantially frustoconical portion  15  which is coaxial with longitudinal axis L and is capable of forming a seal against a substantially frustoconical surface  16  of nozzle  4 . In particular substantially frustoconical portion  15  of sleeve  3  and substantially frustoconical surface  16  of nozzle  4  may have substantially identical corresponding taper angles to ensure maximum adhesion and seal between them. 
     As already mentioned, the function of diverter unit or deflector member  5  is to divert the substantially axial flow of liquid originating from nozzle  4  along a plurality of substantially transverse directions. This operating feature is achieved by constructing a first shaped surface  17  on diverter unit  5  facing the outlet cross-section  18  of nozzle  4  positioned at a predetermined axial distance from the said outlet cross-section  18 . 
     Appropriately the axial dimensions of diverter unit  5  are such as to permit it to be inserted into guide means  8  with first shaped surface  17  facing the outlet cross-section  18  of nozzle  4  or in a position substantially rotated through 180°. In addition to this, a second shaped surface  19  opposite the first may be provided on diverter unit  5 . When diverter unit  5  is inserted into the position rotated through 180° the second shaped surface  19  also brings about deviation of the substantially axial flow of liquid leaving nozzle  4  along a plurality of transverse directions. As a result of this feature the user can replace first shaped surface  17  with second surface  19  merely by sliding diverter unit  5  along guide means  8 , rotating it through 180°, and again inserting it into supporting member  6 . 
     The possibilities for diverting the flow of liquid can be further enlarged by the fact that diverter unit  5  may also comprise a removable insert  20  which can be fitted above second shaped surface  19  defining a third shaped surface  21 . Suitably shaped surfaces  17 ,  19 ,  21 , or only some of these, have a plurality of radial grooves to form a plurality of separate jets of liquid. The radial grooves may cover the entire rotational angle or only a fraction of the latter. 
     The flow, when deviated from the axial direction to the transverse directions, exerts a substantially vertical thrust on shaped surface  17 ,  19 ,  21  which diverts the flow, as can be checked by applying the theorem of the momentum of a fluid under steady state conditions. 
     If the flow is directed onto third shaped surface  21 , the vertical thrust of the fluid compresses removable insert  20  between diverter unit  5  and helps to make the connection between the latter stable. In this way it prevents removable insert  20  from becoming displaced or detached when it is in operation, but at the same time it may make it difficult to remove by hand from diverter unit  5 . 
     To resolve this problem diverter unit  5  has one or more recesses  22  in the outer edge  23  of removable insert  20  to assist removal of the latter by inserting the tip of a screw-driver or similar tool. 
     Conveniently the connection between sleeve  3  and central body  2  may be made using a threaded connection, in particular through a thread  24  on sleeve  3  which can be screwed onto a corresponding threaded portion  25  of central body  2 . 
     In addition, to prevent the rotation of nozzle  4  with respect to central body  2  when they are screwed together, nozzle  4  may have one or more radial appendages  26  which project outwards and can be slidably inserted into corresponding openings  27  in central body  2 . Openings  27  in central body  2  also extend into the threaded portion  25  of the same. Thus to hold threaded portion  25  in the correct position and support it radially sleeve  3  has a suitably dimensioned annular portion  28  at the inner longitudinal end of thread  24 . 
     Advantageously, each radial appendage  26  has at least one end portion  29  which can be seen from the exterior and is substantially flat, onto which a mark or inscription may be placed to identify the type and/or size of nozzle  4  even when device  1  is fully assembled. 
     Central body  2  may also comprise an annular bracket  30  directed radially inwards and designed to align nozzle  4  with respect to diverter unit  5 . 
     From what has been described above it is obvious that the sprinkler device according to the invention achieves the specified objects and in particular the first and second snap connection means together with the action of the guide means of the supporting member make the operations of changing the nozzle and the diverter unit extremely convenient and quick. In addition to this the possibility of having three different shaped surfaces on a single diverter unit and that of replacing the diverter unit with another of a different type make the sprinkler device extremely versatile and easily adaptable to many different applications. 
     Many modifications and variants, all of which fall within the scope of the invention expressed in the appended claims, may be made to the device according to the invention. All details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements and materials may differ according to requirements without going beyond the scope of the invention. 
     Even though the device has been described with particular reference to the appended figures, the reference numbers used in the description and in the claims are used for a better understanding of the invention and do not constitute any restriction upon the scope of protection claimed.