Patent Publication Number: US-2022226852-A1

Title: Sprinkler shroud device

Description:
PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/140185, filed Jan. 21, 2021 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure generally relates to the field of irrigation system accessories. Particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to shroud devices that may be used on irrigation systems such as pivot line irrigation systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The claimed invention relates to irrigation systems for use in agricultural fields or otherwise. Specifically, the invention relates to an accessory that may be readily attachable to irrigation systems already in use to maximize the efficiency of such systems and minimize any potential damage they may cause to the agricultural field. 
     Irrigation systems have been used since the agricultural revolution several thousand years ago. These systems allow the transport of water to areas where water may otherwise be scarce, limiting the growth potential of the area. In particular, the claimed invention relates to an accessory that may be readily attachable to an irrigation system already deployed in an agricultural field, such as a modern pivot line irrigation system. 
     The pivot irrigation system is a type of above ground irrigation system that uses a series of large steel pipes coupled with watering hoses. The steel pipes may be rotated on wheels throughout the agricultural field around a fixed point and stationed at different positions throughout. This allows the irrigation system to reach desired sections of the agricultural field without having to have a set system for each section. The watering hoses are attached to the steel pipes at different sections and then hang downwards. 
     The center pivot irrigation system is a type of irrigation system. In these systems, the steel pipes that are coupled with the watering hoses rotate (or pivot) around a fixed position (the pivot point) in the field. The rotation is automatic and can be constant when in use. Alternatively, the rotation may be intermittent when in use. The rotation is typically achieved through the use of a motor that powers the wheels at each tower point of the irrigation system line. These irrigation systems typically have significant weight. 
     The watering hoses of both described irrigation systems have a type of sprinkler head attached to the end of them so as to disperse the water in all directions from a fixed central point of the sprinkler head. Examples of these sprinkler heads are found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,176,440; 6,932,279; 7,070,122; 7,287,710; 7,562,833; and 8,028,932. 
     One potential issue with these irrigation systems, in particular with center pivot systems, is that the sprinklers located over the wheels have not been adapted to account for their proximity to the large framing and wheels of the system. The framing and/or wheels will block the dispersion of water being sprayed from the sprinkler heads. This causes the water to accumulate at the base of the wheels, saturating that area of the agricultural field. When the irrigation system is later moved from that location, the saturated areas compress significantly under the weight of the center pivot irrigation system, causing deep ruts in the field. 
     The ruts created by the irrigation system result in damage to the agricultural field. Also, these ruts can be an impediment to farmers and others working the fields. As the ruts may not be readily visible from a person driving machinery or a vehicle through the field, the person may inadvertently drive over the rut, causing potential for a crash or damage to the vehicle being driven. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the following description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein. 
     Accordingly, what is disclosed is a shroud that may be readily attached to any desired watering hose and configured to block the water dispersed. In one embodiment of the invention, a shroud may block the sprinkler head from dispersing water preferably up to 180° in any direction, although varying embodiments can be provided. The blocked water is then redirected down the curvature of the shroud thereby increasing the efficiency of the individual sprinkler heads it has been attached to. 
     The claimed invention relates to sprinkler shroud device. In a first embodiment, the sprinkler shroud device has a shroud with preferably semi-circular shroud body, a top neck, and a top clip or other mechanism for attaching the shroud device to the sprinkler system. The top neck is slimmer at the top portion and gradually expands downward into the semi-circular shroud body. The neck has a diameter to match that of a sprinkler water line or pole that the shroud device is being used on. The top portion of the neck is coupled with the clip. The clip is configured to be removably attachable to a sprinkler water line or other water delivery tube providing water to the sprinkler head. 
     In a first embodiment, a clip is used to attach the shroud device to the sprinkler. The clip has a front face and a back surface. The front face is open whereas the back surface is preferably formed. The back surface is configured for the attachment to the top portion of the neck of the shroud device. The front face opening of the clip is configured to be removably attachable to a receiving water line or pole. The diameter of the clip is configured to be such that it provides for the secured attachment to the water line or pole that the shroud device is being adopted for use upon. 
     The shroud body, in a first embodiment, has a defined 180 degree arc with the front forming an open face, although differing design configurations can be used. The open face of the shroud body and the front open face of the clip are oriented so as to be opened in the same direction. Alternatively, the shroud body may be configured to define an arc greater than or less than 180-degrees. The arc of the shroud body is configured such that fluid spray from a sprinkler are deflected out of the open face of the shroud device. The shroud body also has a defined bottom edge, opposite of the clip. 
     The bottom edge of the shroud body has a perforated edge. The perforated edge is configured to remove sections of attachable tabs from the body. A plurality of tabs that are positioned along the entirety of the perforated edge. Each shroud piece is individually removable and attachable to the perforated edge of the shroud body. This allows an installer to customize the deflection provided by the shroud. 
     In a second embodiment, the shroud device may be attached at the bottom of a sprinkler head. The shroud device of this embodiment has a shroud body that is preferably circular in shape so as to form a ring. The ring may be of vary dimensions so as to be adopted on varying sprinkler heads. 
     In this embodiment, the shroud device is configured to attach at the bottom hanging part of the sprinkler head. Preferably, attachment is achieved around the distributor pad of the sprinkler head via friction fitting. 
     The ring has a top lip where the tabs are attached. The tabs of this second embodiment extend upward from the ring. The tabs deflect the water from the sprinkler head upwards and/or outwards from the sprinkler. Similar to the first embodiment, the tabs of the second embodiment may be individually broken apart so as to configure the deflection arc desired. 
     In a third disclosed embodiment the shroud is configured to be retained on the sprinkler head by a weight attached to the sprinkler head. Is some sprinkler heads, the sprinkler head utilizes a weight attached to the sprinkler head. The weight is typically attached to the sprinkler head at a lower end of the sprinkler head when the sprinkler head is in a vertical, operating position. The purpose of the weight is to provide weight to the sprinkler head to maintain it in the correct operating position when attached to a sprinkler distribution system, such as a center pivot. The body of the sprinkler is formed as a male threaded section to which a threaded weight, typically in the shape of a hollow disc or ring, is attached. The shroud is configured with a first end having a ring. The ring is configured to be secured to the base by the weight when the weight is threaded onto the sprinkler body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a back isometric view of an embodiment of a sprinkler shroud 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a first side view of an embodiment of a sprinkler shroud 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a sprinkler shroud device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sprinkler shroud device. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a sprinkler shroud device. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the preferred embodiment of a sprinkler shroud device of  FIG. 5  attached to a sprinkler head. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the device of  FIGS. 4-6  attached to a sprinkler head with the sprinkler head operating. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a second preferred embodiment sprinkler shroud device 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the sprinkler shroud device of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a sprinkler shroud divide of  FIGS. 8-9   
         FIG. 11  illustrates the sprinkler shroud device of  FIGS. 8-10  attached to a sprinkler head 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a second side view of the sprinkler shroud device of  FIGS. 8-11  attached to a sprinkler head 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a third side perspective of a sprinkler shroud device of  FIGS. 8-12  attached to sprinkler head 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined herein. 
     In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a back view of a first embodiment.  FIG. 1  shows the shroud device  1  having a shroud body  101 . The shroud body has a top portion defined by a neck  102 . The neck  102  is narrow  102   a  at the top and gradually expands outward  102   b  as it forms into the shroud body  101 . The neck  102  may also be uniform in size and be configured to attach to the shroud body  101 . The neck  102  may also be configured such that it is an extension of the shroud body as a whole. The top of the neck  102  is configured to be coupled with a clip  103 . 
     A series of tabs  104  are connected to the shroud at a perforated edge  105 . The perforated edge  105  is configured for individual tabs  104  to be removed from the shroud body  101  around the defined bottom edge  106 . 
     The tabs may be individually detached from the shroud body. The perforations of the tabs is configured to withstand the power of a spraying fluid from a sprinkler line or sprinkler head, but to provide the ability of the installer to cut or break away the tabs. When all tabs are attached, the bottom edge  106  of the shroud body  101  has a completed 180-degree arc  107  of tabs  104 . Additionally, the tabs  104  being individually attached/detached, the arc  107  may range from 0 degrees up to and including the 180 degrees. In other embodiments, the shroud body  101  has an arc  301  larger than 180-degrees, the arc  107  formed by the tabs may also be larger than 180-degrees. The maximum arc of the tabs is configured to match the arc of the shroud body. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the sprinkler shroud device.  FIG. 2  illustrates the clip  103  as coupled to the neck  102  at the top of the shroud. Further illustrated in  FIG. 2  is the shroud body  101 . The perforated edge  105  at the bottom edge  106  of the shroud body  101  is depicted. Approximately half of the tabs  104  have been detached from the shroud body  101 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the shroud device.  FIG. 3  illustrates the shroud body  101  having a defined 180 degree arc  301 . The shroud body  101 , alternatively, may define an arc that is larger than 180-degrees but less than 360-degrees, or less than 180-degrees. The body has an open face  303 . The open face  303  is opposite from the 180-arc  301  of shroud body  101 . The open face  303  is oriented so as to align with the front open face  302  of the clip  103 . 
     Further illustrated in  FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a clip  103 . As illustrated, the clip  103  has a front open face  302 . The front open face  302  is configured for attachment to a sprinkler line or pole. The front open face  302  of the clip  103  is slightly narrower than the back face  304  of the clip to provide for secure attachment around a sprinkler line or pole. The clip  103  may be attached using a strap or other type of securing device. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an angled front view of the first embodiment. As illustrated, there is a clip  103  coupled to the top portion of the neck  102 . The front open face  302  is oriented in the same direction as the open face  303  of the shroud body  101 . The neck gradually expands downward into the shroud body  101 .  FIG. 4  gives a better view of the curvature of the shroud body  101 . The curvature of the shroud body  101  is configured such that the spray of fluid will be deflected outwards through the open face  303  of the shroud body  101 .  FIG. 4  shows the individual tabs  104   a - 104   e.  The tabs  104  can be individually separated and removed from the shroud device. The tabs  104  are configured for detachment at the perforated edge  105 . The tabs may vary in size. 
     Alternatively, in a different embodiment, the tabs may be individually attachable at the bottom edge of the shroud body. This would allow an installer to customize an individual shroud device more than one time. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a second embodiment of the shroud device. As illustrated, the shroud device has body that is configured to be in the shape of a ring  205 . The ring  205  is configured for attachment to the bottom part of a sprinkler head. Attachment is preferably achieved via friction fitting. Preferably, the ring  205  attaches around the distributor pad  312  of a sprinkler head  310 . The ring  205  is of a variable dimensions so as to securely fit the sprinkler head being used on. The diameter of the ring  205  may vary with the sprinkler head being used on. Additionally, the height of the ring  205  may vary with the sprinkler head being used on. 
     Further illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  are the tabs  204 . The tabs  204  of the second embodiment are directed upwards from the ring  205 . The tabs  204  are attached around the ring on the top lip. The tabs  204  deflect fluid from a sprinkler head nozzle  311  upwards and/or outwards from the sprinkler head. The tabs  204  may be individually detached from the ring  205 . 
     Alternatively, in a different embodiment, the tabs may be individually attachable at the top lip of the ring. This would allow an installer to customize an individual shroud device more than one time. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the second embodiment in use on a sprinkler head. The tab  204  deflects  701  the fluid spraying out of the sprinkler head. This is evidenced by the absence of fluid spray indicated by the lines at  702 . The tabs  204  may be individually detached from the ring  205  so as to create a customized fluid spray pattern, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a sprinkler shroud having detachable tabs  406 ,  407  connected to a neck,  404  that extends from a base that is formed in a ring  402 . The ring of the base  402  defines an opening  403 . The opening  403  is configured such that the bottom section a sprinkler can be positioned through the ring. These sprinkler heads generally utilize a weight that is threadedly or clippingly attached to the sprinkler. This weight serves to secure the shroud to the sprinkler as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . The tabs  406 , 407  are provided in two separate groups that are separated by a gap,  408 . The gap  408  is configured for a leg of the sprinkler to be positioned between the two groups of tabs. The embodiment is configured to attach via the ring at the base of the sprinkler head and extend vertically upward to the top of a hanging sprinkler head. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a top isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the sprinkler head of  FIG. 8 . The opposing groupings of tabs  407 ,  408  are provided. The shroud is configured to be adjustable relative to the sprinkler head. This allows the shroud to be rotated around the vertical access of the sprinkler head.  FIG. 11  illustrates the embodiment of the sprinkler shroud of  FIGS. 8-10  connected to a sprinkler head. The sprinkler head  403  is shown in a vertical hanging orientation. The sprinkler head is typically connected to a source of water for  413 . The water is sprayed downward from a tube not shown onto a distribution disk  415  and emanated outwards as shown in  FIG. 7 . The distribution disk  415  is supported in a spaced apart arrangement by legs  414  which suspend the lower portion of the sprinkler head from the distribution tube and source of in-flow water. A weight  412  is connected to the sprinkler head at the base of the sprinkler head. This weight is typically connected via a threaded or clip-on engagement. The sprinkler shroud illustrated shows a ring  402  supported by the weight  412 . To install this depicted embodiment of the shroud, the weight is removed, the ring is positioned over the threads and the weight is re-installed via threaded engagement to support the shroud. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  depict alternate side views of the sprinkler shroud and sprinkler head.  FIG. 13  illustrates the distribution disk of the sprinkler head relative to the body of the sprinkler head  411 . 
     Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the embodiments contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.