Patent Publication Number: US-7708210-B2

Title: Stand for oscillating wave-type sprinkler

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to stands for watering devices. In particular, this invention relates to a stand for an oscillating tube water sprinkler that both elevates the sprinkler and maintains it in a generally vertical position. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Oscillating water sprinklers are well known and their use constitutes a popular method of watering a lawn or garden. Typically, an oscillating water sprinkler includes a base formed by two generally straight and opposing parallel members that join two generally curved opposing end portions. A perforated spray tube, which receives and projects water, is coupled to and supported by the base. Water may be supplied to the perforated tube by a hose so that the force of the water causes the tube to oscillate and project water in a spray pattern that covers a generally rectangular region around the sprinkler base. 
     The area that receives the water projected by the sprinkler may be referred to as the sprinkler coverage area. In general, the oscillating sprinkler is positioned horizontally so that both parallel members of the sprinkler base are in contact with the ground. The locus of the sprinkler typically defines the midpoint of the sprinkler coverage area generated when the tube is free to oscillate to its fullest extent. In an alternative mode of sprinkler operation, the perforated tube may be locked in a position that limits the oscillation of the tube so that the spray pattern is directed to a smaller area, for example, only one side of the sprinkler. 
     The ability of an oscillating sprinkler to adequately deliver water to a desired area is dependent on the volume of water delivered to the sprinkler, the height of vegetation proximate to the sprinkler, and the position and orientation of the sprinkler spray tube relative to the intended watering area. Tall shrubbery, vegetation, or other obstructions in the vicinity of the sprinkler may diminish the sprinkler&#39;s efficacy by blocking a portion of the water streams projected from the sprinkler, thereby preventing some areas from receiving an adequate amount of water during the watering session. 
     Furthermore, because water is delivered to the sprinkler by a hose, which acts as a tether to a water source, the positioning of the sprinkler, and thus the reach of its projected spray, is constrained by water supply location and hose length. In addition, there are some situations in which a sidewalk, patio, driveway, or other surface which does not need to be watered intervenes between the sprinkler and the intended targeted area. In such circumstances it is desirable to project water beyond the intervening area, while at the same time avoiding the waste of resources that results when water is directed to such surfaces. At times it may be desirable to water only a relatively narrow area, such as a narrow lawn area that has been seeded, aerated, fertilized or otherwise cultivated. In those cases, the delivery of water to undesignated areas during the irrigation process wastes resources, increases the time required to adequately water the designated area due to the volume of water diverted, and results in increased monetary costs. 
     To avoid blockage by vegetation and thereby increase the distance over which the water may be projected from a particular sprinkler location, the oscillating sprinkler may be elevated a vertical distance above the ground. When the sprinkler is elevated, water projected from the sprinkler is more likely to travel over nearby vegetation rather than being obstructed by it. In some watering applications, however, it is desired to not only avoid structural or vegetative obstructions, but also to alter the spray pattern and shape of the corresponding sprinkler coverage area. 
     For a relatively narrow area extending at a distance from the sprinkler, sprinkler elevation alone is insufficient for producing a sprinkler coverage area that more nearly correlates with the size and shape of the targeted lawn area. By elevating the sprinkler and holding it in a generally vertical position in which the sprinkler spray tube is oriented either perpendicular or at some relative angle to the ground rather than horizontally in parallel with the ground, the spray pattern may be altered to concentrate on the desired swath. The spray coverage may also be modified by locking the oscillating tube in a position which best directs the water to a desired area. 
     Previous attempts have been made to address the need for an elevated oscillating tube sprinkler by teaching sprinkler stands, wherein a sprinkler is maintained in an elevated position. Although adequate for their intended purposes, none has taught a sprinkler stand that engages and maintains an oscillating sprinkler in a stable vertical orientation in order to produce a beneficial spray pattern and associated sprinkler coverage area for a narrow designated lawn area. 
     One type of device holds a garden hose whereby water can be directed in a desired direction via a vertical rod to which a hook for supporting an annular sprinkler head or other type of sprinkler heads or nozzles is coupled. Although it may be possible to hang an oscillating sprinkler on such a hook, the device is not adapted for nor well-suited for securely maintaining the twin base members of a typical oscillating sprinkler in a desired orientation. When used with an oscillating sprinkler, such a stand would most likely cause the sprinkler to shake, move, or dislodge in response to the force of the water projected therefrom. Further, such a device, if used in conjunction with an oscillating sprinkler, would lack disadvantageously angular and rotational adjustability of the sprinkler orientation in order to achieve a desired spray pattern. 
     Another type of stand is a pedestal for supporting an oscillating sprinkler at an elevated height above the ground, wherein the pedestal firmly engages the sprinkler base so as to securely hold the sprinkler in a particular position. However, such stands disadvantageously limit the sprinkler to a horizontal orientation. Thus, although the elevation of the sprinkler, alone, may prove beneficial, such a pedestal does not provide a means for adjusting the height of the sprinkler; nor is adapted for rotative or angular adjustment of the sprinkler orientation in order to achieve a customized spray pattern for a particular irrigation application. 
     Other types of devices have been described for use with an oscillating sprinkler to produce an optimal spray pattern, specifically pertaining to the size, shape, and arrangement of the nozzles of the spray tube. Nozzle arrangements have been suggested in order to alter the spray pattern of a typical oscillating sprinkler to address the problem of sprayer-induced puddling, wherein an undesirable concentration of water is applied at certain points of the oscillating cycle of the spray tube. While adequate for its intended purpose, such an adaptation to a standard oscillating sprinkler does not provide a means by which the spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area of the sprinkler may be uniquely tailored to conform to a particular application; particularly when is required to irrigate a specific region while avoiding watering undesignated areas. 
     Therefore, none of known devices overcome the limitations previously identified with oscillating sprinklers positioned horizontally on the ground. Thus, there is a need for a sprinkler stand adapted to securely engage an oscillating tube sprinkler and maintain the sprinkler in a stable, elevated and generally vertical orientation. There is a further need for a sprinkler stand for use with an oscillating sprinkler in which the sprinkler elevation and orientation may be adjusted so as to generate an optimum spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area for an intended application. In particular, there is a need for a sprinkler stand which secures a sprinkler at an orientation selected by the user to irrigate a relatively narrow designated area in a manner that increases the volume of water delivered to the designated area while decreasing the amount of water outside the designated, so that natural resources may be conserved, monetary costs may be reduced, and the time necessary to complete the watering operation may be shortened. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a height adjustable sprinkler stand adapted to engage and support an oscillating sprinkler in an elevated and generally vertical or non-horizontal orientation. 
     According to its major aspects and broadly stated, in its preferred form, the present invention is a sprinkler stand that includes a sprinkler holder for engaging an oscillating sprinkler and holding it in a desired vertical orientation, a frame for supporting the sprinkler holder at an elevated position above the ground, and a base for supporting and maintaining the frame in a stable position. The sprinkler holder includes one or more tracks, which engage a portion of a sprinkler base and thereby maintain the sprinkler in a generally vertical orientation so that the sprinkler may produce a desired spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area for irrigating a designated region. The positioning of the sprinkler base within the tracks is adjustable, as is the relative positioning of the tracks in order to facilitate retention of a variety of sprinkler base widths. Further, because the sprinkler holder is movably coupled to the frame, the sprinkler holder elevation is also adjustable. Thus the elevation of a sprinkler engaged by a sprinkler stand of the present invention may be altered by adjusting the placement of the sprinkler within the sprinkler holder tracks and/or by adjusting the positioning of the sprinkler holder along the frame of the sprinkler stand. 
     More specifically, the sprinkler stand device of the present invention in an exemplary embodiment, is adapted to accommodate frame extensions to further increase the maximum frame height and sprinkler holder elevation. The movable coupling of the sprinkler holder to the frame also provides a means by which the sprinkler holder may be rotated about the frame in order to vary the direction of the sprinkler. The sprinkler holder may also be rotatively coupled to the frame in a pinwheel type of arrangement to provide further options for adjusting the orientation of the sprinkler. 
     The sprinkler stand base may be composed of a plurality of legs arranged to provide stability and support to the frame and holder. In a preferred embodiment, the base is composed of three legs disposed in a tripod arrangement around the frame, facilitating the easy transportation, setup and relocation of the sprinkler stand. In a further embodiment, the base may comprise a stake member adapted for insertion into the ground. The frame may be adjustably coupled to the base, such as swivably attached via a ball-and-socket junction so as to allow both rotative and angular adjustment of the frame orientation and provide for further adjustment of the spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area of an engaged sprinkler. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages, and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sprinkler system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the sprinkler system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings, included to provide a clearer understanding of the invention, are not drawn to scale and some features may be minimized or eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects of the invention. It is noted that the embodiments described herein are only examples and that the invention may be practiced in various and alternative forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for teaching the invention and supporting the claims. In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. 
     The present invention provides a height-adjustable sprinkler stand adapted to engage the base of an oscillating sprinkler and thereby maintain the sprinkler in an elevated and generally vertical orientation so that a desired spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area may be achieved. The sprinkler stand is particularly useful for supporting a sprinkler at an orientation that is beneficial for watering a narrow land region. A sprinkler stand in accordance with the invention includes a sprinkler holder for engaging a sprinkler and holding it in a desired vertical position, a frame for supporting and elevating the sprinkler holder, and a base for supporting and stabilizing the frame. The elevated and generally vertical orientation of the sprinkler results in a spray pattern and corresponding sprinkler coverage area conducive for watering a relatively narrow land area in a manner that increases the volume of water delivered to a desired area and decreases the amount of water delivered outside the designated area. Thus the present invention reduces costs by decreasing water consumption and decreasing the amount of time necessary to adequately water a designated area. 
       FIG. 1  shows Sprinkler system  100  of the present invention. Sprinkler stand  120  engages sprinkler  150 , which projects fan-shaped spray pattern  160 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , sprinkler stand  120  holds sprinkler  150  in a generally vertical position so that sprinkler base members  152  are generally perpendicular to the ground and spray tube  80  is in a generally vertical position, to provide a desired spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a rear view of sprinkler system  100 . As seen from  FIG. 2 , sprinkler stand  120  comprises sprinkler holder  125  which preferably holds sprinkler  150  in an elevated and generally vertical orientation, frame  130  that preferably supports and elevates sprinkler holder  125 , and base  140  that preferably supports and maintains frame  130  in a vertical and stable position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , sprinkler holder  125  preferably holds sprinkler  150  by engaging the middle portions of sprinkler base members  152 . However, sprinkler holder  125  may engage sprinkler  150  at a variety of positions along base members  152  so that variable sprinkler elevations may be achieved. This advantageous feature of the invention can be understood from a comparison of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 1 , sprinkler holder  125  engages an upper portion of base members  152 , whereas in  FIG. 2 , the middle portions are engaged. By adjusting sprinkler  150  within sprinkler holder  125 , the user is able to adjust the elevation of sprinkler  150  for optimum coverage of a designated area. 
     Preferably, sprinkler holder  125  may be movably coupled to frame  130  via coupler  129 . Coupler  129  may be a clamp, clasp, or other type of coupler that, when loosened or adjusted, allows sprinkler holder  125  to be repositioned at variable heights along frame  130 . The adjustability of sprinkler holder  125  position along frame  130  provides an additional means by which the elevation of sprinkler  150  may be varied in order to optimally irrigate a desired area. The movable coupling also preferably allows a user to rotate sprinkler holder  125  about frame  130  to point sprinkler  150  in a particular direction. 
       FIG. 3  shows the front of sprinkler stand  120  and unattached oscillating sprinkler  150 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , sprinkler holder  125  may include one or more tracks  126  adapted for receiving a portion of base member  152  of sprinkler  150  and holding it in a preferred, generally vertical orientation. Sprinkler holder  125  may also include crossbar  127  that is coupled to and supports tracks  126  on frame  130 . 
     The width of track  126  is preferably adapted for allowing receiving and holding sprinkler base member  152  within track  126  so that sprinkler base member  152  is preferably securely fitted within the track and against crossbar  127 . In a preferred embodiment, the track width is dimensioned to engage a standard sprinkler base member  152  of standard width, however, preferably, the track width is slidably adjustable along crossbar  127  in order to facilitate adaptation to a variety of sprinkler base member widths. The interior surfaces of track  126  may be angled, shaped, lined with a compressible substance, or otherwise formed to facilitate receiving and holding sprinkler base members  152 , such as providing a compression fitting. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 , sprinkler holder  125  has two opposing tracks  126 . Preferably, two tracks  126  may be separated by a distance along crossbar  127 , such that each track  126  may engage a base member  152  so that sprinkler  150  may be securely positioned. In an alternate embodiment, sprinkler holder  125  may contain single track  126  for the engagement of a single sprinkler base member  152 . It is noted that the two tracks  126  depicted in  FIG. 3  may, if desired, be used to engage two sprinklers, with one track  126  engaging a single base member  152  of a first sprinkler, and the other track  126  engaging a single base member of a second sprinkler. Similarly, sprinkler holder  125  may contain more than two tracks  126  in order to accommodate multiple sprinklers  150 . 
     Preferably, track  126  comprises two opposing track members  128  coupled to crossbar  127  and separated by a track width adapted for receiving sprinkler base member  152 . Track members  128  are preferably fixedly coupled to crossbar  127 , for example by an adhesive, nails or other fasteners. Alternatively, track members  128  may be removably coupled, by way of example but not of limitation, by screws, pegs, bolts or other removable fasteners. Track members  128  may be positioned along crossbar  127  to form tracks  126  of a predetermined width that are separated by a predetermined distance along crossbar  127 . In an exemplary dual track embodiment, the predetermined track width and separation distance are such that two sprinkler base members  152  of sprinkler  150  may be engaged in the sprinkler holder  125 . Track members  128  that are removably coupled to crossbar  127  may be repositionable so that track width and track separation distance may be adjusted in order to accommodate sprinklers  150  of various sizes and dimensions. 
     Sprinkler holder  125  is supported by frame  130 . Shown in  FIG. 3  as preferred generally cylindrical in shape, frame  130  may be variously shaped and adapted for coupling with sprinkler holder  125 . Frame  130  may be composed of wood, metal, or a synthetic substance such as PVC that is of sufficient rigidity to support sprinkler holder  125  and oscillating sprinkler  150 . Frame  130  may be solid or hollow or may comprise both solid and hollow portions. As mentioned earlier, the coupling of the crossbar  127  to frame  130  may allow movement of crossbar  127  along frame  130  so that the elevation of sprinkler holder  125  can be adjusted to better suit the needs of the user. Further, crossbar  127  may be rotatively coupled to frame  130  so as to allow the user to spin or rotate sprinkler holder  125  to orient sprinkler  150  at a desired angle so as to achieve an optimum spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area for the application at hand. 
     Preferably, supporting and stabilizing frame  130  of sprinkler stand  120  is base  140 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , base  140  comprises three legs  141  disposed in a tripod arrangement and coupled to a lower portion of frame  130 . Applicant has found that legs  141  comprising a first portion in contact with the frame and a second portion, disposed at an angle from the first portion and extending outward from frame  130  and in contact with the ground, as shown in  FIG. 3 , work well. The second portion outward extensions provide stability and prevent sprinkler stand  120  from tipping over. However, legs  141  of alternative shapes may also function as a base  140  to support and stabilize frame  130  of a sprinkler stand  120  in accordance with the invention. Further, in order to facilitate secure placement on potentially uneven ground surfaces, spikes  142 , or stakes, could be provided on legs  141 , wherein spikes  142  could serve to anchor legs  141  to the ground. 
     Likewise, the number of legs  141  employed may be variable, depending on their size, shape, and disposition. Legs  141  may be made of plastic, metal, PVC or other substance having sufficient characteristics to support frame  130 . Legs  141  may be coupled to frame  130  by screws, bolts, adhesives or other coupling means. Legs  141  may also be integrally molded with frame  130  to form a unitary structure. The sprinkler stand  120  with base  140  comprising tripod arrangement of legs  141  is easy to transport and easy to set up and operate. No on-site assembly is required, nor is it necessary to anchor the sprinkler stand  120 . Because it is free-standing it is easily relocated upon the completion of a watering operation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a further embodiment  400  of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, sprinkler stand base  140  comprises stake member  420 . Stake member  420  preferably includes a longitudinal portion with a pointed extremity for insertion into the ground. Stake member  420  may also include extension  424  generally perpendicular to the longitudinal portion and adapted for receiving an applied force, such as foot pressure, when stake member  420  is driven into the ground. Stake member  420  may be composed of wood, metal, PVC, or other substance having sufficient characteristics for frame  130  support and ground insertion. 
     The exemplary embodiment  400  depicted in  FIG. 4  includes frame extender  430 . Frame extender  430  may be coupled to frame  130  and stake member  420  in a telescopic type of arrangement of coupled members of increasing or decreasing diameters. By employing frame extender  430 , the height of sprinkler stand  120  may be increased, thereby increasing the elevation range of a sprinkler engaged therein so as to achieve a desired spray pattern and sprinkler coverage area. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, frame extender  430  may be adapted for coupling with frame  130  via frame coupler  435 . Frame extender  430  may comprise a hollow portion adapted to adjustably receive a lower portion of frame  130 . In one embodiment, frame  130  may be moveable within frame extender  430  to attain a desired height. When a desired height is achieved, the position of frame  130  relative to frame extender  430  may be secured using frame coupler  435 . By way of example, and not of limitation, frame coupler  435  may be tightened or loosened by screwing so that when frame coupler  435  is loosened, frame  130  is movable within frame extender  430 , but when tightened, frame coupler  435  prevents movement of frame  130 . Frame coupler  435  may be a collar, ring, or other type of open-ended coupler adapted to couple frame  130  and frame extender  430 . Alternatively, frame extender  430  may be adapted to receive a predetermined portion of frame  130  rather than an adjustable portion. Frame coupler  435  may comprise ends of differing diameters in order to couple with both frame  130  and frame extender  430 , which may be of differing diameters when a telescopic arrangement is employed. 
     Frame extender  430  may be coupled to stake member  420  via base coupler  425 . Stake member  420  may comprise a hollow portion adapted for receiving a portion of frame extender  430  and base coupler  425  may then be used to secure the position of frame extender  430  within stake member  420 . Base coupler  425  may be a ring, socket, collar or other type of open-ended coupler adapted to couple stake member  420  and frame extender  430 . 
     Alternatively, frame extender  430  may comprise a hollow portion adapted for receiving a portion of stake member  420 . For example, the lower portion of frame extender  430  may comprise a cylinder or sleeve adapted for slipping over a portion of stake member  420 . Base coupler  425  may then be used to secure the position of frame extender  430  in relation to stake member  420 . In a similar manner, if frame extender  430  is not desired for a particular application, frame  130  may be directly coupled to stake member  420  via base coupler  425  adapted to couple stake member  420  with frame  130 . 
     The exemplary embodiment  400  employs a base comprising stake member  420 ; however, frame extender  430  may also be used with sprinkler stand  400  supported by other types of bases, for example a base comprised of a plurality of legs  141 . Legs  141  may be coupled to a base member or receptacle that is adapted for coupling with frame extender  430 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment  500  of a sprinkler system in which frame  530  is swivelably coupled to base  520 , shown as a stake, by socket coupler  525 . Socket coupler  525  is cylindrically shaped and adapted to receive the lower end portion of frame  530 . Frame  530  has a rounded lower end portion resembling a ball that is adapted for coupling with socket coupler  525  to form a ball-and-socket junction. The ball-and-socket junction of frame  530  and base  520  allows frame  530  to swivel so that both rotational and angular adjustments may be made to modify frame  530  orientation and thus optimize water delivery to a designated area. Frame  530  may be swiveled to tailor the sprinkler coverage area to the size and shape of the lawn area to be watered. By tailoring the sprinkler coverage area to the designated area to be watered, less water is wasted on unintended areas, thereby reducing the amount of water consumed during the watering process. Because more of the water supplied to sprinkler  150  is delivered to the intended area, the amount of time spent watering a designated area may also be reduced. 
     A further advantage of the ball-and-socket junction embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5  is the ease with which the coverage area may be changed. For example, frame  530  may be positioned at a particular orientation so that sprinkler  150  of sprinkler system  500  delivers water to a particular ground area. When the designated ground area is adequately watered, it may be desired to water a second area within the range of sprinkler  150  of sprinkler system  500 . Frame  530  may simply be rotated and angularly adjusted so that sprinkler  150  may deliver water to the second area. No repositioning of base  520  is necessary, nor must frame  530  be uncoupled from base  520 , reoriented, and subsequently recoupled. 
     Shown in  FIG. 5  as coupling frame  530  to base  520  comprising a stake, the ball-and-socket junction may also be employed with a legged or otherwise formed base  520 . An embodiment comprising base  520  with legs  141  may include a frame receptacle adapted for receiving frame  530  via a socket coupler  525 . 
     In an exemplary method of the invention, a user may designate a particular lawn area to be irrigated. The user may have just seeded, sodded, or aerated a lawn area; alternatively, the user may have recently planted trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables or other plants. The designated area may be relatively narrow, and may also be located at the end of the length of hose used to deliver water to the watering device. Due to the narrow shape and distant location of the designated area, a specific spray pattern is required to adequately irrigate the designated area without wasting resources on undesignated areas. 
     The user may go to his garage or tool shed to retrieve a typical oscillating sprinkler  150 , connect sprinkler  150  to a hose coupled to an outdoor spigot, and proceed with sprinkler  150  to the designated area. When sprinkler  150  is placed in a standard horizontal orientation on the ground, and water is supplied to sprinkler  150 , the user may observe that the sprinkler coverage area is unacceptably wide when sprinkler  150  is positioned perpendicular to the designated strip area. When sprinkler  150  is oriented parallel to the strip, the user may observe that the sprinkler range is too short. In both instances water is delivered to undesignated areas, resulting in a waste of natural resources and an increase in the time required to conduct the irrigation operation. 
     To address the problem of inadequate and inefficient delivery of water to the designated area, the user may employ preferred sprinkler stand  120  of the present invention. The user may transport sprinkler stand  120  to the sprinkler  150  location and position it for use. When using sprinkler stand  120  with base  140  comprising a plurality of legs  141 , the user simply sets the sprinkler stand on the ground in the vicinity of the sprinkler. When sprinkler stand base  140  comprises stake member  420 , the user may drive stake member  420  into the ground. 
     The user may then insert sprinkler  150  into sprinkler holder  125  of sprinkler stand  120  by fitting a portion of each sprinkler base member  152  into track  126  of sprinkler holder  125 . The user may then supply water to sprinkler  150  and observe the resultant spray pattern and water coverage area. If the spray pattern remains unsatisfactory, the user may want to adjust the elevation of sprinkler  150 . The user may alter the elevation of sprinkler  150  by repositioning sprinkler base members  152  in sprinkler holder tracks  126  or by raising or lowering sprinkler holder  125  along frame  130  of sprinkler stand  120 . The user may also add frame extender  430  to frame  130  in order to increase the height of sprinkler holder  125 . 
     In addition to adjusting the sprinkler elevation, the user may also wish to alter the orientation of sprinkler  150  in order to optimize water delivery to the designated area. The user may simply turn sprinkler stand  120 , an easy procedure when base  140  comprises a plurality of legs  141 . Alternatively, the user may rotate sprinkler holder  125  about frame  130  or about a rotative coupler in order to point sprinkler  150  in a desired direction to achieve a desired orientation. When using sprinkler stand  120  in which frame  530  is coupled to base  520  via a ball-and-socket junction, the user may rotate and angularly adjust frame  530  to optimize the spray pattern of sprinkler  150 . The user may then supply water to sprinkler  150  to irrigate the desired area. By employing sprinkler system  100  of the invention, the user is able to elevate and orient sprinkler  150  to deliver a sufficient volume of water to a designated area in a cost-effective manner which conserves natural resources. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described herein; it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alterations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments within departing from the scope of the appended claims.