Patent Publication Number: US-11641816-B2

Title: Irrigation device having rotatable supports

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation-in-Part of International Application No. PCT/IB2021/061121 filed Nov. 30, 2021. Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/122,486 filed Dec. 8, 2020. The contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to an irrigation device, in particular for providing irrigation a generally pre-defined route. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many types of irrigation devices suited for providing irrigation along a generally pre-defined route. One example is irrigation devices that are generally arc-shaped so that they can be fitted adjacent a plant generally surrounding the plant to irrigate its roots. 
     PCT publication No. 2017003861 describes an irrigation device for facilitating growth of plants that includes a mat that is air and water permeable and has an opening through which a plant extends. A slit extends from the opening to a peripheral edge to facilitate placement of the mat around the plant. A drip tube is disposed within the mat between upper and lower surfaces and has an open end connectable to a water source, and a series of emitters along the length thereof permitting water to exit the drip tube and through the lower surface of the mat. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
     In a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an irrigation device comprising a generally arc-shaped housing and a plurality of supports that are pivotally coupled to the housing. The supports are configured to prevent a lower surface of the housing from directly contacting the ground. The supports may be in the form of stakes which are configured to penetrate the ground, or alternatively in the form of legs which are configured to rest on the ground face. 
     In another broad first aspect of the present invention there is provided an irrigation device comprising a generally arc-shaped housing and a plurality of supports that comprise each a stopper member for maintaining the arc-shaped housing above a soil where it is placed. 
     Such supports with stopper members may be either pivotally coupled or non-pivotally coupled to the housing of the irrigation device. 
     In addition, such stopper members may be located in between a tip of each support and its side that connects to the irrigation device&#39;s housing, or at or adjacent a tip of the support. 
     In an embodiment there is provided an irrigation device comprising a generally arc-shaped housing defining an opening through which a plant can grow when the device is placed on a ground face during use, the device further comprising a plurality of supports that can be fitted to the housing, wherein each support can be rotated (“revolved”) between a deployed state where the support projects away from the housing in a position suitable for being placed into or on the ground and a non-deployed state where the support is oriented sideways projecting into the opening. 
     In an embodiment there is also provided a method for irrigating comprising the steps of: providing an irrigation device comprising a generally arc-shaped housing defining an opening and a plurality of supports in the form of stakes that can be fitted to a lower side of the housing, rotating (“revolving”) each stake to a deployed state where it projects away from the housing, and placing the irrigation device on a ground face with the stakes penetrating into the ground. 
     In yet another embodiment there is also provided a method for irrigating comprising the steps of: providing an irrigation device comprising a generally arc-shaped housing defining an opening and a plurality of supports in the form of legs that can be fitted to a lower side of the housing, in a non-hinged manner. However, in some embodiments, the legs may instead be hinged, not unlike the stakes mentioned above. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIGS.  1  and  2    schematically show, respectively, top and bottom perspective views of an embodiment of an irrigation device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  3 A to  3 C  schematically show side views of the irrigation device of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , during different rotated states of its supports which in this embodiment are in the form of stakes; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  schematically show assembly steps between a support in the form of a stake and a housing of the irrigation device; 
         FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  schematically show cross sectional views of an assembled state between a support in the form of a stake and housing of an irrigation device, as taken in plane AA seen in  FIG.  4 B , where the respective cross sections generally correspond to the rotated states seen in  FIGS.  3 A to  3 C ; 
         FIGS.  6  to  8 B  schematically show an embodiment of a support in the form of a stake and an embodiment of an irrigation device using such a stake, respectively; 
         FIG.  6    shows an exemplary stake; 
         FIG.  7    shows an embodiment of an irrigation device placed in a planter; 
         FIG.  8 A  shows an embodiment of an irrigation device in the non-deployed state, in which its stakes project into the opening; 
         FIG.  8 B  shows the irrigation device of  FIG.  8 A  in the deployed state, in which its stakes project away from the housing in a position suitable for being placed into or on the ground; and 
         FIG.  9    schematically shows an embodiment of an irrigation device using yet another embodiment of a support, this time in the form of a leg, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Attention is first drawn to  FIGS.  1  and  2    schematically illustrating an irrigation device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Irrigation device  10  includes a generally arc-shaped housing  12  that surrounds an opening  14  through which a plant (see  FIG.  7   ) is arranged to extend. The opening communicates via a slit  16  with a peripheral outer side  121  of the housing to facilitate placement of the irrigation device around a plant. 
     The irrigation device is provided with an inlet  18 , in this example located generally opposite to the slit  16 , through which liquid entering the device from an incoming tube (not shown) can flow onwards downstream to be emitted to the ambient environment along the arced extension of the housing, possibly via a drip irrigation pipe segment  27  located within the housing  12 . 
     Irrigation device  10  in this example can be seen being provided with a plurality of supports  20 , in this example four supports, which are connected to a lower side  122  of the housing. In the embodiment seen in  FIGS.  1 - 8   , the supports  20  are in the form of stakes  20 . The stakes in a deployed state are arranged to project downwards from a lower side  122  of the irrigation device&#39;s housing to assist in stable and/or firm placement of the device on a ground face by being suitably designed to penetrate into the ground. The lower side  122  of the housing can also be seen in  FIG.  2    as being arranged to include openings  75  (in this example generally trapezoid shaped openings) through which liquid emitted by the device can flow towards a ground face upon which the device&#39;s lower side  122  is arranged to be adjacently placed during use of the device. Also seen at the lower side of the housing is a possible plug formation  77  suitable for receiving an end of an incoming tube when the device is not in use. Such incoming tube may accordingly be fitted to the device&#39;s inlet  18  when the irrigation device is in use. 
     Attention is additionally drawn to  FIGS.  3 A to  3 C  to illustrate different rotated states of the stakes relative to the device&#39;s housing. In the shown example, the stakes may be maneuvered back and forth between a deployed state (see  FIG.  3 A ) where the stakes point downwards and a non-deployed state (see  FIG.  3 C ) where the stakes are folded, in this example to a position where they extend each radially sideways into opening  14 . As best seen in  FIG.  4 A , each stake  20  comprises a base  201  and a spike  208  extending from the base  201  to a tip  202  of the spike. The spike  208 , which constitutes that portion of the stake  20  configured to enter the ground during use, may have a tapered shape and one or more laterally extending ribs  207  positioned between the base  201  and the tip  202 . 
     Attention is drawn to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  exemplifying an option where a stake  20  may be arranged to be manually coupled to a mount  22  (also referred to as a “rest”  22 ) that is located on the lower side  122  of the device&#39;s housing. 
     Mount  22  in this example can be seen being formed of two side walls  221 , a fulcrum  222  located in between the side walls and a stop  223  in the shown example located at a radial outer side of the fulcrum. Fulcrum  222  has a downwardly facing concave face  2221  and the side walls  221  each include a chamfered portion  2211  that tapers upwardly towards the fulcrum and an opening  2212  that is formed through the side wall above the chamfered portion. 
     Stake  20  can be seen as including the base  201  at its side that connects to the mount  22  and the tip  202  at its side that is designed to lead its penetration into soil. Base  201  in this example includes two sides  2011  and a shaft  2012  that extends between the sides and include end segments  20121  that protrude beyond the sides  2011 . As seen in the upper left-hand side of  FIG.  4 A , the stake&#39;s base  201  includes also a tongue member  2013  that projects away from shaft  2012  in a radial outer direction when the stake is in a deployed state. 
     Coupling between a stake  20  and its respective mount  22  may be performed by manually urging the stake towards the mount  22  with its base  201  leading until each end segment  20121  of the stake&#39;s base engages a respective chamfered portion  2211  within the mount. 
     Pressing the stake further towards the mount  22  urges the side walls  221  of the mount to flex sideways due to engagement between the end segments  20121  and the chamfered portions  2211  until a position where the end segments pass the chamfered portions and snap into the openings formed within the side walls  221 , bringing shaft  2012  to a position where it rests upon the concave face of the fulcrum  222  (see  FIG.  4 B ). 
     Attention is drawn to the cross-sectional views seen in  FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  showing a stake coupled at its base to a respective mount during different rotated states that generally correspond to the rotated states seen in  FIGS.  3 A to  3 C . 
     In  FIG.  5 A  the stake is seen in a deployed state with its shaft  2012  abutting against the fulcrum  222  of its mount and its tongue member  2013  being engaged with the stop  223  of its mount. Engagement between the tongue member  2013  and stop  223  maintains the stake in its deployed state until sufficient force F is applied (possibly manually applied) in order to urge the stake towards its non-deployed state seen in  FIG.  5 C . As seen, while rotating a stake back and forth between its deployed and non-deployed states, the shaft  2012  is maintained in abutting engagement with the fulcrum  222 . 
     As seen from the above, in the deployed position with the tongue member  2013  formed on the base  201  engaging the stop  223  formed on the housing, the stake  20  may be considered to be locked, and the stop  223  functions as a detent  223 . As best seen in  FIG.  5 C , the stop  223  formed on the housing comprises housing bracket  223   b  having a protruding housing lip  223   a . The protruding housing lip  223   a  includes a lip inner surface  223   c  and a lip outer surface  223   d . Meanwhile, opposite sides of the tongue member  2013  formed on the base  201  comprise a base outer abutment surface  2013   c  and a base inner surface  2013   d . In the locked position, the protruding housing lip  223   a  engages a complementary lip  2013  (e.g., tongue member) provided on the base  201  of the stake  20 . Reverting to  FIG.  5 A , in the deployed position, the housing&#39;s lip inner surface  223   c  clampingly engages the base outer abutment surface  2013   c . Furthermore, the shaft  2012 , when occupying the fulcrum  222 , acts like a hinge. Accordingly, the support/stake  20  is rotatable about a first axis that is fixed relative to the housing, between the non-deployed state and the deployed state. 
     Attention is drawn to  FIG.  6    showing an embodiment of a stake  20  of the present invention. Stake  20  extends along a longitudinal axis X from a base  201  at its proximal end (that is designed to connect to an irrigation device—such as that seen in the former figures) to a tip  202  at its distal axial side (that in this example is designed to lead its penetration into soil). 
     In the example shown, the stake has a stopper member  203  located in between its base  201  and tip  202 , which projects generally laterally sideways away from the longitudinal axis X. As seen, the stake tapers in this example in the distal direction towards its tip  202  from a generally planar distally facing abutment face  204  of the stopper member  203 . 
     Abutment face  204  in a view taken along the longitudinal axis X can be seen in this example exhibiting lateral projections forming a generally T-like shape with a first flank  2041  (see indicated within the ‘dotted’ ellipse) that extends generally along a first lateral axis Y generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and a second flank  2042  (see indicated within the ‘dotted’ trapezoid) that extends generally along a second lateral axis Z that is generally orthogonal to both axes X and Y. 
     Attention is drawn to  FIG.  7    showing an irrigation device  10  such as that seen in the former figures, which is placed upon soil  50  that is housed in this example within a planter  60 , to irrigate a plant  70 . The irrigation device is supported in its location surrounding the plant with assistance of the stakes, which in this example are securely located penetrating into the soil. 
     As seen in this example, only a portion of each stake that is located distally below its stopper member  203 , penetrates into the soil due to engagement of the stopper member&#39;s abutment face  204  with the soil&#39;s upper face. This creates a so called ‘air barrier’ beneath the irrigation device and the soil, which assists in reducing the likelihood of roots penetrating into the irrigation device, an occurrence that may clog the irrigation device over time. 
     In an aspect of the present invention, formation of the abutment face  204  without any apertures/opening passing therethrough assists in forming a barrier against roots that may try to grow up the stakes towards the water emitted by the irrigation device. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention derived from tests that were performed, a surface area A1 of abutment face  204  and a cross sectional area A2 of the stake (in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X) at a location immediately distal and/or proximal to abutment face  204 , preferably satisfy a ratio of: A1≥about 2×A2, and more preferably A1≥about 3×A2. 
     Such ratios define the abutment face  204  as acting as a step-like ledge that further resists the ability of roots arriving from plants within the soil—from growing up along the stakes beyond the stopper member  203  towards the irrigation emitting section(s) of the irrigation device. 
     Attention is drawn to  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  illustrating an irrigation device such as that disclosed herein with stakes that can be rotated between a deployed state (see  FIG.  8 B ) where the stakes project away from the irrigation device in a position suitable for penetrating into soil and a non-deployed state (see  FIG.  8 A ) where the stakes are oriented sideways with the entirety of the spikes  208  projecting into the opening  14  of the irrigation device&#39;s housing. As seen in  FIG.  8 A , in the non-deployed state, the tips  202  of the stakes  20  are fully exposed, rather than being at least partially protected by the housing  12 . 
     As seen in the non-deployed state of  FIG.  8 A , the abutment faces of the stakes used in this state are oriented such that their axially extending first flanks  2041  (along first lateral axis Y), extend generally along and/or tangent to the peripheral direction P of the arc shaped irrigation device, while their axially extending second flanks  2042  (along second lateral axis Z) extend generally upwards alongside a radial inner side  88  of the irrigation device&#39;s housing  12  towards the housing&#39;s upper side  120  that is distal to where the stakes are connected. 
     As a result, in this embodiment of the stakes, avoidance of substantial projection of the stopper members  203  beyond the outer boundary of the irrigation device can be obtained in the irrigation device&#39;s non-deployed state. 
     Consequently, stakes with such T-shaped stopper members  203  may assist in forming irrigation devices that can be compact in their deployed state—e.g., in order to assist in stacking such irrigation devices one on top of the other in a compact manner. 
     It is noted that stopper members  203  as disclosed herein, may be used in stakes that are coupled to irrigation devices such as those disclosed herein in a variety of ways, and not only in a rotating manner as mentioned herein above. 
     As also seen in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , opposing portions of the radial inner side  88  establish a diameter D1 of the opening  14 , while the spikes  20  project a radial projection distance R1 into the opening. Comparing these two dimensions, it is evident that the radial projection distance R1 is less than one-half the diameter D1 of the opening, i.e., R1&lt;0.5*D1. More preferably, the radial projection distance R1 is less than one-third the diameter D1 of the opening  14 , i.e., R1&lt;(⅓)*D1. In some embodiments, the radial projection distance R1 is less than one-fourth the diameter D1 of the opening  14 , i.e., R1&lt;0.25*D1. Having the radial projection distance R1 under one-half the diameter D1 helps prevent the spikes  20  from contacting each other, when all spikes  20  are in their non-deployed state with their tips  202  pointing in a generally radially inward direction into the opening  14 , such as when the irrigation device  10  is being shipped or stored. 
     As seen in  FIG.  8 B , when in the deployed state, each spike&#39;s tip  202  is located a total distance HT below the housing&#39;s lower surface  122 . Meanwhile, its stopper member is  203  is located a first distance H1 above the tip  202  and a second distance H2 below the housing&#39;s lower surface  122 . As such, the various stopper members  203  collectively resist insertion of the stakes  20  more than the first distance H1 into the soil, thereby keeping the housing&#39;s lower surface  122  a second distance H2 above the soil, with HT=H1+H2 (and ignoring the thickness of the stopper members  203 ). As seen in  FIG.  8 B , H1&gt;H2. 
     Attention is drawn to  FIG.  9    showing an embodiment of an irrigation device such as that shown in the former figures, however with the supports  200  in the form of legs  200  that are fixed in a non-hinged manner to the lower side  122  of the irrigation device&#39;s housing. Each such stake  200  can be seen in addition having a respective stopper member  2030  at its distal tip, and hence these stakes  200  simply support the irrigation device upon the soil without necessary penetrating into the soil. 
     The stopper members  2030  for legs  200  are seen as being generally round shaped, and as in the former described stake  20  may satisfy a ratio of: A1≥about 2×A2, and more preferably A1≥about 3×A2—where such ratios define the abutment faces of these stopper members  2030  as acting as a step-like ledge that further resists the ability of roots arriving from plants within the soil—from growing up along the stakes beyond the stopper member towards the irrigation emitting section(s) of the irrigation device. 
     In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. 
     Furthermore, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims. 
     In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. 
     The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as “about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope. 
     Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.