Patent Abstract:
A water sprinkler includes a base, a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, the timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between the timer inlet and the timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between the timer inlet and the timer outlet, a motor having a motor inlet, a motor outlet, and a drive member, the motor configured to move the drive member in response to fluid passing from the motor inlet to the motor outlet, and a spray member coupled to the motor outlet, the spray member configured to move in response to movement of the drive member, wherein the base includes a first base retention structure and a second base retention structure.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to water sprinklers. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Water sprinklers are used to distribute water within a spray area, such as a lawn. There are numerous forms of water sprinklers, including stationary, rotary, and oscillating varieties. In general, each form of water sprinkler is fluidly coupled to a water supply through a water supply conduit, such as a garden hose. Stationary water sprinklers distribute water through a stationary water distributor, such as a stationary spray tube or other spray member. The spray tube includes numerous nozzles, each of which are positioned to eject a stream of water onto a region within the spray area. The size of the spray area is determined, in part, by the number of nozzles on the spray tube and the pressure of the water supply to which the water sprinkler is coupled. Rotary and oscillating water sprinklers include a water distributor that rotates or oscillates in order to distribute water within a greater area than would otherwise be possible with a stationary distributor. The flow of the water supply provided to a rotary and an oscillating sprinkler is used to drive a water motor which moves the water distributor. 
         [0003]    There is a continuing need in the art to provide a water sprinkler that is less complicated to manufacture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a water sprinkler that includes a base, a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, the timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between the timer inlet and the timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between the timer inlet and the timer outlet, a motor having a motor inlet, a motor outlet, and a drive member, the motor configured to move the drive member in response to fluid passing from the motor inlet to the motor outlet, and a spray member coupled to the motor outlet, the spray member configured to move in response to movement of the drive member, wherein the base includes a first base retention structure and a second base retention structure, wherein the timer mechanism includes a timer retention structure configured to cooperate with the first base retention structure to create a first snap-fit connection between the timer mechanism and the base, wherein the motor includes a motor retention structure configured to cooperate with the second base retention structure to create a second snap-fit connection between the motor and the base, wherein the timer outlet defines a first coupling component, and wherein the motor inlet defines a second coupling component configured to mate with the first coupling component. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a water sprinkler having a base, a timer mechanism and a motor including (a) mating a first coupling component of the timer mechanism with a second coupling component of the motor to form a fluid-tight connection therebetween; and (b) snap-fitting the timer mechanism and the motor to the base after step (a). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]    Features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this device pertains from the following description with reference to the figures, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water sprinkler according to the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of a portion of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of a base of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1 , with a timer mechanism, a water motor, and a distributor of the water sprinkler being removed therefrom for clarity of description; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the timer mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an end cap of the timer mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the end cap of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the water motor of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of an end cap of the water motor of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along line IX-IX of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along line X-X of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line XI-XI of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken along line XII-XII of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the device described herein, reference will now be made to the embodiment(s) illustrated in the figures and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the device is thereby intended. It is further understood that the device includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiment(s) and includes further applications of the principles of the device as would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this device pertains. 
         [0020]    A water sprinkler  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 , distributes water within a predetermined area. The water sprinkler  100  includes a base  106 , a water motor  112  ( FIG. 2 ), a timer mechanism  118 , and a distributor  124 . The water motor  112  and the timer mechanism  118  are connected to an underside of the base  106 . The timer  118  is connected to a water supply conduit, such as a garden hose  130  connected to a spigot, and is configured to regulate a flow of water to the motor  112 . A fluid output of the motor  112  is coupled to the distributor  124 , and a mechanical output of the motor is connected to the distributor  124 . In response to the water sprinkler  100  being supplied with a flow of water and the timer  118  being in an “on” mode, the motor  112  moves the distributor  124  in a repeating path of movement and the distributor distributes water onto the predetermined area through the outlets  316 . In response to the timer mechanism  118  being in an “off” mode, the distributor  124  remains stationary and the timer  118  prevents water from being distributed onto the predetermined area. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  106  includes a cavity  136 ; partition walls  142 A,  142 B,  142 C,  142 D,  148 A,  148 B,  148 C; and retention structures  154 ,  160 A,  160 B. The base  106  is formed from an injection moldable thermoplastic material, and defines the cavity  136 , which generally extends longitudinally from at least the partition wall  142 D to the partition wall  148 B and widthwise from an edge  166  to another edge  172 . The partition walls  142 A,  142 B,  142 C,  142 D,  148 A,  148 B,  148 C are located within the cavity  136  and are configured to define a sub-cavity  178  and a sub-cavity  186 . Specifically, a first set of partition walls including the partition walls  142 A,  142 B,  142 C,  142 D define the sub-cavity  178 , in which the timer mechanism  118  is at least partially positioned (see  FIG. 2 ), and a second set of partition walls including the partition walls  148 A,  148 B,  148 C define the sub-cavity  186 , in which the motor  112  is at least partially positioned (see  FIG. 2 ). The partition wall  142 B faces the motor  112  and defines a passage  190 , which allows access between the sub-cavity  178  and the sub-cavity  186 . The partition wall  142 A faces the garden hose  130  ( FIG. 1 ) and defines a passage  196 . Similarly, the partition wall  148 B faces the distributor  124  and defines a passage  202 . The retention structure  154  is a portion of the partition wall  142 C, and the retention structures  160 A,  160 B are respective portions of the partition walls  148 A,  148 C. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the timer  118  includes an inlet structure  208  having an inlet  214 , a coupler  216 , a retention structure  218  (see also  FIG. 12 ), and a threaded coupling  400 ; a timing mechanism  220  having a dial  226  and a diaphragm  232 ; a diaphragm housing  234 ; and an end cap  238  defining an outlet  244 . The timing mechanism  220  is connected to the diaphragm housing  234  to position selectively the diaphragm  232  against structure defining a diaphragm opening (not illustrated) of the diaphragm housing  234 . The diaphragm housing  234  is received by and is connected to one side of the inlet structure  208 . The end cap  238  is received by and is connected to an opposite side of the inlet structure  208 . The coupler  216  connects a portion of the inlet structure  208  to the base  106  ( FIG. 2 ). The retention structure  218  cooperates with the retention structure  154  to create a snap-fit connection between the timer  118  to the base  106 . The threaded coupling  400  is rotatably connected to the inlet  214  and is connectable to a threaded end portion  402  of the garden hose  130 . 
         [0023]    The timer  118  regulates the flow of water from the inlet  214  to the outlet  244 . In particular, the dial  226  may be rotated to a select a predetermined time period. For the duration of the predetermined time period, the timer  118  remains in an “on” mode in which the timing mechanism  220  positions the diaphragm  232  away from the diaphragm opening to fluidly couple the inlet  214  to the outlet  244 . In the “on” mode the timer  118  enables water from the garden hose  130  to flow from the inlet  214  to the outlet  244 . After the predetermined time period expires, the timer  118  enters an “off” mode in which the timing mechanism  234  positions the digraph  232  against the structure of the diaphragm opening to decouple the inlet  214  from the outlet  244 . In the “off” mode the timer  118  prevents the flow of water from the inlet  214  to the outlet  244 . The timer  118  is not limited to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; instead, the timer  118  may be any device or apparatus that selectively couples an inlet to an outlet in response to the state or mode of a timing device. The general operation and configuration of water timers are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the outlet  244  of the end cap  238  includes a coupling component having a connection tab  250 A and a connection tab  250 B positioned upon an outer cylindrical surface of the outlet  244 . The connection tab  250 A is approximately diametrically opposite the connection tab  250 B. The coupling component of the outlet  244  extends through the passage  190  ( FIG. 3 ) in the partition wall  142 B so that the connection tabs  250 A,  250 B are operable to secure mechanically and fluidly the timer  118  to the motor  112 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the motor  112  includes an end cap  256  defining an inlet  262 ; a casing  268  having an outlet  274  and retention structures  276 A,  276 B ( FIG. 11 ); and a motor mechanism  280  having an inlet  286 , an outlet  292 , and a drive member  298 . The casing  268  receives the motor mechanism  280  such that the outlet  292  extends through the outlet  274  and the drive member  298  extends through the outlet  408  ( FIG. 11 ). The end cap  256  is connected to the casing  268  to enclose the motor mechanism  280  within the casing  268  and to align the inlet  262  with the inlet  286 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , each retention structure  276 A,  276 B of the motor  112  includes a ridge  348 A,  348 B and a ramp  350 A,  350 B. The ramps  350 A,  350 B protrude at an angle from the casing  268 , and the ridges  348 A,  348 B extend approximately perpendicularly from the casing  268 . The retention structures  276 A,  276 B cooperate with a respective one of the retention structures  160 A,  160 B to create a snap-fit connection between the motor  112  and the base  106 . Alternatively, the water sprinkler  100  may include retention structures having a different configuration, which create a secure snap-fit attachment between the motor  112  and the base  106 . 
         [0027]    The water motor  112  moves the drive member  298  in response to the flow of water through the motor  112 . The motor mechanism  280  includes an intermediate element (not illustrated) which rotates in response to the flow of water from the inlet  262  to the outlet  274 . Rotation of the intermediate element causes the drive member  298  to oscillate. In an alternative embodiment, rotation of the intermediate element causes the drive member  298  to rotate or reciprocate. Water exiting the motor  112  flows through the outlets  292 ,  274 . The motor  112  is not limited to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; instead, the motor  112  may be any device or apparatus that rotates, reciprocates, and/or oscillates a drive member in response to a flow of water from an input to an output of the motor. The general operation and configuration of sprinkler water motors are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the inlet  262  of the end cap  256  includes a coupling component defining a slot  304 A and a slot  304 B, which are configured to mate with the coupling component of the outlet  244 . The slots  304 A,  304 B, which are each configured to receive a respective one of the tabs  250 A,  250 B, have a width (measured circumferentially) that is approximately the same as a width of the tabs. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the slot  304 A commences at an edge portion  310  of the inlet  262  and terminates near another edge portion  316  of the inlet  262 . The slot  304 A extends circumferentially and longitudinally leftward on an interior portion of the inlet  262 . The slot  304 B mirrors the slot  304 A on a diametrically opposite side of the inlet  262 . 
         [0029]    The outlet  244  of the timer  118  may be connected to the inlet  262  of the motor  112  by aligning the tabs  250 A,  250 B with the slots  304 A,  304 B. Next, the timer  118  is rotated in a clockwise direction approximately ninety degrees)(90°), which causes the tabs  250 A,  250 B to slide toward the edge  316  as guided by the slots  304 A,  304 B. When the tabs  250 A,  250 B are positioned in the region of the slots  304 A,  304 B nearest to the edge  316 , they become seated within the slots such that the outlet  244  of the timer  118  is fluidly connected to the inlet  262  of the motor  112 . After the tabs  250 A,  250 B become seated in the slots  304 A,  304 B, the timer  118  is “permanently” connected to the motor  112 , such that the timer  118  may not be disconnected from the motor  112  without damaging one of the outlet  244  and the inlet  262 . The slots  304 A,  304 B are at least partially located in the passage  190  when the timer  118  and the motor  112  are connected to the base  106 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the distributor  124 , which may also be referred to as a spray tube or spray member, includes an inlet  310  fluidly coupled to numerous outlets  316  through a channel  322 . An end portion  324  of the distributor  124  is supported by the base  106  and is configured to oscillate relative to the base  106 . Additionally, the end portion  324  is closed to terminate the channel  322 . An end of the distributor  124  nearest the inlet  310  is mechanically connected to the drive member  298 , such that the distributor  124  moves with the drive member  298 . The inlet  310  is fluidly coupled to the motor  112  to receive water exiting the motor  112  through the outlet  274 . 
         [0031]    The distributor  124  distributes water onto the predetermined area in response to the timer  118  being connected to the source of water and the timer  118  being in the “on” mode. Water exiting the motor  112  through the outlet  274  flows through the inlet  310  and into the channel  322 . Thereafter, the water flows through the outlets  316  and onto the predetermined area. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the retention structures  160 A,  160 B of the base  106  include a ramp  340 A,  340 B and a ridge  346 A,  346 B. The ramps  340 A,  340 B protrude at an angle from a respective one of the partition walls  148 A,  148 C, and the ridges  346 A,  346 B extend approximately perpendicularly from a respective one of the partition walls  148 A,  148 C. When the motor  112  is connected to the base  106 , the ridges  346 A,  346 B are approximately parallel to the ridges  348 A,  348 B. Alternatively, the water sprinkler  100  may include retention structures having a different configuration, which create a secure snap-fit attachment between the motor  112  and the base  106 , and between the timer  118  and the base  106 . 
         [0033]    Each of the retention structures  276 A,  276 B, are configured to engage a respective one of the retention structures  160 A,  160 B, to connect the motor  112  to the base  106 . A snap-fit connection occurs between the motor  112  and the base  106  as the motor  112  is moved upward into the empty sub-cavity  186 . In particular, as the motor  112  is moved into the sub-cavity  186 , the ramps  350 A,  350 B contact the ramps  340 A,  340 B. As shown in  FIG. 11 , upward movement of the motor  112  causes the ramps  350 A,  350 B to abut the ramps  340 A,  340 B and bow outward the partition walls  148 A,  148 C as the ramps  350 A,  350 B slide upward on the ramps  340 A,  340 B. In response to the ridges  348 A,  348 B being positioned above the ridges  346 A,  346 B, the resilient partition walls  148 A,  148 B rebound to the position of  FIG. 11 , such that the ridges  346 A,  346 B overlap the ridges  348 A,  348 B to create the snap-fit connection between the motor  112  and the base  106 . Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a supplemental coupler  358  is provided to further secure the motor  112  to the base  106 . 
         [0034]    A downward force exerted on the motor  112 , when the motor  112  is connected to the base  106 , does not separate the motor  112  from the base  106 , because the partition walls  148 A,  148 C remain stationary in response to the downward force. In particular, the downward force causes the ridges  348 A,  348 B to abut the ridges  346 A,  346 B, and because the ridges  346 A,  346 B,  348 A,  348 B are parallel to each other, a vertical downward force is transmitted to the partition walls  148 A,  148 B, which does not bow outward the partition walls  148 A,  148 B. Accordingly, the connection between the motor  112  and the base  106  is “permanent”, in that the motor  112  may not be removed from the base  106  without damaging one of the motor  112  the base  106 . Alternatively, the partition walls  148 A,  148 B may include release tabs (not illustrated) for withdrawing the retention structures  160 A,  160 B from the retention structures  276 A,  276 B to enable the motor  112  to be removed from the base  106 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the retention structure  218  of the timer  118  engages the retention structure  154  of the partition wall  142 C in the same manner that the retention structures  276 A,  276 B engage the retentions structures  160 A,  160 B. Specifically, the retention structure  218  includes a ramp  362  and a ridge  364  and the retention structure  154  includes a ramp  370  and a ridge  376 . As the timer  118  is moved upward into the empty sub-cavity  178 , the partition wall  142 C bows outward as the ramp  362  slides upward on the ramp  370  until the ridge  364  is above the ridge  376 , at which point the wall  142 C rebounds and ridge  376  overlaps the ridge  364  to create the snap-fit connection between the timer  118  and the base  106 . The timer  118  is also connected to the base  106  via fastening members  217  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 ), which extend through the coupler  216  and into the openings  382  ( FIG. 3 ) in the base  106 . 
         [0036]    The snap-fit connection between the timer  118  and the base  106 , and between the motor  112  and the base  106 , may mate the coupling component of the outlet  244  of the timer  118  with the coupling component of the inlet  262  of the motor  112 . As described above, the timer  118  is connected to the motor  112  by inserting the tabs  250 A,  250 B in the slots  304 A,  304 B and rotating the timer  118  ninety degrees)(90°). Alternatively, however, a fluid-tight connection may be established by aligning the outlet  244  and the inlet  262  and then connecting the timer  118  and the motor  112  to the base  106 , such that the snap-fit connections mate the outlet  244  with the inlet  262 . 
         [0037]    The water sprinkler  100  may be manufactured according to the following process. First, the outlet  244  of the timer  118  is fluidly connected to the inlet  262  of the motor  112  to form a fluid-tight connection therebetween. As described above, the fluid-tight connection is achieved by inserting the tabs  250 A,  250 B into the slots  304 A,  304 B and rotating the timer  118  approximately ninety degrees. Next, the timer  118  and motor  112  as a unit are connected to the base  106  with a snap-fit connection between the retention structure  154  and the retention structure  218 , and a snap-fit connection between the retention structures  160 A,  160 B and the retention structures  276 A,  276 B. The outlet  244  remains mated with the inlet  262  when the snap-fit connections exist between the timer  118  and the base  106  and the motor  112  the base  106 . Next, the coupler  216  is fastened to the base  106  to further secure the timer  118  to the base  106 . Furthermore, the coupler  358  is connected to the base  106  to further secure the motor  112  to the base  106 . Finally, the distributor  124  is fluidly coupled to the outlet  274  of the motor  112  and is mechanically connected to the drive member  298 . 
         [0038]    The water sprinkler  100  may be operated according to the following process. First, the garden hose  130 , is connected to the inlet  214  of the timer  118  via the internally threaded coupling  400 . Next, the dial  226  is moved to select a predetermined time period, and the water sprinkler  100  is placed in the predetermined area. Thereafter, water is supplied to the inlet  214  via the garden hose  130 . The timer  118  enables water flowing through the inlet  214  to flow to the outlet  244  because the timer  118  is in the “on” mode. From the outlet  244  of the timer  118  the water flows through the inlet  262  and then the outlet  274  of the motor  112 . Within the motor  112 , the flow of the water causes the drive member  298  to oscillate, which in turn causes the distributor  124  to oscillate. From the outlet  274  of the motor  112  the water flows through the inlet  310  of the distributor  124  and then exits the distributor  124  through the outlets  316  onto the predetermined area. 
         [0039]    The device described herein has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications, and further applications that come within the spirit of the device described herein are desired to be protected.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1