Patent Abstract:
A water sprinkler includes a base defining a first cavity and an outflow opening, a conduit assembly positioned in said first cavity and defining a first channel and a second channel, and said first channel defining a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, and further said second channel defining a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, and a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, said timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, wherein said first channel outlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer inlet, wherein said second channel inlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer outlet, and wherein said base and said conduit assembly are configured so that fluid advancing through the water sprinkler must pass through both (i) said second channel outlet, and (ii) said outflow opening.

Full Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to water sprinklers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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. Water sprinklers are 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 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 spray tube. 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. 
     Typically, in response to being fluidly coupled to a water supply, water sprinklers begin to distribute water through the distributor. Some water sprinklers, however, include a timer for controlling the flow of water through the distributor. In an “on” position the timer enables water to flow from the water supply to the distributor. In an “off” position the timer prevents water from flowing to the distributor. The timer is configured to remain in the “on” position for a predetermined time period. At the expiration of the predetermined time period the timer enters the “off” position to stop the flow of water to the distributor. 
     There is a continuing need in the art to provide a water sprinkler that is less complicated to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a water sprinkler that includes a base defining a first cavity and an outflow opening, a conduit assembly positioned in said first cavity and defining a first channel and a second channel, and said first channel defining a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, and further said second channel defining a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, and a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, said timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, wherein said first channel outlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer inlet, wherein said second channel inlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer outlet, and wherein said base and said conduit assembly are configured so that fluid advancing through the water sprinkler must pass through both (i) said second channel outlet, and (ii) said outflow opening. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a water sprinkler is provided that includes a base having a base outlet structure defining an outflow opening, said base further defining an inflow opening and a timer opening, a conduit assembly supported by said base and defining a first channel and a second channel, said first channel defining a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, and said second channel defining a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, and a timer mechanism extending through said timer opening and having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, said timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, wherein said first channel outlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer inlet, wherein said second channel inlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer outlet, wherein said conduit assembly includes a conduit outlet structure defining said second channel outlet, wherein said conduit outlet structure is aligned with said base outlet structure, and wherein said first channel is aligned with said inflow opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water sprinkler having a conduit assembly and a timer mechanism according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1  taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1 , with the conduit assembly and the timer mechanism removed for clarity of viewing; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a conduit assembly of the water sprinkler of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the conduit assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the conduit assembly of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the conduit assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     A water sprinkler  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 , distributes water within a predetermined area. The water sprinkler  100  includes a base  104 , a conduit assembly  108  ( FIG. 2 ), a timer mechanism  112 , and a distributor  116 . The conduit assembly  108 , which is positioned on the underside of the base  104 , fluidly couples a water supply conduit  105  to the timer mechanism  112 . The conduit assembly  108  also fluidly couples the timer mechanism  112  to the distributor  116 . In response to the timer mechanism  112  being in an “on” mode, the distributor  116  distributes water from the water supply conduit onto the predetermined area. In response to the timer mechanism  112  being in an “off” mode, the distributor  116  prevents water from being sprayed onto the predetermined area. 
     The base  104  supports and positions the components of the water sprinkler  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The base  104  is formed from an injection molded thermoplastic material. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  104  includes, among other features, a cavity  120 , a cavity  124 , a base outlet structure  126 , and an inflow opening  132 . The cavity  120  extends longitudinally from the edge  140  to a partition  144  between the cavity  120  and the cavity  124 . A width of the cavity  120  generally extends from an edge  148  to an edge  152 . The base defines five sides of the cavity  120 . A sixth side of the cavity  120  is open (the bottom side in  FIG. 2 ). The cavity  124  extends longitudinally from the partition  144  to an edge  156 . A width of the cavity  124  extends from an edge  160  to an edge  165 . The base  104  defines five sides of the cavity  124 . A sixth side of the cavity  124  is open (the bottom side in  FIG. 2 ). A passage  162  is defined in the partition  144  and allows fluid to be advanced from the cavity  120  to the cavity  124  via the conduit assembly  108 . The passage  162  has a width as shown by reference line  166  of  FIG. 3  and a height as shown by reference line  170  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The outlet structure  126  defines an outflow opening  128  through the base  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outflow opening  128  is formed through a top side of the base  104 . A center of the outflow opening  128  is aligned with a longitudinal center of the cavity  120 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The exemplary outflow opening  128  is circular; however, the outlet structure  126  may define an outflow opening  128  having a rectangular periphery or any other periphery as determined, in part, by the external periphery of the portion of the conduit assembly  108  that extends through the outflow opening  128 . 
     The base  104  also defines an inflow opening  132  through the edge  140 . A center of the inflow opening  132  is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cavity  120 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The inflow opening  132  is only partially surrounded by the base  104 . In particular, a bottom side of the inflow opening  132  is not surrounded by the base  104 . A portion of the periphery of the inflow opening  132  matches approximately a cross section of a tube portion  200  ( FIG. 4 ) of the conduit assembly  108 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the base  104  includes a lateral extension  164  and a lateral extension  168 . The lateral extensions  164 ,  168 , also referred to herein as handles  164 ,  168 , may be grasped by a user to transport the water sprinkler  100 . For example, the garden hose  105  is coupled to the water sprinkler  100 , and a user may grasp one or more of the lateral extensions  164 ,  168  to move the water sprinkler  100  while the garden hose  105  remains attached to the water sprinkler  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  104  includes numerous support fins  172 . The fins  172  are provided to increase the rigidity of the base  104 . In particular, the fins  172  ensure that the structural integrity of the base  104  is not compromised in response to the base  104  being subjected to a compressive force. Additionally, the fins  172  ensure that the structural integrity of the base  104  is not compromised in response to a force being exerted upon the handles  164 ,  168 . For example, some users may attempt to move the water sprinkler  100  with a garden hose coupled to the water sprinkler  100 . As is commonly the case, the garden hose may become caught or tangled upon an outdoor feature. The fins  172  ensure that the structural integrity of the base  104  is not compromised should a user attempt to dislodge the hose from the outdoor feature by exerting a force upon one or more of the handles  164 ,  168 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the conduit assembly  108  is positioned within the cavity  120  and the cavity  124 . The conduit assembly  108  is formed from an injection moldable thermoplastic material. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the conduit assembly  108  includes a tube portion  200 , a housing  204 , a conduit inlet structure  208 , and a conduit outlet structure  212 . The tube portion  200 , housing  204 , inlet structure  208 , and outlet structure  212  are integrally formed as a single part. Alternatively, such components may be formed separately and then glued, fused, or otherwise joined together. The inlet structure  208  is configured to form an end of the tube portion  200 , and the housing  204  is configured to form an opposite end of the tube portion  200 . The conduit outlet structure  212  is configured to form an intermediate portion of the tube portion  200  that is between the inlet structure  208  and the housing  204 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tube portion  200  includes a divider  224  that separates the internal volume of the tube portion  200  into a channel  228  and a channel  232 . The divider  224  (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) extends diametrically within the internal volume of the tube portion  200 . The divider  224  is an imperforate structure that fluidly decouples the channel  228  from the channel  232 . The channel  232  occupies a bottom portion of the tube portion  200  and the channel  228  occupies a top portion of the tube portion  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the channel  228  includes an inlet  236  and an outlet  240 . Similarly, the channel  232  includes an inlet  244  and an outlet  248 . Both the channel  228  and the channel  232  extend through the passage  162  in the partition  144 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the channel  232  extends through the inflow opening  132  and is at least partially aligned with the inflow opening  132 . The channel  228  is spaced apart from the inflow opening  132 . 
     The inlet structure  208  defines the inlet  244  of the channel  232 . In response to the water sprinkler  100  being coupled to a water supply, water flows into the inlet structure  208  through the inlet  244 , through the channel  232 , and then through the outlet  248 . As described below, water exiting the outlet  248  is received by the timer mechanism  112  and then selectively fluidly coupled to the channel  228 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outlet structure  212  is positioned within the outlet structure  126  so as to be coaxial with the outlet structure  126  and the outflow opening  128  when the conduit assembly  108  is received by the base  104 . The position of the outlet structure  212  on the tube portion  200  depends on, among other factors, the position of the outflow opening  128 . As a result, in embodiments alternative to the one shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the outlet structure  212  may be positioned at or near the middle of the tube portion  200 . Alternatively, the outlet structure  212  is positioned near the housing  204 . In each embodiment, the outlet structure  212  defines the outlet  240 . Therefore, water flows from the inlet  236 , through the channel  228 , and then through the outlet structure  212  and the outflow opening  128 . The outlet structure  212  includes internal threads that are configured to meshingly engage the external threads of the distributor  116 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing  204  is connected to the end of the tube portion  200  near the outlet  248  and the inlet  236 . The housing  204  is received by the base  104  in the cavity  124 . The chamber  260  is configured to receive the timer mechanism  112 , such that the timer mechanism  112  is at least partially positioned within the chamber  260 . Accordingly, the internal dimensions of the housing  204  match approximately the external dimension of the timer mechanism  112 . The housing  204  includes openings  328  for receiving fastening members (not shown) configured to secure the timer mechanism  112  to the housing  204 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the housing  204  also includes a passageway  252  that is aligned with both the outlet  248  and the inlet  236 . The passageway  252  is an opening through the surface  256  of the housing  204 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the base  104  includes an interlock  216  and an interlock  220  for securing the housing  204  the base  104 . The interlocks  216 ,  220  are resilient members that are biased toward each other. The interlocks  216 ,  220  fixedly secure the housing  204  to the base  104  in response to the conduit assembly  108  being inserted into the cavity  120  and the cavity  124 . The housing  204  of the conduit assembly  108  is decoupled from the base  104  by flexing the interlocks  216 ,  220  away from each other. 
     The conduit assembly  108  includes a support tang  264 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  7 . The support tang  264  is connected to the inlet structure  208  and extends in a downward direction. When the water sprinkler  100  is placed on a surface, the support tang  264  contacts the surface to prevent the conduit assembly  108  from moving relative to the base  104  in response to a downward force being exerted upon the inlet structure  208 . The support tang  264  is at least partially positioned in the inflow opening  132  of the base  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the water sprinkler  100  includes a coupling  268 . The coupling  268 , which may be referred to as a hose coupling, is supported by the inlet structure  208 . The coupling  268 , includes internal threads that are configured to meshingly engage an externally threaded coupling  105 C of the garden hose  105 . Accordingly, the coupling  268  fluidly couples the garden hose  105  to the tube portion  200 , and in particular couples the garden hose  105  to the channel  232 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the coupling  268  is in fluid communication with the inlet  244 . 
     The timer mechanism  112  regulates the flow of water from the inlet structure  208  to the outlet structure  212 . A portion of the timer mechanism  112  is received by the housing  204 , and another portion of the timer mechanism  112  is positioned outside of the cavity  124 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The timer mechanism  112  includes a casing  300 , a mechanical timer  304 , a diaphragm  308 , a dial  312 , an input  316 , and an output  320 , among other components. The casing  300  is secured to the housing  204  to connect the timer mechanism  112  to the conduit assembly  108 . The casing  300  includes openings  324  (only one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) through which fasteners extend into the openings  328  of the housing  204 . The fasteners connect fixedly the timer mechanism  112  to the housing  204 . The dial  312 , which is located outside of the cavity  124 , extends through a timer opening  330  defined by the base  104 . 
     In response to the timer mechanism  112  being connected to the housing  204 , the inlet  316  is positioned in fluid communication with the outlet  248  and the outlet  320  is positioned in fluid communication with the inlet  236 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The inlet  316  and the outlet  320  protrude from the casing  300  such that in response to the casing  300  being inserted into the housing  204 , the inlet  316  extends through the outlet  248  and into the channel  232 , and the outlet  320  extends through the inlet  236  into the channel  228 . The timer mechanism  112  may include a gasket that surrounds the input  316  and the output  320  to ensure that a fluid-tight junction is formed between the outlet  248  and the inlet  316  and the outlet  320  and the inlet  236 . A gasket, however, is not required to form the fluid-tight junction between the outlet  248  and the inlet  316  and the outlet  320  and the inlet  236 . 
     The timer mechanism  112  selectively fluidly couples the channel  228  to the channel  232 . As described above, the timer mechanism  112  includes a mechanical timer  304  and a diaphragm  308 . The diaphragm  308  is positioned in a chamber  332 . The chamber  332  is fluidly coupled to the inlet  316  and the outlet  320 . The mechanical timer  304  is configured to move the diaphragm  308  within the chamber  332  to couple selectively the inlet  316  to the outlet  320 . In particular, the mechanical timer  304  may be configured in an “on” configuration or an “off” configuration. In the “on” configuration the mechanical timer  304  positions the diaphragm  308  to couple fluidly the channel  228  to the channel  232 , thereby enabling water to flow through the inlet  316 , into the chamber  332 , and through the outlet  320 . Accordingly, when the mechanical timer  304  is in the “on” configuration, water from the water supply flows through the inlet structure  208 , through the channel  232 , into the inlet  316 , through the chamber  332 , out the outlet  320 , through the channel  228 , out the outlet  240 , and into the distributor  116 . In the “off” configuration the mechanical timer  304  positions the diaphragm  308  to decouple fluidly the channel  228  from the channel  232 , thereby preventing fluid in the channel  232  from flowing into the chamber  332 . Accordingly, in response to the timer mechanism  112  being in the “off” configuration, water from the water supply is prevented from flowing into the chamber  332 , the outlet  320 , the channel  228 , or the distributor  116 . The timer mechanism  112  is not limited to the exemplary diaphragm  308  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In particular, the timer mechanism  112  may be any device or apparatus that selectively couples the channel  228  to the channel  232  in response to the state of a mechanical timer. 
     The mechanical timer  304  remains in the “on” configuration for a predetermined time period. At the conclusion of the predetermined time period the mechanical timer  304  enters the “off” configuration. A user selects the predetermined time period by rotating the dial  312 , which is rotatably coupled to the mechanical timer  304 . An exemplary range of the predetermined time period is from approximately twenty minutes to three hours. 
     The distributor  116 , also referred to as a distribution device or a sprinkler head, is coupled to the base  104  and the conduit assembly  108 . In particular, the distributor  116  is connected to the outlet structure  212  through the outflow opening  128 . When the water sprinkler  100  is connected to a water supply and the mechanical timer  304  is in the “on” configuration, the distributor  116  distributes water from the water supply within the predetermined area. The distributor  116  is an oscillating distributor as shown in  FIG. 1 , but may alternatively be a stationary or other known type of distributor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the distributor  116  includes an inlet structure  400  and outlet  404 . The inlet structure  400  defines an inlet opening  402 , which is in fluid communication with the outlet structure  212 , the outlet  240 , and the channel  228 . The inlet structure  400  includes external threads configured to meshingly engage the internal threads of the outlet structure  212 . When the threads of the inlet structure  400  are meshed with the threads of the outlet structure  212 , a fluid tight seal is formed between the inlet structure  400  and the outlet  240 . Water exiting the conduit assembly  108  through the outlet  240  is received by the inlet opening  402  and exits the distributor  116  through the outlet  404 . The distributor  116  may also include a water motor configured to move the outlet  404  in response to the flow of water through the inlet opening  402 . 
     To assemble the water sprinkler  100 , the timer mechanism  112  is inserted into the housing  204 , such that the inlet  316  is inserted into the outlet  248  and the outlet  320  is inserted into the inlet  236 . A fluid tight seal is formed between the inlet  316  and the outlet  248  and between the outlet  320  and the inlet  236  in response to the timer mechanism  112  being inserted into the housing  204 . Next, to ensure that the timer mechanism  112  remains seated within the housing  204 , fasteners are inserted through the openings  324  and the openings  328 . Subsequently, the conduit assembly  108 , having the timer mechanism  112  mounted to the housing  204 , is coupled to the base  104 . In particular, the housing  204  is seated in the cavity  124  and the tube portion  200  is seated in the cavity  120  and the cavity  124 . The dial  312  extends through the timer opening  330  in the base  104 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Upon inserting the tube portion  200  into the cavity  120 , the outlet structure  212  is fitted through the outflow opening  128 . The interlocks  216 ,  220  engage the casing  300  to secure the housing  204  of the conduit assembly  108  to the base  104 . Next, the coupling  268  is connected to the inlet structure  208  and the distributor  116  is threadingly coupled to the outlet structure  212 . 
     In operation, the water sprinkler  100  distributes water from a water supply selectively over a predetermined area. To configure the water sprinkler  100  to distribute water, a water supply conduit  105 , such as a garden hose, is connected to a water supply. Then, the water supply conduit  105  is fluidly coupled to the inlet structure  208 . In particular, the internal threads of the coupling  268  are meshingly engaged with the external threads of the coupling  105 C of the garden hose  105  to couple fluidly the garden hose  105  to the channel  232 . Typically, a valve or spigot regulates the flow of water through the garden hose  105 . Next, the mechanical timer  304  is set for a predetermined time period by rotating the dial  312  to select a desired time period. Setting the timer mechanism  112  for the desired time period configures the timer mechanism  112  in the “on” configuration for the duration of the time period. 
     After the timer mechanism  112  is configured, the spigot is positioned to enable water to flow through the garden hose  105  to the water sprinkler  100 . Water from the garden hose  105  flows through the input structure  208  and is diverted by the diverter  224  into the channel  232 . Next, because the timer mechanism is in the “on” configuration, water flows through the inlet  316 , into the chamber  332 , and then through the outlet  320 . After flowing through the timer mechanism  112 , the water flows through the channel  228  and the output structure  212 . Water flowing through the output structure  212 , flows through the inlet opening  402  and then is distributed onto the predetermined area after it exits the outlet  404 . Accordingly, the water sprinkler  100  is configured such that water distributed by the distributor  116  must first pass through both the outlet  240  and the outflow opening  128 , before the water is ejected from the water sprinkler  100  by the distributor  116 . 
     At the expiration of the predetermined time period of the timer mechanism  112 , the water sprinkler  100  stops distributing water provided by the water supply. In particular, at the expiration of the predetermined time period the mechanical timer  304  causes the diaphragm  308  to move to the position in which the channel  228  is fluidly decoupled from the channel  232 . Accordingly, the water from the water supply enters the channel  232 , but is prevented from flowing through the outlet  248  due to the position of the diaphragm  308 . 
     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