Patent Abstract:
A irrigation device which has a sprinkler head and a wind driven device is disclosed. The device has a support frame which provides water to the sprinkler head. The support frame may include a number of pipes which supply water to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head may have a rotating bearing and arms which are allow water to be sprayed out in various patterns. The force of the water also rotates the sprinkler head around the bearing. The support frame or sprinkler head also supports a wind driven device which may be audio, visual or both. For example, the support frame may suspend wind driven chimes.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a sprinkler unit with an aesthetic wind driven feature. More specifically, a sprinkler unit having a frame mounting a rotating sprinkler head and a wind chime is disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     There has been a demand for irrigation in garden or lawn areas. One method of irrigating such areas is to use a network of pipes connected to sprinkler heads. The sprinkler heads are installed on vertical pipes which are installed to irrigate a certain area. The sprinkler heads are capped by a nozzle head which allows water to be forced out of the nozzle head, under pressure, in various spray patterns. The nozzle head design determines the spray pattern from the sprinkler head. In order to maximize the area which are covered by each of the sprinkler heads, the sprinkler heads are designed to rotate thus throwing water over a circular area. 
     Since gardens are often set up as outdoor decoration, it is desirable to have gardens or lawn areas be aesthetically pleasing. The sight of sprinkler heads or pipes is unsightly and may spoil the decorative effect of the garden. Additionally, the sprinkler heads may not be sufficiently adaptable if watering must be changed over a certain area or different plants requiring different watering are moved to the garden. 
     Another method of watering a lawn or a garden is through the use of a portable sprinkler which may be connected to a hose and then moved to any location desired. Through use of water pressure and various directional heads, different spray patterns may be obtained. This has the advantage of leaving the garden area in pristine condition when the watering is completed. Additionally, should a gardener change the location of the garden or the plants in the garden, the watering patterns may easily be adapted. However, a portable sprinkler suffers from the problem of requiring greater labor in order to irrigate an area. Furthermore, a portable sprinkler also ruins the aesthetic appeal of the garden area when it is employed. 
     Thus there exists a need for an aesthetically pleasing sprinkler which may be placed in a garden to provide irrigation. There is a further need for a combination sprinkler and support for garden plants. There is another need for a sprinkler which has devices which can create aesthetically pleasing effects when driven by the wind. There is also a need to provide an adaptable sprinkler which could be combined with wind driven devices for decorative effect when irrigating an area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other needs may be addressed by the present invention which may be embodied in a combination sprinkler and wind driven ornament fixture for use with a pressurized fluid source. The fixture has a fluid inlet connector and a framework. A pipe is in fluid communication with the connector and supported by the framework. A fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the pipe. A wind driven device is suspended by the framework 
     The present invention may also be embodied in a trellis sprinkler for use with a water source. The trellis sprinkler has a pair of vertical pipe supports having a bottom end and a top end. An arcuate pipe member is fluidly coupled to the top ends of the vertical pipe supports. A sprinkler head is fluidly coupled to the arcuate pipe member. A water source connector is coupled to one of the pair of vertical pipe supports. A cross rod is connected between the vertical pipe supports. A wind driven decorative device is suspended by the cross rod. 
     The invention may also be embodied in a decorative sprinkler for use with a water hose. The sprinkler has a vertical pipe having a bottom end and a top end. A hose coupler is fluidly coupled to the bottom of the pipe. A sprinkler head member is fluidly coupled to top end of the pipe and a wind driven decorative device suspended by the sprinkler head. 
    
    
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are not limiting but are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trellis sprinkler according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a back view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a trellis sprinkler according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG. 5, 
     FIG. 7 is a back view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the trellis sprinkler of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a whirling sprinkler according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third d alternate embodiment of a whirling sprinkler according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the present invention is capable of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there is shown therein a trellis sprinkler assembly generally indicated at  10 , which is an embodiment of the present invention. The trellis sprinkler assembly  10  is connected to a hose  12  which supplies water from a spigot. The trellis sprinkler assembly  10  has a frame  14  which has two diametrically opposed main support pipes  16  and  18 . The support pipes  16  and  18  are hollow and preferably constructed of copper or steel tubing and extend the length of the assembly. It is to be understood that other malleable materials such as aluminum or steel rods may be used as long as they may be formed into hollow piping which can support the assembly. It is to be understood that other configurations of the frame  14  may be used as long as they provide a sturdy base support. The support pipe  16  has a top end  20  and a bottom end  22 . The support pipe  18  also has a top end  24  and a bottom end  26 . A group of cross braces  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  connect along the length of the support pipes  16  and  18 . The cross braces  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  are connected to the support pipes  16  and  18  by welding preferably but other means of connection such as brackets, bolts etc. may be used. A lateral support  36  is installed perpendicularly to the plane formed by the support pipes  16  and  18  and cross braces  28 - 34 . 
     The lateral support  36  has a pair of vertical members  38  and  40 . The vertical member  38  has a top end  42  and a bottom end  44 . The vertical member  40  also has a top end  46  and a bottom end  48 . An arcuate rod  50  joins the top end  42  of the vertical member  38  with the top end  46  of the vertical member  40 . The arcuate rod  50  also is connected to the cross brace  28 . A cross member  52  joins the vertical members  38  and  40  near their bottom ends  44  and  48 . The cross member  52  also is connected to the cross brace  34 . 
     The cross braces  28 - 34 , arcuate rod  50  and cross member  52  each have a center hole through which a center shaft  54  is inserted therethrough to provide further stability to the frame  14 . The cross braces  28 - 34  also have a pair of side holes through which a pair of secondary shafts  56  and  58  are inserted. The secondary shafts  56  and  58  each have a bottom end  60  and  62  respectively which are inserted in the cross brace  34 . The secondary shafts  56  and  58  also have top ends  64  and  66  respectively. The top ends  64  and  66  of the secondary shafts  56  and  58  are joined by an arcuate member  68 . 
     The top ends  64  and  66  of the secondary shafts  56  and  58  are also joined by a horizontal rod  70 . The horizontal rod  70  allows the suspension of wind driven visual/audio devices. For example, a series of chimes  72  are suspended by strings  74  from the horizontal rod  70 . A rectangular frame  76  is connected to the secondary shafts  56  and  58  to restrain the swinging of the chimes  72 . The chimes  72  are blown against each other by wind resulting in pleasing tunes. 
     Other different numbers of chimes or different sound devices such as pipes, bells and wooden sticks may be employed with the frame  14 . In addition, non percussion type wind driven devices may be employed where wind blowing across an opening produces sounds similar to that of a flute or a whistle. Furthermore, visually pleasing wind driven devices such as pin wheels, spinners, glass beads, ceramic beads, shells, stones, molded plastic shapes, crystal like icicles, fabric banners, etched plastic or glass panels, or stained glass panels may be combined with the sound devices or used alone for aesthetic value. Additionally, electronic devices may be activated by wind in order to provide greater decorative or audio effect such as lights, audio devices or mechanical elements. 
     The top end  20  of the support pipe  16  is fluidly connected to one end of an arcuate pipe  80  which has an opposite end joined to the top end  24  of the support pipe  18 . The middle of the arcuate pipe  80  is joined to the arcuate member  68  to provide further support for the secondary shafts  56  and  58  supporting the horizontal rod  70  and the chimes  72 . The arcuate pipe  80  has a rotating bearing  82  which provides fluid connection to a sprinkler head member  84 . The sprinkler head member  84  in this example has a pair of arcuate arms  86  and  88 . The sprinkler head member  84  has a decorative top orb  90 . The arcuate arms  86  and  88  are hollow allowing water flow from the rotating bearing  82 . The arcuate arm  86  has a series of water flow outlets  92  and the arcuate arm  88  has a series of water flow outlets  94 . The ends of the arcuate arms  86  and  88  are connected to decorative orbs  96  and  98  respectively which are visually identical to the top orb  90 . The sprinkler head member  84  is rotatable around the bearing  82 . Water is supplied to the sprinkler head member  84  via a hose connector  100  on the bottom end  22  of the bottom support  16 . The hose connector  100  in this example has a cylindrical body  102  with interior female threads  104  which may be connected to a male hose member. 
     It is to be understood that any type of compatible sprinkler head may be used rather than the configuration shown here. For example the spray outlets may be mounted on the orbs  90 ,  96  and  98  if desired. Furthermore, other sprinkler head shapes such as a circular ring, triangular, square or diamond shapes with decorative inner elements could be used. Additionally, additional outlets may be added such that the water strikes the wind driven device such as the chimes  72  for an additional visual or audio effect. The sprinkler head member  84  may be designed to be visually compatible with the shape of the frame  14  for maximum aesthetic effect. 
     It is also to be understood that the frame  14  may be of any shape or size so long as it provides water communication with the sprinkler head  84 . The frame  14  may also be used as part of a garden such as for supporting climbing plants. The frame  14  may also be adapted to support other garden objects. The frame  14  in this example has a pair of side shafts  106  and  108  which extend from the support pipes  16  and  18  respectively. The side shafts  106  and  108  each have ring shaped flowerpot holders  110  and  112  respectively. The frame  14  may also be connected to hooks, hangers, arms etc. for supporting hanging baskets and the like. 
     In operation, the frame  14  may be mounted in place or the ends  22  and  26  of the support pipes  16  and  18  and the ends  44  and  48  of the support members  38  and  40  may be inserted into the ground. Pressurized water is supplied by the hose  12  connected to the hose connector  100 . Alternatively if the frame  14  is fixed in place a permanent pipe may be connected to the hose connector  100 . The water moves up the pipe support  16  and through the bearing  82  to the sprinkler head member  84 . The water then moves down through the arms  86  and  88  and out through the spray outlet ports  92  and  94 . The water exiting through the spray outlet ports  92  and  94  imparts rotational force causing the arms  86  and  88  to rotate on the bearing  82 . The water streaming from the outlet ports  92  and  94  combined with the rotation of the sprinkler head  84  thus may also create a decorative effect. The frame  14  may thus be used to water nearby plants or plants which may be put in flowerpots on the flowerpot holders  110  and  112 . 
     Another example of the present invention may be seen in a combination wind instrument and sprinkler  200  shown in FIGS. 5-8. The sprinkler  200  has a support frame  202  which has a pair of vertical support pipes  204  and  206 . The support pipes  204  and  206  are hollow and have top ends  208  and  210  respectively and bottom ends  212  and  214  respectively. The support pipes  204  and  206  are connected by a lateral cross member  216 . One end of the cross member  216  is inserted in a T-shaped coupler  218  which is joined to the middle of the support pipe  204 . The other end of the cross member  216  is inserted in a T-shaped coupler  220  joined to the middle of the support pipe  206 . 
     The top end  208  of the support pipe  204  is fluidly connected to one end of an arcuate pipe  222  which has an opposite end joined to the top end  210  of the support pipe  206 . The middle of the arcuate pipe  222  has a rotating bearing  224  which provides fluid connection to a sprinkler head member  226 . The sprinkler head member  226  in this example has a pair of arcuate arms  228  and  230  and is similar to the sprinkler head member  84  in FIGS. 1-4. The sprinkler head member  226  has a decorative top orb  232 . The arcuate arm  228  has a series of water flow outlets  234  and the arcuate arm  230  has a series of water flow outlets  236 . The ends of the arcuate arms  228  and  230  are connected to decorative orbs  238  and  240  respectively which are visually identical to the top orb  232 . The sprinkler head member  226  is rotatable around the bearing  224 . 
     The ends of the arcuate pipe  222  are joined by a horizontal rod  242 . The horizontal rod  242  allows the suspension of wind driven visual/audio devices. For example, a series of chimes  244  are suspended by strings  246  from the horizontal rod  242 . A rectangular frame  248  is connected to the support pipes  204  and  206  to restrain the swinging of the chimes  244 . The chimes  244  are blown against each other or the support frame  246  by wind resulting in pleasing tunes. As explained above, any wind driven device may be used instead of the chimes  244 . 
     The end  212  of the pipe support  204  is coupled to a hose connector  250 . The hose connector  250  in this example has a cylindrical body  252  with interior female threads  254  which may be connected to a male hose member. The water moves up the pipe support  204  and through the bearing  224  to the sprinkler head member  226 . The water then moves down through the arms  228  and  230  and out through the spray heads  232  and  234 . The water exiting through the spray heads  232  and  234  imparts rotational force causing the arms  228  and  230  to rotate on the bearing  224 . The frame  202  may thus be used to water nearby plants. 
     The hose connector  250  is mounted on a plate  256 . The plate  256  is bolted to two braces  260  and  262 . The brace  260  has two vertically extending legs  264  and  266  which each have a spike shaped end  268  and  270  respectively. The brace  262  also has two vertically extending legs  272  and  274  which each have a spike shaped end  276  and  278  respectively. 
     The bottom end  214  of the pipe support  206  is connected to a brace  280 . The brace  280  has a plate  282  which has a top surface with a pipe  284  attached. The bottom end  214  of the pipe support  206  is inserted over the pipe  284 . The bottom end  214  of the pipe support  206  and the pipe  284  have a lateral hole. A pin  286  is inserted through the bottom end  214  of the support pipe  206  and pipe  284  via the lateral hole to lock the support pipe  206  to the brace  280 . The plate  282  also has a rod  286  which has a spiked end  288 . The real  286  is installed at an angle to the plate  282  in order to provide better stability and support. The frame  200  may be installed in a flat area by inserting the spiked ends  268 ,  270 ,  276  and  278  into the ground and the spiked end  288  of the rod  286 . This provides a stable base for the frame  204  to be supported in an upright position. Of course other mounting methods could be employed. 
     Another alternative sprinkler configuration may be seen in a whirling decorative sprinkler  300  shown in FIG.  9 . The sprinkler  300  has a central support pipe  302 . The central support pipe  302  has a top end  304  and a bottom end  306 . The bottom end  306  is mounted on a support base  308 . A pair of bracing members  310  and  312  are bolted to the top of the support base  308 . The bracing member  310  has a pair of vertical spikes  314  and  316  and the bracing member  312  has a pair of vertical spikes  318  and  320 . The sprinkler  300  may thus be fixed by inserting the spikes  314 - 320  into the ground. The bottom end  306  of central support pipe  302  is fluidly connected to a hose connector  322  which is located on the support base  308 . 
     The top end  304  of the support pipe  302  is fluidly coupled to a sprinkler head  324  via a rotating bearing  326 . The sprinkler head  324  in this example has a circular pipe  328  which has a number of water outlets  330 . Water pressure from the pipe  302  causes water to exit the sprinkler head  324  via the water outlets  330 . The force from the water also causes the circular pipe  328  to rotate on the bearing  326 . 
     A suspended oval frame member  332  is attached to the bottom of the circular pipe  328 . The oval frame member  332  has a number of mounting holes  334 . Each of the mounting holes  334  contains a string  336  tied to a peg  338 . The strings  336  suspend a number of decorative beads  340 . Preferably, the decorative beads are acrylic and either given a tiki or colored pattern or are clear. When the wind blows the beads  340  they hit each other and produce sounds. Additionally, when the sprinkler head  324  is activated, the water spray in combination with the beads  340  create an aesthetic effect. 
     Another alternative sprinkler configuration may be seen in the decorative sprinkler  400  shown in FIG.  10 . The sprinkler  400  is similar to the sprinkler  200  described in FIGS. 5-8 and thus identical parts have identical element numbers in FIG.  10 . The wind chimes  244  and their mounting supports have been replaced in the sprinkler  400 . A pair of rings  402  and  404  are connected to the arcuate pipe  222  under the rotating bearing  224 . A pair of wires  406  and  408  are tied to the rings  402  and  404  respectively. The other end of the wires  406  and  408  are tied to a pair of rings  410  and  412  which are connected to a suspended oval frame member  414 . The oval frame member  414  has a number of mounting holes  416 . Each of the mounting holes  416  contains a string  418  tied to a peg  420 . The strings  418  contain a number of decorative beads  422 . When the wind blows the beads  422  they hit each other and produce sounds. The beads  422  may be made with attractive colors or patterns to further enhance the aesthetic effect of the sprinkler  400 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the foregoing descriptions but is intended to cover all modifications and variations that come within the scope of the spirit of the invention and the claims that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1