Abstract:
A trim ring is placed around an in-ground lawn sprinkler to discourage grass growth around it and to protect the sprinkler assembly by indicating its location. The sprinkler trim ring comprises two complementary plates, each having a notch or indents which, when assembled, forms a central aperture fitting around a sprinkler body. The overlapped plates are engaged and secured to each other by screws through slots in the upper plate and screwed into the lower plate. The slots permit sliding of the plates to increase or decrease the tightness on the sprinkler body. Grooves are provided on the bottom of both plates allowing breaking off portions to adapt to a larger sprinkler body and/or to installation site limitations.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to sprinkler head protective devices, and more particularly to a new and improved sprinkler trim ring adapted to be installed, substantially flush with the ground surface, in a surrounding relationship relative to a sprinkler head for indicating the location of the sprinkler head and for minimizing grass growth around it. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A common problem for owners of in-ground sprinkler systems, wherein the underlying piping is completely embedded in the ground with the sprinkler heads rising above ground level, is that grass grows excessively immediately around each of the lawn sprinkler heads. The excessive growth can occur to such a degree that it virtually covers the sprinkler heads and seriously interferes with their proper operation. An added problem of the excessive growth is that the sprinkler heads become hidden and thus are prone to be run over by a lawnmower and be damaged by the wheels or blades of the lawnmower. 
     Various prior art designs have attempted to overcome the above mentioned problems and such are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,250 to Block, U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,642 to Di Santo, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,338 to Leite et. al. The Block Patent discloses an earlier concept wherein a plate assembly is provided in a slight recess in the ground and has slots to enable installing two semi-circular plates around the sprinkler body and under the flange portion of the sprinkler head. U-shaped closure clips keep the installed plates together in place. The Block device is time consuming to install, requiring the soil around a sprinkler head to be dug away a sufficient distance to enable the plates to slide under the flange portion of the sprinkler head. In addition, using the closure clips to lock the plates together is a cumbersome operation. 
     The Di Santo patent discloses a grass guard comprising two member pieces of which the first piece has a slot in it enabling installation under the top flange of a sprinkler head. The second piece, a slot closer piece, having grooves in the edges is slideably received in the slot to close the ring and complete coverage of the space immediately under the flange. A tongue-in-groove relationship of the slotted piece and the slot closer piece facilitates the alignment. The Di Santo device suffers the disadvantages that the tongue and groove locking mechanism is relatively expensive to manufacture, and that the grooves can trap dirt, thus making the sliding motion difficult. 
     The Leite patent discloses a sprinkler shield of a single plate construction having a plurality of radial slots extending from a central bore to provide sufficient flexibility to allow the plate to be installed around an existing sprinkler head. Thus, installing the sprinkler shield requires bending the plate and pushing the sprinkler head through the radial slots which can have the undesirable consequence of inadvertently damaging either the sprinkler head, the sprinkler shield, or both. 
     It may be appreciated therefore that there is a need for a new and improved sprinkler guard which is easy to use, reliable, and can be manufactured at low cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a trim ring for placing around a sprinkler head to minimize grass growth around it and to help protect a sprinkler head by indicating its location. The sprinkler trim ring comprises two overlapping and complementary members: a slotted member and a screw receiving member, each of which includes an indent. The indents are adapted for fitting partially around a sprinkler head. The slotted member includes at least one slot disposed therethrough. The trim ring is installed by sliding the two complementary members from opposing directions under the flange portion of a sprinkler head such that the slotted member stays on top, and the two indents enclose the sprinkler body. A screw having an enlarged head sized to be retained outside the slot, and a threaded stem sized to be slidingly received through the slot, is inserted through the slot and received in the screw receiving member, and also secures the trim ring to the sprinkler head. The trim ring thus installed is also restricted from upward travel by the extended flange portion of the sprinkler head. The sprinkler trim ring of the present invention is also provided with grooves scored on the surfaces of both members. These grooves enable various portions of the members to be easily separated, thus allowing the trim ring to be custom fit around sprinkler bodies of different sizes and for edge or comer installation. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, reliable and inexpensive trim ring for placing around a sprinkler head to discourage grass growth around it and to protect a sprinkler head by indicating its location. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a trim ring which can be easily installed around an existing sprinkler system having sprinkler heads in open lawns and other spatially limited locations. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Consequently, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a sprinkler trim ring of the present invention installed around the body of an in-ground sprinkler and being restricted from upward travel by the flange portion of said sprinkler head. 
     FIG. 2 is the bottom view of the slotted member of an embodiment of the sprinkler trim ring of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is the bottom view of the screw-receiving member of an embodiment of the sprinkler trim ring of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is the bottom assembled view of an embodiment of the sprinkler trim ring of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4 of an embodiment of an assembled sprinkler trim ring of the present invention, but inverted to show the normal relationship of the parts in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such as alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are also included. 
     The present invention is intended for use with a conventional in-ground sprinkler system in which a sprinkler assembly  17  is secured on the end of an underground water-supply pipe  20 . The upper surface of a sprinkler head  17 H is generally mounted substantially flush with the ground so as not to interfere with or be damaged by a lawnmower, and for the added reason of not creating a tripping hazard for persons walking on the lawn. Any suitable sprinkler assembly  17  is utilizable herein, including the conventional pop-up sprinkler assembly  17  as shown in FIG.  1 . Sprinkler assembly  17  generally has a sprinkler body  18  and a flange portion  19  of sprinkler head  17 H screwed onto the sprinkler body  18  and extending laterally therefrom. The sprinkler body  18  and the flange portion  19  generally have a circular periphery; and the flange portion  19  has a larger diameter than sprinkler body  18 . 
     The sprinkler trim ring  10  in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises two complementary and overlapping members,  11  and  14 , engaged by a slot and screw arrangement. Each of the complementary members  11  and  14  includes an indent ( 28  and  29 ), which together define a central aperture adapted to receive the sprinkler body  18  when trim ring  10  is assembled. The trim ring is preferably constructed of an UV ray resistant thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene. Thermo-plastic is the material of choice as it imparts adequate rigidity but is still relatively soft and will be less likely to damage lawnmowers inadvertently run over the trim rings  10 . Additionally, the material is not subject to rusting. Other materials possessing similar material characteristics, and in whatever color desired, may also be used. Further, the sprinkler trim ring  10  is designed to exert the lowest possible cross sectional profile to avoid interfering with the lawnmower and persons walking on the lawn. Each member,  11  and  14 , of trim ring  10  is approximately ¼ inch thick. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the slotted member  11  is a partially circular thin plate including a first indent  28  and two substantially parallel slots  15  disposed therethrough. First indent  28  is adapted for partially receiving a sprinkler body  18 . A concentric groove  23 , scored concentrically around the first indent  28  onto a surface, preferably the under surface, of the slotted member  11 , enables the edge segment  25  to be separated and thus enlarging the first indent  28  for use with older, or oversized sprinklers. In the illustrated embodiment, only one concentric groove  23  is included. It should be understood that a series of concentric grooves  23  might be employed for added custom fit around variously sized sprinkler bodies  18 . Passage  12  communicates the first indent  28  with the exterior of the slotted member  11 . Upon installation of the member  11 , the sprinkler body  18  passes through this passage  12  and is received into first indent  28 . Passage  12  has facing edges  22 , preferably parallel, and a minimum width the same as the diameter of the outermost concentric grooves  23 . Slots  15 , disposed through slotted member  11  at opposing sides of, and preferably in proximity to, edges  22  of passage  12 , are adapted to slidingly receive a fastener screw. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the screw receiving member  14  is also a thin plate including a second indent  29  and two screw receiving holes  24 . The second indent  29 , complements the geometric shape of first indent  28  of slotted member  11 , and is adapted for partially receiving sprinkler body  18 . The screw receiving holes  24  are positioned at a distance apart that allows them to align with slots  15 . A concentric groove  23 , complementary to the concentric groove  23  on slotted member  14  is also provided for easy enlargement of second indent  29 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the underside of an assembled trim ring  10  where slots  15  are aligned with screw receiving holes  24  and where the first indent  28  faces the second indent  29 . So oriented, the first and second indents  28  and  29  together define an aperture  13  adapted for receiving the sprinkler body  18 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, fastener screw  16  is a conventional self-tapping screw having an enlarged head  26  and a threaded stem  27 . Enlarged head  26  is sized to be retained outside slot  15  while the threaded stem  27  is sized to be slidingly received inside slot  15  and be engagingly received by the screw receiving hole  24 . The enlarged head  26  preferably includes an undersurface that is flat for the ease of sliding on slotted member  11 . The screw  16  is of adequate length to be capable of engaging the two members  11  and  14  and securing them together. 
     The sprinkler trim plate  10  is assembled by inserting the screw receiving member  14  from one side of the sprinkler body  18 , and the slotted member  11  from the opposite side such that the sprinkler body  18  is completely received into the central aperture  13  and the slots  15  are aligned with the holes  24 . The relative position of the two complementary members  11  and  14  is adjusted by sliding the slotted member  11  along the longitudinal axis of slot  15  to obtain an optimal fit around the sprinkler body  18 . The fastener screw  16  is finally tightened into screw receiving hole  24  and thus secures slotted member  11  to screw receiving member  14  and retains sprinkler body  18  in the central aperture  13 . The sprinkler trim ring  10  so assembled is restricted from moving laterally by the sprinkler body  18  and from moving in an upward direction by the flange portion  19  of sprinkler head  17 H (FIG.  1 ). 
     It should be understood that, while an embodiment having two slots and tapped holes is illustrated, a single slot and hole arrangement may be used in other embodiments of the present invention, especially where the complementary members  11  and  14  overlap substantially. It should also be understood that screw receiving member  14  may initially include no pre-drilled screw receiving hole. Fastener screw  16  can be driven directly into the screw receiving member  14  to engage and secure the two members,  11  and  14 , together; and in doing so, simultaneously creates screw receiving hole  24 . 
     Trim rings  10  are also designed for adaptation to spatially restricted locations. FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of grooves  21  scored on the bottom of slotted member  11  to facilitate removal of various segments of the member  11  for positioning the sprinkler trim ring  10  relative to lawn or site features such as against a building wall, corner or sidewalk or the like. As illustrated, the straight grooves  21  intersect at approximately a ninety degree angle, which allows for positioning the trim ring  10  around a sprinkler assembly  17  that is located at a straight edge of a lawn or at a comer. Such grooves might also be used in screw receiving member  14 , but not as likely due to its relatively small size. Various arrangements of grooves  21  for fitting other spatial restrictions are also contemplated. For example, in addition to straight grooves, concentric outer grooves permitting easy reduction of the outside diameter of the trim ring  10  can be also be included. The depth of scoring should be adequate that the unwanted segments or portions can be easily broken off by hand but not too deep to compromise the structural integrity of the members  12  and  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the straight and concentric grooves  21  and  23  are scored to approximately ⅛ inch deep. In addition, the straight and concentric grooves  21  and  23 , respectively, are preferably scored on the underside of the members for visual aesthetics, since otherwise the grooves  21  and  23  could trap soil and dirt, thus detracting from the pleasing uniform look of the trim rings  10 . 
     The foregoing description illustrates a substantially circular trim ring adapted for receiving a sprinkler with generally circular periphery. It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates other geometric shaped trim rings that have functional utilities. The first and second indents,  28  and  29 , can also be reshaped to receive any geometric shaped sprinkler body  18 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, these are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only one preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.