Abstract:
A kit for fitting to a sprinkler head that includes a fixed distance spacer. The spacer is designed to fit into the top of the head of an underground water sprinkler system. The second end of the spacer will threadably engage the stem. The spacer will raise the stem above the top of the head, so as to not require digging to get to the base of the head. In this way, when the grass grows or the level of the soil is elevated, one may raise the level of the stem by putting a spacer between the stem and the head, without having to dig.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a water sprinkler device, more particularly a spacer kit to fit between the riser and head of a sprinkler. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In-ground lawn sprinklers are used to distribute water to a lawn. They are typically fed from an underground water line from which a vertical extension riser is attached. Attached to the riser is the head of the sprinkler, the sprinkler head having attached at its uppermost portion a stem that typically includes an extending member having a nozzle that can extend, under water pressure, to spray the lawn. 
     For proper watering, it is important to maintain the sprinkler head at the proper level with respect to the lawn. After the sprinkler system is installed, the lawn may rise, as mulch or new soil is added. Raising the sprinkler is typically done by adjusting the length of the riser pipe or adding extensions between the riser and the head. However, because the sprinkler head/riser joint is well below the level of the stem, which is typically at or near the grass level, digging is often required to effect this extension. 
     In the past, others, such as Rainbird, have provided a 6&#34; stem member extension threaded internally at one end and externally at the other. This 6&#34; extension is designed to fit where the nozzle of the extendable stem member screws into the top of the extendable stem member. The nozzle is unscrewed and the 6&#34; extender is screwed into where the nozzle was originally screwed (the top of the extendable stem member). The nozzle is then threaded into the removed end of the extension to give a 6&#34; rise to the nozzle as it sits above the cap of the stem. However, this 6&#34; extension often stands above the surrounding grass and is in danger of being damaged by lawnmowers. Further, it prevents complete retraction of the nozzle into the head body. That is, even with the stem member in a retracted position (no water pressure in the head), the 6&#34; extension raises the nozzle 6&#34; above the stem cap. 
     What is needed is a simple, inexpensive, and heretofore unavailable means to elevate the stem of the sprinkler above the head body so as to increase the height of the stem above the head body to adjust the height of the stem so it is proper with respect to the ground around it. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a retrofittable sprinkler stem/head spacer which will, when installed, allow the sprinkler head to function just as it would without the spacer--that is, it will allow the extension and retraction of a sprinkler head portion above the sprinkler head when water pressure is applied and released to the sprinkler head. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple cylindrical spacer that will thread into the sprinkler head body and insert to fit into the sprinkler head body to create a space between the stem cap and the sprinkler head body, but will allow normal extension and retraction of the sprinkler stem member under use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects are realized in a cylindrical spacer having a first end and a second end, the first end for threading into the head body of a sprinkler and the second end for threading into the stem of a sprinkler, and an insert fittable inside the cylindrical spacer to guide the extensible stem of the sprinkler head as it moves between a retracted nonuse position and an extended use position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are side perspective, side cross section, and top elevational views, respectively, of the cylindrical spacer of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an insert used with an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are side cross section, top, bottom, and side elevational views, respectively, of an insert for use with Applicant&#39;s present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a exploded view of the spacer and insert of the present invention as it joins a sprinkler head body and sprinkler head stem to elevate the stem of the sprinkler above the sprinkler head body. 
     FIG. 3A is a cutaway side cross sectional view of Applicant&#39;s spacer and insert installed on a sprinkler head body. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a multiplicity of spacers threaded together and into a sprinkler head body. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a multiplicity of inserts stacked together for insertion into the spacers of FIG. 4. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are side elevational cross section and top elevational views, respectively, of an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant&#39;s present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the stem member and nozzle with Applicant&#39;s stem member spacer installed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a cylindrical spacer (10) of Applicant&#39;s present invention which is seen to be comprised of a threaded first end (12) (threads on the outer surface) and a threaded second end (14) (threads on the inner surface) with a body (16) therebetween. The cylindrical spacer (10) is seen to have an outer surface (18) and an inner surface (20). The first end (12) has threads on the outer surface to match the threads of a sprinkler head stem cap. The second end (14) has threads on the interior surface to engage a head body of the sprinkler. The threads on first end (12) and second end (14) are typically molded to fit most pop-up head type sprinklers, such as Rainbird, Hunter, Hardy, Toro, Richdel, and others. The spacers may also be designed to fit rotary head sprinklers. 
     By inserting spacer (10) between the head body and the stem cap of the sprinkler, as set forth in FIG. 3, the stem is elevated to meet the surface of the ground to help the sprinkler more effectively water the ground. By placement of spacer (10) between the head body and the stem of the sprinkler rather than between the head and the riser pipe or water line, no digging will be required. 
     In many sprinkler head bodies, a longitudinally running ridge (or ridges) is used to maintain alignment of the pop-up stem member of the sprinkler head stem as it moves between a retracted and extended position when water pressure is applied and released. These are illustrated as (R) in FIG. 3 and mate with grooves (G) of the stem when the stem is inserted into the head body. On such sprinkler types, for example the Rainbird sprinkler, an insert (22) is used. With reference to FIGS. 2A-2E, insert (22) is seen to be cylindrical having an insert body (21), grooves (24) on a lower end thereof, and guide ridges (26) along an upper portion thereof. By sliding the insert (22) so that the grooves (24) fit the alignment ridges on the inner surface of the cylinder, guide ridges (26) will align with the alignment ridges of the inner surface of the head (see also FIG. 3) so the stem member can be guided as it extends upward, under water pressure, the additional distance provided by the spacer(s) and insert(s). 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the use of Applicant&#39;s spacer (10) and (optionally, as required) insert (22) on a sprinkler head. The environment in which Applicant&#39;s invention is utilized is described as follows. A sprinkler head consisting of a head body (25) and sprinkler stem (28) of a preexisting sprinkler to be retrofitted with Applicant&#39;s spacer (10) and guide (22) is illustrated in FIG. 3. Here, head body (25) is seen to extend upward from an existing riser or water line (26) which supplies water, under pressure, to the head body (25) of the sprinkler. The preexisting sprinkler head stem (28) has a cap (28A) with threads (30) on the interior surface thereof. The stem also includes a stem extensible means (32), here including a stem member (34) and a spring (36). The stem member is either extended (shown in FIG. 3) when water is on or retracted (also shown in FIG. 3) when water is off. FIG. 3 shows the stem member in both positions at once, only for the sake of illustration. A top portion of the stem (34) has a nozzle (34A) from which point water is released to wet the lawn. Such extensible means (32) are available with a number of well-known sprinkler manufacturers, but most utilize movement of extensible means (32) from a retracted position to an extended position (when water pressure is applied through the water supply line or riser). In the extended position, the stem will distribute water to the lawn. In a retracted position (nonwatering), it retracts to within the body of the sprinkler. 
     Continuing now with FIGS. 3 and 3A, and with reference to Figs. 1A-1C and 2A-2E, it is seen that the threaded first end (18) of the spacer is insertable to engage threads (30) of the stem cap. Threaded second end (14) of the spacer is designed to threadably engage threads (38) on the outer surface of the upper portion of the head body of the sprinkler (or to threadably stack with other spacers as set forth in FIG. 4). The spacer is threaded down to the body to effect a water-tight seal between threads (38) and threads on the inner surface (20) of second end (14) where the spacer joins the head body (25). Likewise, there should be a water-tight seal between threads (30) of the stem cap and threads on the outer surface (18) of threaded first end (12) of the spacer (10). Insert (22) or other alignment means may be inserted into the upper portion of head body (25) to, for example, allow alignment of stem member (32) with ridges (R) on the inner surface of the body. This is done through mating and alignment of grooves (24) of insert (22) with ridges (R) of the body. 
     FIG. 3A illustrates the proper alignment of guide insert (22) with alignment ridges (R) of head body (25) mating with grooves (24) when spacer (10) is installed. Note how insert (22) is dimensioned with a proper diameter to snugly fit within the interior of body (25). 
     The spacers and inserts are typically made of molded plastic and may come in a variety of sizes or, alternately, may be stacked one upon the other, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates two spacers ,(10a) and (10b) piggyback, stacked, or otherwise joined together. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates how two inserts (22a) and (22b), may be stacked for insertion between the stem and the head body of a sprinkler when two spacers are used. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are alternate preferred embodiments of a spacer (11) that has incorporated integrally with it guide ridges (26a) and includes a set screw (41). The manner in which the unitary cylindrical spacer with guide ridges is utilized is by screwing it down onto the top of the sprinkler head body just as the other spacers. In other words, cylindrical spacers (11) are threaded down onto the top of the sprinkler head body; but, instead of threading it down tightly, it is threaded down tightly and then backed off until guide ridges (26a) align with ridges (R) on the inside surface of the sprinkler head body. At that point, set screw (41) is threaded down until it asserts pressure on threads (38). Now there is proper alignment for the stem member to slide all the way up through the head body and the spacer and still stay on the ridges with proper alignment. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an additional feature of Applicant&#39;s invention, namely, a stem member spacer (43) for insertion between nozzle (34a) of the stem and stem member (34). Typically, the nozzle screws directly into the top of the stem member, as set forth in FIG. 3. However, additional stem spacer (43) may be used, typically 1/2&#34; in length, to create additional elevation for the nozzle. 
     It is anticipated that Applicant&#39;s invention may be sold as a kit, with several spacers and (for appropriate models of sprinkler heads) several stackable inserts. It can be seen with reference to the figures that Applicant provides for a cylindrical spacer with a threaded first end for engaging the head of the sprinkler and a threaded second end to separate, at a fixed nonadjustable distance, the body of the sprinkler from the head of the sprinkler to increase the distance between the extended position of the head when the extensible means extends under pressure to water the lawn and the retracted position. 
     Terms such as &#34;left,&#34; &#34;right,&#34; &#34;up,&#34; &#34;down,&#34; &#34;bottom,&#34; &#34;top,&#34; &#34;front,&#34; &#34;back,&#34; &#34;in,&#34; &#34;out,&#34; and like are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position or manner in which the invention may be constructed for use. 
     Although the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention&#39;s particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalences that may be included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.