Patent ID: 7261247

Claim:
A sprinkler for distributing water to an area proximately located thereto, the sprinkler comprising: a stationary portion for connection to a water source; an emission portion movable relative to the stationary portion for intermittently providing water to portions of the area; and a motor assembly for driving the emission portion relative to the stationary position and having a clutch assembly for preventing damage to the motor assembly, the clutch assembly including: a first component including external structure for mating with a first portion of the motor assembly, and a second component including external structure for mating with a second portion of the motor assembly, wherein the first component and second component are stationary relative to each other and cooperate to transmit motion through the motor assembly during operation for driving the emission portion, and wherein at least one of the first and second components rotates relative to the other when an impedance force on the motor assembly exceeds a predetermined amount; and wherein the first component also includes at least one arm with a fixed end and an opposite free end wherein the free end engages the second component to transmit motion through the motor assembly during operation for driving the emission portion and is movable at least radially relative to the fixed end when an impedance force on the motor assembly exceeds a predetermined amount to allow at least one of the first and second components to rotate relative to the other.