Patent ID: 8083188

Claim:
A sprinkler riser clamp adapted to securely engage a spring-retractable riser of a pop-up sprinkler, said riser clamp comprising a clamping body and a handle attached thereto, said clamping body being configured to snap onto and securely grip the spring-retractable riser of the pop-up sprinkler, said clamping body exerting a gripping force and said spring-retractable riser exerting a retracing force, the gripping force exerted by the clamping body exceeding the retraction force exerted by the spring-retractable riser, wherein the clamping body includes a resilient first clamp arm and a resilient second clamp arm connected by a joint at one end of each arm; the resilient first clamp arm and the resilient second clamp arm each include a gripping surface adapted to engage the spring-retractable riser, each gripping surface having a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of an outer diameter of the spring-retractable riser; the gripping surface radius of curvature is approximately 6 to 12.5 mm; the clamping body includes an opening for receiving the spring-retractable riser; further comprising furrows formed in the clamping body to facilitate deflection of the clamp arms for purposes of receiving the riser, said furrows having a curved profile to avoid stress concentrations, said curved profile having a radius of curvature r of 1 to 4 mm.