Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to fixed spray sprinklers having a flow shut off valve. 
     Fixed spray sprinklers are well known which comprise a fixed spray nozzle that is threaded onto the top of a flow conduit. Both the nozzle and the conduit are considered “fixed” because they do not rotate about their axes during operation of the sprinkler. The nozzle might be adjustable to vary the spray. However, once the nozzle is initially adjusted to provide a particular spray, that spray covers a particular area of the ground without rotating or moving the spray relative to the ground. 
     Typically, fixed spray sprinklers are sold without pre-installed nozzles. A flush cap used on the top of the flow conduit in place of a nozzle. The flush cap is used for flushing out dirt and debris from supply lines. Once the sprinkler is installed but before the flush cap is removed, the sprinkler system is pressurized for the first time. The flush cap is designed to let water exit through the cap during this initial pressurization to flush out any debris that may have gotten inside the supply lines. After this initial flush, the flush caps are removed and replaced with nozzles. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional pop-up sprinkler device  10  on which a flush cap  12  is installed. The flush cap  12  is attached to an upper end of an inner conduit  14 . The inner conduit  14  moves telescopically within a housing conduit  16 . The inner conduit  14  and the housing conduit  16  are coaxial. A metal retraction spring  18  holds the inner conduit  14  in a retracted position within the housing conduit  16  when the water supply to the sprinkler device  10  is off. The spring is located between the inner conduit  14  and the housing conduit  18  and is coaxial to the inner conduit  14  and the housing conduit  18 . A cap  110  is threaded to an upper end of the housing conduit  16 . The cap  110  has a central opening to permit extension of the inner conduit  14 . The cap includes a seal member that, among other things, forms a seal against the inner conduit  14 . The upper end of the spring  18  engages the cap  110 , which provides a fixed surface. The lower end of the spring  18  engages a spring retainer  112 , which is axially movable and is fitted to the lower end of the inner conduit  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the sprinkler device  10  when a nozzle  22  and filter  24  are installed in place of the flush cap  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper end of the housing conduit is located approximately at the ground level. Thus, parts of the sprinkler device  10  that extend above the ground level are subject to damage from lawnmowers, vehicles, vandalism and the like.  FIG. 2  includes a dashed line, which indicates the surface of the ground in which the sprinkler device  10  is buried. 
     When pressurized water enters an inlet  114 , water pressure acts against parts such as the inner conduit  14  and nozzle  22  to compress the spring  18  and to extend the inner conduit  14  to the elevated spray position shown in  FIG. 2 . When the water supply to the inlet  114  is shut off, the inner conduit  14  is retracted by the restoration force of the spring  18 , and the nozzle  22  returns to a position such that very little of the nozzle  22  extends above the cap  110 . If the inner conduit  14  is broken or ruptured when water pressure is supplied to the inlet  114 , there is nothing to stop water from flowing from the inner conduit  14 . Thus such damage can waste water and cause flooding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,962 to Hartman discloses a fixed spray sprinkler equipped with a flow shut off valve. The flow shut off valve includes a poppet valve that is normally held open. If the sprinkler nozzle is broken or removed, the valve closes to prevent water from flowing out through the flow conduit. The valve is located adjacent the bottom of the flow conduit. However, the sprinkler of U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,962 does not retract and is thus subject to damage. Further, there is no indication that the shut off valve of U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,962 functions with a flush cap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,221 to Goldberg et al. discloses a fixed spray sprinkler equipped with a flow shut off valve. However, the shut off valve is relatively high in the flow conduit. Therefore, if the flow conduit is cut or broken at a point at or below the shut off valve, water will flow from the conduit, and the shut off valve will not function. 
     SUMMARY 
     Basically, the invention is a sprinkler device including: a housing conduit, which has an inlet at an upstream end and an upper end; an inner conduit fitted in the housing conduit in an axially movable manner so that the inner conduit moves axially to an extended position when a predetermined level of water pressure is applied to the inlet; a valve located at an upstream end of the inner conduit, wherein water pressure from the inlet tends to close the valve; a push rod located within the inner conduit downstream of the valve to operate the valve, wherein an upstream end of the push rod is connected to a valve member of the valve so that axial force by the push rod toward the valve opens the valve; and an insert member located within the inner conduit between a downstream end of the push rod and an outlet of the inner conduit. A downstream end of the insert member engages a fixed member located at the outlet of the inner conduit and the downstream end of the push rod engages an upstream end of the insert member. The lengths of the insert member and the push rod are determined in relation to the length of the inner conduit so that the push rod normally holds the valve in an open position. Severing of the inner conduit permits the push rod to move in a downstream direction, which closes the valve. 
     In one aspect, the insert member is a filter, and the fixed member located at the outlet of the inner conduit is a nozzle. 
     The valve remains within the housing conduit when the inner conduit is in the extended position, to protect the valve from damage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prior art sprinkler device with a flush cap installed; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the prior art sprinkler of  FIG. 1  with a nozzle and filter installed; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the prior art sprinkler of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a retracted sprinkler device in which a flush cap and a flow stop device are installed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the flow stop mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of a section of the sprinkler device of  FIG. 4  when the sprinkler device is in an extended, or raised, position; 
         FIG. 7  is a cut away view in a plane normal to the axis of the sprinkler device; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional side view of the flow stop mechanism of  FIG. 4  in which the flow stop valve is open; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of the flow stop mechanism of  FIG. 4  in which the flow stop valve is closed; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross sectional view of the sprinkler device of  FIG. 4  in which the riser is extended, the nozzle is removed, and the flow stop valve is closed; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross sectional view of the sprinkler device of  FIG. 3  in which parts of the inner conduit and flow stop mechanism have been severed resulting in closure of the flow stop valve; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a flush cap insert of the sprinkler device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the flush cap insert of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a spring retainer of the sprinkler device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the spring retainer of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 16 ,  17 , and  18  are side views of push rods of various sizes, respectively; 
         FIGS. 19 ,  20 ,  21 , and  22  are side views of flow stop mechanisms having push rods of various sizes, respectively; and 
         FIG. 23  is a partial cross sectional view showing the sprinkler device in a retraced position with a pressure regulator and an anti-drain valve installed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 4  shows a sprinkler device  30  that includes a flow stop mechanism  32 . The sprinkler device  30  includes the same housing conduit  16 , inner conduit  14 , flush cap  12  and cap  110  that were employed in the conventional sprinkler device  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; however, the sprinkler device  30  further includes the flow stop mechanism  32 . The flow stop mechanism  32  stops the flow of water to the inner conduit  14  when the inner conduit or the nozzle  22  is severed. 
     The metal spring  18  is held between the cap  110  and a spring retainer  314 . The spring retainer  314  is fitted to the lower end of the inner conduit  14  so that the force of the spring  18  is applied to the lower end of the inner conduit  14 . Thus, the spring  18  urges the inner conduit  14  to the retracted, or lower, position. When water pressure is applied via the inlet  114  to the inner conduit  14 , the spring retainer  314  is forced axially upward against the spring  18  to extend the inner conduit  14 . In the absence of a predetermined level of water pressure at the inlet  114 , the inner conduit  14  remains in the retracted position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the flow stop mechanism  32  includes a body  34 , a valve  35 , which includes a valve element  36  and a valve seat  52 , a push rod  38 , and a lower housing member  310 . The lower housing member  310  includes flexible tabs  42 . The lower housing member  310  is snap-fitted to the body  34  with the flexible tabs  42 , which engage rounded projections  44 . The rounded projections are formed at discrete intervals about the lower periphery of the body  34  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, urging the lower housing member  310  axially toward the body  34  with the proper alignment will fix the lower housing member  310  to the body  34 . 
     The body  34  is designed to work in conjunction with an existing pressure regulator, which is described in connection with  FIG. 23 . 
     The lower end of the push rod  38  fits into an opening, or socket, at an upper end of the valve element  36  so that the push rod  38  is coupled to the valve element  36 . The push rod  38  is connected to the valve element  36  so that the push rod  38  can hold the valve element in an open position. The push rod  38  is removable from the valve element  36  so that push rods  38  of differing sizes can be used with the same valve element  36 . The connection between the lower end of the push rod need not be a secure connection. It is only necessary for the push rod  38  to engage the valve element  36  in order to hold it in an open position. 
     Preferably, there is a “snap fit” coupling between the upstream end of the push rod  38  and down stream end of the valve element  36 , so that the push rod  38  and the valve element  36  can be retained together for ease of installation and for manufacturing purposes. However, the “snap fit” coupling can be separated manually for replacement or interchanging of parts. The “snap fit” coupling can be formed by a ball and socket type coupling, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end of the push rod is rounded and includes a neck as best shown in  FIGS. 16-18 . The downstream end of the valve element  36  includes a socket with a detent mechanism for retaining the upstream end of the push rod  38 . 
     The body  34  and the lower housing member  310  form a valve chamber  312 , which houses the valve  35 . The valve seat  52  is formed by an inner surface of the body  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . When the valve element  36  is in a lower position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , water can flow freely through the body  34  to the inner conduit  14  and out through the nozzle  22  or flush cap  12 . When the valve element  36  is in an upper position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , water is blocked from flowing through the body  34  by a seal formed between the valve element  36  and the valve seat  52 . That is, the valve  35  is closed when the valve element  36  is in its uppermost position and abutted against the valve seat  52 . 
     Normally, water pressure tends to close the valve  35 . However, the push rod  38  is stopped from moving axially in an upward direction by an insert member  320 , which may be a flush cap insert  322  or the filter element  24 . The insert member  320  can be any member that is rigid and permits water flow. In the event that the flush cap  12  is installed, the flush cap insert  322  is installed between the flush cap  12  and the upper end of the push rod  38 . The flush cap  12  is fastened by threads to the upper end of the inner conduit  14 . Thus, the flush cap  12  is fixed against axial movement. When force is transmitted axially from the valve element  36 , as a result of water pressure, to the flush cap insert  322 , the flush cap insert  322  is held in position by the flush cap  12  and cannot move axially upward. Thus, the valve  35  remains open and the sprinkler device  30  can function normally. 
     Similarly, when the nozzle  22  is fastened to the upper end of the inner conduit  14  by, for example, mating threads, the nozzle is fixed against axial movement. When the nozzle  22  is installed, the filter  24  is also installed below the nozzle, in the same manner as in the conventional device shown in  FIG. 2 . In this state, the filter  24  serves as the insert member and transmits force from the push rod  38  to the nozzle  22 . In other words, the filter  24  is rigid, and the upper end of the filter  24  engages the nozzle  22  and the lower end of the filter  24  engages the push rod  38 . Thus, when force is transmitted axially from the valve element  36  and the push rod  38 , as a result of water pressure, to the filter  24 , the filter  24  is held in position by the nozzle  22  and cannot move axially upward. Thus, the valve  35  is prevented from closing and remains open, and the sprinkler device  30  can function normally. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in the event of damage to the nozzle  22  or the inner conduit  14 , the nozzle  22  will no longer remain fixed with respect to the inner conduit  14 . Thus, the push rod  38  will be allowed to move axially upward under the force of water pressure. If the push rod  38  is allowed to move axially upward, the valve  35  will close as a result of water pressure acting on the valve element  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Thus, when the nozzle  22  is separated from the inner conduit  14  or if the inner conduit  14  is severed or significantly damaged, the valve  35  is closed, and water cannot flow from the inner conduit  14 . This prevents flooding and waste. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the push rod  38  includes a plurality of vanes  410 . The vanes  410  are angularly spaced apart by ninety degree intervals. The vanes  410  keep push rod  38  centered in the inner conduit  14  and serve to “straighten” the flow of water to reduce turbulence for improved nozzle performance. 
     The push rod  38  can have an area of weakness  512 , which facilitates breakage of the push rod  38  in the event of damage to the inner conduit  14  at any point above the upper surface of the cap  110 . That is, a cylindrical section of the push rod  38  includes an area of reduced diameter to provide weakness and to encourage breakage upon the application of unusual force. Breakage of the push rod  38  ensures that the valve  35  will close. However, even without an area of weakness  512 , the push rod is relatively thin and is readily broken when subjected to unusual force. Although only one area of weakness  512  is illustrated, multiple areas of weakness  512  can be provided at intervals along the push rod  38 . 
     The body  34  is installed at the lower end of the inner conduit  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , even when the inner conduit is fully extended in the upward axial direction, the body  34  remains below the level of the ground  1110 . That is, the body remains below the upper surface of the cap  110 . Therefore, the valve  35  is not subject to damage from lawnmowers, vehicles, and the like. Also, the inner conduit  14  is not subject to damage at a point below the body  34 , since the body  34  is installed at a point proximal to the upstream end of the inner conduit  14 . Therefore, any damage to the inner conduit or nozzle  22  will occur above and downstream of the valve  35 . As a result, the flow stop mechanism  32  is more reliable and more effective than a sprinkler device in which a shut off valve is raised above the ground level. Such a valve is vulnerable to damage and is further subject to being rendered ineffective by damage that occurs below and upstream of the valve. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , axially extending ribs  116  are formed on the inner surface of the lower, upstream end of the inner conduit  14  of the conventional sprinkler device  10  at circumferentially spaced intervals. The tabs  42  fit between the ribs  116 , and the ribs  116  fit into channels  46 , which are formed between the tabs  42  on the lower housing member  310 . The outer diameter of the body  34  is sized to mate with the inner surface of the lower end of an existing inner conduit  14  of the existing sprinkler device  10 , as shown best in  FIG. 6 . 
     Thus, the flow stop mechanism  32  is constructed to be fitted in an existing sprinkler device  10 . Further, the flow stop mechanism  32  is modular and is optional. Thus, purchasers can decide whether to have the flow stop mechanism  32  installed, and a sprinkler device  10  without the flow stop mechanism  32  functions normally, but lacks the flow stop feature. Although the flow stop mechanism  32  is modular and optional in the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the flow stop mechanism can be integrated into the sprinkler device  30  so that is not an optional feature. 
     An annular projection  610  is formed on the inner surface of the inner conduit  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The annular projection  610 , which exists in the conventional inner conduit  14 , is rounded to provide a detent for resisting downward axial movement of the body  34 . Thus, the annular projection serves to retain the body  34  or other modular components in the lower end of the inner conduit  14 . 
     The outer surface of the body  34  is sized to fit tightly against the inner surface of the inner conduit  14  at the lower end of the inner conduit  14 . The fit between the body  34  and the inner conduit  14  limits or prevents the passage of water between the outer surface of the body  34  and the inner surface of the inner conduit  14 . However, the fit is not a press fit that would prevent movement of the body and prevent installation and removal of the flow stop mechanism  32 . 
     In addition, a shoulder  48  of the valve body  34  abuts against a stepped surface  616  of the inner conduit  14  to prevent upward axial movement of the body  34 . Thus, the force of water pressure against the inlet end of the lower housing member  310  does not move the body  34  axially upward beyond a predetermined point. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the valve element  36  includes a lower extension  612 , which fits in a cylindrical guide  614  that is formed in the lower housing member  310 . The lower extension  612  and the cylindrical guide  614  serve to keep the valve element  36  aligned with a center axis of the lower housing member  310  and thus centered with respect to the inner conduit  14 . This ensures correct operation of the valve  35 . 
       Figs. 12 and 13  show the flush cap insert  322 . Passages  1210  formed in the flush cap insert  322  allow debris to be flushed through the sprinkler device  30  before installation of the nozzle  22  and filter  24 . The flush cap insert  322  is preferably made of rigid plastic and is typically discarded along with the flush cap  12  after the initial flushing operation. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show the spring retainer  314 . The retainer  314  provides stable support for the inner conduit  14  in the event of breakage of the inner conduit  14  to ensure that any remaining section of the inner conduit  14  remains centered in the body so that the seals remain intact. The spring retainer  314  includes channels  1410 , or slots, into which ribs  710  fit. The ribs  710  are formed in the inner surface of the housing conduit  16 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Grooves  1510  on the outer surface of the retainer  314  increases resistance to debris. The inner surface of the spring retainer  314  and the outer surface of the inner conduit  14  have an interference fit that allows rotational adjustment of the inner conduit  14  about the longitudinal axis of the sprinkler  30  to adjust the direction of spray of the nozzle  22 . 
     The length of the push rod  38  is determined by the length of the inner conduit  14  and the length of the filter to ensure that the valve  35  is open when the flow stop mechanism is installed in the inner conduit  14  and all parts such as the nozzle  22  are intact. Since parts such as the inner conduit  14  and the filter are manufactured in standard sizes, corresponding standard sizes of the push rod  38  are provided. 
       FIGS. 16-18  show push rods  38  of varying sizes. Since the length of the inner conduit  14  can vary according to the conditions of the installation, push rods  38  of varying length are required.  FIGS. 19 and 20  show push rods  38  of varying sizes installed in flow stop mechanisms  32 . The upper end of at least the larger of the push rods  38  has an opening, or socket, for receiving a lower end of another push rod  38 . Thus, for very long inner conduits  14 , several push rods  38  can be interconnected in series to form extended push rod assemblies, as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
       FIG. 23  shows the sprinkler device  30  in which a known modular pressure regulator  2310  is installed. Further, a known modular anti-drain valve  2312  is installed at the lower end of the housing conduit  16 . The modular flow stop mechanism  32  of this specification can be used in a sprinkler that also includes the modular pressure regulator  2310  and the modular anti-drain valve  2312  or one of the modular pressure regulator  2310  and the modular anti-drain valve  2312 . That is, the flow stop mechanism  32  can be used with or without the pressure regulator  2310  and the anti-drain valve  2312 . The pressure regulator  2310  optimizes the pressure at the nozzle  22 , and the anti-drain valve prevents water draining from supply pipes from entering the sprinkler device  30  when the water supply is off. The flow stop mechanism  32  does not interfere with the operation of the pressure regulator  2310  and the anti-drain valve  2312  Likewise, the pressure regulator  2310  and the anti-drain valve  2312  do not interfere with the operation of the flow stop mechanism  32 . The push rod  38  is sized to pass through the pressure regulator  2310 , and the flow stop mechanism  32  is constructed to fit downstream of the anti-drain valve  2312 . 
     All parts described herein, except for the spring  18 , are preferably molded plastic. 
     Collectively, one or more push rods and the insert member form a valve opening device, which is loaded in compression by the force of the water pressure. When the valve opening device is damaged or severed, the valve  35  is closed by water pressure. In an alternative embodiment, the push rod  38  and the insert member  320  can be formed as an integrated unitary member. In other words, the valve opening device can be an integral unitary member instead of an assembled combination of the push rod  38  and the insert member  320 . 
     This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Technology Category: 7