US1982315A - Illuminated lawn sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 27, 1934. LUNDBERG 1,982,315

ILLUMINATED LAWN SPRINKLER Filed July 7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gwv/v/w E A U/VDBERG.

Nov. 27, 1934. G, E. LUNDBERG ILLUMINATED LAWN SPRINKLER Filed July '7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nm-nu-nnun GU/VA/A/P t. Z U/VDBEPG.

Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to lawn sprinklers and particularly to the portable rotary type of sprinkler, such as those to be coupled to the end of a hose for movement from place to place on a lawn to be watered, the general object of the invention being to provide illuminating means on the sprinkler serving the dual purpose of locating the sprinkler in the dark and providing ornamental illumination of the spray or stream discharged from the sprinkler.

An important object of the invention is to provide illuminating means on the sprinkler together with a source of energy for the illuminating means contained within the sprinkler.

A further object is to provide illuminating means, such as one or more electric light bulbs, on the sprinkler structure, together with a generator within the sprinkler structure and connected with the rotating element of the sprinkler to be driven to generate current for supplying the illuminating means.

Another object is to provide an arrangement in which the illuminating element supporting structure is rotatable with the rotating discharge nozzle structure so that the ray from the illuminating element may follow the streams issuing from the nozzle.

Another object is to provide a water tight enclosing frame for the illuminating element and for the current supply means for the illuminating element.

A still further object is to provide a current generator comprising field and armature elements having driving connection with the rotary nozzle structure for rotation in opposite direction for the necessary speed for generating desired current for the illuminating element.

Another object is to provide means for readily disconnecting the illuminating means or the current supply means from service when illumination is not desired, as when the sprinkler is being used in daylight.

The above specifically referred to, and other features of my invention, are shown incorporated in the structure disclosed on the accompanying drawings, in which drawings- Figure l is a side elevation of the sprinkler structure;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on plane III--III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on plane IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section on plane VV of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section on plane VI-VI of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a section on plane VII-VII of Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a section on plane VIII-VIII of Figure 3.

The structure shown comprises a supporting base 1 having the vertical tube 2 provided with a seating flange 3 engaging the top of the base and having the threaded end 4 to which is secured the horizontal coupling fitting 5 having the threaded flange 6 for connection with a hose or other water conductor. A frame or hub 7 receives the tube 2 and rests on the flange 3, and is provided with suitable packing means 8 for preventing leakage, the frame '7 having the internal chamber 9 receiving the water from the tube 2 through a number of inlets 10.

The frame has a number of laterally extending threaded outlets 11 for receiving the pipes 12 which, at their outer ends, support nozzle fittings 13 from which the water is projected through the orifices 14, the nozzle structures being set at an angle so that the back pressure of the nozzle stream will cause rotation of the frame '7, in a manner well understood in the art. Three such nozzle structures, equally spaced apart, are shown.

The upper part of the frame 7 is cylindrical and is concentric with the tube 2 on which the frame '7 rotates, and a cylindrical housing shell of sheet metal or other suitable waterproof material intimately receives and seats on the cylindrical upper part of the frame '7 and may be detachably secured thereto as by means of screws 16, the housing 15 being thus rotatable with the frame '7. The top of the housing 15 may be dome-shaped as shown and has a circular opening 17 in which is secured a bezel ring or frame 18 for supporting a lens 19, a clamping ring 20 threading on the bezel ring to secure the lens in place, a suitable waterproof gasket 21 being preferably interposed between the lens and the clamping frame.

A sheet metal reflector 22 extends into the bezel ring 18 and has the neck 23 forming a support for an electric light bulb 24. A bracket 25 is secured to the reflector neck and is mounted on and secured to a cross wall or plate 26 within the housing 15. A contact bracket 2''! is secured to but insulated from the bracket 25 and is engaged by the inner contact of the light bulb, the outer contact or shell of the bulb being in engagement with the bracket 25 which is of metal.

all

. during daylight.

5 1. l H causing theinducftion of current flow through "the Between the top of the frame 7 and the supporting cross-plate 26 is arranged the means or mechanism for supplying electric current for illuminating the lamp, the means shown being in the form of an electric generator. Secured to and. extending upwardly from the top of the 28 and clamped between spacing sleeves 311 and 32 on the rods, each core structure being sur= rounded by a winding or coil 33. These armature windings are connected serially in a circuit, Q Q r al f Whi h. neq wi h h metal cross-wall 26 and theref iir the bracket 25, While the other terminal ot the, circuit is, connected with the contact bracket 27 so that the lamp 24 is included, in this armature circuit.

Within the upper part of the frame 7 above the outlets 11 to thenoz zle pipes 12, is supported a harihgnttin'g' 3irciving the ,cylindrical e tension '35 ,nnthe tulde 2, the extension project ihg upwardly a distance intothe housing 15., The bearing fitting 34 r vesa packing gland 36 for securing packing 3 around the extensio so as to prevent leaka of water through the bearmfg fitting. 'A 10; et cross wan or plate 38 extends a r'ts's the heating 15 and engages the top or therram'e 7, a d sc 39 hfi uhher, fiber or other waterproof material being preferably interposed. Just above the cross wanes, a gear 40 is secured to the extensionfi'eand is meshe by a gear 41 on a counter aft 42 jpurnaledin the wa1ls29 and 3a; our aled t its lower end in a bushing 5' the 'e t43 w en t i p r and, to rnals in the 'beaj lug f4is'cured to the u per cross wanes, ween a "collarj45 anda 'nut 46 or t e shaft 4 aie t jm' fedthie ,i ahlinations or a p rm nentihag et structure '47 having 'poles roata l we F a-1 7 1 we, ttai s Bei-ow the c'rtsswan 29 the shaft "43 has the gear pinion ia eshi with the gear 49 on the scurrtershart "4'2. with the arrangement described,

hen the p'zfz e frarne hi rotated, the armature structurefiq wi'll rdtatetherewith and the "perinanent 'eflectroinajgnet or field structure will be rt ated it the opposite direction, this relative the field and armature structures armaturef circuit 'and the lamp "included in suchc'ircuit so that the lamp will beillum'ihated and will project its rays through the lens 19 to illuminate the spra or stream of water issuing from the nozzle orifices 14.

'I provide simple means whereby the generation of currents may be cut oil? at any time, as for example, when the sprinkler structure is used This means comprises a lever 50 fulcrumed "on a pin 51 extending between ears 52 struck up from the intermediate-cross wall 29, which wall has the clearance slot orspace 53 for the lever outer end. At its inner end the lever is "bifurcated to receive the shaft 43 between the pinion 48 andthe collar 45 thereon, as clearly shown in Figuresfiand 4. At its outer end, the lever is in thepath of a cam plate '54 secured to the inner 'en d of a hub 55 extendingthrough and journaled by the sid e'wa'llfof the shell '15, as best shown in Figure 3. A knurled knob 56 is secured to the hub as by a screw 57 so that the hub and cam may be readily turned.

Below the crosswall 29 there is another cross wall 58 to which a leaf spring 59 is secured at its inner end, the outer end of the spring pressing upwardly against the outer end of the lever 50. When the cam 54 is in its upper position, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, the spring 59 holds the lever 50 with its inner end substantially midway between and clear of the gear 48 and collar 45 on the shaft 43, so that the field structure 47 may remain in its lower position with its gear 48 in mesh with the gear 49, rotation of the sprinklernozzle structure then resulting in relative rotation of the field and armature structure and the generation of current. If it is not desired to use theillumination, the knob 56 is turned to swing the cam 54 downwardly to apply its cam surface 54' to the outer end of the lever 50 to swing the lever to carry its bifurcated end against tliecollar 4t and te raise the shaft 43 and the field structure a sufficient distance to unmesh the gear 48 from the gear 49, so that, when the sprinkler is then operated, thefield structure will not be revolved and no current will be generated. Stop extensions 60 and 61 on the cam engage 'with opposite sides of the lever 50 so that the cam will be turned the proper distance in either direction; when the dam is swung back to its upper position to release the lever, the spring 59 will swing the lever away from the collan4'5 and the field structure will tend to fall back to its operative position by the 'force of gravity. Y

In order 'to keep the field or permanent magnet structure proper magnet-it condition when the structiir'e raised out of operating position, I provide a keeper 62 which is shown in the form of an has secured against the bottom of the et er cross tau 26, this ring being concen trio with the fieldstructu're and'bei-ng engaged for rnagneticconneetion of its poles when the "struct'iire is raise ta ah inbperat-ive position. New "when the earns-4 is turned to its upper position to release the lever 50, the inner end of the leverwil-lengage the gear 48 and'exert downward pressure which will release the field structtire has the keeper i'in'g and fr'es tore the gear 48 into h 'the gear rarer operation of the generator structure to generate current.

Y It is evident that any number of lamps may b'eFused so that a 6f eo'l'ored rays could be projected into the spraymhdthe lamps could be attested "to direct the rays in any direction. Where the lai-n'piS seen to pio fedt ia'y's from one side of the housing 15 a counterweight 63 is preferably p'rov'i'de'd fo'n the housing {structure to Keep the "center of gravity of the housing structure and parts therein as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the various rotating parts so that the resistance -'to rotation to a minimum.

The various "cross walls --a1'-e "kept in properly spaced relationship by the spacing sleeves on the will he reduced rods -28 and the lower 'c-ross'wall 381s clamped by the rods against.;t;;e;top oi theframe 7 and the gasket material =39, Should any water get by the bearing structure 34 into the space 64 below the lower cross wall 38,-such water will be kep tfrcm passing this-cross wall by the gasket 3 prevent escape of water through the bearing opening in the wall 38 through which the shaft 42 extends, and the packing material may also be oil soaked so as to afford lubrication to the countershaft. Any water collected in the space 64 will be drained therefrom through the passageway 68 through the wall or frame 7 and this passageway preferably deflects at an angle and in a direction so that the water in the space 64 acted upon by centrifugal force may readily flow through the passageway and escape.

Briefly repeating the operation, the water under pressure enters the fitting 5 and flows through the tube 2 into the frame chamber 9 and through the pipes 12 and out of the nozzle orifices 14, the back pressure of the streams causing the rotation of the frame '7 in clockwise direction (Figure 2). The armature structure of the generator rotates with the nozzle structure but the driving train to the shaft 43 from the stationary gear 40 through the gears on the countershaft 42 will cause the permanent magnet or field structure to rotate in the opposite or counterclockwise direction, the relative rotation of the field structure and armature structure being thus very high and sufficient current of the proper voltage is generated for supplying the illuminating element. The lamp bulb or the lens may be colored or a colored screen may be interposed and where there are several lamps, there may be different colors, the colored light rays being projected through the water stream and spray giving a very ornamental and pleasing appearance. By the light rays, the sprinkler structure can also be easily located in the dark. If it is not desired to use the illumination, the button 56 is turned to unmesh the field structure from the driving train. By being mounted on the frame '7 and between the nozzle structure 13, the housing 15 will not be subjected to the direct impact of the water from the nozzle orifices and will receive only the spray and water raining downwardly, and, owing to the various sealing and packing precautions described, no water can enter the housing structure to interfere with the generator structure or the electrical circuit.

I have shown a practical and efficient embodiment of the various features of my invention, and I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction, arrangement and operation shown and described as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined in the accompanying claims.

I claim as follows:

1. In a sprinkler, a rotary body having discharge orifices and arranged to be rotated by the flow therethrough of the fluid to be sprayed, a housing mounted on said body to rotate therewith, electrical illuminating means within said housing for illuminating the sprayed fluid, a current generator structure within said housing comprising a field element and a magnetic armature element, means connecting said armature element to rotate with said body, a connecting train between said rotating body and said field element for rotating said field element in a direction opposite to that of the body and armature element whereby to cause generation of current for supplying said illuminating means, an electrical circuit for conducting current from said generator to said illuminating means, and means operable from the exterior of said housing for interrupting said connecting train whereby to prevent generation of current.

2. In a sprinkler, a rotatable nozzle structure operable and means whereby said structure is rotated by the force of the fluid flowing therethrough, electrical illuminating means on the sprinkler for illuminating the fluid sprayed from said nozzle structure, an electric current generator comprising field and armature elements, said field element being in the form of a permanent magnet, means controlled by the rotation of said nozzle structure for causing relative rotation of one of said generator elements for the production of current for supplying said illuminating. means, an electrical circuit for conducting the generator current to said illuminating means, means controllable to prevent generation of current by said generator structure, a keeper for said permanent magnet field element mounted adjacent thereto, and means for causing connection between said field element and said keeper when said generator structure is not generating current.

3. In a lawn sprinkler structure, a rotatable nozzle structure and means for causing rotation thereof, means on said structure for illuminating the fluid discharged from said nozzle structure, current generating means on said structure arranged to be driven by the rotation of the nozzle structure to generate current for supplying said illuminating means, and an electrical circuit for connecting said generating means with said illuminating means.

4. A lawn sprinkler comprising a rotatable nozzle structure, means for rotating said nozzle structure, a housing mounted on said nozzle structure to rotate therewith, electrical illuminating means within said housing for illuminating the fluid discharged from said nozzle structure, current generating means within said housing for said illuminating means arranged to be driven by the rotation of said nozzle structure, and an electrical circuit connecting said generating means with said illuminating means.

5. In a lawn sprinkler, a rotary frame having discharge outlets and arranged to be rotated by the flow therethrough of water to be sprayed, a housing mounted on said rotary frame, electrical illuminating means within said housing arranged to direct illuminating rays into the spray, an electric current generator within said housing connected with to be driven by said rotary frame to generate current and being electrically connected with said illuminating means for supplying current therefor, and means operable from the exterior of said housing for preventing current sup- 130 ply to said illuminating means.

6. The combination with a lawn sprinkler of a current generating dynamo structure mounted thereon, means controlled by the force of water flowing through said sprinkler for driving said 135 dynamo, and electrical illuminating means on the sprinkler connected to receive current from said dynamo and serving to illuminate the water flowing through said sprinkler.

7. A lawn sprinkler comprising a supporting 140 frame, a hydraulic device mounted on said frame having an inlet adapted for connection with a fluid supply conductor and having outlets for the discharge of the fluid, said hydraulic device having a rotor element driven by the force of the 5 fluid fiow through said device, a dynamo electric current generating structure on said frame, and a driving connection therewith from said rotor whereby said current generating structure will be driven to generate current, an electrical illumi- 1?? sesame cur-rent generating structure on said frame com prising an armature element and a field element, driving connection between said elements and saidrotor arranged to rotate said elements in opposite directions for the generation of current, an electrical illuminating device on said frame for illuminating the discharge fluid, and a circuit for Conducting current from said generator structure to, said illuminating device.

GUNNAR E. LUNDBERG.

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