Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02655148 2009-02-24
Sub-surface Irrigator and Precision Watering Method
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(i) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hand operable sub-surface irrigator, more
particularly a hand -
held apparatus for aerating soil and injecting water below the surface of the
soil to the
roots of a plant. A method of watering plants by aerating the soil and
directing water to
the root zone is also provided.
(ii) Description of the Related Art
Growth of home landscape and garden plants necessitates establishing good
water-air
relationships. Gardeners appreciate that effectiveness of transfering water
from the
surface of the soil to the plant's root zone may be impacted, inter alia, by
soil hardness
and ability to retain oxygen (necessary to avoid suffocation of plant roots),
quantity of
water deposited on soil surface, and distance between soil surface and plant
roots. These
and other factors affect the ease with which water permeates downwardly in the
direction
of the plant root zone.
Moisture is most effectively retained closer to the roots of the plant than at
the top of the
soil. When pools of water form close to the surface of the soil, as is
frequently the case
using conventional methods of plant irrigation, water may evaporate or be
absorbed by
weeds surrounding the plants, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of
transfer to plant
root zones.
An advantage of the invention is that it opens the soil surface to allow for
entry of
oxygen. Another advantage is to focus the direction of water to the plant root
zone,
thereby conserving the amount of water required by the plant. A further
advantage of
focusing direction of the water transfer to the root zone is to avoid feeding
weeds located
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near the soil surface. The invention also provides the advantage of easy
manoeuvring in
small areas due to the focussed shape of the wedge-tip and due to the angle of
spray. It
also provides the advantage of allowing both left-handed and right-handed
directional
flow of water by way of a rotation mechanism.
By directing the flow of water into the ground and positioning the apparatus
close to the
roots of the plant rather than on top of the soil, water run-off is reduced
and water is
preserved. It is also possible that a gardener create a reservoir of water
beneath the roots
of a plant, encouraging the water-seeking roots to grow downwards. It is an
object of the
invention to provide for a method of watering plants that can encourage plant
roots to
grow downwards by opening the soil surface, and directing the water to a
downward
location within the soil by positioning the apparatus of the invention close
to the plant
root zone when delivering watering to the desired sub-surface site location.
It is also an
object of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus that can aid in
repeat
watering of plants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a sub-surface spray device for watering plant roots,
the device
having a handle having means for connecting an inlet end of the handle to a
water source.
The handle has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The handle defines a
fluid passage
which joins a water source connected to the handle inlet end to an attachment
connected
to the handle outlet end. A hand-operable valve mechanism can be used for
controlling
the rate of water flow through the handle fluid passage. Connected to the
handle outlet
end is an injector portion which forms a tube for penetrating soil. There may
also be an
intermediate portion joining the handle outlet end to the injector tube, so
that the injector
tube may rotate freely. The connection between the injector tube and
intermediate
portion may be sealed using O-rings. There may also be a gripping portion
around the
injector tube to facilitate rotation. The injector tube defines a tube
passageway within for
flow of water from the handle outlet end to a wedge-tipped end surface distal
from the
handle outlet end. The wedge-tipped end has a sloped end surface with at least
one
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opening for discharge of water possibly perpendicular to the end surface. The
rotation of
the injector tube allows the direction of the flow to change. The inlet end of
the handle is
connectable to a water source. In use, the tube is inserted into the soil. A
valve
mechanism is actuated to discharge a flow of water from the water source,
through the
injector portion which has at least one opening into the soil beneath a plant
at a site close
to the plant roots. The sub-surface spray device is removed from the soil for
the soil to
define a tubular watering hole having a tubular watering hole opening.
The invention further provides for the injector tube being tapered toward the
wedge-
tipped end, for the sloped end surface of the wedge-tipped end being designed
for
penetration of the earth's surface, and for the sloped end surface having one
or a plurality
of openings for possibly parallel discharge of water. This aspect of the
invention also
provides that the injector tube has a central longitudinal axis and that the
sloped end
surface defines an angle ranging from 30 to 60 relative to the central
longitudinal axis
and specifically that the sloped end surface can define an angle of 45
relative to the
central longitudinal axis. The injector tube may be able to rotate about the
central
longitudinal axis.
In one embodiment of the apparatus, a toothed collar spray device is provided
for
watering plant roots. The toothed collar spray device has a handle having
means for
connecting an inlet end of the handle to the water source. The handle defines
a fluid
passage which joins a water source connected to the handle inlet end to
another portion
connected to the handle outlet end. In use, a hand-operable valve mechanism
may
control the rate of water flow through the handle fluid passage. A container
is connected
to the handle outlet end and the container extends between the connection to
the handle
outlet end and a spray head portion distal from the handle outlet end,
defining a
passageway for the water. There may be an intermediate portion that connects
the outlet
end of the handle and the container. The container or the spray head may
include a
switch for stopping the flow of water. The container or the spray head may
also include a
mechanism that allows the rate or type of spray to be adjusted. The spray head
has at
least one opening for discharge of water. The spray head is connected to a
collar that
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extends distal to the handle outlet end and has collar teeth for engaging the
soil. The
collar has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tubular watering hole
opening
created by the injector tube of the sub-surface spray device. The toothed
collar spray
device can be connected to the water source after the sub-surface spray device
is
disconnected from the water source. The toothed collar spray device is
positioned such
that the collar surrounds the tubular watering hole opening and the collar
teeth engage the
soil top surface, and the hand-operable valve mechanism is actuated to
discharge a flow
of water into the tubular watering hole. The toothed collar spray device may
also be
positioned so that it is placed against the ground near the plant (instead of
over the
tubular watering hole opening). When the collar teeth engage the soil on the
surface, the
collar confines the water so that the collar portion fills with water when
pressed against
the ground, allowing for maximum absorbance into the soil. The invention
further
provides for the container or the collar being cylindrical-shaped, cone-shaped
or bell-
shaped.
Another aspect of the invention provides for using the injector tube
attachment or toothed
collar container attachment described above without the described handle
portion of the
spray device. The attachments may be connected directly to a water source or
other
instrument. Another aspect of the invention provides the injector tube
attachment or
toothed collar container attachment may also be connected to a handle with an
extension
pipe. The extension pipe would connect to a handle having means for connecting
an inlet
end of the handle to a water source. The handle defines a fluid passage within
the handle
which joins a water source connected to the handle inlet end to another
portion connected
to the handle outlet end. A hand-operable valve mechanism may be used for
controlling
the rate of water flow through the handle fluid passage. The handle outlet end
connects
to the extension pipe inlet end, and the extension pipe outlet end may attach
to either the
injector tube attachment or toothed collar container attachment described
above, defining
a passageway for the water. The outlet end of the injector attachment tube may
also be
connected to another extension pipe. There may be a length adjusting means for
the
extension pipe. For example, there may be two or more extension pipes that
connect to
each other, and one extension pipe may fit inside another so they can slide
and contract
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like a telescope. Any the of the extension pipes may be either straight or
curved for
inserting the injector tube into the soil at a different angle and for
positioning the toothed
collar container from a different approach angle.
Another aspect of the invention provides for a method of controlled water
delivery to
plant roots which includes providing a sub-surface spray apparatus for
watering plant
roots with the apparatus having a handle inlet, a handle inlet end, a handle
outlet and a
handle outlet end and means for connecting the handle inlet end to a water
source. A
handle fluid passage within the handle connects the handle inlet end to the
handle outlet
end. A hand-operable valve mechanism is used for controlling the rate of water
flow
through the handle fluid passage. The extension pipe has a pipe inlet, a pipe
inlet end, a
pipe outlet, a pipe outlet end. The pipe defines a pipe fluid passage
connecting the pipe
inlet end and the pipe outlet end. The pipe inlet end is attached to the
handle outlet end.
An injector tube for penetrating the soil is connected to the pipe outlet end.
The injector
tube has a tube passageway within for flow of water from the pipe outlet to a
wedge-
tipped end distal from the pipe outlet end. The wedge-tipped end has a sloped
end
surface with at least one opening for discharge of water. The inlet end of the
handle is
connected to the water source. The injector tube is inserted into the soil.
The hand-
operable valve mechanism is actuated to discharge a flow of water from at
least one
opening into the soil beneath a plant. The injector tube is removed from the
soil such that
the soil defines a tubular watering hole having a tubular watering hole
opening. A
toothed collar container attachment is provided having a connection end
attachable to the
pipe outlet end. A container extends from the connection end to a spray head
portion
distal from the pipe outlet end. The spray head is connected to a collar with
collar teeth
for engaging the soil. The collar defines a perimeter for encompassing the
perimeter
defined by the tubular watering hole opening. The injector tube is
disconnected from the
pipe outlet end and the spray head is connected to the pipe outlet end. The
toothed collar
container apparatus is positioned such that the collar teeth surround the
tubular watering
hole opening and engage the soil top surface with the collar teeth and the
hand-operable
valve mechanism is actuated to discharge a flow of water into the tubular
watering hole.
This aspect of the invention further provides that the extension pipe may have
a length
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adjusting means or there may be two or more extension pipes that connect to
each other.
It also further provides that the extension pipe may be straight or it may be
curved for
inserting the injector tube into the soil at a different angle and for
positioning the toothed
collar container from a different approach angle.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide for a sub-surface irrigator
for watering
plant roots, the sub-surface irrigator comprising a handle having a handle
inlet, a handle
inlet end, a handle outlet and a handle outlet end and means for connecting
the handle
inlet end to a water source. A handle fluid passage within the handle connects
the handle
inlet to the handle outlet and a hand-operable valve mechanism is used for
controlling the
rate of water flow through the handle fluid passage. An extension pipe has a
pipe inlet, a
pipe inlet end, a pipe outlet, a pipe outlet end and a pipe wall defining a
pipe fluid
passage connecting the pipe inlet and the pipe outlet. The pipe inlet end is
attached to the
handle outlet end. An injector tube for penetrating soil is attached to the
pipe outlet end,
with the injector tube having a tube passageway within for flow of water from
the pipe
outlet to a wedge-tipped end that is distal from the pipe outlet end. The
wedge-tipped end
has a sloped end surface with at least one opening for discharge of water
whereby the
injector tube can be inserted into the soil and the hand-operable mechanism
can be
actuated to discharge a flow of water from at least one opening toward the
roots of the
plant. The invention also provides for the injector tube being tapered toward
the wedge-
tipped end, the sloped end surface of the wedge-tipped end being flat and the
sloped end
surface having a plurality of openings. It is further provided that the
injector tube has a
central longitudinal axis and that the injector tube may be connected to the
pipe outlet
end in a manner that allows for rotation of the injector tube about the
central longitudinal
axis. The sub-surface irrigator aspect of the invention further provides that
the extension
pipe may have a length adjusting means or there may be two or more extension
pipes that
connect to each other. It also further provides that the extension pipe may be
straight or it
may be curved or bent.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide for a toothed collar
irrigator for watering
plant roots, the toothed collar irrigator comprising a handle having a handle
inlet, a
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handle inlet end, a handle outlet and a handle outlet end and means for
connecting the
handle inlet end to a water source. A handle fluid passage within the handle
connects the
handle inlet to the handle outlet and a hand-operable valve mechanism is used
to control
the rate of water flow through the handle fluid passage. An extension pipe has
a pipe
inlet, a pipe inlet end, a pipe outlet, a pipe outlet end and a pipe wall
defining a pipe fluid
passage connecting the pipe inlet and the pipe outlet. The pipe inlet end is
attached to the
handle outlet end. A container is connected to the pipe outlet end and extends
between
the connection and a spray head portion. The spray head is connect to a
collar, with the
collar distal from said extension pipe and ending in collar teeth for engaging
soil. This
aspect of the invention further provides that the extension pipe may have a
length
adjusting means or there may be two or more extension pipes that connect to
each other.
It also further provides that the extension pipe may be straight or it may be
curved.
The invention further provides a kit for watering plant roots comprising,
firstly, the sub-
surface spray device as previously described wherein the water source is a
garden hose,
and the means for connecting an inlet end of the handle to a water source is
connectable
to the garden hose and, secondly, the toothed collar spray device as
previously described
wherein the water source is a garden hose and the means for connecting an
inlet end of
the handle to a water source is connectable to the garden hose.
The invention also provides for a kit for watering plant roots incorporating
the injector
tube attachment as previously described and the toothed collar container
attachment also
as previously described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of
example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a sub-surface spray device and a cross
section view of
the injector tube attachment;
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FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a toothed collar spray device;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of spray apparatus having an extension pipe ;
and
FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of a detached injector tube attachment and
a detached
toothed collar container attachment.
PARTS LIST
sub-surface spray device
12 handle
14 handle inlet end
10 16 handle outlet end
18 valve mechanism
injector tube
21 gripping portion
22 wedge-tipped end
23 intermediate portion
24 sloped end surface
injector tube attachment
26 opening
28 flow of water
20 30 toothed collar spray device
31 toothed collar container attachment
32 container
38 collar
40 collar teeth
42 extension pipe
42A additional extension pipe
44 extension pipe inlet end
44A additional extension pipe inlet end
46 extension pipe outlet end
46A additional extension pipe outlet end
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The complete method of the invention is a two-stage method, but each of the
stages can
be performed individually when it is advantageous. The apparatus employed
toward the
method of the invention can vary in terms of size and attachments. The
apparatus can be
described for each stage individually or for both stages together as a kit.
In the description and the drawings like parts are designated by like numbers.
An embodiment of the invention is for a method of watering plants. The method
includes
providing sub-surface spray device 10 (Fig. 1) for watering plant roots, the
spray device
having handle 12 having means for connecting inlet end 14 of handle 12 to a
water
source. The handle defines a handle fluid passage connecting a handle inlet
end 14 to
handle outlet end 16. Hand-operable valve mechanism 18, of which a handle part
is
visible in Fig. 1, can be used for controlling the rate of water flow through
the handle
fluid passage. Injector tube 20 has a first and second portion connected by an
intermediate portion 23. The first portion is for penetrating soil, and the
second portion is
connected to intermediate portion 23 and may have a gripping portion 21. The
handle
injector tube 20 thus defines a tube passageway within (as shown in the cross
section) for
the flow of water from the handle outlet to wedge-tipped end 22 distal from
handle outlet
end 16. Wedge-tipped end 22 has sloped end surface 24 with at least one
opening 26 for
discharge of water possibly perpendicular to end surface 24. Inlet end 14 of
handle 12 is
connected to the water source, likely a garden hose. Injector tube 20 is
inserted into the
soil. Hand-operable valve mechanism 18 is actuated to discharge flow of water
28 from
at least one opening 26 into the soil beneath a plant. A plurality of openings
26 is
preferred to having a single opening 26. It is preferred that the injector
tube 20 is rotated
and opening(s) 26 positioned so that flow of water 28 will be directed under
the roots of a
plant. The spray device is removed from the soil for the soil to define a
tubular watering
hole having a tubular watering hole opening. One or more holes can be created
for a
plant, depending on requirements. Toothed collar spray device 30 (Fig. 2) is
provided for
watering plant roots. Toothed collar spray device 30 has handle 12 having
means for
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connecting handle inlet end 14 of handle 12 to the water source. The handle
defines a
handle fluid passage connecting handle inlet end 14 to handle outlet end 16.
Hand-
operable valve mechanism 18 is used for controlling the rate of water flow
through the
handle fluid passage. Handle 12 and hand-operable valve mechanism 18 of
toothed
collar spray device 30 may be identical to those of sub-surface spray device
10 or may
have variations. A container 32 is connected to handle outlet end 16.
Container 32
extends between the connection to handle outlet end 16 and spray head 37.
Different
configurations of the spray head are possible, including there being a single
opening or a
plurality of openings. Spray head 38 is connected to a collar 38 which has
collar teeth
40 distal from handle 12 for engaging the soil. Collar 38 has a diameter
larger than the
diameter of the tubular watering hole opening. Sub-surface spray device 10 can
be
disconnected from the water source and handle inlet end 14 of toothed collar
spray device
30 can be connected to the water source. Toothed collar spray device 30 is
positioned
such that collar teeth 40 surround the tubular watering hole opening and
engage the soil
top surface and then hand-operable valve mechanism 18 is actuated to discharge
a flow of
water into the tubular watering hole. The collared container helps to direct
water flow
into the tubular watering hole and helps to control spray and flying debris.
The tubular watering hole may remain in tact for use at a future time, and the
gardener
can skip using sub-surface spray device 10 and start watering using toothed
collar spray
device 30, thus saving time. There are further variations of the method of use
of toothed
collar spray device 30. It is possible for collar 38 and collar teeth 40 to
engage the
ground to create a water-tight seal to prevent runoff when a relatively small
amount of
water is sprayed. And it is also possible to use toothed collar spray device
30 directly in
contact with the ground even when no hole is in the ground.
By directing the flow of water into the ground and positioning the apparatus
close to the
roots of the plant rather than on top of the soil, water run-off is reduced
and water is
preserved. It is also possible that a gardener create a reservoir of water
beneath the roots
of a plant, encouraging the water-seeking roots to grow downwards.
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The present invention also embodies variations to the apparatus. The invention
can
include injector tube 20 being tapered toward wedge-tipped end 22 or being non-
tapered,
sloped end surface 24 of wedge-tipped end 22 being flat or rounded, and sloped
end
surface 24 having a plurality of openings 26 for possibly parallel discharge
of water. The
invention also includes the option that sloped end surface 24 can define an
angle ranging
from 30 to 60 relative to the central longitudinal axis of the injector tube
and more
specifically sloped end surface 24 can define an angle of 45 relative to the
central
longitudinal axis. It is also possible that wedge-tipped end 22 could have two
sloped
surfaces to form a v-shaped end or could have a pointed conical end. Injector
tube 20 can
be connected to handle outlet end 16 by commonly known means for rotation of
injector
tube 20 about the central longitudinal axis to direct the flow of water from
wedge-tipped
end 22 in different directions. The invention further includes the toothed
collar 38 or
container 32 being cylindrical-shaped, cone-shaped or bell-shaped. Collar 38
could be a
separate part that is possibly detachable, as seen in Fig. 2, or it could be
formed integral
with container 32.
This invention also embodies providing injector tube attachment 25 (which may
or may
not include intermediate portion 23 and gripping portion 21) by itself as an
attachment for
a common spray device and providing toothed collar container attachment 31
individually as an attachment for a common spray device. Common spray devices
can
have a configuration similar to those of Figs. 1 and 2, without the
attachments, or could
have different general configurations while still achieving the same
functional results.
Another embodiment of the invention is for a method of controlled water
delivery to
plant roots which uses the extension pipe spray apparatus of Fig. 3. The
apparatus
includes handle 12 having a handle inlet, handle inlet end 14, a handle
outlet, and handle
outlet end 16 and means for connecting handle inlet end 14 to a water source.
The
connecting means could be a threaded connector for use with a common garden
hose or
possibly slide-on connectors. Handle fluid passage within handle 12 connects
the handle
inlet to the handle outlet. Hand-operable valve mechanism 18, of which the
handle part
is shown in Fig. 3, is used for controlling the rate of water flow through the
handle fluid
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passage. Extension pipe 42 has a pipe inlet, pipe inlet end 44, a pipe outlet,
pipe outlet
end 46 and the pipe wall defines a pipe fluid passage (not shown) connecting
the pipe
inlet and the pipe outlet. Pipe inlet end 44 is attached to handle outlet end
16. Injector
tube attachment 25 for penetrating the soil, as shown in Fig. 1, is connected
to pipe outlet
end 46. Injector tube attachment 25 can vary in shape and size. Injector tube
20 of the
injector tube attachment 25 has a central longitudinal axis, and can be
connected to
extension pipe outlet end 46 for rotation of injector tube 20 about the
central longitudinal
axis to direct the flow of water from the wedge-tipped end in different
directions. Inlet
end 14 of the handle is connected to the water source. Injector tube 20 is
inserted into the
soil. Hand-operable valve mechanism 18 is actuated to discharge a flow of
water from at
least one opening 26 into the soil beneath a plant. Injector tube 20 is
removed from the
soil such that the soil defines a tubular watering hole having a tubular
watering hole
opening. Toothed collar container attachment 31, as shown in Fig. 2, is can be
connected
to pipe outlet end 46 such that the container 32 extends from the connection
end to a
spray head portion distal from the pipe outlet end 46. The spray head portion
is
connected to collar 38 which has collar teeth 40 for engaging the soil. Collar
38 defines a
perimeter for encompassing the perimeter defined by the tubular watering hole
opening.
Injector tube attachment 25 is disconnected from pipe outlet end 46 and
toothed collar
container attachment 31 is connected to pipe outlet end 46. Toothed collar
container
attachment 31 is positioned such that collar teeth 40 surround the tubular
watering hole
opening and engage the soil top surface, and hand-operable valve mechanism 18
is
actuated to discharge a flow of water into the tubular watering hole.
Extension pipe 42
can be a single piece of a fixed length. It is also possible that extension
pipe 42 have
length adjusting means, such as an additional extension pipes telescopically
extending
from a relatively larger diameter pipe as seen in Fig. 3. There may be one or
more
additional extension pipes 42A with pipe inlet ends 44A and pipe outlet ends
46A that
can connect to attachments 25 and 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the invention can
include any
of the extension pipes being curved or bent for inserting injector tube
attachment 25 into
soil at a different angle and for positioning toothed collar container
attachment 31 from a
different approach angle. Extension pipe 42 allows the gardener to do sub-
surface
watering from a standing position and to easily walk from plant to plant,
eliminating the
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need to squat or kneel while watering and crawl or stand back up to move
between plants,
thereby increasing comfort and efficiency.
The invention further embodies providing a sub-surface irrigator having
injector tube 20
attached to extension pipe 42 as a unit. Also, the invention embodies a
toothed collar
irrigator when toothed collar container attachment 31 is attached to extension
pipe 42 as a
unit. The sub-surface irrigator unit and the toothed collar irrigator unit
both have the
options of extension pipe 20 being adjustable or fixed in length and having a
bend.
It is also an embodiment of the invention to provide a kit for watering plant
roots that
includes sub-surface spray device 10 as previously described and toothed
collar spray
device 30 as previously described. The inlet ends of the spray device bodies
could have
threaded connectors for use with a common garden hose or the inlet ends could
have
alternative connection means, such as slide-on connectors.
It is a further embodiment to provide a kit for watering plant roots including
injector tube
attachment 25 as previously described and toothed collar container attachment
31 as
previously described. The injector tube and the toothed collar container
attachments of
the kit could be attachable to handle 12 as previously described or be
attachable to
extension pipe 42 as previously described.
It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the
embodiments of
the invention described herein without departing from the scope and purview of
the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
