Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
GARDEN WATERING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to garden watering devices
and, more
particularly, to a water distributing multi-pattern sprinkler that can
function as both a
ground-based sprinkler or a handheld sprinkler and washing device.
Background of the Invention
[0002] For people who live on properties with the need to
maintain large outdoor
living spaces, automobiles, and pets, there is a need to create a device
capable of watering
plants that can serve a multitude of functions. For example, there is a need
for a device
that can serve as a lawn watering device as well as a spray device for washing
automobiles, pets, and other outdoor surfaces. In particular, there is a need
for a device
that serves as both a handheld watering device and a ground based lawn
sprinkler, thus
eliminating the need to own multiple watering devices that each serves a
particular
function. One could instead own a single device capable of serving multiple
functions.
[0003] Having a single device capable of serving multiple
watering functions
would be advantageous for multiple reasons. First, it is inconvenient to have
to shut off
the water supply when changing devices for different watering tasks. In most
cases, the
water shut off (the hose bib) is adjacent to the dwelling or building. The
operator must
therefore walk back to the hose bib and shut off the water supply in order to
exchange
devices. If the residual water pressure has not been discharged, the hose may
spray on
the operator as the device is disconnected. Furthermore, these separate
devices for
different watering tasks must be retrieved and stored upon each device
exchange
performed by the operator. Another point of difficulty for the operator may be
experienced by individuals that have physical limitations with respect to
their ability to
twist or grab small objects such as a hose fitting. Connecting the hose can be
especially
difficult when the fitting is wet or the strength of the connection has been
increased by
the pressure of water running through the line.
[0004] There have been devices that have been created to address
some of these
problems. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,160,093 to Battaglia describes a
multi-purpose
handheld watering device featuring two sprayer heads, one of which is oriented
in a
forward direction when the device is to be used in handheld operation, and the
other
oriented upwardly for when the device is operated as a ground based lawn
sprinkler. The
device also features a pivoting spike which may be folded into the sprinkler
body or
pointed outward, providing the device with a means of support for when the
device is
used as a ground based lawn sprinkler.
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A
[0005] However, these devices suffer from several drawbacks.
Some
conventional devices are only capable of watering a small to medium area of
the lawn.
They are also only capable of watering the lawn in a fixed pattern. This means
that
should the device be placed at the edge of a lawn, there would be no means of
limiting
the flow of water to only the lawn area, and it would unnecessarily spill over
to other
areas or provide inadequate coverage over the desired lawn area. A further
drawback in
some of the prior devices is the required use of a spike inserted into the
ground to support
the device when it is to be used in ground based operation. This prevents the
device from
properly being used for ground based operation if the device is to be used on
hard
surfaces, such as rocky areas or areas with dense tree roots. Moreover, the
inclusion of a
spike on the prior devices could damage an automobile or injure a pet if these
devices
were used for washing purposes other than lawn watering. Thus, it would be
desirable to
provide a garden watering device that addresses these and other concerns.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] According to the present invention, a garden watering
device is provided
that is capable of performing multiple functions. In one embodiment, the
garden
watering device includes a device body, a water inlet, and at least one multi-
pattern water
distribution head. The device body includes a support structure having at
least two legs
configured to support the multi-pattern water distribution head on the ground
in a ground-
based operation. The device body also includes a handle disposed between the
water
inlet and the multi-pattern water distribution head and configured to support
the multi-
pattern water distribution head in a handheld operation. The handle is
integrated with at
least one of the legs of the support structure.
[0007] In another embodiment, the garden watering device
includes a device
body, a first water distribution member, a second water distribution member,
and a flow
selector. The device body includes a water inlet. The first water distribution
member is
an elongate tube capable of oscillation. The second water distribution member
is a fixed
or movable multi-pattern head. The flow selector directs flow selectively into
the
elongate tube, the multi-pattern head, or neither. In this regard, the garden
watering
device may be configured for ground-based watering an area of varying sizes in
a lawn,
and may also be configured for handheld watering or washing operations.
[0008] The garden watering device may further include a
telescoping member
coupled to the device body. The telescoping member allows the multi-pattern
head to be
extended outwardly from the device body for additional watering tasks. The
garden
watering device may alternatively include a device body having a first body
member and
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a second body member coupled to the first body member at an articulating hinge
joint.
The second body member may rotate with respect to the first body member
between a
folded position and an unfolded position for various watering tasks. For
example, the
elongate tube may be reoriented for ground-based operation such that the
elongate tube
sprays water in a direction substantially parallel to the ground surface
instead of
substantially normal to the ground surface.
[0009] The second water distribution member may extend integrally from a
free
end of the elongate tube opposite the handle. In this regard, the second water
distribution
member may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube.
Alternatively,
the second water distribution member may be spaced from the elongate tube. In
this
regard, the second water distribution member may include two fixed multi-
pattern heads
directed in opposing directions. The second water distribution member may also
include
one pivotal multi-pattern head configured to be selectively locked in various
positions or
be free-floating with respect to the device body during handheld operation.
[0010] In another embodiment, the garden watering device includes a device
body and a multi-pattern turret-type water distribution head. The device body
includes a
water inlet, a U-shaped body member, and a handle disposed between the water
inlet and
the U-shaped body member. The water distribution head is rotatably coupled to
the
device body at the U-shaped body member by at least one hollow axle. In this
regard, the
U-shaped body member partially surrounds an outer periphery of the water
distribution
head. The axle is configured to deliver water from the U-shaped body member to
the
water distribution head, and the axle permits the water distribution head to
rotate 360
degrees with respect to the U-shaped body member.
[0011] The garden watering device may also include an articulating joint
coupled
to the hollow axle and the U-shaped body member. The articulating joint
maintains the
angular position of the water distribution head with respect to the U-shaped
body
member. The articulating joint may also be disengaged so that the water
distribution
head is free-floating with respect to the U-shaped body member. The
articulating joint
may be configured to automatically disengage when the water distribution head
engages
an undulating contour of a surface to be washed or watered.
[0012] The water distribution head may include a dial having a plurality
of flow
outlets corresponding to a variety of water discharge patterns. The garden
watering
device may also include a valve control at the handle for selectively opening
and closing
water flow through the device body. The device body may further include a
support
structure extending from the handle such that the garden watering device may
be
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4
supported on any ground surface by the support structure and the U-shaped body
member. The water distribution head may also include auxiliary devices
including a
scraper and a squeegee for use in the handheld operation.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the garden watering device
includes a pistol-
type device body, a water distribution head coupled to the body member, and a
water
inlet. The water distribution head includes a rotatable dial having a
plurality of flow
outlets. The device body includes a handle disposed between the water inlet
and the
water distribution head, and a support structure configured to support the
garden watering
device in ground-based operation. More particularly, the support structure
includes at
least one pivoting leg rotatable between a first position flush against the
handle and a
second position extending away from the handle. Alternatively, the support
structure
includes a stabilization bar which pivots from a first position adjacent the
device body to
a second position extending away from the device body. The support structure
and
handle are configured to support the water distribution head in a ground-based
operation
such that the water distribution head is directed upward and generally
perpendicular to
the ground.
[0014] The handle of the garden watering device may also
include a trigger which
may be depressed to deliver water flow from the handle to the water
distribution head.
The garden watering device may include a locking collar coupled for rotation
with the
handle. The locking collar moves from a locked position where the locking
collar forces
the trigger to stay depressed (i.e., for ground-based operation) and an
unlocked position
where the locking collar does not affect the operation of the trigger.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
and constitute a
part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with a
general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description
given
below, serve to explain the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garden watering
device in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the garden watering device
of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the garden watering device of
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of the garden watering device
of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5A is a side view of the garden watering device
of FIG. 1 with the
turret head pivoted downward.
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[0021] FIG. 5B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 1 with
the
turret head pivoted upward.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional side view of the garden
watering device
of FIG. 1 as taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the garden watering device
of FIG.
1 as taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 8A is a side view of the handle of the garden watering device
of FIG.
1 with the flow route selector in a first position.
[0025] FIG. 8B is a side view of the handle of the garden watering device
of FIG.
1 with the flow route selector in a second position.
[0026] FIG. 8C is a side view of the handle of the garden watering device
of FIG.
1 with the flow route selector in a third position.
[0027] FIG. 9A is a schematic view of the valve of the flow route selector
in the
first position corresponding to FIG. 8A.
[0028] FIG. 9B is a schematic view of the valve of the flow route selector
in the
second position corresponding to FIG. 8B.
[0029] FIG. 9C is a schematic view of the valve of the flow route selector
in the
third position corresponding to FIG. 8C.
[0030] FIG. 9D is a schematic view of another embodiment of the flow route
selector.
[0031] FIG. 10A is a side view of the oscillation device of the garden
watering
device of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the oscillation device of the
garden
watering device of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional side view of the oscillation device
of the
garden watering device of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the oscillation device and the
elongate
tube of the garden watering device of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 10E is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden
watering
device of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dial of the multi-pattern head
of the
garden watering device of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device.
[0038] FIG. 12B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 12A.
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[0039] FIG. 12C is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 12A,
illustrating internal passageways.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering
device.
[0041] FIG. 14A is a front view of a flow control device of another
embodiment
of a garden watering device.
[0042] FIG. 14B is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device of FIG. 14A, in a first rotational position.
[0043] FIG. 14C is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device of FIG. 14A, in a second rotational position.
[0044] FIG. 14D is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device of FIG. 14A, in a third rotational position.
[0045] FIG. 14E is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device of FIG. 14A, in a fourth rotational position.
[0046] FIG. 14F is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device
of FIG. 14A, in a fifth rotational position.
[0047] FIG. 14G is a front view of the elongate tube of the garden watering
device of FIG. 14A, in a sixth rotational position.
[0048] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device.
[0049] FIG. 15B is a side view of an oscillating device configured for use
with
the garden watering device of FIG. 15A.
[0050] FIG. 15C is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an
oscillating
device configured for use with the garden watering device of FIG. 15A.
[0051] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device.
[0052] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device.
[0053] FIG. 17A is a side view of another embodiment of a garden watering
device having a telescoping component in a retracted position.
[0054] FIG. 17B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 17A
with
the telescoping component in an extended position.
[0055] FIG. 17C is a partial cross sectional side view of the garden
watering
device of FIG. 17A.
Page 6
[0056] FIG. 18A is a side view of another embodiment of a garden watering
device in a
folded position.
[0057] FIG. 18B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 18A
in a partially
unfolded position.
[0058] Continue to [0059].
[0059] FIG. 18C is a partial cross sectional side view of the garden
watering device of FIG.
18A.
[0060] FIG. 19A is a side view of another embodiment of a garden watering
device in a first
position.
[0061] FIG. 19B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 19A
in a second
position.
[0062] FIG. 19C is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the garden
watering device of
FIG. 19A.
[0063] FIG. 20 is a partial cross sectional side view of another
embodiment of a garden
watering device, including a flow route selector integrated into an
articulating joint.
[0064] FIG. 21 A is a partial cross-sectional side view of another
embodiment of a garden
watering device, including a flow route selector integrated into an
oscillating device of an elongate
tube.
[0065] FIG. 2 IB is a partial cross-sectional side view of the garden
watering device of FIG.
21 A, showing the flow route selector in a different position.
[0066] FIG. 22 is perspective view of the garden watering device in
accordance with another
embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 23 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 22,
with the multi-pattern
head rotated for ground-based operation.
[00681 FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the garden watering device of FIG. 22.
[0069] FIG. 25 is a top view of the garden watering device of FIG. 22.
100701 FIG. 26 is a front view of the garden watering device of FIG. 22.
[0071] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the garden watering device of FIG.
22, with the multi
-pattern head rotated for handheld operation.
[0072] FIG. 28 is an exploded view of the garden watering device of FIG.
22.
[0073] FIG. 29 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the garden
watering device of FIG.
22 illustrating water flow through the device.
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[0074] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering
device.
[0075] FIG. 31A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device in a first position.
[0076] FIG. 31B is a perspective view of the garden watering device of FIG.
31A
in a second position.
[0077] FIG. 32A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garden
watering device in a first position.
[0078] FIG. 32B is a perspective view of the garden watering device of FIG.
32A
in a second position.
[0079] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the garden watering device in
accordance
with one embodiment, illustrating the support legs folded into the handle.
[0080] FIG. 34 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 33.
[0081] FIG. 35 is a front view of the garden watering device of FIG. 33.
[0082] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the garden watering device of FIG.
33
with the support legs folded outward.
[0083] FIG. 37 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 33.
[0084] FIG. 38 is a rear view of the garden watering device of FIG. 33.
[0085] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view of the garden watering device
of
FIG. 33 along line 39-39.
[0086] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
garden
watering device.
[0087] FIG. 41 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 40.
[0088] FIG. 42 is a front view of the garden watering device of FIG. 40.
{00891 FIG. 43 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the garden
watering device.
[0090] FIG. 44 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 43,
illustrating the stabilization bar folded against the device body.
[0091] FIG. 45 is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 43,
illustrating the stabilization bar folded outward.
[0092] FIG. 46A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the garden
watering device.
[0093] FIG. 46B is a side view of the garden watering device of FIG. 46A.
[0094] FIG. 47A is a bottom view of another embodiment of the garden
watering
device, with a support member stowed.
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[0095] FIG. 47B is a bottom view of the garden watering
device of FIG. 47A,
with a support member partially deployed.
[0096] FIG. 47C is a bottom view of the garden watering
device of FIG. 47A,
with a support member fully deployed.
Detailed Description
[0097] One embodiment of a garden watering device 100 is
shown in FIGS. 1-11.
The garden watering device 100 includes a device body 115, a first water
distribution
member 104, and a second water distribution member 101. The first water
distribution
member 104 is an elongate tube configured to oscillate. The second water
distribution
member 101 is a turret-style multi-pattern head. The garden watering device
100 further
includes a flow route selector 113 that selectively directs water to each of
the elongate
tube 104 and the multi-pattern head 101. The elongate tube 104 may be
operatively
coupled to an oscillation device 114 configured to rotate the elongate tube
104 to provide
water flow over a large area in a ground-based operation of the garden
watering device
100. The multi-pattern head 101 is capable of being aimed upwardly to provide
water
flow over a small to medium area of land in a ground-based operation of the
garden
watering device 100. Alternatively, the pivoting turret head 101 may be aimed
downwardly to provide a directed stream of water in a handheld operation of
the garden
watering device 100. To this end, an operator can use the garden watering
device 200 for
many kinds of watering applications.
[0098] It will be understood that in this specification,
directional terms such as
"upwardly' and "downwardly" are provided for explanatory purposes only and
generally
refer to directions encountered during ground-based operation of the garden
watering
device 100 of this and other embodiments. FIG. 1 further illustrates another
directional
notation used herein. The elongate tube 104 extends along a longitudinal axis
X that
defines an axial direction of the garden watering device 100. The longitudinal
axis X is
generally parallel to the plane of the ground in a ground-based operation. The
elongate
tube 104 includes flow outlets 102 which direct water to flow in a direction
substantially
normal to the ground along a normal axis Y. Water flow along the normal axis Y
is
generally referred to as water flow in the normal direction of the garden
watering device
100.
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 1-5B, the device body 115 includes
a handle 106 and a
water inlet coupling 105 which allows attachment of a garden hose to the
garden watering
device 100. The flow route selector 113 includes a lever 113a at the top of
the handle
106 coupled to a valve 113b (not shown in FIGS. 1-5B) for controlling the flow
of water
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from the water inlet coupling 105 through the garden watering device 100. The
operation
of the flow route selector 113 is provided in further detail below with
reference to FIGS.
8A-9C. The device body 115 further includes a central body portion 116
extending from
the handle 106 to the multi-pattern head 101. The central body portion 116
holds the
oscillation device 114 and the elongate tube 104.
[00100] At one end of the central body portion 116, the device body 115
includes a
support leg 107 spaced from the handle 106 in a similar manner as a trigger
guard in
other sprinkler systems. The support leg 107 and the handle 106 are integral
or partially
integrated to form a generally planar bottom surface 117 shown most clearly in
FIG. 2.
In this regard, the handle 106 may include a trigger portion 106a facing
towards the
support leg 107 and a grip portion 106b facing outwardly and configured to be
gripped by
a user when moving the device 100 or during handheld operation. The support
leg 107 is
configured to contact the ground, while the trigger portion 106a and the grip
portion 106b
are spaced from the ground in a ground-based operation. At the opposite end of
the
central body portion 116 from the support leg 107 and the handle 106, the
device body
115 includes a support structure 111 having a pair of support structure legs
111a, 111b
that flare outwardly adjacent to the multi-position head 101 as shown in FIGS.
3 and 4.
The pair of support structure legs 111a, 111b defines respective bottom ends
111c, 111d
that are generally flat and in the same plane as the bottom surface 117 of the
support leg
107 and handle 106. Consequently, the bottom surface 117 and bottom ends 111c,
111d
collectively provide support for the garden watering device 100 to hold the
device body
115 above the ground in a ground-based operation. The elongate tube 104 is
oriented
generally horizontally and parallel to the ground surface along the
longitudinal axis X.
The handle 106 extends coextensively with the elongate tube 104 and at least
partially
along the longitudinal axis X. The garden watering device 100 can therefore be
supported on any type of surface without the use of a spike driven into the
ground.
[00101] The multi-pattern head 101 is coupled to the device body 115 at an
articulating joint 108. The articulating joint 108 is discussed in further
detail below, but
the articulating joint 108 acts as a pivot axis for the multi-pattern head 101
as shown in
FIGS. 5A and 5B. The multi-pattern head 101 further includes a dial 109
containing a
plurality of flow orifices 110 shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each of
the plurality
of flow orifices 110 has a different shape corresponding to different types of
output flow
from the multi-pattern head 101. The dial 109 may be rotated to align one of
the flow
orifices 110 with the water flow in the multi-pattern head 101, thereby
setting the type of
output flow delivered by the multi-pattern head 101. The flow orifices 110 may
be used
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in one or both of the handheld operation or the ground-based operation. For
example, one of the flow
orifices 110 may provide flow only along one side of the multi-pattern head
101, which allows a user to
place the garden watering device 100 at the edge of a lawn and keep the water
flow contained to only
the lawn. The multi-pattern head 101 may be rotated to the downward direction
for handheld watering or
washing operations as shown in FIG. 5A, and may alternatively be rotated to
the upward direction for
ground-based lawn watering as shown in FIG. 5B. In each position, the multi-
pattern head 101 is located
relative to the support structure 111 to ensure that water flow passes by the
support structure 111 rather
than into the support structure 111.
[00102] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate partial cross-sections of the garden
watering device 100. The
handle 106 includes a primary channel 124 in fluid communication with the
water inlet coupling 105
and the valve 113b of the flow route selector 113. Depending on the
orientation of the valve 113b, water
from the primary channel 124 may flow into an upper channel 125 or a lower
channel 126 in the device
body 115. The upper channel 125 is in fluid communication with the elongate
tube 104. The water
passes through the oscillation device 114 between the upper channel 125 and
the elongate tube 104. The
oscillation device 114 is further described with reference to FIGS. 10A-10E
below. The oscillation
device 114 may alternatively be the oscillating gear box disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,708,291 to
Grundy, or another known oscillating gear box or device. In any event, as
water flows through the
oscillation device 114, the water flow actuates rotation of a gear train 118
held within the oscillation
device 114, which in turn leads to oscillatory movement of the elongate tube
104 about the longitudinal
axis X. Water exiting the oscillation device 114 then enters a tube flow
passage 103 as shown in FIG. 7.
The water then exits the garden watering device 100 in a spray through a
generally linear series of
discharge outlets 102 in the elongate tube 104. It will be appreciated that
the discharge outlets 102 may
be offset or spaced slightly from adjacent discharge outlets 102 in angular
orientation within the scope
of the generally linear series of discharge outlets 102.
[00103] Alternatively, water from the primary channel 124 may be directed
by the valve 113b of
the flow route selector 113 to flow through the lower channel 126 disposed in
the device body 115 to the
articulating joint 108. The articulating joint 108 may be a water joint
disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
6,712,294 to Wang. The articulating joint 108 enables the multi-pattern head
101 to retain a position
until the user chooses to rotate the multi -pattern head 101. As shown in FIG.
6, the interior of the
articulating joint 108 includes a plurality on inwardly-directed gear
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teeth 131 and a spring-loaded member 130 mounted on a bracket 132 which is
configured
to remain stationary. The gear teeth 131 may rotate with the movement of the
multi-
pattern head 101 such that the spring-loaded member 130 engages one of the
gaps
between the gear teeth 131. The spring-loaded member 130 will remain in this
gap until
a user rotates the multi-pattern head 101 manually to overcome the spring
force holding
the spring-loaded member 130 between the gear teeth 131. Alternatively, the
spring-
loaded member 130 and the gear teeth 131 of the articulating joint 108 may be
disengaged such that the multi-pattern head 101 is free flowing in a handheld
operation.
Water flowing through the articulating joint 108 then passes into the multi-
pattern head
101 where the water flows out of the garden watering device 100 through one of
the flow
orifices 110 described above.
[00104] The operation of the flow route selector 113 is schematically
illustrated in
FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C. FIGS. 8A-8C show the various positions of the lever
113a,
while FIGS. 9A-9C show the corresponding position of the valve 113b. When the
lever
113a is rotated back to a first position shown in FIG. 8A, the valve 113b,
shown as a
three-way valve in FIGS. 9A-9C, allows flow from the primary channel 124 into
the
upper channel 125 and the elongate tube 104 as shown in FIG. 9A. When the
lever 113a
is rotated forward to a second position shown in FIG. 8B, the valve 113b
permits flow
from the primary channel 124 into the lower channel 126 and the multi-pattern
head 101
as shown in FIG. 9B. The lever 113a may also be rotated to a third position
intermediate
the first and second positions as shown in FIG. 8C. In the third position, the
valve 113b
turns so that water flow is blocked at the flow route selector 113 and is not
delivered to
either of the upper channel 125 or lower channel 126. Thus, the flow route
selector 113
not only allows a user to switch flow between the elongate tube 104 and the
multi-
position head 101, but also acts as a trigger or on/off control for water flow
through the
garden watering device 100.
[00105] It will be understood that the flow route selector 113 may be
configured to
move to a fourth position or more positions in alternative embodiments wherein
the valve
113b includes more than three inlets/outlets. For example, FIG. 9D illustrates
another
flow route selector 113 configured for use with the garden watering device 100
of this
embodiment or other embodiments further described below. The flow route
selector 113
includes a four-way valve 113b that directs flow into one of the upper channel
125, the
lower channel 126, or a third channel 185 extending to various water
distribution
members. Therefore, the flow route selector 113 is configured to deliver flow
to any
water distribution member incorporated with the garden watering device 100.
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[00106] FIGS. 10A-10E show an exemplary oscillation device 114 configured
to
rotate the elongate tube 104 of the garden watering device 100. The
oscillation device
114 includes a housing 140 with an inlet end 141 and an outlet end 142. The
oscillation
device 114 also includes a fluid connector 143 extending from the inlet end
141 and
configured to be coupled to the device body 115. Also shown in FIG. 10A, a
final gear
drive adapter 144 extends from the outlet end 142. The final gear drive
adapter 144
includes an interlocking driver surface 145 and a plurality of through
apertures 146 for
outgoing water exiting the oscillation device 114.
[00107] FIGS. 10B and 10C further illustrate internal components of the
oscillation device 114. The oscillation device 114 further includes a
paddlewheel 147
coupled to a propulsion shaft 148 leading to a propulsion gear 149. The
oscillation
device 114 also includes a first gear stack 150 having an elongate first inner
gear 151 and
a plurality of spaced first outer gears 152 rigidly coupled for collective
rotation on a first
gear shaft 153. A second gear stack 154 is positioned within the housing 140
and
includes an elongate second inner gear 155 and a plurality of spaced second
outer gears
156 rigidly coupled for collective rotation on a second gear shaft 157. The
final gear
drive adapter 144 also includes an outlet gear 158 disposed within the housing
140 as
shown in FIG. 10C. The first gear stack 150 and second gear stack 154 are
engaged such
that the second outer gears 156 are disposed between adjacent first outer
gears 152,
thereby enabling gear meshing between the elongate first inner gear 151 and
the second
outer gears 156, as well as gear meshing between the elongate second inner
gear 155 and
the first outer gears 152. The propulsion gear 149 is engaged with one of the
first outer
gears 152, and the outlet gear 158 is engaged with the elongate first inner
gear 151 as
shown in FIG. 10C.
[00108] In operation, water flows from the flow route selector 113 and the
upper
channel 125 into the fluid connector 143 and then the housing 140 of the
oscillation
device 114. The motion of the water flowing past the paddlewheel 147 causes
the
paddlewheel 147 and the propulsion gear 149 to rotate. The propulsion gear 149
then
meshes with the first outer gears 152 and forces the first gear stack 150 and
the second
gear stack 154 to each rotate in opposing directions. The elongate first inner
gear 151
then actuates the outlet gear 158 and the final gear drive adapter 144 to
rotate. The gear
drive adapter 144 may be engaged with a corresponding receptacle 159 in the
elongate
tube 104 to thereby rotate the elongate tube 104 through full oscillations of
360 degrees
or partial oscillations, as well understood in the sprinkler art. At the same
time, the water
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flowing through the housing 140 passes through the through apertures 146 into
the flow
passage 103 formed in the elongate tube 104.
[00109] FIGS. 10D and 10E further illustrate the engagement of the elongate
tube
104 and the oscillation device 114. The flow passage 103 corresponds in size
and shape
with the housing 140 of the oscillation device 114 so that the oscillation
device 114 may
be slid into the flow passage 103. Once positioned in the flow passage 103,
the gear
drive adapter 144 engages with the receptacle 159 extending into the flow
passage 103 as
shown most clearly in FIG. 10E. After water exits the oscillation device 114
into the
flow passage 103, the water may then be directed into an upper lumen 160
leading to the
discharge outlets 102. The elongate tube 104 may also include one or more
auxiliary
lumens 161 configured to deliver water through the elongate tube 104 to a
second water
distribution member, as described in further detail in an alternative
embodiment below.
It will be understood that a portion of the oscillation device 114 may be
disposed
underneath one or more of the distribution outlets 102 in the elongate tube
104 such that
the elongate tube 104 can oscillate over a portion of the oscillation device
114.
[00110] FIG. 11 shows further details of the multi-pattern head 101, and
more
specifically, one embodiment of the dial 109 and flow outlets 110 on the multi-
pattern
head 101. The dial 109 features a plurality of single outlet water
distribution patterns,
wherein there is at least one water distribution pattern (flow outlets 110a)
principally
configured to distribute water from a ground-based position and at least one
water
distribution pattern (flow outlets 110b) principally configured to distribute
water from a
handheld position. Through rotation of the dial 109 each water distribution
pattern
becomes available for selection by the user by rotating into communication
with the
lower channel 126 of the device body 115. The dial 109 is free to rotate
indefinitely in
either rotational direction without being limited.
[00111] The dial 109 may divide the plurality of flow outlets 110 into a
first cluster
of flow outlets 110a along one side of the dial 109 and configured for ground-
based
operation, and a second cluster of flow outlets 110b along the other side of
the dial 109
and configured for handheld operation. The dial 109 may also include indicia
170
disposed on a visible surface between the first and second clusters of flow
outlets 110a,
110b. It will be understood that the indicia 170 may be disposed along a face
or a side of
the dial 109. The indicia 170 clearly identify which flow outlets 110a are to
be used in
ground-based operation and which flow outlets 110b are to be used in handheld
operation. The indicia 170 may be formed integrally with the dial 109 or may
be added
by a secondary manufacturing operation, such as heat-stamping or labeling. As
shown in
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FIG. 11, each of the first cluster of flow outlets 110a defines a shaped
outlet
corresponding to the shape of the area to be covered by the flow of water. To
this end,
the flow outlet 110a with a half-moon shape would produce a semicircular arc
of flow
appropriate for when the multi-pattern head 101 is placed at the edge of a
lawn to be
watered. Similarly, each of the second cluster of flow outlets 110b has one or
more
contoured outlets for producing different types of showerhead-like flow
patterns during
handheld operation.
[00112] In operation, the user hooks a hose or other water supply to the
water inlet
105 and selects an operational mode with the flow route selector 113. For
example, the
flow route selector 113 can route water through the upper channel 125 to the
oscillating
device 114 and the elongate tube 104. The elongate tube 104 is configured to
spray a
generally lineal pattern of water as it oscillates through an angle. Thus, the
flow
produced at the discharge outlets 102 is directed generally along the normal
direction and
forms generally a rectangular coverage area centered at the elongate tube 104
that may
also extend forward and rearward from the elongate tube 104 along the
longitudinal axis
X. In another example, the flow route selector 113 can route water through the
lower
channel 126 to the multi-pattern head 101. When the multi-pattern head 101 is
positioned for ground-based operation (FIG. 5B), the resulting flow produced
depends on
the shape of the flow outlet 110 and is generally directed to form a shaped
coverage area
forward of the elongate tube 104 along the axial direction. However, it will
be
understood that the elongate tube 104 and the multi-pattern head 101 can
provide
different coverage areas and flow patterns in alternative embodiments, some of
which are
described in further detail below.
[00113] One alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 200 is
illustrated
in FIGS. 12A-12C. The garden watering device 200 includes many of the same
elements
as the garden watering device 100 of the first described embodiment, and these
similar
elements have been marked with the same reference numbers in the 200's (i.e.,
the device
body 115 of the previous embodiment is now device body 215 in this
embodiment). The
device body 215 again includes a handle 206 integrated with a pair of elongate
support
legs 211a and 211b. The handle 206 is coextensive with the elongate tube 204
along the
longitudinal axis X of the elongate tube 204. The elongate support legs 211a
and 211b
extend along the full longitudinal length of the elongate tube 204 and support
the second
water distribution member 201, which is embodied as a rotatable spray nozzle
201
located at the free end of the elongate tube 104 opposite the handle 206. The
garden
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watering device 200 also includes a flow route selector 213 and an oscillation
device 214
similar to those previously described.
[00114] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the rotatable spray nozzle 201 of
this
embodiment shares a common axis of rotation with the elongate tube 204. The
rotatable
spray nozzle 201 is bifurcated from the elongate tube 204 such that the
rotatable spray
nozzle 210 can rotate independently of the elongate tube 204. Alternatively,
the rotatable
spray nozzle 201 may be formed integrally with the elongate tube 204 in other
embodiments. The rotatable spray nozzle 201 is configured for receiving water
flow
from the flow route selector 213 and directing that flow through whichever
flow outlet
210 is pointed upwardly or in the normal direction. All other flow outlets 210
located
radially around the circumference of the rotatable spray nozzle 201 are
blocked from
emitting water flow. The rotatable spray nozzle 201 may include flow outlets
210
configured for ground-based operation and other flow outlets 210 configured
for
handheld operation of the garden watering device 200. The flow outlets 210
have
differing shapes and sizes to produce different spray patterns, each of which
is
distinguished from the generally linear spray pattern of the elongate tube
204. It will be
understood the rotatable spray nozzle 201 may also be operatively connected to
the
oscillation device 214 for selective rotation during a spraying operation in
an alternative
embodiment further described with reference to FIGS. 19A-19C below. It will
also be
understood that the garden watering device 200 may include a third spray head
293
disposed adjacent to the handle 206 as shown in FIG. 12B in some embodiments,
the
third rotatable spray head 293 effective to provide yet another alternative
flow pattern for
ground-based or handheld operation. If a third rotatable spray head 293 is
provided, the
flow selector 213 may be modified as shown and described with reference to
FIG. 9D.
[00115] FIG. 12C schematically shows the modified internal passageways of
this
embodiment of the garden watering device 200. The flow route selector 213
again
diverts water flow from a primary channel 224 in the handle 206 to one of an
upper
channel 225 or a lower channel 226. Unlike the previous embodiment, each of
the upper
channel 225 and the lower channel 226 pass through the elongate tube 204. The
upper
channel 225 passes through the oscillating device 214, an oscillation selector
265, and the
flow channel 203 of the elongate tube 204. The flow channel 203 is sealed from
the
rotatable spray nozzle 201 and only delivers flow to the discharge outlets
202. The lower
channel 226 bypasses the oscillating device 214 but then communicates with at
least one
auxiliary lumen 261 similar to the auxiliary lumens 161 described previously
with
reference to FIG. 10E. The auxiliary lumen 261 delivers the water into the
rotatable
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spray nozzle 201, where the water is directed through the flow outlet 210
currently
selected by the user and pointed upwardly.
[00116] Alternatively, the flow route selector 213 may be modified as
previously
discussed with reference to FIG. 9D to direct flow into one of a plurality of
wedge-
shaped passages (not shown) extending along the length of the elongate tube
204 and into
the rotatable spray nozzle 201. In this embodiment, each of the wedge-shaped
passages
leads to a specified flow outlet 210 in the rotatable spray nozzle 201.
Furthermore, one
of the wedge-shaped passages may be in communication with both a flow outlet
210 in
the rotatable spray nozzle 201 and the discharge outlets 202 of the elongate
tube 204.
The flow route selector 213 of this embodiment may be used to direct water
flow in any
of a plurality of radial directions out of the flow outlets 210 in the
rotatable spray nozzle
201. To this end, more watering and washing tasks may be achieved with this
modified
design.
[00117] The oscillation selector 265 connects the elongate tube 204 to the
oscillation device 214 in this embodiment of the garden watering device 200.
The
oscillation selector 265 includes a selector collar 266 including detent stop
members (not
shown) which may be moved into engagement with corresponding detents (not
shown)
formed in the outer periphery of the elongate tube 204 adjacent the
oscillation selector
265. The selector 265 effectively locks the elongate tube 204 in a specified
angular
orientation which may be changed by releasing the selector collar 266 from the
elongate
tube 204 and reorienting the elongate tube 204. Thus, the selector 265 may be
used to
produce a lineal non-oscillating spray pattern for ground-based operation
directed in the
normal direction or angled from the normal direction. The selector 265 may
also be used
to lock the elongate tube 204 in a downward orientation such that in a
handheld
operation, the elongate tube 204 produces a lineal pattern of spray flowing
between the
support legs 211a and 211b.
[00118] Although the rotatable spray nozzle 201 is shown having generally
the
same diameter as the elongate tube 204 in FIGS. 12A-12C, the rotatable spray
nozzle 301
of the embodiment of the garden watering device 300 shown in FIG. 13 is larger
in
diameter than the elongate tube 304. The garden watering device 300 includes
many of
the same elements as the garden watering device 200 of the second described
embodiment, and these similar elements have been marked with the same
reference
numbers in the 300's (i.e., the device body 215 of the previous embodiment is
now device
body 315 in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the support legs 311 do not
extend
around to the free side 368 of the rotatable spray nozzle 301 opposite the
elongate tube
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304. Moreover, the rotatable spray nozzle 301 may be readily rotated to
various
orientations such that one of the flow outlets 310 is directed in a normal
direction for
producing a shaped spray pattern in ground-based or handheld operation. The
garden
watering device 300 of this embodiment operates in the same manner as the
garden
watering device 200 previously described, and thus an explanation is not
repeated here.
[00119] Another embodiment of the garden watering device 400 includes an
elongate tube 404 as the previously-described embodiments and a flow angle
control
device 430 shown schematically in FIG. 14A. The flow angle control device 430
may be
located in a similar location as the selector 265 shown in FIG. 12C, for
example adjacent
an inlet end 431 of the elongate tube 404. The flow angle control device 430
is
configured to provide autonomous starts and stops of water flow at selected
angular
positions of the elongate tube 404. To this end, the flow angle control device
430 may
include an arcuate flow orifice 432 centered at the longitudinal axis X of the
elongate
tube 404. The flow angle control device 430 also includes a pair of movable
blocking
members 433 on opposing ends of the arcuate flow orifice 432. The blocking
members
433 are connected to respective handles 434 configured to rotate the blocking
members
433 to block or open portions of the arcuate flow orifice 432 as desired.
[00120] The inlet end 431 of the elongate tube 404 includes a flow inlet
435 in
fluid communication with the flow passage 403 leading to the dispensing
orifices 402, as
shown in various positions in FIGS. 14B-14G. The flow inlet 435 defines a
diameter
smaller than the elongate tube 404 and is centered so as to be offset from the
longitudinal
axis X of the elongate tube 404. In operation, the elongate tube 404 rotates
360 degrees
as shown in the various sequential positions of FIGS. 14B-14G. The elongate
tube 404
only provides spray from the dispensing outlets 402 when the flow inlet 435 is
rotated
into communication with the arcuate flow orifice 432 in the flow angle control
device
430. In this regard, the elongate tube 404 would spray in the positions of
FIGS. 14B-14D
but not in the positions of FIGS. 14E-14G. As discussed above, the total angle
through
which the elongate tube 404 emits a spray of water is adjusted by moving the
handles 434
coupled to the blocking members 433. The flow angle control device 430
therefore
selectively turns the water supply to the elongate tube 404 off and on
automatically, and
pressure build-up or other negative consequences of conventional reversing
oscillating
watering devices are avoided.
[00121] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 500 is illustrated
in
FIGS. 15A and 15B. The garden watering device 500 includes many of the same
elements as the garden watering device 200 of the second described embodiment,
and
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these similar elements have been marked with the same reference numbers in the
500's
(i.e., the device body 215 of the previous embodiment is now device body 515
in this
embodiment). The garden watering device 500 of this embodiment again includes
an
elongate tube 504, but the second water distribution member 501 of this
embodiment is a
fixed multi-pattern turret head 501 generally oriented downwardly at a right
angle to the
longitudinal axis X of the elongate tube 504. The legs 511 extending from the
device
body 515 terminate just short of the multi-pattern turret head 501 such that
the multi-
pattern turret head 501 can freely spray past the legs 511 in a handheld
operation of the
garden watering device 500.
[00122] Just like previously described embodiments, the flow route selector
513
selectively places the elongate tube 504 and the multi-pattern turret head 501
in
communication with the water supply. The elongate tube 504 may be operatively
coupled to an oscillation device 514 similar to those previously described,
for thereby
oscillating the linear flow pattern of the elongate tube 504. When the flow
route selector
513 directs water to the multi-pattern turret head 501, the oscillation device
514 is
bypassed. The multi-pattern turret head 501 includes a rotatable dial 509 with
a plurality
of flow outlets 510 that may be rotated into active communication with the
water supply.
Consequently, the multi-pattern turret head 501 enables washing or watering
with various
spray patterns as desired in handheld operation.
[00123] FIG. 15B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the oscillation
device
514 configured for use with the garden watering device 500 of the present
embodiment or
the garden watering devices 100, 200, 300 of previous embodiments. It will be
understood that an additional flow route selector 513x is positioned in this
illustration at a
location downstream of the oscillation device 514, although the original flow
route
selector 513 upstream of the oscillation device 514 may also be provided in
some
embodiments. The oscillation device 514 includes many of the same elements as
the
oscillation device 114 of the first described embodiment, and these similar
elements have
been marked with the same reference numbers in the 500's (i.e., the fluid
connector 143
of the previous embodiment is now fluid connector 543 in this embodiment). In
this
regard, the oscillation device 514 includes a paddlewheel 547 coupled to a
propulsion
gear 549, a first gear stack 550, a second gear stack 554, and an outlet gear
558 coupled
to a final driver surface 545 disposed outside the housing 540 as shown in
FIG. 15B. The
first gear stack 550 and second gear stack 554 are engaged such that the
second outer
gears 556 are disposed between adjacent first outer gears 552, thereby
enabling gear
meshing between the elongate first inner gear 551 and the second outer gears
556, as well
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as gear meshing between the elongate second inner gear 555 and the first outer
gears 552.
The propulsion gear 549 is engaged with one of the first outer gears 552.
[00124] In this embodiment, the outlet gear 558 is not always in operative
engagement with the elongate second inner gear 555. Instead, the flow route
selector
513x further includes a connection gear 590 disposed within the housing 540
and
connected to move with the lever 513a. Therefore, when the flow route selector
513x is
moved to a position where the valve 513b communicates with the primary channel
524
exiting the oscillation device 514 and the upper channel 525 leading to the
elongate tube
504, the connection gear 590 is slid into operative engagement with the outlet
gear 558 to
thereby provide rotation from the elongate second inner gear 555 to the outlet
gear 558.
In this arrangement, the elongate tube 504 is actuated to oscillate by the
oscillation device
514. If the flow route selector 513x is then moved to a position where the
valve 513b
communicates with the primary channel 524 and the lower channel 526 leads to
the
multi-pattern turret head 501 (or a third rotatable spray head such as head
293 shown in
the embodiment of FIG. 12B), the connection gear 590 decouples from the outlet
gear
558 and rotation of the elongate tube 504 is disabled. In this regard, the
flow route
selector 513x determines whether water moving through the oscillation device
514 is
used to actuate rotational movement of the elongate tube 504. It will also be
understood
that the water flow actuates the movement of the paddlewheel 547 and the gear
stacks
550, 554 as previously described.
[00125] Additionally, the oscillation device 514 may further include a
secondary
gear 591 positioned off-center within the housing 540. When the flow route
selector 513
disengages the connection gear 590 from the outlet gear 558, the connection
gear 590
may be pulled into engagement with the secondary gear 591 when water is being
directed
through the valve 513b to the multi-pattern turret head 501. The secondary
gear 591 may
be operatively coupled to the multi-pattern turret head 501 (or a third
rotatable spray head
such as head 293 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12B) such that rotation of
the
secondary gear 591 actuates rotation of the multi-pattern turret head 501. To
this end, the
oscillation device 514 selectively rotates either of the water distribution
members
depending upon the position of the flow route selector 513x and the connection
gear 590.
It will be understood that the connection gear 590 acts as an idler gear when
not engaged
with the outlet gear 558 or the secondary gear 591. Consequently, the
oscillation device
514 of the garden watering device 500 enables the elongate tube 504 to spray a
lineal
sequence of water streams in a pivoting fashion and also enables the multi-
pattern turret
head 501 to deliver water in a circular pattern.
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
[00126] Yet another alternative embodiment of the oscillation device 514a
is
shown in FIG. 15C. The oscillation device 514a includes many of the same
elements as
the oscillation device 514 of the previous embodiment (FIG. 15B), and these
similar
elements have been marked with the same reference numbers. Again, the
oscillation
device 514a includes a paddlewheel 547 coupled to a propulsion gear 549, a
first gear
stack 550, a second gear stack 554, and an outlet gear 558 coupled to a final
driver
surface 545a disposed outside the housing 540 as shown in FIG. 15B. The final
driver
surface 545a is carried by a final gear drive adapter 544 also having a
plurality of through
apertures 546 for water exiting the housing 540. The first gear stack 550 and
second gear
stack 554 are engaged such that the second outer gears 556 are disposed
between adjacent
first outer gears 552, thereby enabling gear meshing between the elongate
first inner gear
551 and the second outer gears 556, as well as gear meshing between the
elongate second
inner gear 555 and the first outer gears 552. The propulsion gear 549 is
engaged with one
of the first outer gears 552.
[00127] Just like the previous embodiment, the oscillation device 514a
includes a
connection gear 590a which is moveable by sliding movement of an oscillation
selector
lever 589 disposed outside the oscillation device 514a. The oscillation
selector lever 589
is completely separate from the flow route selector 513, which is again
typically placed
upstream from the oscillation device 514a in this embodiment. Thus, the
oscillation
selector lever 589 may be moved such that the connection gear 590a transmits
rotation
from the elongate inner second gear 555 to the outlet gear 558 and the
elongate tube 504
via the final driver surface 545a. Alternatively, the oscillation selector
lever 589 may be
moved to disengage the connection gear 590a and the outlet gear 558 as shown
in FIG.
15C, which thereby stops any oscillation of the elongate tube 504.
Consequently, the
oscillation device 514a of this embodiment enables operative disengagement of
the
elongate tube 504 from the oscillation device 514a when the elongate tube 504
is in the
desired position.
[00128] Yet another embodiment of a garden watering device 600 is
illustrated in
FIG. 16A. The garden watering device 600 includes many of the same elements as
the
garden watering device 100 of the first described embodiment, and these
similar elements
have been marked with the same reference numbers in the 600's (i.e., the
device body 115
of the previous embodiment is now device body 615 in this embodiment). The
garden
watering device 600 of this embodiment includes a double fixed turret head 601
having
an upper head 601a and a lower head 601b. The water passing through the garden
watering device 600 may be directed to spray through the elongate tube 604 or
the upper
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head 601b. Thus, the garden watering device 600 may be configured for ground-
based or handheld
operation.
[00129] More particularly, the double fixed turret head 601 further
includes a flow divider 601c
that supplies water to each of the upper head 601a and the lower head 601b
simultaneously. The flow
divider 601c may be modified to actively control flow to only one of the heads
601a, 601b in alternative
embodiments, for example, like the internal mechanisms disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,903,897 to Hays.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper head 601a and the lower head
601b include a rotatable
dial 609 with a plurality of flow outlets 610 configured to provide varying
spray patterns. Each of the
rotatable dials 609 includes a blank outlet 610a which blocks outward flow of
the water through that
head 601a, 60 lb. Thus, in a ground-based operation, the lower head 601b would
typically be rotated to
block flow such that only flow through the upper head 601a occurs, while in a
handheld operation, the
upper head 601a would typically be rotated to block flow such that only flow
through the lower head
601b occurs. Additionally, each of the upper head 601a and the lower head 601b
may be rotated to
simultaneously block flow, which would prevent any water flow from the double
fixed turret head 601.
[00130] Yet another embodiment of a garden watering device 600a is
illustrated in FIG. 16B.
The garden watering device 600a includes many of the same elements as the
garden watering device 100
of the first described embodiment, and these similar elements have been marked
with the same reference
numbers in the 600's (i.e., the device body 115 of the previous embodiment is
now device body 615 in
this embodiment). The garden watering device 600a of this embodiment is
embodied as a reverse
oscillation mechanism because the oscillation device 614a is positioned on the
opposite end of the
elongate tube 604a from the handle 606 and the flow route selector 613. Thus,
each of the upper channel
625a and the lower channel 626a branching off from the flow route selector 613
extends along the device
body 615 to the opposite end of the garden watering device 600a (i.e.,
adjacent the multi-pattern head 60
lx). The upper channel 625a then bends back on itself to enter the oscillation
device 614a, which
operates as any of the previously-described oscillation devices to oscillate
the elongate tube 604a. The
lower channel 626a delivers water to the articulating joint 608 and then to
the multi-pattern head 60 lx as
previously described.
[00131] It will be understood that the components of the various
embodiments of the garden
watering device described above and below may be combined in various
combinations not illustrated
herein, but within the scope of the invention. For example,
Page 22
another embodiment of a garden watering device may include three or more water
distribution
members. For example, the garden watering device may include the elongate tube
(e.g., 104), the
rotatable spray nozzle (e.g., 201) sharing the same axis of rotation as the
elongate tube, and a multi-
pattern turret-style head (e.g., 101) spaced from each of the elongate tube
and rotatable spray nozzle.
The flow route selector may be modified as previously described to route the
water flow to one of
three or more internal channels leading to the respective three water
distribution members. In this
regard, a single garden watering device may be reconfigured for a high number
of watering and
washing purposes.
1001321 Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 700 is
illustrated in
FIGS. 17A-17C. The garden watering device 700 includes many of the same
elements as the garden
watering device 100 of the first described embodiment, and these similar
elements have been marked
with the same reference numbers in the 700's (i.e., the device body 115 of the
previous embodiment is
now device body 715 in this embodiment). The garden watering device 700 of
this embodiment
includes a telescoping member 720 configured to be housed within the lower
channel 726 as shown
most clearly in FIG. 17C. The telescoping member 720 is defined by geometry
that allows it to be
housed within the lower channel 726. The multi-pattern head 701 and the
articulating joint 708 are
located at the distal end of the telescoping member 720 opposite to the handle
706.
[00133] The telescoping member 720 may be placed in the retracted position
shown in FIG.
17 A, and the garden watering device 700 will operate in the same manner as
the first described
embodiment. When the telescoping member 720 is extended to the extended
position shown in FIG.
17B, the garden watering device 700 may sprinkle more area without moving the
device 700 in the
ground-based operation or may spray hard-to-reach locations in the handheld
operation. The
telescoping member 720 may be sized for a slight frictional fit with the lower
channel 726 of the
device body 715, which allows the telescoping member 720 to be locked in any
position between the
retracted position and the extended position. Thus, the garden watering device
700 is useful for a
plurality of watering tasks.
100134] Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 800 is
illustrated in
FIGS. 18A-18C. The garden watering device 800 includes many of the same
elements as the garden
watering device 100 of the first described embodiment, and these similar
elements have been marked
with the same reference numbers in the 800' s (i.e., the oscillation device
114 of the previous
embodiment is now oscillation device 814
Page 23
CA 2784923 2018-01-02
in this embodiment). The garden watering device 800 of this embodiment
includes a device body 815
having a lower body portion 821 and an upper body portion 822 coupled at an
articulating hinge joint
823. The lower body portion 821 includes the water inlet coupling 805, the
handle 806, the support leg
807, and the support structure 811 as shown in the previous embodiments, as
well as a flow passage
827 in fluid communication with the water inlet coupling 805. The upper body
portion 822 includes
the primary channel 824, the upper channel 825 leading to the oscillation
device 814 and elongate tube
804, and the lower channel 826 leading to the articulating joint 808 and multi-
pattern head 801. The
articulating hinge joint 823 operates in a similar manner as the articulating
joint 808. As most clearly
shown in FIG. 18C, water flows from the water inlet coupling 805 through the
flow passageway 827
in the lower body portion 821 and the articulating hinge joint 823 into the
primary channel 824 in the
upper body portion 822. The water then encounters the flow route selector 813,
which operates in a
similar manner as previously described.
[00135] Like the garden watering device 700 of the previous embodiment,
this garden
watering device 800 may be extended to improve the coverage area or reach of
the device 800. The
lower body portion 821 may further include receptacle brackets 828 configured
to hold the upper body
portion 822 when the garden watering device 800 is in a folded position shown
in FIG. 18A. The
upper body portion 822 can then be rotated around the articulating hinge joint
823 to the partially
unfolded position shown in FIG. 18B and then further rotated to an unfolded
position. Thus, the
garden watering device 800 is useful for a plurality of watering tasks.
[00136] Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 900 is
illustrated in
FIGS. 19A-19C. The garden watering device 900 includes many of the same
elements as the garden
watering devices 100, 800 of the previously described embodiments, and these
similar elements have
been marked with the same reference numbers in the 900's (i.e., the
oscillation device 114 of the
previous embodiment is now oscillation device 914 in this embodiment). The
garden watering device
900 of this embodiment includes a device body 915 having a pair of support
legs 911 (only one shown
in the side views of FIGS. 19A and 19B) and an upper body portion including an
oscillation device
914, an elongate tube 904, and a rotatable spray head 901 extending integrally
from the elongate tube
904 as previously described with the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A. The support
legs 911 and the
upper body portion are coupled at an articulating hinge joint 523.
Consequently, the garden watering
device 900 may move
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
between at least two positions for ground-based operation: parallel to the
ground surface
as shown in FIG. 19A, and a rotating tower as shown in FIG. 19B.
[00137] Rather than outputting rotation to a final driver surface as the
previously-
described oscillating devices, the oscillating device 914 of this embodiment
outputs
rotation to a drive shaft 995. The drive shaft 995 is hexagonal in FIG. 19C,
but other
shapes are possible within the scope of this invention. Each of the elongate
tube 904 and
the rotatable spray head 901 are selectively coupled with the drive shaft 995
to enable
oscillation of one or both of the water distribution members. The elongate
tube 904
includes a locking member 996 that may be rotated by an external handle 996a
into and
out of engagement with the elongate tube 904. When the locking member 996 is
engaged
with the elongate tube 904, the drive shaft 995 is tightly held within a
hexagonal cavity
defined between the elongate tube 904 and the locking member 996, thereby
transmitting
rotation from the oscillation device 914 to the elongate tube 904. In a
similar manner, a
structural member 997 integrally extending from the rotatable spray head 901
also
includes a locking member 996 that may rotate into engagement with the
structural
member 997 to tightly capture the drive shaft 995 therein (see FIG. 19C). In
the position
shown in FIG. 19C, the drive shaft 995 transmits rotation from the oscillation
device 914
to the rotatable spray head 901. Consequently, in the rotating tower position
shown in
FIG. 19B, the garden watering device 900 can emit a rotational spray of water
generally
parallel to the ground about an arc of any length, similar to conventional
impulse
sprinklers. However, the garden watering device 900 is also configured for use
as a
ground-based or handheld sprinkler like the other previously-described
embodiments,
unlike a conventional impulse sprinkler.
[00138] Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 1000 is
illustrated in FIG. 20. The garden watering device 1000 includes many of the
same
elements as the garden watering device 100 of the first described embodiment,
and these
similar elements have been marked with the same reference numbers in the
1000's (i.e.,
the oscillation device 114 of the first embodiment is now oscillation device
1014 in this
embodiment). This garden watering device 1000 incorporates the flow route
selector into
the multi-pattern head 1001 at the rotatable dial 1009. The primary channel
1024 is
directly in fluid communication with only the lower channel 1026 in this
garden watering
device 1000. As with previous embodiments, the dial 1009 includes a plurality
of flow
orifices 1010 which may be aligned with the water flow path through the multi-
pattern
head 1001.
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
[001391 .. In this garden watering device 1000, the multi-pattern head 1001
includes
a first flow passage 1040 connecting the articulating joint 1008 with the flow
orifices
1010. The multi-pattern head 1001 also includes a second flow passage 1041
leading
from the flow orifices 1010 to a return channel 1042 provided in the central
body portion
1016. When a blank or solid flow orifice 1010a is positioned over the water
flow path,
water is blocked from exiting the multi-pattern head 1001 and is forced into
the return
channel 1042, which leads to the elongate tube 1004 and oscillation device
1014 as
previously described. The operator can select if the flow of water will be
directed to the
multi-pattern head 1001 or the elongate tube 1004 by rotating the dial 1009 to
selectively
position blank flow orifice 1010a over the multi-pattern head 1001 flow path.
[00140] Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 1100 is
illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The garden watering device 1100 includes
many of
the same elements as the garden watering device 100 of the first described
embodiment,
and these similar elements have been marked with the same reference numbers in
the
1100's (i.e., the oscillation device 114 of the first embodiment is now
oscillation device
1114 in this embodiment). This garden watering device 1100 incorporates the
flow route
selector 1113 into the oscillation device 1114 that drives the elongate tube
1104. The
oscillation device 1104 is mounted on the device body 1115 so that the
oscillation device
1114 may rotate 360 degrees about an axis along the length of the elongate
tube 1104.
The flow route selector 1113 is shown schematically in FIG. 21A and operates
as a three-
way valve coupling a primary channel 1124 from the water inlet 1105
selectively with
either the oscillation device 1114 or the lower channel 1126 leading to the
multi-pattern
head 1101. Thus, in a first position shown in FIG. 21A, the flow route
selector 1113
blocks water from flowing into the oscillation device 1114 and allows flow of
water into
the lower channel 1126 and the multi-pattern head 1101. When the oscillation
device
1114 is rotated approximately 180 degrees to a second position shown in FIG.
21B, the
flow route selector 1113 blocks water flow into the lower channel 1126 and
permits water
to flow into the oscillation device 1114 and subsequently, the elongate tube
1104.
[00141] .. Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 1200 is
shown in FIGS. 22-29. The garden watering device 1200 includes a multi-pattern
head
1204 and a body member 1201. The body member 1201 includes a handle 1206 and a
U-
shaped arm 1202 extending to arm ends 1221 on opposite sides of the multi-
pattern head
1204. The handle 1206 allows the operator to use the device for handheld
operation. The
U-shaped arm 1202 supports the multi-pattern head 1204 for rotation about
axles 1213 at
the end of the U-shaped arm 1202. The body member 1201 further includes a
support
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
structure 1209 to support the garden watering device 1200 and keep the handle
1206 off
the ground when the garden watering device 1200 is being used as a ground
based lawn
sprinkler.
[00142] FIGS. 22-26 illustrate the garden watering device 1200 in a ground
based
operation. The garden watering device 1200 includes a water inlet 1205
connected to the
handle 1206. The handle 1206 is hollow to accommodate the flow of water from
the
water inlet 1205. The support structure 1209 extends from the bottom of the
handle 1206
to prop the handle 1206 off the ground. The garden watering device 1200
includes a
valve control 1207 on the upper side of the handle 1206 for controlling the
flow of water
through the garden watering device 1200. The handle 1206 is in fluid
communication
with the U-shaped arm 1202, which is also hollow or otherwise configured to
accommodate the flow of water. For example, in the described embodiment, the
axles
1213 are hollow and in fluid communication with the U-shaped arm 1202 to allow
water
to flow from the handle 1206 and the U-shaped arm 1202 into the multi-pattern
head
1204. The multi-pattern head 1204 includes a dial 1211 having a plurality of
flow outlets
1212. The flow outlets 1212 allow the operator to select from a variety of
water spray
patterns.
[00143] As shown most clearly in FIG. 23, the U-shaped arm 1202 includes a
generally planar lower surface 1210. This lower surface 1210 may be positioned
in the
same plane as the bottom of the support structure 1209. Thus, the support
structure 1209
and the lower surface 1210 of the I J-shaped arm 1202 support the garden
watering device
1200 on any type of generally horizontal or flat surface without the need for
a spike or
other support means. The garden watering device 1200 further includes a knob
1208
located on the opposite side of the multi-pattern head 1204 from the dial
1211. The knob
1208 is operatively coupled to the dial 1211 and is configured to rotate the
plurality of
flow outlets 1212 to selectively have water directed to one or more flow
outlets 1212 and
to modify the spray pattern of the garden watering device 1200 as shown in
FIG. 24.
Consequently, the garden watering device 1200 is adapted to operate as a multi-
pattern
ground based lawn sprinkler.
[00144] FIG. 27 depicts the garden watering device 1200 in a handheld
operation.
The axles 1213 permit the multi-pattern head 1204 to be rotated through an
angle (e.g., at
least 45 degrees) to be oriented downwardly and/or forwardly. In this
orientation, the
operator can grip the garden watering device 1200 by the handle 1206 and
deliver a spray
of water from the multi-pattern head 1204 away from the operator. The knob
1208 is
advantageously facing the operator in the handheld operation. When the
operator is using
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
the garden watering device 1200 as a handheld sprinkler, rotating the easily
accessible
knob 1208 allows the operator to adjust the spray patterns of the dial 1211
without
reaching in front of the flow outlets 1212 and getting wet or shutting off the
flow of
water. Thus, the garden watering device 1200 is configured to operate as a
multi-pattern
handheld sprinkler.
[00145] FIG. 28 illustrates the internal components of the multi-pattern
head 1204
and the axles 1213. The multi-pattern head 1204 includes a body 1217 and a
faceplate
1222 coupled to the body 1217 to form a donut-shaped member. The knob 1208
extends
through the aperture formed by the body 1217 and the faceplate 1212, and the
knob 1208
is directly coupled to the dial 1211 adjacent to the faceplate 1212. The multi-
pattern head
1204 further includes an inner circular seal 1216 and an outer circular seal
1215 disposed
around the inner and outer periphery of the body 1217 and the faceplate 1222.
A semi-
annular flow chamber 1223 is formed between the body 1217 and the faceplate
1222, and
the inner and outer circular seals 1216, 1215 prevent water flowing in the
flow chamber
1223 from leaking out of the multi-pattern head 1204. The faceplate 1222
includes a
discharge orifice 1220 in fluid communication with the flow chamber. Water
flows out
of the multi-pattern head 1204 at the discharge orifice 1220 to one of the
flow outlets
1212 in the dial 1211.
[00146] The body 1217 and the faceplate 1222 cooperate to define a disc
receptacle 1227 adjacent to each of the arm ends 1221. The outer circular seal
1215 may
include side apertures 1232 adjacent to each of the arm ends 1221. The disc
receptacle
1227 and side apertures 1232 of the outer circular seal 1215 are configured to
engage the
hollow axles 1213 as described below.
[00147] The hollow axles 1213 include an annular disc 1226 dividing the
axle
1213 into a first axle portion 1224 and a second axle portion 1225. The
annular disc
1226 of each axle 1213 is placed in a disc receptacle 1227 of the multi-
pattern head 1204
such that the second axle portion 1225 extends into the multi-pattern head
1204 through
the side apertures 1232 of the outer circular seal 1215. The second axle
portion 1225
includes a plurality of axle outlet orifices 1225a in fluid communication with
the flow
chamber 1223.
[00148] The first axle portion 1224 of each axle 1213 extends from the
annular
disc 1226 through the end 1221 of the U-shaped arm 1202 and an articulating
joint 1231
described below. An end cap 1218 is placed on the exterior-facing end of each
first axle
portion 1224. A pair of rubber seal rings 1219 is placed on each first axle
portion 1224,
one being between the interior side of the arm end 1221 and the annular disc
1226, the
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
other being between the end cap 1218 and the articulating joint 1231. The
rubber seal
rings 1219 act as a seal to prevent water from leaking out of the connection
between the
axle 1213 and the U-shaped arm 1202. The first axle portions 1224 include a
plurality of
axle inlet orifices 1224a in fluid communication with the hollow U-shaped arm
1202 at
arm ends 1221.
[00149] In the illustrated embodiment at FIG. 28, the articulating joint
1231 is
comprised of a bracket 1228, a spring detent 1229, and a gear 1230. The spring
detent
1229 is mounted on the bracket 1228 which is adapted to rotate in conjunction
with the
first axle portion 1224 of the axle 1213. The gear 1230 is coupled to the U-
shaped arm
1202 and remains stationary with respect to the axle 1213. The gear 1230
includes a row
of gear teeth facing the interior of the bracket 1228. The spring detent 1229
is biased to
nestle in a gap between the teeth of the gear 1230, locking the multi-pattern
head 1204
into a rotational position with respect to the U-shaped arm 1202. When the
operator
manually rotates the multi-pattern head 1204, the spring detent 1229 rotates
with the
bracket 1228 and axle 1213 to pop over the teeth of the gear 1230 and nestle
into another
gap. In this manner, the multi-pattern head 1204 can easily retain its
position and be
rotated through a full arc of rotation (e.g., 180 degrees) in both directions.
[00150] The axle inlet orifices 1224a on the axle 1213 allow water to flow
from
the U-shaped arm 1202 into the hollow axle 1213. The axle outlet orifices
1225a on the
axle 1213 allow water to flow out of the axle 1213 and into the flow chamber
1223
within the multi-pattern head 1204. Thus, water from the body member 1201 and
U-
shaped arm 1202 is delivered to the flow chamber 1223 to be expelled through
the
discharge orifice 1220 and selected flow outlets 1212, depending upon the
position of the
knob 1208.
[00151] FIG. 29 demonstrates a flow path F of water flowing through the
garden
watering device 1200. Water enters through the primary water inlet 1205 and
travels
through the handle 1206 to the valve control 1207. If the valve control 1207
is closed,
water will not flow past it. If the valve control 1207 is open (as illustrated
in FIG. 29),
water continues flowing through the device 1200. The valve control 1207 may be
rotated
by an operator's fingers between the open and closed positions. Water then
flows into
the U-shaped arm 1202, through the axle 1213, and into the flow chamber 1223.
As the
water pressure builds within the flow chamber 1223, water is forced out of the
multi-
pattern head 1204 through the discharge orifice 1220 and through one of the
selected
flow outlets 1212 in the dial 1211.
Page 29
CA 2784923 2017-04-27
[00152] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1300 is illustrated
in
FIG. 30. The garden watering device 1300 includes many of the same elements as
the
device 1200 of the previously described embodiment, and these similar elements
have
been marked with the same reference numbers in the 1300's (i.e., the handle
1206 of the
previous embodiment is now handle 1306 in this embodiment). This garden
watering
device 1300 includes a water inlet 1305 connected to a handle 1306, which is
integral
with a body member 1301. The handle 1306 and body member 1301 are hollow to
accommodate the flow of water from the water inlet 1305. The garden watering
device
1300 also includes a multi-pattern head 1304 coupled to the body member 1301
opposite
the handle 1306. A hollow axle 1313 connects the multi-pattern head 1304 and
the body
member 1301 to allow the multi-pattern head 1304 to rotate through an arc of
at least 45
degrees with respect to the body member 1301. The hollow axle 1313 also
permits a
flow of water from the body member 1301 and water inlet 1305 into the multi-
pattern
head 1304, in a similar manner as the hollow axles 1213 of the first
embodiment. The
multi-pattern head 1304 includes a dial 1311 having a plurality of flow
outlets 1312,
which allow the operator to select from a variety of water spray patterns.
[00153] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1400 is illustrated
in
FIGS. 31A and 31B. The garden watering device 1400 includes many of the same
elements as the device 1200 of the previously described embodiment, and these
similar
elements have been marked with the same reference numbers in the 1400's (i.e.,
the
handle 1206 of the previous embodiment is now handle 1406 in this embodiment).
This
garden watering device 1400 includes a modified multi-pattern head 1404. The
multi-
pattern head 1404 of this embodiment includes the rotatable dial 1411 and flow
outlets
1412 of the previous embodiments, but now also includes an auxiliary spray
outlet 1440
positioned along one side of the dial 1411. The internal passageways (not
shown) of the
multi-pattern head 1404 may be modified such that water flows out of the
auxiliary spray
outlet 1440 when a blank flow outlet 1412 prevents flow from the center of the
dial 1411,
as previously described. The auxiliary spray outlet 1440 is shaped to produce
an elongate
flow of water, but alternative shapes of the auxiliary spray outlet 1440 are
possible within
the scope of this invention.
[00154] The multi-pattern head 1404 also includes an accessory housing 1441
positioned on an opposite side from the auxiliary spray outlet 1440. A scraper
1442 is
held by the accessory housing 1441 and is configured for use in a handheld
operation
such as washing articles such as automobiles or pets. In a similar manner, a
squeegee
housing 1443 is formed adjacent the auxiliary spray outlet 1440 for holding a
squeegee
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1444. The squeegee 1444 may be used to wipe water off surfaces such as an
automobile
in a handheld operation of the garden watering device 1400. Thus, the multi-
pattern head
1404 is more useful for many handheld watering and washing operations.
[00155] The multi-pattern head 1404 is again coupled to a U-shaped arm 1402
by
at least one hollow axle 1413. However, the opposing side of the U-shaped arm
1402
may now carry a locking mechanism 1445 that selectively locks the multi-
pattern head
1404 in a rotational position. When the locking mechanism 1445 is disengaged,
the
multi-pattern head 1404 of this embodiment is configured to free-float or
freely rotate at
the hollow axle 1413. In this regard, the multi-pattern head 1404 in a
handheld operation
may freely rotate to follow the undulating contours of an automobile, a pet,
or another
article during a washing operation. Consequently, the garden watering device
1400 is
advantageously configured for many watering and washing tasks.
[00156] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1450 is illustrated
in
FIGS. 32A and 32B. The garden watering device 1450 includes many of the same
elements as the device 100 of the first described embodiment, and these
similar elements
have been marked with the same reference numbers in this embodiment. This
garden
watering device 1450 includes a modified multi-pattern head 1454. The multi-
pattern
head 1454 is coupled to the device body adjacent support structure 111 with an
articulating ball joint 1458. The articulating ball joint 1458 passes water to
the multi-
pattern head 1454, and may also be referred to as a "ball swivel." The multi-
pattern head
1454 includes a rotatable dial 1459 with a plurality of flow outlets 1460
similar to those
previously described in other embodiments. However, the multi-pattern head
1454 is
configured to be positioned at a plurality of different rotational positions
by moving the
articulating ball joint 1458, two positions of which are illustrated in FIGS.
32A and 32B.
The articulating ball joint 1458 enables partially free-floating of the multi-
pattern head
1454 in a handheld operation, similar to the previous embodiment of the garden
watering
device 1400. Therefore, the garden watering device 1450 enables a plurality of
watering
and washing operations with one device.
[00157] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1500 is a water
pistol
with tripod support as shown in FIGS. 33-39. The pistol-style garden watering
device
1500 is configured to be used for multiple sprinkling operations, including
handheld and
ground-based operations. The garden watering device 1500 includes a body
member
1501, a discharge head or pistol barrel 1506, and a support structure 1502.
The support
structure 1502 is coupled to the body member 1501 at a hinge 1513 and rotates
between a
first position flush against the body member 1501 for handheld operation and a
second
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
position extended away from the body member 1501 for ground-based operation.
In the
first position, the support structure 1502 cooperates with the body member
1501 to form
a handle 1514.
[00158] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the garden watering device 1500 may be used
in a
handheld pistol-style sprinkler operation. The body member 1501 of the garden
watering
device 1500 includes a water inlet 1505 attached to a handle 1514. The handle
1514
couples the water inlet 1505 to the discharge head 1506. Along a front side of
the handle
1514 is a trigger 1507 for activating the flow of the water through the handle
1514. At
the end of the discharge head 1506 is a discharge orifice 1509 (shown in FIG.
39)
through which water from the handle 1514 travels out of the discharge head
1506. A dial
1510 containing a plurality of flow outlets 1512 is coupled to the discharge
head 1506
over the discharge orifice 1509. The dial 1510 can be rotated to allow the
operator to
select from a variety of different outlets 1512 and water distribution
patterns suited for
different purposes.
[00159] The support structure 1502 includes a pair of support legs 1511
movably
attached to the handle 1514 such as at hinges 1513. The support legs
1511extend along
the length of the handle 1514 on an opposite side from the trigger 1507. In
the first
position of the support structure 1502, shown in FIGS. 33-35, the support legs
1511 lie
flush with the handle 1514 in corresponding receptacles 1515 to make a
continuous body
member 1501. Thus, the support legs 1511 do not interfere with the use of the
garden
watering device 1500 as a handheld pistol-style sprinkler.
[00160] The pair of support legs 1511 may be rotated out away from the
receptacles 1515 in the handle 1514 to the second position illustrated in
FIGS. 36-38.
The handle 1514 and each of the support legs 1511 together form a support
structure such
as in the form of a tripod for the garden watering device 1500 in a ground-
based
operation. As shown most clearly in FIG. 37, the support legs 1511 and handle
1514 are
configured to support the discharge head 1506 on any appropriate horizontal
surface,
such as a ground surface without the use of a pivoting spike or other
apparatus. The
discharge head 1506 is also supported so as to be directed upwardly or
generally
perpendicular to the level surface. The pattern of sprinkler spray upward can
be
controlled by rotating the various flow outlets 1512 on the dial 1510 into
fluid
communication with the discharge orifice 1509 in the discharge head 1506. For
example,
a flow outlet 1512 which only sprays over half the discharge head 1506 may be
selected
when the garden watering device 1500 is positioned at the edge of a lawn.
Consequently,
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
the support legs 1511 allow the garden watering device 1500 to function as a
ground-
based sprinkler on any type of ground surface, including rocky terrain or
uneven surfaces.
[00161] The garden watering device 1500 also includes a locking collar 1508
configured to keep the trigger 1507 depressed during ground-based operation.
The
locking collar is pivotally coupled to the handle 1514 at one side of the
trigger 1507 and
extends generally around the trigger 1507 to the other side of the handle
1514. On the
other side of the handle 1514 from the pivotal connection, the handle 1514
includes a
locking projection 1523. The locking collar 1508 includes a collar end 1522
which
engages the locking projection 1523 in a snap fit to place the locking collar
1508 in a
locked position. In the locked position, the snap fit engagement of the collar
end 1522
and the locking projection 1523 holds the trigger 1507 in a depressed state
and allows for
continuous flow of water through the handle 1514 to the discharge head 1506.
The
locking collar 1508 may be moved to an unlocked position by disengaging the
collar end
1522 from the locking projection 1523, which then allows the trigger 1507 to
function
normally with manual manipulation for handheld operation.
[00162] FIG. 39 is a cross sectional side view of the garden watering
device 1500
taken along line 39-39 in FIG. 35, illustrating the interior components of the
garden
watering device 1500. The handle 1514 includes an interior channel 1516
through which
water flows from the water inlet 1505 to the discharge head 1506. Within the
interior
channel 1516, an interior valve 1520 controls the flow of water through the
handle 1514
and the garden watering device 1500. A spring 1517 located in the interior
channel 1516
biases a piston 1518 into engagement with the interior valve 1520 to close
water flow
though the handle 1514. When the trigger 1507 is pressed down, the trigger
1507 pushes
the piston 1518 against the bias of the spring 1517 to open the interior valve
1520 and let
water flow pass through the handle 1514. Also illustrated in FIG, 39 is the
discharge
orifice 1509 in the discharge head 1506, which allows flow of water from the
handle
1514 to one of the plurality of flow outlets 1512 in the dial 1510.
[00163] Another alternative embodiment of a garden watering device 1600 is
illustrated in FIGS. 40-42. The garden watering device 1600 includes many of
the same
elements as the garden watering device 1500 of the previously described
embodiment,
and these similar elements have been marked with similar reference numbers in
the
1600's (i.e., the body member 1501 of the previous embodiment is now body
member
1601 in this embodiment). Rather than including a support structure 1502 that
may be
folded into the handle 1514 as in the previous embodiment, the body member
1601 of the
garden watering device 1600 includes a handle 1614 and a pair of fixed support
legs 1611
Page 33
CA 2784923 2017-04-27
extending away from the handle 1614 to define a tripod support arrangement. As
shown
in FIG. 41, the tripod support arrangement supports the garden watering device
1600 in a
ground-based operation in a similar manner as the previous embodiment. More
specifically, the discharge head 1606 is pointed directly upward and generally
perpendicular to the level surface the garden watering device 1600 is placed
upon. The
garden watering device 1600 may be used on any appropriate horizontal surface,
and the
pair of support legs 1611 also does not interfere with the handheld pistol-
style operation
of the garden watering device 1600.
[00164] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1700 is illustrated
in
FIGS. 43-45. The garden watering device 1700 includes many of the same
elements as
the garden watering device 1500 of the previously described embodiment shown
in FIG.
33, and these similar elements have been marked with similar reference numbers
in the
1700's (i.e., the body member 1501 of the previous embodiment is now body
member
1701 in this embodiment). In this garden watering device 1700, the support
structure
1702 includes a stabilization bar 1704 pivotally coupled to the body member
1701
proximate to the discharge head 1706. The stabilization bar 1704 rotates from
a first
position shown in FIG. 12 to a second position shown in FIG. 13. In the first
position,
the stabilization bar 1704 is generally up against or flush against the
discharge head 1706
and does not interfere with an operator's grip of the handle 1714 in a
handheld pistol-style
operation. In the second position, the stabilization bar 1704 is rotated away
from the
body member 1701 so that the garden watering device 1700 can be supported on
any
level surface by the handle 1714 and the stabilization bar 1704. The
stabilization bar
1704 is configured to support the discharge head 1706 in a ground-based
operation so
that the discharge head 1706 points directly upward and generally
perpendicular to the
surface on which the garden watering device 1700 sits.
[00165] Another embodiment of a garden watering device 1800 is illustrated
in
FIGS. 46A and 46B. The garden watering device 1800 includes many of the same
elements as the garden watering device 1600 of the previously described
embodiment
shown in FIG. 40, and these similar elements have been marked with similar
reference
numbers in the 1800's (i.e., the body member 1601 of the previous embodiment
is now
body member 1801 in this embodiment). In this garden watering device 1800, the
fixed
support legs opposing the handle 1814 have been replaced with a pair of leg
receptacles
1811a and a corresponding pair of telescoping support legs 1811b slidably
received in the
leg receptacles 1811a. As shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B, the telescoping support
legs
1811b may be retracted substantially into the leg receptacles 1811a as shown
in solid, or
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CA 2784923 2017-04-27
may be extended into the position shown in phantom in the figures. To this
end, the telescoping
support legs 1811b may be stored during a handheld operation and deployed
outboard of the main body
member 1801 to provide a stable tripod-like support with the handle 1814 in a
ground-based operation.
[00166] Yet another embodiment of a garden watering device 1900 is
illustrated in FIGS. 47A-
47C. The garden watering device 1900 includes many of the same elements as the
garden watering
device 1800 of the previously described embodiment shown in FIG. 46A, and
these similar elements
have been marked with similar reference numbers in the 1900's (i.e., the body
member 1801 of the
previous embodiment is now body member 1901 in this embodiment). In this
garden watering device
1900, a support member 1940 is pivotally coupled to the body member 1901 along
a bottom side with
a fastener 1942, such as a screw or a pivot pin. The support member 1940
includes a first end 1940a, a
second end 1940b, and an elongate channel 1941 formed between the second end
1940b and a central
portion of the support member 1940. The head of the fastener 1942 is slidably
received in the elongate
channel 1941. When in a handheld operation as shown in FIG. 47 A, the fastener
1942 is disposed
adjacent the second end 1940b and the support member 1940 stows itself
underneath the body member
1901 such that the first end 1940a is underneath the handle 1914. To deploy
the support member 1940,
the support member 1940 is rotated about the fastener 1942 to the partially
deployed position in FIG.
47B, and then the fastener 1942 is slid along the elongate channel 1941 toward
the central portion of
the support member 1940 as shown in FIG. 47C. In this position, the first and
second ends 1940a,
1940b of the support member 1940 cooperate with the handle 1914 to provide a
tripod-like support for
the garden watering device 1900 in a ground-based operation. Therefore, the
garden watering device
1900 is configured to move between handheld and ground-based configurations
easily.
[00167] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description
of various preferred
embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it
is not the intention
of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended
claims to such detail.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled
in the art. The various
features of the invention may be used alone or in numerous combinations
depending on the needs and
preferences of the user.
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