ROTARY SPRINKLER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to rotary sprinklers, and more specifically to a bridgeless
rotary sprinkler.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rotary sprinklers are known and widely used for irrigation. A typical rotary
sprinkler comprises a body with an axial bore having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is
connectable to a source of pressurized water, e.g. an irrigation hose while the outlet is
usually formed as a diverter which re-directs an axially directed water flow into a
laterally directed flow. The sprinkler further comprises a driving arrangement to rotate
the diverter. Such a driving arrangement may have a speed control mechanism for
controlling a desired rotational speed of the diverter. The speed control mechanism
may be activated by a turbine mounted on the diverter in such a manner as, on the one
hand, to be capable of free rotation, and on the other hand, to cause the diverter to rotate
therewith. The turbine may have blades disposed in the path of water exiting the
diverter so as to allow the water to impinge the blades, or curved paths for exit of water,
thereby imparting a rotational movement to the turbine. Such movement results in a
lower rotational speed of the diverter in relation to the turbine and consequently the
distribution of the water exiting therefrom in a circular area around the sprinkler.
US 4,754,925 discloses a miniature sprinkler having a fixed, vertically extending
nozzle with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted for communication with a
supply pipe. The sprinkler further comprises a flow diverter with an axially extending
inlet in register with the outlet of the nozzle, the diverter including bearing means for
rotatably mounting the diverter at the top of the nozzle. The inlet in the diverter merges
into at least one side outlet which extends generally radially and from which the water is
emitted in the form of a jet. The sprinkler further comprises a drive means coupled to

the diverter in such a position that at least part of the flow from the diverter outlet
impinges on the drive means to cause the rotation of the diverter. In order to reduce the
diverter's rotational speed, the drive means includes a turbine rotatably mounted above
the diverter for impingement thereon of the flow to cause rapid rotation of the turbine,
and a cover member coupled to the diverter and is arranged to be hit intermittently by
the turbine, thereby causing rotation of the sprinkler.
In one embodiment of US 4,754,925, when there is no water flowing through the
nozzle the diverter drops downwards under its own weight into a cup-shaped member
which prevents entry of insects and dirt through the at least one side outlet into the
nozzle. However, in a non-upright position of the sprinkler the diverter may remain
outside of the cup-shaped member.
US 6,457,656 discloses a below ground pop-up sprinkler that is adapted to rise
to a position above a ground surface under high water pressure. Pop-up sprinklers
consist of many parts which make these sprinklers expensive and unreliable. These
sprinklers operate under high water pressures of typically 35 meters and above therefore
require, inter alia, high pressure seals. These seals form high friction with the rising
parts of the sprinkler to avoid water leakage and therefore a spring will often be used to
retract the pop-up sprinkler down to a closed position below the ground surface.
US 6,899,287 discloses an irrigation sprinkler with two viscous brakes mounted
to and which form part of a central rotor. The viscous brakes work in conjunction with
each other to maintain a low rotational velocity and also to rotate a water stream
diffuser. The water stream is first directed toward a deflector that offsets the stream and
angles it toward the area to be watered. The offset stream applies a torsional force on
the deflector causing it to rotate. The stream is then interrupted intermittently by the
diffuser, attached to the rotor, which is rotating at a different rotational speed. The end
result is a sprinkler that rotates slowly and breaks up the stream of water intermittently
to create an even pattern of water on the area being sprinkled without using mechanical
parts, such as ratchets or gearing.
US 6,883,727 discloses a rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable
deflector for stepwise sweeping of relatively small water streams over surrounding
terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a turbine driven ball drive
rotor having at least one drive ball carried by centrifugal force into repetitious impact

engagement with one or more raised anvils on the deflector for incrementally displacing
the deflector in a succession of small rotational steps. A speed control brake includes a
brake pad interposed between a friction surface on the deflector and a non-rotating
brake disk to provide a variable friction force to maintain deflector rotation substantially
constant within a range of normal water supply pressures and flow rates.
US 6,814,304 discloses a rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable
deflector for sweeping small streams of irrigation water in a radially outward direction
to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a speed control brake for
maintaining a substantially constant deflector rotational speed throughout a range of
normal operating pressures and flow rates. The deflector includes an array of spiral
vanes engaged by one or more water jets for rotatably driving the deflector which
converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small irrigation streams swept over the
surrounding terrain. A friction plate rotatable with the deflector engages a brake pad
retained against a non-rotating brake disk. The brake pad includes tapered contact faces
for varying the friction contact radius in response to changes in water pressure and/or
flow rate to maintain deflector rotational speed substantially constant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary
sprinkler having a longitudinal axis and comprising a housing including an upper
housing and a lower housing; a nozzle adapted to be brought in fluid communication
with a pressurized water source and to produce an axial water jet, the nozzle being
movable along the axis between a lowered and a raised position; and a diverter
assembly adapted for receiving said water jet from said nozzle and laterally redirecting
it, the diverter assembly being movable along the axis with the nozzle between the
diverter assembly's respective inoperative and operative positions; the upper housing
comprises a nozzle supporting section providing the nozzle with a radial support and an
axial support, at least when it is in its raised position. The radial and axial supports may
be provided at locations spaced from one another.
The upper housing has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being
adapted for mounting the upper housing on the lower housing. The upper housing may

further comprise a nozzle spacing extending inwardly and downwardly from the upper
end and holding the nozzle supporting section within the lower housing.
The sprinkler may further comprise a cap, which may constitute a part of the
diverter assembly and be moveable therewith, to be movable therewith between an open
position of the sprinkler, in which the diverter assembly is in its operative position,
axially protruding from the upper housing, and a closed position of the sprinkler in
which the diverter assembly is in its inoperative position, being received within the
upper housing. In the closed position, the cap covers the upper end of the upper
housing, thereby preventing access to the diverter assembly in its inoperative position
and the nozzle in its lowered position. The upper housing comprises a seat adapted,
when the sprinkler is in its closed position, to prevent any part of the cap from
projecting laterally from the upper end of the upper housing.
The nozzle supporting section of the upper housing may comprise an aperture
for receiving the nozzle such that the aperture's inner walls of may provide the nozzle
with said radial support. The nozzle supporting section may further comprise a collar
surrounding the aperture, and the collar may provide the nozzle with said axial support.
The sprinkler may further comprise a biasing mechanism adapted for causing a
movement of the nozzle from its raised position to its lowered position when no axial
force is applied thereto sufficient to bring it to the raised position.
The nozzle may have an upstream end and a downstream end; the diverter
assembly being adapted for rotating about the axis and being rotatably mounted to at
least the upstream end of the nozzle; the nozzle and diverter assembly having axially
extending contacting surfaces.
The diverter assembly may comprise a rotatable diverter adapted for receiving
the axial stream of water and laterally redirecting it; a turbine adapted to rotate
independently of the diverter and comprising a first drive element and blades positioned
to be impacted by at least a portion of the redirected stream of water and being formed
such that, when they are impacted by the stream, a rotational force is imparted to the
turbine; and a cap adapted to rotate with the diverter and comprising a second drive
element positioned so as to be engaged by the first drive element upon rotation of the
turbine; wherein the material of the first drive element and/or the second drive element
is different from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, that of the turbine and/or

cap, respectively (i.e., at least one of the following is true: (1) the material of the first
drive element is different from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, the
material of the turbine; and (2) the material of the second drive element is different
from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, the material of the cap).
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary
sprinkler having an axis and comprising a housing including an upper housing and a
lower housing; a nozzle adapted for being brought into fluid communication with a
water source and for producing an axial water jet and a diverter assembly adapted to
receive said water jet and to laterally redirect it. The upper housing has an outer,
mounting portion and an inner, nozzle holding portion. The outer mounting portion has
an upper end and a lower end, the latter being adapted for mounting the upper housing
on the lower housing. The nozzle holding portion extends inwardly and downwardly
from the upper end of the outer portion and it has a nozzle supporting section located
within the lower housing for axially and radially supporting the nozzle.
The nozzle supporting section may have the same design as that in the sprinkler
according to the first aspect of the invention described above.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary
sprinkler comprising a housing having an open upper end and a lower end, a nozzle
adapted for being brought into fluid communication with a water source via said lower
end and for producing an axial water jet, the nozzle being movable between a lowered
and a raised position; and a diverter assembly axially movable with said nozzle into the
diverter assembly's respective inoperative position in which it is received within said
housing, and operative position in which it projects upwardly from said open end of the
housing. The sprinkler further comprises a cap movable between an open position,
associated with the operative position of the diverter assembly and the raised position of
the nozzle, and a closed position, associated with the inoperative position of the diverter
assembly and the lowered position of the nozzle, wherein the cap, in its open position,
covers the upper open end of the housing thereby preventing access to the diverter and
the nozzle in their inoperative position. The housing further comprises a seat formed
adjacent said upper end thereof adapted, when the cap in its closed position, to prevent
any part of the cap from projecting laterally from a top surface thereof.
The cap may constitute a portion of the diverter assembly.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
rotary sprinkler having an axis and comprising a housing and a nozzle having an
upstream end and a downstream end and adapted for being brought into fluid
communication with a water source and to produce an axial water jet,, and a diverter
assembly adapted to rotate about the axis and being rotatably mounted to the upstream
end of the nozzle and to laterally redirect said water jet. The nozzle and diverter
assembly have axially extending contacting surfaces.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
diverter assembly for use in a rotary sprinkler, the diverter assembly comprising a
rotatable diverter, a turbine, and a cap. The diverter is adapted for receiving an axial jet
of water and laterally redirecting it. The turbine element is adapted to rotate
independently of the diverter and comprises blades positioned to be impacted by at least
a portion of the redirected stream of water, and a first drive element. The blades are
formed such that, when they are impacted by the stream, a rotational force is imparted
to the turbine. The cap is adapted to rotate with the diverter and comprises a second
drive element positioned so as to be engaged by the first drive element upon the rotation
of the turbine. The material of the first drive element and/or the second drive element is
different from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, that of the turbine and/or
cap, respectively (i.e., at least one of the following is true: (1) the material of the first
drive element is different from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, the
material of the turbine; and (2) the material of the second drive element is different
from, and better adapted to withstand impacts than, the material of the cap).
The material of the cap may comprise nylon, which may comprise glass fibers,
and the material of said second drive element may comprise a thermoplastic
polyurethane elastomer (also know as a TPU).
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a rotary sprinkler adapted to be fully positioned above a ground face, the
sprinkler comprising a biasing mechanism and a closable housing defining therein an
interior; the sprinkler being adapted to assume an open position in an operative state
thereof and a closed position, wherein access to the interior is prevented, in an
inoperative state thereof; the biasing mechanism being adapted to bring the sprinkler
into its closed position.

It will be appreciated that in the specification and claims, the limitation of
"access to the interior is prevented" is not necessarily to be construed to include access
to the interior of the sprinkler via a water source, i.e., even in the closed position of the
sprinkler, access to the interior of the sprinkler may be permitted via an opening adapted
for connecting to a water source.
The sprinkler may have an axis and comprise within the interior a nozzle
adapted to be brought into fluid communication with a water source and to produce an
axial water jet, the nozzle being movable along the axis between a lowered position and
a raised position; and a diverter assembly adapted to receive the water jet from the
nozzle and to laterally redirect it; the diverter assembly being movable with the nozzle
along the axis between respective inoperative and operative states of the sprinkler,
wherein the biasing mechanism is adapted for causing a movement of the nozzle from
its raised position to its lowered position when no axial force is applied thereto
sufficient to bring it to the raised position.
The sprinkler may further comprise a cap movable between an open position of
the sprinkler, wherein the diverter assembly axially protrudes from the housing, and a
closed position of the sprinkler, wherein the diverter assembly is received within the
housing, wherein it covers an open upper end of the housing thereby preventing access
to the interior in the closed position of the sprinkler; the housing comprising a seat
adapted, at least when the sprinkler is in its closed position, to prevent any part of the
cap from projecting laterally from the housing.
The cap may constitute a part of the diverter assembly and be movable
therewith.
The sprinkler may be adapted for being mounted on a riser above the ground
face, and may further comprise a speed control mechanism.
The sprinkler may be adapted to be brought into flow communication with a
water source being at a local water pressure, the local water pressure being sufficient to
urge the sprinkler to assume the open position in the operative state.
The sprinkler may be adapted to assume the open position when in fluid
communication with a local water pressure of or greater than 1 meter above atmospheric
pressure. Alternatively, it may be adapted to assume the open position when in fluid

communication with a local water pressure of or greater than 5 meters above
atmospheric pressure.
The rotary sprinkler according to any one of the above aspects of the invention
may further comprise a cup-shaped filter surrounding the nozzle.
It will be appreciated that the sprinkler according to the present invention may
be embodied by any one or more of the above aspects in combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in
practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figs. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a sprinkler according to the present
invention in closed and open positions, respectively;
Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the sprinkler as illustrated in Fig. 1A, taken
along line II-II in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the sprinkler as illustrated in Fig. 1B, taken
along line III-III in Fig. 1B;
Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view of an upper housing and a nozzle of the
sprinkler illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, when the sprinkler is in its open position;
Fig. 3A is an exploded view of a diverter assembly of the sprinkler illustrated in
Figs. 1Aand 1B;
Fig. 3B is an enlarged assembled view of the diverter assembly illustrated in
Fig. 3A;
Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a diverter of the diverter assembly illustrated in
Figs. 3A and 3B;
Fig. 3D illustrates the diverter as in Fig. 3C, sectioned along line IV-IV in Fig.
3C;
Fig. 4A is a bottom perspective view of a turbine of the diverter assembly
illustrated in Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4B is a top perspective view of a turbine of the diverter assembly illustrated
in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a diverter bracket of the diverter assembly
illustrated in Fig. 3A;
Fig. 5B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the diverter bracket as in Fig.
5A, taken along line V-V;
Fig. 6A is a top perspective view of a cap of the diverter assembly illustrated in
Fig. 3A;
Fig. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the cap in the area of a through-going
aperture thereof, taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 6A;
Fig. 6C is a bottom perspective view of the cap illustrated in Fig. 6A;
Fig. 6D is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the cap
illustrated in Fig. 6C.
Fig 7A is a perspective view of a nozzle of the sprinkler illustrated in Figs. 1A
and 1B;
Fig. 7B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the nozzle as illustrated in Fig.
7A, taken along line VII-VII;
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a filter of the nozzle of the sprinkler illustrated
in Figs. 1A and 1B;
Fig. 8B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the filter as in Fig. 8A, taken
along line VIII-VIII;
Fig. 9A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a lower housing of the sprinkler
illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, taken along its longitudinal axis;
Fig. 9B is a perspective cross-sectional view of an upper housing of the
sprinkler illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, taken along its longitudinal axis;
Fig. 9C is a closeup view of the area indicated at B in Fig. 9B;
Figs 10A is a schematic view of the sprinkler, in a closed position, mounted on a
riser; and
Fig. 10B is a schematic view of the sprinkler, in an open position, mounted on
the riser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1A and 1B illustrate one example of a sprinkler 10 according to the present
invention, in respective closed (i.e., non-operative) and open (i.e., operative) positions.

The sprinkler 10 has a longitudinal axis X, an axially extending inlet portion 2 with an
inlet end 2' adapted for fluid communication with a pressurized water source such as an
irrigation hose or a riser (see Figs. 10A and 10B), and an outlet end 4 from where the
fluid is sprayed laterally.
In the discussion of the sprinkler, the terms upper, lower, above, below, etc., are
used for convenience, and refer to the orientation of the sprinkler as illustrated in the
accompanying figures. However, it will be appreciated that the sprinkler, in use, may be
mounted in such a way that a portion referred to herein as "upper" is below a portion
referred to herein as "lower." Therefore, the terms "upper" and "lower" are to be
understood in their broadest sense as referring to, respectively, upstream and
downstream directions of the sprinkler and its constituent elements.
As seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, the sprinkler 10 comprises a housing assembly
generally designated as 11, a nozzle 24, and a diverter assembly generally designated 17
in Fig. 2B.
The housing assembly 11 comprises a lower housing 12 including the inlet end
2' of the sprinkler, and an upper housing 14 including the outlet end 4 of the sprinkler.
The nozzle 24 has an upstream end 25 in fluid communication with the inlet end
2' of the sprinkler, and a downstream end 27. The nozzle is axially movable between a
lowered position (Fig. 2A), in which the downstream end 27 of the nozzle is inwardly
spaced from the outlet end 4 of the sprinkler, and a raised position (Fig. 2B), in which
the downstream end 27 of the nozzle is located adjacent the outlet end 4 of the sprinkler.
The diverter assembly 17 is rotatably mounted on the downstream end 27 of the
nozzle 24, so that when fluid is supplied into the nozzle and the nozzle takes its raised
position (as illustrated in Fig. 2B), the diverter assembly projects from the upper
housing 14 and laterally redirects fluid coming from the nozzle, while rotating about the
longitudinal axis X of the sprinkler, and when fluid is not supplied into the nozzle and
the nozzle takes its lowered position (as illustrated in Fig. 2A), the diverter assembly 17
is received within the upper housing 14.
With reference to Fig. 9A, the lower housing 12 comprises a narrow lower
portion 120 with a first external threading 124 formed thereon for the attachment of the
housing assembly 11 to an irrigation hose or the like, and a wide upper portion 122
formed with a second external threading 126 for the attachment thereto of the upper

housing 14. It further comprises an external groove 127 located above the threading
126, adapted to receive therein an O-ring 36, as seen in Figs. 2A and 2B.
With reference to Figs. 9B and 9C, the upper housing 14 comprises an outer
mounting portion 98 having a lower end 95 and an upper end 97, and an inner, nozzle
holding portion 100.
The mounting portion 98 has, at or adjacent its lower end 95, an internal
threading 102 adapted for cooperation with the threading 126 of the lower housing 12
and, at its upper end 97, a circumferential rim 99 formed with a seat 101 slightly
projecting therefrom into the interior of the upper housing 14.
The nozzle holding portion 100 has a nozzle spacing section 103 converging
inwardly and downwardly from the upper end 97 of the upper housing 14, a cylindrical
nozzle supporting section 109 (best seen in Fig. 9C), and a transition step 107
therebetween.
As best seen in Fig. 9C, the nozzle supporting section 109 has a nozzle receiving
aperture 104 with a collar 105 surrounding it. The collar 105 has an innermost wall 111
formed with several nozzle supports 106 radially projecting into the nozzle receiving
aperture 104 and having inwardly facing curved sides 106' which define therebetween
an imaginary circle of a diameter D (not shown). The collar 105 also has an
intermediate wall 113 and a flange 108, at which both the innermost and intermediate
walls 111, 113 terminate. The collar 105 further has an upwardly (i.e., downstream)
open groove 117 formed between the two walls 111, 113, and providing the wall 111
with a desired flexibility. The collar 105 has a cylindrical outermost wall 119 and a
downwardly (i.e., upstream) open circumferential channel 110 formed between the
outmost wall 119 and the intermediate wall 113, and providing the outermost wall 119
with a desired flexibility.
With reference to Figs. 7A and 7B, the nozzle 24 comprises a base portion 80
including the upstream end 25 of the nozzle, and an axially extending tube portion 81
upwardly protruding therefrom and including the downstream end 27 of the nozzle. The
tube portion 81 has a top end portion 81' formed with a peripheral groove 84 for
mounting the diverter assembly 17 thereon, and a bottom end portion 81" merging with
the base portion 80. The tube portion 81 slightly tapers from its bottom end portion 81"
to its top end portion 81', and its diameter at the area of the bottom end portion 81" is

equal to the diameter D mentioned above with reference to Figs. 9B and 9C, allowing
this area to be received in the nozzle receiving aperture 104 of the upper housing 14,
snuggly fitting the nozzle supports 106 of the nozzle supporting section 109. The base
portion 80 of the nozzle is bi-level, giving rise to an outer seat 86 and an inner seat 88.
The nozzle 24 is formed with a central through-going fluid passageway 90
having an inlet 92 at the upstream end 25 and an outlet 94 at the downstream end 27 of
the nozzle, and tapering in the direction towards the outlet 94. The passageway 90 is
formed with inwardly projecting ribs 96 extending upwardly from the inlet 92 along the
majority of the length of the passageway 90 and having a radial extension gradually
decreasing in the direction away from the inlet 92. The ribs are formed so as to stabilize
and direct the axial flow of liquid through the passageway 90.
Reverting to Figs. 2A and 2B, the sprinkler 10 further comprises a filter 28
better seen in Figs. 8A and 8B, which has a bottom wall 29, a cylindrical side wall 31
and an open top 33. The bottom and side walls 29, 31 of the filter 28 are formed with a
plurality of filter openings defined at the intersection of a plurality of elongated axial
slots 35 with a plurality of circumferential grooves 37, for filtering fluid entering the
upstream end 25 of the nozzle 24. Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the filter 28 has such a
height as to allow the nozzle 24 to move axially within the filter between its lowered
position (Fig. 1A) in which the upstream end 25 of the nozzle rests on the bottom wall
29 of the filter, and its raised position, in which the upstream end 25 of the nozzle is
disposed closer to the top 33 than to the bottom wall 29 of the filter.
Reverting to Figs. 2A and 2B, the diverter assembly 17 will now be described,
whose exploded view is shown in Fig. 3A and enlarged assembled view is shown in Fig.
3B. The diverter assembly 17 comprises a diverter 18, a diverter bracket 22, a turbine
20 and a cap 16. The diverter 18 has an axially extending shaft 54 for mounting thereon
the turbine 20 and the cap 16 and a bracket engaging portion 21 for the attachment of
the diverter 18 to the diverter bracket 22. The diverter bracket 22 is adapted to hold the
diverter 18 and to be rotatably mounted together therewith on the top end portion 81' of
the tube portion 81 of the nozzle 24. All these components of the diverter assembly 17
will now be described in more detail.
As seen in Figs. 3C and 3D, the diverter 18 comprises a cylindrical diverter
body 39 having a lower end 39' and an upper end 39" from which the shaft 54 projects.

The lower end 39' of the diverter body 39 is formed with an inlet 41 merging into two
diametrically opposed slots 40 (only one visible in Fig. 3C) which are open downwardly
(i.e., upstream) and outwardly. The slots 40 have diverting walls 42 merging at a central
rib 44 and extending radially and upwardly (i.e., downstream) from this rib. The
diverter body 39 is formed with radially protruding outlets 49 at which the slots 40
terminate. The diverter body 39 is further formed with wings 48 projecting from
opposite sides thereof and located between the outlets 49. Each wing 48 is tapered such
that it is wider at a trailing end 50 thereof than at a leading end 52. The outlets 49 and
the wings 48 are all spaced from the lower end 39' of the diverter body 39 so that the
latter is smooth along the entire circumference of its area adjacent the lower end 39'.
The shaft 54 has a bottom section 55 with a seat 57 for mounting thereon the
turbine 20, and a top section 59 for mounting thereon the cap 16. The top section 59
comprises an upwardly open slot 56 and planar side surfaces 58 on two sides of the slot
56, which are parallel to the slot, at least in their regions co-extensive with the slot. The
side surfaces 58 are each formed with a cap engaging groove 60 extending
perpendicular to the shaft's height.
As seen in Figs. 4A and 4B, the turbine 20 is formed as a disk 62 having upper
and lower surfaces 61 and 63 and a centrally located through-going aperture 64. The
aperture 64 is sized so as to freely receive therein the shaft 54 of the diverter 18, with
the turbine resting on the seat 57 of the shaft's bottom section 55, allowing the turbine to
rotate relative to the shaft 54, in a direction indicated by arrow R. The lower surface 63
of the turbine 20 is formed with downwardly projecting blades 66 whose axial extension
is such that, when the turbine is mounted on the shaft 54, the blades slightly protrude
into the path of fluid leaving the outlets 49 of the diverter. Each blade 66 comprises a
leading face 68, which is substantially perpendicular to the disk 62, and a trailing face
70, which forms an angle with the leading face. The blades 66 are oriented such that the
trailing faces 70 all face in the same angular direction such as to cause the turbine to
rotate when the trailing faces of its blades are impacted by the fluid leaving the diverter
via its outlets 49. The upper surface 61 of the turbine is formed with a first drive
element or protrusion 71 and a depression 69 located opposite the protrusion.
Optionally, a leading edge 71a of the protrusion 71 is angled.

As illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B, the cap 16 comprises a centrally located
through-going aperture 112. The aperture 112 is formed so as to receive the top section
59 of the shaft 54 of the diverter 18. As such, sides 114 of the aperture 112 are planar,
and have projections 116 formed so as to substantially fit within the grooves 60 formed
in the shaft. As seen in Fig. 6C, the cap 16 has a bottom surface 119 formed with impact
resistant second drive elements or ribs 121 protruding downwardly therefrom so as to be
capable of engaging the protrusion 71 on the upper surface 61 of the turbine 20 when
the diverter assembly 17 is assembled as shown in Fig. 3B.
It is noted that the ribs 121 of and/or the protrusions 71 may be made of a
material which has a higher resistance to impacts than the remainder of the cap or the
turbine, respectively. For example, the cap may be made of nylon, and the ribs 121 may
be made of TPU. Such a cap may be produced by multi-materials injection molding
technology. One example of the aforementioned is shown in Fig. 6D wherein the second
drive element 121 and an integral implant 123 thereof are paced in a circular cavity 125
of the cap.
The cap 16 further comprises a notch 118 extending along the circumference of
the cap and shaped to suit the seat 101 at the upper end 97 of the upper housing 14, as
described with reference to Fig. 9B. The cap 16 has a diameter which is slightly less
than that of the upper housing 14 at its upper end 97 to enable the cap to be received
within the upper end of the upper housing to form a closed structure with the upper and
lower housings when the sprinkler is in its closed position, as seen in Fig. 1A. In the
closed position there is no access to an interior of the housing in which an interior
mechanism including, inter alia, the nozzle 24, filter 28, and diverter assembly 17 are
located. As a result, in the closed position the sprinkler is protected from damage that
may occur from insects or other foreign matter such as grit, mud, or the like.
As seen in Figs. 5A and 5B, the diverter bracket 22 is formed with a through-
going bore 72 having upper and lower portions 72a, 72b of two different diameters. The
upper portion 72a is sized so as to snuggly receive the lower portion 39' of the diverter
18 therein. The lower portion 72b comprises several lobes 73 arranged
circumferentially, which are together adapted to rotatably receive the tube portion 81 of
the nozzle 24. The lower portion 72b and particularly, the lobes 73 adapted for
contacting the tube portion 81 of the nozzle 24, have an essential axial extension to

prevent the diverter 18 when mounting on the nozzle 24, from being inclined relative to
the longitudinal axis X under the influence of radial forces acting on the diverter
assembly during its rotation. Such inclination may allow dirt to enter the space between
the axially extending contacting surfaces of the lobes 73 and the nozzle. Projecting
upwardly from opposite sides of the diverter bracket 22 adjacent the upper portion 72a
of the bore 72 are grips 74 adapted to snuggly receive therein the wings 48 of the
diverter 18. The grips 74 are open at a trailing end 76 and closed at a leading end 78,
and oriented such that when the diverter 18 is placed within the upper portion 72a of the
bore 72, the trailing end 76 of each grip 74 faces the leading end 52 of one of the wings
48. It will be appreciated that although Fig. 5B illustrates the transition from the upper
portion 72a of the bore 72 to the lower portion 72b as being abrupt, giving rise to a
shelf, this is not essential, and the transition may be smooth, for example.
To assemble the diverter assembly 17, the lower portion 39' of the diverter 18 is
fitted within the upper portion 72a of the bore 72 of the diverter bracket 22, such that
the leading ends 52 of the wings 48 face the trailing ends 76 of the grips 74. The
diverter 18 is then rotated such that the wings 48 are retained within the grips 74. The
taper of the wings ensures a tight contact. The shaft 54 of the diverter 18 is guided
through the aperture 64 of the turbine 20, and then through the aperture 112 of the cap
16. Due to the slot 56 in the upper end 59 of the shaft 54, this upper end is slightly
compressed within the aperture 112 of the cap 16, exerting pressure on the sides 114
thereof. This, in combination with the fitting of the projections 116 of the cap 16 within
the grooves 60 of the shaft 54, ensures reliable mounting of the cap 16 on the shaft
without the risk that the cap 16 will be unexpectedly hurled from the shaft 54 by the
pressure of water therebeneath.
The above operations are preferably performed after the diverter bracket 22 is
mounted to the downstream end 27 of the nozzle 24 by the introduction of the
downstream end within the lobes 73 of the lower portion 72 b of the bore 72 of the
diverter bracket 22 and placement of a friction ring 30 over the downstream end of the
nozzle and a retaining ring 32 in the groove 84 of the tube portion of the nozzle (rings
30, 32 are shown in Figs. 2A, 2B). Before such mounting, the nozzle 24 is mounted in
the nozzle supporting section 109 of the upper housing 14 as follows (best seen in Fig.
2C and 9C). An O-ring 34 of the sprinkler is placed on the inner seat 88 of the nozzle

24, and a spring 26 of the sprinkler (best seen in Fig. 2C) is placed on the outer seat 86
thereof. The nozzle 24 is guided through the aperture 104 at the nozzle supporting
section 109 of the upper housing 14 such that the curved sides 106' of the nozzle
supports 106 encompasses the tube portion 81 of the nozzle and the spring 26 is
received within the circumferential channel 110 thereof. The retaining ring 32
mentioned above functions to retain the nozzle within the aperture 104 and the bore 72
against the force of the spring 26.
The open end of the filter 28 is then mounted on the collar 105 of the nozzle
supporting section 109, by squeezing the collar's outmost wall 119 into the open top 33
of the filter 28 until the open top 33 abuts the transition stem 107 between the nozzle
spacing section 103 and the nozzle supporting section 109. The lower housing 12 is then
attached to the upper housing 14.
In operation, water having a local water pressure at the location of the sprinkler
along the water source enters the lower housing as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 2A. It
passes through the filter 28 and then impacts and exerts an upwardly-directed pressure
on the base portion 80 of the nozzle 24, thereby forcing the nozzle upward into the
raised position and the diverter assembly into an operative position, as illustrated in Fig.
2B. Optionally, a local water pressure in the range of 1 to 5 meters above atmospheric
pressure is sufficient to urge the nozzle into its raised position.
When the nozzle 24 is fully upward, the spring is fully compressed and the O-
ring 34 is pressed between the inner seat 88 of the nozzle and the flange 108 of the
nozzle supporting section 109 of the upper housing 14. The O-ring in this position both
seals the aperture 104, ensuring that all water exits via the nozzle, and provides axial
support for the nozzle 24 in its raised position.
As described above, the diverter assembly rotates about the axis during
operation thereby allowing the nozzle to remain static. By virtue of fact that the nozzle
is in a rotationally static state during operation of the sprinkler (i.e., it does not rotate
about the longitudinal axis, but may move in other directions), the O-ring is not
damaged by friction that would otherwise have been imposed thereupon by the flange or
nozzle during rotation. This protection of the O-ring maintains the sealing of the
aperture 104 during operation of the sprinkler. The rotationally static state of the nozzle
during operation also prevents damage to the spring when it is fully compressed

between the nozzle and the housing. As will be described below, the spring has a
biasing function which may be damaged over time if the nozzle were not rotationally
static.
It will be appreciated that due to the design of the nozzle holding portion 100 of
the upper housing 14, the flange 108 is axially reinforced by the walls 111 and 119, and
further by the entire nozzle spacing section 103 extending substantially along the axis
X, whereby the axial support provided to the nozzle 24 by the flange 108 may be
sufficient to withstand essential axial forces. In addition, the bottom end portion 81" of
the tube portion 81 of the nozzle 24 is now snuggly received within the nozzle supports
106 of the collar 105 of the nozzle supporting section 109 providing radial support
thereto. It will be appreciated that surfaces providing axial support to the nozzle (i.e.,
the flange 108 of the upper housing 14) and providing radial support thereto (i.e., the
radial supports 106 of the upper housing) are axially and radially spaced from each
other, thereby providing a stable support for the nozzle in the nozzle supporting section
109. Fig. 2C illustrated how the nozzle 24 is, in its raised position, supported axially by
the flange 108 and walls 111 and 119, and radially by the nozzle supports 106.
With the nozzle 24 in its static raised position as shown in Figs. 2B and 2C, a
large area of the filter 28 is available for the water entering the inlet 92 of the nozzle. In
this position, water exits the outlet 94 of the nozzle as an axial jet, and enters the
diverter assembly 17, striking the rib 44 of the diverter 18. The water splits into two
paths in roughly equivalent proportions, follows the slots 40 along their diverting walls
42 and laterally exits the outlets 49.
A speed control mechanism of the sprinkler is then activated by a portion of the
water which laterally exits the outlets and strikes the blades 66 of the turbine 20. Due to
the angled trailing face 70 of each blade, motion is imparted to the turbine, which
rotates independently, causing the protrusion 71 of the turbine to impact the ribs 121 of
the cap 16, imparting a slight rotation to the cap at each impact. The cap, together with
the entire diverter assembly therefore rotates at a slower rotational rate than the turbine.
When the protrusion 71 impacts the rib 121, the turbine 20 tilts such that the side which
impacts the rib is lowered. The depression 69 thus accommodates a portion of the cap
16 within the raised side of the turbine 20, preventing that side of the turbine from
impacting the cap 16 and interfering with the rotation thereof. The reduced rotational

speed of the diverter assembly extends the maximum extent of the laterally distributed
water thereby enabling a larger area to be covered.
When the water supply to the sprinkler 10 is terminated, the spring 26 serves as
a biasing mechanism which urges the nozzle 24 into its lowered position, thereby
bringing the diverter assembly 17 into its retracted, inoperative position, as illustrated in
Fig. 2B. The notch 118 of the cap 16 is received within the seat 103 of the upper
housing 14, such that no portion of the cap protrudes laterally from the upper end 97 of
the upper housing 14. Gaps between the nozzle supports 106 of the upper housing 14
allow water and/or dirt which may have accumulated therein to be washed away. In
addition, the gaps reduce friction between the nozzle 24 and the nozzle supporting
portion 109 thereby allowing the nozzle to rise to its raised position under lower water
pressure.
Whilst the spring has been described with reference to the biasing mechanism, it
will be understood that the disclosure is equally applicable to sprinklers employing
other resilient biasing mechanisms such as rubber or the like which may provide the
biasing effect.
Attention is now drawn to Figs. 10A and 10B. In an embodiment of the
disclosure, the sprinkler 10 may be mounted in a given location in an open field on a
riser 130 which is stuck in the ground 132 and thereby positions the full body of the
sprinkler 10 above a ground face 133 and in a vertical orientation wherein the axis of
the sprinkler is generally upright in relation to the ground face. In operation (Fig. 10B),
the water pressure supplied to the sprinkler from the hose 134 urges, inter alia, the
diverter assembly into its operative position together with the cap thereby opening the
closed structure of the sprinkler. In this position, the laterally directed fluid 136 irrigates
the open field. As already described in detail hereinabove, when the sprinkler is not in
operation (Fig. 10A), the biasing mechanism urges the diverter assembly to retain its
inoperative position wherein the cap and the housing regain the closed structure of the
sprinkler.
After irrigating the given location in the open field, the riser may be released
from the ground and laid together with the sprinkler in a generally horizontal orientation
upon the ground face for a period of time before being relocated to a new location.
During this period of time, the closed structure of the sprinkler, which is maintained in

its closed position by the biasing mechanism, protects the interior of the housing by
ensuring that dirt and the like do not enter into the housing.
Thus a long felt need for a protection of an interior mechanism of a sprinkler
which is adapted to be mounted above ground face is met. The sprinkler is of the type
which employs a speed control mechanism and is adapted to rise to an open position at
an inlet water pressure in the range of 1 to 5 meters above atmospheric pressure.
Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate
that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.

CLAIMS:
1. A diverter assembly for use in a rotary sprinkler, said diverter assembly
comprising:
• a rotatable diverter adapted for receiving an axial stream of water and laterally
redirecting it;
• a turbine adapted to rotate independently of the diverter and comprising blades
positioned to be impacted by at least a portion of the redirected stream of water,
and a first drive element; said blades being formed such that, when they are
impacted by the stream, a rotational force is imparted to the turbine; and
• a cap adapted to rotate with the diverter and comprising a second drive element
that is formed therewith and is positioned so as to be engaged by the first drive
element upon rotation of the turbine;
wherein at least one of the following is true:
(a) the material of the first drive element is different from, and better adapted to
withstand impacts than, the material of the turbine; and
(b) the material of the second drive element is different from, and better adapted
to withstand impacts than, the material of the cap.
2. A diverter assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the material of said cap
comprises nylon and the material of said second drive element comprises a
thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
3. A diverter assembly according to Claim 12, wherein said nylon comprises glass
fibers.
4. A diverter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a cavity
and the second drive element is integrally implanted in the cavity.
5. A diverter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first drive element is
formed with the turbine.
6. A rotary sprinkler comprising:
• a rotatable diverter adapted for receiving an axial stream of water and laterally
redirecting it;

• a turbine adapted to rotate independently of the diverter and comprising a first
drive element; and
• a second drive element attached to the diverter and adapted to rotate therewith
and positioned so as to be engaged by the first drive element upon rotation of the
turbine;
wherein at least one of the following is true:
(a) the material of the first drive element is different from, and better adapted to
withstand impacts than, the material of the turbine; and
(b) the material of the second drive element is different from, and better adapted
to withstand impacts than, the material of the cap.
7. A rotary sprinkler according to claims 6, wherein at least a portion of the
laterally redirected stream of water of the diverter is adapted to rotate the turbine.

A rotary sprinkler (10) having a longitudinal axis (x) and comprising a housing (11) comprising an upper housing (14) and a lower housing (12), a nozzle (24) adapted for being brought into fluid communication with a water source and to produce an axial water jet, said nozzle being movable along the axis between a
lowered position and a raised position, and a diverter assembly (17) adapted for receiving said water jet from the nozzle and laterally redirecting it. The diverter assembly is movable along the axis with said nozzle between respective inoperative and operative positions of the diverter assembly. The upper housing
comprises a nozzle supporting section (100) providing the nozzle with a radial support and an axial support, at least when it is in its raised position.