SPRINKLER IRRIGATION STAND
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sprinkler irrigation
stand and to the use of such a stand with an irrigation pipe.
BACKGROUND
[002] US Patent No. 3,843,059 describes a device for attaching risers to an
irrigation pipe. The device has complimentary clamp parts that are adapted to
tightly clamp therebetween an irrigation pipe, and a riser that is attached to one of
the clamp parts is adapted to support a sprinkler.
[003]0 US Patent No. 293,966 describes a stabilizer for portable irrigation
equipment. The irrigation equipment includes a plurality of extension pipes
interconnected by couplings and extending up from each coupling is a riser at the
top of which is a sprinkler. A stabilizer placed on the ground adjacent the riser is
adapted to lean against the riser to hold the riser and sprinkler head in their correct
positions.
[004] US Patent No. 4,275,839 describes stabilizer devices that are fixed to a
hose at intervals. Each stabilizer has a base that is positioned on the ground and is
provided with a recess for saddling the hose and a clamp member that is attached to
a riser and is adapted to clamp the hose from above.
20

SUMMARY
[005] The following embodiment and aspects thereof are described and
illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be
exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.
[006] In an embodiment there is provided a sprinkler irrigation stand for use
with an irrigation pipe comprising: a base adapted to be placed below a section of
the pipe, and a support operatively coupled to the base for supporting a sprinkler at a
position above the base, the section of the pipe being adapted to bear downwards
against the base to stabilize the base in an upright position in which the sprinkler is
located above the base, wherein the section of the pipe freely rests upon the base
such that it may urged up away from the base with no obstruction.
[007] Typically, the section of the pipe is unattached to the base from above.
[008] If desired, the pipe is a collapsible pipe and the stand comprises a riser
being slidably engaged in the stand, the riser being attached at a lower end to the
section of the pipe and at an upper end at the support to the sprinkler, wherein
inflation of the section of the collapsible pipe upwards urges the riser to slide
upwards.
[009] Preferably, deflation of the section of the collapsible pipe downwards
urges the riser to slide downwards.
[010] Optionally, the stand comprises a rod being fixed to the base and the rod
is attached at an upper end at the support to the sprinkler.
[011] Optionally, an arm extends up from the base and the riser is slidably
engaged in the arm.
[012] If desired, the arm comprises a through going bore and the riser extends
through the bore in the sliding engagement.
[013] In another embodiment there is provided a method for operatively
coupling a sprinkler irrigation stand to an irrigation pipe comprising the steps of:
providing an irrigation stand comprising a base, locating the stand with its base
placed upon a ground face, placing a section of the pipe so that it freely rests upon

the base, and providing a sprinkler that is supported by the stand at a position above
the base and in fluid communication with the section of the pipe, wherein the
coupling of the stand and the section of the pipe is such that the pipe may be freely
lifted up from the base at any time.
[014] If desired, the pipe is a collapsible pipe and the stand comprises a riser
being slidably engaged in the stand, the riser being attached at a lower end to the
section of the pipe and at an upper end to the sprinkler, wherein inflation of the
section of the collapsible pipe upwards urges the riser to slide upwards.
[015] Typically, the section of the pipe when freely resting upon the base is
unatached to the base.
[016] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiment described above,
further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures
and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[017] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is
intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered
illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization
and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read
with the accompanying figures, in which:
[018] Fig. 1 shows a perspective top view of a sprinkler irrigation stand in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention and an irrigation pipe;
[019] Figs. 2A and 2B show the sprinkler irrigation stand of Fig. 1 coupled to
an optional collapsible irrigation pipe that is shown respectively inflated and
deflated;
[020] Fig. 3 shows a base and an arm of the irrigation stand of Fig. 1;
[021] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the base and arm shown in Fig. 3;

[022] Fig. 5 shows a perspective top view of a sprinkler irrigation stand in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention and an irrigation
pipe; and
[023] Figs. 6A and 6B show the sprinkler irrigation stand of Fig. 5 coupled to
an Optional collapsible irrigation pipe that is shown respectively inflated and
deflated.
[024] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,
elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to
other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference
numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[025] Attention is first drawn to Figs. 1 and 5 showing respectively a first and a
second embodiment of a sprinkler irrigation stand 10, 100 in accordance the present
invention that is adapted to be operatively coupled to an irrigation pipe 12 for
performing a sprinkling irrigation process. The pipe 12 extends along an axis P in a
field and in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be
any type of pipe such as a rigid or flexible pipe.
[026] Attention is now drawn to Figs. 2A, 2B, 6A and 6B. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the stand 10, 100 may be operatively coupled
to a collapsible irrigation pipe 12 that has a relatively thin walled flexible
construction. Such a collapsible pipe 12 may be deflated to be relatively lightweight
at any time that substantially no liquid is flowing therethrough (Figs. 2B, 6B) and
may swell up to an inflated weighted profile substantially full of liquid flowing
therethrough (Figs. 2A, 6A).
[027] Attention is drawn to Figs. 1 to 4. The sprinkler stand 10 in accordance
with the first embodiment has a base 14, an arm 16 and a riser 18. The base 14 has a
depression 20 that opens upwardly and has a face 21 that lies on a portion of an

imaginary cylindrical surface having an axis D. Two tapering lands 22 of the base
14 located on opposite sides of the depression 20 converge downwards towards the
depression 20. A bulge 24 (seen in Fig. 4) of the base 14 extends up from the base
14 adjacent one of the lands 22 at a side of said land 22 that is distal of the
depression 20. The bulge 24 has a coupling 26 optionally in the form of a through
going lumen that opens out of the base 14 at the upper side of the bulge 24 and at
the lower side of the base 14.
[028] In the first embodiment of the assembled stand 10, the arm 16 is adapted
to be mounted on the bulge 24 and extend up from there to an upper end of the arm
16 that overlies the depression 20 of the base 14 from above. An optional through
going bore 28 is formed in the upper end of the arm 16 about an axis X that extends
down to the depression 20. The riser 18 in the first embodiment of the stand 10 is
hollow and is adapted to be in sliding engagement with the bore 28 along axis X by
extending axially therethrough. A lower end of the riser 18 is attached to the pipe 12
to allow communication with liquid that may flow in the pipe 12. An upper end 29
of the riser 18 supports a sprinkler 30 and the riser 18 allows communication of
liquid from the pipe 12 thereto.
[029] It should be noted that directional terms appearing throughout the
specification and claims, e.g. "forward", "rear", "up", "down" etc., (and derivatives
there of are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of
the appended claims. The directional terms "up" and "down" are also noted as
referring to directions generally along the axis X and in addition it is noted that the
directional terms "down", "below" and "lower" (and derivatives thereof) define
identical directions.
[030] Attention is now drawn to Figs. 5, 6A and 6B. The stand 100 in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention constitutes the
base 14 as in the first embodiment of the stand 10 and a rod 180 fixed to the
coupling 26 of the bulge 24. Optionally, the rod 180 extends all the way through the
lumen of coupling 26 to a lower end 27 that projects into the soil below the base 14

of the stand 100. A sprinkler 30 is supported at an upper end 290 of the rod 180 and
a flexible lumen 32 extends down from the sprinkler 30 to communicate with liquid
flowing in the pipe 12.
[031] Attention is drawn to Figs. 1, 2A, 2B and 5, 6A, 6B. The stand 10,100 is
operatively mounted to the pipe 12 by laying the pipe 12 from above onto the base
14 so that the pipe 12 freely overlies the base 14 at the depression 20 with the axis P
of the pipe 12 being generally parallel to the axis D of the depression 20. An
imaginary plane F is defined as including axis P and being generally perpendicular
to the face of the ground upon which the stand 10,100 is placed.
[032] The pipe 12 is preferably not attached in any way to the base 14 from
above so that it may be easily removed from the base 14 by simply lifting the pipe
12 off the base 14. Such a need to easily remove of the pipe 12 from the base 14
may occur for example when re-positioning the irrigation stand 10, 100 and/or pipe
12 in the field to for example irrigate a new area in the field or when for example
temporary shifting the irrigation stand 10, 100 and/or pipe 12 in the field to make
way for agricultural machinery to enter the field.
[033] Attention is specifically drawn to Figs. 2A, 2B, 6A and 6B. The stand
10, 100 in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention when used
with a collapsible pipe 12 allows free inflation of the pipe 12 upwards to assume an
optional weighted circular cross section when liquid is flowing therethrough (Figs.
2A and 6A). Deflation of the collapsible pipe 12 may be characterized by the pipe's
contraction along axis X and expansion sideways away from plane F to assume a
generally elliptical or flatted cross section (Figs. 2B and 6B) when liquid is
substantially not flowing therethrough. The collapsible pipe 12 in the case where it
expands sideways in its deflated state may in some embodiments rest at its lower
lateral sides on the lands 22 that are located on both sides of the depression 20.
[034] The load of the pipe 12 when full of liquid flowing therethrough, which
in the optional case of a collapsible pipe 12 is characterized by its inflated and
weighted profile, is adapted to bear downwards upon the base 14 and thereby

stabilize the base 14 of the stand 10, 100 upon which it rests. As a result, the stand
10, 100 is stabilized by the weighted pipe 12 so that it better maintains its upright
position in which the riser 18 or rod 180 extend generally perpendicularly upright in
relation to the face of the ground upon which the stand 10,100 is positioned.
[035] Attention is drawn specifically to Figs. 2A and 2B. As described
hereinabove, the stand 10 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention when optionally attached to a collapsible pipe 12 allows the pipe 12 to
assume its inflated and deflated states. As the pipe 12 inflates (Fig. 2A), the riser 18
slides upwardly through the bore 28 and the sprinkler 30 that is attached to the upper
end 29 of the riser 18 assumes a height H above the ground face upon which the
stand 10 is located. Notably, the liquid pressure in the inflated pipe 12 may be
sufficient to urge the sprinkler 30 when positioned at height H to perform a
sprinkling operation.
[036] As the collapsible pipe 12 deflates (Fig. 2B), the riser 18 slides back
down through the bore 28 and the sprinkler 30 that is attached to the upper end 29 of
the riser 18 assumes a height h above the ground face upon which the stand 10 is
located. As seen in these figures, height H of the sprinkler 30 in the inflated state of
the pipe 12 is larger than height h of the sprinkler 30 in the deflated state of the pipe
12.
[037] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs,
"comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that
the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members,
components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
[038] Although the present embodiment has been described to a certain degree
of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications
could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.

We Claim:
1. A sprinkler irrigation stand for use with an irrigation pipe comprising:
a base adapted to be placed below a section of the pipe, and
a support operatively coupled to the base for supporting a sprinkler at a
position above the base,
the section of the pipe being adapted to bear downwards against the base to
stabilize the base in an upright position in which the sprinkler is located above the
base, wherein
the section of the pipe freely rests upon the base such that it may be urged up
away from the base with no obstruction.
2. The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 1, wherein the section of
the pipe is unattached to the base from above.
3. The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is a
collapsible pipe and the stand comprises a riser being slidably engaged in the stand,
the rlser being attached at a lower end to the section of the pipe and at an upper end
at the support to the sprinkler, wherein inflation of the section of the collapsible pipe
upwards urges the riser to slide upwards.
4. The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 3, wherein deflation of
the section of the collapsible pipe downwards urges the riser to slide downwards.
5. 20 The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 1, wherein the stand
comprises a rod being fixed to the base and the rod is attached at an upper end at the
support to the sprinkler.
6. The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 3 comprising an arm
extending up from the base and the riser is slidably engaged in the arm.
7. 25 The sprinkler irrigation stand according to claim 6, wherein the arm
comprises a through going bore and the riser extends through the bore in the sliding
engagement.
8. A method for operatively coupling a sprinkler irrigation stand to an
irrigation pipe comprising the steps of:

providing an irrigation stand comprising a base,
locating the stand with its base placed upon a ground face,
placing a section of the pipe so that it freely rests upon the base, and
providing a sprinkler that is supported by the stand at a position above the base
and m fluid communication with the section of the pipe, wherein the coupling of the
stand and the section of the pipe is such that the pipe may be freely lifted up from
the base at any time.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the pipe is a collapsible pipe
and the stand comprises a riser being slidably engaged in the stand, the riser being
attached at a lower end to the section of the pipe and at an upper end to the
sprinkler, wherein inflation of the section of the collapsible pipe upwards urges the
riser to slide upwards.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the section of the pipe when
freely resting upon the base is unattached to the base.
15

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sprinkler irrigation stand for use with an irrigation pipe
that has a base placed below the pipe for being stabilized by the pipe. The pipe
freely rests upon the base so that it may be lifted freely off the base or may inflate
freely upwards in the case of the pipe being a collapsible pipe. A riser of the stand
for supporting a sprinkler may be attached to the pipe and slide up in relation to the
stand when attached to a collapsible pipe that is inflated.