US3043520A - Propelled sprinkling device - Google Patents

Description

Jul 10, 1962 1.. R. NELSON PROPELLED SPRINKLING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21, 1960 vOn '1 BY 'wfiw ni 9 W 8 ATTORNEYS July 10, 1962 L. R. NELSON PROPELLED SPRINKLING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1960 INVENTOR Lawzu D. N950 ATTORNEYS WWW/141%) Jul 10, 1962 L; R. NELSON 3,043,520

PROPELLED SPRINKLING DEVICE Filed July 21, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.6

LEWENDNEQON ATTORNEY$ July 10, 1962 L. R. NELSON PROPELLED SPRINKLING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 21, 1960 Fig. 9

10+- INVENTOR Laws [2; Megan BY Ml ATTORNEYS States Unite This invention relates to sprinkling devices and more particularly to sprinkling devices of the type adapted to be propelled in response to the flow of water under pressure therethrough.

Traveling sprinkler devices are Well-known and they usually embody a rotary sprinkler head which turns in response to the flow of water therethrough. Usually, the turning action of the sprinkling head is utilized to propel the device along the ground such as by a gear arrangement connected with the wheels of the device. This type of traveling sprinkler device has not proven entirely satisfactory in large installations such as athletic fields, golf courses and agricultural fields because the distribution of water of a continuously rotating sprinkler head is not as desirableas is the distribution pattern of other types of sprinkler heads such as step-by-step rotary sprinkler heads.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkling device having a step by-step rotary sprinkler head which is communicated with a source of water under pressure independent of the means operable in response to the flow of liquid under pressure for propelling the device.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling sprinkler device of the type described having improved water pressure responsive expansible and contractable means in the form of a diaphragm assembly operable to expand and contract in response to the flow of water through the device. 1

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling sprinkler device having a diaphragm assembly which is expandable and contractable in response to the flow of water under pressure through the device and improved means for discharging the water from the diaphragm assembly during the contraction of the latter.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling sprinkler device of the type described having improved means for controlling the flow of water under pressure through the device including a stopping lever operable to shut ofi the flow when the device reaches the end of its travel.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling sprinkler device of the type described having a rotatable drum assembly operable during the flow of water under pressure through the device to wind up a cable thereabout having an end extending from the drum assembly and anchored to the ground to thereby effect movement of the device toward the anchored end of the cable.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling sprinkler device of the type described having improved means for driving the drum assembly in response to the flow of water under pressure to the device and means for disconnecting the driving means to the drum assembly so that the cable can be payed out to begin operation in a controlled manner.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a traveling-sprinkler device of the type described having a diaphragm assembly, valve mechanism for controlling the flow of water under pressure to the diaphragm assembly and permitting exhaust of water therefrom and improved means for actuating the valve mechanism in response to the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly to continuously cycle the latter.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings: I

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a sprinkling device embodying the principles of the present invention which certain parts broken away for purposes of clearer illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the rear portion of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary front end View, partly broken away, of the structure shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1; I

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged rear end view, partly broken away, of the flow housing of the present device, the valve mechanism being shown in one limiting position permitting water under pressure to enter the diaphragm assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 on a reduced scale showing the valve mechanism in another limiting position permitting exhaust of water from the'diaphragm assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of the structure shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary crosssectional view taken along line 99 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIGURE 8, the flow control mechanism being shown in full lines in a position permitting flow and in phantom lines in a position shutting off flow.

General Construction and Operation Referring nowmore particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof a sprinkling device, generally indicated at 10, which embodies the principles of the present invention. The sprinkling device comprises a wheeled frame, generally indicated at 12,

having a flow housing, generally indicated at 14, mounted on the rear end thereof, the housing being adapted to be connected with a hose or the like, indicated at 16, having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith. The flow housing 14 is arranged to convey the water from the hose 16 to an upwardly extending sprinkler head, generally indicated at 18.

An expansible and contractable diaphragm assembly 20 is fixedly mounted on the frame 12 in a position forward of the housing 14 and has a motion transmitting mechanism, generally indicated at 22, connected therewith for rotating a drum assembly, generally indicated at 24, in response to the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly. The drum assembly 24 is mounted on the frame 12 at a position forwardly of the diaphragm assembly 20 for rotation about a horizontal axis in response to the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly through the operation of the motion transmitting mechanism 22 and is operable to propel the sprinkling device by winding up a cable 26 thereon having its free end anchored to the ground to be sprinkled, by any suitable means, such as an anchoring stake or rod 28, as shown in FIGURE 1.

In order to effect expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly, there is provided in the flow housing 14 a valve mechanism, generally indicated at 30, which is operable in one limiting position to permit a portion of the water within the housing passing to the sprinkler head 18, to how into the diaphragm assembly 20 to expand the latter. In another limiting position, the valve mechanism 30 is operable to permit water to 3 exhaust from the diaphragm assembly to permit the Latter to contract.

, The valve mechanism is moved between its limiting positions in response to the expansion and contraction of thediaphragm assembly 20 by a valve actuating mechanism, generally indicated at 32. The valve actuating mechanism 32 is preferably connected with the motion transmitting mechanism 22 and is arranged to move the valve mechanism 30 into its exhausting position when the diaphragm assembly 20 has expanded a predetermined amount and to move the valve mechanism 36 into its flow position when the diaphragm assembly has contracted a predetermined amount. In this way, the'diaphragm assembly is continuously expanded and contracted through the operation of the valve mechanism 3% and valve actuating mechanism 32 so long as the housing 14 is connected to a source of water under pressure, as by the hose 16. This continuous expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly 20 during the flow of water into the housing 14 and thence from the sprinkler head 18, as statedv above, effects a rotation of the drum assembly 24 whereby the entire sprinkling device is propelled in a direction toward the anchoring stake 28 through the 7 cable 26 attached thereto.

I The sprinkling'device of the present invention also has embodied therein -a flow control mechanism, generally indicated at 34, which is operable to commence the flow of water through the housing 14 to the sprinkler head 18 and diaphragm assembly 20 and to automatically shut off' the flow of water under pressure when the device has been propelled to a point adjacent the anchoring stake 28.

Details of Construction 4 The frame 12 includes a generally horizontal extendingmain frame plate 36 which is of generally rectangular configuration in plan having its forward end rounded off, the plate 36 having a flange 37 extending downwardly from the outer edges thereof throughout its periphery.

Fixedlymounted beneath the rearward portion of the frame-plate 36, as by welding or the like, is a transversely extending horizontal tubular member 38, having itsends-interiorly threaded to fixedly receive a pair of stub shafts 39. Journalled on the stub shafts 39 is a pair of rear groundengaging wheels 40 disposed on opposite sides of the frame plate 36.

A pair of transversely spaced brackets 41 is rigidly secured, as by welding or the like, to the underside of the frame plate 36 and extends downwardly therefrom. The lower ends of the brackets 41 carry a transversely extending horizontal shaft 42 which has rotatably mountedthereon a pair of forward ground engaging wheels 43. The forward wheels 43 are mounted in transversely spaced relation by means of a spacer collar 44 mounted in surrounding relation to the shaft 42 and having its ends in engagement with the wheels.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, the diaphragm assembly 20 preferably comprises an upwardly facing lower dish-shaped housing member 45 which is fixedly mounted on the frame plate 36 adjacent the central rearward portion thereof by means of an inverted U-shaped bracket or plate 46. The U-shaped bracket has the ends of its legs welded or otherwise suitably Jfixed to the upper surface of the frame plate 36 and its bightportion fixed to the central portion of the diaphragm housing member 45, by means of a bolted flow coupling or fitting 47.

The lower diaphragm housing member 45 includes an outwardly extending peripheral flange 48 which has mounted in abutting relation therewith the outer marginal edge portion of a diaphragm 49. Any suitable means is provided for securing the marginal edge portion of the diaphragm to the flange 48, and, as shown, such means comprises an upper frusto-conical diaphragm housing member 50 having a lower outwardly extending peripheral flange 52 disposed in overlying relation to the flange 48 and sealingly engaging the marginal edge of the diaphragm 49 therebetween as by a series of circumferentially spaced bolt assemblies 54.

The motion transmitting mechanism 22 comprises a lever or pivoted member 56 which is preferably in the form of a rectangular plate having a flange 58 extending downwardly from the edges thereof throughout its periphery. The rearward end of the member 56 is pivotally mounted on the frame plate 36 adjacent the rearward end thereof by any suitable means, such as a pair of transversely spaced upstanding brackets 60 suitably fixed at their lower ends to the frame plate 36 and apertured at their upper ends to receive a horizontal transversely extending shaft 62 which also extends through the adjacent portion of the flanges of the member 56.

Fixedly secured to the underside of the member 56 in a position adjacent the diaphragm assembly 20, as by bolts 64, is a tubular member 66 which loosely extends through an opening 68 formed in the upper diaphragm housing member 56 and into engagement with diaphragm 49 as shown in FIGURE 3. It can be seen that the member 56 will be pivoted from the full line position shown inFiGURE 3 to the broken line position shown therein in response to the expansion of the diaphragm 49. In order to provide a force for eifecting the contraction of the diaphragm 49, there is provided a pair of helical tension springs 70 connnected at their upper ends to the side flanges 58 of the member 56 adjacent their forward ends and at their lower ends to appropriate flanges 72 formed on the legs of the bracket 46. The motion transmitting mechanism 22 also includes a pair of hook shaped pawl members 74 pivoted to the forward end of the member 56, as by a horizontal transversely extending shaft 76, which cooperate with ratchet wheels 78 formed on the drum assembly 24.

As best shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, the drum assembly 24 includes a cylindrical drum member 80 having circular end disks 82 fixed to opposite ends thereof. The end disks 8?. are centrally apertured to fixedly receive a shaft 34 having its ends journalled in hearings or brackets 86 fixed to the upper surface of the frame plate 36 on opposite sides of a central rectangular shaped drum receiving opening 88 formed in the frame plate 36. The ratchet wheels 78 are disposed adjacent the outer sides of the end disks 82 and include hub portions 90 journalled on the shaft 84 and retained in proper position between the hearings or brackets 86 by spacer collars 92. Each ratchet wheel 78 includes an annular portion disposed inwardly of the outer periphery thereof providing a series of circumferentially-spaced ratchet teeth 94 for engagement by the hook-shaped end of the paw members 74. An additional stop pawl element 96 is arranged to engage the teeth 94 of each ratchet wheel 78 to prevent rotation of the latter in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2. As shown, each stop pawl element 96 is pivoted on the frame by means of an inverted U-shaped flanged bracket 98. It willbe noted that each stop pawl element 96 includes a counter-weight portion 106 which serves to gravitationally bias the tooth-engaging end of the pawl element 96 into engagement with the associated teeth 94.

The ratchet wheels 78 are arranged to be selectively disconnected from the end disks 82 so as to permit the drum to rotate freely of the ratchet wheels or connected therewith so as to rotate the drum in response to their rotational movement. To this end, one of the ratchet wheels 78 is provided with an inwardly extending socket portion 162 as shown in FIGURE 5. Slidably mounted within the socket portion is a locking element 164 arranged to engage within an opening 166 formed in the adjacent end disk 82.. The locking element 104 has a stem 108 extending outwardly therefrom through an aperture 110 formed in the surface of the ratchet wheel 73. A flanged knob 112 is fixed to the outer end of the stern 198, as by a a pin 114, the flanged knob providing a means for shifting the locking element transversely within the socket portion 102 into and out of the end disk opening 186. The looking element 184 is maintained within the opening 106 by means of a coil spring 116 which is disposed in surrounding relation to the stern 188 and has its ends in engagement with the portion of the ratchet wheel surrounding the opening 110 and the inner surface of the locking elemen-t 104. v

In order to maintain the locking element 104 in a position out of engagement with the opening 196 against the action of the spring 116, a pin 118 is fixed to the flanged knob 112 in a position spaced from the axis thereof and extends through a registering opening 120 formed in the adjacent wall of the ratchet wheel. It can thus be seen that when the flanged knob is moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 5, from the full line position to the dotted line position as shown, and then partially rotated, the free end of the pin 118 will engage the outer surface of the ratchet wheel 78 and thus maintain the locking element 104 out of engagement with the opening 106.

The opposite ratchet wheel 78 has a tubular portion 122 formed therein, the outer end of which is interiorly threaded to receive a plug member 124. Plug member 124 has a central opening 126 formed therein for receiving the outer end of a stem 128 having a drum disk engaging member 130 formed on the inner end there of. The member 130 is resiliently biased into engage ment with the adjacent surface of the associated end disk 82 by means of a coil spring 132 surrounding the stem 128 and having its ends engaged between the members 124 and 130. It will be seen that by turning the plug member 124 within the tubular portion 22 thetension applied by the spring 132 to the disk engaging member. 130 can be varied. In order to lock the plug member in any desired position of adjustment, a nut 134 is threaded on the stem member for engagement with the end of the tubular portion 122.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a crank handle 135 is detachably connected to one end of the drum assembly shaft 84, which may be used to wind up the cable thereon where necessary or to unwind the cable when the locking element 104 is out of engagement with the opening 106.

The valve mechanism 30 for effecting expansion and permitting contraction of the diaphragm assembly 20 includes a valve body 136 which, as shown, forms an integral part of the housing 14. As best shown in FIGURES 6-11, the housing 14 includes an inlet socket portion 138 having an inlet coupling member 140 threadedly engaged therein, such coupling being adapted to receive the end of the hose 16. A horizontally extending inlet passage 142 communicates at its rearward end with the inlet socket portion 138 and has formed in the forward end thereof an annular valve seat 144 which leads to and communicates with the lower end of a main verti: cal passage 146, as can best be seen in FIGURE 11.

The upper end of the main vertical passage 146 is interiorly threaded to fixedly receive in communication therewith the lower end of a vertically extending tubular flow member 147, the upper end of which extends through a suitable opening in the member '56 and has the sprinkler 18 mounted thereon. It will be understood that the sprinkler 18 may be of any suitable construction, and, 'as shown, a step-by-step rotary sprinkler of the type disclosed in Englehard Patent 1,997,101 is used.

It will be noted that because the present device is propelled by the diaphragm assembly 20, motion transmitting mechanism 22, and drum assembly 24, independent of the action of the sprinkler 18, it is therefore possible to utilize stepby-step rotary sprinklers as well as sprinklers of the full rotary type which have heretofore been required in order to provide the motive power to propel known traveling sprinkling devices.

6 Y 'As best shown in FIGURE 9, the valve body 136 has formed therein a horizontal passage 148 which extends angularly into communication with the central portion of the vertical passage the passage 148 is preferably formed by a drilling operation, and, to this end, the exterior wall of thehousing 14 is also bored, as indicated at 150; simultaneously with the formation of the passage 148. The opening 150 is closed by any suitable means, such as a plug member 152. The inner extremity of the passage 148 within the valve body 136 communicates with the lower end of a vertical passage 154, the upper end of which is interiorly threaded to receive the lower end of an elongated flow regulating stem 155, the upper end of which extends through a suitable opening formed in the member 56.

An inlet opening or passage 156 communicates with passage 154 intermediate the ends thereof and extends horizontally into communication with a cylindrical valve chamber or cavity 158, as is best shown in FIGURES 8 and 10. The valve chamber or cavity 158- of the body 136 is open at the end thereof opposite from the passage 156 and is closed by an end closure disk 160 secured to the body in fluid tight engagement, as by annular sealing ring 162 and bolts 164. I

Mounted for limited rotary movement within the valve chamber 158 is a disk valve member 166 having one surface thereof disposed in engagement with the inner'end surface of the 'valve chamber. Extending from the 0pposite surface of the valve disk 166 is a stem 168, the

member 160 and adjacent disk surface so as to resiliently.

urge the opposite face of the disk into engagement with the end surface of the valve chamber.

The surface of the valve disk 166 in engagement with the end surface of the valve chamber has a tubular portion 174 extending therefrom which is journalled within a registering opening 176 formed in the valve body. Preferably, suitable sealing means is provided between the exterior surface of the tubular portion 174 and the opening 176 as, for example, an O-ring seal 178.

The valve disk member 166 is adapted to be moved between two limiting positions and in one limiting position, as shown in FIGURES 6, 8, and 10, is adapted to permit flow of water under pressure from the housing 14 through the passages 148, 154 and 156 into the valve chamber 158. To this end, the disk valve member 166 has an aperture 180 formed therein which registers with the passage 156 when the disk valve member is disposed in the flow position.

Water under pressure entering the valve chamber 158 is directed to the diaphragm assembly 20 through a vertically extending passage 182 formed in the valve body 136, having its upper end in communication with the valve chamber 158 and its lower end closed, as by a plug 184. Communicating with the vertical passage 182 above the plug 184 is a lateral branch outlet 186 having a hose fitting 188 connected therewith. One end of a hose 191) is connected with the fitting 188 .and the opposite end of the hose is connected with the fitting 47 previously described in connection with the description of the diaphragm assembly 20. It can thus be seen that when the disk valve member is in the position shown in FIGURES 6, 8 and 10 wherein the aperture 180' registers with the passage 156, water under pressure within the housing 14 will flow into the diaphragm assembly to expand the latter.

In its opposite limiting position, .as shown in ,FIG- URE 7, the valve disk member 166 is operable to interrupt the flow of water under pressure from the housing to the valve chamber 158 and to permit the water in the valve chamber to exhaust therefrom so that the water 146. As shown in FIGURE 9,'

' are adapted to register with a pair of correspondingly spaced openings or passages 194 formed in the valve body 136 when the disk valve member is disposed in its exhaust position' "The passages 194 communicate with an upwardly and outwardly extending outlet passage 196 having its outer extremity enlarged and threaded to receive a hose fitting 198. A hose 260 has one end mounted on the fitting 198 and its opposite end connected with a fitting 2492 engaged within a lateral passage 204 formed 7 in the flowmember 147. As best shown in-FIGURES 6 11, the flow member 147 has an interior passage 206 of venturi construction, the lateral passage 264 communicatin-g with the venturi passage at its throat so that the flow of liquid under pressure through the member 147 has'the tendency-"to induceaflow through the hose 2% from the valve chamber 158.

It will be understood thatthe spacing of the outlet apertures 192 and inlet aperture 180 in the valve disk member 166 and the spacing of the outlet openings 1% and inlet opening 156 in the valve body 136 are so related that when the aperture 180 in thevalve disk memberregisters with the opening 156, openings 194 and apertures 192 will be out of registry; thus preventing flow from the valve chamber 158 to outlet passage 196 while permitting flow from the passage 156 into the chamber. Conversely, when the apertures 192 are disposed in registry withtheiopenings 1 94, inlet'aperture 189 will be' disposed out of registry with inlet passage 156, thus 7 preventing flow of water under pressure into the valve chamber 158 and permitting-flow outwardly therefrom to the outlet passage 196. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the apertures 192 are spaced an arcuate distance of 90 from each other and the aperture 192 adjacent the aperture 180 is spaced from the latter an ,arcuate distance of 45. The openings 194 are likewise spaced apartan arcuate distance of 90, while the opening 194 adjacent the opening 156 is spaced from the latter an arcuate distance of 90. With this arrangement the disk valve member 166 moves an arcuate distance of 45? between its limiting positions. t

The valve actuating mechanism 32 for moving the valve mechanism 30 into its limiting positions in response to the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm assembly 21) includes a vertical rod member 2955, the upper end of which extends through a suitable aperture in the member 56 and has an adjustable element 210 secured thereto, the element 210 providing a downwardly facing arcuate surface for engaging the upper surface of the plate member 56. The lower surface of the plate memberis engaged by'a pin 212 which is selectively mounted within onc'of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures in the rod member, 288. The lower end of the rod member 208 is pivotally connected, as at 214, intermediate the ends of a lever 216. The forward end of the lever is slidably pivoted as indicated at 218, to a pivot pin carrying depending bracket 219 fixed to the under side of the inverted U-shaped bracket 42 and the rearward end thereof is pivoted, as at 220, to the upper end of a vertically extending connecting link 222, as is best shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the lower end of the link 222 is pivoted, as at 224,to the outer end of one arm of a straightlever 226. The lever 226 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a boss portion 228 formed in the housing 14, as by a pivot bolt 230. The outer end of the opposite arm of the lever 226 has a stud 232 extending therefrom to which one end of a helical tension spring 234 is connected. The oppomember 165, as by a bolt 24G.

8 site end of the spring 234 is connected with a stud 236 fixed to the outer end of an arm ZSS-having its inner end fixed to the tubular portion 1740f the disk valve As clearly indicated in FIGURES 6 and 7, the pivotal axis of the arm 238'is disposed in the same horiozntal plane as the pivotal axis of the lever 226, thearrn 238' being secured to the disk valve member 166 by the bolt 24% in a position so that when the latter is disposed in its limiting positions, thea'rm will 'extend'at an angle of 22 on opposite sidesof the above-mentioned common horizontal plane.

136 so that their, heads are disposed in spaced positions to engage the arm 238 and prevent movement of the latter'beyond the above-mentioned limitingpositions;

The flow control mechanism 34 for commencing the flow of water under pressure from the hose through the housing 14 and'for shutting off the flow when the device has reached the end of its travel includes an annular valve member 2% carried by the rearward end of a valve stem 243, as shown in FIGURE 11. 'Preferably, the valve member 246 is mounted on the valve stem by suitable means providing for its removal so that it maybe readily replaced when worn. As shown, such means includes a flanged valve receiving member 25h threadedly engaged on the rearward end of the stem 248 and a disk element 252 engaging the rearward surface of the valve member 246 and removably secured to the end ofthe valve stem, as by a bolt 254. The valve member 246 is resiliently urged into engagement with the valve seat 144, previously described, by any suitable means, such as a spiral compression spring 256 having one end in engagement with the disk element 252 and its opposite end in engagement with the inlet coupling member 1 54 i The forward end of the valve stem. 248 extends out- Wardly of the ho using i ithrough a 'boss portion 258 formed integrally in the housing 14 with an opening 26%.

therein receiving the valve stem. Any suitable means may he provided for effecting, a fluid-tight seal between the stem and the opening 259, as, for example, an 0- ring seal 262 mounted in an appropriate peripheral groove in the stem and extending outwardly thereof into engagement with the periphery of the opening 260. t

The outer extremity of the valve stem 248 is bifurcated to receive the lower end of a starting lever 264, the latter having a longitudinally elongated slot 266 formed therein which receives a pin 268 mounted in the bifurcated end of the 'valve stem. The starting lever 264 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the housing 14, as by a pair of spaced lugs 270 formed thereon, carrying a pivot pin 272 which extends through the starting lever. The upper end of the starting lever extends upwardly through a suitable opening formed in the plate member 56.

It will be seen that when the starting lever is disposed in the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 11, the valve member 246 will be in engagement with the valve seat 144 under the action of spring 256 as well as the pressure of the water in the inlet opening 142 mechanism. The bell crank lever 274 is preferably made of two spaced intermediate pieces and is pivotally mounted on the housing 14, as by a pair of spaced lugs 276 formed integrally with the housing and having a pivot pin 278 extending therebetween and through the bell crank lever 274.

The bell crank lever 274 includes a first generally Upper and lower bolts 242* and 244 are threadedly engaged within the valve body horizontally disposed arm 230 and a second "generally vertically disposed arm 282, the arm 280 having a notch 284 formed in the lower end thereof for receiving a pi 2S6 mounted on the starting lever 264- in a position spaced above the pivot pin 272. It will be seen that th rear wall defining the notch will engage the pin when disposed therein and maintain the upper end of the starting lever in its forward solid line position, as shown in FIGURE 11. Movement of the pin 286 out of notch 284 is yieldingly resisted by means of a U-shaped spring 288 having a pair of coil portions surrounding the pivot pin 278, a bight portion engaging the housing between the lugs 27 8, and legs with the free ends thereof bent over the upper surfaces of spaced pieces of the arm 280.

The bell crank lever or latch mechanism 274 is operable to maintain the valve member 246 in its open position when the starting lever 264 is moved from the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 11 to the full line position shown therein and is operable to be tripped at the end of the travel of the sprinkling device so as to permit the starting lever to move from the solid line position shown in FIGURE 11 to the phantom line position to thus shut oi the flow of water under pressure past the valve seat 144 by the valve member 246. To this end, the upper end of the arm 282 of the bell crank lever 274 is pivotally connected, as at 290, to the downturned. end of a horizontally extending lever 292 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to an inturned portion of the bracket 60, as by a vertical pivot bolt 294. The outwardly extending end of the lever 292 has a cable fitting 296 pivotally connected therewith to which the rear end of a cable 298 is attached. The forward end of the cable 298 has a fitting 300 connected therewith which, in turn, is pivotally connected with the upturned outer end of an arm 302 forming a part of a stopping bell crank lever, generally indicated at 304. The arm-302'extends laterally inwardly and the bell crank lever 304 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the frame plate 36 adjacent the inner end of the arm 302- as by a vertically extending pivot pin 306. The stopping lever 304 also includes a forwardly extending horizontal arm 308, the outer end of which is bent to extend transversely, as indicated at 310,

so as to be in a position to engage the anchor stake 28.

Details of Operation The present device is particularly applicable in sprinkling relatively large areas such as athletic fields, golf courses and agricultural fields. In preparing the present device for operation in such areas, the cable anchoring stake 28 is sunk into the ground at an appropriate position defining one limit of the area to be sprinkled. The sprinkling device is initially disposed at the opposite end of the area to be sprinkled, the length of such area being determined by the length of the cable 26. Of course, the cable must be unwound from the drum assembly 22 between the starting position of the device and the anchoring stake with the free end of the cable secured to the anchoring stake. This condition can either be achieved by first anchoring the cable end to the stake 28 with the device adjacent the stake and then moving the device to its starting position so as to pay out the cable during its movement, or the device can be initially disposed at its starting position with the cable wound up on the drum assembly and then the free end of the cable is moved to the stake to pay out the cable from the drum assembly. In either event, when the cable is being unwound from the drum assembly, the flanged knob 112 is moved to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 5 to disengage the locking element 104 from the drum disk aperture 106, thus permitting relative rotation between the drum '80 and the ratchet wheels 78.-

It will be noted that because of the resiliently biased frictional engagement of the element 130 with the opposite end disk 82, the drum 80 is rotatable independently of the ratchet wheels '78 in a controlled manner which prevents the occurrence of backlash, as would be thecase if the ment 104 Within the end disk aperture 106, thus insuring that the drum will be positively rotated in response to the rotation of the ratchet wheels.

It will be understood that during the positioning of the device preparatorytostarting the sprinkling run, the supply of water under pressure to the sprinkling head 18 must be cut off. This can bedone either by shutting off the source ofwater under pressure to the hose 16 or positioning the flow control valve member 246m engagement with the valve seat 144 by disposing the starting lever in the phantom line unlatched position shown in FIGURE 11.

lever 264 must initially be moved into the solid line latched position shown in FIGURE 11 to open the inlet:

valve seat 144., In this condition, the operation of the device is commenced by communicating the source of Water under pressure with the hose :16. It will also be understood that where the hose is initially communicated with the source of water under pressure, and the control lever is in the phantom line unlatched position shown in FIGURE 11, the operation can be commenced by simply moving the starting lever 264 into its full line latchedposition. In either event, it will-be noted that upon commencement of operation the engagement of the pin 288 within the notch 284 of the spring biased bell crank lever 274servesto maintain the starting lever 26-4 in its full line latched position shownin FIGURE 11 wherein the valve member-246 is disposed in open relation with respect to the valve seat 144. .With the valve 246 in an open position, water under pressure from the hose 16 flows through the inlet opening 142, past the valve seat 144 and then into the main vertical passage 146 of the housing 14.

The main flow of water in the passage 146 flows upwardly through the member 147 and then is distributed to the area to be watered by the sprinkling head 18. The water under pressure within the passage 146 is also free to flow into the passage 148 in communication therewith. Prior to the commencement of operation, the springs 70 will urge the diaphragm assembly into its fully contracted position and in a like manner the member 56 of the motion transmitting mechanism 22 will be disposed in its lowermost position, as shown in FIGURE 2 and in solid lines in FIGURE 3. With the diaphragm assembly 20 and the motion transmitting mechanism 22 in this position, the valve actuating mechanism 32 will be disposed in the position shown in FIGURE 6 thus -maintaining the valve mechanism 30 in its flow position wherein the inlet aperture of the disk valve member 166 is disposed in alignment with the inlet passage 156 and the outlet apertures .192 are closed. Thus, a portion of the water under pressure Within the. main vertical pasflow through the horizontal passage 148,

sage 146 will vertical passage 154, inlet passage 156, valve aperture 180 and into the valve chamber 158. From the valve chamber the water under pressure flows through the vertical passage 182, branch passage 186, and hose 190 to the chamber of the diaphragm assembly 20, thus causing the diaphragm 49 to expand.

During the expansion of the diaphragm, the motion transmitting mechanism 22 is operable to impart a rotary movement to the drum assembly 24 through the en- Where the source of-water under pressure is controlled prior to entry into the hose 16, startingby a gravitational action.

stroke of the diaphragm a i 11 theanchoring stake 28.

ofthe ratchet wheels so as to prevent opposite rotation of the drum assembly-when the expansion strokeof the i diaphragm assembly. is completed.

It will also be noted that during the expansion of the diaphragm assembly lever 226 will be moved from t the position shown, inFIGURE 6 into the position shown in FIGURE "7 through the operation of rod 208, lever- 216, and link 22.2., During the latter part of this movesilent, the action of the spring 234, which in the position shown in FIGURE 6, biases the'arm 238m a counterclockwise direction as viewed "in FIGURES 6 and 7 member-fiend the axis of .the stud 236 so as to resiliently urge the lever arm in a clockwise direction as .viewedin FIGURES 6 and 7.

actuating mechanism 32 serves to move the valve mechan i'sm'from the flow position shown in FIGURE 6 to V the exhaust position shown in FIGURE 7 in response to the expansion of the diaphragm assembly 20 to its fully expanded condition or the movement of the motion transmitting mechanism22 into its uppermost position.

Thus, it can be seen t-hat'there will be a snapaction move- It will be noted that the stop pawl elements 96 serve to engage the successive teeth 94 In this way, the valve 1 ment of the valve mechanism in response to theex-' pansion of the diaphragm assembly into its fully ex-, panded condition which has the eifect of disposing the I valve mechanism" inits exhaust position wherein valve aperture 180 is closed and valve apertures 192 register withexhaust openings 194." In this position of the valve mechanism, contraction of the diaphragm assembly can I take place under the action of springs 76' by flow of water'fromthe diaphragmcharnber back to the valve chamber. 158, and from the valve chamber outwardly through'the. valve apertures 192. During the'contraction of the diaphragm assembly, the lever arm 226 will be moved from the position shown in FIGURE 7 to theposition shown'in FIGURE 6 and again the valve mechanism 'Will be moved into its flow position by a snap action toward the end of thismovement, that is when i the diaphragm. assembly has contracted to a fully contracted condition and the lever member 56 is disposed in its lowermost position. valve mechanism at the end of the contraction stroke of the diaphragm assembly is into the flow position shown in FIGURE, 6, expansion of the diaphragm begins again and the cycle is continuously repeated.

-During the compression stroke of the diaphragm assembly 20, the motion transmitting mechanism 22 is operable to move the hook-shaped pawl members so that they will ride over the teeth 94. of the ratchet'wheels 78 During this movement of the pawl members 74, the stop pawl elements 96 will maintain the drum assembly 24 against rotation by their engagement with the teeth 94 of the ratchet wheels 78.

pansion stroke. It can thus be seen that during the con-' tractionstroke of the diaphragm assembly 20, the device 10 ,Willnot be propelledtowardthe anchoring stake 28,

such movement occurring only during the expansion assembly.

From the above it can be seen that so long as water under pressure is communicated with the housing 14, the device will be propelled toward the anchoring stake 28 through the operation of the drum assembly 24 which is rotated during the expansion stroke of the diaphragm assembly 20 by motion transmitting mechanism 22, the diaphragm assembly 24 being continuously cycled through the operation of the valve mechanism 30 and the valve actuating mechanism 32. Since the drumassembly 24 Since the movement of 'the 12- is rotated only during the expansion stroke of the dia phragm assembly 20 wherein Water under pressure is passing through the inlet opening 156, the forward movement of the device can be controlled by adjusting the position of the stem with respect to the inlet opening 156.

The device will be propelled toward the stake in the manner indicated above until the transverse end portion 310 of the stopping lever 30,4 engages the anchoring stake 28. From FIGURE 1 it can be seen that the engagement of the stopping lever 394 with the anchoring stake28 will serve to move the bell crank lever 274 into its un-. latched position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 11, through the operation of the arm 362, cable 298, and lever 292. With the bell crank lever 274 disposed in its unlatched position, the starting lever 264 will be biased from the solid line position shown in FIGURE ll to the phantom, line position shown therein, through the operation of the spring 256 to thereby close oil the How of water under pressure into the mainvertical passage 146 by the engagement of the valve member 246 with the valve seat 144. In this way the flow of water under pressure to the sprinkler head 18 and diaphragm assembly 2% is automatically shut off when the device reaches the end of its travel.

It thus will be seen thatthe objects ofthis invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be- 1. A sprinkling device comprising a wheeled frame,

a diaphragm assembly 'expansible in response to the flow of water under pressure therein, a member pivoted to said frame and operatively connected withsaid diaphragm assembly for pivotal movement in one direction in response in. the expansion of said diaphragm assembly, spring means between said frame, and said pivoted member resiliently urging the latter to pivot in the opposite direction and thus contract said diaphragm assembly, a drum assembly rotatably mounted on said frame, a cable wound around Jsaid drum assembly and having a free end extending therefrom adapted to be anchored to the ground to be sprinkled, means operatively connected between said pivoted memher and said drum assembly for rotating the latter in response to the expansion and contraction of said diaphragm assembly to wind up said cable on said drum assembly to thereby propel said wheel frame to the anchored end of said cable, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be connected with a hose having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith, a sprinkler head carried by said frame in communication with said inlet housing, means communicating said housing in parallel with said diaphragm assembly, said last-mentioned means including a valve mechanism operable in a first position to permit flow of water under pressure into said diaphragm assembly and in a second position to permit exhaust of water from said diaphragm assembly under the action of said spring means, means operatively connected between said pivoted memberand said valve mechanism for moving the latter into said first position in response .to a predetermined contraction of said diaphragm assembly and into said second position in response to a predetermined expansion of said diaphragm assembly, said housing having flow control valve means disposed therein movable between an opened position permitting flowof water under pressure to said sprinkler head and to said diaphragm assembly and a biased closed position preventing flow of water under pressure to said sprinkler head and said diaphragm assembly, a starting lever movably mountl3 control valve means to move the latter from said closed position to said opened position, latch means operatively connected with said starting lever and carried by said frame for movement between a latched position operable to retain said starting'lever in a position to maintain said flow control valve means in said opened position and an unlatched position permitting said starting leverto be biased with said flow control valve means into the closed position of the latter, a stopping lever carried by said frame in a position to be moved by engagement with a ground anchored stake in response to the travel of said wheeled frame into a position adjacent said stake, and means operatively connected between said stopping lever and said latch means for moving the latter from said latched position to said unlatched position in response to the movement of said stopping lever.

2. A sprinkling device comprising a wheeled frame, a diaphragm assembly expansible in response to the flow of water under pressure therein, a member pivoted to said frame and operatively connected with ,said diaphragm assembly for pivotal movement in one direction in response to the expansion of said diaphragm assembly, spring means between" said frame and said pivoted member resiliently urging the latter to pivot in the opposite I direction and thus contract said diaphragm assembly, a drum assembly rotatably mounted on said frame, a cable wound around said drum' assembly and havingv a free end extending therefrom adapted to be anchored to the ground to be sprinkled, means operatively connected between said pivoted member and said drum assembly for rotating the latter in response to the expansion and contraction of said diaphragm assembly to wind up said cableon said drum assembly to thereby propel said wheel frame to the anchored end of said cable, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be connected with a hose having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith, a sprinkler head carried by said frame in communication with said inlet housing, means'communicating with said housing in parallel with said diaphragm assembly includinga venturi flow passage, said last-mentioned means including a valve mechanism operable in a first position to permit flow of water under pressure into said diaphragm assembly and in a second position to permit exhaust of water from said diaphragm'assembly under the action of said spring means,; and means operatively connected between said pivoted member and said valve mechanism for moving the latter into said first position in response to a predetermined contraction of said diaphragm assembly and into said second position in response to a predetermined expansion of said diaphragm assembly, said valve mechanism including inlet valve means communicating in parallel with said inlet housing downstream of said venturi flow passage operable to control the flow of water under pressure to said diaphragm assembly and outlet valve means communicating with said venturi passage adjacent the throat thereof operable to control the exhaust of water from said diaphragm assembly. I

3. A sprinkling device comprising a wheeled frame, a diaphragm assembly expansible in response to-the flow of water under pressure therein, a member pivoted to said frame and operatively connected with said diaphragm assembly for pivotal movement in one direction in response to the expansion of said diaphragm assembly, spring means between said frame and said pivoted member resiliently urging the latter to pivot in the opposite direction and thus contract said diaphragm assembly, a drum assembly rotatably mounted on said frame, a cable wound around said'drum assembly and having a free end extending therefrom adapted to be anchored to the ground to be sprinkled, means operatively connected between said pivoted member and said drum assembly for rotating the latter in response to the expansion and contraction of said diaphragm assembly to wind up said cable on said drum assembly to thereby propel .said wheel frame to the anchored end of said cable, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be connected with a hose having a source of Water under pressure communicating therewith, a sprinkler head carried by said frame in communication with said inlet housing, means communicating said housing in parallel with said diaphragm assembly, said last-mentioned means including a valve mechanism operable in a first position to permit flow of water under pressure into said diaphragm assembly and in a second position to permit exhaust of water from said diaphragm assembly under the action of said spring means, said valve mechanism comprising a valve body having a valve chamber communicating with said diaphragm, an inlet passage extending into said valve chamber, an outlet passage extending from said valve chamber, a disk valvelmember rotatably mounted within said chamber for movement between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of said valve mechanism, said disk valve member being disposed within said chamber in a position to close the communication between said valve chamber and said inlet and outlet openings and having aninlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said inlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk valve member is disposed in said first position and an outlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said outlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk .valve member is disposed in saidsecond position, means operatively connected between said pivoted member andsaid valve mechanism for moving the latter'into said first position in response to a predetermined contraction of said diaphragm assembly and into said second position in response to a predetermined expansion of said diaphragm assembly, saidvalve mechanism moving means comprising a first armfixed to said disk valve member for movement therewith between corresponding first and second positions, a lever pivotally carried by said frame having a second arm extending from thepivotal axis thereof, spring means interconnecting the outer ends of said first and second arms, the outer end of said second arm being movable in response to the expansion and contraction of said diaphragm assembly in a limitedarcuate path such that said spring means acts to resiliently urge said first arm into said first position when the outer end of said second arm is disposed adjacent one end of its arcuate path and during its movement from said one end to a position adjacent the other end of its path and to resiliently urge said first arm into said second position when the outer end of said second arm is'disposed adjacent said other end of its path and during its movement from said other end to a position adjacent said one end.

4. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve mechanism moving means further includes a second lever pivotally carried by said frame, a connecting link interconnecting said second lever to saidfirstmentionedlever and a connecting rod interconnecting said second lever with said pivoted member.

5. In a sprinkling device, the combination comprising a frame having means thereon supporting the same for movement along the ground, water pressure responsive .means expansible in response to the flow of water under pressure therein and contractible to exhaust Water therefrom, means operable in response to the expansion and contraction of said pressure responsive means for moving said frame along the ground, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be communicated with a source of water under pressure, a sprinkler head, means communicating said water inlet housing with said sprinkler head including a venturi flow passage, means communicating said inlet housing in parallel with said pressure responsive means including a valve mechanism having inlet valve means communicating in parallel with said water inlet phragm assembly;

7 1 i; a housing downstream oft said venturi flow passage movable between opened and closed positions to control the flow of water underpressure to said pressure responsive means and outlet valve means communicating with said venturi passage adjacent thethroat thereof movable be tween opened and closed positions to control the exhaust of water from said pressure responsive means, and means for moving said inlet valve means into its closed position and said outlet valve means into its opened posi tion in response toa predetermined expansion of said pressure responsive means and for moving said inlet valve means into its openedposition and said outlet valve means into its closed position in response to a predetermined contraction of said pressure responsive means;

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein frame m oving means comprises a drum assembly, rotatably mounted on'said frame, a cable wound around said drum assembly and having a free end extending therefrom adapted to be anchored to the ground to be sprinkled,

and means between said pressure responsive means and said drum assembly for rotating the latter ,in response to I T including a valve mechanism operable in a first position to permit flow of Water under pressure into said pressure responsive means and in a second position topermitexhaust of water from said pressure responsive means, and means for moving said valve mechanism into said first position in response to a predetermined contraction of said pressure responsive means and into said second position in response to a predetermined expansion of said pressure responsive means.

v 9. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 8 wherein said housing has flow control valve means disposed there in movable between an opened position permitting flow of water under pressure to said sprinkler head and to said diaphragm assembly and a closed position preventing the expansion and contraction of said pressure responsive means to wind up said'cable on said drum assembly to thereby effect movement of said frame toward the anchored end of said cable.

'7. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 6 wherein said drum assembly comprises a drum-having a pair of disk members on opposite ends thereof mounted on said frame for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis, and wherein said drum rotating means comprises a ratchet j wheel mounted for independent rotation adjacent each of said disk members, one of said ratchet Wheels having a spring pressed 'member extending therefrominto sliding frictional engagement with the adjacent disk member, the

i i other. of said ratchet wheels having a locking element movable into and out of an opening formed in the associated disk member to-' selectively lock said drum for rotation with said ratchet wheels or permit frictionally controlled rotation of said drum independent of said ratchet Wheel, and pawl members pivotally connected to said pivoted .member and engageable withsaid ratchet wheels for rotating the latter in response to the expansion of said dia- 8. A sprinkling device comprising a wheeled frame,

to exhaust water therefrom, a drum assembly rotatably mounted on said frame, said drum assembly comprising a drum havinga pair of disk members on opposite ends thereof mounted on said frame for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis, a ratchet wheel mounted for independent rotation adjacent each of said disk members, one of said ratchet wheels having a spring pressed member extending therefrom into sliding frictional engagement with the adjacent'disk member, the other of said ratchet wheels having a locking'element movable into and out of an opening formed in the associated disk member to selectively lock said drum' for' rotation with said ratchet wheels or permit frictionally controlled rotation of said drum independent of said ratchet Wheels, a cable wound around said drum and'having a free end extending there from adapted to be anchored to the groundto be sprinkled, means connected between said ratchet wheels and said expansion and contraction of said pressure responsive "means for rotating said ratchet wheels and said drum when said other ratchet wheel is locked thereto to thereflow of water under pressure to said sprinkler head and said diaphragm assembly, said flow control-valve means being biased into said closed-position-and wherein a starting lever is movably mounted onsaid frame and operatively connected with said flow control valve means to move .the latter from said closed position to said opened position, latch means operatively connected with said starting lever and carried by said frame for move ment between a latched position operable to retain said starting lever in a position to maintain said flow control valve-means in said opened position and an unlatched 7 position permitting said starting lever to be biased with said fiow control valve means into the closed position of the latter, a stake having a lower portion arranged to, be imbedded in the ground and an upper portion arranged to extend above the ground and to have the free end of said cable fixed thereto, a'stopping lever carried by said frame in a position to bev moved by engagement with saidstake in response to the travel of said wheeled frame into a position adjacent'said stake, and means operatively connected between said stopping lever and said latch means for moving the latter from said latched position to said unlatched position in response to the movement of said stopping lever. I

10. In a sprinkling device, the combination comprising a wheeled frame, a water inlet housing adapted. to be connected to a hose communicated with a source of water under pressure, a sprinkler head carried by said frame in communication with said housing, means operable in response to the flow of water under pressure through said tively, said starting lever and said valve member being with aground anchored stake in response tothe travel of biased into their second and closed positions respectively, a latch mechanism operatively connected with said starting lever movable between a latched position operable to retain said starting lever in said first position and an unlatched position permittingsaid starting lever'to be biased into said secondposition and hence'the valve member movable therewith into said closed position, a stopping lever carried by said frame to be moved by engagement said wheeled frame into a position adjacent said stake, and means operatively connected between said stopping lever and said latch mechanism for moving the latter by wind up said cable on said drum and hence propel said wheeled frame to the anchored end of said cable, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be connccted with a hose having a source of water under pressure communicating therewith, a sprinkler head carfied by said frame in communication with said inlet housing, means connecting said housing in parallel with said pressure responsive means, said last-mentioned means from said latched position to said unlatchedposition in response to the movement of said stopping lever.

11. A sprinkling device comprising a wheeled frame, a diaphragm assembly carried by said frame expansible in response to thetflow of Water under pressure therein, a member pivoted at its rear end to the rear end of said frame and operatively connected with said diaphragm assembly for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis in one direction in response to the expansion of said diaphragm assembly, spring means between said frame and said'pivoted member resiliently urging the 1 7 latter to pivot in the opposite direction and thus contract said diaphragm assembly, a drum having a pair of disk members on opposite ends thereof mounted on said frame for rotation about a transverse horizontal axis, a cable wound'around said drum and having a free end extending therefrom adapted to be anchored to the ground to be sprinkled, a ratchet Wheel mounted for independent rotation adjacent each of said disk members, one of said ratchet wheels having a spring pressed member extending therefrom into sliding frictional engagement with the adjacent disk member, the other of said ratchet wheels having a locking element movable into and out of an opening formed in the associated disk member to selectively lock said drum for rotation with said ratchet wheels or permit frictionally controlled rotation of said drum independent of the rotation of said ratchet wheel, pawl members pivotally connected to the forward end of said pivoted member and engageable with said ratchet wheels for rotating the latter in response to the expansion of said diaphragm assembly to thereby rotate said drum when said other ratchet wheel is locked thereto so as to wind up said cable on said drum and hence propel said wheeled frame to the anchored end of said cable, a water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be connected to a hose having a source of water under pressure communicated therewith, a sprinkler head carried by said frame, means communicating said water inlet housing with said sprinkler head including a venturi flow passage, means communicating said inlet housing in parallel with said diaphragm assembly including a valve mechanism having inlet valve means communicating in parallel with said water inlet housing downstream of said venturi flow passage movable between opened and closed positions to control the flow of water under pressure to said diaphragm assembly and outlet valve means communicating with said venturi passage adjacent the throat thereof movable between opened and closed positions to control the exhaust of water from said diaphragm assembly, means for moving said inlet valve means into its closed position and said outlet valve means into its opened position in response to a predetermined expansion of said diaphragm assembly and for moving said inlet valve means into its opened position and said outlet valve means into its closed position in response to a predetermined contraction of said pressure responsive means, means between said inlet valve means and said inlet housing for controlling the rate of flow through said inlet valve means to thereby control the rate of expansion of said diaphragm assembly and hence the speed of travel of said wheeled frame, a starting lever mounted on said frame for movement between first and second positions, a flow control valve member mounted in said housing downstream from the parallel communication of said diaphragm assembly and said sprinkler head therewith and operatively connected with said starting lever for movement between opened and closed positions in response to the movement of said starting lever into said first and second positions respectively, said starting lever and said flow control valve member being biased into said second and closed positions respectively, a latch mechanism operatively connected with said starting lever movable between a latched position operable to retain said starting lever in said first position and an unlatched position permitting said starting lever to be biased into said second position and hence the flow control valve member movable therewith into said closed position, a stopping lever carried by said frame in a position to be moved by engagement with a ground anchored stake in response to the travel of said wheeled frame into a position adjacent said stake, means operatively connected between said stopping lever and said latch mechanism for moving the latter from said latched position to said unlatched position in response to the movement of said stopping lever.

12. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 11 wherein said valve mechanism includes a valve body having a valve chamber communicating with said diaphragm assembly, an inlet passage extending into said chamber, an outlet passage extending from said chamber, and wherein said inlet and outlet valve means comprises a disk valve member rotatably mounted within said chamber for movement between first and second positions, said disk valve member being disposed within said chamber in a position to close communication between said valve chamber and said inlet and outlet openings and having an inlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said inlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk valve member is disposed in said first position and an outlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said outlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk valve member is disposed in said second position.

13. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 12 wherein said valve moving means comprises a first arm fixed to said disk valve member for movement therewith between corresponding first and second positions, a lever pivotally carried by said housing having a second arm extending from the pivotal axis thereof, spring means interconnecting the outer ends of said first and second arms, the outer end of said second am being movable in response to the expansion and contraction of said diaphragm assembly in a limited arcuate path such that said spring means acts to resiliently urge said first arm into said first position when the outer end of said second arm is disposed adjacent one end of its arcuate path and during its movement from said one end to a position adjacent the other end of its path and to resiliently urge said first arm into said second position when the outer end of said second arm is disposed adjacent said other end of its path and during its movement from said other end to a position adjacent said one end.

14. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 13 wherein said valve moving means further includes a second lever pivotally carried by said frame, a connecting link interconnecting said second lever to said first-mentioned lever and a connecting rod interconnecting said second lever with said pivoted member.

15. A sprinkling device comprising a frame having means thereon supporting the same for movement along the ground, water pressure responsive means expansible in response to the flow of water under pressure therein and contractable to exhaust water therefrom, means operable in response to the expansion and contraction of said pressure responsive means for moving said frame along the ground, a Water inlet housing carried by said frame adapted to be communicated with a source of water under pressure, a sprinkler head carried by said frame, means communicating saidwater inlet housing with said sprinkler head, means communicating said water inlet housing in parallel with said pressure responsive means including a valve mechanism, said valve mechanism comprising a valve body having a valve chamber communicating with said pressure responsive means, an inlet passage extending into said valve chamber, an outlet passage extending from said valve chamber, a disk valve member rotatably mounted within said chamber for movement between first and second positions, said disk valve member being disposed within said chamber in a position to close the communication between said valve chamber and said inlet and outlet openings and having an inlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said inlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk valve member is disposed in said first position and an outlet aperture therethrough positioned to align with said outlet passage to communicate the latter with said chamber when said disk valve member is disposed in said second position, and means for moving said disk valve member into its second position in response to a predetermined expansion of said pressure responsive means and for moving said disk valve member into its first position in response to a predetermined contraction of said pressure responsive means.

16. A sprinkling device as defined in claim 15 wherein said disk valve member moving means comprises a first arm fixedto said disk valve member for movement therewith between corresponding first and second positions, a

'lever pivotally carried by said frame having a second arm extending from the pivotal axis thereof, spring means interconnecting the'outer ends of said first and second arms, the outer end of said second arm :being movable in response to the expansion and contraction of said pressure responsive means in a limited arcuate path such that said spring means acts to resiliently urge said first arm into 10 said first position when the outer end of said second arm is disposed adjacent one end of its arcuate path and during-its movement from said one end to a position 5 end to a posit-ion adjacent said one end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,658,202 Jones Feb. 7, 1928 2,057,217 Soper Oct. 13, 1936 2,883,116 Muench Apr. 21, 1959 n m m

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