Granted Patent B2

US 8,505,836 · App. 12/726,990 · Granted Aug 13, 2013

Abstract

Claims (40)

1. A water sprinkler, comprising:

a base;

a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, said timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between said timer inlet and said timer outlet;

a motor having a motor inlet, a motor outlet, and a drive member, said motor configured to move said drive member in response to fluid passing from said motor inlet to said motor outlet; and

a spray member coupled to said motor outlet, said spray member configured to move in response to movement of said drive member,

wherein said base includes a first base retention structure and a second base retention structure,

wherein said timer mechanism includes a timer retention structure configured to cooperate with said first base retention structure to create a first snap-fit connection between said timer mechanism and said base,

wherein said motor includes a motor retention structure configured to cooperate with said second base retention structure to create a second snap-fit connection between said motor and said base,

wherein said timer outlet defines a first coupling component, and

wherein said motor inlet defines a second coupling component configured to mate with the first coupling component.

2. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said first coupling component is mated with said second coupling component when both (i) said first snap-fit connection exists between said timer mechanism and said base, and (ii) said second snap-fit connection exists between said motor and said base.

3. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said timer mechanism includes a timer end cap,

said timer end cap defines said timer outlet,

said motor includes a motor end cap, and

said motor end cap defines said motor inlet.

4. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said base defines a cavity,

said timer mechanism is retained at least partially within said cavity when said first snap-fit connection exists between said timer mechanism and said base, and

said motor is retained at least partially within said cavity when said second snap-fit connection exists between said motor and said base.

5. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said base further includes a first set of partition walls located within said cavity that defines a first sub-cavity in which said timer mechanism is at least partially positioned, and

said base further includes a second set of partition walls located within said cavity that defines a second sub-cavity in which said motor is at least partially positioned.

6. The water sprinkler of claim 5 , wherein:

said first base retention structure is secured to said first set of partition walls, and

said second base retention structure is secured to said second set of partition walls.

7. The water sprinkler of claim 5 , wherein:

said first set of partition walls includes a motor-facing wall,

said motor-facing wall defines a passage extending therethrough, and

said first coupling component extends through said passage.

8. The water sprinkler of claim 7 , wherein said second coupling is at least partially located within said passage.

9. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said motor inlet is configured to fluidly couple to said timer outlet in response to rotation of said first coupling component relative to said second coupling component while said first coupling component is mated to said second coupling component.

10. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said motor inlet is configured to fluidly couple to said timer outlet in response to about a ninety (90°) rotation of said first coupling component relative to said second coupling component while said first coupling component is mated to said second coupling component.

11. The water sprinkler of claim 1 , wherein:

said spray member includes a spray member inlet and a plurality of spray member outlets, and

said spray member inlet is coupled to said motor outlet.

12. The water sprinkler of claim 11 , wherein said motor is configured to oscillate said spray member in a repeating pattern of movement in response to fluid passing from said motor inlet to said motor outlet.

Assignments (9)