CN106102927B - Sprinkler with stop function - Google Patents

Abstract

A sprinkler (10/100) may include a body (20/110) and an operable member (30/140). The body (20/110) is graspable by an operator along a handle portion (22/119) of the body. The body (20/110) may house a flow control assembly (50) configured to enable the sprinkler to perform control functions related to water flow through the sprinkler. An operable member (30/140) may be pivotally coupled to the body to engage the flow control assembly (50) to alternately provide flow when pivoted to the compressed position and stop flow when pivoted to the extended position. The manipulable member (30/140) may have a length extending substantially parallel to an axis of the handle portion (22/119). One of the operable member (30/140) or the body (20/110) may include a lock (144). The lock (144) may be configured to engage a locking head (146) provided on the other of the operable member (30/140) or the body (20/110). The lock (144) may have a locked position and an unlocked position defined by movement of the lock (144) relative to the lock head (146). Compression of the operable member (30/140) with the lock (144) in the locked position causes the operable member (30/140) to alternately transition between the locked and unlocked states with each compression. The operable member (30/140) may be held in an unlocked state when the lock (144) is in the unlocked position regardless of compression of the operable member, and the lock (144) may not contact the lock cylinder (146) when the lock (144) is in the unlocked position.

Description

Sprinkler with stop function

technical field

The present invention relates to a sprinkler, in particular to a sprinkler that can be easily switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by using an operable member.

Background technique

Gardening and yard maintenance, like many other pastimes, are easier and more enjoyable when gardeners have access to the right tools for the job. Every garden or yard needs a proper and efficient water supply. Sprinklers may be necessary to provide an adequate supply of water when the weather is not sunny, or for multiple covered areas.

Sprinkler equipment includes things like hoses, hose reels, spray guns, nozzles, booms, faucets (or fittings) and other devices with similar functions. These devices typically use a hose coupled with some form of sprinkler (eg, a sprinkler such as a lance, sprinkler head, or boom) to apply water from a faucet to a garden, plant, or other target. However, gardeners often find that different tools are needed for different specific situations. Thus, gardeners desire sprinklers with different characteristics.

A particular feature often appreciated by gardeners is the ability to lock the sprinkler in the "on" position, whereby the user does not need to maintain pressure on the trigger, lever, or other operable member that must be actuated to turn the sprinkler on . In order for the gardener to control the locking of the operable member in the open position, many sprinklers require the gardener to use two hands to operate. In this regard, one hand typically holds the operable member in the desired position while the other hand is used to engage the locking member. Consequently, the operation of the sprinkler becomes more cumbersome and less enjoyable for the gardener.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, some exemplary embodiments may provide a sprinkler design that provides an improved locking assembly. In particular, some embodiments may provide a lock in an ergonomically beneficial position, thereby allowing a user (i.e., gardener) to operate the operable with one hand and also lock the operable with one hand. piece in a desired location. Some embodiments may also or alternatively enable the detent function (ie locking and unlocking) of the operable member to be easily engaged or disengaged by simple compression of the operable member. The ergonomics and functionality of the sprinkler can thus be improved and the operator's experience can be more enjoyable.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the present invention may provide a sprinkler device. The sprinkler may include a body and an operable member, and the body may be held by an operator along a handle portion of the body. The body may encase a flow control assembly configured to enable the sprinkler to perform a control function related to the flow of water through the sprinkler. The operable member is pivotable to the body to engage the flow control assembly to alternately provide flow when pivoted to a compressed position and stop flow when pivoted to an extended position. The operable member may have a length extending substantially parallel to the axis of the handle portion. One of the operable part or the body may include a lock. The lock member may be configured to engage with a lock head disposed on the operable member or another part of the body. The lock member can have a locked position and an unlocked position, and the locked position and the unlocked position are defined by the movement of the lock member relative to the lock head. Compression of the operable member with the lock in the locked position causes the operable member to alternate between a locked state and an unlocked state with each compression. When the lock part is in the unlocked position, the operable part can remain in the unlocked state regardless of the compression of the operable part, and when the lock part is in the unlocked position, the lock part can not contact the lock head.

Description of drawings

Accordingly, having described the invention in general terms, the referenced drawings will now be referred to as a number of accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sprinkler device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view illustrating a sprinkler according to an exemplary embodiment;

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sprinkler device according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 is a front view illustrating a sprinkler according to another exemplary embodiment;

5 is an enlarged exploded view illustrating a locking assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

6 is an isolated view illustrating a locking assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; and

7 is an isolated view illustrating another perspective of a locking assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed ways

Some exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, some but not all of which are shown. Indeed, the embodiments described herein and depicted in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope, practicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present invention will satisfy enforceable legal regulations. Like reference symbols denote like elements throughout. Also, as used herein, the noun "or" will be construed as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of the operands is true. As used herein, operable engagement should be understood as pertaining to a direct or indirect connection which, in either case, enables the interconnection of functional elements such that a functional A plurality of elements are operably coupled to each other.

Some exemplary embodiments described herein provide an improved sprinkler design. In this regard, exemplary embodiments may enable an operator or user to lock a flow control assembly in an open position, typically using the same hand that supports the sprinkler. For example, the flow control assembly can be controlled through the use of a lock provided at a convenient and ergonomic location on the trigger (or operable member) of the sprinkler. The lock can be activated or deactivated by moving in the horizontal direction, which is quite convenient and natural to operate the lock with the index finger of the hand holding the sprinkler. Additionally, the lock can be configured to interact with the lock head via a unique structure, thereby allowing the trigger to be toggled between locked and unlocked states with each compression when the lock is in the locked position in turn. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a modular sprinkler 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The modular sprinkler device 10 may include a body 20 , an operable member 30 and a sprinkler head 40 . The body 20 can be gripped by an operator along a portion of the body. In some cases, the graspable portion can be defined as the handle portion 22 of the body 20 . The handle portion 22 may be disposed between the water outlet portion 24 and the water inlet portion 26 . The body 20 can enclose the flow control component 50 . The flow control assembly 50 is configured to enable the sprinkler 10 to perform a control function related to the flow of water through the sprinkler 10 (eg, from the water inlet portion 26 to the water outlet portion 24). In some embodiments, flow control assembly 50 may include on/off control assembly 52 and volume control assembly 54 . The operable member 30 is attachable to the body 20 for engagement with the flow control assembly 50 to alternately start and stop flow through the sprinkler 10 based on a position of the operable member 30 . Here, in some cases, the operable member 30 may act as an operating unit to open or close (partially or completely) a valve body or other flow control devices in the flow control assembly 50 . In particular, the operable member 30 is engageable with the open/close control assembly 52 of the flow control assembly 50 . In some cases, the flow control assembly 50 may further enable a volume control function to be performed whereby the flow may not only be turned on and off, but may also be adjusted based somewhat on operator control. Volume control assembly 54 may be an exemplary structure to perform this function. However, in some embodiments, volume control assembly 54 may be omitted.

The sprinkler head 40 may be attached to the water outlet portion 24 of the body 20 for sprinkling water through the sprinkler head 40 based on the sprinkling characteristics of the sprinkler head 40 . In some cases, sprinkler head 40 may be a selected sprinkler head 40 from among a plurality of different sprinkler heads, each of which may have a different structure and/or configuration to support different mobile application needs or desires.

As mentioned above, some exemplary embodiments allow for an improved ergonomic design, so that the operator can control the sprinkler with the same hand through the operation of the operable member 30, and can also lock the operable member 30 in the Open position (ie, whereby two-hand volume control can be avoided). To facilitate the above purpose, a locking assembly 70 may be provided, and the locking assembly 70 may selectively interact between the operable member 30 and the body 20 to lock or unlock the operable member 30 in a position relative to the body 20 superior. In some cases, the locking assembly 70 may provide this service by including a lock on the operable member 30 itself, with the lock oriented so that the locking assembly moves in a direction perpendicular to the lock. In the direction of the direction of extension and also provide the part where the index finger is normally positioned on the lock. Thus, the index finger can easily push the lock in the desired position without sacrificing grip on the sprinkler. Alternatively or additionally, the locking assembly 70 itself may have a locking and unlocking function with each subsequent compression of the operable member 30 .

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the operable member 30 is pivotally connected to the body 20 to engage the flow control assembly 50 to alternately provide flow when pivoted to the compressed position and stop flow when pivoted. to the extended position. The operable member 30 may further be configured to have a length extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the handle portion 22 . Meanwhile, the operable part 30 can be engaged with the locking part of the locking assembly 70 , so that the locking part is disposed on a surface of the operable part, which faces away from the main body 20 . Also, based on the lock being positioned in the locked state, the lock may be configured to enable an operator to lock the operable member in the flow supply state (ie, the "open" state). The lock member may also be configured to move in the locked state by movement along the first surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the handle portion (and the extending direction of the operable member or the longitudinal centerline of the operable member) and unlocked state.

Alternatively or additionally, one of the operable member and the main body may have a lock disposed thereon, and a lock head may be disposed at the other. When the lock member is in the locked state (or locked position), compression of the operable member will cause the operable member to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in turn with each compression. However, when the lock is in the unlocked state (or unlocked position), the operable member will remain in the unlocked state regardless of the compression of the operable member, and the lock may not contact the lock head when the lock is in the unlocked position. Exemplary structures to achieve the above functionality will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 .

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of sprinkler 100 formed as an example of sprinkler 10 in FIG. 1 . In this regard, the sprinkler 100 includes a body 110 provided as an example of the body 20 in FIG. 1 . Meanwhile, the body 110 has a water outlet portion 112 and a water inlet portion 114 which are used as examples of the water outlet portion 24 and the water inlet portion 26 in FIG. 1 , respectively. The water inlet portion 114 may have a threaded portion that engages a quick coupling fitting 116 that may be coupled to a hose fitting. Meanwhile, the water outlet portion 112 may be configured to be paired with a selected one of a plurality of different sprinkler heads. Sprinkler 120 is a particular example of sprinkler 40 of FIG. 1 and is a particular example of one of the different sprinklers that may be paired with outlet portion 112 .

Body 110 may be molded plastic, composite material, metal, or any other suitable material that is sufficiently rigid and capable of being formed to encase chambers, components, and/or devices to define flow channels that It is used for supplying water to flow from the water inlet portion 114 to the water outlet portion 112 . The flow channel may extend along the axis 118 of the handle portion 119 of the body 110 . However, the spout portion 112 may be formed along the spout portion axis 113 . In some embodiments, spout axis 113 forms an angle with respect to axis 118 . Furthermore, different body structures may be selected to define corresponding different angles between the axis 118 and the spout axis 113 .

The attachment portion 132 may be provided at the rear of the handle portion 119 to accommodate the housing assembly 150 . In some embodiments where sprinkler 100 is configured to include a volume control, in such embodiments, volume control lever 162 may be provided at receptacle 160 of housing assembly 150 . However, in some embodiments it should be considered that housing assembly 150 may be provided without receiver 160 and thus without volume control lever 162 (or any volume control assembly 54 ).

In an exemplary embodiment, a trigger 140 may be provided as an example of the operable member 30 of FIG. 1 . In some cases, the trigger 140 is pivotally mounted on the body 110 between the inlet portion 114 and the intersection between the axis 118 and the outlet portion axis 113 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the fulcrum of the trigger 140 is located at an end of the trigger 140 corresponding to or close to the water inlet portion 114 . However, it should be appreciated that the fulcrum may alternatively be located at the other end of the trigger (ie such a fulcrum is located near the intersection of the axis 118 and the spout axis 113). The end of trigger 140 opposite the fulcrum may optionally be compressed toward body 110 and extended away from body 110 to adjust on/off control assembly 52 to turn sprinkler 100 on and off, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the trigger 140 includes a lock 144 configurable to mate with a locking head 146 disposed on the body 110 . The lock piece 144 and the lock head 146 can be examples of components that can constitute the lock assembly 70 of FIG. 1 . However, it should be appreciated that the lock 144 may optionally be provided on the body 110 and the lock 146 may be provided on the trigger 140 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sprinkler 100 of FIG. 2 . Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the trigger 140 is compressed toward the body 110 (as indicated by arrow 200 ), a button or other operating element of the on/off control assembly 52 can be actuated to provide flow through the sprinkler 100 . Meanwhile, the on/off control assembly 52 may stop flow through the sprinkler 100 when the trigger 140 is released such that the trigger may extend away from the body 110 (in the direction indicated by arrow 210 ).

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the lock member 144 is in the locked state (or locked position), the lock member 144 and the lock head 146 can engage and disengage each other. Meanwhile, when the lock 144 is in the unlocked state (or unlocked position), regardless of the compression of the trigger 140 , the lock 144 and the lock head 146 may not engage with each other. When the trigger 140 is compressed from the extended state while the lock 144 is in the locked state, the trigger 140 can be held close to the body 110 and the open/close control assembly 52 can continuously allow water to pass through the volume determined by the volume control assembly 54 Go through the sprinkler 100. If the trigger 140 is compressed again (i.e., from the compressed state, when held there by engagement of the lock 144 and the lock head 146), the lock 144 can be released from the lock head 146 so that the flow Control is turned off and flow through sprinkler 100 is discontinued.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sprinkler 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3 according to an exemplary embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 4 , the longitudinal axis 118 (or centerline) of the handle portion is aligned with the direction of extension (and longitudinal axis) of the trigger 140 . Meanwhile, the lock 144 is configured to move substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 118 as indicated by arrow 220 . Movement of the lock 144 to one side may place the lock 144 in an unlocked state or position, and movement of the lock 144 to the other side may place the lock 144 in a locked state or position. When the trigger 140 is compressed (ie, entered into the page with reference to FIG. 4 ), the position of the lock 144 (ie, in the locked state or the unlocked state) impacts the interaction between the lock 144 and the locking cylinder 146 . In alternative embodiments, the locked and unlocked states can be set on either side.

As can be seen from FIG. 4 , when the operator grips the sprinkler 100 , the index finger normally tends to sit on the top of the trigger 140 . In fact, the location of the lock 144 may be strategically located so that when the sprinkler 100 is gripped in a comfortable and ergonomically beneficial grip, the lock 144 will drop normally with the index finger in place. s position. Specifically, when the operator decides to change the state of the lock 144, the operator only needs to move the index finger from left to right (or vice versa) to apply a force to move the lock 144 horizontally (i.e., at arrow 220 direction), to change the state of the lock 144. The operator's grip is thus easily maintained throughout the operation.

In some embodiments, the front of the trigger 140 may define a first surface 230 (which may be flat or curved). The first surface 230 can face away from the body 100 and can extend along the longitudinal length of the trigger 140 from an area adjacent to the fulcrum (for example, at the bottom of the trigger 140 ) to a position on the trigger 140 opposite the fulcrum. The protrusion 235 at the end. When the operator comfortably holds the sprinkler 100 , the protrusion 235 may serve as a guiding element so that the operator's index finger naturally engages the lock 144 .

The lock 144 can be disposed into the slot 240 formed in the first surface 230 . Receptacle 240 (or at least a portion of the receptacle) may pass completely through trigger 140 so that lock 144 is accessible by a user on first surface 230 but still engages lock head 146 . In some cases, the lock 144 can define a second surface 244 that can define a visible and accessible portion of the lock 144 . The second surface 244 may have reliefs, distinctive grooves, protrusions, and/or other features thereon that distinguish the second surface 244 from the first surface 230 . The second surface 244 may otherwise extend substantially parallel to the first surface 230 . Accordingly, the second surface 244 may also be curved or flat to match or at least somewhat resemble the contour of the first surface 230 . The second surface 244 may be shaped as the surface that the operator's index finger actually contacts.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the lock 144 and the lock head 146 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5 , a side of the locking member 144 opposite to the second surface 244 may include an engaging portion 300 . The engagement portion 300 may be configured to engage the lock head 146 . The engagement portion 300 may include a clamp assembly formed from a first member 310 and a second member 312 . The first member 310 and the second member 312 can extend inwardly toward the body 110 and toward the locking head 146 . The locking head 146 may be securely secured to the body 110 or an internal component of the sprinkler 100 , such as a component forming a flow passage through the sprinkler 100 .

The first member 310, the second member 312 have L (or J) shaped short feet formed at the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312, so that the first member 310, the second member 312 can have a substantially L-shape (or J shape). Additionally, the two L (or J) shaped legs can be oriented toward each other to form the clamp assembly. Therefore, for example, the two short legs can form two protrusions, and the two protrusions extend toward each other to define a locking notch 314 formed in the first member 310, the second member 312, the first The member 310 is bounded by the two protrusions at the end of the second member 312 and the portion of the lock 144 that is contacted by the operator to move the lock 144 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The first member 310 and the second member 312 can extend from the opposite side of the back of the lock 144 (that is, the surface on the opposite side of the second surface 244), with the first member 310 extending from the top of the lock 144 and the second The second member 312 extends from the bottom end of the locking member 144 . The first member 310, the second member 312 can extend from a position aligned with each other on a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the handle portion 119 and the axis 118 .

In an exemplary embodiment, the locking element 144 may further include a plurality of guide rods 320 , and the guiding rods 320 may enable the locking element 144 to snap fit into the receiving groove 240 . The guide rod 320 can also allow the lock 144 to slide horizontally between the locked position and the unlocked position. In some cases, the receptacle 240 and/or the lock 144 may have features (eg, a plurality of mating protrusions and grooves) to define distinct locked and unlocked positions when the features are aligned. . The feature can also or alternatively create enough friction to keep the lock 144 in a particular position until the operator applies enough force with a finger to overcome the friction and move the lock 144 to a different position. s position.

When the lock 144 is disposed in the unlocked position (or state), the engagement portion 300 may be horizontally misaligned relative to the lock head 146 and may not contact the lock head 146 . On the contrary, the engaging part 300 can move beside the lock head 146 without touching the lock head 146 . In this regard, for example, when lock 144 is slid in the direction of arrow 330 and trigger 140 is compressed, first member 310, second member 312 may move alongside lock head 146 but in the same direction as arrow 330. 300 is separated from the lock head 140 in the same direction and fails to contact the lock head 140 . However, when the lock 144 is placed in the locked position (or state), the engagement portion 300 can be aligned horizontally relative to the lock head 146 so that each compression of the trigger 140 causes the lock member 144 to follow the engagement portion 300 and the lock head. 146 by at least some contact between them. Thus, for example, when the lock 144 moves in the direction of the arrow 332, the first member 310, the second member 312 can engage the engagement surface 340 of the lock head 146, whereby the first member 310 slides through the engagement surface 340 and the second member 312 slides through the bottom surface of the engaging surface 340, so that the engaging portion 300 is locked to the lock head 146 (described in more detail below). Therefore, when the trigger 140 is locked in the compressed state, if the trigger 140 is released, the trigger 140 will still be held close to the body 110 and flow will be maintained. However, if the trigger 140 is compressed again, the engagement portion 300 will be forced out of engagement with the locking head 146 and the trigger 140 will be unlocked and allowed to move to the extended state.

Details of the locking and unlocking actions of the trigger 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, which show isolated views of the lock 144, viewed from different perspective views, when the lock 144 is in the locked state (or position), the lock 144 is just before the trigger 140 is compressed. In this regard, FIG. 6 shows a view from above the lock member 144 and lock head 146 , while FIG. 7 shows a view from the side of the lock member 144 and lock head 146 . When the trigger 140 is compressed, the lock 144 also advances in the direction of the arrow 342 , and the first member 310 and the second member 312 advance accordingly in the direction of the arrow 342 . The ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 are split to engage the opposite ends of the engaging surface 340, and are also slightly turned in the direction of the arrow 344, when the first member 310, the second member 312 are along the ramp. 345 when advancing sideways. The ramp member 345 may have a width in the direction of the axis 118 that is similar to the combined width of the first member 310 and the second member 312 in the same direction. However, the engagement surface may have a smaller width but increase in width in the direction indicated by arrow 342 .

When the ends of the first member 310 and the second member 312 reach the platform 350 and pass the catch body 352, the ends of the first member 310 and the second member 312 can move in the direction of the arrow 354 (interacting with the ramp member 345 cause slight deformation followed by straightening) to move to the rest surface 360 where the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 are clasped to keep the trigger 140 in the locked position. In this position, the ramp member 345 can be clamped in the locking notch 314 .

Rest surface 360 may have a width in the direction of axis 118 (the direction of axis 118 extending substantially into and out of the page of FIG. 6 ) that is less than the width of platform 350 . The width of the platform 350 may also be less than the width of the ramp member 345 and less than the width of the engagement surface 340 at its widest point. Due to the fact that the platform 350 is wider than the rest surface 360 , an ejection ramp 362 may be formed at the intersection of the platform 350 and the rest surface 360 . In the locked position, the catch body 352, the ramp 345, and the ejection ramp 362 can work together to keep the ends of the first member 310 and the second member 312 stationary on the rest surface 360 and locked in place relative to the body. 110 (or other anchoring structure for the lock head 146). Thus, the ends of the first member 310 , the second member 312 may rest on the rest surface 360 and be prevented from moving in the direction of the arrow 364 . This maintains the trigger 140 locked close to the body 110 so that the flow control assembly 50 continues to supply flow through the sprinkler 100 .

When the trigger 140 is compressed again while the lock 144 remains in the locked state and the trigger 140 is also initially locked close to the body 110 as described above, the ends of the first member 310 and the second member 312 can again be aligned with the arrows 342 direction is pushed. In response to this pushing action, the ends of first member 310, second member 312 can travel along ejection ramp 362 to turn in the direction of arrow 354 until the ends of first member 310, second member 312 clear ejection ramp 362 and compress toward each other to sit beside the ramp base 365 . As the trigger 140 advances toward the extended position, when the compression is released, the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 can then be allowed to follow the ramp base 365 and are furthest along the direction of arrow 354. The side of the ramp member 345 at the end runs to get back to the state shown in FIG. 6 . Thus, the first member 310, the second member 312 traverse each side of the ramp 345 when transitioning from the trigger unlocked position to the trigger locked position and back to the trigger unlocked position.

When the lock 144 is in the locked state (or position), as shown in FIG. The ends of the second member 312 move in the directions indicated by arrows 342 and 364, but the first and second members 310, 312 are still turned in the directions of arrows 344 and 354 as described above. If lock 144 is moved to the unlocked state (or position), lock 144 generally moves in the direction of arrow 354 . Compression of the trigger 140 causes the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 to move in the directions indicated by arrows 342 and 364, but due to the displacement of the lock 144 in the direction of the arrow 354, the first member 310 , the second member 312 will not contact the locking head 146 and no locking action of the trigger 140 relative to the body 110 is accomplished by the compression of the trigger 140 . Thus, no wear or pressure is exerted on the first member 310, second member 312 when the trigger 140 is compressed while the lock 144 is in the unlocked state. It should be considered that if the lock 144 is switched from the locked state to the locked state, and the trigger 140 is locked, then when the lock 144 is released and returns to the rest state, there is no wear or pressure on the first member 310, the second On the second component 312 . In this regard, when the trigger 140 is locked, the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 are held on the rest surface 360 and are spaced apart from each other with the rest surface 360 disposed therebetween. Movement of the lock 144 to the unlocked state will move the ends of the first member 310, the second member 312 in the direction of arrow 354 away from the rest surface 360 and allow them to be folded together. Next, when the trigger 140 is released, the first member 310 , the second member 312 can move in the direction of the arrow 364 without contacting the ramp member 345 . Thus, as the trigger 140 returns to the unlocked and extended position, the lock 144 can move from the locked state of the trigger 140 to the unlocked position to release the trigger 140 and also immediately lock the first member 310, the second member 310 of the lock 144. Stress on member 312 is reduced and wear avoided. The entire locking mechanism is thus subject to less wear and stress, so that the mechanism lasts longer.

Thus, when the trigger 140 transitions from the unlocked state to the locked state, the ramp 345 can serve as a first guide surface configured to engage the lock, and when the trigger 140 transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state , the ejection ramp 362 can be used as a second guide surface to engage with the lock. In some cases, the first guide surface and the second guide surface may each be bisected by the support (i.e., the engagement surface 340 to bisect the ramp 345, and the ramp base 365 to divide the pop-up ramp 362 into two). The support extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle portion 119 (and thus also the longitudinal centerline of the trigger 140 and/or the longitudinal centerline of the handle portion 119).

According to some exemplary embodiments, the present invention may provide a sprinkler. The sprinkler may include a body and an operable member, and the body may be held by an operator along a handle portion of the body. The body may encase a flow control assembly configured to enable the sprinkler to perform a control function related to the flow of water through the sprinkler. The operable member is pivotable to the body to engage the flow control assembly to alternately provide flow when pivoted to a compressed position and stop flow when pivoted to an extended position. The operable member may have a length extending substantially parallel to the axis of the handle portion. One of the operable part or the body may include a lock. The lock member may be configured to engage with a lock head disposed on the operable member or another part of the body. The lock member can have a locked position and an unlocked position, and the locked position and the unlocked position are defined by the movement of the lock member relative to the lock head. Compression of the operable member with the lock in the locked position causes the operable member to alternate between a locked state and an unlocked state with each compression. When the lock part is in the unlocked position, the operable part can remain in the unlocked state regardless of the compression of the operable part, and when the lock part is in the unlocked position, the lock part can not contact the lock head.

Sprinklers using features of these embodiments may include additional features that may optionally be added either individually or in combination with each other. For example, in some embodiments, (1) the locking element can be disposed on the first surface of the operable element. The first surface may face in a direction away from the body. In some embodiments, (2) the operable member can be pivotally connected to the body at a fulcrum close to the water inlet of the body. In an exemplary embodiment, (3) the lock member may be disposed adjacent to an opposite end of the operable member relative to the fulcrum. In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (3) may be utilized and (4) the lock may be provided within a receptacle formed in the operable member. The receiving groove can completely pass through the operable part from the first surface, so that based on the position of the lock part, the engaging part of the lock part can contact the lock head fixed relative to the main body.

In some embodiments, any one or all of (1) to (4) may be utilized, except for the optional modifications or additions described below. For example, in some embodiments, the engaging portion may comprise a clamp assembly comprising a first member and a second member, the first and second members may extend toward the body and may be aligned at all times. The lines are aligned with each other substantially parallel to the axis of the handle portion. Additionally or alternatively, each of the first and second components may include a protrusion, and the two protrusions extend toward each other to define a locking notch. The portion of the lock that is contacted by the operator to move the lock between the locked position and the unlocked position is bounded. Additionally or alternatively, upon contact with the locking head during compression of the operable member, the first and second members are configured to be turned away from the rest state, wherein the first and second members extend substantially perpendicular to the handle portion The axis, and the first and second members are configured to return to a rest state after each compression whereby the first and second members return to a rest state under both the locked and unlocked states of the operable member. Additionally or alternatively, when switching from the unlocked state of the operable member to the locked state of the operable member, the first and second members may be turned to pass along the first side of the lock head, and When the locked state of the part is switched to the unlocked state of the operable part, the first and second members are turned to pass along the second side of the lock head. Additionally or alternatively, a lock may be snapped in to slidably engage the receptacle. In some cases, the lock head may include a first guide surface and a second guide surface, and when the unlocked state of the operable member is switched to the locked state of the operable member, the first guide surface is configured to Engaged with the lock piece, the second guide surface is different from the first guide surface, and the second guide surface engages with the lock piece when switching from the locked state of the operable member to the unlocked state of the operable member. Additionally or alternatively, the first guide surface and the second guide surface may each be bisected by a support extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle portion.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions enumerated herein will come to the minds of those of ordinary skill in the art, to whom these inventions have the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing in the explanatory content and related diagrams. Therefore, it is understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, different combinations of elements and/or functions should be realized as possible through possible Selected embodiments are provided without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those of the previously described embodiments are contemplated as possible in some additional claims. In the case of some of the benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems described herein, these benefits, advantages, and/or solutions should be realized as applicable in some exemplary embodiments, but not necessarily in all Exemplary embodiment. Therefore, any benefit, advantage or solution described herein should not be considered to be necessary, required or necessary for all embodiments or for the embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are used herein, these terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. a kind of watering device (10/100), including：

One body (20/110), gripped by proficiency shank (22/119) of the operator along the body, the body (20/110) A flowing control assembly (50) is coated, the flowing control assembly (50) is configured so that the watering device (10/100) can be carried out One control function, the control function are relevant with the flowing of the water by the watering device (10/100)；And

One operable part (30/140), is articulated in the body (20/110), to be engaged with the flowing control assembly (50), comes in turn Ground provides flowing when being pivoted to a compression position and stops flowing when being pivoted to an extended position, the operable part (30/140) there is length of the extension substantially parallel to the axis (118) of the handle portion (22/119),

Wherein the operable part (30/140) includes a latch fitting (144), and the latch fitting (144) is configured to connect with a tapered end (146) Closing, the tapered end (146) is located at the body (20/110),

Wherein the latch fitting (144) be located at the operable part (30/140) first surface (230), the first surface (230) towards Direction away from the body (20/110),

Wherein the latch fitting (144) has a latched position and a unlocked position, and the latched position and the unlocked position are by the lock Part (144) defines relative to the movement of the tapered end (146),

Wherein the compression of the operable part (30/140) in the latched position makes the operable part (30/ with the latch fitting (144) 140) as each compression is alternately transformed between a lock-out state and a released state, and

Wherein when the latch fitting (144) is located at the unlocked position, no matter the compression of the operable part (30/140), the operable part (30/140) released state is maintained at, and when the latch fitting (144) is located at the unlocked position, the latch fitting (144) does not contact this Tapered end (146),

Characterized in that,

The operable part (30/140) is articulated in the body (20/ at the fulcrum close to a water inlet of the body (20/110) 110),

And wherein the opposite end for being adjacent to the relative fulcrum of the operable part (30/140) is set in the latch fitting (144),

The substantial orthogonality axis (118) movement is configured as plus the latch fitting (144),

When the operable part (30/140) is lockable, the latch fitting (144) is maintained at a rest surface of the tapered end (146) (360) so that the operable part (30/140) is maintained at into the lock-out state, the latch fitting (144) includes one second guiding face (362), It is configured to engage with the latch fitting (144)；When the operable part (30/140) second compression and is transformed into the solution from the lock-out state again During lock status, the latch fitting (144) is run along second guiding face (362), is then departed from the rest surface of the tapered end (146) (360), and the tapered end (146) is departed from, so as to when the operable part (30/140) returns to the released state, the latch fitting (144) tapered end (146) will not be contacted.

2. watering device (10/100) according to claim 1, it is characterised in that the latch fitting (144) is located at a tank (240) in, the tank (240) is formed in the operable part (30/140), and the tank (240) is complete from the first surface (230) Run through the operable part (30/140) entirely, with the position based on the latch fitting (144), make an engaging piece of the latch fitting (144) (300) can touch relative to the body (20/110) and by fixed tapered end (146).

3. watering device (10/100) according to claim 2, it is characterised in that the engaging piece (300) includes a clamp Component, the grip module include a first component (310) and a second component (312), first, second component (310, 312) extend and in a straight line substantially parallel to the axis (118) of the handle portion (22/119) towards the body (20/110) It is aligned with each other.

4. watering device (10/100) according to claim 3, it is characterised in that first, second component (310, 312) protuberance is respectively included, two protuberance is extended towards one another to define a locking breach (314), the locking breach (314) contacted with first, second component (310,312), two protuberance and by operator so that the latch fitting (144) moves The part for moving the latch fitting (144) between the latched position and the unlocked position is border.

5. watering device (10/100) according to claim 3, it is characterised in that when from the operable part (30/140) When released state is transformed into the lock-out state of the operable part (30/140), first, second component (310,312) is diverted With along the first side of the tapered end (146) by and can when be transformed into this from the lock-out state of the operable part (30/140) During the released state of operating parts (30/140), first, second component (310,312) is diverted with along the tapered end (146) One second side pass through.

6. watering device (10/100) according to claim 2, it is characterised in that the latch fitting (144) be snapped into with The tank (240) slidably engages.

7. watering device (10/100) according to any one of claim 1 to 6, it is characterised in that the tapered end (146) wraps Containing one first guiding face (345), when being transformed into the operable part (30/140) from the released state of the operable part (30/140) Lock-out state when, first guiding face (345) is configured to engage with the latch fitting (144).

8. watering device (10/100) according to claim 7, it is characterised in that first guiding face (345) and this Two guiding faces (362) are respectively divided into two by a support member (340/365), and the support member (340/365) extends in real in a plane Perpendicular to the axis (118) of the handle portion (22/119) in matter.