Hans D Christen

US Patent:

45026319, Mar 5, 1985

Filed:

Mar 24, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/478369

Inventors:

Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

International Classification:

F16K 712
A01G 2500

US Classification:

239106

Abstract:

An improved trickle irrigation unit is provided having a resilient valve flap within a pressure chamber to control flow of irrigation water through an outlet port. The valve flap overlies the outlet port and a shallow channel including a small central outlet groove wherein the flap, channel, and groove cooperatively define a water flow path from the pressure chamber to the outlet port. The valve flap deforms into this flow path in response to water pressure within the pressure chamber to vary the flow path cross-sectional area to correspondingly control water flow to the outlet port. In accordance with the invention, the outlet port has a relatively narrow and elongated configuration extending preferably in longitudinal alignment with the outlet groove, wherein this narrow geometry prevents excessive valve flap deformation into the outlet port which could otherwise block the downstream end of the outlet groove to interfere with proper operation of the irrigation unit.

US Patent:

46259139, Dec 2, 1986

Filed:

Jun 27, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/624981

Inventors:

Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

International Classification:

B05B 308
B05B 314

US Classification:

239 1

Abstract:

A sprinkler of the impact drive type is constructed substantially of plastic and includes a separate cap which is snap-fit over a pair of upwardly extending legs from a sprinkler body to form a bridge for an impact mechanism window. Provision of the separate bridge-forming cap facilitates automated assembly of the sprinkler, and also allows protective bearing-surface shields to be formed integrally with other sprinkler components and positioned about critical wear regions of a fulcrum pin for pivotally supporting an impact drive arm. When a plastic fulcrum pin is used, these bearing-surface shields protect the pin from abrasives, such as dirt, which can otherwise become lodged between the pin and the drive arm to cause accelerated pin wear.

US Patent:

51582317, Oct 27, 1992

Filed:

Jun 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/719747

Inventors:

Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA
Howard E. Thornton - Glendora CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

International Classification:

B05B 126
B05B 1500

US Classification:

239276

Abstract:

A mini-sprinkler stake assembly including an elongated ground penetrating stake having an adapter for permitting easy and reliable mounting and replacement of mini-sprinkler units. A new and improved mini-sprinkler unit having a novel tree deflector is also disclosed, the mini-sprinkler unit having a separable nozzle element and dual pattern deflector element, one deflector surface of which includes a recessed for producing a generally V-shaped spray pattern for effectively and efficiently watering the root zone area of a tree.

US Patent:

D3343332, Mar 30, 1993

Filed:

Jun 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/719608

Inventors:

Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA
Howard E. Thornton - Glendora CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

US Classification:

D 8356

US Patent:

50906216, Feb 25, 1992

Filed:

Dec 26, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/634022

Inventors:

Charles A. McMillen - Alta Loma CA
Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

International Classification:

B05B 302

US Classification:

239230

Abstract:

A constant drive nozzle for use in combination with an impulse or impact drive sprinkler includes a tubular nozzle body with a drive orifice and a range orifice formed in its outlet end. The stream issuing from the nozzle is formed into a drive stream portion and a range stream portion by the drive and range orifices. Since only the drive stream portion intercepts the drive spoon of the arm which impacts and rotates the sprinkler body, various diameter range orifices can be used in conjunction with a single diameter drive orifice without affecting the rotational speed of the sprinkler body.

US Patent:

45807248, Apr 8, 1986

Filed:

Feb 25, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/352322

Inventors:

Richard D. Brown - Glendora CA
Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - CA

International Classification:

B05B 304

US Classification:

239230

Abstract:

An impact drive sprinkler is provided for projecting a water stream in a generally upward and outward direction from a water supply riser. The sprinkler includes a sprinkler body formed from a length of tubing mounted for rotation on the riser wherein the tubing is bent at a selected angle to define a smooth, substantially uninterrupted flow path from the riser to a discharge nozzle. An impact drive assembly is mounted on the tubing and includes a spring-biased drive arm formed preferably from inexpensive stamped metal parts for interrupting the projected water stream at regular intervals and for impacting the tubing to rotate the tubing in increments about the riser. The drive assembly is mounted on the tubing at a position downstream from the tubing bend such that the construction and operation of the drive assembly is unaffected by the magnitude of the angular bend in the tubing.

US Patent:

D3497526, Aug 16, 1994

Filed:

Oct 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

D/014452

Inventors:

Hans D. Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. - Glendora CA

US Classification:

D23214

US Patent:

53779142, Jan 3, 1995

Filed:

Feb 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/012996

Inventors:

Hans Christen - La Verne CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg., Corp. - Glendora CA

International Classification:

B05B 306

US Classification:

239252

Abstract:

A spinner type irrigation sprinkler having a support bridge to which is coupled a spinner assembly for rotation about a vertical axis, the spinner assembly including a spinner body and an adjustable trajectory nozzle assembly with a removable nozzle member, the spinner body coupled to a brake module attached to the bridge and employing viscous fluid shear to control the speed of rotation of the spinner assembly and attached nozzle member.