US4062491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic plant watering arrangement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-23
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1996-06-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic plant water arrangement having one water intake and several water outflows which are preceded by valves. The valves are actuated by a time-controlled mechanism, and are individually adjustable for different opening cycles. The time-controlled mechanism has a synchronous motor with a gear reduction unit, a single-tooth wheel and a mating gear with attached valve actuating disk. The valve actuation disk is provided with teeth, part of which are fixed and part of which are movable for opening the valve. A segment-shaped cam disk is located underneath the valve actuating disk, and is controlled by gears so that it pivots one of the movable teeth every sixth day into the valve engagement region. The teeth, after leaving the region are returned by springs to their initial positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernhard von Skwarski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16; A01G25/162; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86445; Y10T137/86461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An automatic plant watering arrangement comprising, in combination: water intake means; a plurality of water outflows; valves connected to said water outflows; timer means; time-controlled means connected to said timer means for actuating said valves, means for adjusting said valves individually for different opening cycles; said time-controlled means comprising a synchronous motor with gear reduction means, a single-tooth wheel and mating gear, and valve actuation disk means connected to said gear; said valves comprising water hoses and clamping means for closing and opening said hoses; said clamping means comprising a clamping lever for opening and closing said valves; and pawl means actuated by said clamping lever; water pump and motor means; switch means for controlling the operation of said pump and motor means, said pawl means actuating said switch means; worm-gear spindle means actuated by said pawl means, said pawl means after actuating said worm-gear spindle means tilting said clamping lever for opening all valves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An automatic plant watering arrangement comprising, in combination: water intake means; a plurality of water outflows; valves connected to said water outflows; timer means; time-controlled means connected to said timer means for actuating said valves, means for adjusting said valves individually for different opening cycles; said time-controlled means comprising a synchronous motor with gear reduction means, a single-tooth wheel and mating gear, and valve actuation disk means connected to said gear; said valves comprising water hoses and clamping means for closing and opening said hoses; said clamping means comprising a clamping lever for opening and closing said valves; and pawl means actuated by said clamping lever; water pump and motor means; switch means for controlling the operation of said pump and motor means, said pawl means actuating said switch means; worm-gear spindle means actuated by said pawl means, said pawl means after actuating said worm-gear spindle means tilting said clamping lever for opening all valves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic plant watering arrangment as defined in claim 1, including means for rotating said worm-gear spindle means to vary a respective watering cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The automatic plant watering arrangement as defined in claim 2, including marker means with adjustment scale means connected to said valves for setting a desired watering cycle, the positions of said valves being visible through said adjustment scale means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
A plant watering arrangement comprising, in combination: water intake means; a plurality of outflow watering lines; valves connected to said watering lines; means for actuating said valves and having a valve actuating disk with a plurality of adjacently located circular tracks with different numbers of valve control cams; a synchronous motor and gear reduction drive means; a gear connected to said valve actuating disk; a one-tooth wheel on said reduction drive means and engaging said gear connected to said disk so that for each revolution said one-tooth wheel rotates said gear by an angle corresponding to one tooth, said valve actuating disk remaining stationary between control motions of said gear, said valves being controlled by said cams, said valves being arranged around said disk, said valves being located on different ones of said circular tracks, different numbers of valve actuating cams being associated with said tracks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
A plant watering arrangement comprising, in combination: water intake means; a plurality of outflow watering lines; valves connected to said watering lines; means for actuating said valves and having a valve actuating disk with a plurality of adjacently located circular tracks with different numbers of valve control cams; a synchronous motor and gear reduction drive means; a gear connected to said valve actuating disk; a one-tooth wheel on said reduction drive means and engaging said gear connected to said disk so that for each revolution said one-tooth wheel rotates said gear by an angle corresponding to one tooth, said valve actuating disk remaining stationary between control motions of said gear, said valves being controlled by said cams, said valves being arranged around said disk, said valves being located on different ones of said circular tracks, different numbers of valve actuating cams being associated with said tracks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 including spring means for holding said valve actuating disk in said stationary position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 including a housing; said valve actuating cams being hinged to said valve actuating disk on at least one circular track, a disk cam freely rotatable about the axis of said valve actuating disk for actuating said valve actuating cams, an auxiliary gear rigidly connected to said disk cam, and auxiliary reduction gear drive means in said housng and between said first-mentioned gear and said auxiliary gear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein said valve actuatiang cams have rollers for engaging said disk cam and return springs for returning said cams to initial positions after being actuated by said disk cams.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein said one-tooth wheel rotates one revolution in three hours, said gear having 64 teeth so that said valve actuating disk rotates one revolution in 192 hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein a first one of said circular tracks has eight fixed cams spaced 45° apart, a second circular track having four fixed cams spaced 90° apart, a third circular track having two solid cams spaced 180° apart, a fourth circular track having four movable cams spaced 90° apart, and a fifth circular track having one fixed cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 6 including means applying a gear ratio of 4 to 3 between said valve actuating disk and said disk cam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 including a housing; said valves being mounted adjustably in said housing and being selectively adjustable on one of said circular tracks to be actuatable by said valve actuating cams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 11 including threaded spindles for mounting said valves; pins for guiding said valves; and actuating wheels for actuating said valves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein each valve comprises a forked slotted valve body with a cross bore through fork legs thereof; a wear-proof elastic hose passing through said cross bore and being a watering line; a pivoted hose clamping lever; spring means; said clamping lever being movable against the action of said spring means by said valve actuating cams for opening and closing said hose.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 13 including plate means held in a fork bottom of said valve body; pin means for holding said plate means and for closing said hose.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 13 including a pump with a motor; switch means for actuating said motor; a pawl pivotably mounted in said housing for actuating said switch means; said hose clamping lever having an angled portion engaging said pawl.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 15 including driving means for said pawl, said valves having all hose clamping levers for actuation by respective pawls, said pawl driving means simultaneously actuating all hose clamping levers and said switch means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 including means for indicating the position of said valves relative to said circular tracks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 including miniature valves at the ends of said watering lines for metering water therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |