Jeff C Mckenzie

US Patent:

6869026, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Jun 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/455868

Inventors:

Jeff McKenzie - Riverside CA, US
Chad Philip McCormick - West Covina CA, US
Peter Janku - Temecula CA, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

B05B003/04

US Classification:

239237, 239 71, 239240, 239241, 239206, 239570, 239580, 2395905

Abstract:

A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation. A nozzle assembly includes a pivotal nozzle that carries a radius adjustment screw with the head of the screw received on top a flexible portion of a top cover, which top cover has laser etched indicia relating to various adjustments of the sprinkler.

US Patent:

6945471, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Oct 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/014916

Inventors:

Jeff R. McKenzie - Lake Arrowhead CA, US
Peter Janku - Temecula CA, US
Rebecca R. Lichte - Riverside CA, US
Chad P. McCormick - Riverside CA, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

B05B003/04

US Classification:

239237, 239240, 239242, 239247, 239590, 239206, 239 71, 239 73

Abstract:

A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation. A nozzle assembly includes a pivotal nozzle that carries a radius adjustment screw with the head of the screw received on top a flexible portion of a top cover, which top cover has laser etched indicia relating to various adjustments of the sprinkler.

US Patent:

7392956, Jul 1, 2008

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/088197

Inventors:

Jeff McKenzie - Riverside CA, US
Chad Philip McCormick - West Covina CA, US
Peter Janku - Temecula CA, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

B05B 3/00
B05B 17/04

US Classification:

239 11, 239 71, 239203, 239206, 239237, 239240, 239247, 239507, 239513, 2395875

Abstract:

A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation. A nozzle assembly includes a pivotal nozzle that carries a radius adjustment screw with the head of the screw received on top a flexible portion of a top cover, which top cover has laser etched indicia relating to various adjustments of the sprinkler.

US Patent:

7631813, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Dec 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/303328

Inventors:

Leo James Lichte - Riverside CA, US
James Zimmerman - Walnut CA, US
Jeff McKenzie - Lake Arrowhead CA, US
Peter Janku - Temecula CA, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

B05B 17/04
B05B 15/10
B05B 3/02
B05B 3/00
A01G 27/00

US Classification:

239 11, 239 67, 239 69, 239 71, 239 73, 239203, 239206, 2392631, 239DIG 1, 239DIG 15

Abstract:

The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.

US Patent:

8444063, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Oct 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/608915

Inventors:

Leo James Lichte - Riverside CA, US
James Zimmerman - Walnut CA, US
Jeff McKenzie - Lake Arrowhead CA, US
Peter Janku - Temecula AR, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomfield MN

International Classification:

B05B 15/10
B05B 1/00

US Classification:

239203, 239204, 239600

Abstract:

The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.

US Patent:

55269826, Jun 18, 1996

Filed:

Dec 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/173174

Inventors:

Jeff R. McKenzie - Riverside CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B05B 116
B05B 304

US Classification:

239240

Abstract:

An improved sprinkler nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle received in a recessed seat provided in a peripheral wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle is formed with a plurality of nozzle ports formed by the radially outer ends of a plurality of vertically flexible nozzle tubes. The flow volume of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a flow volume adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to selectively open or close various of the nozzle tubes in various possible combinations. The flow volume of the nozzle will comprise the combined or aggregate flow volumes of the water sub-streams being thrown by those nozzle tubes that are left open. The trajectory of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a trajectory adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to bend the flexible nozzle tubes about their vertically fixed, radial inner ends to raise and lower the radial outer ends of the nozzle tubes.

US Patent:

6019295, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

May 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/861412

Inventors:

Jeff R. McKenzie - Riverside CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B05B 132

US Classification:

239451

Abstract:

A fixed spray sprinkler nozzle has adjustable arc coverage. The nozzle has a nozzle body with sideward facing water discharge slots including a bottom slot and a top slot. Flow blocking skirts control the open length of each of the slots. The bottom slot is fixed on the nozzle body, but the top slot is rotatable on the nozzle body, in concert with the opening or unblocking of the bottom slot's length, from a position overlying the bottom slot to a position directed in an opposite direction from the bottom slot. When the bottom slot is fully open, the top slot may then be progressively opened over its entire length. Thus, the arc coverage can be infinitely adjusted over the combined circumferential length of both the bottom and top slots together. The slots have a grooved bottom wall to provide smooth water flow and good pattern definition at each side of the selected arc.

US Patent:

52341690, Aug 10, 1993

Filed:

Sep 30, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/954792

Inventors:

Jeff R. McKenzie - Riverside CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B05B 126

US Classification:

239507

Abstract:

An improved sprinkler comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle received in a recessed seat provided in a peripheral wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle body has a rotatable upper cover. A cam surface is formed on the cover and extends down into engagement with the nozzle. The cam surface is shaped to push the nozzle at least partially out of its seat during rotation of the cover to allow the user to be able to grip the nozzle and complete its removal by pulling outwardly on the nozzle. The cover also includes a locking rib which can be brought to bear against the nozzle when the nozzle is fully received in its seat to help retain the nozzle in place. Desirably, the cover also includes a radius adjustment screw which is located in front of and spaced away from the front end of the nozzle such that the screw does not in any way engage or bear against the nozzle to prevent damage to the nozzle from the screw.