AU783335B2 - Water sprinkler head with integral off-on water flow control valve and adaptive fittings therefor - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): THEODORE SIRKIN Invention Title: WATER SPRINKLER HEAD WITH INTEGRAL OFF-ON WATER FLOW CONTROL VALVE AND ADAPTIVE FITTINGS THEREFOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 Title: Water Sprinkler Head Assembly and Adaptive Fittings 2 Therefor with Integral Off-on Water Flow Control Valve 3 4 Inventor: THEODORE SIRKIN 6 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 7 8 1. Field of the Invention 9 This invention relates to an improved sprinkler head assembly which allows for turning water flow off and on directly at the 11 sprinkler head assembly to enable removal of the spray distributor, 12 or disc, or so-called "insert" cleaning of same or maintenance and 13 which allows for turning on water again.

14 2. Brief Description of Related Art 16 Water which passes through underground pipes and exits from 17 the sprinkler heads is usually controlled by a time clock or 18 controller and which is frequently located at a point remote from 19 the actual irrigated area. Moreover, each of the sprinkler valves would be governed by that master processor or master clock.

21 In order to remove the water emitting nozzle or insert from 22 the sprinkler head, it is necessary to cut-off the flow of water to 23 the sprinkler head. Upon determining that the area near a 24 sprinkler head is not receiving sufficient water, the gardener or maintenance personnel must turn on the remote control valve (RCV) 26 either at the time clock or manually open the RCV and observe the 27 water that is actually being emitted from the various sprinkler 28 heads in a certain locale. At that point, the gardener or 29 maintenance personnel must then walk to the master valve or to the RCV or to the controller, turn off the water valve, controller or 31 RCV, and walk back to the sprinkler head for removing the sprinkler 32 emitting disc or so-called "insert" from the sprinkler head and 33 allow for cleaning thereof.

34 Prior to insertion of the water emitting disc back into the sprinkler head, it is necessary to flush water from the sprinkler 36 line up through the sprinkler head itself. Consequently, and in 1 order to perform the flushing operation, the gardener or irrigation 2 personnel must then walk back to the master valve or controller, 3 turn on the master valve or controller, and allow for flushing for 4 several seconds or minutes. Naturally, the same personnel must be present at the flushing of the water line during the flushing 6 operation. Thereafter, the same maintenance personnel then walks 7 back to the master valve or controller, turns off the master valve 8 and again returns to the particular sprinkler head which is being 9 cleaned in order to insert the spray emitting disc. Following this, the same maintenance personnel must walk back to the master 11 valve or controller in order to turn on the master valve, or RCV or 12 controller and return to the head to be sure that it is now 13 functioning properly and make any necessary adjustments to the 14 water flow and/or direction of the spray.

It can be observed that the amount of the personnel hours lost 16 in the pure physical act of walking back and forth can be quite 17 substantial and necessarily adds to the cost of an irrigation bill 18 from the maintenance personnel or the like. Moreover, it consumes 19 a substantial amount of effort and, in some cases, frequently results in malfunctioning sprinkler heads not being cleaned and 21 repaired as frequently as they would otherwise be repaired or 22 cleaned.

23 At present, there is nothing which provides for opening and 24 closing a valve at the sprinkler head. This is particularly the case where the project having the irrigated land is of a large size 26 and where the location of the valve or the controller may be at a 27 somewhat remote point from the problem sprinkler head. It would 28 therefore be desirable to provide some means to shut off water flow 29 and again turn on water flow to a sprinkler head through manual actuation at the sprinkler head in a position such that an insert 31 at the sprinkler head may be removed and/or the sprinkler head 32 otherwise replaced without the need of walking to a remote site or 33 operating in conjunction with personnel at a remote site in order 34 to clean or repair that sprinkler head or its underlying screen.

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 2 3 In one of the important facets of the present invention, the control valve which is 4 located directly at the sprinkler head is preferably integral with the sprinkler head. In broader terms, it can be a component part of the sprinkler head assembly. In addition, 6 this component may adopt the form of an adaptive fitting which could be located 7 between the actual head and the riser tube. In this case, the adaptive fitting would 8 become the retrofit device for controlling the water flow directly to the sprinkler head.

9 There are preferably four ways in which a control valve can become integral with the sprinkler head assembly and that is by installation in a riser tube or otherwise 11 installation in the body of the sprinkler head. Thirdly, the control valve could be located 12 in an adaptive fitting which is disposed between the sprinkler head and the riser tube.

13 Finally, the control valve could be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of the 14 pop-up sprinkler head.

The off-on valve component can also function as a type of regulatory control 16 valve frequently referred to as a "flow control valve" or "flow controller". However, its 17 primary purpose is to cut-off water flow through the sprinkler head for purposes of 18 enabling maintenance or repair of the sprinkler head without shutting off the entire 19 sprinkler system. Moreover, in each such embodiment of the invention, the off-on control valve component would normally cut off the major portion of the water flow. If 21 there is a minor flow of water passing through the off-on control valve, that is not a 22 significant factor in the sprinkler head being repaired or maintained. Consequently, 23 water flow does not have to be entirely shut off although the substantial volume of the 24 water does have to be temporarily abated.

In a first embodiment, the off-on control valve component relies upon a screw 26 which is threaded into the duct of the sprinkler head assembly and generally in a 27 position perpendicular to the central axis of the duct. In this way, the valve stem would 28 extend perpendicularly into the axis of the duct. The valve stem is provided with an 29 opening perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem and which can be axially' aligned S:45590 1 with the duct of the sprinkler head assembly. When in a first or closed position, the 2 opening in the valve stem is located perpendicular to the axis of the duct and is out of 3 fluid communication with the duct such that water flow is stopped. When the valve 4 stem is turned 900, the opening in the valve stem becomes aligned with the duct and water passes through the opening in the valve stem and through the duct.

6 In contrast to the first embodiment of the off/on valve mechanism described in 7 this application, the valve stem or valve plug of this off/on valve mechanism 8 embodiment only requires a relatively small turn as for example, one-fourth of a full 9 revolution. In the first embodiment, water flow was allowed when the valve stem was threaded out of the axial water carrying duct passing through the sprinkler head 11 assembly. Thus, for full flow, it was necessary to unscrew the valve plug to the point 12 where it was moved beyond the valve duct or at least to a point of one-half the diameter 13 of the duct. For purposes of stopping flow, the valve stem or plug was turned in the 14 opposite direction until an end of the valve abutted against a recess formed in the wall of the sprinkler head assembly adjacent the fluid duct.

16 In the case of the present invention, the sprinkler head, including all of the 17 components, such as the body, the screen and insert, can be referred to as a sprinkler 18 head assembly. In the case of the pop-up sprinkler head, the pop-up shaft is part of this 19 assembly. In many cases, the riser tube is also deemed to be part of the sprinkler head assembly. In all cases, and in this respect, the off/on control valve, which is integral 21 with the sprinkler head assembly, would be incorporated in the pop-up shaft, the riser 22 tube or the body of the sprinkler head or otherwise even a coupling fitted between the 23 riser tube and the sprinkler head.

S:45590 1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2 3 Having thus described the invention in general terms, 4 reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pop-up sprinkler head 6 constructed in accordance with, or having a control valve 7 arrangement incorporated therein, in accordance with the present 8 invention; 9 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a typical sprinkler head of Figure 1 with the pop-up shaft extended above the cap of the 11 sprinkler head; 12 Figure 3 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 1, and 13 showing retraction of the pop-up shaft back into the sprinkler 14 head; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an 16 arrangement of certain of the components in the pop-up sprinkler 17 head in accordance with the present invention; 18 Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a 19 valve in the sprinkler head of Figures 1-4, essentially taken through the pop-up shaft thereof at line 5-5 thereof, and showing 21 the off/on valve in an opened position; 22 Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 23 and showing the valve in a valve closed position; 24 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a shrub head provided with the valve component of the present invention and showing the shrub 26 head extending into a portion of a ground surface; 27 Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the incorporation of a 28 retrofit coupling into a riser pipe and which is, in turn, provided 29 with a shrub head in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an 31 arrangement of a shrub head having the valve assembly of the 32 present invention incorporated in the body thereof with respect to 33 a riser pipe; 34 Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the unassembled components in which an adaptive fitting containing the valve 36 assembly of the invention is interposed between a shrub head and a 1 riser pipe; 2 Figure 11 is a sectional view taken through a portion of the 3 off/on valve assembly of the present invention, such as in 4 arrangements of Figures 7-10 taken along line 11-11 of Figure 7.

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a 6 modified off/on valve in the sprinkler head of the invention, 7 essentially taken through the pop-up shaft thereof in the same 8 plane that line 5-5 was taken, and showing the modified off/on 9 valve in a closed position; Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 12, 11 and showing the modified valve in a valve opened position; 12 Figure 14 is a sectional view also taken along the plan of 13 line 7-7 in the first embodiment, when the modified off/on valve is 14 in the closed position; Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 16 12 when the off/on valve is in the opened position; 17 Figure 16 is a perspective view of a valve plug or stem 18 forming part of the off/on valve in the present invention; 19 Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view comprised of Figures 17a, 17b and 17c of the unassembled components in which an adaptive 21 fitting containing the valve assembly of the invention is 22 interposed between a shrub head and a riser pipe; and 23 Figure 18 is a sectional view taken through a portion of the 24 modified off/on valve assembly of the present invention, in the same plane as taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10 and showing the 26 modified valve assembly in the closed position; and 27 Figure 19 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 16, and 28 showing the modified off/on valve assembly of the invention in the 29 opened position.

31 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 2 3 Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to 4 the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 illustrates a pop-up sprinkler head S, 6 constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention 7 and shown as being connected to the upper end of a riser pipe 8 and which is, in turn, supplied with water from the main 9 subterranean irrigation line 22. Typically, the riser pipe 20 is connected to the irrigation line 22 through a T-fitting 24.

11 The sprinkler head S, is provided with an outer body 26 12 threadedly secured to the upper end of the riser pipe 20 and the 13 body 26 is provided with a threaded end 28 for threadedly receiving 14 a removable cap 30. The lower end of the body 26 is provided with an integral internally threaded fitting 32 for threaded attachment 16 to the upper portion of the riser pipe 17 Provided for vertically shiftable disposition within the body 18 26 is a pop-up shaft or so-called pop-up tube 34 (Figure 2) and 19 which is hollow in construction, as hereinafter described. At its upper end, the pop-up shaft 34 is provided with a removable 21 threadedly secured insert 36.

22 In a conventional sprinkler, the pop-up shaft 34 would 23 normally be of thin wall construction and would have an internal 24 bore of generally consistent diameter throughout the length thereof. The pop-up shaft 34 is generally biased back into a 26 retracted position with the body 26 by means of a spring 38 coiled 27 about the pop-up shaft 34, as shown in Figure 4.

28 Due to the fact that the pop-up shaft 34 is generally provided 29 with a thin wall construction, it is necessary in accordance with the present invention to provide a slightly modified pop-up shaft 31 34a, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. This pop-up shaft 34a has a 32 section 40 midway between its upper and lower ends which is of 33 increased wall thickness and, hence, presents an internal bore 42 34 of somewhat reduced diameter. Located within the thickened wall section 40 is a valve plug 44 and which is capable of being 36 threaded into and abutted against a recessed area 46 located 1 within the thickened wall section 40. This valve plug 44 is 2 threadedly fitted within a threaded section 48 formed in the 3 thickened wall section 40, as best shown in Figure 6. Thus, when 4 the valve plug 44 is tightened against the recess 46, complete water flow through the bore of the pop-up shaft 34a is precluded.

6 When the valve plug 44 is retracted to its opened position, as 7 shown in Figure 5, water flow from the lower end and through the 8 upper end to the insert 36 is allowed.

9 The wall thickness of the pop-up shaft 34 is increased, such that the water passageway 42 is roughly 3/16 to 1/4 inch in 11 diameter. This modification increases the amount of plastic in 12 order to allow for installation of the valve plug.

13 It can also be observed that the pop-up sprinkler head 14 construction S 1 as illustrated in Figures 1-6, allows for new sprinkler head construction with this invention. Figures 7 and 9 16 illustrate the arrangement of the valve assembly of the present 17 invention incorporated in the body of a shrub head. Figures 8 and 18 10 illustrate a retrofit arrangement, in this case, in connection 19 with a shrub head. In the case of a retrofit arrangement, whether with an above ground pop-up sprinkler head or with a shrub head, a 21 coupling or some other form of adaptive fitting is interposed 22 between the sprinkler head itself and the riser pipe.

23 Figures 7 and 9 illustrate a valve arrangement incorporated in 24 the body of a shrub sprinkler head, as aforesaid. Thus, and referring in particular to Figures 7 and 9, it can be seen there is 26 a shrub head S 2 having a body 54 and an upstanding insert 56. The 27 insert is provided with an adjustment screw 58 at the top portion 28 thereof. Moreover, the insert is actually threaded into the upper 29 end of the body 54.

In this particular embodiment, there is provided a valve 31 arrangement 60 which is incorporated into the body 54. This valve 32 arrangement would be substantially similar to and operate in a 33 manner substantially the same as that valve arrangement shown in 34 Figures 5 and 6 and used in a pop-up tube. In Figure 7, it can be observed that the base 54 of the sprinkler head S2 is actually 36 threaded onto the upper end of a riser pipe 50 and the latter of 1 which would be connected to a T-fitting or an elbow on a 2 subterranean pipe for delivery of water.

3 Figures 8 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in 4 which there is a coupling or adaptive fitting located between a riser pipe, such as the riser pipe 50, and a sprinkler head, such 6 as a shrub type sprinkler head.

7 In the embodiment of the invention which uses a coupling or 8 adaptive fitting, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, a retrofit coupling 9 62 is provided and is threadedly secured to the upper end of a riser pipe 50. The coupling would be provided with an internally 11 threaded lower end (not shown) for threaded securement to the upper 12 end of the riser pipe. In like manner, the upper end of the 13 retrofit coupling 62 would be internally threaded to receive a stub 14 pipe 66 or in the case of an adaptive fitting would be externally threaded to receive the base 54. In this case, the coupling 62 or 16 adapter is also provided with the valve arrangement of the present 17 invention and which is also hereinafter described in more detail.

18 This valve arrangement is also provided with a valve plug 74, 19 similar to the plug 60, and which is again hereinafter described in more detail.

21 Secured to the upper end of the stub pipe 66 is a shrub head, 22 such as that shrub head illustrated in Figure 7, and which is 23 similarly comprised of a body 54 and an insert 56 having an upper 24 screen and adjustment screw 58 therewith.

Figure 10 illustrates the components forming part of the 26 retrofit assembly of Figure 8 in an exploded view. Thus, and for 27 this purpose, it can be seen that the sprinkler head has the body 28 54. In like manner, the riser pipe 50 similarly includes an upper 29 threaded section 64 adapted to receive the internally threaded socket of the coupling 62 or adaptive fitting. Moreover, the stub 31 pipe 66 will thereupon receive the sprinkler head having the base 32 54 thereof.

33 In connection with the operation of the actual off/on valve, 34 the coupling or adapter 62 having the valve arrangement is more fully illustrated in Figure 11 of the drawings and comprises a 36 slightly thickened section 72 in the wall construction of the 1 element receiving the valve plug, such as the valve plug 74. Thus, 2 this valve plug 74 is similar in operation and construction to the 3 valve plug 44. Again, the valve plug 74 has an inner end 76 4 designed to fit against a recess 78 for tightly closing off water flow.

6 The configuration of the sprinkler head base of Figure 9 could 7 be designed as shown in Figures 7 and 9. In other words, the valve 8 arrangement of Figure 7 could be used in both of the arrangements 9 of Figures 7 and 9. The same holds true of Figures 8 and Figures 12-16 and Figures 18 and 19 illustrate modified 11 embodiments of an off/on control valve used in the sprinkler head 12 assembly of the present invention. In this respect, like reference 13 numerals representing like components will be used to describe the 14 components of the modified off/on control valve of the invention.

The off/on control valve in the sprinkler head assembly of the 16 invention similarly uses a modified pop-up shaft 34 where this 17 off/on valve is used in a pop-up sprinkler head, as best shown in 18 Figures 12-16 of the drawings.

19 This pop-up shaft 82 also has a section 40 midway between its upper and lower ends which is of increased wall thickness and, 21 hence, presents an internal bore 42 of somewhat reduced diameter.

22 Located within the thickened wall section 40 is a valve plug, or 23 so-called "valve stem" 84, and which is capable of being threaded 24 into and abutted against the recessed area 86 located within the thickened wall section 40. The valve stem 84 is provided with a 26 head-end 87 which may be somewhat arcuately shaped, or even 27 trapezoidally shaped but tightly engages with the corresponding end 28 86 of the recess so that it fits snugly within and abuts against 29 recessed area 86. This valve plug 88 is threadedly fitted within a threaded section 88 formed in the thickened wall section 40, as 31 best shown in Figures 12 and 13.

32 When the valve plug 84 is tightened against the recess 86, an 33 opening 89 in the valve plug is located so that the axis of the 34 opening 89 extends perpendicularly to the axis of the duct or bore 42. When the valve plug 84 is in this position, as shown in 36 Figures 12 and 14, it can be seen that the opening is located out 1 of alignment with the duct 42 and hence no fluid flow will occur.

2 However, when the valve plug 84 is rotated 900, about its axis, the 3 opening 89 will be in alignment with the duct 42 and hence fluid 4 flow will occur. In other words, when the valve plug 84 is rotated to its opened position, as shown in Figure 15, water flow from the 6 lower end of the shaft 34 and through the upper end to the insert 7 36 is allowed.

8 The valve plug 84 is preferably conveniently provided with an 9 elongate slot, or other tool receiving recess, on its exterior surface, as shown in Figure 16, in order to allow for adjustment 11 through a simple sp-lXew driver or the like. A socket 91 is shown in 12 one end of the valve plug 84, in Figure 16, for receiving a tool 13 having that socket configuration.

14 It can also be observed that when the valve plug 84 is rotated, it will not only rotate the opening 51 into alignment with 16 or, out of alignment with the duct 42, but it will actually cause 17 a slight axial shifting movement thereof. In this case, if the 18 valve plug 84 is turned in a counter-clockwise position, reference 19 being made to Figure 16, the valve plug 84 will be displaced slightly to the right, reference being made to Figures 12 and 13.

21 However, inasmuch as the duct 42 is in alignment with the opening 22 89, water flow will be permitted in any event and a slight amount 23 of water flowing around the end 87 will not create any malfunction 24 of the valve arrangement.

Figures 17-19 illustrate a valve arrangement incorporated into 26 the body of a shrub sprinkler head, as aforesaid. Thus, and 27 referring, in particular, to Figures 17 and 18, it can be seen 28 there is a shrub head having a body 94 and an upstanding insert 96.

29 The insert is provided with a screw 98 at the top portion thereof.

Moreover, the insert is generally threaded into the upper end of 31 the body 94.

32 In this particular embodiment, there is provided a valve 33 arrangement 100 which is incorporated into the body 94. This valve 34 arrangement would be substantially similar to and operate in a manner substantially the same as that valve arrangement shown in 36 Figures 5 and 6 and used in a pop-up tube. In Figure 17, it can be 1 observed that the base 94 of the sprinkler head is actually 2 threaded onto the upper end of a riser pipe 101 and the latter of 3 which would be connected to a T-fitting or an elbow on a 4 subterranean pipe for delivery of water.

Figure 13b illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which 6 there is a coupling or adaptive fitting located between a riser 7 pipe, such as the riser pipe 101, and a sprinkler head, such as a 8 shrub type sprinkler head.

9 In the embodiment of the invention which uses a coupling or adaptive fitting, as shown in Figure 13b, a retrofit coupling 102 11 is provided and is threadedly secured to the upper end 104 of the 12 riser pipe 101. The coupling would be provided with an internally 13 threaded lower end (not shown) for threaded securement to the upper 14 end of the riser pipe. In like manner, the upper end of the retrofit coupling 102 would be internally threaded to receive a 16 stub pipe 106 or in the case of an adaptive fitting would be 17 externally threaded to receive the base 92. In this case, the 18 coupling 62 or adapter is also provided with the valve arrangement 19 of the present invention and which is also hereinafter described in more detail. This valve arrangement is also provided with a valve 21 stem 108, similar to the plug 74, and which is again hereinafter 22 described in more detail.

23 Secured to the upper end of the stub pipe 106 is a shrub head, 24 and which is similarly comprised of a body 94 and an insert 96 having a removable upper screen therewith.

26 Figure 17 including Figures 17a, 17b, and 17c, illustrates the 27 components forming part of the retrofit assembly in an exploded 28 view. Thus, and for this purpose, it can be seen that the 29 sprinkler head having the body 94 is actually of a conventional design. In like manner, the riser pipe 101 is similarly of a 31 conventional design and includes the upper threaded section 104 32 adapted to receive the internally threaded socket of the coupling 33 102 or adaptive fitting. Moreover, the stub pipe 106 will 34 thereupon receive the sprinkler head having the base 94 thereof.

In connection with the operation of the actual off/on valve, 36 the coupling or adapter 102 having the valve arrangement is more 1 fully illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings and comprises a slightly thickened 2 section 112 in the wall construction of the element receiving the valve plug, such as the 3 valve stem 108. Thus, this valve stem 108 is similar in operation and construction to the 4 previously described valve stem 44. Again, the valve stem 114 has an inner end 116 designed to fit against and slightly within a recess 118 for tightly closing off water flow.

6 In Figure 18, the valve stem 114 is in a position such that an opening 120 is not 7 in alignment with a duct 122 for receiving water flow. Thus, and in this case, the off/on 8 valve will remain in the closed position and preclude water flow. However, by rotating 9 the valve stem 114 through a 900 arc, to the position as shown in Figure 19, the opening 120 becomes aligned with the duct 122 as shown. In this position, the valve plug 114 11 permits water flow therethrough.

12 For the purposes of this specification it is to be clearly understood that the word 13 "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and that the word "comprises" has a 14 corresponding meaning.

A reference herein to a prior art document is not an admission that the document 16 forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia.

17 S:45590

Claims (1)

1. 2. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 1 wherein said off/on 21 control valve means is located in one of a body of the sprinkler head, or in a sprinkler 22 head pop-up shaft, or in an adapter between the sprinkler head body and the generally 23 upright shaft, and is in an upstream position with respect to said insert to thereby cut-off 24 water flow before the insert. 26 3. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 1 wherein said off/on flow 27 control valve means comprises a stem which extends into said duct passing through said 28 sprinkler head assembly to block off water flow when said stem is introduced into said 29 duct and which allows water flow when said stem is shifted so that a portion thereof extends outwardly from said duct. 31 32 4. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 1 wherein said stem is 33 manually actuable and extends into said duct generally perpendicularly to a central axis S:45590 1 of said duct for controlling water flow through said duct, and a recess is formed in said 2 duct and having an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said duct and receiving an 3 arcuately shaped end 76 of said stem which engages said recess when said plug is in 4 said first position in said duct to stop water flow. 6 5. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 4 wherein said stem has a 7 diametrical size at least as large as that of the duct, and a tool receiving area is formed 8 at an end of said stem opposite the end received in the recess to cause threaded turning 9 of said stem in said duct. 11 6. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 4 wherein said stem is 12 threaded for manually turning said stem to cause said stem to extend into said first 0e*0*0 13 position in said duct to block water flow through said duct and retract partially 14 outwardly from said duct to said second position in said duct, while said stem remains 15 in an axis perpendicular to the axis of the duct to allow water flow through said duct. S" 16 17 7. The improvement in the sprinkler head assembly of Claim 4 wherein said stem is 18 manually rotatable and comprises an opening therein and which stem is rotated so that 19 in the second position the axis of the opening is aligned with the axis of the duct to 20 allow water flow and in the first position the opening is rotated out of alignment with 21 the duct to thereby block water flow. o: 22 23 8. The off/on flow control valve means of Claim 1 wherein said off/on control valve is 24 located in an adaptive fitting which forms a part of or is located in the generally vertically arranged tube or said body of said sprinkler head assembly or in a pop-up 26 shaft, and which has increased wall thickness in said duct in the region of said control 27 valve means with respect to the remaining portion of the duct. 28 29 9. A method for turning water flow off and reinitiating water flow at a sprinkler head assembly and which eliminates the need to control water flow from a master controller 31 or main sprinkler valve in order to enable cleaning or servicing or replacement of that 32 sprinkler head assembly, said method comprising: 33 S:45590 16 1 a) installing an off/on water flow control valve means in a sprinkler head 2 assembly and connecting same to a subterranean water pipe and which 3 flow control valve means includes a valve stem extending into a duct of 4 said sprinkler head assembly; 6 b) manually actuating a tool receiving outer end of said valve stem forming 7 part of said valve means to turn water flow off at said sprinkler head 8 assembly by locating said stem in a first position in said duct of said 9 sprinkler head assembly to cause a cessation of water flow; 11 c) allowing for cleaning or servicing of said sprinkler head assembly with 12 little or no water flowing through said sprinkler head assembly under 13 pressure when said stem is in said front position; and 14 15 d) again manually actuating said tool receiving outer end of said stem to o 16 rotate and locate said stem in a second position in said duct to allow for 17 water flow after cleaning or servicing to thereby again allow for normal 18 water flow to resume through said sprinkler head assembly without 19 interfering with water flow at any adjacent sprinkler head assembly. 21 10. The method of Claim 9 further characterized in that said method comprises locating 22 said off/on control valve means in a position upstream with respect to an insert on said 23 sprinkler head assembly, and removing said insert when water is turned off at said 24 sprinkler head assembly, cleaning of the insert and re-introduction of the insert followed by initiating water flow again. 26 27 11. A sprinkler head assembly substantially as herein described with reference to 28 the accompanying drawings. 29 S:45590 1 12. A method for turning water flow off and reinitiating water flow at a sprinkler 2 head assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying 3 drawings. 4 Dated this 12th day of April 2002 6 7 8 THEODORE SIRKIN 9 By his Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK 11 12 S:45590