Kent C Ericksen

US Patent:

6337635, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/017113

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - Centerville UT
Alan J. Smith - Bountiful UT
Kim Y. Hayes - Salt Lake City UT
Mike R. Ericksen - Farmington UT

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - North Salt Lake UT

International Classification:

G08C 1900

US Classification:

34082569, 34082572, 25112904, 239 67, 13762411, 13762412

Abstract:

The activation and deactivation of an outdoors, hose faucet-mounted valve unit to control the flow of water through a standard garden hose with attached sprinkler is remotely controlled from indoors rather than at the valve unit. This is accomplished without the use of unwieldy and unsightly electrical cables by means of radio frequency (RF) signals. A remote, programmable, controller unit located indoors with attached transmitting unit commands such transmitting unit to send signals in accordance with preprogrammed instructions in the controller unit. A receiver unit attached to the valve unit intercepts the transmitted signals and instructs the valve unit to open or close the water valve and flow of water based thereon. Direct connection of the controller to the valve unit is possible such that the transmitter unit and receiver unit are not used such as during pleasant weather conditions. A hand held transmitter unit can be used in place of the separate controller and transmitter to automatically control the valve unit for specific watering durations.

US Patent:

6592053, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Aug 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/928846

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - Centerville UT
Gary F. Wintering - Chandler AZ

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - North Salt Lake UT

International Classification:

B05B 100

US Classification:

239211, 239 16, 239 17, 239289

Abstract:

An evaporative cooling unit that sprays a water mist into the air to cool the air by evaporation of the water mist is disguised as to its function and purpose by including the misting nozzles and water supply conduits in a decorative structure, such as an artificial flower arrangement or plant. The misting unit of the invention includes a base and a decorative structure extending from the base. A water conduit extends through the base from a base end with a fitting for attachment to a source of pressurized water such as a garden hose, into the decorative structure where it ends in at least one decorative structure end with a misting nozzle thereon. The base may take the form of a flower pot with the decorative structure taking the form of flowers or a plant extending from the flower pot.

US Patent:

6592057, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

May 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/154548

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - North Salt Lake UT
Robert Parker - West Valley City UT

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigtion Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

B05B 1508

US Classification:

2395871, 2395872, 2395873, 2395874, 2395875, 2395876, 239525, 239526

Abstract:

A multi-directional spray nozzle is disclosed. The multi-directional spray nozzle may include a grip member and a pivotal member. A rounded end of the pivotal member pivotally engages a socket of the grip member in either a ball-and-socket configuration or a hinged joint configuration. An internal passage of the grip member is in fluid communication with a pivotal passage situated within the rounded end of the pivotal member. The pivotal passage is in fluid communication with an exit port on the pivotal member. A pressurized fluid may be emitted from an exit port on the pivotal member. The pivotal member may be positioned at various angles with respect to the grip member to direct the emitted fluid to a desired location.

US Patent:

6619570, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Jun 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883124

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - North Salt Lake UT
Phillip A. Hudman - Bountiful UT
Robert L. Parker - West Valley City UT
Jeffrey P. Maughan - West Bountiful UT

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

B05B 1506

US Classification:

239532, 2395874, 239600, 2851453, 2851482

Abstract:

A watering wand allows for telescopic adjustment of its length. The wand includes a primary tube defining a hollow interior portion and a secondary tube slidably disposed within the primary tube. The primary tube includes a fitting for attaching the wand to a water source. The secondary tube includes a connector suitable for receiving a fluid dispensing nozzle. The secondary tube also defines a portion to allow fluid to pass between the water source and the connector. An adjustment collar attached to a distal end of the primary tube slidably engages the secondary and may be used to fix the position of the secondary tube relative to the primary tube. The connector may be attached to a ball and joint coupling to allow for a pivoting nozzle and a quick-connect coupling to allow for easily changing nozzles to meet various watering needs.

US Patent:

6874696, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Jun 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/601430

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - Bountiful UT, US
Craig J. Madson - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

B05B017/00
B05B015/06
A01G025/06
F16L015/022

US Classification:

239 1, 239200, 239201, 239281, 285302

Abstract:

The adjustable sprinkler riser includes an outer and an inner telescoping member that telescopically interface with each other. A protrusion is spaced from a proximal end of the outer telescoping member. A first joint member slidably interfaces with the outer telescoping member, and a second joint member slidably interfaces with the inner telescoping member. The second joint member may be selectively secured to the first joint member to restrict movement of the inner telescoping member relative to the outer telescoping member. In such a condition, areas of vulnerability to breakage in the joint members and inner telescoping member are offset from each other to provide greater strength to the adjustable sprinkler riser. In addition, manufacturing the adjustable sprinkler riser is simple because the first and second joint members may be conveniently placed on the telescoping members, and there is no need to form threads or other intricate structures on the telescoping members.

US Patent:

6932277, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/278218

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - Centerville UT, US
Michael Ray Erickson - Farmington UT, US
Chadwick L. Wilson - Woods Cross UT, US
Christian Michael Olsen - Salt Lake City UT, US
Edwin McAuley - Quarry Bay, HK

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

B05B017/00
A01G027/00

US Classification:

239 1, 239 67, 239 69, 239 70, 239201, 239207, 239550, 239562, 13762412

Abstract:

A sprinkler valve wiring apparatus and method are provided. An irrigation system has a plurality of valves designed to be electrically activated by a control unit. Valve wires extend from the valves to a junction unit. Control unit wires extend from the control unit to the junction unit, and are electrically coupled to the valve wires within the junction unit. The control unit wires include a common wire and a plurality of hot wires. Each hot wire is coupled to a corresponding valve, while the common wire is coupled to all of the valves by the junction unit. The junction unit utilizes resilient blocking members with frangible portions that block unused wire receptacles and can be removed to provide watertight access to the remaining wire receptacles. The junction unit is fixed in place via an anchoring mechanism such as a pipe clip or stake.

US Patent:

7004677, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/755693

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - North Salt Lake UT, US
Kevin Day - Layton UT, US
Christian M. Olsen - Bountiful UT, US
Aaron Schapper - Park City UT, US
Alan T. Ence - Syracuse UT, US

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

E02B 11/00

US Classification:

405 51, 405 43, 405 40, 405 37, 137364, 137371, 137372

Abstract:

A valve containment assembly for an irrigation system may have a first side wall unit, a grate, a second side wall unit, and a lid. The first side wall unit may be disposed on the floor of a hole. The grate may be positioned in the first side wall unit to support a manifold. The second side wall unit rests on the first side wall unit to cover the manifold and the lid may be disposed on top of the side wall unit. The first side wall unit and the grate elevate the manifold above the floor of the hole to reduce interference of soil and water with the manifold. Additional side wall units may be used to provide additional height. Any of the side wall units may have frangible portions that break away to permit passage of conduits into the valve containment assembly.

US Patent:

7021672, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/678013

Inventors:

Kent C. Ericksen - North Salt Lake UT, US
Alan John Smith - Bountiful UT, US
Michael Ray Ericksen - Farmington UT, US

Assignee:

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. - Bountiful UT

International Classification:

F16L 37/00

US Classification:

285181, 285308, 285319, 285277

Abstract:

In a fluid system such as irrigation system, fluid conduit attachment is facilitated through the use of a coupling. The coupling may have a body with a first end attached to a component such as an irrigation component, and a second end designed to receive an end of a conduit. The first end may be integrally formed with the component or separately attached thereto. The second end has a bore into which the end of the conduit is inserted. A gripping mechanism is seated in the bore to grip the end of the conduit. A release mechanism slides to release the conduit. The coupling may have a bend and/or branches extending to extra ends. A second coupling may be added to form a rotatable swing joint. An indicator such as a blue color may be used to indicate compatibility of the coupling with the conduit.