Fluid receiver, fluid dispenser, and an irrigation system including the same

Abstract

An irrigation system is provided and includes a fluid receiver having an inlet operable to be attached to a distal end of a downspout, an outlet spaced apart from the inlet, and a passageway extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The passageway defines a first cross-sectional area disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a second cross-sectional area disposed between the first cross-sectional area and the outlet, whereby the second cross-section area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. A fluid dispenser is fluidly coupled to the outlet and includes a fluid-receiving cavity and a plurality of fluid outlet passages. The plurality of fluid outlet passages are in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving cavity and are operable to dispense fluid from the fluid-receiving cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An irrigation system comprising:
 a fluid receiver having an inlet operable to be attached to a distal end of a downspout, an outlet spaced apart from the inlet, and a passageway extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, the passageway defining a first cross-sectional area disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a second cross-sectional area disposed between the first cross-sectional area and the outlet, the second cross-section area being smaller than the first cross-sectional area; and   a fluid dispenser fluidly coupled to the outlet and including a fluid-receiving cavity and a plurality of fluid outlet passages, the plurality of fluid outlet passages being in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving cavity and operable to dispense fluid from the fluid-receiving cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is disposed at an opposite end of the fluid receiver than the inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the passageway includes a tapered surface extending between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the passageway includes a constant taper from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet includes a substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The irrigation system of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet includes a substantially circular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The irrigation system of  claim 6 , wherein the outlet includes an attachment device operable to attach the outlet to the fluid dispenser. 
     
     
         8 . The irrigation system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment device includes a series of threads. 
     
     
         9 . The irrigation system of  claim 8 , further comprising a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the outlet and the fluid dispenser. 
     
     
         10 . The irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid receiver includes a substantially planar end wall disposed at an opposite end of the fluid receiver than the inlet, the outlet being formed through the substantially planar end wall. 
     
     
         11 . An irrigation system comprising:
 a fluid receiver having an inlet operable to be attached to a distal end of a downspout, an outlet spaced apart from the inlet, and a passageway extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, the passageway tapering in a direction from the inlet to the outlet along a length of the fluid receiver; and   a fluid dispenser fluidly coupled to the outlet and including a fluid-receiving cavity and a plurality of fluid outlet passages, the plurality of fluid outlet passages being in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving cavity and operable to dispense fluid from the fluid-receiving cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The irrigation system of  claim 11 , wherein the outlet is disposed at an opposite end of the fluid receiver than the inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The irrigation system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid dispenser includes a main body and a cover selectively attached to the main body, the fluid-receiving cavity being defined between the main body and the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The irrigation system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of fluid outlet passages are formed through the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The irrigation system of  claim 11 , wherein the inlet includes a substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         16 . The irrigation system of  claim 15 , wherein the outlet includes a substantially circular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The irrigation system of  claim 16 , wherein the outlet includes an attachment device operable to attach the outlet to the fluid dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . The irrigation system of  claim 17 , wherein the attachment device includes a series of threads. 
     
     
         19 . The irrigation system of  claim 18 , further comprising a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the outlet and the fluid dispenser. 
     
     
         20 . The irrigation system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid receiver includes a substantially planar end wall disposed at an opposite end of the fluid receiver than the inlet, the outlet being formed through the substantially planar end wall.