Pipe joints or couplings – Convertible
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-13
2001-01-09
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Convertible
C285S331000, C285S360000, C285S376000, C285S361000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to couplings for waste water outlets of recreational vehicles and, more particularly, to a coupling for attaching a waste water discharge hose to either of two different types of conventional outlets.
2. Description of Related Art
Recreational vehicles generally include an outside accessible outlet for discharging waste water. A conventional three-inch diameter discharge hose is connected to the outlet through a fitting that is locked onto the outlet. The waste water outlet may be one of two types of conventional configurations. The first type includes two pairs of diametrically opposed dogs formed by cylindrical pegs extending radially outwardly. To engage such an outlet, the fitting, to which the discharge hose is attached, includes a single pair of diametrically opposed hook protrusions for engaging a pair of the two pairs of diametrically opposed dogs. A second type of outlet is similar except that the dogs are essentially rectangular in cross-section having the longitudinal axis extending normal to a radial and in a plane defined by a lateral cross-section of the outlet. The fitting connected to the discharge hose for the second type of outlet includes a pair of diametrically opposed hooks for lockingly engaging a pair of the two pairs of diametrically opposed dogs; the configuration of the hooks corresponds with the lateral cross-section of the dogs to obtain a locking engagement. The fitting for the first type of outlet and its pair of dogs will not lockingly engage the second type of outlet and its pair of dogs and vice versa. Accordingly, the owner of a recreational vehicle must obtain a fitting for the discharge hose which is commensurate with the first or second type of outlet employed on the recreational vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A coupling for attachment to a waste water outlet includes one terminal end having two pairs of diametrically opposed orthogonally oriented slotted hooks for engaging either pair of two diametrically opposed pairs of dogs disposed about either a first or a second type of outlet and another terminal end for penetrable insertion with a discharge hose. The dogs of the first type of outlet are cylindrically shaped pegs and the dogs of the second type of outlet are rectangular in cross-section. Because the engaged pairs of dogs of each type of outlet have different cross-sectional configurations, the slots of the slotted hooks are configured to retainingly engage either configuration. Concentricity of the coupling with either the first or second type of outlet is established and maintained by a sleeve protruding from the coupling into concentric engagement with a cylindrical surface within the first or second type of outlet upon engagement therewith. A seal in the coupling engaging the end of the respective outlet prevents fluid leakage therebetween. A discharge hose, attached to the other terminal end, conveys the waste water from the outlet through the coupling to a remote location.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a coupling for attaching a discharge hose to either of two conventional types of waste water outlets employed in a recreational vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling concentrically attachable to either of two types of waste water outlets.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling with a single set of slots to accommodate attachment to the dogs of either of two conventional types of outlets.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sealed engagement between a discharge tube extending from a coupling with either of two conventional types of outlets to which the coupling may be attached.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a coupling attachable by slotted hooks to either one of two conventional types of waste water outlets and concentrically aligned therewith by a sleeve extending from the coupling adjacent a cylindrical surface within the respective outlet.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a discharge hose in concentric alignment with either of two conventional types of waste water outlets of a recreational vehicle.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
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Cahill Sutton & Thomas P.L.C.
Nicholson Eric K.
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