Pipe joints or couplings – With assembly means or feature – With holding means functioning only during transportation...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-14
2001-05-15
Arola, Dave W. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
With assembly means or feature
With holding means functioning only during transportation...
C285S093000, C285S148190, C285S179000, C285S024000, C285S331000, C285S905000, C285S255000, C029S451000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231085
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to tubing coupling systems, and specifically to an improved tubing coupling or adapter apparatus and method that combines improved ease of assembly with the ability to visually confirm the assembly of the tubing with the coupling or adapter. The present invention lends itself to various applications, including liquid and gas tubing systems which are used in a wide range of industrial and agricultural installations, including irrigation systems. The invention is useful with tubing in numerous lengths, diameters, wall thicknesses, strengths, and configurations (including without limitation, tubing having cross-sections that are round, square, rectangular, or oval). Such tubing can include, at its opposite extremity, any of a variety of fittings, including a second one of the claimed improved tubing coupling, a hose end, an elbow (or “ell”), or any of a wide range of devices that will make themselves readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
Elastic tubing (such as polyethylene tubing) is sometimes attached by the use of barbed fittings on adapters and couplings, such as depicted in FIG.
1
. To make the desired connection, a user typically has a supply of adapters/couplings
2
and separate retaining rings
4
. Prior art rings
4
and couplings
2
are not configured so that the ring is retained on the coupling prior to attachment to tubing. As a result, even if a manufacturer attempts to assist the end user by placing the rings
4
on the couplings
2
, the rings typically fall off the couplings
2
during transit or handling, and the user receives a loose pile of rings and couplings. Thus, instead of a simple single assembly which is usable by picking the single assembly up and attaching tubing to it, the user must fumble with locating the adapter/coupling
2
, locating one or more retaining rings
4
, assembling the components to each other, and finally inserting tubing (not shown) over a barbed fitting
6
on the adapter and under interior barbs
8
on the retaining ring
4
. The barbs
8
can then be slid over the tubing toward the exterior barbs
6
to help “lock” the tubing on the adapter/coupling
2
.
In certain assemblies, it can be difficult to determine the position of the tubing on the adapter/coupling once the retaining ring has been “locked” into place. Thus, it may be difficult or impossible to determine whether the tubing is properly positioned, or if it has dangerously loosened over time, without removing the lock ring. This is especially important for those applications where the pressure from the fluid pumped through the tubing tends to push the tubing off the adapter.
In certain applications, such as irrigation systems, these assemblies are commonly used to connect tubing or hose to other components of the system. Among other things, such connected tubing or hose may have, at its other extremity, another coupling, a hose end, an ell, or some other fitting. Typically, the more quickly, easily, and reliably those system components can be connected to each other (via such a coupling or adapter), the more economic the installation becomes. Maintenance of the system can similarly benefit from better coupling apparatus and methods.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improved apparatus for attaching tubing, characterized by an adapter member with an exterior barb to engage the tubing and a sleeve member operatively positioned around the adapter. The sleeve member preferably includes one or more view ports, which enable the user to visually confirm the tubing has been properly and completely assembled onto the adapter member. Following initial assembly, the view ports permit the user to visually ascertain the position of the tubing on the adapter.
Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character that preferably includes cooperating engagement detents on tee adapter and sleeve member, for initial engagement of the retaining sleeve with the adapter member prior to assembly with tubing. The sleeve or retaining member also preferably includes an interior barb to help prevent inadvertent dislodgment of the tubing from the adapter/coupling. The adapter can include one or more other ends in internal fluid communication with the first end, which other ends may be any of a wide variety of configurations. Representative examples of those other ends include ends similar or identical to the first end, a valve or other outlet, a plug, an elbow or tee, a container, a manifold, or another type of connection or fitting.
A further object of my invention is the provision of a method of use of an adapter/coupling of the aforementioned character, including various combinations of the steps of assembling the retaining member with the adapter member prior to assembly with selected tubing; engaging the adapter member and retaining member on the tubing; and utilizing the view ports to confirm that the tubing is properly assembled on the adapter member.
A still further object of my invention is the provision apparatus for attaching tubing, including an adapter having a first end with an exterior barb thereon engageable with tubing, in which the adapter includes one or more engagement detents spaced from the exterior barb. A cooperating sleeve member includes at least one engagement detent for initial retention of the retaining member on the adapter prior to assembly with the tubing.
Another object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the sleeve member includes at least one interior barb configured and dimensioned to clear the exterior barb when no tubing is assembled thereon and to interferingly engage the tubing when the tubing is assembled with the adapter.
Yet another object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the sleeve member includes one or more ports for viewing the tubing assembled on the adapter.
An additional object of my invention is the provision of apparatus for attaching tubing, including an adapter having a first end with an exterior barb thereon engageable with tubing, and a retaining member having at least one interior barb configured and dimensioned to clear the exterior barb when no tubing is assembled thereon and to interferingly engage the tubing when the tubing is assembled with the adapter, the retaining member further including one or more ports for viewing the tubing when it is assembled on the adapter.
Another object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the adapter and the retaining member include cooperating engagement portions for initial engagement of the retaining member with the adapter member prior to assembly with the tubing.
Still another object of my invention is the provision of apparatus of the aforementioned character, in which the adapter includes one or more other ends with an exterior barb thereon and with an additional sleeve or retaining member assembled thereon.
A still further object of my invention is the provision of an irrigation tubing assembly, including a coupling member having first and second ends with exterior barbs thereon engageable with elastic tubing; and a retaining member for the at least one of the ends. The retaining member has at least one interior barb that can slide over the corresponding exterior barb on the coupling member when no tubing is assembled thereon, but which interferingly engages the tubing when the tubing is sufficiently assembled onto the coupling member. The retaining member further includes one or more apertures for viewing the tubing when the tubing is assembled on the coupling member.
Still another object of my invention is the provision of an assembly of the aforementioned character, further including an engagement lip on the coupling member remote from the exterior barb, and at least one corresponding tab on the retaining member engageable with the engagement lip. These cooperating
Arola Dave W.
Dao Tom H.
Holland J. Mark
Irrigation Development Company
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