Irrigation-system-coupling device and methods of use
AssigneeJoe Schmoe Innovations, LLC
InventorJoseph M. Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
What is disclosed is an improved irrigation-system-coupling device, with a length-adjustment feature, that is designed to provide a coupling between polymeric irrigation-system hosing/tubing and a water-supply valve, such as solenoid-operated control/supply valves commonly used in automated irrigation systems. The length-adjustment configuration allows for easy installation in the field without the need to splice additional lengths of hosing/tubing in situations where various environmental conditions and/or necessitated repairs to or removal of sections of hoses/tubing has caused an extra gap between a supply-valve manifold housing and the end of the existing hose/tubing.
Claims20
An irrigation-system-coupling device, comprising:
- a first-end-coupler member having a proximal end and a distal end, and annular protrusions disposed at the proximal end for engagement with another irrigation-system fluid-conduit component;
- a second-end-coupler member having a proximal end and a distal end, adapted to be concentric and telescopically fitted within said first-end-coupler member, wherein:
- a set of lead-screw threads is helically disposed around at least one-third of the longitudinal length of the proximal end of said second-end-coupler member, and
- annular protrusions at the distal end for engagement with another irrigation-system fluid-conduit component;
- and
- a length-adjustment flange coupled to the distal end of said first-end-coupler member, wherein:
- said length-adjustment flange has at least one concentrically disposed set of gear teeth along its interior surface, which slidably engage with said lead-screw threads, whereby said first-end-coupler member can move linearly with respect to said second-end-coupler member as said length-adjustment flange, which is coupled to said second-end-coupler member, is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the irrigation-system-coupling device.
A method of making an irrigation-system-coupling device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first-end-coupler member having a proximal end and a distal end, and annular protrusions disposed at the proximal end for engagement with another irrigation-system fluid-conduit component;
- providing a second-end-coupler member having a proximal end and a distal end, adapted to be concentric and telescopically fitted within said first-end-coupler member, wherein:
- a set of lead-screw threads is helically disposed around at least one-third of the longitudinal length of the proximal end of said second-end-coupler member, and
- annular protrusions disposed at the distal end for engagement with another irrigation-system fluid-conduit component;
- and
- providing a length-adjustment flange coupled to the distal end of said first-end-coupler member, wherein:
- said length-adjustment flange has at least one concentrically disposed set of gear teeth along its interior surface, which slidably engage with said lead-screw threads, whereby said first-end-coupler member can move linearly with respect to said second-end-coupler member as said length-adjustment flange, which is coupled to said second-end-coupler member, is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the irrigation-system-coupling device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.