# US 2009/0260704 A1 · Animal Resistant Tubing System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260704 A1 - Document ID: US20090260704A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/105,691 - Filed: 2008-04-18 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-18 - Assignees: Senet Partners, LLC - Inventors: Bradley Senet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260704A1 ## CPC - F16L 57/00: Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear ({protection under water F16L1/123;} supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract There is disclosed an animal-resistant irrigation tubing system. The animal-resistant irrigation tubing system may include a flexible tube disposed within a coil shield. The coil shield may have an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the flexible tube. The coil shield may be free to move radially, axially and rotationally about the flexible tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An animal-resistant tubing system, comprising: a flexible tube disposed within a coil shield wherein the coil shield has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the flexible tube, and the coil shield is free to move radially, axially and rotationally about the flexible tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tube and the coil shield are not attached at any point along a length of the flexible tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the coil shield is formed of metal wire having a wire diameter sufficient to resist compression by the teeth of a chewing animal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the coil shield is formed of metal wire having a nominal wire diameter from 0.030″ to 0.0625″. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tube has a nominal outside diameter from 0.187″ to 1.07″ and a wall thickness from 0.030″ to 0.0625″. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the coil shield is wound in a spiral form with the space between adjacent turns sufficiently small to minimize direct contact between the teeth of a chewing animal and the flexible tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the coil shield is wound in a spiral form with the center-to-center spacing of adjacent turns equal to or less than 0.150″. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tube has a nominal inside diameter of 0.155″ and a nominal outside diameter of 0.245″. the coil shield has a nominal outside diameter of 0.390″ and a nominal inside diameter of 0.310″ the coil shield is wound in a spiral form with the center-to-center spacing of adjacent turns between 0.100″ and 0.125″. ### Claim 9 An animal-resistant tubing system, comprising: a flexible tube having a first length between a first end and a second end a coil shield surrounding the flexible tube, the coil shield having a uncompressed length longer than the first length first and second fittings engaged with the first and second ends of the flexible tube respectively wherein the length of the coil shield is compressed between the first fitting and the second fitting. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the coil shield has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the flexible tube, the flexible tube is free to move axially, radially, and rotationally within the coil shield, and the flexible tube and the coil shield are not attached at any point along a length of the flexible tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the coil shield is formed of metal wire having a wire diameter sufficient to resist compression by the teeth of a chewing animal, and the coil shield is wound in a spiral form with the space between adjacent turns sufficiently small to minimize direct contact between the teeth of a chewing animal and the flexible tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are separately selected from the group consisting of drip heads, spray heads, couplers, and distribution manifolds. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is at least 5% longer than the first length. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is 5% to 20% longer than the first length. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The animal-resistant tubing system of claim 9, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is about 10% longer than the first length. ### Claim 16 A method of installing an animal-resistant tubing system, comprising: cutting a flexible tube to a first length cutting a coil shield to an uncompressed length longer than the first length installing a first fitting to a first end of the flexible tube installing a second fitting to a second end of the flexible tube, wherein the length of the coil shield is compressed between the first fitting and the second fitting. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of installing an animal-resistant tubing system of claim 16, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is at least 5% longer than the first length. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of installing an animal-resistant tubing system of claim 16, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is 5% to 20% longer than the first length. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of installing an animal-resistant tubing system of claim 16, wherein the uncompressed length of the coil shield is about 10% longer than the first length. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of installing an animal-resistant tubing system of claim 16, wherein the flexible tube is assembled within the coil shield before cutting the flexible tube and the coil shield to the respective lengths.