Exterior-installable poly coupler system with exterior tab retention for irrigation spans
AssigneeValmont Industries, Inc.
InventorCory J. Dillon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exterior-installable poly coupler system including a main coupler body configured for insertion into an opening formed in an irrigation span pipe from the exterior thereof. The main coupler body includes a main body head with an internal receiving opening and a central tab ring with a plurality of outwardly extending locking tabs. The locking tabs are arranged to engage corresponding locking slots formed in a keyed locking ring on the exterior surface of the irrigation span pipe. The main coupler body is interchangeable with other coupler bodies in the system and allows secure installation and retention of sprinkler components without requiring access to the interior of the irrigation span pipe.
Claims20
An exterior-installable coupler assembly for an irrigation span pipe, comprising:
- a main coupler body configured to be inserted into an opening formed in an irrigation span pipe from an exterior surface thereof, the main coupler body comprising:
- a main body head;
- a central tab ring;
- and
- a lower insert section;
- a plurality of tabs extending radially outward from the central tab ring;
- a coupler insert configured to engage the main coupler body, the coupler insert comprising:
- an insert head;
- an insert stem;
- and
- an insert flange disposed between the insert head and the insert stem;
- and
- a keyed locking ring configured to be associated with the irrigation span pipe and defining an opening, the keyed locking ring comprising:
- a plurality of locking slots configured to receive the plurality of tabs;
- and
- a top locking surface;
- wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to be inserted into the locking slots;
- wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to be rotated to engage the top locking surface to secure the main coupler body to the irrigation span pipe, and
- wherein the coupler insert is configured to engage the main coupler body to expand the lower insert section and secure the coupler assembly within the opening.
A method of installing a coupler assembly in an irrigation span pipe, the method comprising:
- providing an irrigation span pipe having an opening formed therein;
- positioning a keyed locking ring in association with the opening;
- inserting a main coupler body into the opening from an exterior surface of the irrigation span pipe such that a plurality of tabs extending from the main coupler body are received within corresponding locking slots of the keyed locking ring;
- rotating the main coupler body to engage the plurality of tabs with a top locking surface of the keyed locking ring;
- and
- inserting a coupler insert into the main coupler body to secure the main coupler body within the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.