Surface irrigation gate
AssigneeBlumhardt Mfg., Inc.
InventorHarold Blumhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An outlet fitting construction for thin-walled, flexible plastic tubing for fluid distribution systems. The outlet fitting includes first and second outlet members that in the preferred embodiment are threadedly engaged and have aligned axial passageways. One outlet member is provided with an annular rim with a riding surface that facilitates insertion of the outlet fitting into an aperture in the flexible surface irrigation tubing. In an alternative embodiment a tube piercing member is provided that is engaged with the outlet members so that the outlet fitting may be inserted into a tube which does not have pre-existing apertures.
Claims23
An outlet fitting construction for use with surface irrigation tubing having a thin, sheet-like, flexible plastic wall in which an outlet aperture of predetermined size is provided for attachment of the outlet fitting, comprising:
- (a) a first outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a first passageway between first and second ends thereof;
- (b) a second outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a second passageway between first and second ends thereof, said first end of said second outlet member having a rim portion defining a flange tapering outwardly along said member in the direction of said second end and terminating in a contact surface directed generally toward the axis of said second passageway, said flange having exterior dimensions greater than said aperture size, said second outlet member being sized to be received within said first passageway and generally conforming thereto;
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- (c) means for securing said first and second outlet members with said wall drawn over said flange and a portion of said wall surrounding said aperture being secured against said contact surface by said first end of said first outlet member to provide a water-tight seal between said tubing and said fitting construction.
An outlet fitting for flexible wall surface irrigation tubing in which apertures are provided to discharge water, comprising:
- (a) a first outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a first axial passageway between first and second ends thereof;
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- (b) a second outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a second axial passageway between first and second ends thereof, said second outlet member having a rim portion about the opening at said first ends thereof, said second end of said second outlet member received within said first end of said first outlet member with the axes of said passageways aligned for axial translation of said second outlet member between a first extended position in which said outlet fitting is inserted into an aperture in said tubing and a second tightened position in which said rim portion may secure a portion of said flexible wall surrounding the aperture against said first outlet member providing a watertight seal thereabout;
- said rim portion having a riding surface thereon, said riding surface extending outwardly away from said axis of said second outlet member and rearwardly from the opening at said first end of said second outlet member and having an exterior dimension greater than the size of the aperture, whereby upon insertion of said outlet fitting through the aperture the edge of said flexible wall defining the aperture is engaged by said riding surface and caused to expand until said rim portion is within the interior of said irrigation tubing with said portion of said tubing wall in position to be secured against said first outlet member by said rim portion.
An outlet fitting for flexible wall surface irrigation tubing in which apertures are punctured to discharge water, comprising:
- (a) a first outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a first axial passageway between first and second ends thereof;
- (b) a second outlet member having a continuous side wall defining a second axial passageway between first and second ends thereof, said first end of said second outlet member having a rim portion and said second end of said second outlet member received within said first end of said first outlet member with said axes aligned for axial translation of said second outlet member between a first extended position in which said outlet fitting is inserted into an aperture in said tubing and a second tightened position in which said rim portion secures the edge of said flexible wall defining said aperture against said first outlet member providing a water-tight seal thereabout;
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- (c) a tube piercing member having a longitudinal axis and piercing and grasping portions, said tube piercing member axially and removably insertable within said first and second outlet members such that said piercing portion extends beyond said first end of said second outlet member and said grasping portion extends beyond said second end of said first outlet member, said piercing portion having a cutting edge and a riding surface tapering outwardly from said cutting edge in a direction generally away from said longitudinal axis toward said rim of said second outlet member;
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- means for securing said tube piercing member to said second outlet member whereby said outlet fitting may be placed in said irrigation tubing by holding said grasping portion of said tube piercing member and puncturing an aperture in said tubing with said piercing portion, the edge of said flexible tubing defining said aperture riding up said riding surface and over said rim portion during insertion, and said second outlet member may then be tightened against said first outlet member to provide said water-tight seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.