US 6,231,085 B1 · Tubing coupling and hose end combination, and related method

Abstract

An improved tubing adapter or coupling apparatus, and combination of same with other fittings, is characterized by an adapter member having a first end including at least one exterior barb for engagement with tubing and a sleeve member operatively positioned around the adapter. In some systems, the tubing or hose may include a fitting at its other extremity, such as a hose end, an ell, or another coupling. The sleeve member of the coupling apparatus preferably includes one or more view ports. The ports can enable the user to visually confirm the tubing has been properly and completely assembled onto the adapter member, and, following initial assembly, to visually ascertain the position of the tubing on the adapter. The apparatus also preferably includes corresponding engagement detents on the adapter and sleeve member, for initial engagement of the retaining member 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, such as by providing clamping or “biting” action by the coupling when assembled on the tubing. In addition to various fittings at the opposite extremity of the tubing or hose, the adapter itself 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, including being 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 method of use of the adapter/coupling is disclosed, 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; utilizing the view ports to confirm that the tubing is properly assembled on the adapter member; and connecting other fittings to the opposite extremity of the hose or tubing.

Claims31

Dependent claims

Apparatus for irrigation, including:

tubing having a first end and a second end remote therefrom;
an adapter having a first end with an exterior barb thereon engageable with said first end of said tubing, in which said adapter includes one or more engagement detents spaced from said exterior barb;
a sleeve member around said adapter, said sleeve member including at least one detent engageable with said adapter engagement detent for initial retention of said sleeve member on said adapter prior to assembly with said tubing
said sleeve member further including at least one interior barb spaced from said sleeve member detent, said at least one interior barb configured and dimensioned to clear said exterior barb when no tubing is assembled thereon and to automatically interferingly engage said tubing when said tubing is assembled under said interior barb by pushing said tubing in a first direction onto said adapter, said automatic interfering engagement being such that subsequent movement of said tubing in the direction opposite to said first direction correspondingly moves said sleeve member in that same subsequent direction and disengages said sleeve member detent from engagement with said adapter engagement detent;
and
a fitting engaged with said second end of said tubing.

3 more elements

A method of assembling tubing onto a fitting, including the steps of:

(a) providing an attachment member having a first end and a second end in fluid communication with each other, each of said first and second ends having at least one exterior coupling barb and at least one exterior engagement lip,
(b) providing at least one section of tubing having at least one end,
(c) providing at least one locking collar initially engaged with said at least one engagement lip on said first end of said attachment member, said locking collar including an interior barb dimensioned to automatically engage said end of said tubing upon insertion of said end over said exterior coupling barb and under said interior barb, said interior barb being positioned on said locking collar so that said initial engagement of said collar with said engagement lip spaces said interior barb sufficiently from said exterior coupling barb to permit said insertion of said tubing end over said exterior barb and under said interior barb, and
(d) engaging said end of said tubing with said coupling barb and said locking collar barb, whereby subsequent movement of said tubing in the opposite direction of said insertion correspondingly moves said at least one locking collar in that same direction.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tubing coupling and hose end combination, and related method

Life of this patent

Tubing coupling and hose end combination, and related method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31