US 7,445,247 B2 · Irrigation coupling apparatus

Abstract

In a fluid system such as irrigation system, fluid conduit attachment is facilitated through the use of a coupling. The coupling may have a body with a first end attached to a component such as an irrigation component, and a second end designed to receive an end of a conduit. The first end may be integrally formed with the component or separately attached thereto. The second end has a bore into which the end of the conduit is inserted. A gripping mechanism is seated in the bore to grip the end of the conduit. A release mechanism slides to release the conduit. The coupling may have a bend and/or branches extending to extra ends. A second coupling may be added to form a rotatable swing joint. An indicator such as a blue color may be used to indicate compatibility of the coupling with the conduit.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A coupling for conveying fluid between a conduit and a component of a fluid system, the coupling comprising:

a body comprising a bore into which a tube end of the conduit is insertable, wherein the tube end has a smooth outer surface without annular grooves, annular flanges, or annular beads;
a gripping mechanism that grips the smooth outer surface of the tube end of the conduit, to fix a position of the tube end of the conduit within the bore;
and
a release mechanism slidably attached to the body to induce the gripping mechanism to release the tube end of the conduit, the release mechanism comprising a continuous, undivided unitary release ring with an axial through bore and at least one radially-through retention slot, said release ring encircling the body, said release ring to facilitate gripping and manual actuation of the release mechanism;
and the body further comprising a retention feature protruding radially outward to establish a limited range of motion for the release mechanism.

2 more elements

A coupling for conveying fluid between a conduit and a component of a fluid system, the coupling comprising:

a body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a bore into which a tube end of the conduit is insertable, wherein the tube end has a smooth outer surface without annular grooves, annular flanges, or annular beads;
a gripping mechanism that grips the smooth outer surface of the tube end of the conduit to fix a position of the tube end of the conduit within the bore;
and
a release mechanism slidably attached to the body to induce the gripping mechanism to release the tube end of the conduit, the release mechanism comprising an exterior sleeve sized to encircle the second end with a clearance sufficiently small to restrict interference with motion of the release mechanism from dirt in contact with the coupling the release mechanism comprising a continuous, undivided unitary release ring with a axial through bore and at least one radially-through retention slot, said release ring encircling the body, said release ring to facilitate gripping and manual actuation of the release mechanism;
and
the body further comprising a retention feature protruding radially outward to establish a limited range of motion for the release mechanism.

3 more elements

A coupling for conveying fluid between a conduit and a component of a fluid system, the coupling comprising:

a body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a bore into which a tube end of the conduit is insertable, wherein the tube end has a smooth outer surface without annular grooves, annular flanges, or annular beads;
a gripping mechanism that grips the smooth outer surface of the tube end of the conduit to fix a position of the tube end of the conduit within the bore;
and
a release mechanism slidably attached to the body to induce the gripping mechanism to release the tube end of the conduit, the release mechanism comprising an exterior sleeve disposed to encircle the second end to define an annular gap between the second end and the exterior sleeve, the body comprising a first retention feature protruding into the annular gap to establish a limited range of motion for the release mechanism, the release mechanism comprising a continuous, undivided unitary release ring with a axial through bore and at least one radially-through retention slot, said release ring encircling the body, said release ring to facilitate gripping and manual actuation of the release mechanism.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Irrigation coupling apparatus

Life of this patent

Irrigation coupling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33