The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2001
Filed:
May. 14, 1998
Donald O. Olson, El Cajon, CA (US);
Irrigation Development Company, Santee, CA (US);
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.