SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A PIPE COUPLING FOR IRRIGATION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pipe coupling, comprising:
- a body that is tubular and formed from a polymer, the body has a main bore with a main axis and first and second female receptacles on each end of the main bore, each configured to receive a male end of a pipe, and an auxiliary bore extending from the main bore with an auxiliary axis and a third female receptacle on an end of the auxiliary bore, also configured to receive a male end of a pipe;
a first brace coupled to and extending between the first female receptacle and the third female receptacle;
a second brace coupled to extending between the second female receptacle and the third female receptacle; and
the pipe coupling is a single, integral, injection molded monolithic structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pipe coupling may include a body that is tubular and formed from a polymer. The body may include a main bore with a main axis and at least first and second female receptacles on each end of the main bore. Each receptacle may be configured to receive a male end of a pipe. A first brace may be coupled to and extend between, for example, a first female receptacle and a third female receptacle. A second brace may be coupled to extend between, for example, a second female receptacle and the third female receptacle. The pipe coupling can be a single, integral, injection molded monolithic structure.
1 Citation
22 Claims
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1. A pipe coupling, comprising:
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a body that is tubular and formed from a polymer, the body has a main bore with a main axis and first and second female receptacles on each end of the main bore, each configured to receive a male end of a pipe, and an auxiliary bore extending from the main bore with an auxiliary axis and a third female receptacle on an end of the auxiliary bore, also configured to receive a male end of a pipe; a first brace coupled to and extending between the first female receptacle and the third female receptacle; a second brace coupled to extending between the second female receptacle and the third female receptacle; and the pipe coupling is a single, integral, injection molded monolithic structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pipe coupling, comprising:
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a body that is tubular and formed from a polymer, the body has a bore with an axis and at least two female receptacles in fluid communication with the bore, each female receptacle is configured to receive a male end of a pipe, and the axis is non-linear such that two of said at least two female receptacles are oriented relative to each other at an angle of less than 180 degrees; a brace coupled to and extending between said two of said at least two female receptacles; and the pipe coupling is a single, integral, injection molded monolithic structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A tee coupling for pipes, comprising:
a tee body that is tubular and formed from a polymer, the tee body has a main bore with a main axis, and first and second female receptacles on each end of the main bore, an auxiliary bore extending from the main bore with an auxiliary axis, and a third female receptacle on an end of the auxiliary bore, each of the female receptacles is configured to receive a male end of a pipe, the female receptacles comprise inner diameters that are substantially identical, and a sled integrally formed with the tee body and located opposite the third female receptacle.
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22. A method of farming with an irrigation system, the method comprising:
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(a) installing an irrigation assembly in a field, above ground, at a farm, the irrigation system comprising a tee coupling, first, second and third pipes connected to the tee coupling, and the tee coupling comprises guard elements extending from adjacent the third pipe to adjacent each of the first and second pipes; (b) disconnecting at least one of the pipes from the tee coupling, such that the tee coupling has an open receptacle that is not coupled to said at least one of the pipes; and
then(c) farming the field and processing portions of the irrigation assembly through a roller system on a tractor, such that the open receptacle of the tee coupling is oriented horizontally, and the guard elements protect the open receptacle from damage by the roller system.
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Specification