Apparatus for mounting a drain hose to an RV waste removal valve assembly

• US 5,417,460 A
• Filed: 07/19/1993
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valterra Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Valterra Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Lunder, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US08/093,596
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 285/242, 285/252, 285/253, 285/23, 285/12, 285/903, 138/109, 137/899, 137/355.16
• US Class Current: 285/253
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 15/00 Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/008 Temporary fluid connections for emptying mobile sewage holding tanks, e.g. of trailers, boats
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/08 in which a worm coacts with a part of the hose-encircling member that is toothed like a worm-wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated

Abstract

An apparatus for attaching and securing a drain hose to the adapter used with a recreational vehicle ("RV") waste drain assembly or, at the opposite end of the hose, to a sewer fitting used in conjunction with a septic tank or some other type of in or above ground sewer system for receiving drained waste matter. The apparatus comprises a retaining ring, which may include an annular flange formed along one edge, slidably mountable inside the opening at one end of a RV drain hose, for retaining the shape and requisite diameter dimension of the end section of the hose to facilitate its engagement with the adapter or the sewer fitting when those connections are made. The ring is removed before the adapter or the sewer fitting engages the hose opening to enable the hose to contract and form a tight seal with those components.

Claims

1. A coupling between a length of flexible tubing, said tubing being radially expansible and contractible and having a contracted position and an expanded position and an interior tubing wall with an interior diameter and an exterior tubing wall with an exterior diameter defining openings at opposite ends of the tubing, and a waste drain valve assembly employing a valve hose adapter with a male coupler comprising a compressible retaining ring slidably insertable into either of said openings whereby said retaining ring expands against the interior tubing wall to maintain the exterior diameter of the tubing in its expanded position, said male coupler being slidably insertable into said opening in sealing engagement with said retaining ring.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the retaining ring includes a first edge and a second edge and an annular flange integrally formed with said first edge.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said retaining ring includes a tapered portion along said second edge for engaging either of said openings and facilitating the entry of said retaining ring into said openings.