A quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to a fluid port of a fluid manifold using a quick connect fluid connector swivel that is configured to permit rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the quick connect fluid connector relative to the fluid port. The relative axial and/or rotational movements provided by the swivel eliminates the need for a fluid hose to be used in the fluid path between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid port.

A greaseless pivot center swivel and bearing device includes an outer housing having a sidewall with top and bottom portions, a top plate coupled with the top portion that includes an opening therein, and a bottom plate coupled with the bottom portion that includes an opening therein. The sidewall cooperates with the top and bottom plates to define an interior volume. A single, unitary bushing member formed of a low-friction material is positioned within the interior volume and includes a surface cylindrically curved about an axis extending between the top and bottom plates of the housing. The cylindrically curved surface cooperates with the openings in the top and bottom plates to define a cylindrical passage through the interior volume sized and shaped for receiving a cylindrical tube that rotates therein, e.g., a tube configured to connect with a water supply column of a mechanized irrigation system.

A greaseless pivot center swivel and bearing device includes an outer housing having a sidewall with top and bottom portions, a top plate coupled with the top portion that includes an opening therein, and a bottom plate coupled with the bottom portion that includes an opening therein. The sidewall cooperates with the top and bottom plates to define an interior volume. A single, unitary bushing member formed of a low-friction material is positioned within the interior volume and includes a surface cylindrically curved about an axis extending between the top and bottom plates of the housing. The cylindrically curved surface cooperates with the openings in the top and bottom plates to define a cylindrical passage through the interior volume sized and shaped for receiving a cylindrical tube that rotates therein, e.g., a tube configured to connect with a water supply column of a mechanized irrigation system.

A fluid swivel (100) comprising a first part (100a) and a second part (100b) configured to mutually rotate about a common center axis (A). The swivel (100) has a central bore (101) configured to accommodate a fluid to be transported through the fluid swivel (100). A central member (12) is arranged in the central bore (101), and the center axis (A) extend through the central member. A hydraulic line (43, 53) extends from the first part (100a) to the second part (100b) through the central member (12).

A fitting has a first housing including a first body and a second body. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel, and second body defines a third channel that is co-planar with the first channel and a fourth channel that is co-planar with the first channel. First bearings are disposed within the first channel and the third channel, where the first bearings rotatably coupled the first housing to the second housing. Additionally, second bearings are disposed within the second channel and the fourth channel, the second bearings rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing. A plug couples to the first housing, a gasket is disposed between the plug and the first housing, and a passage is defined at least in part by the first housing, the second housing, and the plug.

A coupling for conveying a fluid between a stationary part and a rotatable part having confronting ports centered on a rotation axis of the rotatable part has an axially extending tube fixed in the port of one of the parts and extending toward the port of the other of the parts and a control element axially slidable on the tube. The one part, the tube, and the control element form an annular chamber around the tube pressurizable for axially shifting the control element. A first slide ring is connected to the control element and carries a seal ring turned toward the port of the other part, and a second ring on the other part at the port thereof axially bears on the first slide ring so that pressurization of chamber presses the slide rings axially against each other.

A coupling device configured to couple first and second pipes, which comprises a first part coupled to the first pipe and which has a first contact surface, a second part coupled to the second pipe, separate from the first part, and which has a second contact surface configured to collaborate with the first contact surface, at least one clamp comprising at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to collaborate with the first and second parts, which has a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another. Thus, the coupling device makes it possible to obtain a ball joint type connection between the first and second pipes.

A hose assembly, preferably a garden hose assembly, including a fabric jacketed tube that is lightweight, durable and versatile. The tube is radially expandable when pressurized by a fluid, such as water, but does not increase in length. The two layer construction of the hose assembly allows for storage in relatively compact spaces, similar flow rates, approximately one-half the weight, and improved maneuverability when compared to conventional hose constructions. In one embodiment the jacket is formed around the tube in a continuous process that welds a fabric, preferably using hot air, into the jacket. The welded joint forms a region of jacket that is preferably about twice the thickness of the rest of the jacket. This thicker region results in a stiffer section of jacket that makes the hose more controllable and consistent in use.

A coupling for a tube includes an attachment and a housing. The attachment is attached to the tube and has a barrel-shaped exterior surface. The housing contains the barrel-shaped exterior surface such that the attachment is rotatable in the housing while not being removable from the housing. The coupling thereby allows easy rotation of the tube within the coupling. The coupling may be utilized to attach the tube to another tube or to another structure.

A downpipe fitting for coupling between top and bottom ends of a downpipe. The downpipe fitting includes two parts connected together and rotatable relative to one another about a longitudinal axis thereof. The first part has an inlet, sized and shaped to couple with an outlet of a first section of the downpipe, above the downpipe fitting. The second part has an outlet which is sized and shaped to couple with an inlet of a second section of the downpipe, below the downpipe fitting. The inlet and outlet of the fitting define a flow path for rainwater therethrough. Rotation of the second section of downpipe below the downpipe fitting, about the longitudinal axis, is decoupled from the first section of downpipe above the downpipe fitting.