IRRIGATION SADDLE, ADAPTER, AND CAP

Abstract

What are disclosed are embodiments of a saddle, cap, and adapter for use in an irrigation system. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed inventive concepts utilize a dynamic seal that provides an improvement over prior known technology. In a preferred embodiment the adapter and cap are made to be removable so as to be easily changed or replaced.

Claims

1. An irrigation tee with adaptive mounting, comprising: an elongated saddle with a first end and a second end connected by a cylindrical saddle wall, at least one of either said first end or said second end being open and capable of being connected to an irrigation pipe an aperture in said saddle wall between said first end and said second end, said aperture providing fluid communication between the interior of said saddle and the exterior of said saddle; said saddle having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a flange surrounding said aperture and configured to accommodate attachment of an adapter; one or more adapters, each adapter having a saddle side and a mount side, said saddle side configured to attach to said flange, with said mount side having a mount configured for attachment of an irrigation accessory; said adapter further defining a port, said port aligned with said aperture such that said port is in fluid communication with the interior of said saddle, and one or more connectors configured to attach said adapter to said flange.

2. The irrigation tee with adaptive mounting of claim 1, wherein said mount defines an annular projection containing internal threading and external threading.

3. The irrigation tee with adaptive mounting of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical plug having a bottom end, a top end, and a hollow interior, said bottom end having external threading capable of engaging said internal threading of said mount, said top end having a smooth bore, and the exterior surface of said plug having contours to facilitate use of said plug.

4. The irrigation tee with adaptive mounting of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical plug with a bottom end, a top end, and a hollow interior, said bottom end having external threading capable of engaging said internal threading of said mount, said top end having internal threading, and the exterior surface of said plug having contours to facilitate use of said plug.

5. The irrigation tee with adaptive mounting of claim 1, wherein said adapter is metallic and said mount defines an opening with internal threading.

6. The irrigation tee with adaptive mounting of claim 1, wherein said adapter is plastic and said mount defines an opening with internal threading.

7. An irrigation tee, comprising: an elongated saddle with a first end and a second end connected by a cylindrical saddle wall, at least one of either said first end or said second end being open and capable of being connected to an irrigation pipe an aperture in said saddle wall between said first end and said second end, said aperture providing fluid communication between the interior of said saddle and the exterior of said saddle; the exterior of said saddle wall having a mount to which an irrigation accessory may be attached, said mount surrounding said aperture and defining a port, said port aligned with said aperture such that said port is in fluid communication with the interior of said saddle; and said mount further defining an annular projection containing internal and external threading.

8. An irrigation accessory comprising a cylindrical plug with a bottom end, a top end, and a hollow interior, said bottom end having external threading capable of engaging internal threading of an irrigation saddle, said bottom end further having a dedicated circumferential channel containing a dynamic O-ring capable of producing a watertight seal upon installation of said plug, said top end having internal threading, the exterior surface of said plug having contours to facilitate use of said plug.

9. The irrigation accessory of claim 8 wherein said top end lacks internal threading and has a smooth bore interior.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the saddle 10 with plastic adapter 20 defining a male mount 22 compatible with an irrigation accessory having female-type threading (not shown). The saddle 10 has a first end 13 and a second end 15 to which may be attached irrigation pipe (not shown). FIG. 1 reveals the flange 12 of the saddle, which is positioned around an aperture 11 in the wall of the saddle 10. Also shown are the channels 14 of the saddle and channel openings 16 through which may be inserted the flexible key (not shown) to join the saddle 10 to an irrigation pipe. The plastic adapter 20 is attached to the flange 12 using screws 30 as connectors. The plastic adapter 20 has a saddle side 22 and a mount side 24. The mount side 24 contains a male mount 22 with external threading 26. The male mount 22 defines a port 18 that is in fluid communication with the interior of the saddle 10. FIG. 1 also shows the optional seal 19 positioned between the flange 12 and plastic adapter 20.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saddle 10 with an installed metal adapter 40 with a female mount 42. The female mount is attached to the flange 12 using screws 30.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the saddle 10 with an installed plastic adapter 50 with a female mount 52. The plastic adapter 50 is attached to the flange 12 using screws 30.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a saddle 10 with an integrated circular mount 60 containing both internal threading 62 and external threading 64, and a compatible plug 70 with external threading 72 on the bottom end of the plug 70. The top end of the plug 70 includes a smooth bore 74 to which may be secured an irrigation accessory, such as a riser (not shown). FIG. 4 also depicts the O-ring seal 76 positioned between the plug 70 and mount 60. In the preferred embodiment, this O-ring seal 76 is positioned within a dedicated channel 78 (not shown) located above the external threading on the lower portion of the plug.

[0016] FIG. 5. is a cross section view of the saddle 10 with an integrated mount 60 with a plug 70 installed within the mount 60 via complementary threading. FIG. 5 reveals the placement of the O-ring seal 76 within a dedicated channel 78 above the external threading on the bottom end of the plug 70. FIG. 5 also shows the smooth bore 74 of the top end of the plug 70.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the saddle 10 with an integrated mount 60 with a plug 70 installed within the mount 60 via complementary threading. The top end of the plug 70 of FIG. 6 includes female threading 80 for attachment of an irrigation accessory with male threading, such as a sprinkler riser.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the preferred invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a cap and saddle assembly 82. The cap includes an inner channel 86 into which a riser or sprinkler tubing is placed. The inner channel can be threaded or smooth as illustrated. The inner channel includes an shoulder or seat 84 onto which a riser is seated when inserted into the channel 86. The shoulder extends downward as an annular flange 90 that extends downward when the cap is attached to a flange 91 of a irrigation connector or saddle. The shoulder includes a channel 96 in which an o-ring is positioned. The o-ring serves as a dynamic seal that prevents liquid from escaping around the flange 91 and between the shoulder and first annular flange 88. The inner channel 86 provides a continuous channel for water flow to pass from the connector to an irrigation mechanism. The flange 91 of the saddle includes male and female threads in the depicted embodiment, but can be manufactured to lack threading at the depicted female threads. The male threads 89 of the saddle flange 91 are configured to made with the female threads of the first annular ring. The first annular ring, the inner channel, and the shoulder are generally coaxial rings.

[0019] While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described herein, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.