US3833176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drip emitter device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-07
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A drip emitter device for plant subsoil irrigation having a flexible tubular coupling into which a threaded control rod is slidably fitted. The interior surface of the resilient coupling is smaller than the outside diameter of the threads of the rod, resulting in a secure contact in a biased manner between the coupling and the rod to form a helical flow path. The coupling is transparent to allow observation of possible clogging within the threaded channel. The contact between the rod and the coupling is slideably adjustable. The drip rate exiting the emitter is controlled by the readily adjustable longitudinal position of the control rod within the flexible coupling. The control rod is removable from the coupling to allow easy and fast cleaning of the threaded channel.
Inventors
- 👤 K Caldwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A drip irrigation device comprising: a resilient coupling with a smooth surface and having one end connected to the fluid supply; and a grooved rod slideably biased with the other end of said coupling, said contact between said smooth surface of said coupling and said rod forming a channel for the flow of the fluid, the longitudinal connection between said rod and said coupling being adjustable to change the rate of flow of said fluid, said grooved rod having external threads, the outside diameter of said threads being greater than the inside diameter of said resilient coupling, resulting in a biased liquid seal of said coupling on said threads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A drip irrigation device comprising: a resilient coupling with a smooth surface and having one end connected to the fluid supply; and a grooved rod slideably biased with the other end of said coupling, said contact between said smooth surface of said coupling and said rod forming a channel for the flow of the fluid, the longitudinal connection between said rod and said coupling being adjustable to change the rate of flow of said fluid, said grooved rod having external threads, the outside diameter of said threads being greater than the inside diameter of said resilient coupling, resulting in a biased liquid seal of said coupling on said threads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said other end of said coupling is transparent to allow ready perception of possible clogging to said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slideably biased rod permits ready manual adjustment of said longitudinal connection between said rod and said coupling for variation of said flow rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rod is slideably removable from said coupling to allow ready cleaning of said rod when clogging occurs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling comprises a flexible and non-corrosive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rod comprises a non-corrosive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A plant irrigation valve for varying the emission of a liquid, said valve comprising: a resilient valve body connected to the liquid supply line, said valve body having a smooth cylindrical interior surface; and a threaded valve member slideably engaging said interior surface of said valve body, the apex of said threads in liquid seal contact with said interior surface of said valve body, said contact being the sole means for maintaining a predetermined longitudinal correlation between said threads and said interior surface providing a channel for flow of said liquid, said valve member having multi-longitudinal positions within said valve body, engaging the interior surface of said valve body in each such position, resulting in a variation of the flow rate of said liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A plant irrigation valve for varying the emission of a liquid, said valve comprising: a resilient valve body connected to the liquid supply line, said valve body having a smooth cylindrical interior surface; and a threaded valve member slideably engaging said interior surface of said valve body, the apex of said threads in liquid seal contact with said interior surface of said valve body, said contact being the sole means for maintaining a predetermined longitudinal correlation between said threads and said interior surface providing a channel for flow of said liquid, said valve member having multi-longitudinal positions within said valve body, engaging the interior surface of said valve body in each such position, resulting in a variation of the flow rate of said liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A plant irrigation emitter system for slow emission of a liquid, said system comprising: a branch line having one end connected to a liquid supply; a flexible coupling having an interior passageway of a first dimension in its unflexed condition and having a first end engaging the second end of said branch line; and a channel rod slideably engaged within the second end of said coupling, said engagement of said channel rod with said flexible coupling increasing said interior passageway to a second dimension larger than said first dimension forming a passage to create said slow emission from the flow from said liquid supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
A plant irrigation emitter system for slow emission of a liquid, said system comprising: a branch line having one end connected to a liquid supply; a flexible coupling having an interior passageway of a first dimension in its unflexed condition and having a first end engaging the second end of said branch line; and a channel rod slideably engaged within the second end of said coupling, said engagement of said channel rod with said flexible coupling increasing said interior passageway to a second dimension larger than said first dimension forming a passage to create said slow emission from the flow from said liquid supply.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plant irrigation emitter system as defined in claim 8, additionally comprising a pressure regulator connected to said liquid supply.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A drip irrigation device comprising a first and a second tubular member connected in axial alignment, said first tubular member having a channeled surface and said second tubular member having a smooth surface, said channeled surface and said smooth surface in juxtaposed relation with each other in said axial alignment connection forming a channel for the flow of a fluid, one of said first and second tubular members being of resilient material for holding said channeled surface and said smooth surface secure in a biased manner in said axial alignment connection in a biased manner along the axial surface contact between said first and second tubular members, one of said first and second tubular members having a larger exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the other of said first and second tubular member, wherein said larger exterior diameter member is received into said interior diameter member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A drip irrigation device comprising a first and a second tubular member connected in axial alignment, said first tubular member having a channeled surface and said second tubular member having a smooth surface, said channeled surface and said smooth surface in juxtaposed relation with each other in said axial alignment connection forming a channel for the flow of a fluid, one of said first and second tubular members being of resilient material for holding said channeled surface and said smooth surface secure in a biased manner in said axial alignment connection in a biased manner along the axial surface contact between said first and second tubular members, one of said first and second tubular members having a larger exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the other of said first and second tubular member, wherein said larger exterior diameter member is received into said interior diameter member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
A drip irrigation device comprising a first and second concentric member, said first member having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of said second member, forming a channel for the flow of a fluid, one of the inner and outer surfaces being threaded and the other of said inner and outer surfaces being smooth, one of said first and second members being resilient, said resilient member, through its resilience, assuring a seal along the contacting surface between said inner and outer surfaces, wherein the outer surface of said second member has an exterior diameter greater than the diameter of said inner surface of said first member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
A drip irrigation device comprising a first and second concentric member, said first member having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of said second member, forming a channel for the flow of a fluid, one of the inner and outer surfaces being threaded and the other of said inner and outer surfaces being smooth, one of said first and second members being resilient, said resilient member, through its resilience, assuring a seal along the contacting surface between said inner and outer surfaces, wherein the outer surface of said second member has an exterior diameter greater than the diameter of said inner surface of said first member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |