Patent US3838713A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3838713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer tube and connection
Assignee: TU CO Inc
•
Filing: 1972-10-10
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1992-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A tube structure for transmitting fluids from one unit to another, such as a fill opening unit to a water tank in a mobile home or recreational vehicle, the tube structure including a series of sections consisting of a convoluted flexible portion and connecting elements at the ends of said convoluted portion for receiving a cylindrical gasket which seats over a nipple or stem on the tank or filler unit. The sections are so constructed that they may be used in conjunction with other sections formed integrally therewith or cut from said other sections to form a lesser number of sections or a single section tube. A connecting element with the gasket is joined to the nipple or stem by merely slipping the element and gasket firmly onto the nipple or stem without the use of any clamping means or calking compound.
Inventors
- 👤 B Tubbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/11; F16L11/111; F16L11/118; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A tube structure having a plurality of end connection elements for transmitting fluid from one unit to another, said units having a stem extending therefrom for connection with the tube structure, said end connection elements selectively formed into joint elements comprising a series of similar connected sections of relatively rigid plastic material integrally joined to one another, each section having a convoluted portion for facilitating flexing of the section, and the joint forming elements being of a cylindrical shape and substantially rigid construction and disposed at opposite ends of said convoluted portion, the joint forming elements integrally connected to and severable from the joint forming element of the adjacent tube section of said series and each of said integrally connected joint forming elements having a rib at the end thereof adjacent to the next succeediNg element section, and an annular portion disposed between the adjacent ribs for defining the area to be cut when the two sections are separated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A tube structure having a plurality of end connection elements for transmitting fluid from one unit to another, said units having a stem extending therefrom for connection with the tube structure, said end connection elements selectively formed into joint elements comprising a series of similar connected sections of relatively rigid plastic material integrally joined to one another, each section having a convoluted portion for facilitating flexing of the section, and the joint forming elements being of a cylindrical shape and substantially rigid construction and disposed at opposite ends of said convoluted portion, the joint forming elements integrally connected to and severable from the joint forming element of the adjacent tube section of said series and each of said integrally connected joint forming elements having a rib at the end thereof adjacent to the next succeediNg element section, and an annular portion disposed between the adjacent ribs for defining the area to be cut when the two sections are separated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tube structure as defined in claim 1 in which a seal is disposed in each joint- forming element on each end of a selected length of tube section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tube structure as defined in claim 2 in which said seal consists of a hollow cylindrical portion seating in the joint forming element and having an enlarged outer end providing a shoulder for seating against the end of the element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tube structure as defined in claim 1 in which said convoluted portion consists of a series of internal and external annular ribs and grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A tube structure as defined in claim 1 in which the tube is constructed of relatively rigid but flexible plastic material and the convoluted portion and connecting joint forming elements are formed integrally to one another to form a continuous tube structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US377776A
Cited
US559305A
Cited
US1783605A
Cited
US2032492A
Cited
FR800415A
Cited
US3234969A
Cited
US3269754A
Cited
US3349805A
Cited
US3409224A
Cited
US3640312A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |