Patent US4000620A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4000620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gravitational irrigation system and method of installing
Assignee: NU-FLEX IRRIGATION COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-06
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Granted: 1977-01-04
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Expires: 1994-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A gravitational irrigation system is disclosed which uses preformed, water-impervious, flexible, collapsible, plastic tubing as a replacement for an open ditch. The tubing is laid in a shallow trench along the area to be irrigated and held in place by mounds of soil thrown on the top thereof. Annular apertures are cut in the tubing at intervals where exit of water is desired. Flexible, annular, open-ended spigots having a flanged end of greater diameter than the diameter of the body of the spigot are inserted, flange end first, into the apertures to form a laterally extending spigot from the tubing. The body of the spigot has an outer diameter approximating the diameter of the cut in the tubing. The flange of the spigot substantially seals against water leakage between the tubing and the flange of the spigot. Each spigot includes a raised annular ridge extending around the outer circumference of the body thereof which mates with a corresponding raised annular ridge extending around the internal circumference of a matching closed-end cap, the cap sealing the opening in the spigots.
Inventors
- 👤 Merle M. Burge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:31
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A gravity-flow irrigation system for irrigating a field of arbitrarily spaced furrows, comprising: water-impervious, flexible, preformed tubing extending along the ground at arbitrary angles with respect to said furrows adjacent the area to be irrigated, one end of the tubing being secured to a source of water and the other end being restricted to control exit of water, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures cut in the tubing after the tubing has been laid along the ground, each of said aperatures being positioned adjacent one of said furrows, and open-ended, annular, laterally disposed outlet spigots in each of the cut apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A gravity-flow irrigation system for irrigating a field of arbitrarily spaced furrows, comprising: water-impervious, flexible, preformed tubing extending along the ground at arbitrary angles with respect to said furrows adjacent the area to be irrigated, one end of the tubing being secured to a source of water and the other end being restricted to control exit of water, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures cut in the tubing after the tubing has been laid along the ground, each of said aperatures being positioned adjacent one of said furrows, and open-ended, annular, laterally disposed outlet spigots in each of the cut apertures.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of irrigating a field containing a plurality of arbitrarily spaced furrows using a water-impervious, flexible, preformed tubing, comprising: digging a shallow trench adjacent the area where the flexible tubing is to be extended for irrigation, said trench intersecting a plurality of said furrows at arbitrary angles, laying the tubing in the shallow trench, retaining the tubing in the trench, cutting annular openings in the tubing at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the distance between said furrows so that water exits from the tubing adjacent said furrows, inserting an open-ended outlet spigot in each of the apertures, providing a head of water, connecting one end of the tubing to said water, and restricting the opposite end of the tubing to control exit of water.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of irrigating a field containing a plurality of arbitrarily spaced furrows using a water-impervious, flexible, preformed tubing, comprising: digging a shallow trench adjacent the area where the flexible tubing is to be extended for irrigation, said trench intersecting a plurality of said furrows at arbitrary angles, laying the tubing in the shallow trench, retaining the tubing in the trench, cutting annular openings in the tubing at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the distance between said furrows so that water exits from the tubing adjacent said furrows, inserting an open-ended outlet spigot in each of the apertures, providing a head of water, connecting one end of the tubing to said water, and restricting the opposite end of the tubing to control exit of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2, further including the step of adjusting the distribution of irrigation water by selectively placing caps over the spigots as desired to prevent exit of water therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2, further including the step of adjusting the distribution of irrigation water by selectively removing said spigots from said openings and replacing said removed spigots with spigots having openings of differing area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said spigot is tapered and its larger end forms an outwardly extending flange, and wherein said step of inserting an open-ended spigot consists of forcing said larger end through the opening and withdrawing the spigot until the flange contacts the inside surface of the tubing encircling the opening whereby the spigot is held in place by the pressure of the water bearing against the flange.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |