US5415436A — High pressuure coupling for plastic pipe and cond…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 318 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a smooth flexible inner liner connected with an inner surface of the valley portions to define a smooth, cylindrical interior fluid carrying surface, annular chambers being defined between the inner liner and each peak portion, under internal fluid pressure, the liner is urged into the annular chambers urging the valleys to move toward each other reducing a width of the peaks which urges the corrugated tubing length to shorten which shortening of the corrugated tubing length is resisted by back fill in the valley portions; a bell having an open end into which an end of the corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical interior surface; a gasket received in one of the corrugation valley portions adjacent an end of the corrugated tubing length, the gasket being resiliently biased to project outward beyond an outer diameter of the peak portions and an inner diameter of the bell cylindrical interior surface, the internal fluid pressure pushes fluid around the tubing end and against the gasket causing the gasket to function as a piston urging the corrugated tubing length to contract and urging the tubing end out of the bell, the valleys adjacent the tubing end which are received in the bell being shielded by the bell from receiving backfill which resists shortening; and a plurality of latch elements disposed circumferentially around the side wall and extending inward from the cylindrical interior surface, each of the latch elements extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall to inhibit the end of the tubing length from pulling out of sealing contact with the coupler bell.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 318 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a smooth flexible inner liner connected with an inner surface of the valley portions to define a smooth, cylindrical interior fluid carrying surface, annular chambers being defined between the inner liner and each peak portion, under internal fluid pressure, the liner is urged into the annular chambers urging the valleys to move toward each other reducing a width of the peaks which urges the corrugated tubing length to shorten which shortening of the corrugated tubing length is resisted by back fill in the valley portions; a bell having an open end into which an end of the corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical interior surface; a gasket received in one of the corrugation valley portions adjacent an end of the corrugated tubing length, the gasket being resiliently biased to project outward beyond an outer diameter of the peak portions and an inner diameter of the bell cylindrical interior surface, the internal fluid pressure pushes fluid around the tubing end and against the gasket causing the gasket to function as a piston urging the corrugated tubing length to contract and urging the tubing end out of the bell, the valleys adjacent the tubing end which are received in the bell being shielded by the bell from receiving backfill which resists shortening; and a plurality of latch elements disposed circumferentially around the side wall and extending inward from the cylindrical interior surface, each of the latch elements extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall to inhibit the end of the tubing length from pulling out of sealing contact with the coupler bell.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 42 words

The tubing coupling system as set in claim 1 further including: a stop for limiting receipt of the end of the tubing length of corrugated tubing into the bell, the gasket being received in an integer numbered valley portions from the stop.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 41 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the latch elements are disposed an integer number of valley portions further from the stop than the gasket such that the latch elements are received in another tubing valley portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the latch elements are disposed between the bell open end and the gasket.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the latch elements are hingedly connected with the cylindrical side walls such that the latch elements are pivotable radially outward when engaged by the tubing peak portions to facilitate receipt of the length of corrugated tubing.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 63 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the latch elements each include: a cam surface which engages peak portions of the received length of corrugated tubing and is cammed radially outward thereby; and a corrugation engaging wall which is received in a corrugation valley portion and engages adjacent peak portion to lock the length of corrugated tubing against withdrawal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each latch element and the bell cylindrical wall are integrally constructed of plastic, the plastic defining a resilient hinge at an interface between the latch element and the bell cylindrical side wall and further including a cut extending from the hinge, around the latch element, and back to the hinge.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 308 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a smooth inner liner connected with an inner surface of the valley portions to define a smooth cylindrical interior fluid carrying surface, annular chambers being defined between the inner liner and each peak portion, under internal fluid pressure, the liner is urged into the annular chambers urging the valleys to move toward each other reducing a width of the peaks which urges the corrugated tubing length to shorten which shortening of the corrugated tubing length is resisted by back fill in the valley portions; a bell having an open end into which the corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical interior surface; a gasket receiving valley portion of the corrugated tubing length receiving a gasket which is resiliently biased to project outward beyond an outer diameter of the peak portions and an inner diameter of the bell cylindrical interior surface, the internal fluid pressure pushes fluid around the tubing end and against the gasket causing the gasket to function as a piston urging the corrugated tubing length to contract and urging the tubing end out of the bell, the valleys adjacent the tubing end which are received in the bell being shielded by the bell from receiving backfill which resists shortening; and a plurality of latch elements disposed circumferentially around the side wall and extending inward from the cylindrical interior surface, each of the latch elements extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall to inhibit the end of the tubing length from pulling out of sealing contact with the coupler bell.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 308 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a smooth inner liner connected with an inner surface of the valley portions to define a smooth cylindrical interior fluid carrying surface, annular chambers being defined between the inner liner and each peak portion, under internal fluid pressure, the liner is urged into the annular chambers urging the valleys to move toward each other reducing a width of the peaks which urges the corrugated tubing length to shorten which shortening of the corrugated tubing length is resisted by back fill in the valley portions; a bell having an open end into which the corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical interior surface; a gasket receiving valley portion of the corrugated tubing length receiving a gasket which is resiliently biased to project outward beyond an outer diameter of the peak portions and an inner diameter of the bell cylindrical interior surface, the internal fluid pressure pushes fluid around the tubing end and against the gasket causing the gasket to function as a piston urging the corrugated tubing length to contract and urging the tubing end out of the bell, the valleys adjacent the tubing end which are received in the bell being shielded by the bell from receiving backfill which resists shortening; and a plurality of latch elements disposed circumferentially around the side wall and extending inward from the cylindrical interior surface, each of the latch elements extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall to inhibit the end of the tubing length from pulling out of sealing contact with the coupler bell.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 8 further including: a stop for limiting receipt of the tubing length into the bell; and a gasket receiving groove defined an integer number of corrugation peak and valley portions from the stop.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 47 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the latch elements are disposed between the bell open end and the annular gasket receiving groove, and the annular gasket receiving groove is defined in the bell cylindrical wall between the stop and the latch elements.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the annular gasket receiving groove is disposed an integer number of corrugations from the stop such that said gasket received in one of the valley portions aligns with the gasket receiving groove when the end of the corrugated tubing length abuts the stop.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 210 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner liner and each peak portion; a bell having: an open end into which the corrugated tubing length is received, a generally cylindrical side wall having a generally cylindrical interior surface, a stop for limiting receipt of the tubing length into the bell, an annular gasket receiving groove defined in and extending peripherally around the cylindrical interior surface, the gasket receiving groove being a first integer number of corrugation valley portions from the stop such that a gasket receiving valley portions is aligned with the gasket receiving groove, and a plurality of radially inward projecting, latch elements disposed a second integer number of valley portions from the stop, the latch elements being disposed circumferentially around the cylindrical side wall, each latch element extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall, the second integer number being larger than the first integer number.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 210 words

A tubing coupling system comprising: a length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner liner and each peak portion; a bell having: an open end into which the corrugated tubing length is received, a generally cylindrical side wall having a generally cylindrical interior surface, a stop for limiting receipt of the tubing length into the bell, an annular gasket receiving groove defined in and extending peripherally around the cylindrical interior surface, the gasket receiving groove being a first integer number of corrugation valley portions from the stop such that a gasket receiving valley portions is aligned with the gasket receiving groove, and a plurality of radially inward projecting, latch elements disposed a second integer number of valley portions from the stop, the latch elements being disposed circumferentially around the cylindrical side wall, each latch element extending into one of the corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall, the second integer number being larger than the first integer number.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 89 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a gasket received in the gasket receiving corrugation valley portion adjacent an end of the corrugated tubing length, the gasket having an outward projecting flange, the flange being resiliently biased to project outward beyond an outer diameter of the peak portions and an inner diameter of the bell cylindrical wall, the flange portion being compressible into the gasket receiving groove as the corrugated tubing length is received into the bell, such that the gasket resists axial decoupling.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 61 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the latch elements and the bell cylindrical side wall are integrally constructed of plastic, the plastic defining a resilient hinge at an interface between each latch element and the bell cylindrical wall and further including a cut extending from the hinge, around the latch element, and back to the hinge.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 63 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the latch elements each include: a cam surface which engages peak portions of the received tubing length and is cammed radially outward thereby; and a corrugation engaging wall which is received in a corrugation valley portion and engages an adjacent side wall to lock the length of corrugated tubing length against withdrawal.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The tubing coupling system as set forth in claim 14 wherein a tab portion is defined between each cut and latch element opposite to the hinge.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 221 words

Coupling system comprising: a first length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner liner and each peak portion; a second length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner wall and each peak portion; a bell welded to peak portions of the second tubing length adjacent an end thereof, the bell having an open end into which the first corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall having a generally cylindrical interior surface, the cylindrical side wall defining an annular gasket receiving groove peripherally around the cylindrical interior surface, and radially inward extending latch elements circumferentially therearound, each latch element extending into one of the first corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall, the latch elements axially spaced from said gasket receiving groove and being closer to the bell open end than the gasket receiving groove.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 221 words

Coupling system comprising: a first length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner liner and each peak portion; a second length of corrugated tubing having a corrugated side wall defined by alternating, annular peak and valley portions and a cylindrical inner wall connected with an inner surface of the valley portions, annular chambers being defined between the cylindrical inner wall and each peak portion; a bell welded to peak portions of the second tubing length adjacent an end thereof, the bell having an open end into which the first corrugated tubing length is received and a generally cylindrical side wall having a generally cylindrical interior surface, the cylindrical side wall defining an annular gasket receiving groove peripherally around the cylindrical interior surface, and radially inward extending latch elements circumferentially therearound, each latch element extending into one of the first corrugated tubing valley portions and engaging a side wall thereof for transferring axial uncoupling forces from the first length of corrugated tubing to the bell cylindrical side wall, the latch elements axially spaced from said gasket receiving groove and being closer to the bell open end than the gasket receiving groove.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-05-15	1998-11-14	1999-05-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-05-15	2002-11-14	2003-05-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-05-15	2006-11-14	2007-05-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

High pressuure coupling for plastic pipe and conduit

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