Pipe saddle tee for an irrigation system

Abstract

T-shaped pipe saddle tee (100) for an irrigation system comprising a collar (110) comprising a curvilinear wall (111) which forms two edges (112) and a through opening (113), at least two semi-tubes (120) protruding from the two edges (112) of the collar (110), a cap (130) adapted to screw with said at least two semi-tubes (120) and comprising a hollow cylindrical portion (140) comprising a tip-shaped extension (142) and a through opening (144), a semi- tubular adapter (10) adapted to pass from a configuration separated from said collar (110) to a configuration housed in said collar (110), comprising an inner concave surface (11) and an outer convex surface (12), at least three ribs (21, 22) radially protruding from the outer convex surface (12), wherein a central rib (22) of said at least three ribs (21, 22) is configured to be disposed at said hollow cylindrical portion (140).

Description

[0001] PIPE SADDLE TEE FOR AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

[0002] The present invention refers to a pipe saddle tee for an irrigation system.

[0003] As is known, irrigation systems comprise flexible tubes within which water from a water supply network flows, and irrigators in fluid communication with such tubes .

[0004] There are offtake assemblies as that described in US7150289B2 allowing to embrace a first tube, pierce it, and introduce a second tube in water flow communication with the first tube.

[0005] Disadvantageously , a collar of the pipe saddle tee which embraces the first tube of a determined diameter cannot embrace also another first tube of a smaller diameter, therefore there is a need to have a suitable pipe saddle tee for each tube diameter resulting in material waste and cost increase.

[0006] Disadvantageously, the pipe saddle tee comprises flexible locking elements between a cap and a collar, so much that they do not allow a long-lasting locking as they could accidentally flex, for example, during operations of connecting the pipe saddle tee to the irrigator of the irrigation system, thus invalidating a sealing between the pipe saddle tee and the tubes of the irrigation system.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to make a pipe saddle tee which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and particularly that of using both tubes of a greater diameter and tubes of a smaller diameter with the same pipe saddle tee.

[0008] In accordance with the invention, such object is achieved by a pipe saddle tee according to claim 1.

[0009] Another object of the present invention consists in making a process to ensure that the same pipe saddle tee can mount both tubes of a greater diameter and tubes of a smaller diameter and the above-mentioned drawbacks are overcome.

[0010] In accordance with the invention, such other object is achieved by a process for adapting a pipe saddle tee for a first tube of a greater diameter to a first tube of a smaller diameter as set forth in claim 8.

[0011] The features and advantages of a pipe saddle tee for a tubing of an irrigation system according to the present invention will be more apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description referred to the attached schematic drawings in which:

[0012] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe saddle tee for an irrigation system according to the present invention;

[0013] - figure 2 is a first side view of the pipe saddle tee of figure 1;

[0014] - figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III- III of the pipe saddle tee of figure 2;

[0015] - figure 4 is a second side view of the pipe saddle tee of figure 1;

[0016] - figure 5 is a top view of the pipe saddle tee of figure 1;

[0017] - figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pipe saddle tee of figure 1.

[0018] With reference to the figures, a T-shaped pipe saddle tee 100 for an irrigation system is shown.

[0019] The irrigation system comprises at least one first tube in flow communication with the water supply network and at least one second tube adapted to be put in flow communication with said at least one first tube and adapted to be put in flow communication with irrigators of the irrigation system.

[0020] The pipe saddle tee 100 is also referred to as offtake clamp or pipe saddle tee in English.

[0021] For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, in the present description reference will be made to a first geometric axis X along a first tube and to a second geometric axis Y along a second tube of the irrigation system, and to an orientation of the pipe saddle tee 100 as particularly shown in figure 5.

[0022] The pipe saddle tee 100 comprises a tubular-shaped collar 110 adapted to embrace the first tube extending along the first geometric axis X.

[0023] The collar 110 comprises a curvilinear wall 111 cut along a line parallel to the first geometric axis X which forms two edges 112 of the curvilinear wall 111 which face each other and a through opening 113. In other words, the through opening 113 is defined by the free edges 112 constituting ends of the curvilinear wall 111.

[0024] The collar 110 is adapted to pass from an open configuration allowing the first tube to be inserted within the collar 110 passing through the through opening 113, to a closed configuration providing that the curvilinear wall 111 embraces such first tube.

[0025] The pipe saddle tee 100 comprises two semi-tubes 120 protruding from the two edges 112 of the collar 110 along directions parallel to the second geometric axis Y, wherein the second geometric axis Y forms an angle of 90 degrees with the first geometric axis X, as shown in figures .

[0026] In more detail, the two semi-tubes 120 protrude from the two edges 112 so as not to intersect the plane to which the through opening 113 belongs and the first geometric axis X.

[0027] Each semi-tube 120 of the two semi-tubes 120 comprises a curvilinear wall 121 comprising an inner surface 123 and a threaded outer surface 122.

[0028] When the collar 110 passes from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the two semitubes 120 move away from each other causing the through opening 113 to widen, as the collar 110 is made of flexible material.

[0029] When the collar 110 passes from the open configuration to the closed configuration, instead, the two semi-tubes 120 move close to each other.

[0030] Preferably, each semi-tube 120 comprises a guide inner wall 124 transverse with respect to the second geometric axis Y configured to accommodate the first tube when the collar 110 passes from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

[0031] Still more preferably, the guide inner walls 124 of the semi-tubes 120 make a "V" therebetween when the collar 110 is in the closed configuration.

[0032] Furthermore, the pipe saddle tee 100 comprises a cap 130 comprising a curvilinear wall 131 comprising a threaded inner surface 135 adapted to screw with the outer surface 122 of the two semi-tubes 120.

[0033] Indeed, the cap 130 is adapted to pass from a configuration separated from the two semi-tubes 120 to a configuration screwed with the two semi-tubes 120. In more detail, the separated configuration of the cap 130 provides that the collar 110 can pass to the open configuration, while the screwed configuration of the cap 130 provides that the inner surface 135 of the cap 130 is screwed with the outer surface 122 of the two semi-tubes 120 and that the collar 110 remains in closed configuration.

[0034] The threaded inner surface 135 of the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 has a thread complementary to the thread of the threaded outer surface 122 of the semi-tubes 120. When the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration, the two threads are disposed at each other so as to make the screwing of the cap 130 with the at least two semi-tubes 120 and prevent the collar 110 from returning to the open configuration, namely the semi-tubes 120 can extend away from each other.

[0035] Furthermore, the cap 130 comprises a hollow cylindrical portion 140 protruding within such cap 130 and is adapted to extend within the inner surface 123 of the two semi-tubes 120.

[0036] In other words, the threaded inner surface 135 of the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 faces the hollow cylindrical portion 140 identifying a free space in which the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 is adapted to insert when the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration .

[0037] Furthermore, the hollow cylindrical portion 140 comprises an inner surface 141 adapted to house the second tube extending along the second geometric axis Y.

[0038] Preferably, such inner surface 141 is corrugated.

[0039] The hollow cylindrical portion 140 comprises a tip-shaped extension 142 comprising an end portion 143 comprising a through opening 144 in flow communication with the inner surface 141 of the hollow cylindrical portion 140. The tip-shaped extension 142 extends externally to such hollow cylindrical portion 140, and the end portion 142 is disposed along the second geometric axis Y.

[0040] The cap 130, passing from the separated configuration to the screwed configuration, provides that the tip-shaped extension 142 perforates a wall of the first tube, while the screwed configuration of such cap 130 provides that the at least one end portion 143 of the tip-shaped extension 142 is within the first tube .

[0041] The pipe saddle tee 100 is characterized by comprising a semi-tubular adapter 10 adapted to pass from a configuration separated from the collar 110 to a configuration housed with the collar 110.

[0042] The adapter 10 extends radially between two upper edges 13 thus constituting the radial development ends of the adapter 10 with respect to the first geometric axis X.

[0043] The separated configuration of the adapter 10 from the collar 110 allows the collar 110 to embrace the first tube of a greater diameter, while the housed configuration of the adapter 10 within the collar 110 allows the collar 110 to embrace the first tube of a smaller diameter.

[0044] Furthermore, the adapter 10 comprises an inner concave surface 11 and an outer convex surface 12.

[0045] The adapter 10 comprises at least three ribs 21, 22 radially protruding from the outer convex surface 12.

[0046] In more detail, two side ribs 21 of the at least three ribs 21, 22 protrude from ends of the outer convex surface 12, while a central rib 22 of the at least three ribs 21, 22 is configured to be disposed at the at least one end portion 143 of the hollow cylindrical portion 140 when the adapter 10 is in the housed configuration.

[0047] Ends of the outer convex surface 12 mean the longitudinal ends of the adapter 10.

[0048] When the adapter 10 is in the housed configuration, the at least three ribs 21, 22 are disposed in contact with an inner surface of the curvilinear wall 111 of the collar 110.

[0049] Preferably, a geometric chord 30 of the adapter 10 is smaller in dimension than a diameter D of the collar 110 in closed configuration.

[0050] Diameter D means the maximum distance between two points of the collar 110 belonging to the inner surface of the collar 110.

[0051] Indeed, the geometric chord 30 of the adapter 10 is defined as a distance between the two upper edges 13 of the adapter 10. In such case, when the adapter 10 is housed in the collar 110 and the collar 110 is in the closed configuration, the latter tends to remain in the closed configuration since the pushing force exerted by the two upper edges 13 on the curvilinear wall 111 of the collar 110 is smaller than the case in which the geometric chord 30 is substantially equal to the diameter D.

[0052] Preferably, the radial extent of the ribs 21, 22 at the upper edges 13 of the adapter 10 is smaller than the radial extent of the ribs 21, 22 between the upper edges 13.

[0053] Preferably, the adapter 10 comprises fixing elements 23. In such case, the collar 110 comprises fixing elements 114 adapted to be fixed together with such fixing elements 23 of the adapter 10 to hold the adapter 10 in housed configuration.

[0054] Advantageously, the adapter 10 remains in the housed configuration after being inserted in the collar 110, namely when the collar 110 is in the closed configuration, or when the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration .

[0055] Still more preferably, the fixing elements 23 of the adapter 10 comprise a fixing protrusion extending from the outer convex surface 12. Furthermore, the fixing elements 114 comprise a recess made on the curvilinear wall 111. In such case, the fixing protrusion is mounted with the recess when the adapter 10 is in the housed configuration.

[0056] Preferably, the cap 130 comprises a screwing element 150 adapted to allow the cap 130 to pass from the separated configuration of such cap 130 to the screwed configuration.

[0057] In more detail, the screwing element 150 comprises screwing protrusions 151 extending radially externally to the cap 130 with respect to the second geometric axis Y allowing a user to rotate the cap 130 with respect to such second geometric axis Y.

[0058] Furthermore, the screwing element 150 is configured to put in flow communication the hollow cylindrical portion 140 with the second tube.

[0059] Preferably, the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 comprises a plurality of battlements 134 intercalated with a plurality of through recesses 132. Each battlement 134 comprises an inner wall 133 facing the respective through recess 132. At least one of the two semi-tubes 120 comprises a locking protrusion 160 extending radially outwards from the outer surface 122.

[0060] Preferably, the locking protrusion 160 comprises a joint surface 162 jointed to such outer surface 122.

[0061] The locking protrusion 160 comprises an abutting wall 161 adapted to abut with the inner wall 133 of one of the battlements 134 when the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration.

[0062] Preferably, in the contact point between the abutting wall 161 and the joint surface 162, the plane tangent to the abutting wall 161 does not coincide with the plane tangent to the joint surface 162.

[0063] The inner wall 133 is adapted to abut on the abutting wall 161 when the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration so as to prevent the cap 130 from passing from the screwed configuration to the separated configuration of such cap 130.

[0064] In more detail, while the cap is passing from the separated configuration to the screwed configuration, the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 runs on the locking protrusion 160 from the joint with the outer surface 122 of the semi-tube 120 to the abutting wall 161 without being locked thereby. When the cap 130 is in the screwed configuration, at the time that the through recess 132 is at the locking protrusion 160, the inner wall 133 abuts with the abutting wall 161, thus preventing the cap 130 from rotating with respect to the two semi-tubes 120 in a direction opposite to the screwing rotation, namely the rotation of the cap 130 when passing from the separated configuration of such cap 130 to the screwed configuration.

[0065] In order to allow the cap 130 to be unscrewed, and thus to allow the cap 130 to pass from the screwed configuration to the separated configuration of such cap 130, there is a need to force the respective battlement 134 having the abutting wall 133 in contact with the abutting wall 161 of the protrusion 160.

[0066] Alternatively, the second geometric axis Y is between 60 and 90 sexagesimal degrees with the first geometric axis X.

[0067] Alternatively, the pipe saddle tee 100 comprises a plurality of semi-tubes 120 protruding from the two edges 112 of the collar 110 along directions parallel to the second geometric axis Y.

[0068] Alternatively, the inner surface 141 of the hollow cylindrical portion 140 is of such a shape to create a friction with the second tube to hold it in position.

[0069] Alternatively, the adapter 10 comprises a plurality of ribs 21, 22.

[0070] Advantageously, the pipe saddle tee 100 overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the prior art and particularly allows both tubes of a greater diameter and tubes of a smaller diameter to be used with the same pipe saddle tee 100.

[0071] The present invention also relates to a process for adapting the pipe saddle tee 100 for a first tube of a greater diameter to a first tube of a smaller diameter .

[0072] The process comprises:

[0073] - a first step of housing the adapter 10 in the housing configuration of the collar 110

[0074] - a second step of inserting the first tube of a smaller diameter than the first tube of a greater diameter within the collar 110 in open configuration,

[0075] - a third step of closing the collar 110 wherein the cap 130 mounting said second tube passes from such separated configuration to such screwed configuration.

[0076] After the first housing step, namely after the adapter 10 is housed within the collar 110 so as to be in the housed configuration, we pass to the second step of inserting the first tube of a smaller diameter than the first tube of a greater diameter within the collar 110 in open configuration. For this reason, the two semi-tubes 120 are moved away from each other for inserting the first tube in the collar 110.

[0077] At this point, the first tube is embraced by the collar 110 such that such first tube is in contact with the inner concave surface 11 of the adapter 10. When the first tube is within the collar 110 but such collar 110 is not yet in the closed configuration, namely during a terminal step of the collar 110 passing from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the two semi-tubes 120 approach each other, until the collar 110 reaches the closed configuration.

[0078] At this point, since the adapter 10 is in the housed configuration, the first tube is inserted in the collar 110 which is in the closed configuration in which it embraces the first tube and is in contact with the inner convex surface 11 of the adapter 10, we pass to the third step of closing the collar 110.

[0079] For this reason, the cap 130 passes from the separated configuration to the screwed configuration so that the collar 110 remains in the closed configuration and the first tube does not come out from the collar 110 or does not move from the inner concave surface 11 of the adapter 10.

[0080] Furthermore, when passing from the separated configuration to the screwed configuration of the cap 130, as the thread of the threaded inner surface 135 of the curvilinear wall 131 of the cap 130 arrives at the thread of the threaded outer surface 122 of the at least two semi-tubes 120, the tip-shaped extension 142 approaches the first tube until perforating a wall of such first tube.

[0081] Advantageously, the first tube is placed in flow communication with the second tube via the through opening 144. For this reason, since the central rib 22 of the adapter 10 is disposed at the at least one end portion 143, at the time that the tip-shaped extension 142 perforates the first tube, the latter is not compressed or moved together with the adapter 10 approaching the curvilinear wall 111 of the collar 110, ensuring that the tip-shaped extension 142 perforates the first tube effectively avoiding that the first tube flexes and avoiding frictions which could result in load losses or that an ineffective sealing is made.

[0082] In this way, the first tube is not placed in flow communication with the collar 110 but only with the hollow cylindrical portion 140 via the through opening 144.

[0083] Advantageously, due to the adapter 10, the same pipe saddle tee 100 with a first tube of a smaller diameter than a first tube of a greater diameter, however ensuring an effective and long-lasting sealing, can be used.

[0084] Advantageously, the process for ensuring that the same pipe saddle tee 100 can mount both tubes of a greater diameter and tubes of a smaller diameter overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the prior art.

[0085] The features of the pipe saddle tee 100 for an irrigation system and of the process for adapting the pipe saddle tee 100 for a first tube of a greater diameter to a first tube of a smaller diameter being the object of the present invention are clear from the description made, as well as the related advantages are clear .

[0086] Finally, it is clear that the pipe saddle tee 100, an irrigation system and the process for adapting the pipe saddle tee 100 for a first tube of a greater diameter to a first tube of a smaller diameter thus conceived are susceptible of a number of modifications and variants, all falling within the invention; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

[0087] In practice, the used materials, as well as the size, can be any depending on the technical requirements .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Pipe saddle tee (100) for an irrigation system comprising a tubular-shaped collar (110) adapted to embrace a first tube extending along a first geometric axis (X) , wherein said collar (110) comprises a curvilinear wall (111) cut along a line parallel to said first geometric axis (X) which forms two edges (112) of the curvilinear wall (111) which face each other and a through opening (113) , wherein said collar (110) is adapted to pass from an open configuration allowing the first tube to be inserted within the collar (110) passing through said through opening (113) , to a closed configuration providing that the curvilinear wall (111) embraces said first tube, at least two semi-tubes (120) protruding from the two edges (112) of the collar (110) along directions parallel to a second geometric axis (Y) , wherein said second geometric axis (Y) forms an angle between 60 and 90 sexagesimal degrees with said first geometric axis (X) , wherein each semi-tube (120) of said at least two semi-tubes (120) comprises a curvilinear wall (121) comprising an inner surface (123) and a threaded outer surface ( 122 ) , a cap (130) comprising a curvilinear wall (131) comprising a threaded inner surface (135) adapted to screw with said outer surface (122) of said at least two semi-tubes (120) , wherein said cap (130) is adapted to pass from a configuration separated from said at least two semi-tubes (120) to a configuration screwed with said at least two semi-tubes (120) , wherein the separated configuration of said cap (130) provides that said collar (110) can pass to the open configuration, wherein the screwed configuration of said cap (130) provides that the inner surface of said cap (130) is screwed with the outer surface (122) of said at least two semi-tubes (120) and that said collar (110) remains in closed configuration, wherein said cap (130) comprises a hollow cylindrical portion (140) protruding within said cap (130) and is adapted to extend within the inner surface (123) of said at least two semi-tubes (120) , wherein said hollow cylindrical portion (140) comprises an inner surface (141) adapted to house a second tube extending along said second geometric axis (Y) , wherein said hollow cylindrical portion (140) comprises a tip-shaped extension (142) comprising an end portion (143) comprising a through opening (144) in flow communication with the inner surface (141) of the hollow cylindrical portion (140) , wherein said cap (130) passing from said separated configuration to said screwed configuration provides that said tip-shaped extension (142) perforates a wall of the first tube, wherein said screwed configuration of said cap (130) provides that said at least one end portion (143) of said tip-shaped extension (142) is within the first tube, characterized by comprising a semi-tubular adapter(10) adapted to pass from a configuration separated from said collar (110) to a configuration housed in said collar (110) , wherein said separated configuration of said adapter (10) from said collar (10) allows the collar (10) to embrace said first tube of a greater diameter, wherein said housed configuration of said adapter (10) within said collar (110) allows the collar (10) to embrace said first tube of a smaller diameter, wherein said adapter (10) comprises an inner concave surface (11) and an outer convex surface (12) , wherein said adapter (10) comprises at least three ribs (21, 22) radially protruding from the outer convex surface ( 12 ) , wherein two side ribs (21) of said at least three ribs (21, 22) protrude from ends of said outer convex surface ( 12 ) , wherein a central rib (22) of said at least three ribs (21, 22) is configured to be disposed at said at least one end portion (143) of said hollow cylindrical portion (140) when said adapter (10) is in said housed configuration .

2. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a geometric chord (30) of the adapter (10) is smaller in dimension than a diameter (D) of the collar (110) in closed configuration, wherein said geometric chord (30) of the adapter (10) is defined as a distance between two upper edges (13) of the adapter (10) .

3. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radial extent of said ribs (21, 22) at upper edges (13) of said adapter (10) issmaller than the radial extent of said ribs (21, 22) between said upper edges (13) .

4. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adapter (10) comprises fixing elements (23) , wherein said collar (110) comprises fixing elements (114) adapted to be fixed together with said fixing elements (23) of said adapter (10) to hold said adapter (10) in housed configuration.

5. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said fixing elements (23) of said adapter (10) comprise a fixing protrusion extending from said outer convex surface (12) , said fixing elements (114) comprise a recess made on said curvilinear wall (111) , said fixing protrusion being inserted in said recess when said adapter (10) is in said housed configuration.

6. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap (130) comprises a screwing element (150) adapted to allow said cap (130) to pass from the separated configuration of said cap (130) to the screwed configuration .

7. Pipe saddle tee (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curvilinear wall (131) of said cap (130) comprises a plurality of battlements (134) intercalated with a plurality of through recesses (132) , wherein each battlement (134) comprises an inner wall (133) facing the respective through recess (132) , at least one of said at least two semi-tubes (120) comprising a locking protrusion (160) extending radially outwards from saidouter surface (122) , said locking protrusion (160) comprising an abutting wall (161) adapted to abut with said inner wall (133) of one of said battlements (134) when said cap (130) is in the screwed configuration.

8. Process for adapting a pipe saddle tee (100) for a first tube of a greater diameter to a first tube of a smaller diameter, wherein said pipe saddle tee (100) is according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said process comprises:- a first step of housing said adapter (10) in a housing configuration of said collar (110) ,- a second step of inserting said first tube of a smaller diameter than said first tube of a greater diameter within the collar (110) in open configuration,- a third step of closing the collar (110) wherein said cap (130) mounting said second tube passes from said separated configuration to said screwed configuration .

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