Patent ID: 6543138
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A61M,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for assembling a drip irrigation system, comprising the steps of(a) providing a length of elastic hollow pliable drip irrigation tubing having first and second ends and an inner cylindrical surface having a selected inner diameter along said length of said tubing and having an outer cylindrical surface having a selected outer diameter; (b) providing a hollow drip irrigation member including at least a first end and a second end, said first end of said member including a connector, said connector being shaped and dimensioned to include (i) a first outer portion (38) having a width greater than said inner diameter of said tubing to expand said inner cylindrical surface of said tubing to a width greater than said inner diameter when said inner cylindrical surface is slidably forced over said connector, and (ii) a second inner portion (14) adjacent said first outer portion and having a width less than the width of said first outer portion; (c) providing an O-ring having a durometer in the range of ten to forty and having a circular opening formed therethrough, said opening having a width less than said outer diameter such that when said tubing is inserted through said opening, said tubing elastically expands said opening and generates frictional forces between said O-ring and said tubing which impede sliding said O-ring along said tubing, said O-ring being shaped to roll along said tubing when said O-ring is bowed and pushed along said tubing; (d) inserting said first end of said tubing through said opening of said O-ring to mount said O-ring on said tubing at a position inwardly away from said first end; (e) slidably forcing said inner cylindrical surface of said first end of said tubing over said first outer portion to a position circumscribing said second inner portion; and, (f) pressing against said O-ring to bow said O-ring and roll said O-ring along said tubing to a position on said first end circumscribing said second inner portion.