Abstract:
A saddle tee and tap combination for making a fluid connection with an irrigation line in an irrigation system. The saddle tee includes a base having a passage therethrough, and a clamp thereon for engaging an irrigation line. The clamp holds the irrigation line in alignment with the passage, and compresses the irrigation line into an generally oval cross-section elongated in the direction of the axis of the passageway. The tap has a tip with a pointed end adapted to be inserted into the passageway so that the pointed end penetrates the wall of the irrigation line engaged in the clamp, in the direction of the elongation of the cross section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to a connector for an irrigation system and, in particular, to an improved saddle tee and tap for making connections with irrigation lines in an irrigation system. 
   Various types of connectors are used to make fluid connections with irrigation lines in an irrigation system. One such connector is a saddle tee, which can be used to make a connection anywhere along the length of the line, rather than just at one of the ends. Saddle tees allow taps to be inserted into the irrigation line, for example to connect a branch line to a main line, or to connect a sprinkler head or other device to a line. 
   Saddle tees were initially multi-piece devices secured onto an irrigation line with fasteners. Installation was difficult and time consuming, and often required tools. Examples of such saddle tees include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,789,189, 5,095,564, and 5,104,844, incorporated herein by reference. Improvements have been made in saddle tees to reduce the number of parts, eliminate the need for separate fasteners, and make installation easier. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,972, incorporated herein by reference, is an example of such a device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The saddle tee and tap of the present invention are adapted to be quickly and easily installed on a line in an irrigation system. Generally, the saddle tee of the present invention comprises a base having first and second ends, and a passageway therebetween, and a clamp on the second end for engaging the irrigation line generally in alignment with the passageway through the base. The clamp preferably compresses the irrigation line to elongate the cross-sectional profile in a direction aligned with the passageway in the base. The tap is adapted to be inserted through the passageway in the saddle tee, and into the irrigation line to make a fluid connection therewith. The tap has a tip that preferably terminates in a point for puncturing the irrigation line. There is a flange on the tip proximal to the point for engaging wall of the irrigation line. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a saddle tee and tap constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded side elevation view of the saddle tee and tap, with the tap shown in partial cross section; 
       FIG. 3  is a transverse cross-sectional view an irrigation line; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side elevation view of the saddle tee shown with the tap extended; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial side elevation view of the saddle tee shown with the tap partially extended; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial side elevation view of the point on the distal end of the tap for piercing the irrigation line; 
       FIG. 7A  is a transverse cross sectional view of the saddle tee and tap combination secured on an irrigation line, before the tap has made a fluid connection with the line; 
       FIG. 7B  is a transverse cross sectional view of the saddle tee and tap combination secured on an irrigation line, after the tap has been extended to make a fluid connection with the irrigation line. 
   

   Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A saddle tee and tap constructed according to the principles of this invention are indicated generally as  12  and  14 , respectively, in the Figures. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the saddle tee  12  comprises a body  16 , having first and second ends  18  and  20 . A circular rim  22  projects from the body  16  adjacent the first end  18 . A passage  24  extends through the body  16  from the first end  18  to the second end  20 . The passage  24  preferably has internal threads  26 . 
   There is a clamp  28  on the second end  20  of the body  16 . The clamp  28  is adapted to engage and compress an irrigation line, holding the irrigation line in alignment with the passage  24 . The clamp  28  comprises first and second arms  30  and  32  extending from the second end  20  of the body  16 . The arm  30  tapers from its proximal end  34  adjacent to the body  16  to its distal end  36 , and the arm  32  tapers from it proximal end  38  adjacent to the body to its distal end  40 . 
   The clamp  28  further comprises jaws  42  and  44 . Jaw  42  has a generally arcuate shape with first and second ends  46  and  48 , and a concave inner surface  50  and a convex outer surface  52 . Similarly, jaw  44  has a generally arcuate shape with first and second ends  54  and  56 , and a concave inner surface  58 , and an convex outer surface  60 . The outer surface  52  of the first jaw  42  is hingedly mounted on the distal end  36  of the first arm  30 , at a point intermediate the ends  46  and  48 . Similarly, the outer surface  60  of the second jaw  44  is hingedly mounted on the distal end  40  of the second arm  32 , at a point intermediate the ends  54  and  56 . In this preferred embodiment the arms  30  and  32  are at least 0.5 inches long and are preferably between about 0.6 and 0.7 inches long. This length allows the irrigation line secured in the clamp to be spaced from the body  16 , leaving the second end  20  of the body  16  open so that dirt and debris can fall through the passage  24 , rather than accumulating in the passage and interfering with the insertion of tee  14  when used with either a ¾ inch i.d. line, or with a 1 inch i.d. line. 
   Ribs  62  and  64  are formed on the arms  30  and  32 , and extend beyond the second ends of the arms to engage and stiffen the arms and limit the flexing of the jaws  42  and  44 . One or more raised ridges  66  are formed on the inner surface  50  of first jaw  42  and on the inner surface  58  of second jaw  44 . These ridges  66  engage the exterior of the irrigation line compressed between the jaws, helping to prevent the irrigation line from twisting in the clamp, and helping to ovalize the irrigation line in the clamp. 
   In the preferred embodiment the clamp  28  has a minor dimension L 1  (shown in FIG. L 1 ) between the jaws  42  and  44 , and major dimension L 2  (also shown in  FIG. 7A ) along the axis of the passageway  24  between the end  20  of the body  16 , and the jaws. The major dimension L 2  is preferably at least equal to, and preferably greater than, the outside diameter of the irrigation line L. The minor dimension L 1  is preferably equal to, or less than, the outside diameter of the irrigation line. In a preferred embodiment the saddle tee  12  specifically adapted for a 1 inch i.d. (approximately 1.25 inch o.d) irrigation line L, the minor dimension L 1  is about 1.2 inches and a major dimension L 2  is about 1.3 inches. In a preferred embodiment of the saddle tee  12  specifically adapted for a ¾ inch i.d (approximately 0.9 inch o.d.) irrigation line L, the minor dimension L 1  is about 0.8 inches and the minor dimension L 2  is about 1.2 inches. The clamp  28  is preferably sized to compress the irrigation line L in one direction, and cause it to expand in another direction. This ovalization of the irrigation line helps make sure that the irrigation line is securely held in the clamp, and also helps ensure that the irrigation line has a sufficient dimension for effective penetration by a tap, which is important in smaller dimension irrigation lines such as ¾ i.d. inch lines, although less important in larger dimension lines, such as those greater than 1 inch i.d. 
   The jaws  42  and  44  are adapted to be secured together to engage and compress an irrigation line L ( FIGS. 3 ,  7 A, and  7 B) between them. The first jaw  42  has a raised ridge  68  on its outer surface  52 , adjacent the second end  48 . The second jaw  44  has a raised ridge  70  on its inner surface  58 , adjacent the second end  56 . There is a shoulder  72  in the second jaw  44  that forms an offset portion  74  adjacent the second end  56  so that second jaw can overlap the first jaw  42 , and the ridge  68  on the first jaw engage the ridge  70  on the second jaw. A tab  76  projects radially outwardly from the first outer surface  54  of the first jaw. The shoulder  70  and the tab  76  form surfaces that can be engaged by hand or bypliers, or a tool specially adapted for the purpose to draw the jaws  42  and  44  together to compress an irrigation line L between them and engage each other. 
   The tap  14  comprises a generally cylindrical body  100 , having first and second ends  102  and  104 , and external threads  106 . There is a generally cylindrical grip  108  at the first end  102  of the body  100 . The grip  108  has wings  110  and  112  so that the tap can be grasped or engaged with a tool. There is a tubular tip  114  on the second end  104  of the body  100 . The tip  114  preferably tapers to a point  116  at its distal end. For irrigation lines made of tougher material, such as polyvinylchloride, the radius of curvature of the point is greater than for relatively less tough materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. As is know in the art, the end can be blunt, and still be able to weaken and pierce the wall of an irrigation line. 
   An annular flange  118  projects from the tip  114  intermediate its proximal and distal ends. A grommet  119  can be provided on the tip  114 , adjacent the flange  118 . Alternatively, instead of flange  118 , a shoulder can be formed on the exterior of the tip for engaging the irrigation line and supporting the grommet. The grommet  119  preferably has a tapered exterior surface. The grommet  119  can be made from a resilient material to facilitate sealing the tip with the irrigation line. The flange  118  could be formed by the distal end of the threads  106 , which can be constructed to compress the irrigation line L. 
   A passage  120  extends through the tap  14 . A first end of the passage  120  opens at  122  in the grip  108 , a second end of the passage  120  opens to windows  124  in the side of the tip  114 , between the point  116  and the flange  118 . A window  124  can also be provided in the distal end of the tip, particularly if a cutting member is provided on the tip. 
   The portion of the passage  120  adjacent the first end has threads  126 , so that a threaded, fluid-tight connection can be made with the passage  120  in the tap  14 . The tip  114  of the tap  14  is adapted to be inserted into an irrigation L to establish a fluid connection between the tap and the irrigation line. Fluid in the irrigation line can flow through the windows  124  into the passage  120  to another line or device connected to the threaded end of the passage  120 . Of course, instead of threads  126 , some other connecting means, such as bayonet fittings or other connecting scheme could be used. 
   Operation 
   In operation, the saddle tee  12  is secured on an irrigation line L at a point where it is desired to make a fluid connection with the irrigation line. The irrigation line is disposed between the hinged jaws  42  and  44 . The user can grasp the jaws  42  and  44  with his or her hands to compress the irrigation line L between them and move the offset portion  74  of the second jaw  44  over the first jaw  42 , until the ridges  68  and  70  engage each other and secure the jaws together. Alternatively, the user can use pliers or some other tool specifically adapted for that purpose can also be used to engage the shoulder  72  and the tab  76  to draw the jaws  42  and  44  together to secure them. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the jaws  42  and  44  preferably compress the irrigation line L between them so that the irrigation line assumes an oval cross sectional configuration, rather than its normal circular configuration (shown in  FIG. 3 ), with a minor dimension between the jaws  42  and  44  (parallel to the minor dimension L 1  of the clamp  28 ), and a major direction generally perpendicular thereto, and generally aligned with the passage  24  (parallel to the major dimension L 2  of the claim  28 ). This is particularly advantageous in smaller diameter irrigation lines (i.e. those less than 1 inch i.d.). In larger diameter lines, the line is sufficiently large for the tap to penetrate without ovalization, although ovalization may be desirable to help ensure that the irrigation line is securely engaged in the clamp. 
   In the preferred embodiment the length of the portion of the jaws between their first ends and their hinged connection with their respective arms is about one third of the distance between the arms. Alternatively, in the preferred embodiment the length of the portion of the jaws between their first ends and their hinged connection with their respective arms is about 0.4 inches. This has a number of benefits, including allowing the first ends of the jaws to act as stops engaging the flange  118  on the tip  114  of a tap, as described below. The jaws  42  and  44  preferably substantially surround the irrigation line. In the preferred embodiment, the jaws preferably surround about ⅔ to about ¾ of the circumference of the irrigation line, leaving a portion of about ⅓ to about ¼ open to accommodate ovalization of the irrigation line. 
   Although not essential, the saddle tee is preferably configured so that pressing the saddle tee against the irrigation line with a force of more than about 30 pounds, draws the ends of the clamp together sufficiently to cause the latch members to engage each other. 
   The saddle tee  12  can be installed on the irrigation line L with the passage  28  oriented generally vertically, so that the tap  14  can be inserted into the irrigation line. However, the saddle tee  12  of the present invention is adapted to be mounted on the irrigation line L with the passage extending generally horizontally. This allows the line to be buried shallower, and helps reduce the incidence of the saddle tee and tap projecting above the surface of the ground. 
   The tap  14  is inserted into the irrigation line L by threading the threads  106  on the body  100  into the threads  26  in the passage  24 . The wings  110  and  112  facilitate turning the tap  14 . The point  116  on the tip  114  is advanced toward the irrigation line L. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the tip  114  is advanced into engagement with the fluid line L so that the point  116  punctures the wall of the irrigation line, and the tip advances  116  until the flange  118  engages the outside of the wall of the irrigation line surrounding the puncture made by the point  116  of the tip  114 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the size of the flange  118  on the tip, and the size and position of the jaws  42  and  44  are preferably such that the flange  118  engages the ends  46  and  54  of the jaws, limiting the travel of the tap  14 , and preventing the tip  116  from puncturing both sides of the irrigation line L. 
   The windows  124  of the tip  114  are disposed in the lumen of the irrigation line L, in fluid communication so that fluid in the line L can pass through the windows  124  and into the passage  120 , to another irrigation line or to an irrigation device connected to the passage  120  with threads  126 . 
   The saddle tee  12  holds the irrigation line L in proper alignment for connection with the tap  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the saddle tee  12  also elongates the cross sectional profile of the irrigation line L in the direction in which the tap  14  pierces the line, to allow the tip of the tap to extend further into irrigation line, than would be possible if the irrigation line maintained its generally circular cross sectional profile. This also allows the saddle tee and tap to be used with irrigation lines of different sizes, the elongation of the smaller lines in particular preventing the tip  116  from puncturing both sides of the line. 
   The flange  118  helps compress the irrigation line, helping to retain in the irrigation line L in the clamp  28 , and keeping the wall of the irrigation line even. The flange  118  also helps form a seal around the puncture formed by the tip  116 . Thus a relatively larger clamp that is easier to secure around the irrigation line L can be used, and the tap  14 , and particularly the flange  118  on the tip  114  of the tap  14 , can help hold the irrigation line in the relatively looser clamp  28 . 
   Thus, with the saddle tee and tip combination of the present invention, a connection can be quickly be made in an irrigation line at any point along its length. It is possible to make the connection without tools, although tools can be used to facilitate the connection process. The saddle tee and tap combination can allow a connection to be made in any orientation around the circumference of the line. By elongating the cross section of the irrigation line, the saddle tee and tap allow the tap to be inserted further into the irrigation line, making a more secure connection, and reducing the risk that the walls of the irrigation line will interfere with flow through the windows  124 .