TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a corrugated piping assembly and sleeve for same, in particular for use in irrigation pipes. BACKGROUND

[002] Irrigation systems, such as those including drip irrigation pipes, sprinklers or the like; may require bridging between pipes/conduits within the system - for example between a main distribution pipe that is laid along a field and drip pipes that branch away form the distribution pipe to irrigate crops in the field.

[003] During setup or use of such irrigation systems, changes or shifting in relative position between pipes within the system, e.g. between drip pipes and the main distribution pipe may occur, resulting in some cases in damages or leaks that may occur at a region for the drip pipes and distribution pipe meet and merge.

[004] Corrugated pipe sections typically provide on the one hand rigidity while permitting flexibility that may be required at regions where piping sections meet.

[005] US4314717 for example describes a flexible plastic nipple for coupling a sprinkler head to a sprinkler system pipeline. The nipple includes an elongated plastic tube having a resilient center section and a pair of end sections. The center section has a uniform set of annular undulations which provides both rigidity and flexibility to the nipple. Each end section includes a rigid portion, a flexible threaded section, and a snub portion for mating the nipple with a connector fitting on the sprinkler head or pipeline. The threaded portions have sufficient flexibility to prevent rupturing or stripping when a force is transmitted to the nipple.

[006] US8978712 as a further example describes a flexible tube with at least one folding bellows which has a plurality of convolutes which have been formed in the wall of the tube and which run across an external surface of the tube, where there is no separation between the convolutes in an axial longitudinal direction of the tube and the folding bellows has at least one convolute which has two opposite bending zones and two restricted elongation zones, where the arrangement has the restricted elongation zones between the opposite bending zones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[007] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:

[008] Figs. 1A to IF schematically show various possible stages that may be taken for forming a corrugated piping assembly according to at least certain embodiments of the present invention.

[009] Figs. 2A to 2C schematically show perspective (Fig. 2A) and cross- sectional views (Figs. 2B and 2C), respectively, of a corrugated piping assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[010] Fig. 3 schematically shows exemplary use of an embodiment of a corrugated piping assembly in an irrigation system.

[011] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[012] Attention is first drawn to Figs. 1A to IF providing possible steps that may be taken for forming an embodiment of a coupling region 7 (see indicated in Figs. 2A and 3) in at least certain corrugated piping assembly embodiments of the present invention.

[013] In a first possible step (see Figs. 1A and IB), an embodiment of a protective sleeve 12 is seen being placed over one end of a corrugated pipe section 10 as a first possible step of forming a coupling region at this end. Although in the assembly steps to be described herein formation of a coupling region at only one end of a pipe section is seen - it is noted that coupling regions at both ends of such pipe section may be formed in at least certain corrugated piping assembly embodiments.

[014] The placement of the sleeve here over pipe section 10 may be performed by manually sliding/urging the sleeve over the corrugations/bellows of the pipe section in a distal direction Di relative to a pipe end where a coupling region is to be formed.

[015] It is noted that the directional terms of distal Di and proximal Pr refer, respectively, to proximity and remoteness to a pipe section's open end of elements/features along a pipe section where a coupling region is to be formed.

[016] As seen in the enlarged view at the upper side of Fig. 1A, sleeve 12 may be formed about an axis X and arranged to include an axially extending internal passage 15 opening out of the sleeve at its proximal and distal ends when oriented and viewed in a 'state' where it is fitted over the pipe section. In same 'state', a peripheral internal face 13 defining and bounding passage 15 may be arranged to taper slightly in a proximal direction and sleeve 12 may include a peripheral collar 11 at a distal end thereof bulging away from its external face in a direction away from axis X. [017] The tapering of internal face 13 forms internal diameters D _p , Dd at respective proximal and distal regions of the sleeve. These diameters may be chosen to permit on the one hand relative easy manual placement of the sleeve over the pipe section as it is urged distally (due to the larger diameter Dd), while providing a so- called 'fastening' utility when the sleeve is in its final position forming a coupling region in the corrugated piping assembly described herein below (due, inter alia, to the smaller diameter D _p ).

[018] Placing the sleeve over the pipe section (as seen in Fig. IB) forms a first intermediate state, permitting further steps to be taken in order to form the discussed corrugated piping assembly.

[019] Figs. 1C and ID demonstrate such further steps and include use of a possible heating fixture 16. Heating fixture 16 includes a shaft 18 arranged to fit into an open end of pipe section 10, accordingly after forming the first intermediate state of pipe section 10 and sleeve 12. Fig. ID demonstrates pipe section 10 placed over shaft 18, which in turn heats the internal perimeter of the pipe section adjacent the opening where a coupling region is being formed.

[020] This heating stage permits advancement to a subsequent step in the forming of a coupling region in the corrugated piping assembly as demonstrated in Fig. IE that makes use of a connector placement fixture 20. The pipe section and sleeve previously brought to the first intermediate state and then subjected to heat adjacent the pipe section's opening, may be placed on fixture 20 positioning the heated opening opposite a connector insertion assembly 23 of the fixture.

[021] The pipe section in this state may be clamped in place adjacent its heated opening by a clamp 21 of the fixture. A connector 25 placed on the connector insertion assembly 23 may be oriented opposite the heated opening and then urged into the opening, in this example by manually manipulating a lever 27 of the fixture.

[022] Insertion of the connector into the pipe section, forms a second intermediate state including pipe section 10, connector 25 fitted in the opening of the pipe section and sleeve 12 slidably placed over the pipe section at a position distal to the connector.

[023] The arrangement of the second intermediate state may then be transferred to a subsequent and possibly final assembly station 33, arranged for urging the sleeve over pipe section where it fits over connector 25. This may be accomplished by placing the sleeve with its collar 11 bearing against a support 31 of the final assembly station, with portions of the pipe section distal to the sleeve passing through a possible arc shaped opening 30 formed in the support to dangle below. The opening of the pipe section where the connector is fitted in this view is positioned above the sleeve.

[024] Urging downwards a shaft 32 of the station to bear against the connector urges the connector 25 together with the pipe section 10 downwards and towards the sleeve 12 that remains fixed in place at the support. This action may be manually manipulated by a lever 35 of the final assembly station.

[025] The connector 25 and pipe section 10 may be urged axially downwards until the connector axially meets the sleeve - thus forming a coupling region 7 at an end of the corrugated piping assembly 100 illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B. In this assembly, the pipe section 10 is pressed in between the sleeve 12 and the connector 25, in particular due to inward pressing actions applied by the sleeve's internal face 13 at regions adjacent to where face 13 has reduced diameters such as Dp.

[026] The cross sectional view of Fig. 2C illustrates an embodiment where the pipe section includes a 'cuff region adjacent its open end, and thus the coupling region of the corrugated piping assembly in this example includes pressing the 'cuff region (as opposed to corrugations) in-between the sleeve from outside and the connector from inside.

[027] The sleeve in addition acts in coupling regions within corrugated piping assembly 100 as a so-called protector enveloping and securing the region of interaction/coupling between the pipe section and the connector - against wear and tear that may occur during use in an agricultural field. Seen in the cross section of Fig. 2B is presence of a possible seal 17 that may be held pressed between the connector 25 and the pipe section 10 in order to seal against egress of liquid out of the corrugated piping assembly's coupling region. Possibly the seal may be snugly received within a corrugation of section 10 and connector 25 may include one of barbs on its outer side and possibly seal 17 may be axially pressed against one of the barbs.

[028] Attention is drawn to Fig. 3 exemplifying one possible use in the field of an embodiment of a corrugated piping assembly 100, here being used to bridge and fluidly communicate between a main distribution pipe 110 and drip irrigation pipes 120. Each corrugated piping assembly 100 is here seen including coupling regions 7 at both ends. One of the coupling regions 7 being arranged to couple and communicate with distribution pipe 110 and at the other coupling region 7 being arranged to couple and communicate with a drip irrigation pipe 120 branching away from the main distribution pipe to irrigate crops in a field.

[029] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs,

“comprise”“include” and“have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[030] Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non- restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

[031] In the claims, the word“comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article“a” or“an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.

[032] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as“about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words,“about 3” shall also comprise “3” or“substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[033] Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.