Multi-setting connector for sap collection system

Abstract

A multi-setting connector for connecting at least one secondary branch line to a main line of a sap collection system or network comprises a clip member, a sap conveying member and a pair of straps. The clip member by way of the straps is adapted to be firmly mounted around the main line with the sap conveying member extending through the clip member and into the main conduit and having tubular fittings for connection to the branch lines such that the branch lines are fluidly connected to the main line by way of the hollow sap conveying member. The sap conveying member is typically firmly assembled to the clip member, whereas the straps are detachable from the clip member with the clip member and the straps being adapted to be selectively connected together such as to adjust an effective length of the straps, typically depending on the outside diameter of the main line. More particularly, the clip member and the straps include co-operating male and female engagement members configured for mounting the straps at various relative positions with respect to the clip member. For instance, each strap may include three spaced apart male members, whereas the clip member includes two sets of female members and selective one(s) of the male members may be engaged with selected one(s) of the female members for providing such an adjustment. The clip member is also provided with elongated sockets on its outside surface adapted for receiving a cable or a wire such that the connector may be suspended from such cable when it is desired to maintain the sap collection network, or at least part thereof, at an elevation from the ground. The cable or wire is detachably engageable with these elongated sockets. For instance, two co-linear sockets may be provided on the clip member.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A connector for connecting in fluid communication a first conduit with at least a second conduit, comprising a clip member, a fluid conveying member and at least one strap, said clip member being adapted to be positioned against the first conduit with said fluid conveying member being adapted to extend at a first end thereof into the first conduit and to be connected at a second end thereof to the second conduit such that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication by way of said fluid conveying member, said strap having opposed ends adapted to be connected to said clip member for securing said clip member against the first conduit, and said strap being detachably mounted to said clip member.  
     
     
         2 . A connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clip member and said strap include cooperating attachment means adapted to provide at least two different relative positions between said clip member and said strap.  
     
     
         3 . A connector as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said opposed ends of said strap comprise a proximal end adapted to be first secured to said clip member by way of said attachment means, and a distal free end adapted to be thereafter locked to said clip member with sufficient tightness such that said clip member is firmly mounted to the first conduit.  
     
     
         4 . A connector as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said attachment means comprise first and second connecting means provided on one and another of said strap and said clip member, there being at least two of at least one of said first and second connecting means for providing at least two different relative positions of said strap with respect to said clip member and thus two different useful effective lengths of said strap.  
     
     
         5 . A connector as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said first and second connecting means comprise detachably engageable male and female members.  
     
     
         6 . A connector as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said male members comprise cylindrical anchors and said female members comprise clamp means adapted to detachably receive said cylindrical anchors.  
     
     
         7 . A connector as defined in  claim 6 , wherein at least two clamp means are provided on said clip member and at least two spaced apart cylindrical anchors are provided transversely on said strap.  
     
     
         8 . A connector as defined in  claim 7 , wherein there are two said straps adapted to be mounted to opposite ends of said clip member such as to encircle the first conduit at longitudinally spaced locations thereon.  
     
     
         9 . A connector as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said strap comprise an elongated body with said cylindrical anchors extending transversely thereof such that ends of said cylindrical anchors extending outwardly beyond longitudinal edges of said elongated body, wherein each clamp means comprise a pair of spaced clamps adapted to each detachably receive one of said ends of said cylindrical anchor.  
     
     
         10 . A connector as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said pair of spaced clamps are aligned along an axis parallel to an axis of the first conduit.  
     
     
         11 . A connector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conveying member is rotatable with respect to said clip member and about a rotation axis of a section of said fluid conveying member extending into the main conduit, said rotation axis being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main conduit at said clip member.  
     
     
         12 . A connector as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said distal end of said strap is secured to said clip member by ratchet means.  
     
     
         13 . A connector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said ratchet means comprise ratchet teeth defined at said distal end of said strap and a locking member provided on said clip member and defining an opening therethrough, said locking member comprising in said opening a ratchet arm adapted to interact with said ratchet teeth when said distal end of said strap is slid through said locking member until said strap and said clip member are tightly held against the first conduit thereby firmly mounting said connector to the first conduit.  
     
     
         14 . A connector as defined in  claim 13 , wherein a finger engaging extension is provided on said strap intermediate said proximal and distal ends thereof, whereby said extension and said locking member may be grasped manually or with a tool and brought closer together for tightening said strap and said clip member around the first conduit.  
     
     
         15 . A connector for connecting in fluid communication a first conduit with at least a second conduit, comprising a clip member, a fluid conveying member and at least one strap, said clip member being adapted to be positioned against the first conduit with said fluid conveying member being adapted to extend at a first end thereof into the first conduit and to be connected at a second end thereof to the second conduit such that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication by way of said fluid conveying member, said strap having opposed ends adapted to be connected to said clip member for securing said clip member against the first conduit, wherein said clip member and said strap include cooperating attachment means adapted to provide at least two different relative positions between said clip member and said strap.  
     
     
         16 . A connector as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said opposed ends of said strap comprise a proximal end adapted to be first secured to said clip member by way of said attachment means, and a distal free end adapted to be thereafter locked to said clip member with sufficient tightness such that said clip member is firmly mounted to the first conduit, said strap being selectively detachable at said proximal end thereof from said clip member.  
     
     
         17 . A connector as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said attachment means comprise first and second connecting means provided on one and another of said strap and said clip member, there being at least two of at least one of said first and second connecting means for providing at least two different relative positions of said strap with respect to said clip member and thus two different useful effective lengths of said strap.  
     
     
         18 . A connector as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said first and second connecting means comprise detachably engageable male and female members.  
     
     
         19 . A connector for connecting in fluid communication a first conduit with at least a second conduit, comprising a clip member and a fluid conveying member, said clip member being adapted to be positioned against the first conduit with said fluid conveying member being adapted to extend at a first end thereof into the first conduit and to be connected at a second end thereof to the second conduit such that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication by way of said fluid conveying member, mounting means being provided for securing said clip member against the first conduit, said clip member being provided with wire holding means adapted to be secured to a wire or the like for suspending said connector therefrom.  
     
     
         20 . A connector as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said wire holding means comprise at least one elongated open-ended socket through which the wire extends.  
     
     
         21 . A connector as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said socket has a shape of a horizontal cylinder longitudinally cut at an upper end thereof.  
     
     
         22 . A connector as defined in  claim 21 , wherein there are provided a pair of spaced sockets disposed colinearly along an axis parallel to an axis of the first conduit.  
     
     
         23 . A method for mounting a connector around an elongated member, comprising the steps of: a) providing a clip member and a strap having proximal and distal ends; b) connecting the distal end of the strap to the clip member at a selected one of at least two different relative positions with respect the clip member for adjusting a useful length of the strap in view of a size of the elongated member; and c) securing the distal end of the strap to the clip member such that the strap and clip member are securely mounted to the elongated member.