Universal interlocking fitting

A fitting comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical body having a hollow transport passage extending therethrough between a body first end and a body second end, the first and second ends having a threaded outside surface adjacent thereto for accommodating attachment with respective fluid handling devices, the first end including a tongue that projects axially therefrom a desired distance to provide a leak-tight seal with an attached fluid handling device;
• means for grasping the fitting disposed along an outside surface of the body;
• and
• interlocking attachment means disposed along an outside surface of the body that is adapted to form a releasible interlocking attachment with a fluid handling device that is attached to the body first end;
• wherein the body is formed from a polymeric material.

A fitting comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical body having a hollow transport passage extending therethrough between a body first end and a body second end, the first and second ends having a threaded outside surface adjacent thereto for accommodating attachment with respective fluid handling devices, the first end including a tongue that projects axially therefrom a desired distance to provide a leak-tight seal with an attached fluid handling device;
• a hexagonal collar disposed around an outside surface of the body and interposed between the threaded outside surfaces adjacent the first and second body ends for grasping and rotating the fitting;
• and
• an interlocking attachment collar disposed around the outside surface of the body and interposed between the threaded outside surfaces adjacent the first and second body ends, the interlocking collar comprising a plurality of rachet teeth disposed therealong for registering with a member of a fluid handling device attached to the body first end to form a releasible interlocking attachment therewith;
• wherein the hexagonal collar and the interlocking attachment collar are each integral with the body;
• and
• wherein the body is formed from a polymeric material.

An attachment assembly comprising:

• a fitting comprising:
• a body having a substantially hollow transport passage extending therethrough between a body first end and a body second end, the body first end;
• means for grasping the fitting disposed along an outside surface of the body;
• and
• an interlocking attachment member disposed along an outside surface of the body that is adapted to form an interlocking attachment with a complementary member of a fluid handling device when the fitting is connected thereto;
• and
• a fluid handling device comprising:
• a body having an attachment opening disposed therein, wherein the fitting body first end is disposed within the attachment opening;
• an interlocking attachment member extending from the fluid handling device body and registering with the fitting interlocking attachment member to provide a releasible interlocking connection therebetween.

An attachment assembly comprising:

• a fitting comprising:
• a substantially cylindrical body having a hollow transport passage extending therethrough between a body first end and a body second end, the first and second ends having a threaded outside surface positioned adjacent thereto, the first end including a tongue that projects axially therefrom a desired distance;
• a collar disposed around an outside surface of the body and interposed between the threaded outside surfaces adjacent the first and second body ends for grasping and rotating the fitting;
• and
• an interlocking attachment collar disposed around the outside surface of the body and interposed between the threaded outside surfaces adjacent the first and second body ends, the interlocking collar comprising a plurality of rachet teeth disposed therealong, wherein the collar and the interlocking attachment collar are each integral with the body, and wherein the body is formed from a polymeric material;
• a fluid handling device comprising:
• a body having a threaded attachment opening with a groove disposed within a base portion of the opening, wherein the fitting body first end is disposed within the attachment opening and the tongue is placed into the groove to provide a leak-tight seal therebetween;
• an interlocking attachment member extending from the fluid handling device body and registering with one or more of the rachet teeth to provide a releasible interlocking connection between the fitting and the fluid handling device;
• wherein at least the attachment opening is formed from a polymeric material.