US 4,784,412 AGranted

Molded fluid conduit fitting with integral swivel nut

AssigneeRed Dot Corporation

InventorJohn A. Van Dongen

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Abstract

A T-block fitting (22) has an integral molded plastic body (24) including a stem (28) with a radial shoulder (26) and a radial flange (30) on opposite ends. An externally threaded split nut (40, 42) has a major portion (40) with a circumferential extent greater than 180.degree., and a minor portion (42). Complementary chordal mating surfaces (46, 62) are formed on the major and minor portions (40, 42). A semicylindrical projection (64) extends perpendicularly from each mating surface (62) and is received into a corresponding recess (48) in the abutting mating surface (46). A slot (50) extends along each mating surface (46) on the head portion (54) of the major portion (40). The slot (50) opens onto an outer surface of the head portion (54) and terminates in an inner enlarged diameter portion (52). A corresponding projection (66) with an enlarged inner end (68) is formed on each mating surface (62 ). The nut portions (40, 42) are made from a material which is sufficiently resilient to permit the major portion (40) to be snapped onto a tubular member and the major and minor portions (40, 42) to be snapped together.

Claims12

Dependent claims

For use in a fluid conduit system, an improved fitting of the type having a stem, a shoulder extending radially outwardly from a first end portion of the stem, a flange extending radially outwardly from a second opposite end portion of the stem, and an externally threaded nut rotatably surrounding the stem between the shoulder and the flange, wherein the improvement comprises:

an integral molded plastic fitting body that includes the stem, the shoulder, and the flange;
and
said nut comprising a major portion having a circumferential extent greater than 180.degree. and an outer circumferential surface with coextensive external threads, a minor portion having a circumferential extent less than 180.degree. and an outer circumferential surface with coextensive external threads, complementary mating surfaces carried by said major portion and said minor portion, and snap fit keying means carried by said mating surfaces for aligning said threads on the major portion and the minor portion when said major and minor portions are moved together and for holding said major and minor portions together in an assembled position in which said threads on said major and minor portions are aligned;
said major and minor portions being made from a material that is sufficiently resilient to permit the major portion to be snapped onto the stem and the major and minor portions to be snapped together.

1 more element

For use in a fluid conduit system having an axially inaccessible tubular portion, a split nut comprising:

a major portion having a circumferential extent greater than 180.degree. and an outer circumferential surface with coextensive external threads;
a minor portion having a circumferential extent less than 180.degree. and an outer circumferential surface with coextensive external threads;
complementary mating surfaces carried by said major portion and said minor portion;
and
snap fit keying means carried by said mating surfaces for aligning said threads on the major portion and the minor portion when said major and minor portions are moved together and for holding said major and minor portions together in an assembled position in which said threads on said major and minor portions are aligned;
said major and minor portions being made from a material that is sufficiently resilient to permit the major portion to be snapped onto said tubular portion and the major and minor portions to be snapped together.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.