Lockwireless anti-rotation fitting

Abstract

A lockwireless, anti-rotation fitting for connection to a connector. The fitting includes a coupler having a series of circumferential engagement portions disposed about an outer peripheral surface, and a nut receivable coaxially over the outer peripheral surface of the coupler, and which is threadably engageable with the connector. The nut also has a series of complementary circumferential engagement portions disposed about at an inner peripheral surface. With the nut being received coaxially over the first outer peripheral surface of the coupler, the nut is threadably engageable with the connector urging the coupler into a sealing engagement with a sealing surface of the connector, and with the coupler being engaged with the connector sealing surface, the first and second engagement portions are interengaged to delimit the rotation of the nut relative to the connector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 444,005, filed May 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,665 and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 398,532, filed Jul. 24, 2002, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to compression-type fittings such as for coupling the end of a length of tubing to another member, and more particularly to such a fitting which is of an anti-rotation type and which may used as a replacement for conventional lock or safety wire fittings. [0003] Compression fittings are widely used in a variety of instrumentation, pneumatic, hydraulic, process, power, refrigeration, industrial, mobile, transportation, aerospace, military, and other fluid power or control applications utilizing plastic or metal tubing. Typically employing an internally or externally threade...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new type of lockwireless fitting for tubing and other conduits. This fitting does not require a special adapter and is strong and economical to make. It consists of a coupler and a nut. The coupler is connected to the end of the tubing and seals with an adapter. The nut is screwed onto the coupler and pushes the coupler into a tight seal with the adapter. The coupler and nut have matching recesses and lobes that lock together to prevent rotation of the nut. To disassemble the fitting, the lobes and recesses can be disengaged with a certain level of torque. This new fitting is easy to assemble and disassemble, but it is also very strong and secure for applications where there will be vibration or other forces.

Problems solved by technology

In practice, the safety wiring of the connection can be difficult.

In this regard, the fittings which heretofore have constituted the state of the art typically must employ specially designed adapters and other components which may involve added expense, require special tools or steps for make-up, and / or may not be as robust as conventional componentry if dropped or otherwise subjected to rough handling.

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