Importance

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Abstract

A self-locking connector comprising first and second tubular fittings, the first fitting having an annular ramp and a threaded end adjacent to the ramp, and the second fitting having an annular shoulder adjacent to one of its ends. A nut is rotatably mounted on the second fitting and is threaded to the threaded end of the first fitting. The nut has a flanged end which is adapted to engage the shoulder on the second fitting to bring the two fittings into axially aligned mating and sealing relationship as the nut is tightened on the first fitting. A resilient collar is interposed between the ramp on the first fitting and the nut. The collar has longitudinal slots in the forward end thereof which engage the ramp in locking relationship as the nut is tightened onto the threaded end of the first fitting. The adjacent edges of the nut and of the collar have mating ramps, which each ramp having an angle greater than the helical angle of the threads of the first fitting and of the nut. When the nut is tightened, the ramps on the collar and on the nut mate with one another, and effectively lock the nut against rotation with respect to the first fitting.

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First Claim