Patent ID: 6382683
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A non-rotational fitting assembly comprising:a generally tubular fitting component having a longitudinal axis and a bearing face lying in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; a nut having an array of threads generated about an axis of rotation and having a substantially planar bearing face aligned orthogonal to the axis of the threads, at least a portion of said nut surrounding at least a portion of said fitting, such that the bearing face of the fitting and the bearing face of the nut are in substantially juxtaposed relationship to one another; a substantially smooth planar metallic bearing member disposed between the bearing faces of the fitting component and the nut and substantially adjacent the bearing face of the fitting component; a smooth planar slip member having at least outer surfaces formed from a non-metallic material with a coefficient of friction lower than the metallic bearing member, said slip member being disposed intermediate the bearing member and the bearing face of the nut; and means for retaining the bearing member and the slip member in proximity to a selected one of the fitting component and the nut, the retaining means comprises a carrier having a planar portion for disposition between the slip member and the bearing face of the nut and a plurality of resilient fingers extending from the planar portion for resiliently gripping both the bearing member and the slip member, whereby the slip member substantially isolates torsional forces generated by the nut from the fitting component.