Patent ID: 8696281
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A threaded connector for connecting a handle to a cleaning tool, said threaded connector comprising: a base adapted for connection to an associated handle; a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base and adapted to mate with a threaded female socket of an associated cleaning tool, said threaded male portion comprising a helical thread comprising: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section; said base and said threaded male portion defined as part of a single one-piece molded polymeric construction; wherein the friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, said lead-in section is spaced from the base, and said transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section; said helical thread comprising a crest and a root, wherein: said lead-in section is defined by a first minor diameter at said root of said thread and said friction-locking section is defined by a second minor diameter at said root of said thread that is greater than said first minor diameter; said lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at said crest of said thread and said friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at said crest of said thread that is greater than said first major diameter; and, said transitional cam-locking section comprises a locking cam defined by a varying magnitude major diameter at said crest of said thread that increases along a smooth continuous curve from said first major diameter to said second major diameter, and by a varying magnitude minor diameter at said root of said thread that increases from said first minor diameter to said second minor diameter; said helical thread further comprising side flanks between said root and crest, wherein said side flanks define said thread to have a width that is greater in said friction-locking section as compared to said lead-in section, wherein said width is measured at said root of said helical thread.