Patent ID: 7798755
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A threaded connector comprising: a molded polymeric base; a molded polymeric threaded male portion defined as a one-piece construction with said base and projecting axially outward from the base and adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket, said threaded male portion comprising a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section; 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 tip and a root; wherein said lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at said tip of said thread and said friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at said tip of said thread that is greater than said first major diameter, and wherein said transitional cam-locking section comprises a locking cam defined by a varying magnitude major diameter at said tip of said thread that increases from said first major diameter to said second major diameter in a smooth, continuous transition without interrupting said helical thread; wherein said helical thread further comprises side flanks between said root and tip, and wherein said side flanks define said thread to have a width, said thread having a greater width in said friction-locking section as compared to said lead-in section; and, wherein said lead-in section is defined by between 2.5 and 3 turns of said thread and said friction-locking section is defined by between 1 and 1.25 turns of said thread, and said transitional cam-locking section is defined by less than 0.5 turns of said thread.