Patent ID: 7832420

Claim:
A saddle tee for use in branching a conduit from a main line using a tool interface, the saddle tee comprising: a base unit defining an opening for receiving a tap, said base unit comprising interlocking jaws for securing the base unit to the main line, said base unit further comprising: a body; a first arcuate interlocking jaw comprising a first contact end, a first contact surface proximate the first end, a first interlocking end, and a first pivot disposed between the first contact end and the first interlocking end; a second arcuate interlocking jaw comprising a second contact end, a second contact surface proximate the second contact end, a second interlocking end, and a second pivot disposed between the second contact end and the second interlocking end; and in an open state, the first and second arcuate interlocking jaws defining a receiving cavity for receiving the main line, the first contact surface being positioned more remote from the body of the base unit than the second contact surface so that positioning the main line within the receiving cavity causes the first arcuate interlocking jaw to rotate and position about the main line before the second arcuate interlocking moves into position about the main line for interlocking engagement with the first arcuate interlocking jaw; and a tap defining a passageway, the tap comprising: a tapered end having an aperture in fluid communication with the passageway; a fitting opposite the tapered end; and a shaped portion for receiving the tool interface for rotating the tap to drive the tap into penetrating engagement with the main line, the shaped portion being separate and distinct from any wing that may be present on the tap.