Patent ID: 7258372

Claim:
A union nut for connecting an end of a threaded pipe having threading to an end of a flanged pipe having a flange, said union nut comprising: a body defining an inner bore having a longitudinal axis; said body comprising: a thread retaining end for engaging a threaded pipe; threads formed on a surface of the body adapted to mate at the thread retaining end with threads on a threaded pipe; a flange retaining end for engaging a flanged pipe; and a partial collar projecting radially inward on the body at the flange retaining end and defining an aperture for receiving the flange of a flanged pipe such that said partial collar partially retains the received flange within said body; and a flange lock member adapted to be engaged with said body such that, when engaged, said flange lock member and said flange retaining end cooperate to fully retain said received pipe flange within said inner bore and to be able to maintain said received pipe flange in connection with said threaded pipe, and wherein said lock member engages with said flange retaining end by sliding in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said inner bore.