Patent ID: 7736503

Claim:
A locking mechanism for an encapsulated manifold and cartridge, the looking mechanism comprising: an encapsulated manifold ( 12 ) having a connection fitting ( 40 ), the connection fitting ( 40 ) having a threaded outer annular collar ( 42 ) and an inner annular collar ( 44 ), the inner annular collar ( 44 ) having an annular lip ( 46 ) and at least one longitudinal slot ( 48 ) extending from the lip ( 46 ) along a portion of the inner annular collar ( 44 ); and a cartridge ( 14 ) having a connection fitting ( 32 ), the connection fitting ( 32 ) having a threaded outer annular collar ( 24 ) for mating with the threaded outer annular collar ( 42 ) of the manifold ( 12 ), the connection fitting ( 32 ) of the cartridge ( 14 ) also having a cylindrical wall ( 34 ) located within the threaded outer annular collar ( 24 ) of the cartridge ( 14 ), the cylindrical wall ( 34 ) having at least one longitudinal extending bead ( 36 ) which is received by the respective slot ( 48 ) upon the cartridge ( 14 ) being threadingly fastened to the manifold to a fully secured position.