Patent ID: 8468877

Claim:
A method of servicing hydraulic equipment comprising an unthreaded hydraulic fitting having a peripheral annular flange projecting laterally from the unthreaded hydraulic fitting and extending around an open end of the unthreaded hydraulic fitting, the method comprising: bringing an end cap, the end cap comprising an insert and a ring both threaded around an axis, the end cap being assembled by rotating the threaded insert relatively to the threaded ring to screw the threaded insert partially into the threaded ring, into engagement with the unthreaded hydraulic fitting by: aligning the end cap and the unthreaded hydraulic fitting in the axial direction, with a lateral offset one from the other, the direction and the lateral offset being with respect to the threaded ring axis; and moving the end cap towards the unthreaded hydraulic fitting in a lateral direction with respect to the threaded ring axis with the end cap aligned with the unthreaded hydraulic fitting; causing a locking member on the threaded ring to embrace the annular flange on the unthreaded hydraulic fitting; after causing the locking member on the threaded ring to embrace the annular flange, rotating the threaded insert into tight engagement with the unthreaded hydraulic fitting thereby closing the hydraulic fitting; and after closing the hydraulic fitting, servicing the hydraulic equipment.