Other

Doonan D McGaw

Frank J Sabo

A fitting having members threaded together to a desired position is provided with an arrangement for locking the members against relative rotation so as to maintain the members within a predetermined angular range of rotation relative to each other which encompasses the desired position. The locking arrangement includes longitudinally extending recesses in the outer surfaces of the fitting members which are axially aligned, and an insert which is fitted in a set of axially aligned recesses to lock the members against relative rotation. The recesses are keyhole shaped. The insert is also keyhole shaped in cross section, or is cylindrical. The insert may be made of suitable plastic such as nylon, or may be metallic. When the insert is of a material that is resiliently deformable, it may be laid over and then pressed into the recesses. A metallic or other less deformable insert, such as a rod or wire segment of safety wire, piano wire, etc., may be inserted longitudinally through the set of axially aligned recesses. The insert fills at least the cylindrical portion of the keyhole shaped recesses. When the insert is also keyhole shaped, it may have either parallel or convergent sides along the flat surface portion thereof. Likewise, the keyhole cross section of the recesses may be similarly shaped along the flat portions thereof. The insert is locked in the recesses due to the keyhole shape or the press fitting action of the insert, but may be removed for field service of the fitting. The fitting may also have sealing means, with or without the locking means, protecting the fitting threads against physical damage and contamination.

Growing community of inventors

Naples, FL, United States of America

Doonan D McGaw