Thread making fitting for unthreaded conduit

Claim 1

An elongated fitting for forming threads onto an end of a conduit, comprising: a tubular portion at one end of the fitting having an internal thread and adapted to receive the end of the conduit; said tubular portion being provided with slot means to allow outward transverse expansion of said tubular portion for reducing tightening torque between said tubular portion and the conduit, and for permitting visible inspection of the conduit when inserted in said tubular portion; a stem portion on an opposite end of the fitting adapted to couple said fitting to external parts; an intermediate portion providing means for rotating said fitting relative to the conduit, to thereby provide the threads on the end of the conduit which is inserted into the tubular portion; said slot means including a longitudinal slot axially extending in a path from an outer end of said tubular portion to a spaced distance from said intermediate portion along a wall of said tubular portion, said slot extending transversely through said wall for entire length of said path to permit said expansion; a transverse wall section being provided within said tubular portion at one end of said internal thread adjacent to said intermediate portion for providing a stop to the inserted conduit; and said slot being axially spaced from said stop.