Self-aligning connector assembly

Claim 1

Apparatus for connecting tubular members of any size diameters, while preventing cross-threading, comprising: a. a first tubular member having tapered, external threads toward a first end thereof; b. a generally cylindrical external surface, as part of said first tubular member, axially displaced relative to said external threads and on the opposite side thereof from said first end; c. a second tubular member having generally circular guide means toward a first end thereof; d. said second tubular member further having tapered, internal threads generally complementary to said external threads, and axially displaced relative to said guide means; e. wherein: i. W is the distance between said guide means and the end of said external threads farther therefrom when said external threads are positioned to just avoid cross-threading with said internal threads; ii. θ is the minimum misalignment angle between said first and second members for cross-threading; iii. X 1 is the maximum radial gap between said first and second members when said members are mutually aligned; iv. X 3 is the radial gap between the first member and said guide means when said misalignment angle is θ; v. k is the thread taper; vi. Z 6 is the minimum overlap of said internal and external threads necessary to initiate cross-threading; and vii. W=(X 1 +(1/2)X 3 +kZ 6 )/tan θ.