Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A connector comprising a female member including a female taper portion; a male member including a male taper portion tightly accommodated in said female member; a ring member encircling the tapered portion of said male member; one of said ring member and said female member having a ridge for cooperating with a threaded, helical groove on the other of said ring member and said female member to tighten the male member into the female member as the ring is turned and thereby screwed onto the female member; and an element integral with said other of said ring member and said female member, traversing at least part of the width of said groove and extending into said groove from at least one wall of said groove so as to frictionally grip said ridge as the ring is turned to screw the ring onto the female member, said element having a thickness such that the element can yield laterally to an engaging force of the ridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A connector comprising a female member including a female taper portion; a male member including a male taper portion tightly accommodated in said female member; a ring member encircling the tapered portion of said male member; one of said ring member and said female member having a ridge for cooperating with a threaded, helical groove on the other of said ring member and said female member to tighten the male member into the female member as the ring is turned and thereby screwed onto the female member; and an element integral with said other of said ring member and said female member, traversing at least part of the width of said groove and extending into said groove from at least one wall of said groove so as to frictionally grip said ridge as the ring is turned to screw the ring onto the female member, said element having a thickness such that the element can yield laterally to an engaging force of the ridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said element is deformed by said ridge as said ring member is turned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 2, wherein said element is more flexible than said ridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 3, wherein said element has a thickness in the range of 0.15 to 1.50 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 2, wherein at least part of said element is fractured by said ridge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 2, wherein said element is a rib extending transversely between the walls of said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 6, wherein the ridge is threaded on the inner circumferential surface of said ring member and the groove is formed on the outer periphery of said female member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 6, wherein said ring member is rotatable relative to said male member and engages a shoulder on said male member as the ring member is screwed onto the female member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said ring member is rotatable relative to said male member and engages a shoulder on said male member as the ring member is screwed onto the female member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said male and female taper portions include Luer-type surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said element is spaced from the point where the ridge and groove come into initial contact as the ring member is screwed onto the female member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector of claim 11, wherein a plurality of elements are provided in the groove and are spaced from each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 7, wherein said element is spaced from the point where the ridge and groove come into initial contact as the ring member is screwed onto the female member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein a plurality of elements are provided in the groove and are spaced from each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said element projects from the bottom of said groove.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
A connector comprising a female member including a female taper portion; a male member including a male taper portion tightly accommodated in said female member; a ring member encircling the tapered portion of said male member; one of said ring member and said female member having a ridge for cooperating with a threaded, helical groove on the other of said ring member and said female member to tighten the male member into the female member as the ring is turned and thereby screwed onto the female member; and an element integral with said other of said ring member and said female member, traversing at least part of the width of said groove and extending into said groove from at least one wall of said groove so as to frictionally grip said ridge as the ring is turned to screw the ring onto the female member, said element having a thickness less than the circumference of said other of said ring member and said female member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
A connector comprising a female member including a female taper portion; a male member including a male taper portion tightly accommodated in said female member; a ring member encircling the tapered portion of said male member; one of said ring member and said female member having a ridge for cooperating with a threaded, helical groove on the other of said ring member and said female member to tighten the male member into the female member as the ring is turned and thereby screwed onto the female member; and an element integral with said other of said ring member and said female member, traversing at least part of the width of said groove and extending into said groove from at least one wall of said groove so as to frictionally grip said ridge as the ring is turned to screw the ring onto the female member, said element having a thickness less than the circumference of said other of said ring member and said female member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector of claim 16, wherein said thickness is less than the width of said groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 17, wherein said element is a rib extending transversely between the walls of said groove.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 16, wherein said element s spaced from the point where the ridge and groove come into initial contact as the ring member is screwed onto the female member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector of claim 16, wherein a plurality of elements are provided in the groove and are spaced from each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 16, wherein said element projects from the bottom of said groove.