Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A screw coupling, particularly for surrounding cables, hoses, conduits, conductors and like bodies, comprising a nipple including an externally threaded first annular section and a second annular section fast with said first section and having an end face remote from said first section, said second section including a set of flexible prongs having first end portions at said first section and second end portions at said end face, and slots alternating with said prongs, the width of said prongs as measured circumferentially of said second section decreasing in a direction from said first section toward said end face, and said second end portions being enlarged and extending circumferentially of said second section and transversely of the neighboring slots; and a nut having a first internally threaded annular portion arranged to mate with said first section and a second annular portion having an inside diameter smaller than the maximum outside diameter of said second section so that said second annular portion can flex said prongs and thereby move at least the second end portions of the prongs nearer to the axis of said second section in response to rotation of said nut in a direction to thread said first portion onto said first section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A screw coupling, particularly for surrounding cables, hoses, conduits, conductors and like bodies, comprising a nipple including an externally threaded first annular section and a second annular section fast with said first section and having an end face remote from said first section, said second section including a set of flexible prongs having first end portions at said first section and second end portions at said end face, and slots alternating with said prongs, the width of said prongs as measured circumferentially of said second section decreasing in a direction from said first section toward said end face, and said second end portions being enlarged and extending circumferentially of said second section and transversely of the neighboring slots; and a nut having a first internally threaded annular portion arranged to mate with said first section and a second annular portion having an inside diameter smaller than the maximum outside diameter of said second section so that said second annular portion can flex said prongs and thereby move at least the second end portions of the prongs nearer to the axis of said second section in response to rotation of said nut in a direction to thread said first portion onto said first section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coupling of claim 1, further comprising a substantially tubular deformable sealing element receivable within the confines of said second section so as to undergo deformation in response to flexing of said prongs toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein the enlarged second end portion of each prong of said set of prongs extends transversely of and across the neighboring slots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupling of claim 3, wherein the enlarged second end portion of each prong of said set of prongs has two substantially mirror symmetrical halves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section further includes a group of prongs which alternate with the prongs of said set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said prongs have lateral surfaces flanking said slots and the lateral surfaces of neighboring said prongs abut each other in response to a predetermined maximum flexing of the prongs toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section further includes a group of prongs having enlarged portions disposed between said end face and said first section and extending circumferentially of said second section and transversely of said slots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coupling of claim 7, wherein said second section includes an even number of prongs and the prongs of said set alternate with the prongs of said group.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling of claim 7, wherein the enlarged portion of at least one prong of said group has an arcuate shape in the circumferential direction of said second section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The coupling of claim 7, wherein the enlarged portions of said group of prongs have an arcuate shape in the circumferential direction of said second section and together form a ring in response to predetermined flexing of the prongs of said group toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least one of said enlarged second end portions has an arcuate shape in the circumferential direction of said second section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein the enlarged second end portions of said set of prongs have an arcuate shape in the circumferential direction of said second section and together form a ring in response to predetermined flexing of the prongs of said set toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section further includes a group of prongs which alternate with the prongs of said set and have projections extending substantially radially inwardly toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section further includes additional prongs which have projections extending substantially radially inwardly toward the axis of said second section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling of claim 14, wherein at least one of said projections has a substantially triangular cross-sectional outline with an apex nearest to the axis of said second section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling of claim 14, wherein the second end portions of said set of prongs have radially innermost portions forming a circle with the projections of said additional prongs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein the mating threads of said first section and said first annular portion are buttress threads.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least said nipple contains a plastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said nipple has a collar adjacent said first section, said first section being disposed between said collar and said second section and said collar having at least one flat to facilitate rotation of the nipple by a torque transmitting tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said enlarged end portions are disposed radially inwardly of the neighboring slots.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section is of one piece with said first section.