Through-hull connector for boats

Abstract

A through-hull connector is used in connection with a hull of a boat. The through-hull connector comprises a body extending between opposite first and second ends, and having a central axis. The body has an outside surface and a bore through it. Hose barbs are provided for attaching a conduit to the second end. External threads with a generally quadrilateral cross-section are provided for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull. The external threads on the body have a gap extending longitudinally along the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector. A nut engages the external threads. A flange extends outward from the body first end for seating against the hull outer surface. The flange has an annular groove to retain sealant. A notch extends transversely through the body adjacent the second end. The notch engages a screwdriver to hold the body from rotating.

1 . A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the through-hull connector comprising: 
 a body extending between opposite first and second ends, the body having a central axis, the body having an outside surface and a bore through the body from the first end to the second end;    attaching means for attaching a conduit to the second end; and    threaded fastening means for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull, the threaded fastening means having threads with a generally quadrilateral cross-section.    
   
   
       2 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded fastening means further comprises: 
 external threads on the body, the external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector; and    a retaining member having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads.    
   
   
       3 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending outward from the body first end, the flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing the second end, the flange second surface being adapted for seating against the hull outer surface.  
   
   
       4 . The through-hull connector of  claim 3 , wherein the flange further comprises an annular groove on the second surface of the flange so as to retain sealant.  
   
   
       5 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending outward from the body intermediate the first and second ends, the flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing the second end, the flange first surface being adapted for seating against the hull inner surface.  
   
   
       6 . The through-hull connector of  claim 5 , wherein the flange further comprises an annular groove on the first surface of the flange so as to retain sealant.  
   
   
       7 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means further comprises at least one hose barb adjacent the body second end.  
   
   
       8 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a notch extending transversely through the body adjacent the second end, the notch being adapted to engage an elongated tool so as to preclude rotation of the body during installation.  
   
   
       9 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a key in the bore of the body, the key being adapted to engage a tool inserted in the bore so as to preclude rotation of the body during installation.  
   
   
       10 . The through-hull connector of  claim 1 , wherein the through-hull connector is a casting, and is cast from a material selected from the group consisting of: 
 stainless steel;    bronze;    monel;    thermoplastic resin; and    thermoset resin.    
   
   
       11 . A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the through-hull connector comprising: 
 a body extending between opposite first and second ends, the body having a central axis, the body having an outside surface and a bore through the body from the first end to the second end;    attaching means for attaching a conduit to the second end; and    threaded fastening means for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull, the threaded fastening means including external threads on the body, the external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector.    
   
   
       12 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , wherein the threaded fastening means further comprises: 
 the external threads having a generally quadrilateral cross-section; and    a retaining member having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads.    
   
   
       13 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , further comprising a flange extending outward from the body first end, the flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing the second end, the flange second surface being adapted for seating against the hull outer surface.  
   
   
       14 . The through-hull connector of  claim 13 , wherein the flange further comprises an annular groove on the second surface of the flange so as to retain sealant.  
   
   
       15 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , further comprising a flange extending outward from the body intermediate the first and second ends, the flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing the second end, the flange first surface being adapted for seating against the hull inner surface.  
   
   
       16 . The through-hull connector of  claim 15 , wherein the flange further comprises an annular groove on the first surface of the flange so as to retain sealant.  
   
   
       17 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , wherein the attaching means further comprises at least one hose barb adjacent the body second end.  
   
   
       18 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises a notch extending transversely through the body adjacent the second end, the notch being adapted to engage an elongated tool so as to preclude rotation of the body during installation.  
   
   
       19 . The through-hull connector of  claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises a key in the bore of the body, the key being adapted to engage a tool inserted in the bore so as to preclude rotation of the body during installation.  
   
   
       20 . The through-hull connector of  claim 19 , wherein the through-hull connector is a casting, and is cast from a material selected from the group consisting of: 
 stainless steel;    bronze;    monel;    thermoplastic resin; and    thermoset resin.    
   
   
       21 . A through-hull connector for use in connection with a hull of a boat, the hull having an outer surface and an inner surface, the through-hull connector comprising: 
 a circular cross-section body extending between opposite first and second ends, the body having a central axis, the body having an outside surface and a bore through the body from the first end to the second end;    external threads on the body for fastening the through-hull connector to the boat hull, the external threads having a gap extending longitudinally along the outside surface of the body, so as to lighten the connector, the external threads having a generally quadrilateral cross-section;    a retaining member having internal threads adapted to engage the external threads;    a flange extending outward from the body first end and completely encircling the body first end, the flange having a first surface facing the first end and a second surface facing the second end, the flange second surface being adapted for seating against the hull outer surface; and    at least one hose barb adjacent the body second end for attaching a conduit to the second end, the body, the external threads, the flange, and the hose barb being a unitary casting, and being cast from stainless steel.