Threaded connection element

Abstract

A threaded connection element adapted to reside in secure embedded relation within a wall structure of a fluid containment unit. The connection element includes a proximal portion adapted to engaging a thickness dimension of the wall structure and a distal threaded portion adapted to project away from the wall structure for attachment to an engagement structure.

1 . A threaded connection element adapted for embedded relation within a wall of a fluid containment structure, the connection element comprising:
 a body of hollow construction adapted to convey fluid along the length of the connection element, said body including a knurled ring segment disposed at a proximal portion of said body, said knurled ring segment having a plurality of projections extending radially away from a central axis along said body with depressions between said projections, the edges of said projections collectively defining an effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said body further including a threaded nipple segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment, said threaded nipple segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said knurled ring segment being adapted for embedded relation within said wall such that at least a portion of said projections engage a thickness dimension of said wall with said threaded nipple segment projecting away from an outer surface of said wall.   
     
     
         2 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said threaded nipple segment includes a lead-in chamfer at a forward thread of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         3 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said body further includes a collar segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment and in adjacent relation to said knurled ring segment, said collar segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment and greater than the effective outer diameter of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         4 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said collar segment defines a forward facing shoulder disposed between an outer circumferential surface of said collar segment and a reduced diameter neck portion disposed between said collar segment and said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         5 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said threaded nipple segment includes a lead-in chamfer at a forward thread of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         6 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said body is formed from metal. 
     
     
         7 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said metal is steel. 
     
     
         8 . A threaded connection element adapted for embedded relation within a wall of a fluid containment structure, the connection element comprising:
 a body of hollow construction adapted to convey fluid along the length of the connection element, said body including a knurled ring segment disposed at a proximal portion of said body, said knurled ring segment having a plurality of projections extending radially away from a central axis along said body with depressions between said projections, the edges of said teeth collectively defining an effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said body further including a threaded nipple segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment, said threaded nipple segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said body further including a substantially annular flange member disposed rearward of said knurled ring segment, said flange member having an effective outer diameter greater than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said flange member defining a forward facing flange shoulder spaced axially apart from said knurled ring segment, said knurled ring segment being adapted for embedded relation within said wall such that at least a portion of said projections engage a thickness dimension of said wall with said threaded nipple segment projecting away from an outer surface of said wall and said flange member disposed behind an inner surface of said wall.   
     
     
         9 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said threaded nipple segment includes a lead-in chamfer at a forward thread of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         10 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said body further includes a collar segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment and in adjacent relation to said knurled ring segment, said collar segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment and greater than the effective outer diameter of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         11 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said collar segment defines a forward facing shoulder disposed between an outer circumferential surface of said collar segment and a reduced diameter neck portion disposed between said collar segment and said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         12 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said threaded nipple segment includes a lead-in chamfer at a forward thread of said threaded nipple segment. 
     
     
         13 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said body is formed from metal. 
     
     
         14 . The threaded connection element as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said metal is steel. 
     
     
         15 . A fluid containment structure including an embedded threaded connection element, the fluid containment structure comprising:
 containment wall structure; and   a threaded connection element of unitary construction disposed in embedded relation within said containment wall structure, said threaded connection element including a body of unitary hollow construction adapted to convey fluid along the length of the connection element, said body including a knurled ring segment disposed at a proximal portion of said body, said knurled ring segment having a plurality of projections extending radially away from a central axis along said body with depressions between said projections, the edges of said projections collectively defining an effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said body further including a threaded nipple segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment, said threaded nipple segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said knurled ring segment being disposed in embedded relation within said containment wall structure with at least a portion of said projections engaging a thickness dimension of said containment wall structure and said threaded nipple segment projecting away from an outer surface of said containment wall structure.   
     
     
         16 . The fluid containment structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a portion of said containment wall structure extends into said depressions between said projections. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid containment structure as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said body further includes a collar segment disposed forward of said knurled ring segment and in adjacent relation to said knurled ring segment, said collar segment having an effective outer diameter less than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment and greater than the effective outer diameter of said threaded nipple segment and wherein said collar segment defines a forward facing shoulder disposed between an outer circumferential surface of said collar segment and a reduced diameter neck portion disposed between said collar segment and said threaded nipple segment and wherein a portion of said containment wall structure is disposed in covering relation to said collar segment. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid containment structure as recited in  claim 17 , wherein, a portion of said containment wall structure is disposed behind said knurled ring segment. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid containment structure as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said body further includes a substantially annular flange member disposed rearward of said knurled ring segment, said flange member having an effective outer diameter greater than the effective outer diameter of said knurled ring segment, said flange member defining a forward facing flange shoulder spaced axially apart from said knurled ring segment, said flange member being disposed behind an inner surface of said containment wall structure with said flange shoulder projecting towards said inner surface. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid containment structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said body is steel and said containment wall structure is a polymer and wherein a portion of said containment wall structure extends into said depressions between said teeth.