Taper fitting with protective skirt

Claim 1

A shrouded tubing interface for quickly connecting, disconnecting and avoiding contamination of first and second fluid flow lines, comprising: a first connector having a first tubular member defining an open flow path with a first fluid flow line, said first tubular member having an outer annular surface and defining a first end terminal, a first extension for telescopically receiving said first fluid flow line, and a third extension extending radially outward of and axially overlapping said first extension, said first connector further including a first tubular skirt extending radially outward of and axially beyond said first end terminal to form a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent contact with said first end terminal so as to prevent contamination thereof; a second connector having a second tubular member defining an open flow path with a second fluid flow line, said second tubular member having an aperture extending axially therethrough and defining a second end terminal and a second extension for telescopically receiving said second fluid flow line, said second connector further including a second tubular skirt extending radially outward of and axially beyond said second end terminal to form a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent contact with said second end terminal so as to prevent contamination thereof; male threads formed upon a portion of said first tubular skirt; and female threads disposed within a portion of said second tubular skirt; said first and second connectors being releasably connectable via the receipt of said male threads of said first tubular skirt into the female threads of said second tubular skirt, said tubular skirts extending in co-axial and concentric relation and said outer surface of said first tubular member being slidably receivable into said aperture when said first connector is connected to said second connector.