Joints and connections – Member ends joined by inserted section – Expansible section
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2001-07-10
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Member ends joined by inserted section
Expansible section
C403S292000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257797
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention generally relates to connectors, particularly to connectors for tubular members, and specifically to connectors for tubular members not requiring specific orientations of the tubular member, not requiring movement in directions other than parallel to the tubular member during installation and, in some preferred forms, not requiring modifications to the tubular member.
It is often desired to connect tubular members to various objects such as but not limited to connecting together the parallel tubes of first and second trusses to result in a single unitary truss having a span of their combined lengths. The almost universal mechanism for making such a connection is to bolt one truss to another. But in certain applications such as where it is desired to frequently connect and disconnect tubular members and/or where for aesthetic or other reasons bolts are not desired, other forms of connectors have been developed. As examples, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,637,193 and 4,775,258 show connectors having male and female components attached by bolts to rods fastened inside of the tubular members. Thus, modification was required to the tubular members at least by fastening rods therein; due to its male/female nature, the tubular members could only be secured in corresponding orientations; and movement was required generally perpendicular to the tubular members to effect connection. Other forms of connection include connectors which slide with a friction fit in the ends of the tubular members such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,469,339 and 5,209,599. However, such friction fit, slide connectors require close tolerances and were prone to allow separation when subjected to tensional forces parallel to the tubular members.
Another example of preferred connectors for tubular members is the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,957 as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,645,509; 3,484,830; 3,977,800; 4,657,426; and 4,859,109 and Australian Appln. No. 371/31. Each of these connectors connect tubular members by providing first and second jaw members insertable into the tubular member in a longitudinal insertion direction and separable after insertion a distance sufficient to allow the jaw members to grip the inside surface of the tubular member with sufficient force to prevent relative movement between the first and second jaw members and the tubular member, with the separation of the jaw members being operable from outside of the tubular member. However, such separable jaw member connectors were deficient such as by the number of components required, their manner of assembly, and the requirement of the use of a tool in operation.
Thus, a need continues to exist for other methods to connect tubular members and which overcome the short-comings and disadvantages of prior connecting techniques.
SUMMARY
The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of connecting tubular members by providing, in the preferred form, a cam located between and for camming first and second jaw members apart-to separate the first and second jaw members while inserted into the tubular member to grip the inside surface of the tubular member.
In other aspects of the present invention, a spring retainer is held in position relative to first and second jaw members and has first and second leg portions which flex relative to a central portion allowing the leg portions to cam upon the free end of the tubular member to flex the leg portions to be spaced for slideable receipt in the tubular member while the first and second jaw members are being inserted into the tubular member in a longitudinal insertion direction and allowing the leg portions to flex outwardly and grip the inside surface of the tubular member if the first and second jaw members are attempted to be moved opposite the longitudinal insertion direction.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel connector for tubular members.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector in some preferred forms which does not require any modification of the tubular member.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector which does not require particular orientations of the tubular member to allow interconnection.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector which does not require movement in directions other than parallel to the tubular member to effect connection.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector for connecting tubular members which are either longitudinally straight or arcuate.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector not requiring close tolerance manufacture.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector which securely grips the tubular member to prevent separation when subjected to tensional forces parallel to the tubular member.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector which maintains the tubular member in a desired rotational position without requiring connection between the tubular member and the connector.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector which distributes force under deflection to more securely grip the tubular member.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector of a simple design of few components that can be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel connector including a spring retainer for holding the connector in place in the tubular member while the connector is in an insertion position.
These and further objects and advantages of the invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.
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patent: 5454661 (1995-10-01), Litvin et al.
patent: 5642957 (1997-07-01), Lange
patent: 5893675 (1999-04-01), Lange
patent: 371/31 (1931-01-01), None
patent: 449334 (1968-04-01), None
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patent: 2103504 (1972-07-01), None
patent: 336915 (1989-10-01), None
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patent: 1052107 (1966-12-01), None
patent: 1097534 (1968-01-01), None
Browne Lynne H.
Kamrath Alan
Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel, LLP.
Walsh John B.
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