Securing clamp

Claim 2

A securing clamp for preventing relative movement between a pair of joined members about a central axis, said securing clamp includes a first holding means for resiliently attaching said securing clamp to one of said members, a second holding means engaging the other of said members, rigid means having a web section extending along one side of said clamp for holding said first and second means in relative position to each other for maintaining said members in the same relative position; said first holding means having a pair of resilient arms extending from opposite sides of said web section for engaging one of said members, a securing finger extending from the outer ends of each arm for holding said one member between said arms, a foot portion extending substantially at a right angle from each of said arms toward the opposite arm for engaging said one member and preventing movement in one direction of said securing clamp longitudinally of said one member.

Claim 3

The securing clamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second holding means includes a web foot extending substantially at a right angle from the plane of said web section, said web foot including a slot formed therein having substantially parallel sides for engaging the other of said members, and said other member having means formed thereon for cooperating with said slot for restricting relative movement of said other member relative to said clamp.

Claim 4

The securing clamp as claimed in claim 2 wherein the other of said members includes a second means for cooperating with said web foot for restricting longitudinal movement of said securing clamp opposite to said one direction restricted by said foot portion.

Claim 5

In a longitudinally extensible coupling having a first member and a second member, a securing clamp for holding said members from relative movement and permitting movement in unison, said securing clamp comprising a rigid web section extending longitudinally adjacent the extensible connection, a first holding means extending from said web section for engaging said first member, said first holding means including a pair of substantially parallel resilient arms extending from opposite edges of said web section for engaging opposed sides of said first member, securing fingers extending from the end of each arm on opposite sides of said web section for securing said securing clamp in engagement with said first member for preventing rotative movement of said first member about its longitudinal axis relative to said securing clamp, and foot portions extending substantially at right angles from each of said arms toward the opposite arm for contacting an end surface of said first member and restricting movement of said securing clamp in one direction longitudinally of said members; a second holding means extending from said web section for engaging said second member, said second holding means including a web foot extending substantially normal to the plane of said web section and to the longitudinal axis of said extensible coupling for engaging said second member and restricting movement of said securing clamp in the other direction longitudinally of said members, said web foot including a slot formed therein having substantially parallel sides for engaging said second member, said second member having flats formed thereon for cooperating with said parallel sides of said slot for preventing rotational movement of said second member about its longitudinal axis relative to said seCuring clamp.

Claim 6

In a longitudinally extensible coupling having a first member and a second member, a securing clamp for holding said members from relative movement and permitting movement in unison, said securing clamp comprising a rigid web section extending longitudinally adjacent the extensible connection, a first holding means extending from said web section for engaging said first member, said first holding means including a pair of substantially parallel resilient arms extending from opposite edges of said web section for engaging opposed sides of said first member, securing fingers extending from the end of each arm on opposite sides of said web section for securing said securing clamp in engagement with said first member for preventing rotative movement of said first member about its longitudinal axis relative to said securing clamp, and foot portions extending substantially at right angles from each of said arms toward the opposite arm for contacting an end surface of said first member and restricting movement of said securing clamp in one direction longitudinally of said members; a second holding means extending from said web section for engaging said second member, said second holding means including a web foot extending substantially normal to the plane of said web section and to the longitudinal axis of said extensible coupling for engaging said second member and restricting movement of said securing clamp in the other direction longitudinally of said members, said web foot including a slot formed therein having substantially parallel sides for engaging said second member, said second member having flats formed thereon for cooperating with said parallel sides of said slot for preventing rotational movement of said second member about its longitudinal axis relative to said seCuring clamp.