US3645569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for joining tubular members
Assignee: Beautiline Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An insert for use in forming a releasable locked joint between a hollow rectangular tubular member and a cubical connector which has at least two spigots of rectangular cross section. The insert fits into the tubular member and has a spigot locking portion at each corner, which bridges the corner of the tubular member to provide a void or cavity in each corner. The locked joint is established by inserting the spigot into the insert and then turning the tubular member one-eighth to bring the spigot corners into an interference fit with the spigot locking portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick W Reilly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/0446; A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/0008; A47B2220/00; A47B2220/11; F16B12/00; F16B12/44; F16B2012/446; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S403/00; Y10S403/13; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/44; Y10T403/55; Y10T403/555; Y10T403/57; Y10T403/5741; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7047; Y10T403/7049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for connecting tubular members into a unitary frame comprising in combination: a. a tubular substantially rigid member of square cross section; b. a tubular resiliently compressible insert fitted into an open end of the tubular rigid member with a friction fit, said insert having a spigot locking portion spanning each corner of the tubular member, and forming therewith a cavity between each locking portion and each corner permitting deflection of the spigot locking portion; c. and a cubical connector having a plurality of spigots of substantially square cross section, each spigot projecting outwardly from a different face thereof, the number of spigots corresponding to the number of tubular members to be joined together by one connector, the distance across the diagonals of the spigot being greater than the distance between diametrically opposite spigot locking portions, whereby when the spigot is entered in its respective insert and rotated to bring each spigot corner edge into engagement with its respective locking portion, the spigot and tubular member are releasably locked together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for connecting tubular members into a unitary frame comprising in combination: a. a tubular substantially rigid member of square cross section; b. a tubular resiliently compressible insert fitted into an open end of the tubular rigid member with a friction fit, said insert having a spigot locking portion spanning each corner of the tubular member, and forming therewith a cavity between each locking portion and each corner permitting deflection of the spigot locking portion; c. and a cubical connector having a plurality of spigots of substantially square cross section, each spigot projecting outwardly from a different face thereof, the number of spigots corresponding to the number of tubular members to be joined together by one connector, the distance across the diagonals of the spigot being greater than the distance between diametrically opposite spigot locking portions, whereby when the spigot is entered in its respective insert and rotated to bring each spigot corner edge into engagement with its respective locking portion, the spigot and tubular member are releasably locked together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1 in which each spigot includes a longitudinal groove in each longitudinal corner edge thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 2 in which the marginal edges of each groove are chamfered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the insert comprises a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and a top wall divided into two parts by a channel, said walls diverging outwardly to thereby resiliently bias the sidewalls away from each other whereby a position retaining friction fit is obtained between said insert and the inner walls of the tubular member when the insert is fitted into the open end of the tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
An insert for use in forming a releasable joint between tubular members, each member having a rectangular cross section and a cubical connector having a plurality of spigots of rectangular cross section each spigoT projecting outwardly from a different face of the connector, said insert comprising: a. a resilient plastic tubular body having a rectangular cross section, said body being defined by a base, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a top wall opposed to said base, said body being adapted to fit into the open end of the tubular member with an interference fit; b. a spigot locking portion at each corner of the tubular body and bridging each corner of the tubular member whereby a void is provided between each tubular insert at each corner of the tubular member to thereby permit each spigot locking portion to flex during the locking of the spigot therein when said spigot is entered therein and twisted to a locking position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
An insert for use in forming a releasable joint between tubular members, each member having a rectangular cross section and a cubical connector having a plurality of spigots of rectangular cross section each spigoT projecting outwardly from a different face of the connector, said insert comprising: a. a resilient plastic tubular body having a rectangular cross section, said body being defined by a base, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a top wall opposed to said base, said body being adapted to fit into the open end of the tubular member with an interference fit; b. a spigot locking portion at each corner of the tubular body and bridging each corner of the tubular member whereby a void is provided between each tubular insert at each corner of the tubular member to thereby permit each spigot locking portion to flex during the locking of the spigot therein when said spigot is entered therein and twisted to a locking position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
An insert according to claim 4 in which said top wall of said insert is separated into two parts by a longitudinal channel and said sidewalls diverge outwardly from the base to thereby resiliently bias the sidewalls away from each other whereby a position retaining friction fit is obtained between said body and the inner walls of the tubular member when the insert is fitted into the open end of the tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
257 words
A releasable joint comprising the combination of: a. a plurality of hollow tubular members of substantially square cross section; b. a cubical connector, the dimensions of each side corresponding to the square end of the tubular member, said connector having spigots of substantially square cross section, each spigot projecting outwardly from a different face thereof, the number of spigots corresponding in number to the number of tubular members to be joined by one connector, each spigot being entered in the respective end of a tubular member; c. a resilient plastic tubular insert having a rectangular cross section, said insert being defined by a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and a top wall opposed to said base, said insert being located in the open end of the tubular member between each spigot and the respective inner walls of the tubular member; d. the top wall of the insert being separated into two parts by a longitudinal channel and the side walls diverging outwardly from the base resiliently biasing the sidewalls away from each other whereby a position retaining friction fit is obtained between said insert and the inner walls of the tubular member; and e. the insert having a spigot locking portion bridging each corner of the respective tubular member whereby a void is provided between each spigot-locking portion and the contiguous corner of the tubular member, said locking portions engaging with each longitudinal corner portion of the spigot when the tubular member is rotated thereinto to thereby releasably lock the spigots in a locked position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
257 words
A releasable joint comprising the combination of: a. a plurality of hollow tubular members of substantially square cross section; b. a cubical connector, the dimensions of each side corresponding to the square end of the tubular member, said connector having spigots of substantially square cross section, each spigot projecting outwardly from a different face thereof, the number of spigots corresponding in number to the number of tubular members to be joined by one connector, each spigot being entered in the respective end of a tubular member; c. a resilient plastic tubular insert having a rectangular cross section, said insert being defined by a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and a top wall opposed to said base, said insert being located in the open end of the tubular member between each spigot and the respective inner walls of the tubular member; d. the top wall of the insert being separated into two parts by a longitudinal channel and the side walls diverging outwardly from the base resiliently biasing the sidewalls away from each other whereby a position retaining friction fit is obtained between said insert and the inner walls of the tubular member; and e. the insert having a spigot locking portion bridging each corner of the respective tubular member whereby a void is provided between each spigot-locking portion and the contiguous corner of the tubular member, said locking portions engaging with each longitudinal corner portion of the spigot when the tubular member is rotated thereinto to thereby releasably lock the spigots in a locked position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 7 in which each spigot includes a longitudinal groove in each longitudinal corner edge thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 8 in which the marginal edges of each groove are chamfered.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |