Coupling means for sewer rod

Claim 2

In combination a. a plurality of cylindrical metal rods, a-1. each rod having its opposite ends shaped symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod; a-2. end portions of the rods being flattened and spread symmetrically to both sides of the rod center axis; a-3. said flattend spread end portions of said rods forming inclined shoulders at their junction with the cylindrical portion of said rod; b. coupling means for connecting said rods axially together in overlapping manner for transmitting axial and torsional forces from one rod to an adjacent rod without substantial loss, said coupling means comprising: b-1. first and second coupler components; b-2. said first coupler component being open at one end and having an internal recess; b-3. said second coupler component having a shank adapted to be received within said first coupler component; b-4. said recess of said first coupler component being adapted to receive overlapping portions of the ends of two adjacent rods; b-5. said recess of said first coupler component being rectangular in cross section and of a size and shape to receive snugly the overlapping spread end portions of adjacent rods; b-6. said first and second coupler components having inclined inner surfaces adapted to bear against said inclined shoulders.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 characterized in that said overlapping spread end portions are dished.

Claim 4

In combination: a. a plurality of cylindrical metal rods, a-1. each rod having its opposite ends shaped to provide a transverse groove inward of the rod end and a flange between said groove and terminal ends of the rod: a-2. said flange at the end of one rod fitting into the groove of the adjacent rod when said rods are connected together in an overlapped manner; b. coupling means for connecting said rods axially together in overlapped nammer for transmitting axial and torsional forces from one rod to an adjacent rod without substantial loss, said coupling means comprising: b-1. first and second coupler components; b-2. said first coupler component being open at one end and having an internal recess; b-3. said second coupler component having a shank adapted to be received within said first coupler component; b-4. said recess of said first coupler component being adapted to receive overlapping portions of the ends of two adjacent rods; b-5. said second coupler component having an external threaded shank and a through bore located off the central axis of the shank.

Claim 5

In combination: a. a plurality of cylindrical metal rods, a-1. each rod having its opposite ends shaped to provide a transverse groove inward of the rod end and a flange between said groove and terminal ends of the rod: a-2. said flange at the end of one rod fitting into the groove of the adjacent rod when said rods are connected together in an overlapped manner; b. coupling means for connecting said rods axially together in overlapped nammer for transmitting axial and torsional forces from one rod to an adjacent rod without substantial loss, said coupling means comprising: b-1. first and second coupler components; b-2. said first coupler component being open at one end and having an internal recess; b-3. said second coupler component having a shank adapted to be received within said first coupler component; b-4. said recess of said first coupler component being adapted to receive overlapping portions of the ends of two adjacent rods; b-5. said second coupler component having an external threaded shank and a through bore located off the central axis of the shank.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 3 characterized in that: a. the exterior surface of the flange portion is tapered; b. internal portions of said first and second coupler components have inclined surfaces for bearing against the tapered surfaces of the flange portions.

Claim 7

In combination: a. a plurality of cylindrical metal rod sections; a-1. each rod section having its opposite integral end portions flattened and spread to both sides of the center axis of the rod section so as to form a substantially rectangular cross-sectional end portion; a-2. said flattened Spread end portions forming at each end of the rod opposing flat surfaces and inclined shoulders at their junction with the cylindrical portion of said rod; a-3. one of said opposing flat surfaces being provided with a transverse groove inward of the end of the rod section forming a flange between said groove and the terminal end of the rod section; a-4. said flange at the end of one rod section fitting into the groove of the adjacent rod section when said rods are interfitted together in overlapping manner; b. coupling means for connecting said rod sections axially together in overlapping manner for transmitting axial and torsional forces from one rod section to an adjacent rod section without substantial loss, said coupling means comprising: b-1. first and second coupler components; b-2. said first coupler component having at one end an internally threaded shank and an internal recess of circular cross-section inward of said threaded portion of said shank; b-3. said second coupler component having an externally threaded shank and an internal recess of circular cross-section substantially coextensive with said externally threaded portion of said shank; b-4. said recesses of first and second coupler components having diameters corresponding to the width of said flattened spread end portions of said rod section, and adapted to receive overlapping interfitted end portions of two adjacent rods; b-5. said coupler components having inclined surfaces adapted to bear in opposing directions against said shoulders of said rod sections when said coupler components are threaded together and tightened.

Claim 8

In combination: a. a plurality of cylindrical metal rod sections; a-1. each rod section having its opposite integral end portions flattened and spread to both sides of the center axis of the rod section so as to form a substantially rectangular cross-sectional end portion; a-2. said flattened Spread end portions forming at each end of the rod opposing flat surfaces and inclined shoulders at their junction with the cylindrical portion of said rod; a-3. one of said opposing flat surfaces being provided with a transverse groove inward of the end of the rod section forming a flange between said groove and the terminal end of the rod section; a-4. said flange at the end of one rod section fitting into the groove of the adjacent rod section when said rods are interfitted together in overlapping manner; b. coupling means for connecting said rod sections axially together in overlapping manner for transmitting axial and torsional forces from one rod section to an adjacent rod section without substantial loss, said coupling means comprising: b-1. first and second coupler components; b-2. said first coupler component having at one end an internally threaded shank and an internal recess of circular cross-section inward of said threaded portion of said shank; b-3. said second coupler component having an externally threaded shank and an internal recess of circular cross-section substantially coextensive with said externally threaded portion of said shank; b-4. said recesses of first and second coupler components having diameters corresponding to the width of said flattened spread end portions of said rod section, and adapted to receive overlapping interfitted end portions of two adjacent rods; b-5. said coupler components having inclined surfaces adapted to bear in opposing directions against said shoulders of said rod sections when said coupler components are threaded together and tightened.