US3851980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubing connector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-19
•
Granted: 1974-12-03
•
Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A tubing connector comprises a member in the form of an elbow, T. Y, or the like. At least some arms of the member have a plurality of rows of ratchet-like teeth extending parallel to the axis of the arm, with the rows arranged parallel to each other and separated by aisles of standard width. A ring, preferably decorative, having an external tab thereon, includes at least one internal tooth which matches with and passes down one of the aisles as the ring is slipped over the arm. Hence, the ring may be slipped off the arm, rotated to any of many alternative angular settings, and then slipped back onto the arm with the tab positioned to support a glass table top, or the like. A tubular side rail may then be slipped on over each of the arms and be held in place by the ratchet teeth. By changing decorative rings, the total appearance may be completely altered.
Inventors
- 👤 M Cheris
- 👤 L Worth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/0446; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/34; Y10T403/341; Y10T403/342; Y10T403/343; Y10T403/55; Y10T403/555; Y10T403/559
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A tubing connector comprising a joining member having at least one arm with an outer surface bearing a plurality of rows of ratchet-like teeth, the rows being arranged in a spaced parallel relationship separated by aisles, ring means having an external tab and at least one internal tooth which matches with and passes down an aisle between two of said rows, when said ring is slipped over said arm, whereby the tab may be rotated to any of many alternative angular settings by the expedient of removing, rotating, and replacing the rings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tubing connector comprising a joining member having at least one arm with an outer surface bearing a plurality of rows of ratchet-like teeth, the rows being arranged in a spaced parallel relationship separated by aisles, ring means having an external tab and at least one internal tooth which matches with and passes down an aisle between two of said rows, when said ring is slipped over said arm, whereby the tab may be rotated to any of many alternative angular settings by the expedient of removing, rotating, and replacing the rings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The connector of claim 1 and side rail means having therein a bore for receiving said arm, each of the ratchet teeth comprising an inclined plane projecting away from the surface of the side rail arm in a direction which enables the arm to slip into the bore and which resists removal of the arm from the bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The connector of claim 2 and groove means for providing circumferential clearance at the innermost end of the rows of the arm, said groove being positioned to receive any debris appearing in front of the advancing end of said side rails as it is pushed onto said arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 3 and means for receiving and supporting on said side rail a decorative ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The connector of claim 4, wherein said decorative ring has an O-ring and an internal groove for partially receiving said O-ring whereby the inside diameter of the O-ring guards the side rail against scratching while said decorative ring is slipped on over said side rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said connector has at least two mutually perpendicular arms, seat means formed on each of said arms to receive one of said ring means with a tab, said ring means being rotationally oriented on said connector so that the tab projects inwardly with respect to the perpendicular angle of said arms, whereby said tabs receive and support a table top.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said connector is an elbow having two mutually perpendicular arms, a pair of tubular side rails, each side rail having therein a socket for receiving a corresponding one of said perpendicular arms, each row of the ratchet teeth and each separating aisle extending longitudinally along the length of said arm, parallel to the axis of the arm, each ratchet tooth comprisiNg an inclined plane projecting away from the surface of the side rail at an angle with the apex of the angle pointing toward a side rail to enable the arm to slip easily into the socket while resisting removal of the arm from the socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 1 and groove means at the root of said arm for providing circumferential clearance to receive any material pushed out in front of the advancing end of said side rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 1 and means on said side rail for receiving and supporting a decorative ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector of claim 9 wherein said decorative ring has an internal embossment for fitting into a groove circumferentially formed around the outside surface of said side rail.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
THe connector of claim 1 wherein said connector has at least two mutually perpendicular arms with one of said ring means with tab located on each of said arms in a position such that the tab on each ring means projects inwardly with respect to the perpendicular angle of said arms, to receive and support a table top.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
THe connector of claim 1 wherein there are a mutual perpendicular pair of said arms and a third and fluted arm perpendicular to said pair of arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 1 and means for stabilizing said ring means to preclude rotational displacement thereof under the weight of a table top.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 13 wherein the stabilizing means comprises a seat portion for receiving said ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The connector of claim 14 wherein the stabilizing means includes at least one recess in the seat portion and a projecting tip inside the side rail adapted to slip into the recess and to thereby lock together the resulting assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 1 and a seat portion on said arm, a side rail for slipping on over said arm, and mating means for locking said side rail onto said arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 16 wherein said mating means is in position to lock said side rail onto said connector when said ring is not used.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 16 wherein said mating means is positioned to lock said side rail onto said connector when said ring is used.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |