Coupling

Claim 1

A coupling for connecting a first member telescoped within a second member comprising, a connector slidably mounted on said first member and having a continuous skirt portion spaced from said member and extending from an end closure through which said first member passes in sliding relation towards an open end of said connector, a resiliently deformable first flange depending from said skirt portion inwardly towards said first member, a second flange intergral with said second member and depending outwardly from said second member, the relative depths of said flanges being such that they overlap each other, said second flange including an inclined surface which forms with said first member a wedge-shaped channel, said first flange having a face inclined in a direction outwardly from said skirt portion towards said open end, said second flange having a face correspondingly inclined, said inclined faces registering with each other when said second flange is disposed inwardly of said first flange relative to said open end, in which position said flanges overlap one another thereby inhibiting removal of said connector from engagement with said second flange, said inclined faces allowing the face on said first flange to ride up the inclined face on said second flange as said first flange resiliently deforms to aid removal of said connector from engagement with said second flange if sufficient opposed force is applied between the connector and the second member, said first flange including a second inclined face whereby said first flange tapers towards said first member, and said second flange has a further inclined face inclined correspondingly to said second face on said first flange whereby said second flange tapers away from said second member, a rigid cover member slidably mOunted on said first member, said cover member including a skirt portion extending from an end closure through which said first member passes in sliding relation towards an open end of said cover member, said cover member overlying and engaging said connector, the inner surface of said skirt and end closure of said cover member engaging the outer surface of said skirt and end closure of said connector respectively, thereby inhibiting removal of said connector from engagement with said second flange without removal of said cover member, and wedge-shaped sealing material wedged in said wedge shaped channel between said first and second members and held in position by engagement with the inner wall of the end closure of said connector and through the connector holding the flanges in engagement.