Patent US3864048A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3864048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick-Acting Releasable Tube Connectors
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A positive, reliable, quickly connectable and disconnectable means of connecting lengths of telescoping tubing in a selected one of a large number of relatively axial adjustment positions. While capable of a very wide range of uses, the invention is of particular value for take-down walking aids such an canes, crutches and walkers constructed of aluminum or magnesium tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Alene Mccall Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/10; F16B7/105; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/16; Y10T403/1616; Y10T403/20; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32426; Y10T403/32442; Y10T403/32451; Y10T403/32459; Y10T403/60; Y10T403/602; Y10T403/604
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
Apparatus comprising inner and outer telescopically interfitting tubular sections having a common longitudinal axis, said outer section having a plurality of regularly- and axiallyspaced radial holes in and through its walls, said inner section also having a plurality of axially-spaced radial holes in and through its walls and spaced differently from the spacing of the holes in said outer section, all said holes being the same diametral size, a plug entirely fitting within and axially adjustable in and along said inner section, bayonet slot means formed on one end of said plug, said plug having a bore extending diametrically thereacross, generally cylindrical latch means movably fitting within said bore and having an outer end of reduced diametral size to smoothly fit within and extend through any selected registering pair of radial holes in and through said sections, said reduced outer end forming an annular shoulder with the body of said latch means, actuating means within said bore operaable to move said latch means radially outwardly along said bore, from a first position entirely within said plug, outwardly to a second and latching position with its reduced end extending through any selected registering pair of holes in said sections and in registration with said bore, to thus releasably lock said sections in selected telescopic relation, and abutment means cooperating with said shoulder on said latch means, positively limiting radially outward movement thereof in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus comprising inner and outer telescopically interfitting tubular sections having a common longitudinal axis, said outer section having a plurality of regularly- and axiallyspaced radial holes in and through its walls, said inner section also having a plurality of axially-spaced radial holes in and through its walls and spaced differently from the spacing of the holes in said outer section, all said holes being the same diametral size, a plug entirely fitting within and axially adjustable in and along said inner section, bayonet slot means formed on one end of said plug, said plug having a bore extending diametrically thereacross, generally cylindrical latch means movably fitting within said bore and having an outer end of reduced diametral size to smoothly fit within and extend through any selected registering pair of radial holes in and through said sections, said reduced outer end forming an annular shoulder with the body of said latch means, actuating means within said bore operaable to move said latch means radially outwardly along said bore, from a first position entirely within said plug, outwardly to a second and latching position with its reduced end extending through any selected registering pair of holes in said sections and in registration with said bore, to thus releasably lock said sections in selected telescopic relation, and abutment means cooperating with said shoulder on said latch means, positively limiting radially outward movement thereof in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said bore being reduced in diametral dimension at its end adjacent said first-named shoulder to thereby define a second annular shoulder abutment means, to contact said first-named shoulder when said latch means is in second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 said bore being threaded, said latch means being a holding screw engaging the threads of said bore and of larger diameter than the holes in said tubular sections, turning of said screw outwardly to second position causing said annular shoulder to abut the perimeter of the selected hole in said inner tubular section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said generally cylindrical latch means having an integral axial extension of reduced diameter within said bore, and extending oppositely from said reduced outer end thereof, and a coil spring within said bore encompassing said axial extension and urging said latch means radially outwardly to second and latching position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination, a first tubular section, a second tubular section telescopically and axially slidably fitting about said first section, a plug discrete from and slidably fitting within said first section for axial adjustment to any selected pOsition therealong, bayonet slot means formed on one end of said plug, latch means movable in and along a diametral bore formed in said plug, and operating means in said bore, operable to move said latch means in and along said bore, outwardly into any selected registering pair of a plurality of regularly and axially spaced apertures formed in and through the walls of said sections, to thereby releasably lock said sections together in a selected one of a plurality of axially-related positions, the axial spacing of the apertures in one section differing from the spacing of the apertures in the other said section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
In combination, a first tubular section, a second tubular section telescopically and axially slidably fitting about said first section, a plug discrete from and slidably fitting within said first section for axial adjustment to any selected pOsition therealong, bayonet slot means formed on one end of said plug, latch means movable in and along a diametral bore formed in said plug, and operating means in said bore, operable to move said latch means in and along said bore, outwardly into any selected registering pair of a plurality of regularly and axially spaced apertures formed in and through the walls of said sections, to thereby releasably lock said sections together in a selected one of a plurality of axially-related positions, the axial spacing of the apertures in one section differing from the spacing of the apertures in the other said section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
The combination of claim 5 said latch means comprising a smooth cylinder having an outer end of reduced diametral size and forming with said cylinder a first annular shoulder, the contiguous end of said bore being of reduced diameter to form a second shoulder, said shoulders abutting when said reduced outer end of said cylinder projects into a selected registering pair of apertures in said tubular sections to thereby positively prevent further outward movement of said cylinder, said operating means comprising a coil spring engaging and urging said cylinder into outward limiting position wherein said shoulders abut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein said bayonet joint slot means formed on one end of said plug is adapted to engage with a rod to be inserted axially into said inner section from one end thereof and constructed and arranged for detachable connection with said bayonet joint slot means of said plug so as to adjust the same axially in and along said first section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 5, said first section being formed with an indicating line extending longitudinally thereof and in registration with each aperture therein, and circumferential indicating lines in intersecting relation with each said aperture, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
The combination of claim 5, said latch means comprising a first screw having an outer end of reduced diameter sized for a smooth fit in and through any selected pair of said registering apertures in said first and second sections, said operating means comprising threads on the wall of said bore, and in engagement with the threads of said screw, there being slot means formed in the reduced-diameter outer end of said screw, for engagement with a screwdriver adapted to be inserted through the selected registering pair of apertures in said tubular sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 9, the reduced outer end of said first screw forming therewith an annular shoulder, said shoulder engaging the perimeter of any selected aperture in said first section, to thereby positively limit outward movement of said first screw relatively to said sections.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |