US3867045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube connector
Assignee: Amax Aluminum Co Inc
•
Filing: 1974-03-25
•
Granted: 1975-02-18
•
Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A U-shaped tube-connecting clip is provided having a substantially rectangular configuration formed from strip material, the U-shaped clip having a substantially flat bottom at its bight with a pair of legs depending upwardly from opposite edges of the said bight, the free edges of the bight being in the form of extending ledges for interference engagement with a rectangular tube upon axial assembly thereof. The legs of the clip are provided with indexing shoulders for contacting the end of the receiving tube during assembly, the tube being provided with lanced detents on opposite walls thereof in the form of inwardly projecting snap retention shoulders which provide spring-biased engagement with the ledges of the clip following the insertion thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Max D Beals
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/048; F16B7/0486; F16B7/0446
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A mechanical joint comprising one rectangular tube joined at an angle to another, said joint comprising, a first hollow tube portion of rectangular configuration, a U-shaped tube-connecting clip having a pair of legs which embraces transversely said first tube portion with the legs fastened thereto, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform or web at its bight with said pair of legs depending from opposite edges Of said bight, the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of extending ledges, each of said legs having indexing shoulders laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, a second rectangular hollow tube portion having an open end into which the bight end of said clip is inserted in interference engagement therewith having inwardly projecting snap-retention means which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges of said clip following the insertion thereof, said snapretention means being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to the said predetermined distance between the indexing shoulders of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that a substantially rigid mechanical joint is formed in which the indexing shoulders of the clip are held firmly against the end of said second tube with the ledges of the bight in engagement with the snap-retention means of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A mechanical joint comprising one rectangular tube joined at an angle to another, said joint comprising, a first hollow tube portion of rectangular configuration, a U-shaped tube-connecting clip having a pair of legs which embraces transversely said first tube portion with the legs fastened thereto, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform or web at its bight with said pair of legs depending from opposite edges Of said bight, the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of extending ledges, each of said legs having indexing shoulders laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, a second rectangular hollow tube portion having an open end into which the bight end of said clip is inserted in interference engagement therewith having inwardly projecting snap-retention means which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges of said clip following the insertion thereof, said snapretention means being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to the said predetermined distance between the indexing shoulders of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that a substantially rigid mechanical joint is formed in which the indexing shoulders of the clip are held firmly against the end of said second tube with the ledges of the bight in engagement with the snap-retention means of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein the inwardly projecting snap-retention means of said second tube portion comprise lanced detents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanical joint of claim 1, wherein the rectangular tubes forming the joint have a substantially square cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
221 words
A tube-connecting assembly comprising a hollow rectangular tube portion with a U-shaped tube-connecting clip snap-fitted therein, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform at its bight with a pair of spaced legs depending from opposite edges of said bight with the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of freely extending ledges, at least one of said legs having an indexing shoulder laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, said rectangular hollow tube portion receiving the bight end of said clip in axial snap-fitted engagement therewith, said tube portion having inwardly projecting snap-retention means located on opposite walls of said tube which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges of said clip, said snap-retention means being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to said predetermined distance between the at least one indexing shoulder of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that the tube-connecting assembly is characterized in that the said at least one indexing shoulder of the clip engages the end of the tube with the free ledges of the bight engaging the snap-retention means of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention means thereby forming a substantially rigid tube connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
221 words
A tube-connecting assembly comprising a hollow rectangular tube portion with a U-shaped tube-connecting clip snap-fitted therein, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform at its bight with a pair of spaced legs depending from opposite edges of said bight with the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of freely extending ledges, at least one of said legs having an indexing shoulder laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, said rectangular hollow tube portion receiving the bight end of said clip in axial snap-fitted engagement therewith, said tube portion having inwardly projecting snap-retention means located on opposite walls of said tube which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges of said clip, said snap-retention means being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to said predetermined distance between the at least one indexing shoulder of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that the tube-connecting assembly is characterized in that the said at least one indexing shoulder of the clip engages the end of the tube with the free ledges of the bight engaging the snap-retention means of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention means thereby forming a substantially rigid tube connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tube-connecting assembly of claim 4, wherein said rectangular tube portion has a substantially square cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
227 words
A tube-connecting assembly comprising a hollow rectangular tube portion with a U-shaped tube-connecting clip snap-fitted therein, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform at its bight with a pair of spaced legs depending from opposite edges of said bight, the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of freely extending ledges, at least one of said legs having an indexing shoulder laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, said rectangular hollow tube portion receiving the bight end of said clip in axial snap-fitted engagement therewith, said tube portion having lanced detents on opposite walls of said tube in the form of inwardly projecting snap-retention shoulders which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges on the bight of said clip, said snap-retention shoulders being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to the predetermined distance betWeen the at least one indexing shoulder of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that the tube-connecting assembly is characterized in that the said at least one indexing shoulder of the clip engages the end of the tube with the free ledges of the bight engaging the snap-retention shoulders of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention shoulders, thereby forming a substantially rigid connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
227 words
A tube-connecting assembly comprising a hollow rectangular tube portion with a U-shaped tube-connecting clip snap-fitted therein, said U-shaped tube-connecting clip being of substantially rectangular configuration and having a substantially flat platform at its bight with a pair of spaced legs depending from opposite edges of said bight, the free edges of said bight between the legs being in the form of freely extending ledges, at least one of said legs having an indexing shoulder laterally formed therein at a predetermined distance from said bight, said rectangular hollow tube portion receiving the bight end of said clip in axial snap-fitted engagement therewith, said tube portion having lanced detents on opposite walls of said tube in the form of inwardly projecting snap-retention shoulders which provide spring-biased engagement with the free ledges on the bight of said clip, said snap-retention shoulders being located a predetermined distance in from the open end of the tube corresponding substantially to the predetermined distance betWeen the at least one indexing shoulder of the U-shaped clip and the bight thereof, such that the tube-connecting assembly is characterized in that the said at least one indexing shoulder of the clip engages the end of the tube with the free ledges of the bight engaging the snap-retention shoulders of the tube by virtue of the spring-biased action of said snap-retention shoulders, thereby forming a substantially rigid connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tube-connecting assembly of claim 6, wherein said rectangular tube portion has a substantially square cross section.
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) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |