Nonreleasable connecting device

Claim 2

A connecting device comprising first and second members, each having elongated shaft means and head means, said members being interconnectable and lockable together; said first member having an elongated shaft with a number of radially directed surfaces extending along the length thereof, the innermost portion of one radial surface being connected to the outermost surface of an adjacent radial surface by a curved generally continuous surface, said first member having a locking end portion attached to the end of said shaft for connection to said second member; said second member having an elongated split shaft with a central opening therein adapted to receive the shaft of said first member in cooperative engagement and a slot in the head means thereof through which said locking end portion of said first member passes, said second member having recesses on opposite sides of said slot for receiving cooperating portions of said locking end portion when said locking end portion is inserted a predetermined distance and rotated about one fourth turn relative to said second member and moved into locking engagement with said recesses, said rotation causing said first member shaft to radially expand said split shaft of said second member.

Claim 3

A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking end portion includes a pair of radially inwardly deflectable locking arms having locking tabs on the outer end portion adapted to pass by and thereafter engage a surface of said recess after rotation and retractive axial movement.

Claim 4

A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said head means comprises a generally flat circular configuration.

Claim 5

A nonreleasable connector comprising first and second elements, each of said elements having an elongated shaft and enlarged head means attached thereto, said elements cooperatively locking together, said elongated shaft of said first element having a number of generally radially directed surfaces extending along the length thereof, with the circumference between adjacent radial surfaces gradually sweeping radially outwardly from the inner edge of the radial surface to the outer edge of an adjacent radial surface to thereby define a curved ramp surface therebetween; said elongated shaft of said second element having two half sections and a central opening therein adapted to receive the shaft of the first element, said first element having a locking member at the end of said shaft opposite said head means, said locking member including one or more integrally formed locking arms, one or more of which is radially deflectable to enable movement by and subsequent engagement with a locking surface, said head means of said second element containing a rectangular slot adapted to receive said locking member when the shaft of said first element is inserted into the central opening of the shaft of the second element and the locking member is passed through said elongated slot, said second element further including recesses adjacent said slot for receiving said locking arms when said first and second elements are brought together sufficiently to permit rotation of one relative to the other, are thereafter rotated about 1/4 revolution relative to one another and retracted into locking engagement.

Claim 6

A nonreleasable connector comprising first and second elements, each of said elements having an elongated shaft and enlarged head means attached thereto, said elements cooperatively locking together, said elongated shaft of said first element having a number of generally radially directed surfaces extending along the length thereof, with the circumference between adjacent radial surfaces gradually sweeping radially outwardly from the inner edge of the radial surface to the outer edge of an adjacent radial surface to thereby define a curved ramp surface therebetween; said elongated shaft of said second element having two half sections and a central opening therein adapted to receive the shaft of the first element, said first element having a locking member at the end of said shaft opposite said head means, said locking member including one or more integrally formed locking arms, one or more of which is radially deflectable to enable movement by and subsequent engagement with a locking surface, said head means of said second element containing a rectangular slot adapted to receive said locking member when the shaft of said first element is inserted into the central opening of the shaft of the second element and the locking member is passed through said elongated slot, said second element further including recesses adjacent said slot for receiving said locking arms when said first and second elements are brought together sufficiently to permit rotation of one relative to the other, are thereafter rotated about 1/4 revolution relative to one another and retracted into locking engagement.

Claim 7

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said enlarged head means are of a generally flat circular shape.

Claim 8

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said generally flat circular shaped head of said first element includes a relatively thin annulus between the outer Circumference thereof and the outside diameter of the shaft thereof to permit axial flexing of said shaft relative to the outer circumferential portion of said head.

Claim 9

A connector as defined in claim 6 wherein the length of said second element shaft is such that said first element can only be rotated relative thereto when said locking arms of said locking member clear the sidewalls of said slot, said condition requiring axial movement of the center relative to the circumferential portion of said first element head means.

Claim 10

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said locking member further includes an integrally formed removable grip means secured to the end of said locking member for facilitating insertion of said first element in said second element.

Claim 11

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein the outer surface configuration of said first and the inner surface configuration of said second element shafts are sufficiently similar to permit sliding axial movement during connection thereof, said ramp surfaces causing said half sections of said shaft of said second element to be separated and thereby enlarge said second element shaft in response to rotation of said first element relative to said second element when said locking member is rotated into engagement with said recesses of said second element.

Claim 12

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said first element shaft includes four radial surfaces generally equally spaced around the circumference, with each of the radial surfaces being aligned either generally parallel or perpendicular to said elongated slot when said locking member is inserted therein.

Claim 13

A connector as defined in claim 10 wherein said shaft of said second element is radially enlarged the maximum amount when said locking member is rotated such that said locking arms engage said recesses.

Claim 14

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said first and second elements are fabricated from a resilient plastic-like material.

Claim 15

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said locking arms are radially inwardly deflectible and said end of said locking member being generally flush with the end surface of said head of said second element when said elements are interlocked together.

Claim 16

A connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said recesses are located in the sidewalls of said slot of said second member so that locking engagement by said first element locking arms is internal and thereby precludes access and release of said elements from one another.