Coupling means for tubular members

Claim 1

A coupling means for a pair of tubular members, comprising, in combination, an inner tubular member having a longitudinal axis, the inner tubular member including a first tube having an inner end and further having an annular radially-extending shoulder formed thereon and spaced from the end thereof, the inner tubular member further including a second tube press-fitted over the end of the first tube and having an end bearing against the shoulder, an outer tubular member disposed coaxially of the longitudinal axis and having an end adapted to be slidably telescopically received at least partially over the second tube of the inner tubular member, a substantially-cylindrical spring housing having a flanged base of substantially increased cross-section, said housing being press-fitted to the end of the second tube of the inner tubular member at a position substantially adjacent to the shoulder of the first tube, the spring housing further having an outer annular wall formed integrally with the base and spaced radially from the second tube of the inner tubular member substantially concentrically of the longitudinal axis thereof, the annular wall of the spring housing having an end portion with an annular inner ledge formed thereon, an annular washer flange press-fitted on the annular inner ledge and extending therefrom radially inwardly thereof towards the second tube of the first tubular member, spaced therefrom, and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof, an upwardly-inclined annular flange on the end of the outer tubular member and adapted to be received past the annular washer flange and within the spring housing when the outer tubular member is telescopically slidably received over the second tube of the inner tubular member, the upwardly-inclined annular flange being arranged on an axis transverse to the annular washer flange, an annular garter spring trapped within the spring housing and arranged to be disposed between the annular washer flange and the upwardly-inclined annular flange on the outer tubular member, thereby retaining the outer tubular member on the inner tubular member, whereby the implement may be inserted between the annular washer flange and the outer tubular member and into the spring housing to displace the annular garter spring, thereby allowing the outer tubular member to be slidably removed from the second tube of the inner tubular member, the second tube having a pair of axially spaced-apart external annular grooves formed thereon beyond the end of the first tube, respective sealing rings carried by the grooves, and the outer tubular member having an inner diameter in sealing engagement with the respective rings outwardly of the spring housing.