Coupling device for inserting cables into cable-protecting pipes

Claim 1

A coupling device comprising a male coupling member adapted to be at least partially inserted into a female coupling member, said male coupling member including a shank-like body, at least three fins carried by said shank-like body, means pivotally connecting said fins for pivotal movement between a first uncoupled position and a second coupled position at which a coupling portion of said fins are respectively adjacent and remote from said shank-like body, spring means for normally urging said fins to said second position, said three fins being generally equally circumferentially spaced from each other about said shank-like body, each fin having opposite first and second end portions, at least three equally circumferentially spaced longitudinally disposed radially outwardly opening slots in said shank-like body, a first end portion of each fin being housed in an associated one of said slots and the second end portion of each fin being disposed outwardly of its associated slot, said spring means normally biases said first end portion of each fin into its associated slot, said spring means being an annular resilient member generally in circumferential relationship to said shank-like body and biasing the first end portion of each fin toward its associated slot, said female coupling member including a ring defining an opening of a size to freely receive said shank-like body yet small enough to move said fins from generally said second position toward generally said first position upon the introduction of said shank-like body into said ring, said ring including surface means for axially abutting each fin second end portion to couple said male and female coupling members together when said fins are in said second coupled position, and means for connecting an end of an individual flexible rod to each of said male and female coupling members.