Structure having interconnected metal tubes

Claim 1

A structure comprising: a first tube of generally uniform thickness having a substantially cylindrical end portion generally adjacent one axial end, and a circumferential stopper wall spaced from said end and defining an external diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical end portion of the first tube; a second tube of generally uniform thickness having a cylindrical tubular wall portion spaced from one axial end slidably disposed over the end portion of said first tube, said second tube having a step portion intermediate the tubular wall portion and the end of the second tube, the step portion extending outwardly from the cylindrical tubular wall portion of the second tube and being in abutting relationship with the stopper wall of said first tube, an enlarged wall portion intermediate the step portion and the end of the second tube, said enlarged wall portion defining an internal diameter at least as great as the external diameter of the stopper wall of the first tube, a plurality of spaced apart slots formed in said enlarged wall portion and defining a circumferential array of slots thereabout, portions of said second tube intermediate the slots therein being deformed inwardly and engaging the first tube at a location adjacent the stopper was such that the stopper wall is intermediate the deformed portion of the second tube and the step portion thereof; a generally annular seal disposed intermediate the second tube and the cylindrical portion of the first tube; and a circumferentially extending fastening means engaging the inwardly deformed portion of said second tube, whereby the slots in said second tube enable the fastening means to deform the second tube inwardly into the first tube for securely fastening said first and second tubes together.