Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A joint coupling for axially connecting together a first joint and a second joint, comprising: (a) a first complementary member connected to, or integrally formed with, the first joint; (b) a second complementary member connected to, or integrally formed with, the second joint, said first mid second complementary members being sized and shaped so that, when properly aligned, said complementary members form an overlap structure which is effectively a continuation of the first joint or the second joint; (c) a sleeve slidable over said overlap structure so as to secure the joint coupling; and (d) a first depressible member and a second depressible member connected to, or integrally formed with, each other, said first and second depressible members being biased outwardly so as to prevent said sleeve from sliding off said second joint until the joint coupling is to be secured and to prevent said sleeve from sliding away from said overlap structure when the joint coupling is secured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A joint coupling for axially connecting together a first joint and a second joint, comprising: (a) a first complementary member connected to, or integrally formed with, the first joint; (b) a second complementary member connected to, or integrally formed with, the second joint, said first mid second complementary members being sized and shaped so that, when properly aligned, said complementary members form an overlap structure which is effectively a continuation of the first joint or the second joint; (c) a sleeve slidable over said overlap structure so as to secure the joint coupling; and (d) a first depressible member and a second depressible member connected to, or integrally formed with, each other, said first and second depressible members being biased outwardly so as to prevent said sleeve from sliding off said second joint until the joint coupling is to be secured and to prevent said sleeve from sliding away from said overlap structure when the joint coupling is secured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A joint coupling as in claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a tapered inside surface and wherein said overlap structure has a tapered outside surface such that when said sleeve is slid completely over said overlap structure, said inside surface of said sleeve makes contact with said outside surface of said overlap structure so as to secure the joint coupling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A joint coupling as in claim 3 wherein said outside surface of said overlap structure and said inner surface of said sleeve are frusto-conical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A joint coupling as in claim 1 wherein said overlap structure has a cylindrical outer surface and said sleeve has a cylindrical inner surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A joint coupling as in claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members have surfaces which come in contact with each other when forming said overlap structure, said surfaces each including at least one protrusion and at least one recession.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A joint coupling as in claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary members have surfaces which come in contact with each other when forming said overlap structure, said surfaces each including a plurality of teeth.