The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 13, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1997
Fredric Lange, Osseo, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A connector (10) for tubular members (12, 14) is disclosed including first and second connector elements (16, 18) each having U-shaped cross sections and first and second jaw members (20, 22). A set screw (30) is threaded into the central portion (24) of the second connector element (18) intermediate the first and second jaw members (20, 22) and has an end abutting with the central portion (24) of the first connector element (16). A collar (32) encircles the first and second connector elements (16, 18) and the set screw (30) intermediate the jaw members (20, 22). The first and second connector elements (16, 18) are biased together by first and second O-rings (50) positioned around the connector elements (16, 18) and on opposite sides of the set screw (30). The jaw members (20, 22) can be inserted in longitudinal insertion directions into the tubular members (12, 14) and the set screw (30) threaded into the second connector element (18) to separate the jaw members (20, 22) sufficiently to grip the inside surfaces of the tubular members (12, 14) with sufficient force to prevent relative movement therebetween. Each of the jaw members (20, 22) are arcuate shaped of an increasing spacing from their free ends (21, 23) for their insertion distance allowing the connector (10) to interconnect tubular members (12, 14) which are either longitudinally straight or arcuate.