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:
Jan. 08, 2002
Filed:
May. 01, 2000
Michael W. Williams, Middletown, RI (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A break-away end cap assembly includes a tube member of predetermined characteristics and an end cap member for releasably securing the open end of the tube member. An annular recessed groove is formed in the inner surface of the tube member. The end cap member includes an outer flange portion having an outer peripheral surface consistent in diameter with an outer diameter of the tube member and a body portion depending from the outer flange portion. At least one recessed opening is laterally formed within the body portion with a pilot hole formed at the base end of each recessed opening. A normally biased spring member is seated in a base of the recessed opening and a retractable pin is positioned over the normally biased spring member. The retractable pin has an outer beveled surface end which seats within the annular recessed groove and is held therein with the normally biased pressure of the spring member until a force greater than the normal bias of the spring member is applied against the inner surface of the end cap.