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US Patent 5439309 - Joint coupling

US Patent Issued on August 8, 1995
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject April 20, 2013Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
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Abstract

A joint coupling for axially connecting together a first joint and a second joint, which includes first and second joints each having a complementary member sized and shaped so that, when the joints are properly aligned, the complementary members form an overlap structure which is effectively a continuation of the first joint or the second joint, and a sleeve which is slidable over the overlap structure to secure the joint coupling. The inside surfaces of the sleeve are tapered, as are the outside surfaces of the overlap structure such that when the sleeve is slid completely over the overlap structure, the inside surfaces of the sleeve make full contact with the outside surfaces of the overlap structure to firmly secure the joint coupling. Two or more joints may be joined at any desired relative orientation by use of a hub which has complementary elements which can accommodate the complementary members of the joints. The joint couplings can be readily used to create complicated structures of virtually any desired shape.

Inventor

Application

No. 048897 filed on 04/20/1993

US Classes:

403/316, Blocker for assembled joint retainer403/317, Blocker keeper403/340Mirror images

Field of Search

403/339, SCARF403/340, Mirror images403/341, INTERFITTED MEMBERS WITH EXTERNAL BRIDGING PIECE403/316, Blocker for assembled joint retainer403/317, Blocker keeper403/170, Three or more radiating members403/171, Polyhedral403/173, Plural pairs of axially aligned members403/174Coplanar

Examiners

Primary: Bertsch, Richard A.
Assistant: Richman, Howard R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

53219, 709400, 867312, 925293, 1003973, 2474727, 2863685, 3220757, 3617078, 3827814, 3877824

Foreign Patent References

  • 1333159 FR 06/09/1963
  • 1502148 FR 10/09/1967
  • 466232 GB 05/09/2010
  • 2073840 GB 10/09/1981

International Class

G08B 023/00

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