Patent ID: 6074119
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for forming a connection between connectable elements, comprising:first connectable member means for facilitating said connection;second connectable member means for facilitating said connection, said second connectable member means having an outer, substantially continuous peripheral surface adapted to engage said first connectable member means;said first connectable member means including a means for receiving said second connectable member means comprising an inner substantially continuous surface for receiving said second connectable member means wherein at least one of said first and second connectable members is an expansible member;at least one tapered element for one of compressing said first connectable member means into engagement with said second connectable member means and expanding said second connectable member means into engagement with said first connectable member means, while said second connectable member means is positioned in said means for receiving so that the peripheral surface of said second connectable member and the inner surface of said first connectable member are in engagement substantially around the entire inner surface of said first connectable member; andwherein at least one of said first connectable member means and said second connectable member means includes a tapered opening having means for securely engaging said tapered element, and wherein said engagement provides a substantially uniform force distribution between the first and second connectable members.