Patent ID: 7481467
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A coupling apparatus including a release preventing structure, comprising: a pair of cylindrical coupling main bodies which are concentrically and oppositely arranged to each other and have the same structure as to each other; and liners respectively accommodated in the coupling main bodies, wherein each of the coupling main bodies includes a plurality of projecting portions which extend along a longitudinal center line of each coupling main body from a plurality of positions separated from each other at predetermined intervals on a concentric circle having the same diameter on each of opposing surfaces of the coupling main bodies, an engagement piece is provided at a projecting end portion of each of the projecting portions on a side surface facing in one circumferential direction of each of the coupling main bodies in each of the projecting portions, the engagement piece having an engagement surface facing in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the projecting portion, the pair of coupling main bodies are approached to each other in a state that the coupling main bodies are concentrically opposed to each other, the projecting portions of one coupling main body are inserted into a plurality of indents between the projecting portions of the other coupling main body, and further the coupling main bodies are rotated relative to each other so that engagement surfaces of the projecting portions of the one coupling main body face the engagement surfaces of the projecting portions of the other coupling main body to engage the engagement surfaces of the projecting portions of the one coupling main body with the engagement surfaces of the projecting portions of the other coupling main body in a direction along which the pair of coupling main bodies are separated from each other, wherein at least one of the coupling main bodies can rotate on an outer peripheral surface of the liner corresponding to the at least one coupling main body at a predetermined position along the longitudinal center line of the at least one coupling main body without moving in a direction along the longitudinal center line and without disengaging from the other coupling main body.