Patent ID: 7004669
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for controllably clamping an end of one hollow member to an end of a second hollow member, the members having substantially identical interior surfaces at each end, each interior surface including a clamping surface extending from the interior surface, the method comprising: placing, at the ends of said members, a split ring having an outside diameter and two ends, and a closed state where the ends of said ring are adjacent and the outside diameter of said split ring is less than a minimum inside diameter of said members at their ends, the split ring having a V-shaped rim with two spaced projecting surfaces, wherein the split ring is relaxed in the closed state and is elastically deformed when the ends of the ring are separated; separating the ends of the split ring until the rim engages the inside of said hollow members with one spaced projecting surface in contact with the clamping surface of one member and the other spaced projecting surface in contact with the clamping surface of the other member; providing a spreader to keep the ends of the ring separated; and, controllably destroying the spreader, thereby permitting the ring to return to the closed state so the members are no longer clamped together.