Patent ID: 9051946
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: F16B,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of connecting at least a first component comprising at least one first keyway arrangement extending along the first component and a second component comprising at least one second keyway arrangement extending along the second component, the first and second components together creating an assembly when connected, wherein the at least one first and second keyway arrangements include first and second keyways which are spaced apart from one another, respectively, wherein said method comprises the steps of: aligning the at least one first and second keyway arrangements of the first and second components such that the first and second keyways thereof intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed first and second keyways; and extending a keyway connector comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the keyway passage such that the arrangement of keys of the keyway connector engages the first and second keyways of the at least one first and second keyway arrangements of the first and second components, respectively, to lock the first and second components together, wherein: (i) the keyway connector comprises an elongate body having opposed first and second longitudinal sides, wherein the arrangement of keys of the keyway connector comprises first keys extending laterally off the first longitudinal side and second keys extending laterally off the second longitudinal side; and wherein (ii) the first keys extending laterally off the first longitudinal side are offset from the second keys extending laterally off the second longitudinal side relative to a length of the elongate body; and wherein (iii) the keyway connector extends longitudinally within the keyway passage such that keys of the arrangement of keys of the keyway connector individually engage and are retained by individual said first and second keyways of the at least one first and second keyway arrangements to lock the first and second components together, respectively; and wherein (iv) the first and second keys of each of said first and second longitudinal sides, respectively, are adapted to slide along the keyway passage in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and wherein (v) each of said first and second keys of each said first and second longitudinal sides, respectively, is adapted to slide along the keyway passage in both the first and second directions out of locking engagement with a respective one of said first and second keyways.