Patent ID: 7243953
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
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 projecting portions of one coupling main body are insertable into a plurality of indents between the projecting portions of the other coupling main body, and further the coupling main bodies are rotatable relative to each other so that engagement surfaces of the projecting portions of 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 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, a band-shaped release preventing member is provided on at least one of the pair of coupling main bodies, the release preventing member being movable between a release position and a release preventing position, and having a release preventing projection, the release preventing member at the release preventing position is arranged along an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the coupling main bodies, inserts wherein the release preventing projection is insertable into at least one of gaps between the other side surfaces of the projecting portions of one coupling main body, the other side surfaces opposing to the side surfaces on which the engaging pieces are provided on the one coupling main body, and the other side surfaces opposing to the side surfaces on which the engaging pieces are provided on the other coupling main body, and while the coupling main bodies are coupled with each other, the release preventing member prevents rotations of the coupling main bodies relative to each other for releasing the coupling of the coupling main bodies with each other, and the release preventing member is seperated from the outer peripheral surface of the least one of the coupling main bodies when the release preventing preventing member is moved from the release preventing projection is removed from the at least one gap when the release position to the release position, and allows the rotations of the coupling main bodies relative to each other for releasing the coupling of the coupling main bodies with each other.