Patent ID: 7404686
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An assembly for constructing an article, said assembly comprising: a first member having an exterior surface with a cross-sectional dimension, an annular end surface surrounding an open end and a hollow interior with a central axis; a female coupling within said first member and said female coupling extending from said open end and into said hollow interior and terminating at a distal end to form an annular shoulder within said hollow interior of said first member, and said female coupling being open on opposite ends and having a hollow core therebetween surrounded by an inner wall surface; a second member having an exterior surface with a cross-sectional dimension equal to the cross-sectional dimension of the exterior surface of said first member, and said second member further including an annular end surface and a hollow interior with a central axis; a male coupling disposed within and extending outwardly from said second member and including a wall structure surrounding an axial extension of the central axis of said second member, and said wall structure including an exterior surface; said male coupling including at least one prong member integrally formed in said wall structure and defined between a pair of spaced, parallel slots formed through an entire thickness of said wall structure, said prong member having an end portion with an angled outer face protruding out-wardly beyond said exterior surface of said wall structure, and said angled outer face extending from a distal end of said prong member to a catch surface to form an enlarged head, and said prong member being structured and disposed for yielding to a force applied to said angled outer face of said enlarged head to allow said enlarged head to move inwardly relative to said wall structure; said wall structure of said male coupling being sized and configured for axial passage through the open end of said first member and through said female coupling, with said angled outer face disposed in sliding engagement against said interior wall surface of said female coupling to urge said enlarged head inwardly, and said at least one prong member being structured and disposed to return to a relaxed state upon said enlarged head exiting said distal end of said female coupling so that said catch surface of said enlarged head engages said annular shoulder, thereby releasably locking said male coupling to said female coupling to join said first and second members together with said annular shoulder disposed in abutting engagement with said annular end surfaces of the first and second members, and said exterior surface of said first member flush with said exterior surface of said second member.