Patent ID: 6672792
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A connecting assembly for connecting a hollow cylindrical tube having a tube wall, the tube wall having a pair of aligned openings, the connecting assembly comprising:an insert member having an outer surface, the outer surface of the insert member being formed to slide into the tube, the outer surface of the insert member having a cavity space alignable with the openings of the tube; and a rotating fastener comprising a pair of plate-like arm portions each having an end with a curved edge, each of the arm portions being formed with a profile shaped to curve around some portion of the tube, each of the arm portions including a protuberance fitting into one of the openings of the tube and into the cavity space of the insert member to fasten the tube and insert member together, the rotating fastener further comprising a handle member connected between the arm portions, the handle member generally arcuate in shape and protruding above an outer surface of the tube to form an access gap between the tube and the handle member, the handle member allowing rotation of the arm portions between an engagement and a disengagement position, the engagement position defined where the profile of the arm substantially conforms to the outer surface of the tube, the disengagement position defined where a portion of the curved edge of the arm portions ride against the outer surface of the tube and moves the protuberances outward from the cavity space thereby substantially releasing the insert member.