Patent ID: 7182544
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: B62D,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A turnbuckle assembly comprising: a first one-piece sleeve having first and second axial ends, said first axial end of said first sleeve having an internally threaded portion which threadably engages a first threaded part, said first axial end of said first sleeve including an integrally formed clamp which clamps said first axial end to the first threaded part, said first sleeve being hollow throughout the extent of the first sleeve; a second one-piece sleeve having first and second axial ends, said first axial end of said second sleeve having an internally threaded portion which threadably engages a second threaded part, said first axial end of said second sleeve including an integrally formed clamp which clamps said first axial end to the second threaded part, said second sleeve being hollow throughout the extent of the second sleeve; and a connector member interconnecting said first and second sleeves, said connector member having a first axial end non-rotatably connected to said second axial end of said first sleeve, said connector member having a second axial end non-rotatably connected to said second axial end of said second sleeve; said second axial end of said first sleeve having a first flat outer surface extending parallel to the axis of said first sleeve, said connecting member having a first flat inner surface extending parallel and transverse to the axis of said first sleeve and engageable with said first outer surface of said second axial end of said first sleeve to prevent relative rotation between said connecting member and said first sleeve, said first sleeve including an intermediate portion located between said first axial end of said first sleeve and said second axial end of said first sleeve, said intermediate portion of said first sleeve longitudinally tapering inwardly at all sides from said first axial end of said first sleeve to said second axial end of said first sleeve to define a frusto-conical shape; and said second axial end of said second sleeve having a first flat outer surface extending parallel to the axis of said second sleeve, said connecting member having a second flat inner surface extending parallel and transverse to the axis of said second sleeve and engageable with said first outer surface of said second axial end of said second sleeve to prevent relative rotation between said connecting member and said second sleeve, said second sleeve including an intermediate portion located between said first axial end of said second sleeve and said second axial end of said second sleeve, said intermediate portion of said second sleeve longitudinally tapering inwardly at all sides from said first axial end of said second sleeve to said second axial end of said second sleeve to define a frusto-conical shape.