Patent ID: 9169029
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: B60R,B63B,B64D,F16L,F17D,H05F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A coupling assembly comprising: a first ferrule attached to a first end of a first transport member, the first ferrule and the first transport member both having a level of conductivity within a selected range; a second ferrule attached to a second end of a second transport member, the second ferrule and the second transport member both having the level of conductivity within the selected range; a first gasket received by the first ferrule, wherein the first gasket comprises a viscoelastic material having the level of conductivity within the selected range; a second gasket received by the second ferrule, wherein the second gasket comprises the viscoelastic material having the level of conductivity within the selected range; a clamshell device disposed over the first ferrule and the second ferrule, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are disposed within the clamshell device, and wherein the clamshell device is non-conductive relative to the level of conductivity; a sleeve connected to an inside surface of the clamshell device, wherein the sleeve is in contact with the first gasket and the second gasket, wherein the sleeve has the level of conductivity within the selected range, and wherein sidewalls of the clamshell device are not in contact with any of the sleeve, the first gasket, and the second gasket, wherein a conductive pathway is formed between the first transport member and the second transport member via the first ferrule, the first gasket, the sleeve, the second gasket, and the second ferrule; and a hinge connected to the clamshell device and configured to allow opening and closing of the clamshell device onto the first ferrule, the second ferrule, the first gasket, and the second gasket, and wherein when closed the clamshell device forms a seal between the first transport member and the second transport member.