Abstract:
A tube connector for connecting one tubular section to another tubular section. A hook apparatus is joined to a first tubular section and a latching apparatus joined to a second tubular section. The latching apparatus of the second tubular section removably engages the hook apparatus of the first tubular section forming a sturdy joint able to hold up under vigorous activity. The latch and hook are easily joined and locked into place. The second tubular section covers the engaged latch and hook joint.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to connectors, and in particular, to an apparatus for connecting two tubes. 
   Many tubular objects require quick and strong connections to corresponding tubular objects. For example, cable conduits, staging, and tools come in parts which require connecting means. Cable conduits come in sections which require interconnection. Staging also comes in sections which require interconnection. Tools are more efficient if different tool heads can be interconnected at various times to a single tool handle. 
   Tools used for garden, cultivation, dirt and snow work generally employ elongated handles. Most owners of such tools do not own just one tool but will own a plurality of such tools. The transportation and storage of such tools is problematic because of the space required by such tools. Retail sales of such tools and corresponding shipment of such products can become expensive. Retail show rooms with the demand for space will only be able to show a limited number of such tools. Purchasers will generally not have room in their vehicles to take home such products. Delivery and shipment of such tools are expensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the above problems by providing a system allowing one tubular section to be quickly and firmly connected to another tubular section. While tubular sections generally have a circular cross section, they could also have square or rectangular cross sections. The present invention may be used with any tubular section having any type of cross section. 
   The present invention accomplishes this by joining a hook apparatus to a first tubular section and a latching apparatus to a second tubular section. The latching apparatus of the second tubular section removably engages the hook apparatus of the first tubular section forming a sturdy joint able to hold up under vigorous activity. The latch and hook are easily joined and locked into place. The second tubular section covers the engaged latch and hook joint. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the invention fully engaged. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the fully engaged invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional side view of the invention in a released position. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the invention without the lever. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown a tube connector  1  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The tube connector  1  is used in conjunction with an elongated hollow first section  10  having an external wall  11  defining a first section interior  12 , a connection end portion  13  with an annular channel  14  formed in the external wall  11 , and an opposite unconnected end  15 , said end portion  13  and unconnected end  15  defining a first section longitudinal axis. The tube connector  1  is also used in conjunction with an elongated hollow second section  20  having an external wall  21  defining a second section interior  22 , a connection end  23 , and an opposite unconnected end  25 , said connection end  23  and unconnected end  25  defining a second section longitudinal axis. The second section external wall  21  has an elongated open channel  24  formed therein and parallel to the second section longitudinal axis, said open channel  24  beginning near to the connection end  23  and extending a desired distance toward the second section unconnected end  25 . The first section  10  and second section  20  have approximately the same diameters or cross sectional dimensions. 
   The invention hook apparatus  30  is comprised of a hook element  31  having a support end  32  and an opposite hook end  33 , said ends defining a hook element longitudinal axis, said hook element longitudinal axis being coincident with the first section longitudinal axis. The hook element support end  32  is joined to the first section connection end portion  13 . In this embodiment of the invention, the hook element  31  has an upper surface  34 , an opposite lower surface  35 , and two opposite sides  36 . The hook element upper surface  34  is shaped in the form of a hook, with a first slope portion  37  extending downwardly from the support end  32 , and a second slope portion  38  hooking upwardly at the hook end  33 . The hook end  33  has a vertical aperture  39  formed therein with a depth reaching from the upper surface  34  downwardly to the first slope portion  37 . The invention hook apparatus  30  is further comprised of a support element  19  attached to the first section connection end portion  13  and hook element lower surface  35 . 
   The latching apparatus  40  is contained within the second section interior  22  and has a T-shaped element  41  comprised of an elongated element  42  with a free end  43  and a holding end  44  terminating in a crossbar  45 . The elongated element  42  has a longitudinal axis defined by the free end  43  and holding end  44 , said elongated element longitudinal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second section  20 . The crossbar  45  lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the hook element upper surface  34 . The elongated element  42  has a thumb screw  46  attached thereto. 
   The elongated element  42  is held in a U-shaped holder  50  within the second section interior  22 , said holder  50  having an engagement leg  51 , a connector leg  52 , and a base portion  53  joining both legs, said legs  51 ,  52  defining a holder longitudinal axis, said legs  51 ,  52  having tops  57 ,  58  opposite the base portion  53 , said holder longitudinal axis being parallel with the second section longitudinal axis. Each of the holder legs  51 ,  52  has a circular aperture  54  formed therein, each said circular aperture  54  having a central axis coincident with the central axis of the other circular aperture, each said central axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second section  20 . The elongated element  42  is adapted to being inserted into the leg circular apertures  54 , said elongated element free end  43  being inserted into the connector leg circular aperture  54 . The elongated element thumb screw  46  is positioned between the legs  51 ,  52 . The U-shaped holder connector leg  52  has a second circular aperture  55  formed therein, said second aperture  55  having a central axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second section  20 . 
   The latching apparatus  40  is further comprised of an elongated lever element  60  having a front end  61 , a rear end  62 , a top side  63 , a bottom side  64 , and a rear connection section  70 , said front end  61  and rear end  62  defining a latching apparatus longitudinal axis. The latching apparatus longitudinal axis is parallel to the second section longitudinal axis. The rear connection section  70  has a generally rectangular shape with a top defined by the lever element top side  63  and a rear defined by the lever element rear end  62 . The rear connection section  70  has a bottom  71 , an open forward side  72 , and two opposite side panels  73 , said side panels  73 , open forward side  72 , rear  62  and top  63  defining a hollow interior  74 . The side panels  73  each have a lower aperture  75  and an upper aperture  76  formed therein, said apertures  75 ,  76  in one side panel having a central axis coincident with the apertures  75 ,  76  of the opposite panel. The lever element bottom side  64  has a downwardly extending protrusion  65  approximately midway between the lever element front  61  and the rear connection section forward side  72 . 
   The lever element rear connection section  70  is adapted to being fitted partly over the U-shaped holder connector leg  52  covering the leg top  58 , a portion of said connector leg  52  being enclosed within the rear connection section hollow interior  74 . The rear connection section side panel lower apertures  75  are aligned with the connector leg second aperture  55 . The rear connection section  70  is pivotally joined to the U-shaped holder connector leg  52  by a first pin  77  inserted through the rear connection section side panel lower apertures  75  and connector leg second aperture  55 . The lever element  60  is positioned within the second section open channel  24 . A second pin  78  is inserted through the rear connector section side panel upper apertures  76  and into the second section wall  21 . 
   In operation, the lever element front  61  is pulled up away from the open channel  24 . The first section  10  is joined to the second section  20 , said second section wall  21  overlapping the first section annular channel  14 , and turned so that the plane of the hook element upper surface  34  is parallel to the plane of the latching apparatus T-shaped element  41 . The T-shaped cross bar  45  will be positioned over the hook element upper surface  34 . The lever element front  61  is then closed downwardly toward the second section open channel  24 . The T-shaped element elongated element  42  then moves into the hook end aperture  39 , while the crossbar  45  slides downwardly against the hook element first slope portion  37 . The action of the lever element rear connection section  70  rotating about the second pin  78  pulls the U-shaped holder downwardly and away from the first section  10 . The latching apparatus cross bar  45  thereby fully engages the hook element  31 . Adjustment for fit can be made by manipulation of the thumb screw  46 . In the fully locked position, the lever element top side  63  lies in a plane approximately coincident with the second section wall  21 . In the fully locked position, the lever element downwardly extending protrusion  65  rests on the U-shaped holder engagement leg top  57 . 
   It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.