Patent ID: 7530607

Claim:
A coupling for securing a first component to a second component, the coupling comprising: a first tubular member which is attached to or formed integrally with the first component and which includes a plurality of first teeth that extend axially from an end of the first tubular member; a second tubular member which is attached to or formed integrally with the second component and which includes a plurality of second teeth that extend axially from an end of the second tubular member; each of the first teeth comprising a first radial surface and a first circumferential surface; each of the second teeth comprising a second radial surface and a second circumferential surface; wherein when the first tubular member is assembled with the second tubular member, each first circumferential surface engages a corresponding second circumferential surface to thereby restrict axial movement of the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member; a third tubular member which is slidably supported on the first tubular member and which includes a plurality of third teeth that extend axially from an end of the third tubular member; wherein when the third tubular member is assembled with the first and second tubular members, each third tooth engages the first and second radial surfaces of a corresponding pair of first and second teeth to thereby restrict circumferential movement of the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member, wherein each first tooth comprises a first radially extending tab portion on which the first radial surface is formed and a first circumferential tab portion on which the first circumferential surface is formed, and each second tooth comprises a second radially extending tab portion on which the second radial surface is formed and a second circumferential tab portion on which the second circumferential surface is formed.