Patent ID: 7371267

Claim:
In a filter cage having at least two elongate cage sections, each with opposite first and second looped ends, an intermediate body portion, and a connector framework, the intermediate body portion comprising a reticulation of structural members enclosing a flow passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the first and second looped ends on a first side thereof, the reticulation having a structure defining openings for fluid communication between the flow passageway and a second side opposite the first side, the connector framework adapted to releasably connect the two cage sections, the connector framework comprising: at least one stiffening member operably attached to, and extending transversely to, the flow passageway between at least two circumferentially-spaced locations on the reticulation, the stiffening member sized and shaped to present a substantially unobstructed flow path through the flow passageway; and at least two guides disposed substantially symmetrically on, secured to and projecting outwardly from the first looped end to terminate in an engagement head remote from the looped end, the guides shaped and configured to be concurrently inserted through either the first and second looped ends into the flow passageway of the second cage, such that when the second cage is in a connected position with respect to the first cage, the guides extend a predefined length inwardly into the flow passageway, disposing the engagement head in a predefined relationship with the stiffening member, the engagement head being shaped and dimensioned to resiliently bear upon either the reticulation or the stiffening member or both, at a plurality of contact locations to hold the first and second cage sections securely and rigidly connected and positioned with the flow passageways thereof in communication and in substantial axial alignment, the stiffening member being sized and shaped to exert a resisting bias to hold the engagement head tightly against either the reticulation or the stiffening member or both.