Patent ID: 7748924

Claim:
Connecting device for connecting first and second structural components, the connecting device comprising a first part and a second part adapted for connecting engagement, said first part being engageable with the first structural component and said second part being engageable with the second structural component, said first part comprising: a substantially cylindrical body having an internal cavity and an outer peripheral surface having a longitudinal slot, said slot being formed by barbs, having interior and exterior surfaces, extending radially inwards from said outer peripheral surface into the internal cavity of the body, said barbs having their exterior surfaces positioned in the cavity of the cylindrical body at a distance from and facing one another; said second part comprising: an elongated plug member having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising an undercut head for insertion into said longitudinal slot, said head having a width greater than the distance between the exterior surfaces of the barbs, and further wherein either the head or the barbs of the slot are flexible and resilient; wherein the first and second parts are arranged such that upon insertion of the second part into the longitudinal slot, said head presses past the barbs by flexible displacement of either the head or the barbs, said displaced part resiliently returning to its non-displaced state once the head has extended beyond the ends of the barbs, such that at least one of the ends of the barbs connectably engages the undercut portion of said head, the connecting device further comprising a locking member adapted for transverse insertion through a hole in the first structural component, said locking member comprising at least one extended portion that abuts the interior surfaces of said barbs, holding said barbs into engagement with the undercut head of the plug member.