Patent ID: 8910648

Claim:
A connector device for retaining a pair of pivotally connected poles, the connector device comprising: a male component comprising an outer section having a first cavity for receiving an end of one of the poles and an opposing inner section having an inner projection, the inner projection comprising: an axially extending first pivoting hole, an axially extending guide pin and a first locking member extending along a bottom portion of the inner projection; and a female component comprising an outer section having a second cavity for receiving an end of the other one of the poles and an opposing inner section having a housing for receiving the inner projection of the male component, the housing comprising a lower portion and two opposing side portions, each of the side portions having an axially extending second pivoting hole substantially aligned with each other, each of the side portions having opposing guide grooves, each guide groove having opposing ends, a distal end of the lower portion of the housing having a second locking member extending therefrom; wherein the male and female components are pivotally coupled through the first and second pivoting holes, the first and second locking members are lockably engaged when the poles are aligned, and the guide pin and guide groove ends are engaged when the poles are aligned longitudinally and when the poles are pivoted 180 degrees substantially parallel and adjacent to each other; wherein the first and second pivoting holes have substantially the same size and shape; and wherein the bottom portion of the inner projection includes a void directly above the first locking member for receiving the second locking member.