US 7,357,593 B1
Tube connector
Brian A. Florence, 126 Lauries La., Marstons Mills, Mass. 02648 (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/105,269.
Int. Cl. B25G 3/18 (2006.01); F16B 21/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 403—330  [403/304; 403/321; 403/322.4; 403/374.5; 403/DIG. 9] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tube connector for connecting an elongated hollow first section, said first section having a first section external wall defining a first section interior, a first section connection end portion with an annular channel formed in the external wall, and a first section opposite unconnected end, said end portion and unconnected end defining a first section longitudinal axis, to an elongated hollow second section having a second section external wall defining a second section interior, a second section connection end, and a second section opposite unconnected end, said second connection end and said second unconnected end defining a second section longitudinal axis, said second section external wall having an elongated open channel formed therein and parallel to the second section longitudinal axis, said open channel beginning near to the second section connection end, said first section and second section having identical cross sectional dimensions, comprising:
a hook apparatus joined to said first tubular section, said hook apparatus comprised of a hook element having a support end and an opposite hook end, said ends defining a hook element longitudinal axis, said hook element longitudinal axis being coincident with the first section longitudinal axis, said hook element support end being joined to the first section connection end portion, said hook element having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, and two opposite sides, said hook element upper surface being shaped in the form of a hook, with a first slope portion extending downwardly from the upper surface toward the lower surface, and a second slope portion hooking upwardly from said first slope portion at the hook end to the upper surface, said hook end having a vertical aperture formed therein with a death reaching from the upper surface downwardly to the first slope portion; and
a latching apparatus joined to said second tubular section, said latching apparatus comprised of:
a T-shaped element comprised of an elongated element with a free end and a holding end terminating in a crossbar, said free end and holding end defining an elongated element longitudinal axis, said elongated element longitudinal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second section, said crossbar laying in a plane parallel to the plane of the hook element upper surface;
a U-shaped holder having an engagement leg, a connector leg, and a base portion joining both legs, said legs defining a holder longitudinal axis, said legs having tops opposite the base portion, said holder longitudinal axis being parallel with the second section longitudinal axis, each of the holder legs having a first circular aperture formed therein, each said first circular aperture having a central axis coincident with the central axis of the other first circular aperture, each said central axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second section, said connector leg having a second circular aperture formed therein, said second aperture having a central axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second section, wherein said elongated element is positioned within the leg first circular apertures, said elongated element free end being positioned within the connector leg first circular aperture;
an elongated lever element having a front end, a rear end, a top side, a bottom side, and a rear connection section, said front end and rear end defining a latching apparatus longitudinal axis, said latching apparatus longitudinal axis being parallel to the second section longitudinal axis, said rear connection section having a generally rectangular shape with a top defined by the lever element top side and a rear defined by the lever element rear end, said rear connection section having a bottom, an open forward side, and two opposite side panels, said side panels, rear and top defining a hollow interior, each said side panel having a lower aperture and an upper aperture formed therein, said apertures in one side panel having a central axis coincident with the apertures of the opposite side panel;
wherein the lever element rear connection section is fitted partly over the U-shaped holder connector leg covering the connector leg top, a portion of said connector leg being enclosed within the rear connection section hollow interior, said rear connection section side panel lower apertures being aligned with the connector leg second aperture, said rear connection section being pivotally joined to the U-shaped holder connector leg by a first pin inserted through the rear connection section side panel lower apertures and connector leg second aperture, said lever element being positioned within the second section open channel;
a second pin inserted through the rear connector section side panel upper apertures and into the second section wall;
wherein the latching apparatus of the second tubular section removably engages the hook apparatus of the first tubular section;
wherein said second tubular section covers the engaged latching apparatus and hook apparatus.