Coupler for releasably securing integrated segments of an assemblage against otherwise accommodated relative translational displacement

A coupler for coupling integrated first and second segments of an assemblage, each segment having an end portion engagable with one another, the apparatus releasably securing the segments against relative movement therebetween in at least one axial direction, said coupler comprising:

• a carrier connectable at one end thereof adjacent to the end portion of the first segment and having a passageway defined at said one end accommodating slidable receipt therethrough of the end portion of the second segment, said carrier characterized by an enlarged cavity therein open at an end of said carrier opposite said one end and having said passageway opening thereinto, said cavity having first and second wall portions, said first wall portion configured with a portion linearly aligned with one side of said passageway and said second wall portion spaced from said first wall portion and said passageway and having an elongate slot defined therethrough between said one end and said opposite end and opposite said first wall portion, said elongate slot having an inwardly facing opening of a first length and an outwardly facing opening longer than said first length adjacent to said opposite end, an arcuate guide surface defined therebetween adjacent to said opposite end;
• and
• a restraint having an outer surface configured for slidable engagement at said second wall portion of said cavity of said carrier and having an inner surface adapted for frictional engagement with the second segment, said surfaces together defining a conic wedge with upper and lower ends, an actuator arm angularly extending from said outer surface at said lower end of said restraint and receivable through said elongate slot through said second wall portion of said cavity of said carrier, said arm having a first part slidable in said cavity when assembled and a second part spaced from said conic wedge and angularly extending from said first part to contact and engage said guide surface of said elongate slot, said second part readily accessible to a user for manipulation of the segments.

An apparatus for coupling integrated first and second telescoping segments of an assemblage, each segment having a cylindrical end portion telescopingly engagable with one another, the apparatus releasably securing the segments against relative movement therebetween in one direction, said apparatus comprising:

• a carrier affixable at one end thereof to the end portion of the first segment and having a cylindrical passageway at said one end accommodating slidable receipt therethrough of the end portion of the second segment, said carrier characterized by an enlarged cavity therein open at an end of said carrier opposite said one end and having said passageway opening thereinto adjacent to said one end thereof, said cavity having a first radial wall portion thereat axially aligned at a juncture with said cylindrical passageway and having a common radius at said juncture with said cylindrical passageway, said first wall portion extending a distance between said ends, a second radial wall portion located in said cavity opposite said first wall portion and having a radius longer than said first wall portion, said second wall portion extending a distance to said opposite end and having an elongate opening therethrough opposite said first wall portion;
• and
• a restraint including a conic wedge with upper and lower ends, said conic wedge having outer surfaces circumferentially defined therearound configured for slidable engagement at said second wall portion of said cavity of said carrier and having an inner surface with a selected radial configuration, said restraint including an actuator arm angularly extending from said outer surface at said lower end of said conic wedge and receivable through said elongate opening through said second wall portion of said cavity of said carrier, said arm having a first part slidable in said cavity when assembled and a second part spaced from said conic wedge and angularly extending from said first part, said arm readily manipulable by a user.