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US 4,192,044 AGranted
Connector and captive ball incorporating same
OwnerAlberto Balleriniinventor
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OwnerAlberto Balleriniinventor
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to a connector for detachable connection to an article to enable a cord, chain or the like to be attached to the article. There is disclosed a connector attached to a ball to provide a captive ball for playing games. The connector has a generally elongated body portion and is split longitudinally into two halves from one end to a position part the way along the connector. The one end is enlarged with respect to the body portion immediately adjacent thereto and a screw is adapted to cause expansion of the enlarged head in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector when the head of the screw is pulled between the two halves by a cylindrical nut arranged on the screw in a cut-out in the body. The cut-out prevents longitudinal movement of the nut. Expansion of the end enables it to be retained in any suitable cavity accessible through a restricted neck portion. The other end of the connector has an enclosed loop for receiving a cord, chain or the like. The connector may be used to attach pendant jewelry to a neck chain or hang ornaments from a ceiling or other structure as well as for many other purposes. A further form of the connector having a cylindrical body for insertion into an article is also disclosed.
A connector having a generally elongated body portion which is split in a longitudinal direction from one end to a position part the way along its length so as to form two side members which are joined at said position and which may be resiliently separated at said one end, said connector having a part at or adjacent said one end which is of greater cross-sectional dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of the connector at least adjacent said part and in a direction towards said position, manually operable screw means on said connector and operable to force said two members away from each other causing said part to expand in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, said connector being held, by said part, in detachable connection with an article having a cavity therein accessible via a restricted neck portion in a manner wherein said connector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof and at least partly pivotal in any direction relative to said article, and said connector having means adjacent the other end thereof for retaining a cord, chain, or the like.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.