Coupling device
AssigneeVertical Leisure Ltd
InventorsYuan Yan Wei, Clive Coote
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupling device 1 for releasably coupling first and second axially aligned hollow tubes 10 and 11 end to end. The coupling device comprises a substantially cylindrical body 2 that is adapted to be received within the adjacent ends of the first and second tubes 10 and 11, wherein the device includes an adjustment mechanism 3 operable for radially expanding and contracting the cylindrical body 2. In an expanded state of the cylindrical body 2, the coupling device forms a friction joint with each of the tubes, locking the tubes relative to each other. The cylindrical body 2 includes one or two longitudinal slots 4 to allow expansion and contraction of the cylindrical body. The coupling device is particularly used for the joining of pole sections of dance exercise poles.
Claims15
A coupling device arranged to releasably couple first and second axially aligned hollow tubes of a dance exercise pole end to end, the coupling device comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical hollow body having first and second longitudinal ends that is arranged to be received within an end of the first and second tubes, the body comprising at least one slot and a through hole extending through a wall of the body adjacent each respective longitudinal end;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism disposed within each end of the body operable for radially expanding and contracting the coupling device, and when in an expanded state, the coupling device is arranged to form a friction joint with each of the tubes, locking the tubes relative to each other,
- each adjustment mechanism including first and second internally threaded elements fixed by fasteners to an inner face of the body on opposing sides of the slot, and a screw member received by each of the first and second internally threaded elements, the first and second internally threaded elements having axially aligned opposite threads that receive the screw member and are axially aligned with a respective one of the through holes so that the screw member may be accessed with a tool for turning the screw member,
- whereby rotation of the screw member in one direction pulls the first and second internally threaded elements towards one another, the first and second internally threaded elements being fixed to the inner face of the body so as to pull on the body when the screw member is rotated in said one direction, thereby closing the slot and radially contracting the body, and
- whereby rotation of the screw member in the other direction pushes the first and second threaded elements apart, thereby opening the slot and radially expanding the body.
A coupling device arranged to releasably couple first and second axially aligned hollow tubes end to end, the coupling device comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical hollow body having first and second longitudinal ends that is arranged to be received within an end of the first and second tubes, the body comprising at least one aperture and a through hole extending through a wall of the body adjacent each respective longitudinal end;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism disposed within each end of the body operable for radially expanding and contracting the coupling device, and when in an expanded state, the coupling device is arranged to form a friction joint with each of the tubes, locking the tubes relative to each other,
- each adjustment mechanism including first and second internally threaded elements fixed by fasteners to an inner face of the body on opposing sides of the aperture, and a screw member received by each of the first and second internally threaded elements, the first and second internally threaded elements having axially aligned opposite threads that receive the screw member and are axially aligned with a respective one of the through holes so that the screw member may be accessed with a tool for turning the screw member,
- whereby rotation of the screw member in one direction pulls the first and second internally threaded elements towards one another, the first and second internally threaded elements being fixed to the inner face of the body so as to pull on the body when the screw member is rotated in said one direction, thereby closing the aperture and radially contracting the body, and
- whereby rotation of the screw member in the other direction pushes the first and second threaded elements apart, thereby opening the aperture and radially expanding the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.