Snap fitting for joining component parts of an article of assembly

• US 20060237967A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Volum
• Original Assignee: Peter Volum
• Inventors: Volum, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,404,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/399
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/69 Redundant disconnection blocking means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32524 Self-locking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7077 for telescoping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7091 Expansible retainer

Abstract

A snap-fit arrangement for joining component parts, such as tubular sections and fittings includes a male coupling and a female coupling. A portion of the male coupling extends from one component part and includes cantilever prongs with enlarged heads. The exposed portion of the male coupling and prong heads are structured and disposed for insertion into another component part and through the female coupling until the prong heads exit the inner end of the female coupling and snap outwardly into locked engagement, thereby releasably connecting the two component parts.

Claims

1. An assembly for constructing an article, said assembly comprising:

a first member having an open end and a hollow interior with a central axis;

a female coupling within said first member and said female coupling extending from said open end and into said hollow interior and terminating at a distal end to form an annular shoulder within said hollow interior of said first member, and said female coupling being open on opposite ends and having a hollow core therebetween surrounded by an inner wall surface;

a second member with a central axis;

a male coupling extending outwardly from said second member and including a wall structure surrounding an axial extension of the central axis of said second member, and said wall structure including an exterior surface;

said male coupling including at least one prong member integrally formed in said wall structure and defined between a pair of spaced slots in said wall structure, said prong member having an end portion with an angled outer face protruding outwardly beyond said exterior surface of said wall structure, and said angled outer face extending from a distal end of said prong member to a catch surface to form an enlarged head, and said prong member being structured and disposed for yielding to a force applied to said angled outer face of said enlarged head to allow said enlarged head to move inwardly relative to said wall structure;

said wall structure of said male coupling being sized and configured for axial passage through the open end of said first member and through said female coupling, with said angled outer face disposed in sliding engagement against said interior wall surface of said female coupling to urge said enlarged head inwardly, and said at least one prong member being structured and disposed to return to a relaxed state upon said enlarged head exiting said distal end of said female coupling so that said catch surface of said enlarged head engages said annular shoulder, thereby releasably locking said male coupling to said female coupling to join said first and second members.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first member is a tubular pipe section.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a tubular pipe section.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is an L-shaped fitting.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a T-shaped fitting.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a cross-shaped fitting.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a corner fitting.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a multi-directional fitting.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is an end cap.

10. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said male coupling includes a plurality of said prong members integrally formed in said wall structure, and each of said plurality of said prong members including said enlarged head for engaging said annular shoulder of said female coupling to releasably lock said male coupling to said female coupling, thereby joining said first and second members.

11. An assembly for constructing an article, said assembly comprising:

a first member having an open end and a hollow interior;

a female coupling within said first member and said female coupling extending from said open end and into said hollow interior and terminating at a distal end to form an annular shoulder within said hollow interior of said first member, and said female coupling being open at opposite ends and having a hollow core to define a through passage between said opposite ends;

a second member;

a male coupling extending outwardly from said second member and including a wall structure surrounding a hollow interior, and said wall structure including an exterior surface;

said male coupling including at least one prong member integrally formed in said wall structure, said prong member having an end portion with an angled outer face protruding outwardly beyond said exterior surface of said wall structure, and said angled outer face extending from a distal end of said prong member to a catch surface to form an enlarged head, and said prong member being structured and disposed for yielding to a force applied to said angled outer face of said enlarged head to allow said enlarged head to move inwardly relative to said wall structure;

said wall structure of said male coupling being sized and configured for axial passage through the open end of said first member and through said female coupling, with said angled outer face disposed in sliding engagement with said interior wall surface of said female coupling to urge said enlarged head inwardly, and said at least one prong member being structured and disposed to return to a relaxed state upon said enlarged head exiting said distal end of said female coupling, so that said catch surface of said enlarged head engages said annular shoulder, thereby releasably locking said male coupling to said female coupling to join said first and second members.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said first member is a tubular pipe section.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is a tubular pipe section.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is an L-shaped fitting.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is a T-shaped fitting.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is a cross-shaped fitting.

17. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is a corner fitting.

18. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is a multi-directional fitting.

19. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said second member is an end cap.

20. The assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said male coupling includes a plurality of said prong members integrally formed in said wall structure, and each of said plurality of said prong members including said enlarged head for engaging said annular shoulder of said female coupling to releasably lock said male coupling to said female coupling, thereby joining said first and second members.