Coupling member
First Claim
1. A device for coupling together two elongated elements extending at an angle to each other, at least one of which has a convex exterior, so that the two elements are held against relative angular displacement with respect to each other, said device comprising a substantially rigid one piece band comprised of a continuous closed loop of essentially uniform wall thickness, said band having two substantially continuously curving rims, each rim defining an opening which forms the boundary of a recess for receiving a corresponding one of the elements to be coupled together, said boundaries of said recesses defined by said openings defining a single space within and laterally bounded by said band, and each rim substantially constituting a curve traced on a convex surface of the corresponding element to be coupled, at least one rim extending more than 180°
- around the corresponding element to be coupled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a device for coupling together two elements, each of predetermined shape, so that the two elements are prevented from rotating relative to the device. The device is constituted by a band, which is substantially rigid and is in the form of a closed loop. The band has two rims which are three-dimensionally out of true, and each rim delimiting an opening, which forms the limit of a recess, in which one of the elements to be coupled together can be positioned. The regions of each of the two recesses which lie opposite the openings form part of a single space which is laterally delimited by the band. Each rim substantially constitutes a curve traced on a convex surface of the element of predetermined shape to be coupled.
The invention also provides a method of making a coupling device.
42 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for coupling together two elongated elements extending at an angle to each other, at least one of which has a convex exterior, so that the two elements are held against relative angular displacement with respect to each other, said device comprising a substantially rigid one piece band comprised of a continuous closed loop of essentially uniform wall thickness, said band having two substantially continuously curving rims, each rim defining an opening which forms the boundary of a recess for receiving a corresponding one of the elements to be coupled together, said boundaries of said recesses defined by said openings defining a single space within and laterally bounded by said band, and each rim substantially constituting a curve traced on a convex surface of the corresponding element to be coupled, at least one rim extending more than 180°
- around the corresponding element to be coupled.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification