End-to-end joint for tubular structures - uses spring wound with two sets of coils from one piece of wire

摘要

A method of joining tubes end to end makes use fo a tension spring (1). The spring (1) has two sets of helical coils connected by an elbow formed integrally from the spring wire. The outer ends of each set of coils are formed into hairpin bands (3, 4). Each set of coils is inserted into one of the tubes to be joined and is retained by the wedging of the hairpin bend in the bore of the tube. The two tubes are then joined by fitting one inside the other.