Connecting mechanism

摘要

A method for connecting at least a first component (1) and a second component (2) together, wherein each said component (1, 2) comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component (1, 2) and keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components (1, 2) such that the keyways (11, 13) intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways (11, 13); and, extending a keyway connector (3) comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangements.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising at least a first component, a second component and a keyway connector, wherein
each said component comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component and keyways of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another, wherein the keyway arrangements of the first and second components are aligned such that the keyways intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways, and wherein the keyway connector comprises:
(i) an elongate body having opposed first and second longitudinal sides, an arrangement of first keys extending laterally off the first longitudinal side of the body and an arrangement of second keys extending laterally off the second longitudinal side of the body, wherein(ii) the first keys extending laterally off the first longitudinal side of the body are offset from the second keys extending laterally off the second longitudinal side of the body relative to a length of the body, wherein(iii) the keyway connector extends longitudinally within the keyway passage such that the keys individually engage and are retained by individual said keyways of the keyway arrangements to lock the first and second components together, and wherein(iv) the keys of each said longitudinal side of the body are adapted to slide along the keyway passage in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and each said key of each said longitudinal side of the body is adapted to slide along the keyway passage in both the first and second directions out of locking engagement with a respective said keyway.