| 摘要 |
A connector for tubes of square cross-section comprises an elongated hollow metallic member of such size and shape in external cross-section as to be insertable within an end length of a tube for connection therewith. The member has at least two external longitudinal surfaces of minor width on opposite sides thereof. Spaced integral transverse teeth are provided on at least one of the longitudinal surfaces, the transverse distance between the surface of the teeth and the opposite longitudinal surface being greater than an internal transverse dimension of a tube to be connected to the member. Relative rotation between a tube and a member inserted therein causes the teeth to bite into an internal surface of the tube and thus establish secure connection. The connector may have teeth on both opposite longitudinal surfaces of minor width, and there may be a second pair of toothed longitudinal surfaces of minor width in quadrature relation with the first pair. In some forms of the invention, a longitudinal slot or longitudinal slots are located in a wall or walls of the member adjacent a toothed longitudinal surface, the slot length being slightly less than the length of the member insertable within the tube, thereby imparting resilience and enabling the member to accommodate tolerances in internal tube dimensions. Resilient material may be provided in the slot or slots. Alternatively, a thin integral wall may overlie the exterior of a slot, the wall preferably being arcuate in transverse cross-section.
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