IES86458B2 - Connecting device and gate frame having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A connecting device includes a connector and a plurality. The connector has a plurality of tube segments. Each fastener is fitted onto one of the corresponding tube segments to force a plurality of plates provided thereon to flex, and therefore to firmly hold a tubes inserted therein. A gate frame is assembled with multiple connecting devices and multiple tubes in this way. <Figure 1>

Description

CONNECTING DEVICE AND GATE FRAME HAVING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field (0001J The present invention relates generally to structures that connect objects, and more particularly to a connecting tie vice for connecting tubes. 2, Description of Related Art (0002J Conventionally, a connecting device used for connecting tubes includes a connector made of plastic and two tubes iti the shape of cylindrical lube, wherein die connector has two openings at two opposite ends, and tire inner diameter of the openings is slightly bigger than Ute outer diameter of the tubes. In this way, each lube can be fitted into one of the openings and therefore connected to tlie connector. [11(103( Tire aforementioned device is widely applied to gate frames for hall games. More specifically, such gate frames can be easily and quickly assembled by connecting multiple connecting devices together with tubes. However, if the tubes applied to this kind of gate frames are made of metal materials in pmpose of providing higher structural strength, tire connected connectors tend to be damaged at where the tubes fitted into. This problem is commonly seen, especially when such gate frames are used in football games. If a metal tube is hit by a football, the impact will be transferred to tire- plastic connector, which may lead to damage as a result, hi addition, the connection beiwcen a metal tube and a connector· is merely established through the slight difference between tire illncr/outer diameters, though such design allows them to be aligned and connected quickly, it also makes them disconnect horn each other easily. Therefore, a gate frame assembled with multiple conventional lubes is not convenient to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In view of the above, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a connecting device, which not only provides more convenient and quicker installation, but also can be firmly connected with tubes.

[0005] Tlie present invention provides a connecting device, which includes a connector and a plurality of fasteners. The connector has a plurality of mutually connected tube segments, each of which has a plurality of flexible plates, an opening formed at a dis tai end thereof, and a male screw thread provided on an outer side thereof, wherein the plates are provided at the same end thereof, and each of die plates extends from the male screw thread to lire dis Lai end. The fasteners are respectively fitted onto the tube segments, wherein the fasteners arc in a shape of cylindrical tube, each of which is provided with a female screw thread, which is complementary to the male screw·· threads, on an inner side thereof, which forces the plates to flex inward while the fastener is screwed onto the tube segment. [0(1061 The present invention further provide a gate frame, which includes a pair of first connectors, a pair of second connectors, a pair of Chin! connectors, a pair of fourth connectors, a first tube, a second tube, a third Lube, a pair of fourth tubes, a pair of fifth tabes, a pair of sixth tubes, a pair of seventh tubes, and a plurality of fasteners. Each of the first connectors has afct tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are perpendicularly and mutually cornice ted, and share a common co in ice ling portion. Each of the second connectors has a lirsL Lube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the hint tube segment is perpendicular to the second tribe segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an obtuse angle. Each of the third connectors has a first tube segment, a second lube segment, and a third tube segment which ate mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular Lo the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second Lube segment and the third tube segment is an acute angle, Each of the four til connectors has a first tube segment and a second tube segment which are perpendicular connected to each other. The first tube is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first lube segments of the paired first connectors. The second tube is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired second connectors. The third tube is straight tint! has (wo opposite ends respectively inserted into (he first tube segments of the paired third contiectors. The fourth tubes are straight, wherein an etid of each is inserted, into the second tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into tiro second tube segment of one of Lhe second connectors. The fifth tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the second connectors, and another cud thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the third connectors. The sixth tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the first tube segment of one of the fourth connectors. The seventh lubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third lube segment of one of the tim'd connectors, and an other end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the fourth connectors. Each tube segment ofthe connectors is flexible at where inserted by the corresponding tubes; each of lhe fasteners is respectively fitted onto one of the lubesegments to flex the tube segments inward to firmly hold die corresponding tubes. [00(371 Whereby, each tube segment of each connector is deformable at a pan thereof where (he corresponding tube is fitted into. The multiple fasteners are respectively fitted around each tube segment of each connector to deform each tube segment, and the tubes are firmly held as a result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE SEVERAL VIEWS OFTHE DRAWINGS [0008] 'fhe present invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which f0D09] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of tlie connecting device of a first preferred embodiment of tbe present invention;

[0010] FIG, 2 is a sectional view showing the connection between the connector, one of (he tubes, and one of die fasteners in the first preferred embodiment; [00111 FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the connecting deviee of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; [00121 FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the connecting deviee of a fourth preferred embodiment of tlie present invention [0014] FIG, 6 is a schematic view of (lie connecting device of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 1ΌΟ153 FIG- 7 is a schematic view showitjg the connecting devices of the preferred embodiments applied to the gate frame for ball games; and [0016] FIG. S is a schematic view showing the connection between tlie connector, two of tlie tubes, and two of the fasteners in the fifth preferred embodiment.

DETAI J,EP DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 10017] The connecting device provided in the present in volition basically includes a connector and a plurality of fasteners, wherein the connector is made of plastic, and has a plurality of mutually connected tube segments. Each of the tube segments respectively allows insertion of a tube which is made of metal. Eacll of the fasteners is fitted around one of the tube segments to deform the tube segment, and therefore to firmly hold the tube inserted therein. Itl different embodiments, tlie number of the tube segments of the connector can be two, three, or more, which depends on requirements; included angles between each tube segment can be predetermined too. A connector of the connecting device of the fimt preferred embodiment described below has three tube segments as an example for explanation, [00181 As shown in FIG, 1 and FIG. 2, tire connecting device of the first preferred embodiment includes a connector JO and three fasteners 60. The connector 10 includes a first tube segment 101, a second tube segment 102, and a third lube segment 103 which are mutually connected, wherein these tube segments 101, .102, .103 share a common connecting portion. The first tube segment 101, the second lube segment· 102, and the third tube segment 103 are perpendicular to each other, and tire tlvcc fasteners 60 respectively fit each of the Lube segments 101, 102, 103.

[0019] Bach tube segment 101, 102, It)3 has identical structure, and we take the first tube segment 301 for example herein. The first tube segment 101 has a plurality of plates 14, an opening ] 2, and a male screw thread 13. Tire opening 12 is formed at a distal end of tlie tube segment 101, mid an axis of the tube segment 303 passes through a center of the opening 12. Tire male screw thread 13 is provided on an outer side of the tube segment 101 near the distal end thereof. The plates 14 are also provided at the distal end, and each of the plates 14 extends in parallel 1:o the axis of the tube segment 101 with an end connected to where the male screw thread 13 is provided at. ihc plates 14 surround the opening 12, and a gap 11 is naturally formed between each two neighboring plates 14. wherein the gaps 11 ure communicated with Ihc opening 12. Each plate 14 has an inc lined surface 15 which inwardly inclines from the male screw thread '13 toward the distal end. hr other words, a thickness of each plate 14 gradually decreases from ihe male screw thread 13 toward tlie distal end.

[IJW20] Each fastener 60 is in the shape nf cylindrical tube, and has a female screw thread 64 provided on an inner side 62 thereof, wherein the female screw thread 64 is complementary to the male screw tin-end 13 of each tube segment 101, 102, 103. 'fhe fastener 60 further has an inclined surface at tire inner side behind the female screw thread and a stop wall projected from the inner side at an end of the inclined surface. The inclined surface of Lite fastener 60 is complementary to the inclined surface ] 5 of tJie tube segment. With such design, each fastener 60 is respectively screwed onto the tube segments 101, 102, 103 through the engagement between the male screw thread 13 and the female screw thread 64. As shown in FIG. 2, a tube 200, which is made of metal, is inserted into the first tube segment 101 through the opening 12, and the fastener 60 is fitted onto tire first tube segment 101. Since the female screw ijircad 64 is engaged with the male screw thread 13, once the fastener 60 is further rotated relative to the first tube segment 101, (he inner side 62 of the fastener 60 presses each plate 14, and therefore flexes each plate 14 toward the axis of tire first lube segment 101. As a result, the tube 200 is firmly held. The fit cf the inclined surfaces makes the plates 14 be flexed more while the fastener 60 is being turned more tightly, and the stop wall against the distal ends of the plates 14 avoids tire fastener 60 from over turning. (0021] As shown in TIG. 3, a connector 20 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes mutually connected first lube segment 201, second tube segment 202, and ihird lube segment 203, wherein these tube segments share a common connecting portion too. Similarly, tlie first tube segment 201 is perpendicular to the second tube segnicnl 202. However, the difference from the first preferred embodiment is that an included angle between the second Lube segment 202 and the third tube segment 203 is an obtuse angle. [0022( Again, as shown in FIG. 4, a connector 30 of tlie third preferred embodiment includes mutually connected first tube segment 301, second tube segment 30Ξ, and third tube segment 303, wherein these tube segments share a common connecting portion. The first Lube segment 301 is perpendicular to the second tube segment 302 as the aforementioned preferred embodiments, though an included angle between the second tube segment 302 and the third tube segment 303 is an acute angle. [00231 As shown in FIG. 5, a connector 40 of the fourth preferred embodiment includes a first tube segment 401 and a second tube segment 402 which are mutually connected, wherein the first lube segment 401 is perpendicular to the second lube segment 402. (00241 As show'll in FIG. 6, a connector 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment includes two Lube segments SOI which are connected coaxially.

[0025] Each tube segment in the aforementioned preferred embodiments has the same structure, and therefore they are ah adapted for tlie fastener 60 to be fitted Lhcjeon. A gate frame 100 shown in FIG. 7 is assembled with the connectors 10, 20, 30, 40 of the first to the fourth preferred embodiments and multiple tubes which arc made of metal. For ease of explanation, the connector 10 of the first preferred embodiment is renamed as the first connector 10 hereafLer. Similarly, the connectors 20. 30, 40 of the second, the third, and the fourth prefened embodiment are respectivefy renamed as tlie second, tire third, and the fourth connectors 20, 30, 40. And the tubes are respectively defined as a first tube Pl, a second tube P2? a third tube 1’3P two four th tubes Pi, two fifth tubes P5, two sixth tubes P6. and two seventh lubes P7. These tubes Pl-1’7 are basically the same in structure, except that their lengths are different. An ouLer diameter of each tube I11-1’7 is slightly less titan an inner diameter of each tube segment 101 -103, 201-203, 301-303, 401-402 of the connector's J 0, 20, 30, 40. (0026] To assemble the gate frame 100, two ends of the first tube PI arc fust respectively inserted into the first tube segments 101 of two paired connectors 10, two ends of lire second Lube P2 arc also respectively inserf cd into flic first tube segments 201 of two paired connectors 20, and two ends of the third tube P3 are respectively inserted into the first lube segments 301 of two paired connectors 30. After that, one end of each fourth tube P4 is respectively inserted into the second tube segment 102 of one of the connectors 10, and another end thereof is inserted into the second lube segment 202 of one of the connectors 20, Similarly, an end of the fifth tube P5 is inserted into the third tube segment 203 of one of the connectors 20, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment 302 of one of the connectors 30. At this point, a top part and a back part of the gate frame 100 is completely assembled.

[0027] Next, to finish assembling a left part and the right part of the gate frame 100, an end of each sixth tube P6 is respectively inserted into the third tube segment 303 of one of Che first cornice tom 10, and another end thereof is also respectively inserted into the first tube segment 401 of one of the fourth connectors 40. An end of each seventh tube 1J7 is inserted into tbe ffiird tube segment 303 of one of the third connectors 30, and another end (hereof is inserted into the second tube segment 402 of one of the fourth connectors 40. As a result, once each tube segment 101-103, 201-203, 301-303, 401-402 of the connectors 10, 20, 30, 40 is respectively fitted with one of the fasteners 60, each tube segment 101-103, 201-203, 301-303, 401-402 is flexed to firmly hold the corresponding tubes Pl-P7. After further providing a net 300 on the gate frame 100, the installation of a gate is then complete, (0028] It is worth mentioning that any tube Pl-1’7 can be formed by connecting two metal tubes to opposite ends of the connector 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. S. In more details, the metal tubes are Lwo tubes 200 as an example, and the tubes 200 are respectively inserted into the tube segments 501 of the connector 50. Therefore, the size of die gate frame 100 is adjustable by adding or removing multiple of the connectors 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment, [0029] In summary, a tube can be quickly and firmiy connected to the connector provided in the present invention through the design of plates and engagement between the female screw thread of the tube segments and the male screw thread of the fasteners. (0030] It must be pointed out that the embodiments described above are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention. Ali equivalent structures which employ tlie concepts disclosed in this specification and the appended claims should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. A gate frame for ball games, comprising: a pair of first connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are perpendicularly and mutually connected, and share a common connecting portion; 5 a pair of second connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angei between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an obtuse angle; a pair of third connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third 10 tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein fhe first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an acute angle; a pair of fourth connectors, each having a first tube segment and a second tube segment which are perpendicular connected to each other; 15 a first tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired first connectors: a second tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted info the first tube segments of the paired second connectors; a third tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube 20 seg rn o nts of th e pa i re d th i rd connectors; a pair of fourth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the fourth tubes is inserted info the second tube segment of one ofthe first connecters, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the second connectors; a pair of fifth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the fifth tubes is inserted into 25 the third tube segment of one of the second connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the third connectors; a pair of sixth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the sixth tubes is inserted info the third tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the first tube segment of one of the fourth connectors; a pair of seventh tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the seventh tubes is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the third connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the fourth connectors; and a plurality of fasteners; 5 wherein each tube segment of the connectors is flexible at where inserted by the corresponding tubes; each of the fasteners is respectively fitted onto one of the tube segments to flex the tube segments inward to firmly hold the corresponding tubes.

2. The gate frame of claim 1. wherein the connectors and the fasteners are made of plastic, fO while the tubes are made of metal.

3. The gate frame of claim 2, wherein each ef the tube segments has a plurality of flexible plates, an opening formed at a distal end thereoF, and a male screw thread provided on an outer side thereof; the plates are provided at the same end thereof, and each of the plates extends from the 15 male screw thread to the distal end; each of the fasteners is respectively fitted onto the tube segments; the fasteners are in a shape of cylindrical tube, each of which is provided with a female screw thread, which is complementary to the male screw threads, on an inner side thereof, which forces the piates to flex inward to firmly hold the tubes. 20 Λ. The gate frame of claim 3, each plate has an inclined surface sc that a thickness of each plate gradually decreases from the male screw thread toward the opening; the inner side of each of the fasteners forces the plates to flex by pressing the inclined surfaces thereof.

4. 6. The gate frame of claim 1, wherein the connectors are made of plastic; at least one tube 25 among the first to the fifth tubes further includes a fifth connector made of plastic and two tubes made of metal; an end of each of the metal tubes is inserted into an end of the fifth connector, and another end of each of the metal tubes is inserted into the tube segment of the corresponding connector.