MODULAR TUBE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved modular tube. The modular tube includes at least two tubular elements with the first tubular element having a tapered end and the second tubular element having a hollow end. The hollow end of the second tubular element is complimentary to the tapered end of the first tubular element. A male or female threaded coupling element is arranged at the tapered end of the first tubular element; and a corresponding female or male threaded coupling element is arranged at the hollow end of the second tubular element.

Claims

1. A modular tube, comprising at least two tubular elements, one of which is a first tubular element and the other is a second tubular element, wherein said first tubular element comprises a tapered end, said second tubular element comprises a hollow end, said hollow end being is complimentary to said tapered end, and a male or female threaded coupling element is arranged on said tapered end of said first tubular element and a corresponding female or male threaded coupling element is arranged at said hollow end of said second tubular element.

2. The modular tube according to claim 1, wherein a male threaded coupling element is arranged at the end of said tapered end of said first tubular element and a corresponding female threaded coupling element is arranged inside said hollow end of said second tubular element.

3. The modular tube according to claim 1, wherein a female threaded coupling element is arranged at the end of said tapered end of said first tubular element and a corresponding male threaded coupling element is arranged inside said hollowed end of said second tubular element.

4. The modular tube according to claim 1, wherein said tapered end has an undulated cross section.

5. The modular tube according to claim 1, wherein said tapered end has a smooth cross section.

6. The modular tube according to claim 1, wherein said first and second tubular elements are made of metal material and said male and female coupling elements are made of plastic material.

7. A broom handle, comprising the modular tube according to claim 1.

8. A sectional tubular element, comprising at least one modular tube according to claim 1.

Description

[0019] With reference to the mentioned figures, the improved modular tube, indicated as a whole with reference number 10, comprises at least two tubular elements 1, 2, of which a first tubular element 1 and a second tubular element 2. I

[0020] In particular, the first tubular element 1 comprises a tapered end 3 and the second tubular element 2 comprises a hollow end 4, such that such hollow end 4 is complementary to the tapering 3.

[0021] Such configuration enables to form a solid interlocking coupling.

[0022] According to the present invention the modular tube 10 comprises a male 5 or female 6 threaded coupling element arranged on the tapering 3 of the first tubular element and a corresponding female 6 or male 5 threaded coupling element at the cavity 4 of the second tubular element 2.

[0023] Adding such male-female coupling elements 5, 6 allows to reduce the force required to obtain a solid coupling of the two tubular elements, with no need to deform the materials thereof, guaranteeing at the same time a solid and removable coupling and making the last assembling step extremely easy such that the connection will be stable and rigid by simply tightening the screw.

[0024] Furthermore, if the handle is normally used it remains stably assembled, but in case the user wishes to disassemble it he only needs to perform the opposite operation, i.e. unscrew the male 5 and female 6 coupling elements from each other and the pieces will easily separate with the possibility of repeating the operation even several times.

[0025] In the embodiment of the enclosed figures, the male 5 coupling element is arranged at the tapering end 3 of the first tubular element 1, and the female coupling element 6 is arranged inside the cavity 4 of the second tubular element.

[0026] An alternative embodiment provides that the female coupling element 6 is arranged at the tapering end 3 and the male coupling element 5 is arranged inside the cavity 4.

[0027] Advantageously, the tapering 3 of the first tubular element 1 has an undulating cross section.

[0028] Alternatively, the tapering 3 has a smooth cross section. In particular, the tubular elements 1, 2 are made of metal material while male 5 and female 6 coupling elements are made of plastic material.

[0029] For instance, tubular elements may be in aluminium or steel.

[0030] A broom handle comprising an improved modular tube 10 as described is also part of the present invention.

[0031] A further possible use of the improved modular tube is for forming a sectional tubular element, for instance for composing furniture pieces or else.

[0032] The operation of the improved modular tube is clear and apparent from what described.

[0033] It was ascertained in practice that the improved modular tube, according to the present invention, meets the task as well as the set objects as it allows to make a simultaneously simple and strong, and reversible coupling.

[0034] The improved modular tube thus conceived can undergo several modifications and variants all within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0035] Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other equally useful elements.

[0036] In practice, any materials can be used according to requirements, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, the dimensions and the contingent shapes. The present invention was described by way of illustrative, non-limiting example according to preferred embodiments thereof, but it is understood that variations and/or modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined in the appended claims.