초록 ▼

The invention provides a partially threaded shaft and coupler to join two objects quickly. The shaft has alternating threaded and non-threaded surfaces, and the coupler has an internal bore with alternating threaded and non-threaded surfaces. The shaft is inserted into the coupler with the threaded

The invention provides a partially threaded shaft and coupler to join two objects quickly. The shaft has alternating threaded and non-threaded surfaces, and the coupler has an internal bore with alternating threaded and non-threaded surfaces. The shaft is inserted into the coupler with the threaded surfaces of the shaft aligned with the non-threaded surfaces of the coupler. The shaft or the coupler is rotated to engage the threaded sides of the shaft with the threaded sides of the coupler.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A coupler assembly comprising:a) a shaft having at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces form a non-continuous screw thread around the shaft that follows a contour of a full helical screw thread, the shaft having first and

1. A coupler assembly comprising:a) a shaft having at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces form a non-continuous screw thread around the shaft that follows a contour of a full helical screw thread, the shaft having first and second ends, with the non-continuous screw thread being continuous near the second end of the shaft; andb) a coupler having an internal bore with at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the shaft is sized to slide into the coupler when the threaded surface of the shalt is aligned with the non-threadad surface of the coupler, and upon rotation of the shaft, the threaded surface of the shaft engages the threaded surface of the coupler. 2. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-threaded surfaces of the shaft are substantially planar. 3. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft has at least two threaded surfaces and a least two non-threaded surfaces, wherein the threaded surfaces alternate with the non-threaded surfaces around the shaft. 4. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a restrictor at the second end, the restrictor preventing the shaft from sliding beyond a desired depth into the coupler. 5. The coupler assembly of claim 4, wherein the restrictor is a ridge formed by an increase in the diameter of the shaft at the second end of the shaft. 6. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of the shaft is adapted for connection to a tool. 7. The coupler assembly of claim 6, wherein the second end of the shaft has an internal threaded bore. 8. The coupler assembly of claim 7, wherein the internal bore has at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface forming a non-continuous screw thread. 9. The coupler assembly of claim 8, wherein the internal bore has at least two threaded and non-threaded surfaces, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces alternate. 10. The coupler assembly of claim 6, wherein the second end of the shaft has external threading. 11. The coupler assembly of claim 10, wherein the second end of the shaft has at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface forming a non-continuous screw thread. 12. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-continuous screw thread near the second end of the shaft is continuous for ¾ of a circumferential rotation. 13. The coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-continuous screw thread near the second end of the shaft is continuous for a circumferential rotation. 14. A method of connecting a non-continuous screw threaded shaft and coupler, the shaft having at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces form a non-continuous screw thread that follows a contour of a fail helical screw thread with the non-continuous screw thread being continuous near an end of the shaft, the coupler having an internal bore with at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the threaded surface of the coupler complements the threaded surface of the shalt; the method comprising:a) inserting the shaft into the coupler with the non-threaded surface of the shaft aligned with the threaded surface of the coupler; andb) rotating the shaft to bring the shalt threaded surface into threaded engagement with the threaded surface of the coupler. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein in step (b) the shaft is rotated a quarter turn. 16. A coupler assembly comprising:a) a shaft having at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces form a non-continuous screw thread around the shaft that follows a contour of a full helical screw thread, the shaft having fast and second ends, the second end having an internal threaded bore; andb) a coupler having an internal bore with at least one threaded surface and at least on e non-threaded surface, wherein the shaft is sized to slide into the coupler when the threaded surface of the shaft is aligned with the non-threaded surface of the coupler, and upon rotation of the shaft, the threaded surface of the shaft engages the threaded surface of the coupler. 17. The coupler assembly of claim 16, wherein the internal bore has at least one threaded surface and at least one non-threaded surface forming a non-continuous screw tread. 18. The coupler assembly of claim 17, wherein the internal bore has at least two threaded and non-threaded surfaces, wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces alternate. 19. The coupler assembly of claim 16, wherein the non-continuous screw thread is continuous new the second end of the shaft. 20. A coupler assembly essentially consisting of:a) a cylindrical shaft having a central axis and at least two threaded surfaces and at least two non-threaded surfaces alternatingly spaced round the central axis and each threaded surface and non-threaded surface occupying ¼ of a circumferential rotation, the wherein the threaded and non-threaded surfaces form a non-continuous screw thread wound the shaft that follows a contour of a full helical screw thread, the shaft having first and second ends; andb) a coupler having a cylindrical internal bore with at least two threaded surfaces and at least two non-threaded surfaces alternatingly spaced round the central axis and each threaded surface and non-threaded surface occupying ¼ of a circumferential rotation, wherein the shaft is sized to slide into the coupler when the threaded surfaces of the shaft are aligned with the non-threaded surfaces of the coupler, and upon rotation of the shaft, the threaded surfaces of the shaft engage the threaded surfaces of the coupler. 21. The coupler assembly of claim 20, wherein the non-threaded surfaces of the shaft are substantially planar. 22. The coupler assembly of claim 20, wherein the second end of the shaft is adapted for connection to a tool.