초록 ▼

An end-to-end tubular joint includes first locking pieces cut from the first tube and second locking pieces cut from the second tube, where the cuts have radial cut faces on the axially aligned cuts. The first and second locking pieces are interlocked with lateral extensions of the respective lockin

An end-to-end tubular joint includes first locking pieces cut from the first tube and second locking pieces cut from the second tube, where the cuts have radial cut faces on the axially aligned cuts. The first and second locking pieces are interlocked with lateral extensions of the respective locking pieces bearing against one another and the radial cut surfaces distributed circumferentially around the joint so as to constrain relative movement between the parts. The first locking pieces are welded to the first tube and the second locking pieces are welded to the second tube to form a tube joint. An alternative forms cutouts in the first tube and fits locking pieces into the cutouts that are welded to a second member, such as a second tube or cylinder that fits into the first tube so as to form the tube joint.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tube joint joining a first tube to a second tube, comprising: a first tube and a second tube of equal outside diameter, the first tube and the second tube being of equal inside diameter;first locking pieces cut from a tube of a first material, said first locking pieces including lateral extensi

1. A tube joint joining a first tube to a second tube, comprising: a first tube and a second tube of equal outside diameter, the first tube and the second tube being of equal inside diameter;first locking pieces cut from a tube of a first material, said first locking pieces including lateral extensions, said first locking pieces include radial cut faces on all axially aligned portions of cut surfaces;second locking pieces cut from a tube of a second material, the second material being a different material than the first material, said second locking pieces including lateral extensions, said second locking pieces include radial cut faces on all axially aligned portions of cut surfaces;said first locking pieces and said second locking pieces arranged in interlocking relation with said lateral extensions of said respective first locking pieces engaging said lateral extensions of second locking pieces and with the radial cut faces of the first locking pieces and the radial cut faces of the second locking pieces distributed circumferentially around the joint so as to constrain relative movements between the parts;said first locking pieces being welded to said first tube by a first weld and said second locking pieces being welded to said second tube by a second weld, the first material not being welded to the second material;wherein the first tube is joined to the second tube at the tube joint, the tube joint being of the same outside diameter as the outside diameter of the first and second tubes, the tube joint being of the same inside diameter as the inside diameter of the first and second tubes so that the tube joint joins the first tube in end to end relation with the second tube without increasing a wall thickness at the tube joint; andwherein said first and second locking pieces are of substantially the same size and shape, said first and second locking pieces each having a base portion, the first weld connecting the base portion of the first locking piece to the first tube, the second weld connecting the base portion of the second locking piece to the second tube; the first and second locking pieces having lateral extensions extending from opposite sides of said base portion. 2. A tube joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first locking pieces are cut from a tube of a same material as said first tube, said second locking pieces being cut from a tube of the same material as said second tube. 3. A tube joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first locking pieces are two first locking pieces and wherein said second locking pieces are two second locking pieces. 4. A tube joint joining a first tube to a second tube, comprising: a first tube and a second tube of equal inside diameter and equal outside diameter;first locking pieces cut from a tube of a first material, said first locking pieces including lateral extensions, said first locking pieces include radial cut faces on all axially aligned portions of cut surfaces;second locking pieces cut from a tube of a second material, the second material being a different material than the first material said second locking pieces including lateral extensions, said second locking pieces include radial cut faces on all axially aligned portions of cut surfaces;said first locking pieces and said second locking pieces arranged in interlocking relation with said lateral extensions of said respective first locking pieces engaging said lateral extensions of second locking pieces and with the radial cut faces of the first locking pieces and the radial cut faces of the second locking pieces distributed circumferentially around the joint so as to constrain relative movements between the parts; andsaid first locking pieces being welded to said first tube by a first weld and said second locking pieces being welded to said second tube by a second weld, the first material not being welded to the second material;wherein the first tube is joined to the second tube at the tube joint, the tube joint being of the same inside diameter and outside diameter as the inside diameter and the outside diameter of the first and second tubes;wherein said first and second locking pieces are of substantially the same size and shape, said first and second locking pieces each having a base portion, the first weld connecting the base portion of the first locking piece to the first tube, the second weld connecting the base portion of the second locking piece to the second tube; the first and second locking pieces having lateral extensions extending from opposite sides of said base portion; andwherein the first tube and the second tube and the tube joint are configured for introduction into a lumen of a body of a living being for delivery of a medical device. 5. A tube joint joining a first tube to a second member, comprising: a first tube of a first material defining a shaped cutout, the first tube having an outside diameter;a second member of a second material different than said first material joined to said first tube;at least one locking piece of a material that is welded to said second member so as to form a welded bond between the at least one locking piece and the second member, said at least one locking piece being fit into said shaped cutout in said first tube and being welded to said second member, the at least one locking piece fitting into the shaped cutout without extending beyond the outside diameter of the first tube, so that the tube joint is formed without increasing a diameter of the tube joint beyond the outside diameter of the first tube; andwherein said second member extends into said first tube so as to permit contact with the second member by a locking piece through said shaped cutout, and said at least one locking piece is only welded to said second member at a portion of said second member at said shaped cutout, said first material not being welded to said second material. 6. A tube joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cutout is closed off from an end of said first tube to which the second member is joined. 7. A tube joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cutout is open to an end of said first tube. 8. A tube joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second member is a cable. 9. A tube joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shaped cutout of said first tube is a first shaped cutout and further comprising a second shaped cutout, and said at least one locking piece comprises first and second locking pieces fit into respective ones of said first and second shaped cutouts. 10. A tube joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second member is a second tube of equal diameter to a diameter of said first tube, said first and second tubes being joined in end to end connection by the tube joint, the end to end connection joining the terminal ends of the first tube and the second tube to one another in abutting relation. 11. A tube joint as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one locking piece of a material that is welded to said second member is at least one second locking piece, and further comprising: at least one first locking piece of a material that is welded to said first tube so as to form a welded bond between the material of the at least one first locking piece and the first tube;said second tube defining a cutout shaped to accommodate said at least one first locking piece;said at least one first locking piece being positioned in interlocked relation with said at least one second locking piece; andsaid at least one first locking piece being fit into said cutout of said second tube and welded to said first tube. 12. A tube joint as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one first locking piece includes two first locking pieces of a same material as said first tube; said at least one second locking piece includes two second locking pieces of a same material as said second tube;said first and second locking pieces being of substantially a same size and shape, said first and second locking pieces each including a base member welded to respective ones of said first and second tubes and lateral extensions, said lateral extensions of said first locking pieces being abutted against said lateral extensions of said second locking pieces.