U.S. patent application number 10/683382 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for child support device.
This patent application is currently assigned to WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chen, Shun-Min.
Application Number | 20050077773 10/683382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34422731 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050077773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Shun-Min |
April 14, 2005 |
Child support device
Abstract
A child support device includes first and second frame members
interconnected by a coupling unit. The first frame member has a
first connecting end portion that extends along a first axis. The
second frame member has a second connecting end portion that
extends along a second axis. The coupling unit includes a stop
surface and a tubular coupling sleeve. The stop surface is formed
on the first connecting end portion. The tubular coupling sleeve is
mounted on the second connecting end portion, and is provided with
a resilient member that is movable toward the second axis to engage
the stop surface for interconnecting the first and second frame
members, and that is forcible to move away from the second axis to
disengage the stop surface when disconnecting the first and second
frame members.
Inventors: |
Chen, Shun-Min; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEBB ZIESENHEIM LOGSDON ORKIN & HANSON, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
34422731 |
Appl. No.: |
10/683382 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.11 ;
297/440.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/107
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/440.11 ;
297/440.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A child support device comprising: a first frame member having a
first connecting end portion that extends along a first axis; a
second frame member having a second connecting end portion that
extends along a second axis; and a coupling unit for
interconnecting said first and second connecting end portions such
that said first axis is coaxial with said second axis, said
coupling unit including a stop surface formed on said first
connecting end portion and disposed radially of said first axis,
and a tubular coupling sleeve mounted on said second connecting end
portion, said first connecting end portion being inserted removably
into said coupling sleeve, said coupling sleeve being provided with
a resilient member that is movable toward said second axis in a
normal state to engage said stop surface for interconnecting said
first and second frame members, and that is forcible to move away
from said second axis to disengage said stop surface and permit
removal of said first connecting end portion from said coupling
sleeve when disconnecting said first and second frame members.
2. The child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
second connecting end portion is tubular and is formed with a
radial through hole, said first connecting end portion extending
into said second connecting end portion when inserted into said
coupling sleeve, said resilient member being formed integrally with
said coupling sleeve and having an engaging portion that is movable
toward and away from said second axis and that is extendible into
said second connecting end portion through said through hole for
engaging said stop surface.
3. The child support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
first connecting end portion has a restricted neck section that is
formed with said stop surface.
4. The child support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
first and second connecting end portions have circular
cross-sections.
5. The child support device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said
coupling sleeve is formed with a slot that extends parallel to said
second axis, said resilient member being an elongate strip that has
a connecting end connected to said coupling sleeve at one end of
said slot, and an engaging end opposite to said connecting end,
disconnected from said coupling sleeve, and formed with an engaging
block that projects toward said second axis and that serves as said
engaging portion.
6. The child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
coupling sleeve is formed with a radial buttonhole, said resilient
member having a button portion that extends movably into said
button hole, a biasing portion that is disposed in and that abuts
against said coupling sleeve, and an engaging frame disposed in
said coupling sleeve and interconnecting said button portion and
said biasing portion, said biasing portion biasing said engaging
frame toward said second axis to engage said stop surface, said
button portion being operable against biasing action of said
biasing portion to move said engaging frame away from said second
axis to disengage from said stop surface.
7. The child support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
coupling unit further includes a retaining unit provided on said
coupling sleeve for movably retaining said engaging frame
therein.
8. The child support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
resilient member is formed integrally from plastic.
9. A child support device comprising a frame including a lower
ground-engaging frame portion and an upper child-supporting frame
portion connected to said ground-engaging frame portion, said
ground-engaging frame portion including: a first frame member
having a first rear connecting end portion that extends along a
first axis; a second frame member having a second rear connecting
end portion that extends along a second axis; and a first coupling
unit for interconnecting said first and second rear connecting end
portions such that said first axis is coaxial with said second
axis, said coupling unit including a stop surface formed on said
first rear connecting end portion and disposed radially of said
first axis, and a tubular coupling sleeve mounted on said second
rear connecting end portion, said first rear connecting end portion
being inserted removably into said coupling sleeve, said coupling
sleeve being provided with a resilient member that is movable
toward said second axis in a normal state to engage said stop
surface for interconnecting said first and second frame members,
and that is forcible to move away from said second axis to
disengage said stop surface and permit removal of said first rear
connecting end portion from said coupling sleeve when disconnecting
said first and second frame members.
10. The child support device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
coupling sleeve has a ground-contacting side with an anti-slip pad
mounted thereon.
11. The child support device as claimed in claim 9, wherein: said
first frame member further has a first front connecting end portion
that extends along a third axis; said second frame member further
having a second front connecting end portion that extends along a
fourth axis; said child-supporting frame portion including a back
support frame member having first and second lower connecting end
portions that extend respectively along parallel fifth and sixth
axes; said child support device further comprising a pair of second
coupling units for connecting a respective one of said first and
second front connecting end portions to a respective one of said
first and second lower connecting end portions such that said third
axis is coaxial with said fifth axis and such that said fourth axis
is coaxial with said sixth axis, each of said second coupling units
including a stop surface formed on the respective one of said first
and second front connecting end portions and disposed radially of
the respective one of said third and fourth axes, and a tubular
coupling sleeve mounted on the respective one of said first and
second lower connecting end portions, each of said first and second
front connecting end portions being inserted removably into said
coupling sleeve of the respective one of said second coupling
units, said coupling sleeve of each of said second coupling units
being provided with a resilient member that is movable toward the
respective one of said fifth and sixth axes in a normal state to
engage said stop surface of the respective one of said second
coupling units for connecting the respective one of said first and
second front connecting end portions to the respective one of said
first and second lower connecting end portions, and that is
forcible to move away from the respective one of said fifth and
sixth axes to disengage said stop surface of the respective one of
said second coupling units and permit removal of the respective one
of said first and second front connecting end portions from said
coupling sleeve when disconnecting said back support frame member
from said ground-engaging frame portion.
12. The child support device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said
child-supporting frame portion further includes a generally
U-shaped seat support frame member having a pair of looped ends
that engage said first and second front connecting end portions,
respectively.
13. The child support device as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising a pair of frame retainers clamped respectively on said
coupling sleeves of said second coupling units.
14. The child support device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each
of said frame retainers is formed with an engaging hole, said child
support device further comprising a generally U-shaped hanging
frame having a pair of free ends, each of which is extended
removably and respectively into said engaging holes in said frame
retainers.
15. A child support device comprising a frame including a lower
ground-engaging frame portion and an upper child-supporting frame
portion connected to said ground-engaging frame portion, said
ground-engaging frame portion including a first frame member having
a first front connecting end portion that extends along a first
axis, and a second frame member having a second front connecting
end portion that extends along a second axis, said child-supporting
frame portion including a back support frame member having first
and second lower connecting end portions that extend respectively
along parallel third and fourth axes, said child support device
further comprising a pair of coupling units for connecting a
respective one of said first and second front connecting end
portions to a respective one of said first and second lower
connecting end portions such that said first axis is coaxial with
said third axis and such that said second axis is coaxial with said
fourth axis, each of said coupling units including a stop surface
formed on the respective one of said first and second front
connecting end portions and disposed radially of the respective one
of said first and second axes, and a tubular coupling sleeve
mounted on the respective one of said first and second lower
connecting end portions, each of said first and second front
connecting end portions being inserted removably into said coupling
sleeve of the respective one of said coupling units, said coupling
sleeve of each of said coupling units being provided with a
resilient member that is movable toward the respective one of said
third and fourth axes in a normal state to engage said stop surface
of the respective one of said coupling units for connecting the
respective one of said first and second front connecting end
portions to the respective one of said first and second lower
connecting end portions, and that is forcible to move away from the
respective one of said third and fourth axes to disengage said stop
surface of the respective one of said coupling units and permit
removal of the respective one of said first and second front
connecting end portions from said coupling sleeve when
disconnecting said back support frame member from said
ground-engaging frame portion.
16. A child support device comprising: a first frame member having
a first connecting end portion that extends along a first axis; a
second frame member having a second connecting end portion that
extends along a second axis; a third frame member having opposite
frame end portions and extending along a third axis; and a pair of
coupling units for connecting a respective one of said first and
second connecting end portions to a respective one of said frame
end portions such that said first and second axes are coaxial with
said third axis, each of said coupling units including a stop
surface formed on the respective one of said first and second
connecting end portions and disposed radially of the respective one
of said first and second axes, and a tubular coupling sleeve
mounted on the respective one of said frame end portions, each of
said first and second connecting end portions being inserted
removably into said coupling sleeve of the respective one of said
coupling units, said coupling sleeve of each of said coupling units
being provided with a resilient member that is movable toward said
third axis in a normal state to engage said stop surface of the
respective one of said coupling units for connecting the respective
one of said first and second frame members to the respective one of
said frame end portions, and that is forcible to move away from
said third axis to disengage said stop surface of the respective
one of said coupling units and permit removal of the respective one
of said first and second connecting end portions from said coupling
sleeve when disconnecting said first and second frame members from
said third frame member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a child support device, more
particularly to a child support device that is convenient to
assemble and disassemble and that has improved safety features.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In U.S. patent application publication No. 2003/0034685 A1,
there is disclosed a child support device that includes a frame
unit and a frame connector. The frame unit includes left and right
lower frame members that have left and right ground engaging lower
frame portions coupled together by the frame connector. The frame
connector includes a male left connector and a female right
connector. The left connector is formed integrally with the left
ground engaging lower frame portion, and has one end formed with an
engaging projection that extends upwardly. The right connector is
formed integrally with the right ground engaging lower frame
portion, and is formed with a slide groove for sliding engagement
with the left connector. The right connector has a top side formed
with an engaging hole such that, after the left connector is
inserted into the slide groove, the engaging projection extends
outwardly of the engaging hole for secure connection between the
left and right lower frame members.
[0005] Although the frame connector serves the purpose of
connection between the left and right lower frame members, use of
the same affects the order of assembly and disassembly of the child
support device. That is, during assembly, connection between the
left and right ground engaging lower frame portions must be
performed first, whereas during disassembly, disengagement between
the left and right ground engaging lower frame portions must be
performed last. Besides, in view of stringent safety standards for
child support devices, exposed engaging components, such as the
engaging projection, are generally regarded to be unsafe, since
accidental contact thereto may result in undesired escapement among
the engaging components of the child support device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a child support device that can overcome the aforesaid drawbacks
associated with the prior art.
[0007] Accordingly, a child support device of this invention
comprises first and second frame members and a coupling unit. The
first frame member has a first connecting end portion that extends
along a first axis. The second frame member has a second connecting
end portion that extends along a second axis. The coupling unit
interconnects the first and second connecting end portions such
that the first axis is coaxial with the second axis. The coupling
unit includes a stop surface and a tubular coupling sleeve. The
stop surface is formed on the first connecting end portion and is
disposed radially of the first axis. The tubular coupling sleeve is
mounted on the second connecting end portion. The first connecting
end portion is inserted removably into the coupling sleeve. The
coupling sleeve is provided with a resilient member that is movable
toward the second axis in a normal state to engage the stop surface
for interconnecting the first and second frame members, and that is
forcible to move away from the second axis to disengage the stop
surface and permit removal of the first connecting end portion from
the coupling sleeve when disconnecting the first and second frame
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment of a child support device according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view to
illustrate a lower ground-engaging frame portion of the first
preferred embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view to illustrate how a
coupling unit interconnects first and second frame members of the
lower ground-engaging frame portion in the first preferred
embodiment of this invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is another schematic sectional view to illustrate a
connected state of the first and second frame members of the lower
ground-engaging frame portion when viewed from a different
angle;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view to
illustrate the ground-engaging frame portion and a child-supporting
frame portion of the first preferred embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view to illustrate
engagement between the ground-engaging frame portion and the
child-supporting frame portion of the first preferred
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view to
illustrate a frame retainer and a second coupling unit of the first
preferred embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second preferred
embodiment of a child support device according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view to
illustrate a ground-engaging frame portion of the second preferred
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the third
preferred embodiment of a child support device according to the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a partly exploded, partly cutaway, perspective
view of the portion shown in FIG. 10, illustrating a coupling
sleeve, a resilient member and a connecting end portion of a frame
member of the third preferred embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an assembled, partly sectional view of the
portion shown in FIG. 10 to illustrate engagement between the
resilient member and the connecting end portion; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, illustrating
disengagement between the resilient member and the connecting end
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment
of a child support device 300 according to the present invention is
shown to include a metal frame 3. The frame 3 includes a lower
ground-engaging frame portion 30 and an upper child-supporting
frame portion 31 connected to the ground-engaging frame portion
30.
[0023] The ground-engaging frame portion 30 includes a first frame
member 41, a second frame member 42, and a first coupling unit 45.
The first frame member 41 includes a first rear end section 411 and
a first front end section 416. The first rear end section 411 is
formed with a first rear connecting end portion 412 that extends
along a first axis 415. The second frame member 42 includes a
second rear end section 421 and a second front end section 426. The
second rear end section 421 is formed with a second rear connecting
end portion 422 that extends along a second axis 425. The second
rear connecting end portion 422 is tubular so as to form a
receiving space 423, and has an end opening 424. The second rear
connecting end portion 422 is further formed with a radial through
hole 427. In this embodiment, the first and second rear connecting
end portions 412, 422 have circular cross-sections.
[0024] The first coupling unit 45 includes a stop surface 413 and a
tubular coupling sleeve 450, and interconnects the first and second
rear connecting end portions 412, 422 such that the first axis 415
is coaxial with the second axis 425. In this embodiment, the stop
surface 413 is an annular surface formed on a restricted neck
section 414 of the first rear connecting end portion 412, and is
disposed radially of the first axis 415. The coupling sleeve 450,
which is made of plastic, is sleeved securely on the second
connecting end portion 422, is formed with a slot 455 that extends
parallel to the second axis 425, and is provided a resilient member
451. The resilient member 451 is an elongate plastic strip that has
a connecting end connected integrally to the coupling sleeve 450 at
one end of the slot 455, and an engaging end opposite to the
connecting end, disconnected from the coupling sleeve 450, and
formed with an engaging block 452 (see FIG. 3) that projects toward
the second axis 425 and that serves as an engaging portion which is
movable toward and away from the second axis 425 and which is
extendible into the second rear connecting end portion 422 through
the through hole 427. The coupling sleeve 450 has a
ground-contacting side that is formed with a pad groove 457 for
receiving an anti-slip pad 458. The anti-slip pad 458 and the
coupling sleeve 450 are fastened to the second rear connecting end
portion 422 by a rivet 46 that extends through a fastener hole 428
in the second rear connecting end portion 422 and a fastener hole
453 in the coupling sleeve 450, as best shown in FIG. 4.
[0025] When interconnecting the first and second frame members 41,
42, the first rear connecting end portion 412 is extended into the
receiving space 423 of the second rear connecting end portion 422
through the end opening 424. At this time, the engaging block 452
of the resilient member 451 extends into the receiving space 423 of
the second rear connecting end portion 422 to engage the stop
surface 413 on the first rear connecting end portion 412, thereby
interconnecting the first and second frame members 41, 42, as best
shown in FIG. 3.
[0026] When disconnecting the first and second frame members 41,
42, since the engaging end of the resilient member 451 is
disconnected from the coupling sleeve 450, the resilient member 451
can be lifted at the engaging end for forcing the engaging block
452 to move away from the second axis 425 so as to disengage the
stop surface 413 and permit removal of the first rear connecting
end portion 412 from the coupling sleeve 450 and the second rear
connecting end portion 422.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the first front end section
416 of the first frame member 41 is formed with a first front
connecting end portion 47 that extends upwardly and rearwardly
along a third axis 472. The second front end section 426 of the
second frame member 42 is formed with a second front connecting end
portion 47' that extends upwardly and rearwardly along a fourth
axis 472'. In this embodiment, the first and second front
connecting end portions 47, 47' have circular cross-sections.
[0028] The child-supporting frame portion 31 includes a back
support frame member 33, a seat support frame member 34, and a
hanging frame 365.
[0029] The back support frame member 33 is generally U-shaped, and
includes first and second lower connecting end portions 331, 331'
that extend respectively along parallel fifth and sixth axes 339,
339'. Each of the first and second lower connecting end portions
331, 331' is tubular so as to form a receiving space 335, 335', and
has an end opening 336, 336'. Each of the first and second lower
connecting end portions 331, 331' is further formed with a radial
through hole 338, 338'. In this embodiment, the first and second
lower connecting end portions 331, 331' have circular
cross-sections.
[0030] The child support device 300 further comprises a pair of
second coupling units 37 for connecting a respective one of the
first and second front connecting end portions 47, 47' to a
respective one of the first and second lower connecting end
portions 331, 331' such that the third axis 472 is coaxial with the
fifth axis 339 and such that the fourth axis 472' is coaxial with
the sixth axis 339'.
[0031] Each second coupling unit 37 includes a stop surface 473 and
a tubular coupling sleeve 370. In this embodiment, the stop surface
473 is an annular surface formed on a restricted neck section 471,
471' of the respective one of the first and second front connecting
end portions 416, 426, and is disposed radially of the respective
one of the third and fourth axes 472, 472'. The coupling sleeve
370, which is made of plastic, is sleeved securely on the
respective one of the first and second lower connecting end
portions 331, 331', is formed with a slot 373 that extends parallel
to the respective one of the fifth and sixth axes 339, 339', and is
provided a resilient member 371. The resilient member 371 is an
elongate plastic strip that has a connecting end connected
integrally to the coupling sleeve 370 at one end of the slot 373,
and an engaging end opposite to the connecting end, disconnected
from the coupling sleeve 370, and formed with an engaging block 372
(see FIG. 6) that projects toward the respective one of the fifth
and sixth axes 339, 339' and that serves as an engaging portion
which is movable toward and away from the respective one of the
fifth and sixth axes 339, 339' and which is extendible into the
respective one of the first and second lower connecting end
portions 331, 331' through the through hole 338, 338'. The coupling
sleeve 370 is fastened to the respective one of the first and
second lower connecting end portions 331, 331' by a rivet 38 that
extends through a fastener hole 337 in the respective one of the
first and second lower connecting end portions 331, 331' and a
fastener hole 375 in the coupling sleeve 370, as best shown in FIG.
6.
[0032] Since the construction and operation of the second coupling
units 37 are similar to those of the first coupling unit 45
described hereinbefore, a detailed description of the assembly and
disassembly operations of the back support frame member 33 and the
ground-engaging frame portion 30 will be omitted herein for the
sake of brevity.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the seat support frame member 34
is generally U-shaped, and has a pair of looped ends 341, 343 that
engage the first and second front connecting end portions 416, 426,
respectively. The child support device 300 further comprises a pair
of frame retainers 36 clamped respectively on the coupling sleeves
370 of the second coupling units 37. Each of the frame retainers 36
includes a clamp body 361 and is formed with an engaging hole 363.
The hanging frame 365 is generally U-shaped and has a pair of free
ends, each of which is extended removably and respectively into the
engaging holes 363 in the frame retainers 36. The hanging frame 365
is used to hang some toys for amusement purposes.
[0034] It is evident from the foregoing that the various engaging
components of the child support device of this invention are well
shielded to guard against undesired escapement, thereby resulting
in improved safety. Moreover, assembly and disassembly of the
various components of the child support device may be performed in
any order for added convenience.
[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of
a child support device 600 according to the present invention,
which differs from the first preferred embodiment mainly in the
construction of the ground-engaging frame portion. In this
embodiment, the ground-engaging frame portion includes a metal
third frame member 7 disposed between rear end sections 611, 612 of
first and second frame members 61, 62. The rear end section 611,
621 of each of the first and second frame members 61, 62 is formed
with a connecting end portion 612, 622. The third frame member 7
has opposite frame end portions 71, 72 and extends along an axis.
Each of two coupling units 73 connects a respective one of the
connecting end portions 612, 622 to a respective one of the frame
end portions 71, 72 such that the frame end portion 71 is coaxial
with the connecting end portion 612, and such that the frame end
portion 72 is coaxial with the connecting end portion 622. Since
the construction and operation of the coupling units 73 are similar
to those described hereinabove in connection with the first
preferred embodiment, a detailed description of the same is omitted
herein for the sake of brevity. It is noted that the presence of
the third frame member 7 makes it easier to store the child support
device 600.
[0036] FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate a portion of the third preferred
embodiment of a child support device according to the present
invention, which differs from the first and second preferred
embodiments in the construction of the coupling unit 80 employed
therein.
[0037] The tubular coupling sleeve 81 is formed with a sleeve hole
811 that extends along a sleeve axis 82, and a button receiving
space 85 transverse to the sleeve axis 82 and in spatial
communication with the sleeve hole 811. The button receiving space
85 has a blind end and a radial button hole 84 opposite to the
blind end. The coupling sleeve 81, which is made of plastic, is
sleeved securely on a tubular connecting end portion 91 of a frame
member, and is secured thereto by a rivet 913. The button receiving
space 85 is disposed adjacent to an end opening 911 of the
connecting end portion 91.
[0038] The resilient member 83 has a button portion 831 that
extends movably into the buttonhole 84, a biasing portion 835 that
is disposed in the button receiving space 85 and that abuts against
the coupling sleeve 81 at the blind end of the button receiving
space 85, and an engaging frame 833 disposed in the button
receiving space 85 and interconnecting the button portion 831 and
the biasing portion 835. The biasing portion 835 biases the
engaging frame 833 toward the sleeve axis 82. In this embodiment,
the resilient member 83 is formed integrally from plastic. The
engaging frame 833 is a looped frame. The biasing portion 835 has a
zigzag configuration with a free end 838 abutting against the blind
end of the button receiving space 85, and the other end connected
to the engaging frame 833. As such, when the connecting end portion
95 of another frame member is inserted into the sleeve hole 811, an
engaging portion 836 of the engaging frame 833 can engage a stop
surface 951 formed on a restricted neck section 953 of the
connecting end portion 95, as best shown in FIG. 12. The button
portion 831 is operable against biasing action of the biasing
portion 835 to move the engaging portion 836 of the engaging frame
833 away from the sleeve axis 82 to disengage from the stop surface
951, thereby permitting removal of the connecting end portion 95
from the sleeve hole 811, as best shown in FIG. 13.
[0039] The coupling unit 80 further includes a retaining unit
provided on the coupling sleeve 81 for movably retaining the
engaging frame 833 therein. The retaining unit includes a set of
stop surfaces 813 formed on the sleeve hole 811 proximate to the
button receiving space 85, and a set of engaging hooks 837 formed
on opposite lateral sides of the engaging frame 833.
[0040] When assembling the resilient member 83 to the coupling
sleeve 81, the free end 838 of the biasing portion 835 is inserted
into the button receiving space 85 through the button hole 84 till
the engaging hooks 837 move past the stop surfaces 813. Since the
distance between the tips of the engaging hooks 837 at the opposite
lateral sides of the button receiving space 85 is slightly larger
than the width of the button receiving space 85, the engaging hooks
837 will be squeezed by the walls of the button receiving space 85
before they move past the stop surfaces 813. Accordingly, the
resilient member 83 can be movably retained in the button receiving
space 85, and only the button portion 831 is accessible from the
exterior of the coupling sleeve 81.
[0041] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *