Tubular interconnecting support structure

Abstract

A tubular support structure ( 20 ) includes a first section ( 22 ) and a second section ( 24 ) longitudinally interconnected with the first section ( 22 ). A third section ( 66 ) is longitudinally interconnected with the second section ( 24 ), and has an end that abuts an end of the first section ( 22 ) to form a butt joint ( 76 ). A fastener system ( 46 ) couples the first and third sections ( 22, 66 ) with the second section ( 24 ), the fastener system ( 46 ) being retained internal to the first, second, and third sections ( 22, 24, 66 ). Multiple sections can be assembled to form a variable length support ( 20 ), with the resulting multiple butt joints ( 76 ) formed between pairs of sections along support ( 20 ) being longitudinally offset along support ( 20 ) relative to one another.

1 . A tubular support structure comprising: 
 a first section;    a second section longitudinally interconnected with said first section; and    a fastener coupling said second section with said first section, said fastener being retained internal to said first and second sections.    
   
   
       2 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second sections includes inwardly extending ribs.  
   
   
       3 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said inwardly extending ribs are radially oriented.  
   
   
       4 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said inwardly extending ribs are directed away from a radial direction of said tubular support structure to form a generally rectangular central cavity.  
   
   
       5 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second sections exhibits an arcuate cross-sectional shape such that interconnection of said first and second sections yields said tubular support structure exhibiting an elliptical cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       6 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second sections comprises: 
 a first outer surface; and    a second outer surface oriented approximately perpendicular to said first outer surface such that interconnection of said first and second sections yields said tubular support structure exhibiting a rectangular cross-sectional shape.    
   
   
       7 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said first section comprises an integrally formed trough slidably capturing a head of said fastener; and    said second section comprises means for retaining a distal end of said fastener.    
   
   
       8 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 7  wherein: 
 said retaining means of second section comprises a second integrally formed trough; and    said tubular support structure further comprises a connector element slidably captured in said second trough, said connector element having a receiving section for retaining said distal end of said fastener.    
   
   
       9 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said first section comprises a first tab element extending from a first interior surface of said first section;    said second section comprises a second tab element extending from a second interior surface of said second section, said second tab element being oriented in opposing relation with said first tab element to form a central channel between said first and second tab elements; and    said fastener comprises a longitudinally oriented pin seated in said central channel, said pin producing a tensioning force against said first and second tab elements to hold said first and second sections together.    
   
   
       10 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said first section comprises a first longitudinal edge having a first tongue portion and a second longitudinal edge having a first groove portion; and    said second section comprises a third longitudinal edge having a second tongue portion and a fourth longitudinal edge having a second groove portion, said second tongue portion fitting in said first groove portion and said first tongue portion fitting in said second groove portion to interconnect said first and second sections.    
   
   
       11 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a third section longitudinally interconnected with said second section, and having a first end abutting a second end of said first section to form a butt joint.  
   
   
       12 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said fastener is a first fastener, and said structure further comprises: 
 a second fastener for coupling said third section with said second section; and    a connector bar slidably captured in an integrally formed trough of said second section, said connecter bar having a first receiving section for retaining a first distal end of said first fastener and a second receiving section for retaining a second distal end of said second fastener.    
   
   
       13 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said butt joint is a first butt joint, and said structure further comprises a fourth section having a third end abutting a fourth end of said second section to form a second butt joint longitudinally offset along said tubular support structure from said first butt joint.  
   
   
       14 . A tubular support structure comprising: 
 a first section, said first section including a first longitudinal edge having a first tongue portion and a second longitudinal edge having a first groove portion;    a second section, said second section including a third longitudinal edge having a second tongue portion and a fourth longitudinal edge having a second groove portion, said second tongue portion fitting in said first groove portion and said first tongue portion fitting in said second groove portion to interconnect said first and second sections, and each of said first and second sections including inwardly extending ribs; and    a fastener coupling said second section with said first section, said fastener being retained internal to said first and second sections.    
   
   
       15 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 14  wherein: 
 said first section comprises an integrally formed trough slidably capturing a head of said fastener; and    said second section comprises means for retaining a distal end of said fastener.    
   
   
       16 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein: 
 said retaining means of said second section further comprises a second integrally formed trough; and    said tubular support structure further comprises a connector element slidably captured in said second trough, said connector element having a receiving-section for retaining said distal end of said fastener.    
   
   
       17 . A tubular support structure comprising: 
 a first section;    a second section longitudinally interconnected with said first section;    a third section longitudinally interconnected with said second section, and having a first end abutting a second end of said first section to form a butt joint; and    a fastener system coupling said second section with said first and third sections, said fastener system being retained internal to said first, second, and third sections.    
   
   
       18 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein: 
 said fastener system includes a first fastener and a second fastener;    said first section comprises a first integrally formed trough slidably capturing a first head of said first fastener;    said third section comprises a second integrally formed trough slidably capturing a second head of said second fastener; and    said second section comprises means for retaining a distal end of each of said first and second fasteners.    
   
   
       19 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 18  wherein: 
 said retaining means of said second section includes a third integrally formed trough; and    said fastener system further comprises a connector bar slidably captured in said third trough, said connecter bar having a first receiving section for retaining said distal end of said first fastener and a second receiving section for retaining said distal end of said second fastener.    
   
   
       20 . A tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said butt joint is a first butt joint, and said structure further comprises a fourth section having a third end abutting a fourth end of said second section to form a second butt joint longitudinally offset along said tubular support structure from said first butt joint.