Tubular structure connecting assembly

Abstract

A connecting assembly for connecting a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure, the connecting assembly comprising: a first connection element having a first end, a second end connectable to the first tubular structure and a male connection lip located at the first end and extending radially and outwardly; and a second connection element having a first end connectable to the second tubular structure and a second end, the second connection element being tubular and having an internal face extending between the first and second ends and a lip receiving recess located on the internal face adjacent the second end, the lip receiving recess for receiving the male connection lip of the first connection element when the first end of the male tubular element is inserted into the female tubular element, the second tubular element including first and second hemi-tubular elements connectable together to form the second connection element.

1 . A connecting assembly for connecting a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure, the connecting assembly comprising:
 a first connection element having a first end, a second end connectable to the first tubular structure and a male connection lip located at the first end and extending radially and outwardly; and   a second connection element having a first end connectable to the second tubular structure and a second end, the second connection element being tubular and further having an internal face extending between the first and second ends and a lip receiving recess located on the internal face adjacent the second end, the lip receiving recess for receiving the male connection lip of the first connection element when the first end of the male tubular element is inserted into the female tubular element, the second tubular element including first and second hemi-tubular elements connectable together to form the second connection element.   
     
     
         2 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first connection element is tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first connection element further includes a male connecting flange located at the first end thereof, the male connection lip extending radially and outwardly from the male connection flange. 
     
     
         4 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a first screw receiver extending from a first internal face of the first curved hemi-tubular element and a second screw receiver extending from a second internal face of the second curved hemi-tubular element, the first and second screw receivers forming a screw receiving hole when the first and second curved hemi-tubular elements are connected together. 
     
     
         5 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one pin extending from a first internal face of the first hemi-tubular element and at least one corresponding socket extending from a second internal face of the second hemi-tubular element, the at least one pin being insertable into the at least one corresponding socket when the first and second hemi-tubular elements are connected together. 
     
     
         6 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a rail extending along a longitudinal end of the first hemi-tubular element, the second curved hemi-tubular element comprising an indentation extending along a longitudinal end thereof, the rail being insertable into the indentation when the first and second curved hem i-tubular elements are connected together. 
     
     
         7 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first connection element extends along a curved axis. 
     
     
         8 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second connection element extends along a curved axis. 
     
     
         9 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second connection element includes an attachment assembly for engaging an end of the second tubular structure and securing the second connection element to the end of the second tubular structure. 
     
     
         10 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the attachment assembly includes a planar plate extending outwardly and longitudinally from a first end of the second connection element. 
     
     
         11 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the attachment assembly includes a hemi-tubular plate extending outwardly from the first end of the second connection element, the hem i-tubular plate being adapted for insertion into an end cavity located at the end of the second tubular structure. 
     
     
         12 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the hemi-tubular plate has a curvature substantially corresponding to an internal face of the end cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second linear hemi-tubular element comprises a pair of brackets and the hemi-tubular plate of the first second linear hem i-tubular element comprises a pair of hooks for engaging the pair of brackets to secure the first and second linear hemi-tubular elements together. 
     
     
         14 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first connection element is connectable to the first tubular structure via additional connection elements disposed between the first connection element and the first tubular structure. 
     
     
         15 . The connecting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second connection element is connectable to the second tubular structure via additional connection elements disposed between the second connection element and the second tubular structure. 
     
     
         16 . A handrail assembly comprising:
 a first tubular handrail;   a second tubular handrail;   a connecting assembly for connecting assembly the first tubular handrail to the second tubular handrail, the connecting assembly including:
 a first connection element having a first end, a second end connectable to the first tubular handrail and a male connection lip located at the first end and extending radially and outwardly; and 
 a second connection element having a first end connectable to the second tubular handrail and a second end, the second connection element being tubular and further having an internal face extending between the first and second ends and a lip receiving recess located on the internal face adjacent the second end, the lip receiving recess for receiving the male connection lip of the first connection element when the first end of the male tubular element is inserted into the female tubular element, the second tubular element including first and second hemi-tubular elements connectable together to form the second connection element.