Patent attributes
Couplers for coupling or joining metal tubing are provided which develop the full-strength structural connection between two sections of the metal tubing. In this manner, the full capacity of the adjacent tubes is developed in compression, tension and bending. A first coupler includes a half-shell, central portion surrounding and welded to approximately half of an outside dimension (in the case of a round tube, the circumference) of a first tube, and a pair of outwardly extending flanges. The first coupler is mounted on a first side of the first tube such that it extends beyond the end of the first metal tube. A second coupler is mounted on an opposing side of the second metal tube in a similar manner. The first coupler and the second coupler are then bolted together by joining the lengths of the flanges to thereby connect the first tube with the second tube. Each coupler may be seam welded to its tube at a proximal portion of its flanges.
