US Patent 7955145 In-line connector

Connectors are provided herein for connecting two elongated members that are positioned in-line to one another. Advantageously, the connectors not only allow for connection of the two members to permit for mechanical, electrical, EMI, and/or grounding applications, the connectors have provisions for accommodating thermal expansion and offset, which may include angular and/or axial offset. In certain embodiments, one or more collapsible housing pins or collars are provided to permit assembly and disassembly by either extending the housing pin or collapsing the housing pin.