Abstract: Means to form a coupling between lengths of pipe, a male component having at least one annular rib on the outer surface of the male component and a female component having at least one annular groove corresponding in number to the number of annular ribs, one for each rib, to accommodate the at least one annular rib when the coupling is made to permit free rotation of the at least one annular rib in the at least annular groove when the coupling is made, and means to facilitate the entry of the rib into the groove, said means comprising at least one groove or slot corresponding in number to the number of annular ribs disposed at an angle between about 65.degree. and about 80.degree. to the longitudinal axis intersecting the at least one annular groove.

Abstract: A structural joint for joining two elements comprises a malleable deformable flange on the first element and an elongate arcuate recess in the second element. The recess is adapted to receive the flange and allow the flange to be deformed therein into at least a portion of a coil where the entrance to the recess is less than the size of the formed coil. The recess is characterized in having a leg, the extremity of which defines one side of the recesses' entrance. The flange has next to it a tongue portion where a gap defined between the flange and tongue portion is of a size adapted to receive the leg of the recess in a manner to provide an interference fit between the tongue portion and the leg. The leg of the recess has an overturned part which overlies a portion of the coiled flange and has an abutment which abuts a side of the tongue portion. A method for making such structural joint is disclosed.

Abstract: A structural member for a structural frame comprises a substantially planar wall and two opposing irregular-shaped sidewalls integral with the planar wall. Each irregular-shaped sidewall has a corrugation. The member has two free ends where the portion adjacent each free end is flattened. The corrugated sidewalls are adapted to fold upon themselves when a force is applied to an area of the member. The flattened portion is adapted to be secured by fastening means to components of the structural frame. The width of the flattened portion is substantially the same as the nominal width of the member. The structural member has a neat appearance at its flattened portion.