Abstract: A conventional ball lock mechanism has been replaced with a wedge adapted to lock a tool, such as a punch, forming tool or die bushing in a retainer block in which the tool can be accurately positioned relative to the retainer block. The tool is released by moving the wedge away from the retainer block. The inclined surface of the wedge may be inclined upward or downward at an acute angle to the vertical, or the wedge may have both upwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces. The upper portion of the tool is preferably non-circular and is held within a tool cavity formed when the wedge is disposed in the retainer block. One surface of the wedge (its tool-mating surface) is adapted to correspond to the surface of the tool in contact with the wedge. The assembly of wedge slidably disposed within the retainer block is preferably used with a hardened backing plate rather than being secured directly to the die shoe.

Abstract: A spacer includes a first cam having an inclined cam surface and a second cam having an inclined cam surface. The overall length of the two cams can be changed by contacting the cam surfaces together to move the cams relative to each other.

Abstract: A mounting system for a speed reducer having a housing with a rotatable input drive coupled with the housing and a gear train coupled with the input to drive an output. The mounting system has a cylinder having an inner and outer surface and two ends. The outer surface includes a portion adapted to couple with the drive train. The outer surface at both ends may have a threaded portion or another securement portion. The inner surface may be tapered from both the ends such that the tapers are substantially symmetrical about the cylinder. A bushing ring, with an internal diameter, may include threads to threadily connect with either threaded end of the output cylinder, or another type of securement may be used. A bushing, which includes a flange and a cylindrical portion, is adapted to couple with the bushing ring. The flange portion couples with the bushing ring on either side of the output cylinder.

Abstract: A simplified fastening device includes a holding base slidably engageable with a rod, a thrusting bolt rotatably secured in the holding base, and a pressing block reciprocatively moving in the holding base and operatively propelled by the thrusting bolt to interfere in the rod to quickly, safely, reliably and firmly retain the rod on the holding base.

Abstract: A hinge joining system for an automobile seat includes a seat back flange and a seat pan flange. A hinge mechanism is attached to one of the flanges. An assembly fastener component is connected to the hinge mechanism and passes through an opening in the selected flange, the opening including a raised tapered collar. A thrust component is connected to the assembly fastener component, the thrust component having a bore for radially gripping the raised tapered collar and axially pressing the collar against the selected flange. The assembly fastener component has a tapered male section fitting into the tapered collar, and the bore of the thrust component is also tapered for gripping the tapered collar between the bore and the tapered male section when the thrust component is pressed against the selected flange.

Abstract: A connector for a piece of glass has a main post and a secondary post securely connected to the main post. The main post is adapted to be connected a top hinge and a bottom hinge of a glass door, a revolving door, a casement or a paravent. The secondary post is able to secure the piece of glass.

Abstract: A clamping device for securing a mechanical driven component to a drive shaft. The clamping device including a clamping member having a securing mechanism that fixedly secures the clamping member to the drive shaft. The clamping device further includes an elongate cylindrical hub member unitarily formed with the clamping member with the hub member having an outer circumference configured to secure to a mechanical driven component.

Abstract: A truss union connector for releasably coupling the ends of two axially aligned pipes, where the connector has simple construction and is operable easily and quickly by actuating a simple knob. This truss union connector is optionally combined with a truss mount where one of the coupled pipes is mounted to a truss. The connector includes a set of split cylindrical shell segments that engage outer surfaces of the ends of the coupled pipes by dimples extending radially inward from the split shell segments into holes in the walls of the pipe surfaces, resulting in a secure but rapid coupling and de-coupling assembly.

Abstract: A clamp for securing multiple items is provided. The clamp includes a body and a securing means connected to the body. The securing means and the body cooperate to engage a first item. At least one selectively pivotable block is connected to the body and the block is connected to a second item to be clamped. A method for clamping is also provided.

Abstract: A connecting element, particularly for connecting rear forks, also known as monostays, made of carbon to bicycle frames. The connecting element is constituted by a first insert and a second insert which are mutually detachably associable at a first end by way of mechanical connection element. The first and second inserts are respectively associated, at a second end, advantageously by way of adhesives, with the stem of a carbon monostay, and are associable with, or rigidly coupled to, a tubular extension of the frame.

Abstract: A magnet mounting structure for fastening a magnet to a spoke of a two-wheeled vehicle even without tool includes a knob member having a screw and the magnet and an internal thread member in which the screw is screwed. The spoke is held between the knob member and the internal thread member to allow the magnet to be fastened to the spoke.

Abstract: A clamp fixture to fasten glass plates that are clamped between an inner clamp element and an external clamp element, whereby a clamp bolt is supported elastically, to a limited extent, on the inner clamp element by means of a bush. The invention teaches that the inner clamp element, on the side facing the substructure, has a cylindrical receptacle space to hold the bearing that supports the clamp bolt in the axial direction, whereby the bearing is realized optionally in the form of a fixed bearing, in the form of a friction bearing that intersects the center longitudinal axis of the clamp bolt, or in the form of a movable bearing for the four-point bearing of a glass plate.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a holding base capable of sliding or rotating on a rod or column, a driving bolt rotatably coupled with a thrusting block rotatably engaged in the holding base having a driving wedge face formed on the thrusting block, and a follower block movably reciprocating in the holding base having a follower wedge face formed on the follower block and tangentially engageable with the driving wedge face of the thrusting block; whereby upon a rotation of the driving bolt to inwardly push the thrusting block in the holding base, the follower block will be thrusted by the driving block to interfere in a rod (or column) surface for quickly, ergonomically and firmly fastening the rod (or column) within the holding base.

Abstract: An adjustable steering tie rod assembly for a motorized vehicle is disclosed. The steering tie rod assembly has at one end a threaded steering terminal connected to a tube that has a ring-like cavity and an intermediate tubular member. The intermediate member has an internal thread and a ring-like projection on the external surface. The threaded steering terminal, the intermediate member, and the tube are connected in a concentric arrangement. The internal thread and the ring-like projection of the intermediate member allow, through the rotative movement, to adjust the length of the assembly with no axial movement of the intermediate member. A clamping mechanism is provided to ensure that the three components be fastened adequately and that a solid assembly is formed for ensuring safety for the users.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for removably coupling a shaft and hub to one another. The hub includes a pair of tapered regions near ends of its inner peripheral surface. The shaft may be tapered in a region designed to contact one of the tapered surfaces, or a tapered bushing arrangement may be used on the same end. On an opposite end, a tapered bushing is inserted between the shaft and the hub, and interfaces with the tapered portion of the hub to draw the shaft into tight engagement with the hub, with the bushing wedged between, during assembly. A retaining plate abuts a retaining ring, within the bushing, and a fastener through the retaining plate draws the hub and shaft tightly together during assembly. The retaining plate may receive removal fasteners which urge disengagement of the tapered bushing and shaft for easy and controlled disassembly of the hub and shaft from one another for servicing.

Abstract: An assembly (10) of a tapered bushing (14) and a toothed wheel (12), having a preferred direction of rotation. The assembly (10) having on each face (22, 24) a hole or set of holes H1, H2 containing surfaces which interact with a threaded rod (26) for mating and/or separating of the assembly (10) form either face (22, 24). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly (10) will have two mating holes and one separation hole on each face (22, 24) of the assembly (10). This assembly (10) allows ease of mating and/or separating the assembly when access is limited to only one face of the assembly.

Abstract: A tool coupling includes a holder and an adapter attachably interconnected by a serrated coupling. A fastening screw extends in both the adapter and the holder and is arranged coaxially with a center axis defined by the adapter and the holder. The screw is threadedly connected with the holder and includes a cooling passage therein for conducting cooling medium from the holder to the adapter for cooling a cutting insert carried by the holder.

Abstract: A tool holder simultaneously carries at least two diametrically arranged tool heads, each tool head carrying cutting inserts for chip removing machining. The tool holder includes an adaptor connected to a coupling. The adaptor has at least two diametrically opposite side surfaces which-diverge away from the coupling. The side surfaces have seats in order to replaceably receive respective tool heads. A line which lies in both a first basal plane and in one of the side surfaces forms an angle in the interval 1°-150° with a longitudinal center line of the tool holder.

Abstract: A device for connecting two structural components, includes a base part disposed at one structural component, a spacer having a threaded portion in threaded engagement with the base part, the spacer being supported with one end thereof at the other structural component, a connecting screw inserted frictionally engaged through the spacer, a shoulder formed at one end of the threaded portion of the spacer, and an abutment to be engaged by the shoulder and being formed at the base part, such that the abutment is arranged to become effective to limit, through engagement with the shoulder, a threading movement of the spacer in one direction relative to the base part only after the base part and the spacer have been assembled.

Abstract: An office chair includes a seat with a seat post which is movably inserted into a base. The base has a plurality of legs extending therefrom and a recess is defined in a top of the tube. Two clamp members are connected by two expandable members which bias the clamp members in opposite directions. A cover is mounted to the base and the seat post extends through the cover. The seat post is clamped by the two clamp members and a releasing member extends through the cover and the hole in the tube and engages with one of the two clamp members.

Abstract: A conical screw connection for multi-disk shaft couplings is described, having a tension bolt (1), a first spring collet (3) arranged on the tension bolt and having a collar (2), at least one second spring collet (5) having a collar (4) and supported by the first spring collet, with the disks of the multi-disk set being securable on said second spring collet, wherein the seat between the tension bolt and the first spring collet is conical, and the seat between the first spring collet and the second spring collet is cylindrical, and a tension element (7) which axially clamps the disks of the multi-disk set, where the tension bolt has a threaded borehole (8) for a screw (9) whose head (10) is supported on the tension element.

Abstract: A method for improving the concentricity of a coupling between a shaft and a hub in a motion control system. The shaft is coupled to the hub by means of a bushing that may be drawn into the hub by means of a single set screw. The depth of the bushing exceeds a calculated critical cocking length. The bushing may be split and may also be tapered, and in certain embodiments, has a bore of diameter smaller than 0.5 inches.

Abstract: A mount locking plate with the mount locking plate including plate members for fixedly securing to a support surface and a pair of longitudinally displaceable complementary members that can be laterally positioned proximate the plate members. The complementary members can be longitudinally displaced with respect to one another to bring the displaceable complementary members into interlocked and aligned engagement with the plate members. A fastener allows the positioning of the displaceable complementary members into interlocked and aligned engagement from a position laterally removed from the mount locking plate.

Abstract: Bracket structure for a doffer assembly for doffing cotton from the saw drum of a cotton cleaner includes a plurality of brushes supported by channels and clamps in a drum configuration. A first nut on an easily accessible radial retaining bolt tightened against a special clamp secure the brush in place, and the same bolt and a second nut hold the corresponding doffer channel. The special clamp has a first leg positioned over a corner of the channel so the brush is held securely. A second brush-protecting leg extending up in front of the brush removes foreign matter that lodges on the saw drum. The channels are protected by the clamp, and the clamp is easily replaceable if damaged.

Abstract: The invention is a device for making a detachable tube-joint for example, for supporting structures, gas and liquid transportation pipes; the said device comprising an at least partly threaded shank (1) with a ring (2, 3, and 20, 30) at both ends and an appliance for moving the shank (1), located at the central part of the shank(1), one of the rings (2, 3 and 20, 30) being threaded and connected to the shank (1) by the thread, and both rings (2, 3 and 20, 30) pressing a springing retainer (4, 5 and 40, 50) to the internal wall of the tube (7a, 7b), and the end surface (4b, 5b and 40b, 50b) of the retainer (4, 5 and 40, 50) resting on a supporting surface perpendicular to the axis (14), wherein the springing retainer (4, 5) has a tubular shape outside and a hollow inside and the springing (4, 5) retainer has a coned surface (4c, 5c) inside, and it has a slit (4a, 5a) along at least one of its generating lines, the ring (2, 3) is placed inside the retainer (4, 5) and the rings (2, 3) are equipped with balls (9)

Abstract: An adapter for detachably concentrically coupling shafts having a range of diameters to a rotating input actuator capable of rotating about a rotational axis is disclosed in which the force to transfer rotational torque between said shaft and a rotating input actuator to which said housing is attached is generated independent of said self-centering adjustment system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping clip fastening for mounting hinges, locks or the like structural component parts in a thin wall, such as a sheet metal cabinet door or sheet metal housing, projection proceeds from the structural component part to be fastened, penetrates an opening formed in the thin wall and is grasped by a clip that is supported on two oppositely located edge areas of the opening, wherein the clip is pulled in the direction of the projection by f a clamping screw. The part of the structural component penetrating the opening forms an offset on two oppositely located surfaces which are grasped by the clip, which offset receives the respective clip end and whose surface passes in the direction of the structural component part via an inclined surface into a surface contacting the interior face of the opening, which surface is approximately flush with the outer surface of the leg of the clip located in the offset.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing movement of a wheel on a shaft comprises a nut concentrically disposed on the shaft. A spring is disposed on the shaft and is operatively adjacent to the nut such that the spring can be biased towards the wheel. A first clamping ring is concentrically disposed on the wheel, with the first clamping ring being operatively adjacent the spring. A second clamping ring is operatively adjacent to the side of the wheel that is opposite to the first clamping ring, and a raceway is disposed between the shaft and wheel.

Abstract: An adjustable connector that can slide along a rod or tube and can be secured from axially translating in infinite positions along the entire length of the tube. It also has the capability of attaching itself to a surface or structural element such as a shelf.

Abstract: The flush mount breakaway post coupler is a coupler for connecting a post to a ground anchor. The coupler has an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a socket for receiving a post, a shear section, and an anchor attachment portion for attachment to the lower section. The shear section is hollow and cylindrical and has an groove defined about its exterior so that the wall of the shear section is thin, fracture of the coupler occurring around the annular groove. The lower section is an expansion anchor having a threaded bore for receiving a bolt, the lower section being placed in a tubular ground anchor, or a hole defined in the ground. The socket has a bottom wall, and a cylindrical bore extends through the shear section to a predetermined base in the anchor attachment portion. A bolt hole extends from the base of the bore through the anchor attachment section. A bolt connects the upper and lower sections so that the coupler is wedged into the tubular ground anchor as the bolt is tightened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detachable fastening of a steering wheel on a steering shaft having an axis. The steering wheel has a hub provided with a through-bore arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the steering shaft and the through-bore intersects a groove arranged in the steering shaft. The device comprises a fastening member arranged in the through-bore. The fastening member has a bolt with a head and a shaft provided at least partially with an external thread and has a nut able to be screwed onto the shaft of the bolt. The nut is able to engage into the groove and the through-bore has two oppositely directed radial support surfaces arranged between the bolt head and the nut. One support surface is arranged on the bolt head side and the other support surface is arranged on the nut side. A spring element is provided which engages one of the bolt and the nut and exerts a force onto one of the bolt and the nut. The force aims for an increase of a distance between the bolt head and the nut.

Abstract: A mounting system for a speed reducer having a housing with a rotatable input drive coupled with the housing and a gear train coupled with the input to drive an output. The mounting system has a cylinder having an inner and outer surface and two ends. The outer surface includes a portion adapted to couple with the drive train. The outer surface at both ends may have a threaded portion or another securement portion. The inner surface may be tapered from both the ends such that the tapers are substantially symmetrical about the cylinder. A bushing ring, with an internal diameter, may include threads to threadily connect with either threaded end of the output cylinder, or another type of securement may be used. A bushing, which includes a flange and a cylindrical portion, is adapted to couple with the bushing ring. The flange portion couples with the bushing ring on either side of the output cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for releasably holding a toolholder shank having a lockable surface and a releasable surface utilizing an actuating bolt with an associated threaded actuating nut. When the actuating bolt is rotated in a locking direction, the actuating nut is drawn onto the bolt thereby clamping against the lockable surfaces of the toolholder shank. When the actuating bolt is rotated in the releasing direction, a releasing segment acts upon the toolholder thereby ejecting it from the tool support member.

Abstract: A joining system for tubular members which uses attaching members and stabilizing members. The stabilizing members are a ring like shape having a plurality of grooves. The attaching members are generally a bolt and wing nut combination. One tubular member is attached to another tubular member by a groove in a stabilizing member being positioned against a first tubular member, another groove of the stabilizing member being positioned against a second tubular member at a desired angle. The attaching member is positioned through holes in the tubular members and stabilizing members. Two wing nut wrenches for attaching tubular members to each other are also disclosed. One wing nut wrench has a variation in which it is used as a petcock wrench. Two jig systems for holding tubular members in place while holes are drilled therethrough are also disclosed, as is a method for joining tubular members.

Abstract: A fixing clamp for a tensioning rope is proposed, where a clamping screw presses the tensioning rope against an abutment surface in friction-tight fashion. The abutment surface is formed by the bottom of metal bracket (10) bent in an approximately V or U shape and located in the mount (8) of a plastic housing. The clamping screw (14) reaches through the wall of the housing (1) and a nut (13) fixed in non-rotating fashion by the upper, bent ends (11, 12) of the legs of the metal bracket (10).

Abstract: An attachment device for arresting a machine member having a substantially cylindrical bore on a cylindrical shaft includes first and second sleeve members adapted to be positioned in a space between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore in the machine member. The two sleeve members have mating, cooperating taper surfaces in the form of a plurality of saw-tooth-shaped axially tapering sections that face one another. At least one of the sleeve members is movable for displacement relative to the other sleeve member to change the radial size of at least one of the sleeve members. The end edge of the first sleeve member projects axially beyond an adjacent end edge of the second sleeve member for receiving an external pushing force causing the first element to be displaced relative to the second element to cause the relative displacement of the sleeve members. The opposite end edge of the second sleeve members engages a stop that may be formed on the machine member.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud includes forming a pair of slots in the shroud on opposite sides of the crack in angled relation to one another so that the lateral spacing between the slots increases in a direction parallel to the crack, lowering a wedge clamp with laterally spaced slides into the annular space between the core shroud and the reactor vessel, positioning the slides in the slots, and moving the clamp in the direction of increasing lateral spacing between the slots to an operational position where the clamp prevents unacceptable opening of the crack during reactor operation by providing a structural load path which transmits structural loads across the crack. The slots are preferably configured to mate cooperatively in a manner which prevents the clamp from moving in a radially outward direction relative to the shroud once the clamp has been installed.

Abstract: A method of restraining a pipe is provided. The method providing a body, said body having at least one pocket facing a pipe opening and at least one bore disposed through the body into said pocket; positioning at least one segment into the pocket, the segment having a connector attached thereto; extending the pipe through the pipe opening such that the pipe is adjacent the pocket; providing at least one bolt having an end; and extending the bolt through the bore to cause the end to engage the connector of the segment while the segment is in the pocket to cause the segment to abut the pipe.

Abstract: A fastener assembly attaches and aligns two panels. The fastener assembly has a connector member (20), a support platform (66) and a tab (80). The connector member has a head (26), a threaded portion (32) and an annular groove (36). The support platform (66) is mounted on a first panel. The support platform (66) threadingly engages the threaded portion (32) of the connector member (20). The tab (80) is mounted on a second panel. The tab has an opening (82) for receiving the annular groove (36) of the connector member (20) in a supporting relation. Rotation of the connector member (20) moves the second panel towards and away from the first panel in a direction of draw to space the second panel relative to the first panel.

Abstract: A magnet mounting structure for fastening a magnet to a spoke of a two-wheeled vehicle even without tool includes a knob member having a screw and the magnet and an internal thread member in which the screw is screwed. The spoke is held between the knob member and the internal thread member to allow the magnet to be fastened to the spoke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compression-based fastening device that is suitable for use with threaded fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) rod. FRP rod is often desirable due to certain favorable characteristics relative to metallic rods. Threaded FRP rod, however, has been somewhat unsatisfactory to date owing to the weakness of its thread structure. The herein disclosed device makes a threaded connection to a threaded FRP rod with an ultimate tensile strength that is several times greater than previously has been achieved with FRP rod, thereby effectively enabling FRP rod to be used in place of threaded steel rod. The preferred device includes a barrel with a tapered interior and a jaw assembly with a tapered exterior and internal threads. The jaw assembly's interior thread's engage the threaded FRP rod and the jaw assembly's tapered exterior slidably engages the barrel's tapered interior.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a supply roll to a rotatable support shaft in an imaging system. The apparatus includes a first collet/collar assembly for accurately positioning the supply roll at a desired location on the support shaft, and a second collet/collar assembly for frictionally coupling the support shaft to an interior surface of a supply core of the supply roll using a deformable gland.

Abstract: A chuck for use with power tools to interchangeably accept and hold tools, such as wood or other cutting tools, especially router bits, of simple, lightweight design, improving manufacturing and assembly techniques, providing significant tool holding torque are disclosed. A method for connecting chucks, shafts and similarly threaded surfaces is also disclosed.

Abstract: A front-axle output of an automatic transmission having situated in a sealed housing (15) a front-axle spur pinion (1) which is operatively connected via an intermediate gear (4) with a driving gear. The output spur gear (1) is also connected for transmitting a torque to a differential (5) with a co-axially positioned pinion shaft (3A) which has one pinion engaged with the differential (5). The output spur gear (1) is designed as one piece with a side shaft (2) which is connected with the pinion shaft (3A) in an area of low bending stress between a support (10) of the pinion (3) and the pinion shaft (3A) and an output spur gear support (8).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) including a hub portion (54) having a splinded inner surface (62) and diametrically opposed first and second angled surface portions (76 and 78). A vehicle steering shaft (14) is rotatable about a first axis (16) to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft (14) includes an end portion (18) having an outer surface with splines that mesh with the splined inner surface (62) of the hub portion (54) to connect the steering shaft non-rotatably with the steering wheel. The end portion (18) includes an inner surface (42) defining a passage (40) through the end portion that extends transverse to the first axis (16). A bolt (150) has a head portion (152), a threaded outer surface (156), and a shank portion (164). The shank portion (164) is disposed in the passage (40) through the steering shaft (14) and engages the inner surface (42). The head portion (152) has a first frustoconical surface (162). A nut (130) screws onto the bolt (150).

Abstract: A device for locking in a removable way a mechanical member with a taper bore onto a shaft having a cylindrical section. A first bush is provided that has internal and external surfaces. A second bush is provided that is suitable to be inserted into the first one. The second bush has an external conical surface and a cylindrical internal surface. The relative axial position of the bushes are varied to engage and disengage the mutual coupling between the bushes and the coupling of the device with a shaft or with the mechanical member.

Abstract: A leveling or elevational positional adjustment system comprises a leg frame member, a leg extension member, and a leg extension stop member. The leg frame member comprises an external corner component having a substantially arcuate configuration, and an internal cross-plate component disposed across the interior of the corner component. The leg extension member has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration essentially matching that of the external corner component of the leg frame member so as to be disposed in surface-to-surface contact with the external corner component of the leg frame member when the leg extension is inserted into the leg frame member, and the leg extension stop member has an external arcuate cross-sectional configuration also substantially matching that of the leg extension member.

Abstract: Structural members 1, 21 are connected by way of a connecting rod 3 which is attached to one structural member 1 and projects outward from connecting surface 2 of structural member 1 in the direction of other structural member 21, and a connector 23 which is attached to other structural member 21 and has a plurality of wedges 25 which engage with connecting rod 3 stopping it so that it cannot slip out. Connecting rod 3 is attached so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to connecting surface 2.

Abstract: A method of attaching a spring (5) to a brake pressure equalizing device (6) by securing a clamping collar (2) to an attachment bar (1) of a vehicle. The attachment bar (1) has a circular section which connected to a flat (11,12) whereas the clamping collar (2) is an open and deformable ring (20) created by a first lug (21) being joined to a second lug (22). A profiled insert piece (4) has an internal shape which matches the profile of the circular section and flat of the attachment bar and an external shape which matches the deformable ring (20) is inserted between the attachment bar (1) and deformable ring (20). A nut (31) is connected to a screw (3) that extends between the first lug (21) and the second lug (22) and the spring is attached to the second lug (22) and brake pressure equalizing device (6). The clamping collar (2) is rotated on the profile insert piece (4) until a desired tension is achieved in the spring (5).

Abstract: A strut-rod connector enables the rod to be quickly and easily attached at any adjusted position along the strut, or axially adjusted. The connector has an internal and external head assembled to each other for limited rocking and opening and closing movement. The rod is threaded in the inner head and extends through a transverse slot in the outer head. A lock nut quickly clamps the parts together, and each self-centers on the legs of the strut. The connection can be made by simply rocking the assembly of the two heads and rod to insert the assembly and rod at any desired location. Tightening a lock nut centers and clamps the assembly and rod in place. Optimum loading in either axial direction of the rod is provided.