A strut with a connector and an assembly of such a strut with another strut or one of the accessories

Abstract

The present invention relates to a strut (2) comprising an axially extending spacer elongate member (7), at least one axial end of which comprises a half connector (4) adapted to be selectively coupled to a half connector or accessory (5) of another strut, said half connector comprising convex and concave interlocking elements allowing mechanical interlocking of said half connector to a geometrically identical half connector to form a connector allowing connection of said strut to another strut of the same kind in a rotationally locked manner, said half connector further adapted to be rotationally coupled to said accessory. The present invention further relates to an assembly of such a strut and an accessory or another strut coupled to a half connector.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a strut with a half connector. The present invention further relates to an assembly of such a strut and an accessory or another strut coupled to the half connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Struts with axially extending elongated members that become spacers are used in many applications, especially in shoring applications. In this context, shoring is defined as providing temporary support against unstable loads, usually to stabilize a dangerous situation and provide safety, providing rescue personnel, such as firefighters, with the safest possible working conditions at the time. Such shoring applications can be very diverse, for example trench shoring to provide support against structural collapse of buildings, stabilization and lifting of vehicles, especially after accidents.

[0003] Apart from the huge variety of applications mentioned above, there are other factors that can vary from one scene to another, especially the length of the struts, which can vary from a minimum of 0.2m to a maximum of 5m. To be able to handle most situations, safety and rescue personnel are often required to carry and maintain a large variety of struts and strut components and bring them to the rescue scene.

[0004] Although they can be extendable and selectively connectable, a selection of multiple struts of different lengths also requires significant space in safety and rescue personnel vehicles. Furthermore, such components need to be strong and therefore heavy. Space and weight considerations often mean that only a selection of struts and strut components are brought to the scene, which sometimes makes this a suboptimal solution if scene conditions differ from those anticipated.

[0005] US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0280553, believed to be the closest prior art, discloses a shaft coupler that includes a half connector provided at the axial end of an elongate member.

[0006] The half connectors allow an elongate member to be coupled to another elongate member having a similar half connector in a rotationally locked manner, i.e., in a manner that prevents relative rotation between the two elongate members about their axes. The two half connectors are first axially engaged and then rotated relative to each other to mechanically couple them.

[0007] To prevent the half connectors of the shaft coupler from disengaging from each other due to relative rotation, the half connectors are fixed in place by adding one or more locking blocks fixed to the elongated members. In this manner, the shaft coupler is resistant to movement of the elongated members relative to each other in any direction, including rotation. At least the features of claim 1 are novel with respect to this document.

[0008] German patent DE 906275, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,202 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0051161 are acknowledged as further prior art.

[0009] There is a continuing need to improve the working conditions of safety and rescue personnel, especially from the point of view of safety, but also from the point of view of user comfort and occupational health.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a strut, and an assembly comprising such a strut, which is improved over the prior art, so that at least one of the problems mentioned above is avoided or reduced. The above mentioned objects and / or other advantageous or inventive effects are achieved in accordance with the present disclosure by means of the combinations of features in the accompanying independent claims. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In particular, the above object is achieved by a strut according to claim 1 of the present invention, which comprises: A long member extending in the axial direction to serve as a spacer is provided, At least one axial end of the elongate member includes a half connector configured to be selectively coupled to a half connector or an accessory of another strut; the half connectors include convex and concave interlocking elements that permit mechanical interlocking of the half connectors to geometrically identical half connectors to form a connector that permits connection of a strut to another strut of the same type in a rotationally locked manner; The half connector is further configured to be rotationally coupled to an accessory.

[0012] Hereinafter, the connector will be referred to as both a connector and a strut connector. The connector comprises two geometrically identical half connectors, each having a convex interlocking element and a concave interlocking element.

[0013] Since each half connector of the two half connectors is configured to be mechanically interlocked with a geometrically identical half connector, the connector allows the coupling of struts and strut components with such half connectors to each other, greatly increasing the versatility of the connector, thereby allowing safety and rescue personnel to quickly make the desired connection of struts and strut components, thus securing unstable sites and creating safe working conditions as quickly as possible. In contrast to prior art systems that use connectors with male and female connector parts, the flexibility of the combinations of available components is maximized.

[0014] The increased versatility obtained if every half connector can be mated to a similar half connector of another strut (component) allows safety and rescue personnel to take fewer struts and strut components to the scene. Fewer struts and strut components directly correlate to space and weight savings.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, at least one axial end of the elongate member, and preferably both opposite axial ends, are provided with a half connector configured to be selectively coupled to a half connector of another strut in a rotation-locking manner or to an accessory in a free-rotating manner.

[0016] A rotational lock type of connection between two struts that prevents relative rotation between the joined struts allows for additional structural strength and rigidity, and in certain embodiments also allows the channels extending through the struts to be aligned in a very reliable manner. However, rotationally coupling an accessory to a half connector allows the accessory to rotate relative to the strut, thereby providing increased flexibility and versatility.

[0017] The increased flexibility and versatility provided by allowing the accessories to rotate relative to or about the longitudinal axis of the elongated member is advantageous because struts are used in a wide range of applications. As mentioned above, shoring applications relate to the temporary support of unstable loads, and the nature of such shoring applications can be very diverse, for example trench shoring providing support against architectural collapse of buildings, vehicle stabilization and lifting, especially after accidents. Different types of accessories are used for different applications, and may also be for applications that are not necessarily classified as shoring. For example, apart from being potentially unstable, the object to be engaged by the strut may extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the strut, or the surface (ground) supporting the strut may be uneven. Furthermore, the relative displacement of the object with respect to the strut, especially when lifting the object, may result in a change in the contact angle between the strut and the object supported by the strut. In addition to this, it is desirable for the load applied to the strut to be as centrally directed as possible with respect to its cross section, since this optimizes the buckling resistance of the strut. Furthermore, accessories that are rotatable relative to the strut allow pneumatic or hydraulic couplings, which often extend radially relative to the length of the strut, to be oriented in any desired orientation. In addition to the couplings being positioned in a readily available orientation, pneumatic or hydraulic hoses can also be oriented away from the object to be supported by the strut, reducing the risk of the hoses becoming pinched or damaged. These examples clearly demonstrate additional degrees of freedom for the strut, resulting in increased flexibility and versatility, and consequently improved safety and user comfort.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, geometrically identical half connectors are configured as half connectors with identical geometric shapes that allow a mating connection to be formed between two half connectors.

[0019] The present invention further relates to an assembly of a strut according to the present invention, wherein the half connector of the strut is one of: connected to the half connector of another strut in a rotation-locking manner to prevent relative rotation between the strut and another strut; and rotatably coupled to an accessory to allow rotation of the accessory relative to the strut.

[0020] Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0021] Various aspects and features described and illustrated in the specification may be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, particularly those aspects and features described in the accompanying dependent claims, are inventions in their own right that address different problems over the prior art. In the following description, preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two struts connected to each other and another strut connected to an accessory, all struts comprising half connectors of a strut connector according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a connector disposed between two struts of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of the connection between the half connector and the accessory; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another axial end of a strut having a coupler and an accessory having a mating coupler; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 8; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a detailed cross-sectional perspective view of the bond of FIGS. 8 and 9 in a bonded state; [Figure 11A1] FIG. 11A1 is a side cross-sectional view of a half connector according to a second preferred embodiment; [Figure 11A2] FIG. 11A2 is a side cross-sectional view of the two half connectors of FIG. 11A1 prior to the establishment of a connection therebetween; [Figure 11A3] FIG. 11A3 is a side cross-sectional view of the two half connectors of FIG. 11A2 in a connected state; [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a side cross-sectional view of the half connector of FIG. 11A1 connected to an accessory; [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a half connector according to a third preferred embodiment; [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the two half connectors of FIG. 12A in a connected state; [Figure 12C] FIG. 12C is a perspective view according to FIG. 12B without the locking element; [Figure 12D] FIG. 12D is a side cross-sectional view of the connected state of FIG. 12C; [Figure 12E] FIG. 12E is a perspective view of the half connector of FIG. 12A coupled to an accessory; [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a half connector according to a fourth preferred embodiment; [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the two half connectors of FIG. 13A in a connected state; [Figure 13C] FIG. 13C is a perspective view according to FIG. 13B without the locking element; [Figure 13D] FIG. 13D is a side cross-sectional view of the connected state of FIG. 13C; [Figure 13E] FIG. 13E is a perspective view of the half connector of FIG. 13A coupled to an accessory; [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of two half connectors according to a fifth preferred embodiment; [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the two half connectors of FIG. 14A in a connected state; and [Figure 14C] FIG. 14C is a perspective view of one of the half connectors of FIG. 14A coupled to an accessory. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Various applications of a first preferred embodiment of a strut 2 according to the present invention are shown in Figures 1 and 2. On the left side of Figure 1, two struts 2 are connected to each other via a connector 1, and an axial end 3 of each of the two struts 2 is provided with a half connector 4. On the right side of Figure 1, one strut 2 is shown, with an accessory 5 coupled to the half connector 4. A similar accessory 5 is also coupled to the other axial end 6 of the strut 2. Also, the two connected struts 2 shown on the left side of Figure 1 are coupled to such an accessory 5. In Figure 2, the same strut 2 is shown in an exploded view, showing the two half connectors 4 in a disconnected state, and also showing the accessory 5 decoupled from the other axial end 6 of the strut 2.

[0024] The strut 2 comprises an elongate member 7 extending in an axial direction A into a spacer 8. One axial end 3 of the elongate member 7 comprises a half connector 4 of a connector 1, allowing the strut 2 to be connected to another strut 2 of the same kind. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elongate member 7 of the strut 2 comprises an outer member 9 and an inner member 10 which are telescopic and movable relative to each other, for example via a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator (not shown). The outer member 9 and the inner member may be lockable relative to each other, for example via a pin and hole connection (not shown). The inner member 10 comprises an external thread 11 along which a fixing nut 12 with a matching internal thread (not shown) may be moved in the axial direction A to fix the inner member 10 relative to the outer member 9.

[0025] The connector 1 is configured for use in combination with the struts 1 and comprises two geometrically identical half connectors 4, each having a convex interlocking element 13 and a concave interlocking element 14, each half connector 4 being configured to mechanically couple to a geometrically identical half connector 4. The mechanical coupling of the two half connectors 4 to each other is shown in more detail in Figures 3 to 5, where Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the connector 1 disposed between two struts of Figure 1. Figures 4 and 5 show perspective cross-sectional views of the same connector 1 in a connected and disconnected state, respectively.

[0026] Geometrically identical half connectors 4 are defined as half connectors 4 with the same geometric shape that allows a mating connection to be formed between the two half connectors 4. However, the skilled person will understand that the interlocking function does not explicitly exclude the presence of other distinguishing features between the two half connectors that may result in the half connectors not being 100% identical according to all criteria. There may be additional features that do not interfere with the interlocking function, such as, for example, different types of hose connectors 15 are provided on the half connectors 4 depending on the application. However, it is also envisaged that a half connector 4 with a pneumatic hose connector 15 is mechanically connected, i.e. mechanically coupled, to another half connector 4 with a hydraulic hose connector, for example for certain situations where a pneumatic or hydraulic connection does not need to be established via the connector 1. The connector 15 may be fluidly connected to the interior space 34 of the strut 2 via a conduit 35.

[0027] The convex interlocking elements 13 and the concave interlocking elements 14 are arranged along the periphery of the half connector 4. More preferably, the convex interlocking elements 13 and the concave interlocking elements 14 are arranged in an alternating manner along the periphery of the half connector 4. In other words, the free space between adjacent convex interlocking elements 13 defines the concave interlocking elements 14.

[0028] Preferably, the half connectors 4 exhibit a rotational symmetry of order two or more. n-fold rotational symmetry, also called n-fold rotational symmetry about an axis, means that a rotation by an angle of 360° / n does not change the object. Two-fold symmetry, also called "two-fold" symmetry, means that the appearance of the shape is the same in two different orientations, i.e. the shape looks the same after a rotation of 180°. Thus, in a first preferred embodiment, the rotational symmetry is three-fold and the connections between the two half connectors 4 can be made every 120°.

[0029] In all embodiments, the half connector 4 comprises three or more convex interlocking elements 13 and three or more concave interlocking elements 14 .

[0030] The half connector 4 may exhibit the same number of rotational symmetries as the number of convex interlocking elements 13 and concave interlocking elements 14. Thus, in the case of three or more convex interlocking elements 13 and three or more concave interlocking elements 14, the number three also reflects the number of rotational symmetries. Three times the rotational symmetry means that the appearance of the shape is the same in three different orientations, i.e. the shape looks the same after a 120° rotation. Providing a connector 1 with three-fold rotational symmetry provides an optimal balance between strength and flexibility. On the one hand, sufficient strength is paramount for struts 2 that need to withstand extreme (buckling) loads. On the other hand, three-fold rotational symmetry defines three relative orientations, each 120°, where a half connector 4 is connected to another half connector 4, providing flexibility.

[0031] In the course of use, the struts 2 are typically subjected to an axial compressive load. If the convex interlocking elements 13 and concave interlocking elements 14 are axially oriented relative to the half connectors 4, this axial load will push the half connectors 4 towards each other into a firm engagement. While all embodiments present an axially oriented convex interlocking element 13, in particular the first and fifth embodiments benefit from such a firm engagement caused by an axial load on the struts 2.

[0032] In alternative embodiments, the convex interlocking elements 13 and the concave interlocking elements 14 may be oriented radially relative to the half connector 4 (second and fourth embodiments) and / or the convex interlocking elements 13 and the concave interlocking elements 14 may be oriented circumferentially relative to the half connector 4 (third and fifth embodiments). These other embodiments are described in more detail below.

[0033] Each half connector 4 may have one or more channels 16, allowing through-feeding of a fluid from a first of the two half connectors 4 to a second of the two half connectors 4 (Figures 4 and 5). Preferably, each half connector 4 has at least two channels 16, a first channel 16-1 of the at least two channels 16 being provided in at least one of the convex interlocking elements 13 and a second channel 16-2 of the at least two channels 16 being provided in at least one of the concave interlocking elements 14. Preferably, each half connector 4 comprises a locking element 17 and a locking recess 18, the locking element 17 being configured to engage with the locking recess 18 of another half connector 4 when the half connector 4 is mechanically coupled to the other half connector 4. The locking element 17 may be actuated via a push button 19 comprising a hinged lever 20 preloaded by a spring 21.

[0034] As discussed above, a primary aspect contributing to obtaining increased versatility is the use of two geometrically identical half connectors, each having a convex interlocking element and a concave interlocking element, each half connector of the two half connectors configured to mechanically couple to the geometrically identical half connector.

[0035] According to a further aspect, a further increase in versatility is obtained as described below in Figures 6 and 7, both figures showing the assembly of a strut 2 with the half connector 4 described above. However, according to this further aspect, an accessory 5 can also be coupled to the half connector 4. Thus, the use of the half connector 4 allows safety and rescue personnel to selectively connect the half connector 4 to another half connector 4, thereby connecting two struts 2 (as shown on the left side of Figures 1 and 2), or to couple an accessory 5 to the half connector 4, thereby increasing versatility.

[0036] To enable coupling of the half connector 4 to the accessory 5, the half connector 4 includes a coupler 22 configured to couple to a mating coupler 23 of the accessory 5, such that a radially inwardly facing surface 24 of the convex interlocking element 13 of the half connector 4 defines an interface 25 of the coupler 22 configured to engage an outer circumferential surface 26 of the mating coupler 23. Thus, the axial end 6 of the elongate member includes both the half connector 4 and the coupler 22.

[0037] In contrast to a connection that may be established between two half connectors 4, the accessory 5 may be rotationally coupled to the half connector 4, which may be beneficial to maintain optimal contact under some conditions.

[0038] The outer circumferential surface 26 of the mating coupler 23 presents a rotationally symmetric outer surface 27 which is at least partially surrounded by the radially inwardly facing surface 24 of the convex interlocking element 13 .

[0039] As best seen in Fig. 6, the locking element 17 may further be configured to engage in a circumferential groove 28 of the counter coupler 23 when the accessory 5 is rotationally coupled to the half connector 4, thereby locking the counter coupler 23 of the accessory 5 in the axial direction A relative to the coupler 22 of the half connector 4, while allowing the counter coupler 23 to rotate relative to the coupler 22. The locking element 17 may thus function to lock the two half connectors 4 together (Fig. 4) or to axially lock the accessory 5 to the half connector 4 (Fig. 6). For types of accessories 5 which are preferably non-rotatably coupled to the half connector 4, the circumferential groove 28 may be replaced by a series of individual locking holes (not shown).

[0040] According to yet a further aspect, even greater versatility may be obtained if the other axial end 6 of the elongate member 7 of the strut 2 is also configured to engage with an accessory 5, as described below in Figures 8-10. The other axial end 6 of the elongate member 7 of the strut 2 includes a other coupler 29 configured to couple with a mating coupler 23 of the accessory 5, with a radially inwardly facing surface 30 of the other axial end 6 defining an interface 31 of the coupler 29 that is configured to engage an outer circumferential surface 26 of the mating coupler 23 and allows the mating coupler 23 to be rotationally coupled to the other axial end 6 of the elongate member 7 (Figure 10).

[0041] Coupler 22 and alternative coupler 29 include similar shapes, as becomes apparent from a comparison of Figures 5 and 9. However, at shaft end 3 with half connector 4, the shape is discontinued at the location of recessed interlocking element 14.

[0042] A further locking element 30 may be applied to lock the mating coupler 23 of the accessory 5 in the axial direction A relative to the other coupler 29 at the other end 6 of the strut 2, while allowing the mating coupler 23 to rotate relative to the other coupler 29. This further locking element 30 is configured to engage with a circumferential groove 28 of the mating coupler 23 when the accessory 5 is rotationally coupled to the other coupler 29, thereby locking the mating coupler 23 of the accessory 5 in the axial direction A relative to the other coupler 29 at the other end 6 of the strut 2, while allowing the mating coupler 23, and thus the accessory 5, to rotate relative to the other coupler 29. The further locking element 30 may be actuated by a similar mechanism provided on the half connector 4. More specifically, the mechanism may comprise a push button 31 with a hinged lever 32 preloaded by a spring 33 (see FIG. 10 ).

[0043] In the following description, several further embodiments are briefly discussed, with the same reference numerals applied to the same features, but incremented by 200 in the second preferred embodiment, incremented by 300 in the third preferred embodiment, etc. To avoid repetition, the focus when discussing the further preferred embodiments will be on the most significant differences relative to the first preferred embodiment contemplated as the best mode for carrying out the invention.

[0044] A second preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 and 11B. Each connector 201 has two geometrically identical half connectors 204, each having a convex interlocking element 213 and a concave interlocking element 214, and each half connector 204 of the two half connectors 204 is configured to mechanically couple to a geometrically identical half connector 204 (Figure 11A3). As in the first preferred embodiment, the half connectors 204 may also be coupled to a mating coupler 223 of an accessory 205 (Figure 11B).

[0045] The locking element 217 is pre-biased by a spring 221. In Fig. 11A2, this spring 221 is shown in a compressed state, which occurs when the two half connectors 204 are in compressive contact in the relative orientation shown in Fig. 11A2. However, for purposes of illustration, the two half connectors 204 are shown slightly axially offset to show how the convex interlocking elements 213 and concave interlocking elements 214 of one half connector 204 are mechanically coupled to the corresponding concave interlocking elements 214 and convex interlocking elements 213 of the other half connector 204.

[0046] After the two half connectors 204 come into abutting contact, thereby compressing the springs 221, they are moved in a radial direction R transverse to the axial direction A to engage the convex interlocking elements 213 and the concave interlocking elements 214 of both half connectors 204. The locking elements 217 are now pressed axially outward by their springs 221, thereby securing the two half connectors 204 against unintentional release of their connection (FIG. 11A3). Due to the shape of the two half connectors 204, they cannot rotate relative to each other.

[0047] 11B, the half connector 204 may also be coupled to a mating coupler 223 of the accessory 205. The coupler locking element 236 engages with a circumferential groove 228 of the mating coupler 223 when the accessory 204 is rotationally coupled to the half connector 204, thereby allowing the mating coupler 223 of the accessory 205 to be locked in the axial direction A relative to the coupler 222 of the half connector 204 while still allowing the mating coupler 223 to rotate relative to the coupler 222.

[0048] The third preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 12A-12E. Each connector 301 comprises two geometrically identical half connectors 304, each having a convex interlocking element 313 and a concave interlocking element 314, and each half connector 304 of the two half connectors 304 is configured to mechanically couple to a geometrically identical half connector 304 (Figures 12B, 12C and 12D). As in the first preferred embodiment, the half connectors 204 may also be coupled to a mating coupler 223 of an accessory 205 (Figure 12E).

[0049] The half connectors 304 exhibit six-fold rotational symmetry. In other words, they can be connected to each other every 60°. In this embodiment, the convex interlocking elements 313 and the concave interlocking elements 314 are axially and circumferentially oriented with respect to the half connectors 304.

[0050] The ring-shaped locking elements 317 are axially pre-biased by a spring (not shown) which presses the locking elements 317 axially outwardly with respect to the respective half connector 304. Due to a stepped edge 337 having a protrusion 338 and a recess 339, the two ring-shaped locking elements 317 of the two half connectors 304 engage with each other (FIG. 12B), thus providing a rotational lock of the connector 301.

[0051] This rotation lock may secure the two half connectors 304 against unintentional disengagement that may occur if the two half connectors 304 were allowed to rotate relative to each other. Figure 12C shows the situation of Figure 12B, however, for illustrative purposes, the ring-shaped locking element 317 is not shown in order not to obstruct the illustration of the connection between the two half connectors 304.

[0052] The fourth preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 13A-13E. Each connector 401 comprises two geometrically identical half connectors 404, each having a convex interlocking element 413 and a concave interlocking element 414, and each half connector 404 of the two half connectors 404 is configured to be mechanically coupled to a geometrically identical half connector 404 (Figures 13B, 13C and 13D). As in the first preferred embodiment, the half connectors 404 may also be coupled to a mating coupler 423 of an accessory 405 (Figure 13E).

[0053] The half connectors 404 exhibit six-fold rotational symmetry. In other words, they can be connected to each other every 60°. In this embodiment, the convex interlocking elements 413 and the concave interlocking elements 414 are axially and circumferentially oriented with respect to the half connectors 404.

[0054] The ring-shaped locking elements 417 are preloaded in the axial direction by a spring (not shown) which presses the locking elements 417 axially outwardly against the respective half connectors 404. Due to the stepped edge 437 with a protrusion 438 and a recess 439, the two ring-shaped locking elements 417 of the two half connectors 404 engage with each other (FIG. 13B), thus providing a rotation lock of the connector 401. This rotation lock can secure the two half connectors 404 against unintentional release, which could occur if they were able to rotate relative to each other. FIG. 13C shows the situation of FIG. 13B, but the ring-shaped locking elements 417 are not shown for illustrative purposes in order not to interfere with the illustration of the connection between the two half connectors 404.

[0055] The fifth preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 14A-14C. Each connector 501 comprises two geometrically identical half connectors 504, each having a convex interlocking element 513 and a concave interlocking element 514, and each half connector 504 of the two half connectors 504 is configured to mechanically couple to a geometrically identical half connector 504 (Figure 14B). As in the first preferred embodiment, the half connectors 504 may also be mated to a mating coupler of an accessory 505 (Figure 14C).

[0056] The half connectors 504 exhibit three-fold rotational symmetry, in other words they can be connected to each other every 120°. In this embodiment, the convex interlocking element 514 and the concave interlocking element 513 are axially oriented with respect to the half connector 504.

[0057] In Figure 14B, the ring-shaped locking element is not shown for illustrative purposes to provide an unobstructed view of the connection of the two half connectors 504. To provide rotational locking of the connector 504, this embodiment preferably includes a ring-shaped locking element consistent with the third and fourth preferred embodiments described above.

[0058] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown, the above-mentioned embodiments are intended to only explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Therefore, with respect to the features marked with reference signs mentioned in the appended claims, it should be noted that the signs are included only for the purpose of enhancing the readability of the claims, and do not limit the scope of the claims in any way. Furthermore, it is specifically mentioned that a person skilled in the art can combine the technical means of different embodiments. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

1. A strut comprising: A long member extending in the axial direction to serve as a spacer is provided, At least one axial end of the elongate member comprises a half connector configured to be selectively coupled to a half connector or an accessory of another strut; the half connectors include convex and concave interlocking elements that permit mechanical interlocking of the half connectors to geometrically identical half connectors to form a connector that permits connection of the strut to another strut of the same type in a rotationally locked manner; The strut, wherein the half connector is further configured to be rotationally coupled to the accessory.

2. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises outer and inner members that are extendable and movable relative to one another.

3. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the geometrically identical half connectors are configured as half connectors that include identical geometric shapes that allow a mating connection to be formed between two of the half connectors.

4. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the convex and concave interlocking elements are disposed along a periphery of the half connector.

5. The strut of claim 4 , wherein the convex interlocking elements and the concave interlocking elements are arranged in alternating fashion around a circumference of the half connector.

6. A strut according to claim 1 , wherein the half connectors exhibit two or more fold rotational symmetry.

7. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the half connector comprises three or more convex interlocking elements and three or more concave interlocking elements.

8. The strut of claim 7 , wherein the half connectors exhibit rotational symmetry with turns equal to the number of convex interlocking elements and concave interlocking elements.

9. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the convex and concave interlocking elements are axially oriented relative to the half connectors.

10. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the convex and concave interlocking elements are radially oriented relative to the half connector.

11. The strut of claim 1 , wherein the convex and concave interlocking elements are oriented circumferentially relative to the half connectors.

12. 6. A strut as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each half connector comprises one or more channels allowing the through supply of fluid from a first of the two half connectors to a second of the two half connectors.

13. 13. The strut of claim 12, wherein each half connector comprises at least two channels: a first channel of the at least two channels is disposed in at least one of the convex interlocking elements; and a second channel of the at least two channels is disposed in at least one of the concave interlocking elements.

14. 6. A strut as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each half connector comprises a locking element and a locking recess, the locking element being configured to engage with a locking recess of another half connector when the half connector is mechanically coupled to the other half connector.

15. An assembly comprising a strut as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the half connector of the strut is one of the following: connected to a half connector of another strut in a rotation-lock manner to prevent relative rotation between the strut and the other strut; and An assembly that is rotationally coupled to an accessory to permit rotation of the accessory relative to the strut.

16. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the half connector comprises a coupler configured to mate with a mating coupler of the accessory, and a radially inwardly facing surface of the convex interlocking element of the half connector defines an interface of the coupler configured to engage an outer peripheral surface of the mating coupler.

17. 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the mating coupler presents a rotationally symmetric outer surface that is at least partially surrounded by a radially inwardly facing surface of the convex interlocking element.

18. Each half connector comprises a locking element and a locking recess, the locking element configured to engage the locking recess of another half connector when the half connector is mechanically coupled to the other half connector; 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking element is further configured to engage a circumferential groove of the mating coupler when the accessory is rotationally coupled to the half connector, allowing the mating coupler of the accessory to be axially locked relative to the coupler of the half connector while allowing the mating coupler to rotate relative to the coupler.

19. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the other axial end of the elongate member of the strut comprises a other coupler configured to couple to a mating coupler of an accessory, a radially inwardly facing surface of the other axial end defining an interface of the other coupler configured to engage the outer circumferential surface of the mating coupler and allow the mating coupler to be rotationally coupled to the other axial end of the elongate member.

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