This invention relates to a connecting device for use in connecting together structural elements of, for example, space display systems. Description of the Prior Art

One prior art connector carries a bolt that is threadably secured to one structural member. The other structural member, such as a tube, is then welded to the connector. Such welding requires great precision and is therefore costly and time consuming. Further, should the tube require shortening, it must be cut and re-welded, again with an increase in cost. Brief Summary of the Invention An object of this invention is to overcome the expense and time involved in the prior art system, and is achieved by a construction requiring no welding.

In accordance with this invention; there is provided a connecting device for connecting together a pair of structural members, characterised by a bolt, threaded at one end and with a head at the other end, and slidably carrying a cylindrical member and an axially floating nut, the cylindrical member adapted to abut against the head of the bolt, said nut having an axially extending slot that is engageable with a pin protrusion laterally extending from the shank of the bolt near the threaded end, the cylindrical member adapted to be force fitted into one said structural member, said threaded end adapted to threadably engage a threaded hole in another said structural member, whereby rotation of said floating nut rotates the threaded end within the threaded hole to finally secure together said pair of structural members without rotational movement of either structural member. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a connecting kit characterised by a bolt, threaded at one end with a head at the other end, a cylindrical

member adapted to be slidably fitted on the bolt, a nut having an axially extending slot adapted to slidably fit on the bolt, and a protrusion member adapted to be fitted to the bolt, said bolt, cylindrical member, nut and protrusion member capable of assembly into the connecting device mentioned hereinbefore.

Preferably, a spacing washer is included between the cylindrical member and the nut.

More preferably, the cylindrical member is provided with a fluted surface to facilitate force fittin into a structural member.

Conveniently, the head of the bolt is of a smaller diameter than the cylindrical member, so that the bolt can rotate within the cylindrical member without obstruction by the structural member into which the cylindrical member is force-fitted.

The cylindrical and structural members could also be pinned together to increase the strength of the force-fitted joint. Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the connecti device;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one end of the connecting device;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the other e of the connecting device; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device viewed in the direction of arrows 4-4 shown in Fig. 2.

The connecting device 1 comprises a bolt 2 having a threaded end 3 and a head 10. The bolt 2 slidably carries a fluted, cylindrical member 5, and a spacing washer or collar 6.

A nut 7 is slidably fitted on bolt 2, and is

-_ URr

OM

retained on bolt 2 by virtue of pin 8 engaging slot 9 provided in the nut. With this arrangement, the nut is axially slidable with respect to the bolt, but is capable of rotating the bolt by means of pin 8 engaging slot 9. In practice the connecting device is used to join together one structural element having a hole threaded to take the threaded end 3 of bolt 2, to a, second structural element having a bore of a diameter such that fluted member 5 will be a force-fit therein. Firstly fluted member 5 is forced into the bore of the second structural member, by pressure or impact, after which threaded end 3 is inserted into the threaded hole of the first structural member. The nut 7 is then rotated to tighten and secure the assembly and the two structural elements together. Neither structural element need be rotated.