Septic chamber snap locking coupling joint

Abstract

An overlapping joint coupling system for septic chambers where the end of one chamber is designed to fit over the opposite end of an adjoining chamber of like construction, and where the overlapping end coupling section includes a retention pocket for receiving a flexible snap locking member formed in the underlying end coupling section, and the connection of the end coupling sections forms a joint which enables one chamber to pivot in a horizontal plane relative the other chamber of like construction.

1 . A snap-lock coupling joint for connecting a set of septic chambers, comprising:
 (a) A first septic chamber having a generally arch-shaped cross section and opposing first and second end coupling sections, wherein said second end coupling section is shaped to overlap and connect with said first end coupling section of a second septic chamber having a generally arch-shaped cross section and the same said first and second end coupling sections;   (b) said first end coupling section having an upstanding outer wall portion which includes a flexible, resilient locking member that projects outwardly therefrom;   (c) said second end coupling section including an inner wall portion with a retention pocket formed therein for receiving said locking member of said first end coupling section; and   (d) said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber, when seated in overlapping relation to said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber, forming a locked coupling joint therebetween which resists vertical separation and permits limited horizontal angular movement of said second septic chamber relative to said first septic chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first end coupling section includes a first raised connecting feature with a tapered, curvilinear sidewall which incorporates said locking member. 
     
     
         3 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said second end coupling section includes a complimentary shaped second raised connecting feature which fits closely over said raised connecting feature of said first end coupling section and includes said inner wall portion with said retention pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said first and said second raised connecting features of said first and said second end coupling sections are substantially circular in cross section along a horizontal plane extending therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said locking member is cantilevered along a top supporting edge thereof to provide flexibility and resilience thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said locking member is formed by an opening extending through said outer wall along opposite sides and a lower end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said inner wall portion of said second end coupling section includes a circumferentially extending shelf formed therein which facilitates formation of said retention pocket and provides a catch for said locking member. 
     
     
         8 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 7 , whereupon said locking member is adapted to flex inwardly upon engagement with said shelf and snap resiliently outward thereafter into said retention pocket of said second end coupling section. 
     
     
         9 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said second end coupling section is solid throughout so as to cover said first end coupling section when seated in overlapping relation to said first end coupling section. 
     
     
         10 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first end coupling section includes a first raised circular shaped connecting feature, a top surface portion thereof which defines a depression adapted to receive at least one depending rib structure formed in a complimentary shaped second raised connecting feature of said second end coupling section, said depression and said rib structure being adapted to cooperatively resist separation of said first septic chamber from said second septic chamber along an axis extending therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first end coupling section and said second end coupling section are connectable in locking engagement through solely vertical transition and placement of said second end coupling section upon said first end coupling section. 
     
     
         12 . A snap-lock coupling joint for connecting a set of septic chambers, comprising:
 (a) A first septic chamber having a generally arch-shaped cross section and opposing first and second end coupling sections, wherein said second end coupling section is shaped to overlap and connect with said first end coupling section of a second septic chamber having a generally arch-shaped cross section and the same said first and second end coupling sections;   (b) said first end coupling section having a first raised connecting feature with a tapered, curvilinear sidewall which incorporates a flexible, resilient locking member projecting downwardly and outwardly from an upper peripheral portion thereof;   (c) said second end coupling section including a second raised connecting feature which is complimentary in shape to and fits closely over said first raised connecting feature of said first end coupling section, said second raised connecting feature of said second end coupling section including a retention pocket formed in an inner wall portion thereof which is adapted to receive in locking relation said locking member of said first end coupling section; and   (d) said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber and said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber, when connected in overlapping relation, forming a locked coupling joint therebetween which resists vertical separation and permits limited horizontal angular movement of said second septic chamber relative, to said first septic chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said first end coupling section is comprised of a generally arch-shaped flange member having a substantially smooth upper surface from which said first raised connecting feature extends, said first raised connecting feature being generally circular in shape with said sidewalls tapering upwardly from said flange member. 
     
     
         14 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said second end coupling section is comprised of a generally arch-shaped flange member having a substantially smooth underside surface which is adapted to rest upon and engage said smooth upper surface of said flange member of said first end coupling section when said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber is connected in overlapping relation to said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said first raised connecting feature of said first end coupling section and said second raised connecting feature of said second end coupling section are generally circular in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said locking member is formed by a generally U-shaped opening extending through said sidewall of said first raised connecting member, thus forming a flexible cantilever joint along an upper edge of said locking member. 
     
     
         17 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said inner wall portion of said second raised connecting feature includes a circumferentially extending shelf formed therein which facilitates formation of said retention pocket and provides a catch for said locking member. 
     
     
         18 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 17 , whereupon vertical placement of said second end coupling section upon said first end coupling section causes said locking member to flex inwardly during movement over said shelf and resiliently snap outward thereafter into said retention pocket of said second end coupling section. 
     
     
         19 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said second end coupling section is solid throughout so as to cover said first end coupling section when seated in overlapping relation to said first end coupling section. 
     
     
         20 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said first raised connecting feature of said first end coupling section has a generally circular horizontal configuration, a top surface portion of which defines a depression adapted to receive at least one depending rib structure formed in said second raised connecting feature of said second end coupling section, said depression and said rib structure being adapted to cooperatively interact to resist separation of said first septic chamber from said second septic chamber along an axis extending therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber is connectable in locking relation to said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber through solely vertical inter-engagement thereof. 
     
     
         22 . A snap-lock coupling joint for connecting a set of septic chambers, comprising:
 (a) A first septic chamber having a generally arch-shaped cross section and opposing first and second end coupling sections, wherein said second end coupling section is complimentarily shaped to overlap and connect with said first end coupling section of a second septic chamber of the same configuration;   (b) said first end coupling section having a generally smooth outer surface portion with a first circular shaped connecting feature extending upwardly therefrom, said first connecting feature having a tapering sidewall which incorporates an outwardly protruding flexible locking member with an open relief formed about two opposite sides and a lower end thereof:   (c) said second end coupling section having a generally smooth underside surface portion and a second circular shaped connecting feature adapted to overlap in close-fitting relation said smooth outer surface and said first connecting feature of said first end coupling section;   (d) said second raised connecting feature of said second end coupling section including a retention pocket formed in an inner wall portion thereof which is adapted to receive in locking relation said locking member of said first end coupling section; and   (e) said second end coupling section being solid throughout so as to cover said first end coupling section when seated in overlapping relation thereto.   
     
     
         23 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 22 , wherein a top surface portion of said first connecting feature defines a first engagement member which is adapted to mate with a second engagement member formed in said second raised connecting feature, where said first and said second engagement members are adapted to cooperatively interact to strengthen the coupling joint and resist separation of said first septic chamber from said second septic chamber along an axis extending therebetween. 
     
     
         24 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber and said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber, when connected in overlapping relation, form a locked coupling joint therebetween which resists vertical separation and permits horizontal angular movement between said first septic chamber and said second septic chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The snap-lock coupling joint set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said second end coupling section of said first septic chamber is connectable in locking relation to said first end coupling section of said second septic chamber through solely vertical transitional engagement thereof.