FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
COUPLING ASSEMBLY;
BLUE STAR LIMITED A COMPANY
INCORPORATED UNDER THE
COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS KASTURI BUILDINGS, MOHAN T. ADVANI CHOWK, JAMSHETJI TATA ROAD, MUMBAI - 400 020, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coupling assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, to couple panels a fastening means like a screw is used. The screw would require a special tool to install the screw for coupling the panels. For e.g. screws have a variety of heads including philips heads, slotted heads, hex heads, square drive heads, etc. Accordingly, each of these screws requires a philips screw driver or a slotted screw driver or a hex screw driver to fasten the screw. This would mean that at site of installation different tools would be required.
Also at some installation sites, it would be difficult to use these screw drivers, especially at blind spots and/or cramped installation sites.
Another available solutions for coupling panels include gluing the panels together. Such a technique requires a special applicator for dispensing glue between surface panels to couple them. Once glue is dispensed, and panels are coupled together, the panels are inaccessible for sometime as the glue takes time to set between the coupled panels. If the panels are accessed during this period, the coupling might weaken.
In view of the above there is a need for a coupling assembly obviating the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a tool-less coupling assembly for coupling at-least two panels, the coupling assembly comprising a first panel having a protruding member, the protruding member has a first part and a second part, the first part is a shaft extending from the first panel, and the second part is an enlarged portion extending from the shaft, and a second panel having a hole and a pair of resilient segments, the resilient segments extending from the panel around the hole, such that when the protruding member is inserted in the hole, the enlarged portion of the protruding member expands the segments, and the segments retracts and clamps the shaft once the enlarged portion passes through the hole, thereby coupling the two panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a coupling assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a first panel of the coupling assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a second panel of the coupling assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a coupling assembly for securing at-least two panels of an air-conditioning system, wherein the assembly of the two panels is tool-less.
Figure 1 shows a coupling assembly 100 according to the present invention. The coupling assembly 100 comprises of a first panel 110 and a second panel 120. The first panel 110 and the second panel 120 lie in the same plane.
The first panel 110 is shown in detail in figure 2. The first panel 110 has at-least one protruding member 112. As shown, the protruding member 112 has a first part and a second part. The first part is a shaft 114. The shaft 114 extends from the first panel 110, and is cylindrical. The second part is an enlarged portion 116 adapted to the shaft 114. The enlarged portion 116 is wider than the shaft 114. According to the present invention, the shaft 114 and the enlarged portion 116 are integrally formed with the first panel 110.
The second panel 120 is shown in detail in figure 3. The second panel 120 has at-least one hole 122 and at-least two resilient segments 124. According to the present invention the hole 122 and the resilient segments 124 are integrally formed with the second panel 120.
The hole 122 on the second panel 120 has a diameter wide enough to allow the enlarged portion 116 of the first part to pass through without any resistance i.e. the hole 122 has a diameter equivalent to width of the enlarged portion 116.
The resilient segments 124 are provided on circumference of the hole 122, and extend from the second panel 120. According to the present invention the resilient segments 124 are provided opposite to one-another. The resilient segments 124 extend from a first end 124a to a second end 124b. The resilient segments as they extend from the first end 124a, project inwards towards the second end 124b such that the distance between the resilient segments 124 at the first end 124a is more compared to the second end 124b. In this regard, at the first end 124a the distance between the resilient segments 124 is equivalent to the hole 122 of the second panel 120 and the enlarged portion 116 of the first panel 110. The distance between the

resilient segments 124 at the second end 124b is less than the hole 122 of the second panel 120 and the enlarged porti.n 116.
According to the present invention, the first panel 110 and the second panel 120 are mutually aligned, and to couple the first panel 110 and the second panel 120, the protruding member on the first panel 110 is inserted in the hole of the second panel 120. The enlarged portion 116 of the protruding member passes through the hole, and expands the segments as it passed through. Once the enlarged portion 116 passed through the segments, the segments retracts on the shaft 114, thereby coupling the two panels. The present invention thus obviates from use of any kind of tools at the installation site for coupling two or more panels of the air-conditioning system.
The coupling assembly of the present invention is capable of securing more than two panels, wherein the assembly comprises at-least the first panel, at-least the second panel and at-least a third panel having a hole, wherein the third panel is sandwiched between the first panel and the second panel such the hole of the third panel aligns with the protruding member of the first panel and the hole of the second panel. Accordingly, the dimensions of the protruding member, the hole and the resilient members will vary depending upon the number of panels being secured/coupled.
The coupling assembly of the present invention is pre-fabricated and can be made of any suitable material, depending on the size and strength desired. The coupling assembly can be made of plastic or steel, and are formed and shaped according to known techniques. In the case of plastics, they may be molded, and in the case of steel they may be cast, forged, or formed by other known process.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a coupling assembly which obviates the use of any external tools, and provides a fast, easy and cost-effective way for coupling panels.

While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

We Claim :
1. A coupling assembly for securing at-least two panels, the coupling assembly comprising:
a first panel having at-least one protruding member, the protruding member has a shaft extending from the first panel, and an enlarged portion adapted to the shaft, and
a second panel having at-least one hole for receiving the protruding member, the second panel having two oppositely facing resilient segments extending downwardly and inwardly from the panel provided on circumference of the hole such that when the protruding member is inserted through the hole, the enlarged portion of the protruding member expands the segments, and the segments retracts on the shaft once the enlarged portion passes through the hole thereby securing the two panels.
2. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter equivalent to the width of the enlarged portion.
3. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between the ends of the resilient segments is less than the width of the enlarged portion.
4. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft and the enlarged portion are integrally formed with the first panel.
5. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hole and the resilient segments are integrally formed with the second panel.
6. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling assembly is pre
fabricated.

7. The coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling assembly can be made of plastic, steel etc.