| abstract |
A tubular assembly which includes a first (or outer) tube ( 12 ), a second (or inner) tube ( 21 ) and a plug ( 42 ) within the second tube ( 21 ) is described. The plug ( 42 ) resides within at least a portion of the second tube ( 21 ), which itself resides within a portion of the first tube ( 12 ). The first ( 12 ) and second ( 21 ) tubes each have perforations ( 15, 24 ), at least some of which are aligned. The plug ( 42 ) has cavities ( 45 ) in its exterior surface ( 48 ), at least some of which are aligned with the aligned perforations ( 36 ). Plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic material) is molded through aligned perforations ( 36 ) and at least partially fills aligned cavities ( 45 ). The edges ( 39 ) of aligned perforations ( 36 ) are embedded in the plastic material ( 53 ) molded therethrough. The plastic material ( 53 ) extending through aligned perforations ( 36 ), into cavities ( 45 ) and embedding perforation edges ( 39 ) therein, serves to fixedly attach the first tube ( 12 ), second tube ( 21 ) and plug ( 42 ) together. |