Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Clamped members
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-05-22
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Clamped members
C403S322400, C248S231210, C182S201000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234710
ABSTRACT:
This application was filed as PCT International application No. PCT/NZ97/00062 on May 22, 1997 and claims priority under 35 USC §119 based on New Zealand application No. 286637 filed on May 22, 1996.
This invention relates to devices which provide or allow for the adjustment and thereafter locking in the length of a member.
Lockable extending members are an integral part of many industries and used for the likes of propping, levelling, positioning or limiting of objects relative to a task. Known devices include sliding devices which are extendable and stepped by increments provided by teeth and dog or pin and hold type systems. A range of tensioning devices that lock two members together and rely on frictional resistance between them are also known. Flexible member materials are also known having papers on two separate members which conflict where a degree of pressure is applied to deform at least one of the members. Some wedging devices are also known where a wedge is inserted between two sliding members.
These prior art devices have drawbacks in that the pins are loose objects and prone to loss or damage. This can lead to sufficient were to make the device unsafe under load. Toothed racks also have similar problems and both forms are prone to shaking loose.
Tension based locking systems can be unreliable as they are prone to slippage and wear and also operator judgement as to the adequate tension for the environmental conditions. Special tools for tensioning the items may also be necessary and may be lost or damaged.
Those devices using flexible material tapers do provide some degree of random variation of the link yet are often set in increments who like narrowings in the diameter or a tubular member with a sprung external tube member chuck providing the constriction. These may be prone to material fatigue and weakening of the internal member. Further, operator judgement is required as to the adequacy of the locked position on the taper.
The use of a wedge on its own is also prone to loss and damage or shaking loose.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus allowing for the length of a member or assembly to be altered and selectively locked which at least in part overcomes one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in an adjustment length member comprising:
a first member or assembly;
a second member or assembly having a sloped surface;
retaining means to retain said first and second members in sliding contact;
a constraint provided in or about said first and second members to limit the passage of the sloped surface on said second member through said constraint; and
an adjustment means to adjust at the constraint to vary the passage of the second member through said constraint in at least one direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2608336 (1952-08-01), Dole
patent: 3908796 (1975-09-01), Hurwitz
patent: 4029279 (1977-06-01), Nakatani
patent: 4277197 (1981-07-01), Bingham
patent: 4430019 (1984-02-01), D'Alessio
patent: 4708309 (1987-11-01), Walter
patent: 4761092 (1988-08-01), Nakatani
patent: 4765439 (1988-08-01), Kresmery
patent: 5181584 (1993-01-01), Simard
patent: 736400 (1956-09-01), None
patent: 2 081 793 (1982-02-01), None
patent: WO 83/03450 (1983-10-01), None
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Young & Thompson
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