Joints and connections – Articulated members – Lockable at fixed position
Patent
1996-11-13
1998-08-11
Kim, Harry C.
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Lockable at fixed position
403374, 403377, 2481885, 16115, F16B 710
Patent
active
057918058
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a locking device for telescoping elements.
There are many uses for a telescoping assembly of two elements where the overall length of the assembly can be adjusted and then locked in such position to maintain the adjusted length. For example, it is known to provide a telescoping pole crank assembly to operate a window operator which is positioned at a remote location. Thus the outer end of one end of the assembly carries a drive link or mechanism which is adapted to drivingly engage with the window operator. The outer end of the other element is cranked so that the pole assembly can be rotated to impart a driving force to the operator. One example of such a pole crank assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,089 of Truth Incorporated.
In many instances, such as with a pole assembly for a window operator, it is desirable or necessary to prevent one of the elements from rotating relative to the other. This can be achieved by having one element formed with a cross section which slidingly fits within a mating cross section of the other element, the inter-engagement of the respective cross-sections preventing relative rotation. For example, one element can have a plurality of raised ribs which engage in correspondingly shaped and disposed grooves in the other element.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,089 the locking action is achieved by rotating a collar about an axis which is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the elements. Applying a rotational force to the locking collar can sometimes be difficult especially where the user cannot obtain a firm grip on the collar. Furthermore rapid release or tightening of the collar is not always possible.
A feature of the present invention is that the locking arrangement is of a type whereby manipulation of a locking collar is not required in order to carry out adjustment of the overall length of the assembly.
A further feature of the present invention is that the prevention of relative rotation between the two elements is achievable without the need to provide two specially configured elements which matingly engage.
According to one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a locking device for telescoping elements, the device comprising a lever operated clamp engaged with one of said elements and an engagement member mounted with the other of said elements, said engagement member being slidingly engaged within said one element but constrained from angular movement therein, said lever operated clamp being operable to clamp said other element against axial movement relative to said one element.
According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a telescopic pole crank assembly incorporating a locking device according to the foregoing broad aspect.
Preferably the pole crank assembly includes a drive element (preferably hook shaped) at its distal end.
In the preferred form the hook shaped element is engageable in an eye of the drive means of a window operator, the surfaces of the hook element and the eye element which interengage having engagement surfaces which are of different curvature.
In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the locking device in sit on two telescoping elements,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an engagement member which fits into the end of an internal/extension
FIG. 3 is a clamp element which fits onto the end of an external/crank element,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover which fits over the clamp,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an over-centre locking cam lever,
FIG. 6 is an end view of the external/crank element,
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the end of the external/crank element which is opposite that shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the handle grip components which forms the handle grips shown in FIG. 7,
FIG. 9 is an end elevation of a cap which forms part of the handle grip,
FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the cap of FIG. 9,
FIG. 11 is an el
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Lynch Michael James
Waitai Rana James
Interlock Industries Limited
Kim Harry C.
Sokoloff Blakely
LandOfFree
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