Self-locking adjustable support devices

Claim 2

A self-locking adjustable support device comprising: (a) two telescopically interfitting members; (b) a housing; (c) means connecting the housing to one end of one of said telescopically interfitting members in a manner permitting the housing to be adjusted in position longitudinally relative to said one member; (d) said housing being formed with a portion having an internal frusto-conical surface arranged to receive therein a plurality of locking elements; (e) said connecting means permitting rotation of said housing relative to said one member about its longitudinal axis to permit adjustment of the overall length of the support device; (f) a cover member adapted to circumjace the free end of said housing with said locking elements depending therefrom into a space defined between said internal frustoconical surface of said housing and the outer surface of said other one of said telescopically interfitting members; and (g) resilient means disposed within said cover member and normally effective to bias said cover member away from said one member and said locking elements to positions within said housing whereat they are in gripping engagement with said other one of said telescopically interfitting members so as to inhibit movement of said other member in one direction longitudinally relative to said one member.

Claim 3

An adjustable self-locking mechanism for use in association with a support device having two telescopically interfitting members, said mechanism comprising: (a) a housing arranged to be connected to one end of the outer one of said telescopically interfitting members in a manner permitting said housing to be adjusted in position longitudinally relative to the other of said members to permit adjustment of the overall length of the support device; (b) said housing having a portion defining an internal frusto-conical surface; (c) a cover member adapted to circumjace the portion of the housing defining the internal frusto-conical surface; (d) a plurality of locking elements depending from the cover member into a space defined between said internal frusto-conical surface of said housing and the outer surface of said other one of said telescopically interfitting members; and (e) resilient means disposed within said cover member and normally effective to bias said cover member away from said one member and said locking elements to positions within said housing whereat they effect a jamming connection between said internal frusto-conical surface of said housing and an outer surface of said other of said telescopically interfitting members whereby to inhibit relative movement between said telescopically interfitting members.

Claim 4

An adjustable self-locking mechanism for use in association with a support device having two telescopically interfitting members, said mechanism comprising: (a) a housing arranged to be connected to one end of the outer one of said telescopically interfitting members in a manner permitting said housing to be adjusted in position longitudinally relative to the other of said members to permit adjustment of the overall length of the support device; (b) said housing having a portion defining an internal frusto-conical surface; (c) a cover member adapted to circumjace the portion of the housing defining the internal frusto-conical surface; (d) a plurality of locking elements depending from the cover member into a space defined between said internal frusto-conical surface of said housing and the outer surface of said other one of said telescopically interfitting members; and (e) resilient means disposed within said cover member and normally effective to bias said cover member away from said one member and said locking elements to positions within said housing whereat they effect a jamming connection between said internal frusto-conical surface of said housing and an outer surface of said other of said telescopically interfitting members whereby to inhibit relative movement between said telescopically interfitting members.

Claim 5

A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking elements are in the form of wedge-shaped members.

Claim 6

A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means connecting the housing to said one of said telescopically interfitting members comprises an internally threaded element arranged to threadedly to engage an externally threaded portion formed at one end of said one member.

Claim 7

A support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said internally threaded element is formed with an annular groove internally thereof and said housing is provided at one end with a protuberant surface adapted to engage in said groove to permit relative rotation but to inhibit relative longitudinal movement between said housing and said internally threaded element.

Claim 8

A support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said internally threaded element is provided with a handle member to facilitate rotation of said internally threaded element relative to said one member through its threaded engagement therewith whereby to permit adjustment of the housing longitudinally relative to said one member.

Claim 9

A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking elements are pivotally connected to said cover member.

Claim 10

A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover member comprises a centrally apertured plate and has an annular skirt secured thereto and depending therefrom at or adjacent the outer peripheral edge thereof.

Claim 11

A support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a neck portion extends from the central aperture of said plate coaxially therewith and in a direction opposite to that in which said skirt extends from said plate, said neck portion being arranged to form a snug fit around said one member.