Geomatic pole support wtih telescoping legs and locks

• US 20040075031A1
• Filed: 04/18/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seco Precision LLC
• Original Assignee: Crain Enterprises, Inc. (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Williamson, Jerry L., Crain, Stephen B., Moore, Christopher T., Mize, Ralph C., Essex, Larry W., Oathout, Jeffrey L., Everly, Ron D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,124,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/188.8
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/1463 with the expansion of an element inside the outer telescoping member due to the axial movement towards a wedge or a conical member
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/36 Members preventing slipping of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/06 Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32467 Telescoping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32501 Cam or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32524 Self-locking

Abstract

A support particularly adapted for supporting a geomatic pole has telescoping legs, each having telescoping leg sections which can be locked by a locking device in a selected position of extension, fixing the length of the leg. The locking device is easily actuated and released and is biased toward a locked position. In an unlocked position, the locking device is positively positioned to inhibit contact with the released leg section so that movement is smooth and unnecessary wear is limited. The locking device has an engagement portion which is constructed to promote locking, but also to facilitate release and limit unnecessary wear of the engagement portion.

Claims

1. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment comprising a first leg section and a second leg section, the first leg section being telescopingly received into an interior of the second leg section for selective extension from and retraction into the second leg section to lengthen and shorten the leg, and a locking device including an actuator and an engagement portion positioned to act on the interior of the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections relative to each other to fix the length of the leg, the locking device being operable in a lock position in which the engagement portion of the locking device bears against the second leg section on the interior thereof with a force selected to lock the first and second leg sections, and an unlock position in which the actuator applies a force to the engagement portion of the locking device drawing it inwardly during movement of the actuator so that the engagement portion is everywhere spaced from the second leg section such that the leg sections are free to move in telescoping relation to change the length of the leg.

2. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engagement portion of the locking device is adapted to expand to said lock position and to contract to said unlock position.

3. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 2 wherein the actuator and engagement portion are interengaged.

4. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of the actuator and engagement portion is formed with a ramp surface and the other of the actuator and engagement portion is formed with a cam positioned to ride on the ramp surface such that movement of the actuator to the unlocked position pulls the engagement portion inwardly.

5. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 4 wherein the cam is associated with the actuator and the ramp surface is associated with the engagement portion.

6. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 5 wherein the locking device comprises first and second opposing lock members, each of the lock members having a ramp surface thereon and wherein the actuator has two cams each being engaged with a respective ramp surface.

7. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of the first and second lock members comprises an upper guide portion engageable with the actuator for guiding the actuator, a hinge and a lower portion having the engagement portion thereon, the lower portion being connected by the hinge to the upper portion, and wherein each lock member is formed as one piece of polymeric material.

8. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 6 wherein the locking device further comprises a wedge moveable relative to the lock members to move the lock members apart in the lock position and to allow the lock members to move closer together in the unlock position.

9. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the lock members has an inclined surface disposed for engaging the wedge.

10. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 8 wherein the engagement portion of the locking device further comprises a resilient member for each of the lock members, the resilient member being disposed for engagement with the second leg section on the interior thereof for frictionally gripping the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections in the lock position, each resilient member including axially opposite first and second edges, and having a thickness which tapers from a central region of the resilient member toward each of the first and second edges.

11. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 10 wherein each resilient member has serrations therein arranged to engage the second leg section in the lock position.

12. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 8 wherein the actuator is operable from a first end of the first leg section opposite a second end of the leg section at which the lock members are disposed, the actuator comprising a rod extending generally from said first end of the first section to the wedge, and a button located on the first leg section at said first end thereof capable of moving the rod and wedge lengthwise of the leg to the unlock position, the button being biased to a raised position corresponding to the lock position of the locking device, the first leg section and the button being formed for selectively retaining the button to hold the locking device in the unlock position.

13. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a bushing in the first leg section guiding and supporting the actuator rod relative to the first leg section.

14. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 12 wherein a distance between the button and wedge is adjustable to accommodate wear of the engagement portion of the locking device.

15. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 14 wherein the locking device is constructed and arranged for wear adjustment with the first and second leg sections assembled with each other.

16. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 14 wherein the locking device is constructed and arranged for wear adjustment in the unlock position so that adjustment can be made with the locking device unloaded.

17. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking device is associated with the first leg section.

18. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second leg section is adapted for releasable, snap-together connection with the first leg section.

19. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 18 in combination with at least one replacement leg section adapted for releasable, snap-together connection with the first leg section to replace the second leg section.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein the replacement leg section has a configuration different from the second leg section.

21. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment comprising a first leg section and a second leg section, the first leg section being telescopingly received into an interior of the second leg section for selective extension from and retraction into the second leg section to lengthen and shorten the leg, and a locking device including an actuator and an engagement portion positioned to act on the interior of the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections relative to each other to fix the length of the leg, the locking device being operable in a lock position in which the engagement portion of the locking device bears against the second leg section on the interior thereof with a force selected to lock the first and second leg sections, and an unlock position in which the engagement portion is spaced from the second leg section such that the leg sections are free to move in telescoping relation to change the length of the leg, the engagement portion comprising a resilient member made of elastomeric material, the resilient member having edges spaced axially of the leg, the thickness of the resilient member tapering from a central region thereof toward the axial edges.

22. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 21 wherein the resilient member is thicker in the central region than at the axial edges.

23. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 22 wherein the engagement portion comprises two resilient members having the same construction.

24. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 23 wherein the resilient members have serrations arranged to engage the second leg section in the lock position.

25. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 24 wherein the locking device comprises first and second lock members, the resilient members being mounted on respective lock members movable between the lock and unlock positions.

26. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment comprising a first leg section and a second leg section, the first leg section being telescopingly received into an interior of the second leg section for selective extension from and retraction into the second leg section to lengthen and shorten the leg, and a locking device including an actuator and an engagement portion positioned to act on the interior of the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections relative to each other to fix the length of the leg, the locking device being operable in a lock position in which the engagement portion of the locking device bears against the second leg section on the interior thereof with a force selected to lock the first and second leg sections, and an unlock position in which the engagement portion is spaced from the second leg section such that the leg sections are free to move in telescoping relation to change the length of the leg, the locking device being mounted in the first leg section and projecting axially outwardly therefrom into the second leg section, the locking device including at least one ear projecting outwardly therefrom through holes in the first leg section to connect the locking device to the first leg section.

27. A leg for supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 26 wherein the ear engaging the second leg section for guiding sliding movement between the first and second leg sections.

28. A leg for supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 27 wherein the locking device comprises two ears projecting outwardly therefrom through respective holes in the first leg section to connect the locking device to the first leg section.

29. A leg for supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a retainer mounted on an open end of the second leg section, the first leg section being received through the retainer into the second leg section, the ear being engageable with the retainer to prevent withdrawal of the first leg section from the second leg section.

30. A leg for supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 29 wherein the at least one of the ear and the retainer is resiliently deformable to permit the first leg section to move out of the second leg section.

31. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment comprising a first leg section and a second leg section, the first leg section being telescopingly received into an interior of the second leg section for selective extension from and retraction into the second leg section to lengthen and shorten the leg, and a locking device including an actuator and a lock member having an engagement portion positioned to act on the interior of the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections relative to each other to fix the length of the leg, the locking device being operable in a lock position in which the engagement portion of the locking device bears against the second leg section on the interior thereof with a force selected to lock the first and second leg sections, and an unlock position in which the engagement portion is spaced from the second leg section such that the leg sections are free to move in telescoping relation to change the length of the leg, the lock member comprising an upper guide portion engageable with the actuator for guiding the actuator, a hinge and a lower portion having the engagement portion thereon, the lower portion being connected by the hinge to the upper portion, and wherein the lock member is formed as one piece.

32. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 31 wherein the lock member is formed of polymeric material.

33. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 31 wherein the lower portion is pivotable relative to the upper guide portion on the hinge.

34. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 31 wherein the lower portion has an inclined surface thereon engageable with the actuator to force the lower portion outwardly such that the engagement portion engages the second leg section for locking the leg sections into position relative to one another.

35. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 34 wherein the locking device further comprises a second lock member having the same construction as the first, the actuator being engageable with the inclined surfaces of the first and second lock members to drive the lock members away from each other to the lock position.

36. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 35 wherein the actuator comprises a wedge and an actuator rod connected to the wedge, the wedge being engaged with the inclined surfaces of the first and second lock members.

37. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 35 wherein the lock members are shaped to interfit with each other.

38. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 34 wherein the lower portion further includes a ramp surface formed as one piece with the lock member, the ramp surface being engageable with the actuator to pull the lock member away from the second leg section in the unlock position.

39. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 38 wherein the actuator comprises a wedge, and actuator rod and a cam, the wedge being engageable with the inclined surface of the lower portion and the cam being engageable with the ramp surface of the lower portion.

40. A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment as set forth in claim 31 wherein the engagement portion comprises a resilient member molded onto the lower portion of the lock member.