Device for fixing rods in selected relative position

• US 4,497,092 A
• Filed: 12/02/1982
• Issued: 02/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honshino Gakki Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Company Limited
• Inventors: Hoshino, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US06/446,067
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 24/514, 24/515, 24/516, 24/329, 24/330, 24/331, 24/332, 24/346, 24/498, 188/67, 403/104, 403/366, 403/373, 248/113, 248/74 R, 248/413, 285/309, 285/310, 285/312
• US Class Current: 24/514
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/1418 with a clamping collar or two split clamping rings tightened by a screw or a cammed latch member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/142 Adjustable girth
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44504 Threaded cylindrical rod and mating cavity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44513 Camming or wedging element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44521 Pivoted or rotated element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32426 Plural distinct positions

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a device for clamping two axially telescoping rods in a selected telescoped position, wherein the device includes a case supported at the end of the outside one of the two rods and the case encloses an annular bush wrapped around the inside one of the two rods. One side of the bush is open for defining an axial gap. Terminal flanges extend away from the bush at opposite sides of the gap. A shaft extends from the second of the terminal portions, through the first of the terminal portions and then outside the case. A two-position cam is journaled to the shaft and is shaped to engage the exterior of the case. As the cam is moved between its two positions, it selectively draws the terminal portion flanges together or permits them to move apart for selectively clamping or releasing the bush on the rod. A spring normally biases the terminal portion flanges apart. A nut screw-threadedly received on the shaft is adjustable along the shaft for defining the initial position of the second terminal portion with respect to the first terminal portion.

Claims

1. Clamping means for securing coaxial, axially telescoping rods together, the clamping means comprising:

a first part for attachment to the end of one of the rods adjacent the other rod;

an annular bushing supported to the first part and extending around the other rod;

the bushing being open along one circumferential side for defining an axial gap through the bushing;

the bushing including first and second terminal portions on opposite sides of the gap in the bushing, such that drawing the terminal portions together reduces the gap and tightens the bushing around the other rod, and permitting the terminal portions to move apart loosens the bushing from around the other rod;

a shaft extending from the second terminal portion past the first terminal portion;

a clamp connected with the shaft for drawing the second terminal portion toward the first terminal portion;

the first part blocking the first terminal portion from moving away from the second terminal portion as the second terminal portion is drawn toward the first terminal portion, whereby operation of the clamp draws the terminal portions together to clamp the bushing on the other rod;

said clamp comprising a cam connected with the shaft;

the cam being movable between a clamping position at which the clamp draws the shaft to move the second terminal portion toward the first terminal portion and a releasing position at which the cam permits the shaft to shift to move the second terminal portion away from the first terminal portion to release the bushing from securing the other rod;

said first part comprising a case extending around the bushing;

the shaft extending from the second terminal portion past the first terminal portion and out of the case past the first terminal portion;

the cam being located outside the case beyond the first terminal portion;

the cam engaging the case beyond the first terminal portion upon movement of the cam between the clamping and released positions thereof;

the cam being shaped for moving the shaft for moving the second terminal portion with respect to the first terminal portion as the cam moves between the clamped and released positions;

the case being shaped for being engaged by the first terminal portion as the shaft draws the second terminal portion toward the first terminal portion; and

said cam being journaled to the shaft at a pivot axis across the shaft;

the cam including a first cam surface which is at a relatively greater distance from the pivot axis and a second cam surface which is at a relatively lesser distance from the pivot axis;

wherein with the first cam surface engaging the case, the shaft being drawn to move the second terminal portion toward the first terminal portion, and with the second cam surface engaging the case, the shaft being permitted to shift to permit the first and second terminal portions to separate.

2. The clamping means of claim 1, further comprising biasing means for urging the first and second terminal portions apart.

3. The clamping means of claim 2, wherein the shaft is connected with the second terminal portion through an abutment positioned on the shaft, and the abutment being movable along the shaft to different positions on the shaft for determining the initial extent of separation of the first and second terminal portions with the cam in the released position.