Ball locking device with interchangeable handles

• US 5,394,594 A
• Filed: 07/07/1993
• Issued: 03/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avibank Manufacturing Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Avibank Manufacturing Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Duran, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LARSON, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US08/088,854
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 403/17, 403/33, 403/321, 403/322, 403/324, 403/325, 403/327, 403/328, 403/DIG. 6, 24/453, 24/607, 411/348, 81/177.1, 81/489, 81/900, 16/114 R
• US Class Current: 24/453
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/165 with balls or rollers for connections of rods or tubes engaged telescopically F16B7/1409
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/42 Independent, headed, aperture pass-through fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45487 including camming or wedging element on projection member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/599 Spring biased manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/604 Radially sliding catch

Abstract

A ball locking device having a ball locking mechanism releasably attachable to a receptacle to lock the device thereto until released. The device has a handle which is removably attached to,the device so that the handle can be changed for another. The handle may be of a non-metallic material whereas the main components of the ball locking mechanism may be of metallic material.

Claims

1. A detent locking device comprising:

a barrel having a throughbore, said barrel having at least a pair of openings adjacent one end thereof communicating the interior of said throughbore with the exterior of said barrel;

a head secured to the other end of said barrel having a main body portion and an integral threaded portion about the exterior thereof, a shoulder on the exterior of said head separating said last mentioned main body portion and said integral threaded portion, said head being integral with said barrel and both said barrel and said head being of a metallic material;

a detent actuator reciprocally mounted in said throughbore having one end secured to a push button mounted in a throughbore in said head and the other end having a reduced diameter portion adjacent said openings, said push button being normally spaced from said barrel thereby forming a chamber defined by the inner wall of said head, said push button and said barrel and surrounding said actuator;

a detent disposed in each of said openings, each of said detents being disposed substantially within said openings and in said reduced diameter portion when said actuator is in a first unlocking position and extending outwardly of said barrel away from said reduced diameter portion when said actuator is in a second locking position;

a coiled spring disposed in said chamber abutting at one end against said push button and at the other end against said barrel whereby said push button can be pushed to move said actuator to said first unlocking position against the bias of said spring, said spring returning said actuator to its second locking position when said push button is released; and

a removable handle of a non-metallic material having a main body portion with an inner threaded bore of a length related to the length of said threaded portion about the exterior of said head threadably mounted to the threaded portion of said head and abutting against said shoulder, said main body portion of said handle having a gripping portion integral therewith, the length of said barrel between said head and said one end of said barrel being non-adjustable and fixed in length.

2. In the device of claim 1 wherein said head and said barrel are of stainless steel and said handle is of a plastic material.

3. In the device of claim 2 wherein said handle is of a color molded into said plastic material.

4. In the device of claim 1 wherein said detents are balls.

5. In the device of claim 1 wherein said barrel is peened about the areas surrounding said openings.

6. In the device of claim 1 wherein said gripping portion is L-shaped.

7. In the device of claim 1 wherein said gripping portion includes an annular flange integral with said main body portion having a throughbore communicating with said threaded bore in said main body portion, said push button protruding through said last mentioned throughbore.

8. In the device of claim 7 wherein said gripping portion includes a ring secured to said annular flange.

9. In the device of claim 1 wherein said gripping portion is T-shaped.