Locking system

• US 6,595,713 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lendal Products Ltd. (Johnson Outdoors, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lendal Products Ltd. (Johnson Outdoors, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wilson, Alistair Carmichael
• Primary Examiner(s): Binda, Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARCIA, ERNESTO
• Application Number:
  US09/710,658
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 404/101, 404/74, 404/109, 403/328, 403/102, 403/109.6, 403/109.4, 403/170, 403/108, 403/6, 403/7, 164/29, 164/05
• US Class Current: 403/7
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 16/04 Oars; Sculls; Paddles; Poles
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/042 with a locking element, e.g. pin, ball or pushbutton, engaging in a hole in the wall of at least one tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/604 Radially sliding catch

Abstract

A system for securing interlocking tubular components comprises first and second tubular. components to be secured and a locking apparatus located within the first tubular component. The first tubular component has a smaller diameter than the second component and contains slits that permit expansion of the outer diameter of the first tubular component under the action of the locking apparatus. Each of the first and second tubular components has an aperture therein, the locking apparatus having a spring-loaded button member that protrudes from the aperture of the first component. When the first component is inserted into the end of the second component,, the apertures are aligned and the button rises through the second aperture, thus holding the components together. An adjustment tool is then inserted through a bore in the button into the locking apparatus. The turning of the adjustment tool pushes apart clamping members in the apparatus which in turn increase the diameter of the first component, thereby firmly holding the two components together.

Claims

1. A system comprising first and second tubular members and a locking apparatus for releasably securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member, wherein the first tubular member is resiliently expandable in diameter and has a diameter in an unexpanded state such that the first tubular member can fit within the second tubular member, and wherein the first and second tubular members are provided with first and second apertures, respectively, in a wall of each tubular member,

wherein the locking apparatus is located within the first tubular member and comprises:

first and second clamping members adapted to apply a clamping force to opposite internal faces of the first tubular member in a clamping direction;

an adjustment means provided between the first and second clamping members for adjusting the clamping force applied by the clamping members; and

a resiliently mounted detent member mounted within the first clamping member adapted to engage with the first and second apertures when the first and second apertures are mutually aligned, wherein the resiliently mounted detent member has a passage extending therethrough to permit access to the adjustment means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first clamping member has an internal thread, and wherein the adjustment means comprises an externally threaded member that engages with the internal thread of the first clamping member.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the externally threaded member is a screw member.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the externally threaded member has a drivable head orientated towards the first and second apertures.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the drivable head has a hexagonal socket for driving by an Allen key.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the resiliently mounted detent member comprises a button portion which can pass through the first and second apertures and a shoulder portion which abuts against an inner surface of the first tubular member, and wherein the resiliently mounted detent member comprises a helical spring acting between the button portion and the first clamping member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamping members are provided with an end bearing surface having a shape corresponding to an internal surface of the first tubular member.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second clamping member has a sleeve portion which fits around a portion of the first clamping member so as to allow relative axial movement of the first and second clamping members in the clamping direction.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tubular member is provided with two substantially diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slits adapted to permit resilient deformation of the portions of the tubular member between the slits in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the slits.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second clamping members are positioned such that the clamping direction is perpendicular to the plane of the slits.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular members are of composite construction.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular members are components of an oar or paddle.