Support post with surface-engaging members
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An extendable post installable between a floor surface and an opposed ceiling surface, said post comprising:
- a floor-engaging end for engaging the floor surface;
a ceiling-engaging end for engaging the ceiling surface;
telescoping inner and outer tubes between said ends, the inner tube being positioned at least partially in the outer tube;
a locking mechanism having an unlocked condition permitting relative sliding movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and a locked condition preventing relative sliding movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube when the inner and outer tubes are in a desired longitudinal relationship;
the floor-engaging end being rotatably coupled to a reduced diameter portion of a shaft extending upwardly in the outer tube in an operative orientation of the post;
the outer tube comprising an internal nut for threadably engaging the shaft;
the ceiling-engaging end being rotatably coupled to a stem slidably received in an operatively upper open end of the inner tube and projecting beyond the open end;
said stem comprising a portion of reduced diameter projecting from the open end, said portion comprising an outer surface spaced from an interior surface of the inner tube;
said inner tube comprising a collar (56) attached to the interior surface of the inner tube;
a spring (58) captured between the collar (56) and the stem (52) for resiliently urging the stem in a direction out of the open end of the inner tube;
a pin (54) with a head at one end which limits movement of the pin in said direction by engagement with the collar, the pin having an opposite end secured to the stem;
the floor-engaging end comprising a cruciform shape comprising four claws, each said claw comprising a pair of penetrating points engageable with the floor surface; and
each said claw additionally comprising a transverse edge extending between the penetrating points thereof for engaging the floor surface to limit penetration of the points thereinto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An extendable post installable between a floor surface and an opposed ceiling surface, said post comprising:
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a floor-engaging end for engaging the floor surface; a ceiling-engaging end for engaging the ceiling surface; telescoping inner and outer tubes between said ends, the inner tube being positioned at least partially in the outer tube; a locking mechanism having an unlocked condition permitting relative sliding movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and a locked condition preventing relative sliding movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube when the inner and outer tubes are in a desired longitudinal relationship; the floor-engaging end being rotatably coupled to a reduced diameter portion of a shaft extending upwardly in the outer tube in an operative orientation of the post; the outer tube comprising an internal nut for threadably engaging the shaft; the ceiling-engaging end being rotatably coupled to a stem slidably received in an operatively upper open end of the inner tube and projecting beyond the open end; said stem comprising a portion of reduced diameter projecting from the open end, said portion comprising an outer surface spaced from an interior surface of the inner tube; said inner tube comprising a collar (56) attached to the interior surface of the inner tube; a spring (58) captured between the collar (56) and the stem (52) for resiliently urging the stem in a direction out of the open end of the inner tube; a pin (54) with a head at one end which limits movement of the pin in said direction by engagement with the collar, the pin having an opposite end secured to the stem; the floor-engaging end comprising a cruciform shape comprising four claws, each said claw comprising a pair of penetrating points engageable with the floor surface; and each said claw additionally comprising a transverse edge extending between the penetrating points thereof for engaging the floor surface to limit penetration of the points thereinto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification