Patent ID: 9651073
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: F16B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A locking mechanism for releasably locking inner and outer telescoping members in axially adjusted positions relative to one another, the outer telescoping member being tubular for axial sliding receipt of the inner telescoping member, the locking mechanism comprising a housing fixedly attached to an axial outer end of the outer telescoping member, the housing having an axial opening through which the inner telescoping member is axially slidably received in the outer telescoping member, a radial opening through an outer end portion of the housing in radial alignment with an axially extending outer surface of the inner telescoping member, a pressure pad slidably received in the radial opening, and a cam member mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging the pressure pad against the axial outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure to allow axial movement of the inner telescoping member relative to the outer telescoping member, wherein the pressure pad includes a pair of laterally spaced apart flanges having aligned radial slots through which a pivot pin that pivotally connects the cam member to the housing extends, the radial slots being oversized in relation to the pivot pin to allow limited yet constrained radial movement of the pressure pad within the radial opening in the housing, whereby when the cam member is moved to the unlocking position, the pressure pad will float within the radial opening to allow the inner telescoping member to slide freely within the housing, and wherein the pressure pad comprises a rigid member to which pressure is applied by the cam member during movement of the cam member to the locking position, and a compressible engagement pad interposed between the rigid member and the inner telescoping member that directly engages the axial outer surface of the inner telescoping member during movement of the cam member to the locking position to provide a gripping action therebetween.