Patent ID: 6817796
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A locking device for use in conjunction with a shaft, the locking device connected to a carriage, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, the locking device operable in an unlocked position and a locked position, said locking device comprising:a collet having a first end and a second end along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, an inner circumference for slideably mounting on the shaft, and an outer surface having a first threaded section adjacent to the first end and a second threaded section adjacent to the second end; means for connecting the locking device to the carriage; and a flange having a substantially circular opening with a threaded circumference for rotatably mounting over the outer surface of the collet, wherein the diameter of the circular opening is greater than at least a part of the first threaded section of the collet, and smaller than the diameter of at least a part of the second threaded section of collet, such that the locking device is in the locked position when the threaded circumference of the flange is engaged with the second threaded section of the collet, the flange causing the inner circumference of the collet to exert a frictional force against a section of the shaft, restricting the locking device and the carriage from moving along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the locking device is in the unlocked position when the threaded circumference of the flange is engaged with the first threaded section of the collet, the flange reducing the exerted frictional force against the shaft, allowing the locking device and the carriage to move along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.