Patent ID: 8297870
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: A45B,A63C,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An adjustable-length pole, the pole comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube structured and dimensioned for insertion into the outer tube in a telescoping fashion for adjusting a length of the pole; a first limit stop disposed at an end of the inner tube; an adjusting screw being axially oriented within the outer tube, non-rotatable with respect to the inner tube and supported in a fixed manner on the end of the inner tube; a second limit stop disposed on a free end of the adjusting screw; a radially spreadable element having an axial length and comprising a non-threaded bore and only one single inner cone, the inner cone opening towards the end of the inner tube, wherein the radially spreadable element is disposed with its axial length between the first limit stop disposed at the end of the inner tube and the second limit stop disposed on the free end of the adjusting screw, and wherein the distance between the first and second limit stops is larger than the axial length of the radially spreadable element by a gap distance; and an interior element having an internal threaded bore and an outer cone tapering towards the free end of the adjusting screw and being structured, dimensioned, and disposed for cooperation with the inner cone of the radially spreadable element, wherein the interior element is screwed onto the adjusting screw and is axially movable within the spreadable element with respect to the inner tube by rotation thereof via the internal threaded bore, the radially spreadable element being moveable axially within the distance between the first and second limit stops, including the gap distance, without relative rotation between the spreadable element and the interior element and being contactable with each limit stop, wherein the radially spreadable element and the interior element cooperate to form a spreading device supported axially at the end of the inner tube, the spreading device for clamping the inner tube within the outer tube by radial outer surface portions of the radially spreadable element frictionally engaging with the interior wall of the outer tube, wherein the adjusting screw is fixed within the inner tube by a plug with a collar facing the spreadable element and the interior element, and wherein the interior element comprises a surface facing said collar, which is provided with at least one axial protrusion extending towards said collar and which is contactable with a surface of said collar.