Patent ID: 6607347
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A stabilizing leg for work vehicles comprising:a tubular outer member having four lateral generally continuous surfaces and a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section; a stabilizer rod having four lateral generally continuous surfaces and a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section, said stabilizer rod fitting telescopically at least partially within said tubular outer member, said tubular outer member and said stabilizer rod each having four generally matching corners formed by contiguous surfaces, each corner comprising an edge; a one, and only one, clearance adjusting mechanism for adjusting the clearance between said tubular outer member and said stabilizer rod, said clearance adjusting mechanism including: an opening through one edge of said tubular outer member; at least one pad seat formed in and through said one edge of said tubular outer member; at least one elongate adjusting pad fitted to said pad seat and extending through said opening so as to rest on said one edge of said stabilizer rod between two contiguous lateral surfaces thereof; said pad having a longitudinal groove therein with a longitudinal profile complementary to that of said one edge; said at least one pad seat is further fitted to said tubular outer member by a stop plate closing said opening on the outside of said tubular outer member, said stop plate defining a bottom portion of said pad seat, and being fixed to the wall of said tubular outer member by lock screws; and said at least one pad seat houses said adjusting pad in an axially-sliding manner so that two opposite axial ends of said adjusting pad rest against said stop plate and on the edge of said stabilizer rod, respectively, whereby tightening of said lock screws pushes said adjusting pad against said first edge of said stabilizer rod and push a second edge thereof, opposing said first edge, into contact with the inside corner of said tubular outer member opposite said through opening.