Patent ID: 6796446
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: A47G,F16B,F16M

Abstract:
An apparatus for adjusting the relative position between two elongate, tubular shafts, the apparatus comprising:an outer elongate, tubular shaft having a diameter and an inside wall; an inner elongate, tubular shaft having a diameter, the diameter of the inner shaft being less than the diameter of the outer shaft permitting the inner shaft to be slidable at least partially within the outer shaft; a wedge element positioned within the outer shaft, the wedge element movable between a wedged position disposed against the inner wall of the outer shaft and an unwedged position generally removed from the inner wall of the outer shaft, the wedged position substantially preventing relative movement between the inner and outer shafts and the unwedged position permitting relative movement between the inner and outer shafts; a ramp positioned within the outer shaft and having an inclined surface, the wedge element ridable along the inclined surface of the ramp between the wedged position and the unwedged position; and an actuator member at least partially received within the inner shaft, the actuator member being operably connected to the wedge element for shifting the wedge element along the inclined surface of the ramp between the wedged position and the unwedged position, the actuator member having a first end region operably connected to the wedge element and a second end region, the first and second end regions both being substantially supported by supports within the inner shaft effective to generally maintain the position of the actuator member and the wedge member operably attached thereto.