Telescopic support with internal brake

The telescopic support with an internal brake provides a telescoping tube with a selectively actuable and adjustable internal braking mechanism. At least one lower opening is formed through a lower end of a sidewall of an inner hollow tube. A mounting plate is secured within the inner tube adjacent the lower end, and at least one resilient element is secured to the mounting plate so that the resilient element projects through the lower opening. At least one brake pad is secured to the resilient element, so that the brake pad contacts an inner surface of an outer hollow tube when the internal brake is engaged. At least one cable is provided, with a lower end thereof being secured to the brake pad. An actuating mechanism linearly translates the upper end of the at least one cable to selectively disengage the brake pad from the inner surface of the outer hollow tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telescoping tubes and supports, and particularly to a telescoping support with internal brake to selectively and adjustably lock an inner tube with respect to an outer tube.

2. Description of the Related Art

Music stands and the like using telescopic supports in order to provide vertical adjustment are well known in the art. Such stands and supports typically include a releasable locking mechanism, such as a screw or clamp, that allows an inner tube of the telescopic support to be locked in position with respect to an outer tube thereof. Such screws, clamps and similar locking mechanisms, however, are typically awkward and difficult to operate, typically requiring the user to use both of his or her hands in order to release the locking mechanism. Musicians, in particular, often require easy and quick adjustment of their music stands, especially when the musician is handling his or her instrument with at least one of his or her hands. It would be desirable to provide a release and adjustment mechanism for telescopic supports which allows the user to easily and quickly unlock the positioning of the support, preferably with only a single hand.

Thus, a telescopic support with an internal brake solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The telescopic support with an internal brake provides a telescoping tube, such as those typically associated with music stands, intravenous bag stands and the like, with a selectively actuable and adjustable internal braking mechanism to selectively and adjustably lock an inner tube with respect to an outer tube. The inner tube has opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end being slidably received within the outer tube. At least one lower opening is formed through a sidewall of the inner tube adjacent the lower end thereof.

A mounting plate is secured within the inner tube adjacent the lower end thereof, and at least one resilient element is secured to the mounting plate such that the at least one resilient element at least partially projects through the at least one lower opening formed through the sidewall of the inner tube. At least one brake pad is secured to the at least one resilient element, so that the at least one brake pad contacts an inner surface of the outer tube when the internal brake is in an engaged state.

At least one cable having opposed upper and lower ends is provided. The lower end of the cable is secured to the at least one brake pad. An actuating mechanism is also provided for linearly translating the upper end of the at least one cable to selectively disengage the at least one brake pad from the inner surface of the outer tube.

At least one bearing is rotatably mounted to the mounting plate. The cable is partially wound about the at least one bearing. A collar is provided, the upper end of the cable being secured to the collar. The actuating mechanism for linearly translating the upper end of the at least one cable preferably includes a fixed base secured within the inner tube adjacent the upper end thereof. A portion of the fixed base projects through an upper opening formed through the inner tube adjacent the upper end thereof. The actuating mechanism further includes a trigger plate slidably mounted within the inner tube adjacent the upper end thereof. A portion of the trigger plate projects through the upper opening. The fixed base and the trigger plate are spaced apart when the internal brake is in the engaged state. In use, the user may squeeze the trigger plate and the fixed base together to cause translation of the at least one cable, compressing the at least one resilient element so that the at least one brake pad disengages from the inner surface of the outer tube.

A passage is formed through the trigger plate. The upper end of the at least one cable passes through the passage. The collar is positioned between the trigger plate and the fixed base when the internal brake is in the engaged state, and a cavity is formed in the fixed base so that the collar is slidably received within the cavity. Even when in the engaged state, an upper portion of the collar is preferably received within the cavity in order to maintain proper alignment between the collar and cavity. The collar is further held in proper alignment with respect to the cavity of the fixed base by the positioning of the fixed base and trigger plate with respect to the upper opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring toFIGS. 1-3, the telescopic support with an internal brake, designated generally as10in the drawings, provides a telescoping tube, such as those typically associated with music stands, intravenous bag stands and the like, with a selectively-actuable and adjustable internal braking mechanism to selectively and adjustably lock an inner tube14with respect to an outer tube12. It should be understood that inner tube14and outer tube12are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any suitable number of tubes may be utilized to form the telescopic tube10, and that the relative dimensions of tubes12,14are further shown for exemplary purposes only. Additionally, it should be understood that telescopic tube10may be used for any desired application, such as the aforementioned music stands or intravenous bag holders, or for any other application requiring the usage of a telescopic tube. It should further be understood that any desired type of tubes may be used. Though shown in the Figures as being hollow tubes, it should be understood that solid or partially-filled tubes may also be utilized. Further, it should be understood that the braking system may be used with any suitable type of system, rather than only with telescopic tubing. For example, any outer structure having a channel formed therethrough, with an inner sliding core, tube or other structure may replace the outer and inner tubes described herein.

The inner tube14has opposed upper and lower ends, with the lower end being slidably received within the outer tube12, as shown. At least one lower opening is formed through a sidewall of the inner tube14adjacent the lower end thereof. Preferably, a pair of openings44,46are formed through the lower end of inner tube14, with openings44,46being diametrically opposed with respect to one another. It should be understood that inner and outer tubes14,12, respectively, may have any desired contouring, such as being substantially cylindrical or having a square cross-sectional contour, for example, and may have any desired dimensions.

A mounting plate48is secured within the inner tube14adjacent the lower end thereof. As best shown inFIG. 3, a plurality of rods60are provided to secure the mounting plate48within inner hollow tube14, although it should be understood that any suitable type of attachment may be utilized to fixedly secure the mounting plate48adjacent the lower end of inner tube14, between the openings44,46. It should be understood that mounting plate48is shown for exemplary purposes only, and may have any desired contouring, dimensions or configuration. As an alternative, mounting plate48may be removed, and resilient elements40,42, bearings54,46and brake pads32,34(all to be described in greater detail below) may be held by any suitable type of attachment or mounting.

At least one resilient element is secured to the mounting plate48, as shown. Preferably, a pair of resilient elements40,42are provided, such that the resilient elements40,42each at least partially projects through a respective one of lower openings44,46formed through the sidewall of the inner tube14. Although shown as being leaf springs, it should be understood that any suitable type of resilient elements may be utilized. Leaf springs40,42are shown being secured to mounting plate48by pairs of pins50,52, respectively, though it should be understood that any suitable type of attachment or mounting may be utilized. Additionally, any suitable number of resilient elements may be utilized.

Further, at least one brake pad is secured to the at least one resilient element. Preferably, a pair of brake pads32,34are provided, as shown, respectively secured to leaf springs40,42. Any suitable type of brake pad or frictional element may be utilized, and it should be understood that brake pads32,34are shown for exemplary purposes only. Brake pads32,34are secured to resilient elements40,42such that the brake pads32,34contact an inner surface of the outer tube12when the internal brake is in the engaged state.

At least one cable, having opposed upper and lower ends, is further provided, with the lower end thereof being secured to the at least one brake pad. As shown, first and second cables28,30are preferably provided, with the upper ends thereof being secured to a collar20by a set screw22, or by any other suitable fixture, and with the lower end of first cable28being secured to brake pad32by a screw36or the like, and with the lower end of the second cable30being secured to brake pad34by a similar screw38or the like. Preferably, as shown, brake pads32,34are positioned diametrically opposite one another, with respect to inner hollow tube14and outer tube12. Further, a pair of bearings54,56, or any other suitable rotating elements, such as rotating pins, are rotatably mounted to the mounting plate48, with the first and second cables28,30each partially winding about a respective one of bearings54,56, as shown.

An actuating mechanism is provided for linearly translating the upper ends of the cables28,30to selectively disengage the brake pads32,34from the inner surface of the outer tube12. The actuating mechanism preferably includes a fixed base16secured within the inner tube14adjacent the upper end thereof, with a portion of the fixed base16projecting through an upper opening62(best seen inFIG. 3) formed through the inner hollow tube14adjacent the upper end thereof. The actuating mechanism further includes a trigger plate24slidably mounted within the inner tube14adjacent the upper end thereof, with a portion of the trigger plate24also projecting through the upper opening62, as shown.

As shown inFIG. 1, the fixed base16and the trigger plate24are spaced apart when the internal brake is in the engaged state. In use, as shown inFIG. 2, the user may squeeze the trigger plate24and the fixed base16together to cause translation of cables28,30, thus compressing the resilient elements40,42and causing brake pads32,34to disengage from the inner surface of the outer tube12. In the disengaged state ofFIG. 2, the user may then adjust the position of inner hollow tube14with respect to outer tube12. When the desired positioning is achieved, the user may release the trigger plate24and, due to the resilient biasing of resilient elements40,42, the brake pads32,34re-engage the inner surface of the outer tube12, thus locking the inner tube14in place with respect thereto. As an alternative, the upper portions of cables28,30may be replaced by a rod or the like, with the upper end of rod being secured to trigger plate24, and the cables being secured to the lower end of the rod.

As shown, a passage26is preferably formed through the trigger plate24, with the upper ends of cables28,30passing through the passage26and being joined together by collar20. The collar20is positioned between the trigger plate24and the fixed base16when the internal brake is in the engaged state (as shown inFIG. 1), and a cavity18is formed in the fixed base16such that the collar20is slidably received within the cavity18(as shown inFIG. 2). Even when in the engaged state, an upper portion of the collar20is preferably received within the cavity18in order to maintain proper alignment between the collar20and cavity18. The collar20is further held in proper alignment with respect to the cavity18of the fixed base by the positioning of the fixed base16and trigger plate24with respect to the upper opening62. Additionally, a seal may be provided to at least partially cover upper opening62in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior of inner tube14. It should be understood that trigger plate24and fixed base16are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any desired type of actuating mechanism, allowing the user to selectively linearly translate cables28,30to disengage brake pads32,34may be utilized. Alternatively, it should be understood that collar20may be fully displaced from within cavity18when in the engaged state, and any suitable mechanism, contouring or additional elements may be utilized to maintain alignment between collar20and cavity18, dependent upon the particular needs and desires of the user.