TELESCOPIC ROD

Abstract: A telescopic rod including an inner rod member (8) and an outer rod member (6) for securing between two faces (1, 2), wherein it comprises a gas spring (5) which acts between intermediate tube (7) and clamping plate (3), a locking device (9) secured to the inner rod member (8), and wherein the intermediate tube (7) is movable relative to the inner rod member (8) and surrounds the inner rod member (8), the intermediate tube (7) is stopped by the locking device (9), and the intermediate tube (7) and the inner rod member (8) are movably disposed inside the outer rod member (6).

Description: TELESCOPIC ROD The present invention relates to a telescopic fixing rod for securing between two faces. The invention is aimed at cases where there is a temporary need to fix supporting means or fittings in a room, without wishing to damage or mark the walls, ceiling or floor. A fixing rod can then be used between the faces (fixing faces), e.g., between the floor and ceiling or between walls, without using glue, screws, nails or other fastening means. The fixing rod is secured due to the friction between the end faces of the rod and the fixing faces. Known fixing rods, as described, e.g., in Norwegian Patent No. 154254 (expired), are mounted having a fixed length. The disadvantage of having a fixed length is that the fixing rod then has a tendency to become loose or to damage the building structure if the distance between the faces changes. To prevent the rod from becoming loose after being in use for some time, it has therefore been usual to use a large undefined tension between the faces, with the added risk of damaging the fixing faces and the building structure. The aforementioned fixing rods are often used as a fixing element for equipment or as supporting means for persons. If a rod of this kind becomes loose, it will have major consequences. The risk involved when using the previously known fixing rods means that these rods must be changed frequently. In addition, specialised knowledge is required to mount the fixing rods in a safe manner There is therefore a need for a rod which can follow the movements of the fixing faces by expanding or contracting in step with them, whilst the tension is held constant. This problem is solved by means of the telescopic rod according to the invention which comprises a telescopic rod including a gas spring which has the effect of holding the tension between the fixing faces constant within its range of expansion. In this way the force between the fixing faces can be optimised and the tension controlled on the basis of the choice of gas spring. Thus the invention relates to a telescopic rod comprising an inner rod member and an outer rod member for securing between two faces, characterised in that it includes a gas spring which acts between an intermediate tube and clamping plate, a locking device secured to the inner rod member, and wherein the intermediate tube is movable relative to the inner rod member and surrounds the inner rod member, the intermediate tube is stopped by the locking device, and the intermediate tube and the inner rod member are movably disposed inside the outer rod member. The telescopic rod according to the invention may be made of metal, plastic wood or another suitable material. A preferred embodiment is described in more detail with reference to Figure 1 which shows a cross-section of the telescopic fixing rod according to the invention. The figure shows the telescopic rod which consists of a gas spring (5) with one end in the end of outer rod member (6) and one end in intermediate tube (7), wherein the intermediate tube (7) transmits the force from the gas spring (5) to the inner rod member (8) through locking device (9), wherein the locking device (9) is secured to the inner rod member (8). The rod is held in position with a predetermined and almost constant force between the two fixing faces (1, 2) in that the gas spring (5) that is secured to the clamping plate (3) inside the outer rod member (6) transmits its force through the rod members (6, 8) to the fixing faces (1, 2), and the gas spring will thus expand or contract if the distance between the fixing faces changes (1, 2) and transmit its almost constant force through the intermediate tube (7) and the locking device (9) to the inner rod member (8) which can slide into the intermediate tube (7), and where the inner rod member (8) can be prevented from sliding into the intermediate tube (7) by the locking device (9) which can be fixed anywhere on the inner rod member (8). At the end of the intermediate tube (7) there is also applied colour marking (10) in one or more colours which becomes visible if the gas spring (5) expands more than anticipated and thus warns of the need to check the tensioning of the rod or that there is a danger associated with further use. In addition, on the outside of screw (14) there is a cover tube (11) that conceals colour marking (12) which becomes visible if the screw is screwed out of the nut (13) more than anticipated and warns that there is a danger associated with further use. The clamping plates (3, 4) are made in the form of flexible shallow cups having large faces of contact towards their periphery against the fixing faces (1, 2), so that the area pressure is reduced and any irregularity in the parallel relation and the surfaces of the fixing faces (1, 2) is compensated.

Claims: P a t e n t c l a i m s 1. A telescopic rod including an inner rod member (8) and an outer rod member (6) for securing between two faces (1, 2), characterised in that it comprises a gas spring (5) which acts between intermediate tube (7) and clamping plate (3), a locking device (9) secured to the inner rod member (8), and wherein the intermediate tube (7) is movable relative to the inner rod member (8) and surrounds the inner rod member (8), the intermediate tube (7) is stopped by the locking device (9), and the intermediate tube (7) and the inner rod member (8) are movably disposed inside the outer rod member (6). 2. The telescopic rod of claim 1, characterised in that on the end of the intermediate tube (7) there is placed a colour marking (10) having one or more colours which becomes visible depending upon how much the gas spring (5) expands. 3. The telescopic rod of any one of claims 1-2, characterised in that a colour marking (12) becomes visible depending upon how much screw (14) is screwed out of nut (13). 4. The telescopic rod of any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the end plates (3, 4) are made in the form of flexible shallow cups of plastic or another material having a face of contact against the fixing faces (1, 2).

Inventors: AMUNDSEN PER ARNE, AMUNDSEN, PER, ARNE
Applicants: AMUNDSEN PER ARNE, AMUNDSEN, PER, ARNE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F16B7
IPC codes: A47B96, A47K3, E04C3