Patent ID: 8162581

Claim:
A releasable locking member, comprising: a handle; a shank connected at a first end to the handle, wherein the shank has an axial bore extending through the shank along a longitudinal axis thereof and a lateral opening; a multi-component shaft assembly having a shaft and a separate spindle component, the shaft extending through the bore of the shank, wherein the shaft has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion extending between the first and second end portions, the spindle having a proximal end facing the shaft and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the spindle further including a bore extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, the bore being shaped to receive the second end portion of the shaft to securely connect the separate spindle to the second end portion of the shaft; an actuator member connected to the first end portion of the shaft; a ball received in the lateral opening in the shank; and a biasing member positioned between the actuator member and a wall of the handle, wherein the biasing member biases the shaft such that the spindle cooperates with the ball such that the ball projects beyond an outer surface the shank.