Patent ID: 7637684

Claim:
A lock for use in releasably locking a first tubular structure of a first diameter and a second tubular structure of a second diameter in a predetermined position telescopically in relation to each other, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, the lock comprising: a gripping component arranged to grip at least the second tubular structure and a locking component arranged such that the lock has a locked position in which the second tubular structure is held in place relative to the first tubular structure and an open position in which the second tubular structure is telescopically movable relative to the first tubular structure, wherein the gripping component comprises a first part sized and arranged to receive the first tubular structure and a second part extending from the first part and sized and arranged to receive the second tubular structure wherein the second part comprises a plurality of resilient fingers, wherein the locking component extends around at least part of the gripping component, wherein the locking component comprises a collar that extends around the gripping component and contacts at least part of an outer surface of the gripping component, wherein the collar is provided with a first cam surface set comprising at least one earn surface positioned on an inner surface of the collar such that at least one cam surface of the first cam surface set contacts at least one of the plurality of resilient fingers so as to bring the resilient fingers into contact with the second tubular structure when the collar is in the locked position, wherein the first part of the gripping component is provided with a plurality of cut away portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gripping component, providing the first part with a plurality of resilient arms separated by at least one of the plurality of cut away portions, wherein the collar of the locking component is provided with a second cam surface set comprising at least one cam surface positioned on the inner surface of the collar such that at least one of the cam surfaces of the second cam surface set contacts at least one of the plurality of resilient arms when the collar is in the locked position.