Patent ID: 7144180

Claim:
A locking device comprising: an inner element and an outer element, the inner element having a lower free end being extendable and axially movable from a first end of the outer element in a first direction, the inner element being slidable inside the outer element, a locking member for looking the inner element relative to the outer element, an actuating member connected to a looking engagement device, the locking engagement device being in operative engagement with the locking member, the actuating member extending in a second direction away from the first end of the outer element towards a second opposite end of the outer element, the actuating member extending along the outer element, the second direction being opposite the first direction, an operating member in operative engagement with the actuating member and remote from the locking member, the locking member being operable by the operating member via the actuating member, the actuating member being displaceable along, or turnable about, an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the outer element, the locking member having a locking surface to engage the inner element, the locking surface being fixed in an axial position relative to the outer element so that the locking surface is axially non-movable in the second direction relative to the outer element, the locking engagement device being axially movable relative to the inner and the outer elements, the locking surface having an effective diameter that increases when the locking engagement device engages the locking member and decreases when the locking engagement device disengages the locking member, and the inner element having a fastening device adjacent to the lower free end of the inner element for attaching a tool to the fastening device.