Patent ID: 7083197

Claim:
A locking device for two components displaceable relative to each other and each having a toothed rack with a plurality of teeth located next to each other, the toothed racks of the two components being arranged opposite each other, the locking device comprising: a clamping device which provides for movement of the two components toward each other whereby the teeth of the opposite toothed racks are brought into engagement with each other, and in an open position of which, the opposite toothed racks are spaced from each other and the two components can be displaced relative to each other; and at least one operating element displaceable against a spring biasing force and provided on at least one of the opposite toothed racks for preventing tips of the teeth of the opposite tooth racks from being located opposite each other during closing of the clamping device, the operating element having at least one tooth a tip of which projects beyond a plane of tips of the teeth of the at least one of the opposite racks in an outwardly preloaded position of the operating element, and is located opposite a side flank of a tooth of another of the opposite toothed racks when the tips of the teeth of the opposite racks are loaded directly opposite each other; wherein two side flanks of the at least one tooth of the operating element have at least in one section of their respective flank extensions, different inclinations, and wherein a side flank the one section of which is steeper, is located opposite a tip of a tooth of the another of the opposite toothed racks when the tips of the teeth of the opposite toothed racks are located directly opposite each other.