US2495674A

US2495674A - Extensible standard

Info

Publication number: US2495674A
Application number: US659553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred S Lewis
Original assignee: Electro Voice Inc
Current assignee: Bosch Security Systems Inc
Priority date: 1946-04-04
Filing date: 1946-04-04
Publication date: 1950-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1967-01-24

Description

flan M, mm F. s. LEWIS EXTENSIBLE STANDARD Filed Apri 4' 46 IN VENTOR BY @2 E l f'W/S.

A TTOR S Patented Jan. 24, 1950 EXTENSIBLE STANDARD Fred S. Lewis, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Electro-Voice, Incorporated, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application April 4, 1946, Serial No. 659,553

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in extensible standards, such as microphone stands, music stands, lamp standards, tripod legs, and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a standard which is simple in construction, which locks positively in any adjustment, which is adjustable by one hand, which is controlled by a push button, which is noiseless, which accommodates swiveling of the extensible portion thereof, and which may be of any desired decorative appearance.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which has a pair of telescoping tubes completely confining therein the locking mechanism therefor which is independent of the fit of the tubes to permit the use of tubes of different sizes and shapes Without requiring snu sliding fits therebetween. A further object is to provide a standard of this character which may be extended to any position by a manual pull thereon and locks automatically in the desired extended position, and which requires only the operation of a push button to permit retraction thereof to any desired position at which it locks automatically when the button is released.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

" In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the device with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the device.

' Fig. 3 is a detail face view of the locking member.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view shOWiIlg the locking member in released position.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the inventiomthe numeral I designates the base of the standard which mounts an outer telescopin tube I2. An inner extension tube I4 fits telescopically within tube I2 and mounts a fitting I6 upon its upper end. A microphone I8 or other article to be supported is mounted upon the fitting I6.

The base It may be of any character desired, i. e., either a solid base as shown or an extensible and collapsible base of suitable construction. The base has a central vertical screw-threaded bore which receives a reduced screw-threaded stud 20 projecting from the lower end of a cylindrical member 22 whose lower marginal shoulder preferably bears against the upper surface of the base to be solidly anchored thereto. The lower end of the outer tube l2 fits snugly around the member 22 and is fixedly secured thereto, as by a pin or rivet 24 extending diametrically through said tube and member. A ring 26 encircles the lower end of tube I2 and bears against the top of base ID. This ring serves as a trim member and also assists in holding the parts in desired relation. The member 22 has an axial bore-in its upper end and an elongated rigid rod 28 fits snugly in said bore and is anchored by the pin 24 which passes therethrough.

The upper tube I 4 fits freely and slidably within the outer tube I2, and preferably has a slight clearance therein, as shown. A retainin ring 30 is secured to and projects from the upper end of tube I2 and confines a fiber ring or washer 32 which encircles and engages the upper tube I4. A cup-shaped member having a thick base 34 and a cylindrical flange 36 is screw-threaded or otherwise secured in the lower end of tube I4. A portion of base 34 projects below the tube I4 and has a circumferential groove in which a fiber ring or washer 38 seats and from which said ring projects for engagement with tube l2. Base 34 has an axial bore receiving a bearing 40 which fits snugly and slidably around the rod 28. The lower end of tube M has a longitudinal slot 42 formed therein.

A locking member 44, of the construction best shown' in Fig. 3, fits within the tube I4. This member comprises a rigid circular plate'or disc whose outer diameter is slightly less than the inner diameter of the tube I4. An ear 45 'projects radially outwardly from member 44 and projects through the slot 42 in said tube. The slot 42 is of a length to project slightly above the upper edge of fiange 36, whereby said ear rests upon said fiange and is free to shift between horizontal and tilted positions. Member 44 has a central aperture 48 of a diameter slightly greater than rod 28. This diameter is calculated to accommodate free sliding of the member 44 upon the rod 28 when positioned horizontally, as shown in Fig. 4, and to bear firmly against the rod at diametrically opposed points when the member 44 is tilted as shown in Fig. 2. In diametrically opposed relation to the ear 46, a recess 50 is formed in member 44 for purposes to be described.

The fitting I5 mounted upon the upper end of the upper tube I4 has a marginal cylindrical depending flange 52 which fits around and is secured to the end of tube I4. A reduced diameter neck portion 54 projects upwardly from the base 56 of the fitting and is located eccentrically of said base. The lower portion of neck 54 inclines upwardly and inwardly and the upper portion 58 thereof is preferably vertical and concentric with base 56. The portion 58 is screw-threaded at its upper end to cooperate with a threaded sleeve or nut 6|] which serves to secure in place the microphone or other article I8 which the standard is intended to support. The base of the fitting has a vertical bore 62 therethrough adjacent 3 its margin and diametrically opposite from the neck 54.

An elongated vertical rod fi l fits. slidably in the bore 62 and normally-projects a short distance above the base 56 as illustrated. The rod is somewhat shorter than tube l2 and terminates slightly above the member 44. The lower end of .rod- 64.

has a central bore in which the upper end of a pin 66 is anchored. Pin 66 depends from rod 64.

and passes through the slot 5ll in-member 44 and through a vertical aperture in member 34. A

head 68 is formed on the lower en ds, of. pin 66 and;

'ld is formedin the outer tube l2 just above the level of the membere22, and an air vent I6 is formed in the uppertube ill just below the flange th fit ing. I a. henqrmalpos ion f h p rt f; h vi is illustrated. in Fig. 2. Note. that the spring 10 holdsthemember 44, in, upwardly tilted position whereby diametrically opposed edge portions of the cylindrical wall defining the aperture 44 have afirm. frictional locking engagement withthe rod 28..which serves .automatic ally,to. lock the tubes inrselectedpositiom Any downwardipressure .upon the tube 1 4 is resisted. by said locking engagement of the parts. Reverse or upwardmovement of tube I4 is not. so. resisted, however. Thus,-as tube 14 *is raised,- any tendency. ofthe member to grip thefred 28 ientails-a tilting of'said member oward horizontal: p s n. t e y u matically disengaging the lock. Thelock; 44 automatically ree ats as; soon as. up movement: of tube [4 stops,;thus insuring locking "of the parts \Villhf outrmanipulafiiqnthereof. For downward adjusts ment of, the standard, ityis only necessary .to dewpress. the rodefidiagainst. the action of: spring '10 to position theilock l l substantially horizontal as shown-in Fig. 4... This is accomplishedby grasping the tube near its upper end and. depressing the rod with one finger, such as .thethumb. As long as -the-rod-Iill is depressed, the tube l4 may be moved-freely, but as soon as the rod 64 is released the 4 lock automatically anchors the tube against further downward movement. Hence 'it will be apparentthat one I of the primary advantages of the device is-that the user may adjust it by use of only one hand.

The devicehas many-other advantages. The absence of metal to metal contact, except at the locking parts, results in substantially noiseless operation. The absence of interlocking action between thetelescopingtubes accommodates freedomor ease of operation and adjustment. The centering and anchoring of the upper tube at the central rod permits clearance between the tubes and eliminates need for testing of tube fits. Also, it permitstubesof fluted or other decorative con-,

tours to be used. The only exposed part of the locking mechanism is the short projecting end of the lock,releasing rod;,which, iseasy to operate and does not detract from theappearance of the device. The device permits rotation of the upper tube within the lower tube without releasing or interfering with the lock. It will also be noted that the inner tube and the locking plate and releasing rod can beassembled as a unit and inserted in the outer tube. Release of sleeve 30 permits quick disassembly of the device for repair or-replacement of parts.

It will be understood that while the construction described and illustrated is preferred, the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms utilizing the same combination andarrangement of parts as herein-claimed:

I claim:

1. An extensible standard comprising a base. a tube secured to said base, a rod secured to-said base and positioned within said tube, a second tube fitting slidably within'said first tube, a tilt plate carried by said second tube-and havingan aperture fitting around said rod, resilient means normally tilting said'plate to interlocking enslidable onv said inner member andsecured to the inner: endjof saidctube to close the lower end. foi

aligned apertures eccentriethereof, the inner end,

member havinganaperture slidable on said inner elongated member, a rod slidable in said aligned apertures with. itsv upper end;.proiecting above said upper end member, a plate tiltably carriediby.

said tube, and a spring for tilting said plateto.

' grip said inner elongatedlmember, said.rod.being longitudinally slidable to tilt saidplate to :a position slidable on' said-' inner elongated member against theaction-of said: spring.

FRED S; LEWIS;

REFERENCES? CITED.

The. following, references. are ,of, recordin the.