AU2001100371A4 - A length adjustable assembly - Google Patents

Description

A LENGTH ADJUSTABLE ASSEMBLY.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved means for length adjustment and in particular to an assembly for the controlled raising and lowering (height or length adjustment) of a supported object, such as a table, ladder, crutch and the like.

BACKGROUND ART It is well known that the height of load-bearing supports for various structures may be adjusted in order to make the structures more practical and also more convenient.

There are various types of known adjustment mechanisms. One example is a pin and slot mechanism, which allows for easy adjustment without tools, but can weaken the support member if too many slots are used. The number of slots is dependent upon the height increments that are required by the user or manufacturer. The number and separation of the slots is a balance between the strength of the support member and the usefulness of the different heights.

Another type of known adjustment mechanism used is the clamp type wherein a lever is used to force a locking block against the member to hold its position.

Due to the fact that these clamps are an inertial or friction type lock, the structure is not generally capable of supporting large weights or of withstanding a high momentum blow to the structure such as a weight being dropped onto it.

A third type of known height adjustment mechanism is the levelling foot on appliances such as commercially manufactured washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. These are used to level the machine on an uneven base so as to balance the machine and reduce vibration and noise. The levelling foot is able to traverse only a small distance before stopping and generally has no locking 2 mechanism. They are a 'set and forget' type of adjustment, usually only used when the machine is new or when it has been moved to a new location. The mechanism is not easily reached, usually being placed under the body of the machine and they generally require one or more tools for manipulation and adjustment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a length adjustable assembly, which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful and commercial choice.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use, length adjustable assembly which can be adjusted either by hand or tool with small height increments possible in order to provide strong, stable support for many types of structures.

In one form the invention resides in a length adjustable assembly, which has: an elongate barrel having a first end and a second end, at least one end being provided with an external threaded section; one or more elongate members adapted to pass at least partially through the barrel, and having an external threaded section extending at least partially along the member; and; a locking member adapted to releasably lock the barrel and the elongate member relative to each other, the locking member adapted to engage with the external threaded section on the elongate barrel and with the external threaded section on the elongate member.

The elongate barrel of the length adjustable assembly is typically straight, preferably hollow and cylindrical but could be any suitable shape. It may be of any suitable length. However the length would suitably range between 20 cm and 300 cm depending on the use to which the length adjustable assembly is to be put.

The diameter of the barrel would preferably be between 20-200 mm. The barrel would suitably be manufactured from any material appropriate for supporting a load. Examples of appropriate materials are metal (mild or hardened), or engineering plastics.

The elongate barrel has an external threaded section and lacks thread internally.

The threaded section suitably extends from adjacent an end. The length of the threaded section is preferably 10-100 mm or other length so that it can suitably be used to lock the barrel and the elongate member relative to each other.

Each elongate member is preferably a straight, solid rod. It is required to be slender but possess suitable strength to support a load. The member suitably has a length of 0.5-3 m, but this length would be determined according to the purpose to which the length adjustable assembly is to be put. The elongate member is adapted to pass at least partially through the barrel and so suitably has a diameter of 10-190 mm.

The member is manufactured of a material suitable to the support of loads and is preferably made of metal, though engineering plastics or other materials could be suitable also.

The elongate member has an external threaded section. Preferably, this threaded section extends substantially along the entire length of the member, but there may be one or more unthreaded sections.

Suitably, the elongate member is able to slide freely through the barrel, thereby providing versatility in length adjustment.

The locking member is suitably 5-150 mm in length. However the corresponding dimensions of the elongate barrel and the elongate member will determine the dimensions of the locking member.

The locking member possesses an inner surface and preferably this inner surface is provided with two threaded sections. One of the inner threaded sections is adapted to receive the elongate barrel threaded section and the other inner threaded section is adapted to receive the elongate member threaded section.

The outer surface of the locking member is suitably adapted to provide a gripfriendly profile.

Preferably each assembly will include a secondary locking member which can function to assist the primary locking member fixing the barrel and the elongate member relative to each other.

The secondary locking member will suitably be positioned adjacent to the primary locking member in order to secure the assembly. The secondary locking member will preferably be manufactured from metal and be 5-50 mm in length. It also will have a grip-friendly profile.

Preferably, the elongate member is attached to the elongate barrel such that it cannot be entirely removed from the elongate barrel. One method of achieving this, as an example only, is to crimp the end of the elongate member and provide a ridge on the inner surface of the barrel large enough that the crimped end cannot pass it.

The assembly may suitably also be configured with slots positioned in the elongate members, preferably in an unthreaded section, which can receive a tenon from an elongated rib of a cross-linked bracing panel. The tenon would suitably possess a raised flange positioned along its length to control the length of insertion into the slot and also to fix the bracing panel into position until released by depressing the flange.

Preferably, the first end of the elongate barrel terminates with an attachment plate, which is securely fixed by welding for example, to the first end. This attachment plate may be any shape but is preferably circular, possessing at least three holes for the purpose of receiving fasteners to attach the plate to the structure or object being supported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of the elongate barrel.

Figure 1A is a plan view of the elongate barrel with the preferred circular attachment plate.

Figure 2 is an elevation view of the elongate member with the preferred aspect of a continually threaded length.

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the primary locking member receiving both the primary barrel and secondary member, with the secondary locking member adjacent to it.

Figure 3A is a sectional view of the primary and secondary locking members to show internal workings.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the bracing panel.

Figure 4A is an elevation view of the detachably joined bracing panel and two length adjustable assemblies.

Figure 4B is a close-up of the elongate members and bracing panel showing the raised flange to control insertion length.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention indicating the length adjustable assembly as used on a table in the lowest position and showing the bracing panel.

Figure 5A is an end elevation of Figure Figure 5B is a plan view of Figure Figure 6 is a front elevation of second preferred embodiment of the invention indicating the deployment of the length adjustable assemblies on an uneven surface.

Figure 7 depicts a third preferred embodiment of the invention as attached to an all terrain ladder or trestle.

Figure 7A is a sectional view of the invention as applied to the all terrain ladder of Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the device incorporated into a walking stick.

Figure 9 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the device incorporated into a crutch.

Figure 9A shows the crutch of Figure 9 in the portable position with both elongate members fully enclosed in the elongate barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention a length adjustable assembly is provided.

The length adjustable assembly comprises an elongate barrel having a first end and a second end. The elongate barrel is straight, preferably hollow and cylindrical but could be any suitable shape. It may be of any suitable length.

However the length would suitably range between 20 cm and 300 cm depending on the use to which the length adjustable assembly is to be put.

The diameter of the elongate barrel (10) would preferably be between 20-200 mm. The elongate barrel (10) would suitably be manufactured from any material appropriate for supporting a load, but is preferably metal.

According to the first embodiment of the current invention in Figure 5, the first end of the elongate barrel (10) terminates with an attachment plate which is securely fixed to the first end, for example by welding. This attachment plate (11) possesses at least three pre-bored holes for the purpose of receiving fasteners such as screws or bolts, to attach the plate to the table. These holes (12) would be spaced evenly around the plate (11) between the extremity of the plate (11) and the outside of the elongate barrel According to the third preferred embodiment shown in Figure 7, the first end of the elongate barrel (10) may be formed into the leg of a ladder or trestle or, according to the fourth preferred embodiment (Figure8) be formed into the handle of a walking stick.

According to the fifth preferred embodiment in Figure 9, the first end of the elongate barrel may also terminate in an external threaded section, either spaced from or continuing to, its terminus. This threaded section would be between 100mm in height.

The second end of the elongate barrel (10) has an external threaded section either spaced from or continuing to, its terminus. This threaded section is between 30-100mm in height.

On the inner surface of the elongate barrel is a raised portion This raised portion is designed to attach the elongate member (15) to the elongate barrel (10) such that it cannot be entirely removed from the elongate barrel It will be curved in aspect, continue substantially around the inner circumference of the elongate barrel (10) and receivably engage a crimped end (16) of an elongate member The length adjustable assembly is also provided with at least one elongate member They will preferably be a straight, solid rod, made of metal or engineering plastic. The length of the elongate members would be determined by the purpose to which the length adjustable assembly is to be put, but would typically range from 0.5-3m. The elongate member (15) is adapted to pass at least partially through the elongate barrel (10) and so suitably has a diameter of 10-190 mm.

Each elongate member (15) also possesses a first end and a second end. The first end of the secondary member terminates with a crimped edge (16) at its extremity, in order to engage with the raised portion (14) of the elongate barrel The second end of the elongate member preferably has an unthreaded section containing a mortice The unthreaded section at the second end of the secondary member would typically terminate in a foot preferably formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction to prevent sliding.

The elongate member has a threaded section Preferably, this threaded section extends substantially along the entire length of the member, but there may be at least one unthreaded section.

The elongate member (15)is able to slide freely through the elongate barrel Mounted so as to matingly receive the threaded sections of both the elongate barrel (10) and the elongate member (15) is the primary locking member 9 This is a hexagonal mechanism with an upper internal threaded section (22) and lower internal threaded section (23) of differing dimensions to receive the elongate barrel (10) and the elongate member threaded sections. This primary locking member (20) will preferably be between 5-150 mm in length and be manufactured of metal.

By screwing onto the elongate member the primary locking member can be detached from the elongate barrel The primary locking member can then be moved to any position along the elongate member threaded section and then reintroduced to the threaded section of the elongate barrel to adjust the length of the overall assembly Preferably, positioned adjacent to the primary locking member on the threaded section of the elongate member (15) is a secondary locking member which can be tightened against the primary locking member (20) to support it and thus assist in adjusting the length of the overall assembly The secondary locking member (21) is preferably hexagonal, but may be any shape and has an inner thread, which is mated to the thread of the elongate member According to the first preferred embodiment the supported table is provided with a bracing panel The bracing panel (24) has elongated ribs (25) terminating at both ends with a tenon (28) matched in size to a mortice (18) in the elongate member The mortice (18) in the elongate member (15) is placed so that when using more than one length adjustable assembly (30) for an object, the slots in all of them may receive a tenon (28) from a bracing panel Each tenon (28) has a raised flange (29) positioned along its length to control the length of insertion into the mortice The flange (29) will also prevent the tenon (28) moving out of the mortice (18) unless pressed into the tenon (28) by a means of depression. The bracing panel (24) has least one cross-rail (26) linking the elongated ribs The bracing panel (24) can be introduced to the mortices (18) and has dimensions slightly smaller than the distance between the length adjustable assemblies (30) thus placing the bracing panel (24) under a load and preventing the assemblies (30) from spreading apart.

According to a second preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the length adjustable assemblies can be used to support a table on uneven ground without the bracing panel(24) attached.

According to a third preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 7, another practical use for the adjustable support members is as legs attached to an all terrain ladder or trestle. In this embodiment the elongate barrel (10) forms the leg of the ladder or trestle. This application could be widely used in the construction industry for stability on uneven ground.

According to a fourth preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 8, the assembly can be incorporated into a walking stick. Such an embodiment could be widely applicable in the health and rehabilitation fields.

According to a fifth preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 9, the assembly can be incorporated into a crutch. Figure 9 shows the elongate barrel attached to two primary locking members (20) and receiving two elongate members This would allow a much greater adjustment distance and allow adjustment of length above the barrel as well as below.

It is expected that the device described herewithin could have a variety of applications in many fields. It could find use attached to virtually any load-bearing device in need of levelling or length adjustment as it gives greater strength, 11 greater variability and is far easier to manipulate than current devices.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (4)

1. An assembly for the height adjustment of supported object comprising: an elongate barrel having a first end and a second end, at least one end being provided with an external threaded section; one or more elongate members adapted to pass at least partially through the barrel, and having an external threaded section extending at least partially along the member; and a locking member adapted to releasably lock the barrel and the elongate member relative to each other, the locking member adapted to engage with the external threaded section on said barrel and with the external threaded section on the elongate member.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a secondary locking member is positioned adjacent to the primary locking member on the elongate member which can be tightened against the primary locking member to secure its position.

3. An assembly as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the elongate member is attached to the elongate barrel such that it cannot be entirely removed from the elongate barrel.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the assembly forms part of a table, a ladder, a trestle, a crutch, a walking stick, a stilt- like device or an extendable member of any sort. An assembly substantially as described with reference to the attached drawings. 13 Dated this 13 th day of September 2001 Victor Bromley Foi Nichols By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.