EP3114969B1 - Telescopic rod - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is in the field of telescopic rods.

• un tube externe et un tube interne, ledit tube interne coulissant, par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité libre, dans ledit tube externe;
• un ressort à spires hélicoïdales positionné au moins à l'intérieur du tube externe, et qui coopère en appui par l'une de ses extrémités avec ledit tube interne, tandis que son autre extrémité est immobilisée dans le tube externe,
• et où ledit ressort comporte au moins une portion active de distance D reliant le tube interne avec le tube externe.

The invention particularly relates to a telescopic rod of adjustable length comprising:

• an outer tube and an inner tube, said inner tube sliding, through its free end, into said outer tube;
• a spring with helical turns positioned at least inside the outer tube, and which cooperates in support by one of its ends with said inner tube, while its other end is immobilized in the outer tube,
• and wherein said spring comprises at least one active portion of distance D connecting the inner tube with the outer tube.

Such a device will find a particular application in the field of rods for supporting a curtain, clothing, a decorative object or a lamp. The telescopic rod can be used horizontally or vertically.

It should be noted that the use of a telescopic rod requires a precise adjustment of its length to adapt it to the space it occupies.

For example, if the telescopic rod is used as curtain rod, it is necessary to be able to adjust exactly the length of the rod in accordance with the length of the window that is decorated by a curtain.

In known manner, the document EP 2 272 404 discloses a spring device comprising an inner tube slidable in an outer tube. The connection between the two tubes is made by means of a spring present inside the two tubes. One end of the spring is attached to the outer tube, while the other end is free. The inner tube is provided at its end free of an elongated room whose seat is spiral. This elongated piece allows the introduction of the free end of the spring to drive it inside the inner tube. The outer diameter of the spring is smaller than the diameter of the inner tube, so that by screwing it is possible to introduce the spring in the elongate piece. During maximum screwing, the free end of the spring abuts against the end of the inner tube opposite the free end comprising the elongate piece.

Thus in this configuration, the elongate piece adjusts the length between the two tubes.

Nevertheless, this configuration is complex and requires a spring which is of specific diameter to enter both the elongate piece and the inner tube. The handling of the elongate piece is specific to the diameter of the inner tube and the spring. This length adjustment system separating the telescopic tubes is specific to a single dimension of elongate piece and corresponding spring, the setting is not universal and is not suitable for any type of diameter of the tube or spring.

The document FR 463745 discloses a telescopic rod of adjustable length having a tubular section a external in which slides a tubular section ¹ internal. Said rod also comprises a spring b, inside the outer tubular section a, which cooperates in support by one of its ends with said tubular section internally. The rod also comprises a pin c secured to the tubular section al intern, said pin c to perform the spring support with said tubular section a1 internal. Nevertheless, the invention of this document is complex and does not allow precise adjustment of the length of the bead wire. It is necessary to find an alternative solution to that proposed in the prior art which is simple in design and allows adjustment of the length of the telescopic rod easy and accurate.

The purpose of the present invention is to create a rod telescopic length adjustable to the millimeter and simplified design.

• un tube externe et un tube interne, ledit tube interne coulissant, par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité libre, dans ledit tube externe ;
• un ressort à spires hélicoïdales positionné au moins à l'intérieur du tube externe, et qui coopère en appui par l'une de ses extrémités avec ledit tube interne, tandis que son autre extrémité est immobilisée dans le tube externe,
• et où ledit ressort comporte au moins une portion active de distance D reliant le tube interne avec le tube externe, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une goupille solidaire dudit tube interne au travers de laquelle est réalisé ledit appui, et qui est reliée transversalement audit tube interne et traverse transversalement une des spires de la portion active du ressort, en sorte que la rotation axiale dudit ressort génère son vissage ou son dévissage sur ladite goupille, et permette de faire varier la distance D de ladite portion active, distance D qui est délimitée par la spire traversée par ladite goupille, et, par la spire immobilisée du tube externe la plus proche de ladite goupille.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, by proposing a telescopic rod of adjustable length comprising:

• an outer tube and an inner tube, said inner tube sliding, through its free end, into said outer tube;
• a spring with helical turns positioned at least inside the outer tube, and which cooperates in support by one of its ends with said inner tube, while its other end is immobilized in the outer tube,
• and wherein said spring has at least one active portion distance D connecting the inner tube with the outer tube, characterized in that it comprises a pin integral with said inner tube through which is formed said support, and which is connected transversely to said inner tube and transversely crosses one of the turns of the active portion of the spring, so that the axial rotation of said spring generates its screwing or unscrewing on said pin, and allows to vary the distance D of said active portion, distance D which is delimited by the turn traversed by said pin, and by the immobilized turn of the outer tube closest to said pin.

Thus, the invention allows by its particular design to achieve a precise adjustment and universal adaptation of the length of the rod.

• ladite tringle comporte un moyen de blocage qui immobilise dans le tube externe au moins une des spires de l'extrémité du ressort;
• le moyen de blocage consiste en un système de blocage a expansion ;
• ladite tringle comporte une goupille qui immobilise dans le tube externe au moins une des spires de l'extrémité du ressort;
• l'extrémité du ressort en appui avec le tube interne vient en butée contre l'extrémité libre dudit tube interne ;
• une goupille traverse transversalement une protubérance présente au niveau de l'extrémité libre du tube interne, ladite protubérance étant de diamètre sensiblement inférieure au diamètre du ressort de manière à s'engager ou se désengager dans ledit ressort par vissage ou dévissage dudit ressort autour de ladite goupille;
• ladite goupille se loge transversalement au niveau de l'extrémité libre du tube interne et présente une longueur sensiblement égale au diamètre du tube interne, de manière à ce que par vissage ou dévissage du ressort autour de ladite goupille, ledit ressort s'insère dans ledit tube interne.

In addition, according to other characteristics:

• said rod comprises a locking means which immobilizes in the outer tube at least one of the turns of the end of the spring;
• the blocking means consists of an expansion blocking system;
• said rod comprises a pin which immobilizes in the outer tube at least one of the turns of the end of the spring;
• the end of the spring bearing with the inner tube abuts against the free end of said inner tube;
• a pin transversely traverses a protuberance present at the free end of the inner tube, said protrusion being of diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the spring so as to engage or disengage in said spring by screwing or unscrewing said spring around said pin;
• said pin is housed transversely at the free end of the inner tube and has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the inner tube, so that by screwing or unscrewing the spring around said pin, said spring is inserted into said inner tube.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe de profil d'une tringle télescopique selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention comprenant un élément de blocage à expansion;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe de profil d'une tringle télescopique selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention comprenant dans le tube externe une bague de serrage conique à expansion;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe de profil d'une tringle télescopique selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention, dépourvu de système de blocage à expansion ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe de profil d'une tringle télescopique selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel l'appui est réalisé à l'aide d'un élément 8.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents a sectional sectional view of a telescopic rod according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising an expansion blocking element;
• the figure 2 schematically represents a sectional sectional view of a telescopic rod according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising in the outer tube a conical expansion ring;
• the figure 3 schematically represents a profile sectional view of a telescopic rod according to a third embodiment of the invention, without expansion blocking system;
• the figure 4 schematically represents a profile sectional view of a telescopic rod according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the support is carried out using an element 8.

The present invention relates to a telescopic rod 1 of adjustable length.

Said telescopic rod 1 can be used horizontally or vertically.

It can be used horizontally to support a curtain, decorative objects or clothing. It can be used vertically to support a lamp or clothes.

As illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 said rod 1 comprises an outer tube 2 and an inner tube 3, one of which can slide in the other. In other words, said inner tube 3 slides in said outer tube 2.

According to the invention, said inner tube 3 has two ends, one free end 32 of which can engage in said outer tube 2.

In the same way, said outer tube 2 has two ends, one free end 22 for accommodating the free end 32 during the engagement of the inner tube 3 in the outer tube 2, and an end 23 for fixing and immobilizing one of the ends of a spring 4.

Indeed, according to the invention, said rod 1 also comprises a spring 4 with helical turns, positioned at least inside the outer tube 2.

According to a specific embodiment illustrated in figure 3 said spring 4 can be housed and positioned in both the outer tube 2 and the inner tube 3.

According to the invention, one of the ends 43 of the spring 4 is immobilized in the outer tube 2.

In other words, at least one of the turns of the end 43 of the spring 4 is immobilized in the outer tube 2 by means of locking means 5.

Advantageously, the blocking means 5 consists of an expansion blocking system. Said expansion blocking system may be an expansion blocking element 51 or a conical expansion ring 52.

According to a first embodiment illustrated by the figure 1 the spring 4 is immobilized by means of an expansion locking element 51 having a protrusion 511 coupled to a pin 512. Said pin 512 serves to immobilize one of the turns of the end 43 of the spring 4 within said external tube 2. Said spring 4 is of smaller diameter than the outer tube 2, and of greater diameter than the inner tube 3, so that the spring 4 can not penetrate inside the inner tube 3. According to this first embodiment the spring 4 is connected by its immobilized end 43 to the inside of the outer tube 2 and by its other end 42 to the outside of the inner tube 3.

According to a second embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 the spring 4 is immobilized by means of an expansion conical clamping ring 52 belonging to the outer tube 2. Said outer tube 2, thanks to the conical clamping ring 52, forms a cone for receiving the spring 4 at the level its end 23. More specifically, the clamping ring 52 has an internal thread and complementary to the turns of the spring 4. The presence of this tapping will allow to immobilize the turns of the end 43 of the spring 4. The number of turns spring 4 which can be immobilized in the conical clamping ring 52 depends on the clamping position of the spring 4 within the outer tube 2.

According to a third embodiment illustrated in the figure 3 , the immobilization of the end 43 of the spring 4 within the outer tube 2 is done by fixing at least the last turn of said end 43 of the spring 4 on the bottom wall 21 of the outer tube 2. The fixing is carried out by any known means, for example by riveting the last turn of the spring 4 on the wall of the bottom 21. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall 21 of the outer tube 2 is a movable wall 21 bis, by example in the form of flexible sheet, as illustrated on the figure 4 .

According to the invention, the end 42 of the spring 4 which is opposite the immobilized end 43 in the outer tube 2, is an end 42 cooperating in abutment with the inner tube 3.

Advantageously and as indicated on Figures 1 and 2 , the end 42 of the spring 4 cooperates in abutment with the free end 32 of the inner tube 3.

According to the invention, the support is carried out using at least one pin 6 secured to the inner tube 3.

Thus, said pin 6 makes it possible to define both the end 42 and the end 43 of the spring 4. Indeed, the end 43 of the spring 4 is delimited by the immobilized turn 413 closest to the wall 21 of the bottom. the outer tube 2 and the immobilized turn 412 cooperating with the outer tube 2 which is closest to said pin 6.

Advantageously, said pin 6 is connected transversely to said inner tube 3.

According to the embodiments illustrated in figure 1 and in figure 2 , the free end 32 of the inner tube 3 which cooperates with said spring 4 has a protrusion 31, said protrusion 31 being traversed transversely by said pin 6. Thus, according to these two embodiments, the end 42 of the spring 4 in support with the inner tube 3 abuts against the free end 32 of said inner tube 3.

According to the embodiment illustrated by the figure 3 , the free end 32 of the inner tube 3 which cooperates with said spring 4 is in the form of a hollow tube internalising transversely said pin 6. In this configuration, said inner tube 3 internalizes both a part of the end 42 of the spring 4 cooperating with said inner tube 3 and also internalizes said pin 6. According to the particular embodiment of the figure 3 said pin 6 is housed transversely at the level of the free end 32 of the inner tube 3.

Advantageously, said pin 6 has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the inner tube 3, so as to be internally fixed in said inner tube 3 occupying its entire diameter.

According to the embodiment of the figure 3 , the end 42 of the spring 4 is integrally fixed to a member 7. Said member 7 is positioned within the inner tube 3 and has a smaller diameter to said inner tube 3. In this configuration, said member 7 can not leave the tube internal 3 because it is blocked by said pin 6, in this way said spring 4 always allows to connect the inner tube 3 with the outer tube 2, the two tubes 3,4 can not be separated from each other.

According to another embodiment of the invention of the figure 4 , said inner tube 3 bears on its free end 32 an element 8. The latter is of diameter less than the inner tube 3 allowing its integration into said tube 3. Said element 8 comprises two openings that face each other allowing the transverse positioning of the pin 6. Thus, in this embodiment, the pin 6 is positioned at the inside the inner tube 3 and cooperates transversely with said element 8 so as to maintain the turns of the spring 4 and allow their screwing or unscrewing.

Specifically, said spring 4 comprises at least one active portion 41 of distance D. Said active portion 41 connecting the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 2.

More particularly, according to the invention, the distance D of said active portion 41 of the spring 4 is defined by the turn 411 traversed by said pin 6, and by the immobilized turn 412 cooperating with the outer tube 2 which is closest to said pin 6.

The set of turns of the spring 4 between the turn 411 and the turn 412 represents the active portion 41 of the spring 4. This active portion 41 having a distance D adjustable and adjustable.

Indeed, the distance D depends on the number of turns contained in the active portion 41 and the elasticity of the spring 4.

The smaller the number of turns of the active portion 41, the smaller the distance D, the majority of the inner tube 3 will then be engaged in the outer tube 2. Thus, if the distance D is small, the total length of the rod 1 is short in relation to the maximum possible length.

The higher the number of turns of the active portion 41, the greater the distance D will be. Only a portion of the free end 32 of the inner tube 3 will then be engaged in the outer tube 2. Thus, if the distance D is high, the total length of the rod 1 is large and will approach its maximum possible.

Specifically to the invention, the screwing or unscrewing of said spring 4 around said pin 6 will allow to vary the distance D, that is to say the number of turns forming the active portion 41 of the spring 4.

According to the embodiments of the Figures 1 and 2 of the invention, said pin 6 transversely crosses said protrusion 31 present at the free end 32 of the inner tube 3. The screwing or unscrewing of said spring 4 around said pin 6 is possible because said protuberance 31 of the invention is of diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the spring 4 so as to engage or disengage with said spring 4.

According to the embodiment of the figure 3 of the invention, said pin 6 is housed transversely at the free end 32 of the inner tube 3 and has a length substantially equal to the diameter of said inner tube 3. As a result, by screwing or unscrewing the spring 4 around said pin Said spring 4 is inserted into said inner tube 3.

The only condition for the screwing and unscrewing of the spring 4 around said pin 6 is feasible, is that the total length of said pin 6 is substantially greater than the diameter of the turns of the spring 4.

Thus according to the configuration of the invention, by screwing or unscrewing said pin 6 around the spring 4, an operator will be able to adjust exactly the length of the rod 1, that is to say, adjust the length of the tube part internal 3 which engages in the outer tube 2.

The adjustment of the length of the rod will be very easy.

In addition, the system of the invention has the additional advantage of being easy to manufacture and to be adaptable to several dimensions. Indeed, the same spring 4 pin 6 can be inserted in telescopic rods 1 having outer tubes 2 of different diameter, said diameter being always greater than the diameter of the turns of the spring 4.

Thus according to the invention, under the action of the turns of the active portion 41 of the spring 4 tending to move away or closer the two tubes 2, 3 from one another, we will be able to lock the rod that can not slip, the distance D of said active portion 41 being adjusted precisely by screwing or unscrewing.

The present invention allows a simple rod system to be able to accurately adjust the length of the rod without there being major difficulty for the user.

Claims (7)

1. Telescoping rod (1) with adjustable length, including:

   - an outer tube (2) and an inner tube (3), said inner tube (3) sliding, via its free end (32), in said outer tube (2);

   - a spring (4) with helical turns positioned at least inside the outer tube (2), and which cooperates by bearing by one of its ends (42) with said inner tube (3), while its other end (43) is immobilized in the outer tube (2);

   - and where said spring (4) includes at least one active portion (41) with distance D connecting the inner tube (3) with the outer tube (2), and includes a pin (6) secured to said inner tube (3) through which said bearing is done, characterized in that said pin (6) is transversely connected to said inner tube (3) and transversely traverses one of the turns of the active portion (41) of the spring (4), such that the axial rotation of said spring (4) generates its screwing or unscrewing on said pin (6), and makes it possible to vary the distance D of said active portion (41), distance D which is delimited by the turn (411) traversed by said pin (6), and, by the immobilized turn (412) of the outer tube (2) closest to said pin (6).
2. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a blocking means that immobilizes, in the outer tube (2), at least one of the turns of the end (43) of the spring (4).
3. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking means consists of an expansion blocking system.
4. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a pin (512) that immobilizes, in the outer tube (2), at least one of the turns of the end (43) of the spring (4).
5. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 1, characterized in that the end (42) of the spring (4) bearing with the inner tube (3) abuts against the free end (32) of said inner tube (3).
6. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 1, characterized in that a pin (6) transversely traverses a protuberance (31) present at the free end (32) of the inner tube (3), said protuberance (31) having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the spring (4) so as to engage or disengage in said spring (4) by screwing or unscrewing said spring (4) around said pin (6).
7. The telescoping rod (1) with an adjustable length according to claim 1, characterized in that said pin (6) is housed transversely at the free end (32) of the inner tube (3) and has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the inner tube (3), such that by screwing or unscrewing the spring (4) around said pin (6), said spring (4) is inserted in said inner tube (3).

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