US3367689A

US3367689A - Adjustable strut

Info

Publication number: US3367689A
Application number: US503023A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Mccarthy
Original assignee: Norco Inc
Current assignee: Norco Inc
Priority date: 1965-10-23
Filing date: 1965-10-23
Publication date: 1968-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1985-02-06

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. J. M CARTHY ADJUSTABLE STRUT I INVENTOR. John J. McCarthy V, V flcSENT plain. mg

Fi led Oct. 23, 1965 Feb. 6, 1968 NM ANN J. J- M CARTHY ADJUSTABLE STRUT Feb. 6, 1968 2 Sheets$heet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1965 3m 6% d f? g a:

INVENTOR John J. McCarthy .m I B HCIENT United States Patent 3,367,689 ADJUSTABLE STRUT John J. McCarthy, Broolrfield, Conn. Norco Incorporated, P.O. Box 405, Georgetown, Conn. 06829) Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,023 7 Claims. (Cl. 287-58) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable strut comprising a pair of tubular relatively longitudinally movable telescoping members one of which has a pair of matched, notched longitudinal slots coextensive with each other. The other member has locking dogs which ride in the slots and which are movable laterally of the memberto enable them to occupy pairs of notches in the slots. A longitudinally movable release rod is mechanically coupled to the locking dogs to actuate the same for movement into and out of the notches. The release rod is carried in the strut member which has the dogs, and is accessible at one end of the member for manual actuation.

This invention relates to braces, struts and the like, and more particularly to multi-part struts or braces which are adjustable as to their lengths.

Heretofore, two-part adjustable struts were proposed wherein a single retractable locking piece or dog on one part engaged a cooperable abutment on the other part to lock the parts to each other. Under severe stress such struts could fail at the location of the locking, due to the small areas and sections which were there involved.

The above disadvantages of prior adjustable struts of relatively light construction are obviated by the present invention. This is accomplished by the provision of multiple locking dogs, specifically a pair of said dogs, whereby double the areas and sections exist at the point of looking. Thus there is much less likelihood of failure of the strut under severe working stresses.

-Therefore an object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved multi-part adjustable strut which is especially sturdy and rugged while at the same time having a relatively light total or aggregate weight.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved multi-part adjustable strut as above set forth, which is quick and easy to adjust, and which will reliably stay in its various adjusted positions against the action of substantial disrupting forces.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable strut or brace as characterized, which is simple in construction, involving relatively few parts of giedkind that can be economically fabricated and assem- A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an adjustable multi-pa-rt strut in accordance with the foregoing, which is particularly adaptable to a wide variety of applications.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable strut as outlined, which may be operated or adjusted from either a point beyond one end of the strut or else from a point intermediate the ends.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved adjustable strut of the type indicated, which is capable of a plurality of adjusted positive positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strut in accordance with the foregoing, wherein a very large number of adjusted positions is possible, involving minute increments or adjustment.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an adjustable strut wherein the clamping or locking 3,367,689 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 "ice means or member is wholly enclosed and protected from adverse external conditions.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an adjustable strut made in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the strut of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail in elevation, of the cam portion of the release bar of the strut.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the cam portion shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the roller locking member utilized with the cam shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is an axial fragmentary sectional view of an adjustable strut illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in axial section and partly in side elevation of an adjustable strut constituting another embodiment of the invention, wherein the locking member or means is Wholly enclosed and protected from adverse external conditions.

FIG. 8 is a transverse section, taken .on the line 3--8 of FIG. 7.

FlG. 9 is a fragmentary view partly in axial section and partly in side elevation, illustrating an adjustable strut constituting yet another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, the adjustable strut as illustrated therein comprises a pair of

tubular telescoping members

10, 12 having means for attachment respectively to structural parts whose relative positions are to be controlled or varied. For example, the member 12 has a threaded bore 14 receiving a screw or bolt 16 by which it is secured in end-abutting relation to a supporting wall or plate 18. The tubular member 10 has external screw threads 20 and. an hexagonal flange 22 by which it may be threaded into a structure or wall 24.

In accordance with the present invention, the tubular strutmember 10 is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 26, 28 which are coextensive with each other and arranged generally in diametrically opposite locations. The slots 26, 28 have notches disposed in similar locations along their lengths. In FIG. 1 the slot 26 is shown as having notches 30, whereas in FIG. 2 the slot 28 is seen to have similar notches 32.

The tubular strut member 12 has a pair of

transverse slots

34, 36 which are respectively adjacent the longitudinal slots 26, 28. Carried in the four

slots

26, 23, 34, 36 is a locking device or member 38, see FIGS. 1 and 5, said locking member being movable in the transverse slots 34, 35 between positions occupying the notches of the longitudinal slots (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) and other positions which are removed from the said notches. The occupied positions of the member 38 effect a locking of the

telescoping members

10, 12 in different: adjusted positions, whereas the removed positions of the locking rnember 38 effect an unlocking of the telescoping tubular members for enabling relative adjustment to be had.

Referring to FIG. 5, the locking member 33 has a portion 40 of reduced diameter intermediate its end portions 42, 44 (hereinafter also called locking dogs), said member being of cylindrical cross section as Well be seen in FIG. 1.

For controlling the movement of the locking member 38 there is provided in the tubular strut member 12 a release bar 46 which has a cam portion 48 engageable With the middle portion 40 of reduced diameter of the member 38. As seen in FIG. 3, the cam portion 455 has

cam surfaces

50 and 52 which act on the locking member 38 to shift the latter in the

lateral slots

34, 36 between the locking and releasing positions.

Referring to FIG. 2, the central portion 40 of the locking member 38 is engaged with a straight surface 54 of the cam portion 48, by which lateral movement of the locking member is prevented in its locking position. When the release bar 46 is shifted to the right from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camming edge 50 will shift downward the locking member 38, removing the dogs 42, 44 respectively from the notches 30, 32 of the slots 26, 28. In consequence, the

telescoping strut members

10, 12 will be released from each other and capable of relative movement, as permitted by the absence of the dogs 42, 44 of the locking member 38 from the notches 30, 32.

Spring means are provided, comprising a compression coil spring 58 engaged with washers 60 on the release bar 46 and also engaged with an internal shoulder 62 in the member 12, thereby to normally bias the release bar 46 to the leftmost locking position as seen in FIG. 2. A stop collar 64 fastened in the end of the member 12 limits the leftward movement of the release bar 46.

An operating device is provided for shifting the release bar to the right against the action of the spring 58, such device comprising in FIGS. 1 and 2 a handle 66 which is affixed to the collar 54 and thus to the strut member 12, and a finger-engageable end portion 68 of the release bar 46, which extends through the center of the handle 66 and is movable therein.

It will now be understood, with the construction as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, that an adjustable positioning is possible of the

parts

18 and 24 with respect to each other. By depressing the button 68 and pulling or pushing on the handle 66, the structural part 24 may be moved either further away from or closer to the part 1-8. When the button 68 is released, continued movement of the handle 66 and member 24 will result in the locking member 38 snapping into the next two notches 30, 32, whereby the

strut

10, 12 will be secured in a new adjusted position, maintaining the

members

18 and 24 likewise adjusted.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the release is effected at a place intermediate the ends of the adjustable strut in contra-distinction to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 wherein the release is effected from a point beyond one end of the strut.

In FIG. 6, like parts have been given similar numbers but with the suffix a. As shown, the tubular strut member a has a pair of longitudinal oppositely disposed slots 70 through which a pin 72 extends. The pin 72 is secured to an operating sleeve 74 which is slidable on the strut part 10a, and said pin also passes through the end portion 68a of the release bar 46a. With this construction, movement of the release sleeve 74 from left to right as viewed in FIG. 6 will shift the release bar 46a from left to right, causing the locking member 38a to be shifted out of the notches 38a and fully into the slot 26a. This will release the two

strut parts

10a, 12a for relative adjusting movement. Upon release of force from the sleeve 74, continued movement of the

strut parts

10a, 12a will result in the locking member 38a becoming nested in another one of the notches 30a, thereby locking the strut parts in a different adjusted position.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided an improved adjustable strut construction wherein the locking member 38 (or 38a) is positively retained in the notches 30, 32 (or 30a or 32a) thereby reliably securing the strut members in their various adjusted positions. The strut is characterized by great strength and sturdiness, and by reliability in its operation while at the same time the release of the locking means for effecting adjustment of the strut may be easily and quickly effected. Relatively few parts are involved, such parts being capable of economical fabrication and assembly. Adjustment of the strut may be effected either from a point beyond the end as in FIGS. 1-5, or else from a point intermediate the ends as in FIG. 6.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, the clamping or locking means is wholly enclosed in the strut, thereby being protected from adverse external conditions such as dirt, dust and other foreign matter, the direct action of water, etc.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, components which are similar to those already described previously have been given like characters. The strut member 12 having

transverse slots

34, 36 carries the release bar 46 which terminates in the release button 68. The handle 66 is connected with the strut member 12, said member being slidably carried in an outer strut member 10b which is threaded into the supporting structure 24. The release bar 46 has the cam portion 48 which, in this embodiment of the invention, engages the yoke portion 76 of a U-shaped locking member 38b. The member 3812 occupies the

transverse slot

34, 36 of the strut member 12 and has an external peripheral surface forming parts of a circle.

The strut member 10b has a series of locking shoulders extending longitudinally thereof, formed by a plurality of internal annular grooves 78 any one of which may be occupied by the locking member 38b. In FIG. 7, the member 38b is shown as occupying the right-most one of the grooves 78 of the strut member 1011. This position locks the strut members 10b and 12 in an adjusted relation. To shorten the adjustable strut, the button 68 is depressed, this resulting in a retraction or downward movement of the locking member 38 as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such movement will remove the locking member from the internal groove in the strut part 10b which it has occupied, and will Withdraw the locking member 38b so that it is flush with the exterior surface of the strut member 12. When this occurs, the member 12 may be shifted from right to left, and upon release of the button 68, the locking member 38b will extend or move upward to snap into one of the other grooves 78, thereby locking the strut in a new, adjusted position.

It will be noted that the locking member 38b and the grooves 78 are wholly concealed and enclosed, whereby they are protected from the action of dirt, dust, grit, water and other foreign matter. Accordingly, a reliable and free-acting release and locking of the strut may be expected with this construction, under adverse conditions of use.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9, wherein the strut member 12 carries in its transverse slots 34, 36 a U-shaped locking member 380 having screw thread formations on its arms, specifically on the outer, circular peripheral portions thereof. The strut member 10c has an internal helical screw thread 80, which is preferably chased in the member by a suitable tap. The thread formations of the locking member 380 will mate with the internal screw thread 18 whereby the strut members 12 and may be locked in a very large number of different positions, representing minute increments or adjustments. While a V-shaped thread formation is shown, it will be understood that a square or Acme thread formation may be used instead, where a more secure locking action is required.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 also represents a wholly enclosed and protected construction, as regards the locking member or means. Whereas a relatively course adjustment is had with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, a very fine adjustment is possible with the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An adjustable strut comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of tubular, telescoping members having means for attachment respectively to structural arts whose relative positions are to be controlled,

(-b) one of said members having a pair of longitudinal slots coextensive with each other,

(c) said slots having notches disposed at similar locations in their lengths,

(d) said other member having a pair of transverse slots respectively adjacent said longitudinal slots,

(e) a locking member disposed in said transverse and longitudinal slots, said locking member including dogs which are movable in said transverse slots between positions occupying the notches of the longitudinal slots and positions removed from said notches,

(f) said occupied positions of the dogs effecting a locking of the telescoping member in adjusted positions and said removed positions effecting an unlocking of the members for relative adjustment,

(g) a release bar slidable in said other member and having a cam engageable with the locking member to shift the dogs thereof in said lateral slots,

(h) spring means biasing the release bare to a position in which the locking dogs are shifted to their notchoccupying position, and

(i) an operating device for shifting the release bar against the action of said spring means.

2. An adjustable strut as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the locking member comprises a pin having a portion of reduced diameter intermediate its ends, the end portions of the pin comprising the said dogs,

(b) said cam engaging the portion of reduced diameter of the locking member, and

(c) the two dogs of the locking member being disposed in said transverse slots and projecting at all times beyond the exterior of said other tubular member.

3. An adjustable strut as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the operating device comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on said other tubular member.

4. An adjustable strut as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the operating device comprises a handle rigid on said other tubular member, and a movable manually operable pin in the handle, connected with said release bar.

5. An adjustable strut comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of tubular, telescoping members having means for attachment respectively to structural parts whose relative positions are to be controlled,

(b) one of said members having locking shoulders disposed longitudinally thereof, said shoulders comprising circumferentially-spaced rows of abutment surfaces, said rows being coextensive With each other,

(c) said other member having a pair of transverse slots adjacent said rows of abutment surfaces of the shoulders,

(d) locking dogs disposed respectively in said transverse slots, said locking member being movable therein between laterally extended and laterally retracted positions wherein they are respectively engaged with and disengaged from said abutment surfaces of the shoulders,

(e) said extended and engaged positions of the dogs eifecting a locking of the telescoping members in adjusted positions and said retracted positions of the dogs effecting an unlocking of the telescoping members for relative adjustment,

(f) a release bar slidable in said other member and having a cam coupled to the locking dogs to shift the latter in said lateral slots,

(g) spring means biasing the release bar to a position in which the locking dogs are shifted to their extended positions, and

(h) an operating device for shifting the release bar against the action of said spring means.

6. An adjustable strut as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said one member has internal grooves the sides of which comprise said abutment surfaces,

(b) said locking dogs comprising the arms of a U- shaped piece, said arms being receivable in said grooves.

7. An adjustable strut as in claim 6, wherein:

(a) the internal grooves are formed by a helical internal screw thread,

(b) said arms of the U-shaped piece having thread segments engageable with the internal screw thread,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,028,126 6/1912 Meredith 287-58 2,329,932 9/1943 Nelson 287-58 2,884,270 4/1959 Carlberg 28758 2,932,047 4/1960 Johnston 287-58 3,184,816 5/1965 McCarthy 287-58 CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

W. L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner.