Telescoping leg lock with thumb actuator
AssigneeCrain Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsStephen B. Crain, Christopher T. Moore, Larry W. Essex, Ralph C. Mize
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telescoping leg particularly adapted for use in supporting geomatic equipment is capable of locking in different selected positions of extension. A lock is provided for holding the leg at the selected position of extension. The lock is biased to a lock position, but is capable of being moved and retained in an unlock position by operation of a single thumb on one hand so that locking and unlocking the leg for telescoping movement occupies only one hand.
Claims7
A leg for use in supporting geomatic equipment comprising a first leg section and a second leg section, the first leg section being telescopingly received into an interior of the second leg section for selective extension from and retraction into the second leg section to lengthen and shorten the leg, and a locking device including an actuator and an engagement portion positioned to act on the interior of the second leg section to lock the first and second leg sections relative to each other to fix the length of the leg, the locking device being operable in a lock position in which the engagement portion of the locking device bears against the second leg section on the interior thereof with a force selected to lock the first and second leg sections, and an unlock position in which the engagement portion is spaced from the second leg section such that the leg sections are free to move in telescoping relation to change the length of the leg, the actuator being operable by action of a thumb to move the locking device between the lock and unlock positions, the actuator being biased to the lock position and capable of releasably retaining itself in the unlock position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.