Chromatography column height-locking mechanism

An adapter assembly for a chromatography column, the adapter assembly comprising:

• an inner end cap comprising a sidewall having a threaded surface configured for threaded engagement with an end of a main tube assembly of the chromatography column;
• an outer end cap coupled to the inner end cap, wherein the outer end cap surrounds the inner end cap and is axially constrained with respect to the inner end cap;
• an inlet endpiece coupled to the inner end cap, wherein the inlet endpiece is axially constrained with respect to the inner end cap such that rotation of the inner end cap causes axial movement of the inlet endpiece within a main tube of the main tube assembly, and wherein the inlet endpiece comprises an elongated stem comprising:
• a proximal end;
• and
• a distal end opposite the proximal end along a longitudinal direction of the elongated stem, wherein the distal end is configured for insertion into the main tube of the chromatography column;
• and
• a translating member slidably coupled to the outer end cap to allow movement of the translating member in a transverse direction of the adapter assembly that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the adapter assembly, wherein:
• the translating member comprises a first locking structure;
• the inner end cap comprises a second locking structure;
• when the translating member is in an engaged position, the first locking structure of the translating member is mechanically coupled with the second locking structure of the inner end cap to rotationally constrain the inner end cap and the outer end cap with respect to each other such that rotation of the outer end cap causes axial movement of the inlet endpiece within the main tube;
• and
• when the translating member is in a release position, the first locking structure of the translating member is mechanically decoupled from the second locking structure of the inner end cap such that the inner end cap and the outer end cap are rotationally unconstrained with respect to each other and rotation of the outer end cap does not cause axial movement of the inlet endpiece within the main tube.