Packing container for objects of variable lengths

Container of adjustable length for packing elongated objects of variable lengths, comprising a first elongated cylindrically shaped tubular body and a second elongated cylindrically shaped tubular body, each of said first and second bodies being closed at one end and open at the other end, said first and second bodies arranged to be fitted one into the other in a telescoping fashion and said first and second bodies being rotatable relative to one another about their longitudinal axes, wherein the improvement comprises that the open end of said first body fits within the open end of said second body with its outer surface in juxtaposition to the inner surface of said second body, said first body has a first groove formed inwardly into its outer surface and disposed parallel to its longitudinal axis and extending from its open end toward its closed end, a plurality of second grooves formed inwardly from the outer surface of said first body and extending transversely of and opening from said first groove with said second grooves spaced equidistantly apart along said first groove, said first groove having a pair of longitudinally extending sides and a bottom extending between said sides, said second grooves each having a pair of sides and a bottom extending between said sides of said second groove, and at least one detent projecting inwardly from the inner surface of said second body adjacent the open end thereof and said detent shaped and arranged to pass in sliding relationship through said first groove in said first body when said first and second bodies are fitted together in a telescoping fashion and upon relative rotation of said first and second bodies about their longitudinal axis to pass into one of said second grooves in interlocking engagement therewith for effecting a locking engagement of said first and second bodies so that a variable overall length of the packing container can be provided by selectively engaging said detent of said second body into one of said second grooves of said first body so that the overall length between the closed ends of said first and second bodies corresponds closely to the length of the object to be packaged, means formed in said first body at the openings between said first groove and said second grooves for providing a resistance for the movement of said detent into and out of said second grooves, said sides and bottom of said second grooves having a shape complementary to the shape of said detent for gripping said detent means when it is moved into one of said second grooves, and means located within said first body spaced axially from the open end thereof for laterally positioning an object within the container.