Methods and apparatus for retaining tubular objects

A method of releasably retaining any one of several tubular objects of different lengths between first and second retention members, comprising in combination the steps of:

• providing a rod insertable into any one of said tubular objects;
• providing a carriage slidable along said rod;
• grouping said lengths into a plurality of different ranges of lengths;
• providing for stepped adjustment of the position of said carriage and second retention member to any of said ranges of lengths by providing in series on said rod as many distinct transverse slots as there are ranges of lengths in said plurality, with each transverse slot being located in correspondence to a different one of said ranges, and providing a locking member common to and interfitting with each of said transverse slots;
• connecting said locking member to said carriage;
• supporting said first and second retention members on said rod and said carriage, respectively;
• inserting said rod into any one of said tubular objects;
• placing said carriage on said rod in stepped adjustment to the range of lengths into which said one tubular object is grouped;
• interfitting said locking member with the transverse slot corresponding to said range of lengths;
• and
• adjusting the position of said second retention member along said carriage to the length of said one tubular object relative to said first retention member to retain said one tubular object between said first and second retention members.

Apparatus for releasably retaining any one of several tubular objects having lengths in a plurality of different ranges of lengths, comprising in combination:

• a rod insertable into any one of said tubular objects;
• a carriage slidable along said rod;
• first and second retention members positioned on said rod and said carriage, respectively;
• means on said carriage and said rod for stepped adjustment of the position of said carriage and second retention member to any of said ranges of lengths, including a bayonet joint arrangement having as many distinct first bayonet joint portions arranged in series on said rod as there are ranges of lengths in said plurality, with each first bayonet joint portion corresponding in location to a different one of said ranges, and having a second bayonet joint portion common to and interfitting with each of said first bayonet joint portions connected to said carriage;
• and
• means on said carriage for infinite adjustment of the position of said second retention member along said carriage relative to said first retention member to the length of any tubular object within a given range of lengths.

Apparatus for releasably retaining any one of several tubular objects having lengths in a plurality of different ranges of lengths, comprising in combination:

• a rod insertable into any one of said tubular objects;
• a carriage slidable along said rod;
• first and second retention members positioned on said rod and said carriage, respectively;
• means on said carriage and said rod for stepped adjustment of the position of said carriage and second retention member to any of said ranges of lengths, including as many distinct transverse slots arranged in series on said rod as there are ranges of lengths in said plurality, with each slot corresponding in location to a different one of said ranges, and having a locking member common to and interfitting with each of said slots connected to said carriage;
• and
• means on said carriage for infinite adjustment of the position of said second retention member along the carriage to the length of any tubular object within a given range of lengths.