Adjustable, removable, locking handle for floor polishers and the like
AssigneeDustbane Products Limited/Les Produits Dustbane Limitee
InventorDavid G. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A releasable clamp for the interior of an elongated tube, for use in telescopic tube arrangements and the like. The clamp comprises an outwardly expandable split ring having open ends and sides of cylindrical configuration, the sides of the split ring expanding outwardly to frictionally engage the interior surfaces of the tube when in expanded position, the split ring slidably movable longitudinally within the tube when the sides of the split ring are in unexpanded position. Wedges are provided, co-operating with the open ends of the split ring to bear against the ends of the split ring to force the sides of the split ring outwardly to expand it, tube engaging position. This releasable clamp may be used, for example, in an adjustable length handle for an appliance such as a floor polisher.
Claims7
A releasable clamp for engaging the interior of a cylindrical tube comprising:
- (a) an outwardly expandable elongated split ring having open, bevelled ends and having cylindrical side portions for being spread to frictionally engage the interior surfaces of the tube, the split ring being slidably movable longitudinally within the tube when the sides of the split ring are not spread;
- (b) wedge means for spreading said sides, said wedge means being slidable within the cylindrical tube and relatively movable with respect to the ends of the split ring to bear against the ends to force the side of the split ring to spread to a tube-engaging position, said wedge means comprising an elongated tube for being slidably received within said cylindrical tube and having an upper bearing surface at one end thereof located adjacent one end of said split ring and means forming a lower bearing surface located adjacent an opposite end of said split ring, said bearing surfaces being bevelled for mating with the bevelled ends of the split ring when in contact therewith;
- and
- (c) actuation means for providing relative movement of said wedge means with respect to the split ring to cause the sides of the split ring to spread and contract, said actuation means including a rod within said elongated tube and mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said elongated tube, and lever means for producing longitudinal movement of the rod, said lever means being pivotally mounted in said elongated tube;
- wherein
- one end of said rod is mechanically coupled to said lever means such that actuation of the lever means, without relative rotation of the tubes, produces longitudinal movement of the rod with respect to said elongated tube, the lower bearing surface being secured to said rod and being relatively movable with respect to the split ring towards the upper bearing surface to cause the bearing surfaces to cooperate with the ends of the split ring to force the sides of the split ring outwardly into the spread, tube-engaging position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.