Quick-release locking device for telescoping member

A locking device for selectively locking a first telescoping member to a second telescoping member to prevent longitudinal movement therebetween, while selectively allowing the first telescoping member to slide in a first longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member and to selectively slide in a second and opposite longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member, said locking device including:

• a housing including a sidewall having a first end and a second end and a bore extending though said housing between said first end and a second end of said sidewall, said housing being connectable to the second telescoping member and the first telescoping member extending through said bore;
• a first locking mechanism disposed within said housing, said first locking mechanism including a first engagement portion adapted to selectively engage the first telescoping member and a second engagement portion adapted to selectively engage the first telescoping member, said locking mechanism being pivotal between a first position and a second position, wherein said first locking mechanism, when in said first position, prevents longitudinal movement of the first telescoping member in the first longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member, and when in said second position, said first locking mechanism permits movement of the first telescoping member in the first longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member;
• a second locking mechanism disposed within said housing, said second locking mechanism including a third engagement portion adapted to engage the first telescoping member and a fourth engagement portion adapted to engage the first telescoping member, said second locking mechanism being pivotal between a first position, wherein said second locking mechanism prevents movement of the first telescoping member in the second longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member, and a second position wherein said second locking mechanism permits movement of the first telescoping member in the second longitudinal direction with respect to the second telescoping member;
• means for biasing said first locking mechanism toward said first position;
• and
• an actuator member associated with said first and second locking mechanisms such that said actuator member may assume at least three positions, whereby when said actuator member is in said first position the first telescoping member is prevented from sliding longitudinally with respect to the second telescoping member in both the first and second longitudinal direction, whereby when said actuator member is moved to a second position said actuator member pivots said first locking mechanism to said second position wherein the first telescoping member is allowed to slide longitudinally with respect to the second telescoping member in the first longitudinal direction, and whereby when said actuator member is moved to the third position said actuator member pivots said second locking mechanism to said second position wherein the first telescoping member is allowed to slide longitudinally with respect to the second telescoping member in the second longitudinal direction.