Split boom coupling structure

A split boom power tool coupling structure for a split boom power tool having a first upper tubular boom member having first and second end portions, one end portion being operably coupled to a power source that drivingly rotates an upper flex shaft that extends from the power source and to the second end portion of the first boom, and a second lower tubular boom member having first and second end portions, one end portion being operably coupled to a rotatable work device that is drivingly coupled to a lower flex shaft that extends from the work device and to the second end portion of the second boom member, the coupling structure being adapted for releasably joining the second end portions of the first and second boom members together, the coupling structure comprising:

• a cross sectional configuration provided on a first one second end portions that is slightly larger than the cross sectional configuration provided on a second one of the second end portions to allow the second end portions to be telescopingly joined together, the first one of the second end portions having a slot that permits the first one of the second end portions to be slightly compressed;
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings extending around and through the first one of the second end portions;
• a tubular clamping member comprising:
• a C-shaped sleeve portion with a cross-sectional configuration greater than the cross-sectional configuration of the first one of the second end portions, said sleeve having first and second edges,
• first and second radially extending flanges joined respectively to the first and second edges and movable between closer and spaced apart positions;
• a plurality of openings extending circumferentially around and through the sleeve portion and located to be aligned with the plurality of openings in the first one of the second end portions when the sleeve portion is placed around the first one of the second end portions,
• a locating tab extending radially inwardly from the sleeve portion that is removably receivable in a locating opening provided in the first one of the second end portions,
• a locking pin carried on the second one of the second end portions and sized to be received in one of the plurality of openings in the first one of the second end portions and the sleeve portion when the second one of the second end portions is telescopingly received within the first one of the second end portions and the sleeve portion,
• means biasing the locking pin radially outwardly from the center of the second one of second end portions;
• and
• a tightening member coupled with the first and second flanges and effective to move them between their first and second positions.

A hand held portable power tool comprising:

• a power source;
• an upper boom member having a first end connected to the power source and an opposite second end;
• and
• a lower boom member having a third end removably connected to the second end of the upper boom member at a coupling,
• the coupling comprising;
• the third end of the lower boom member being telescopingly received inside the second end of the upper boom member, wherein the second end of the upper boom member has a slot therein which is sized and shaped to allow the second end of the upper boom member to be resiliently compressed, and wherein the second end of the upper boom member has a locating opening therein;
• and
• a clamping system having a C-shaped sleeve and an inwardly projecting locating projection, wherein the C-shaped sleeve is located directly on the second end of the upper boom member at a location where the second end of the upper boom member overlaps the third end of the lower boom member, and wherein the projection extends into the locating opening of the second end of the upper boom member.