Abstract: A clamping flexure for use in a vacuum employs a spring-loaded shaft that pulls an object being supported against a support piece, including a mechanism, passing through the vacuum vessel, for releasing the spring tension during adjustment, the shaft being sufficiently compliant that restoring force after adjustment is less than a threshold value so that displacement of the shaft does not impress a force on the object being supported that returns it toward its position before adjustment.

Abstract: A lock for securing first and second telescoped pole sections includes a base defining a through-bore for receipt of an end of a first pole section. A neck projects from the base and a collar is connected to the neck. The collar defines an opening aligned with the bore of the base. The collar receives a second pole section that is telescoped into the first pole section. A fastener is connected to the collar and a threaded end thereof projects from the collar. A lever control member is mated with the threaded end of the fastener and is movable to selectively radially constrict the collar. The fastener is rotatable relative to the collar but is frictionally engaged with the collar to prevent its unintended rotation. As necessary, the fastener is rotated relative to the collar to adjust the amount that the lever is advanced thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for clamping a system adjusting the position of a member (30) relative to a support assembly (6). The adjustment system can adjust in height and/or in depth an automobile vehicle steering column body-tube considered as the member. The member is disposed inside two vertical uprights (11, 12) of the support assembly. The clamping axis (5) is perpendicular to the two uprights. The device comprises a bracket (20) consisting of a base (21) and two tie-rods (22, 23) which are connected by a closure and support member (56) on one (12) of the uprights, and an external clamping rod (19) mounted on the base. A locking assembly (40), an intermediate member bearing on the upright (11) and disposed between the base (21) and the locking assembly (40), and an axial retention assembly (47) for the locking assembly that is adjusted to obtain clamped and unclamped positions, are mounted on the external clamping rod (19).

Abstract: A first stopper supporting member (31), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a second tubular member (22) of a telescopic unit (15) along a first tubular member (21), is disposed around the outer surface of the first tubular member (21). A second stopper supporting member (31a), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a third tubular member (23) along the second tubular member (22) is disposed around the outer surface of the second tubular member (22). A facing end (71) of the first stopper supporting member (31) and a facing end (72) of the second stopper supporting member (31a) have nearly the same outer diameter. The resulting telescopic unit (15) is both attractive in appearance and free from the problem of being inadvertently caught by another object.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a carriage assembly and a carriage elevation mechanism for translating the carriage assembly. The carriage elevation mechanism includes a plurality of threaded guide posts and an elevation mechanism that employs a plurality of threaded structures that are threadably engaged to the guide posts. A locking mechanism is also provided to inhibit movement of the carriage assembly along the guide posts.

Abstract: A drilling device has a carriage (1) on which a drilling member (22) can be removably mounted. In a receiving region, the carriage (1) has a tightening lever (4) that can be swiveled, with its first end area having a tightening surface (5) that interacts with a clamping surface (21) of a connection region of the drilling member (22). The second end area of the tightening lever (4) interacts with a tightening element (9) that keeps the tightening lever (4) under tension of a spring so that the drilling member (22) is firmly pressed against the carriage (1). Using the two release levers (15), the tightening element (9) can be moved into a release position in which the tightening lever (4) can be swiveled into the release position and the tightening element (9) lies against a retention surface (13) on the tightening lever (4). When a drilling member (22) is secured on the carriage (1), the tightening lever (4) is automatically swiveled into a tightened position and locked the tightening element (9).

Abstract: A quick release clasping device for a rake includes a handle slidably engaged through a barrel. The barrel has an opening formed between two flaps for slidably receiving a press piece which has two ears. A lever has a cam engaged between and rotatably secured to the ears and the flaps with a shaft which may retain the press piece to the flaps. The ears each have an oblong hole for slidably receiving the shaft and for allowing the press piece to be slid relative to the shaft and the flaps for a limited sliding movement.

Abstract: A steering column locking mechanism. A stationary tube is provided with a movable tube telescopically positioned over it. A plurality of teeth is provided on the outer surface of the movable tube that mesh with teeth defined on the outer diameter of a ring-shaped gear. The ring-shaped gear has an axial opening defined therein and first and second camming pins capable of being arranged in both an unlocked and a locked position are placed within the opening of the gear.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a seat having four comers each having a tube foamed thereon. Four guide posts of a base of a shaper extend through one of the tubes of the four corners, respectively. Each guide post is clamped by a respective tube when in a locking position. The seat further comprises two longitudinal through-holes each for receiving a connecting rod. Each connecting rod has two ends respectively operatively connected to two of the four tubes of the seat. One of the connecting rods is moved to urge each tube to the locking position. The connecting rods are linked together to thereby allow synchronous movement of the connecting rods. Thus, when one of the connecting rods is moved, all of the lugs are moved to the locking position to thereby synchronously clamp the guide posts of the base.

Abstract: A locking quick-release bike hub skewer for securely engaging an axle of a bike includes a security lock for preventing theft. A cam member is housed within a quick-release skewer housing and is completely restrained from rotation via a tri-tumbler locking apparatus. The cam member is arranged in a combination lock type design and, therefore, cannot be rotated. In dialing in a proper lock combination, a series of locking pins which would otherwise prevent rotation of the cam about the bike's axle are aligned such that the cam member is allowed to freely spin. A pivoting lever is also provided not only for aiding in compressing the cam member against the axle, but also for removing compression of the cam member against the axle which aids in the removal of the quick-release hub once a proper lock combination has been dialed.

Abstract: A device is designed to secure the front tube of the handlebar of a foldable scooter and is formed of a shaft rod, two clamping members, a wrenching rod, a lashing collar, and a stop nut. The device is pivotally fastened between the front tube of the handlebar and the folding mechanism of the foldable scooter. The clamping members are actuated by the wrenching rod to hold and push a press member of the shaft rod to press against the front tube, so as to prevent the handlebar of the scooter from swaying at the time when the scooter is in motion.

Abstract: A handle device includes a tube, a seat secured to the tube and having a channel for slidably receiving one end of one or more hand grips. The hand grips each has a slot for slidably receiving a fastener which is engaged through the hand grips and for allowing the hand grips to be folded to a compact folding position. The fastener has a neck engageable into the hand grip for solidly securing the hand grips to the seat. A bar is engaged onto the hand grip, and a quick release fastener is engaged through the bar and secured to the seat for clamping the bar to the hand grip.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base with posts, a cutter carriage, and a locking unit including clamp members pivoted on the cutter carriage and turnable toward the posts, linkage members that respectively extend between two adjacent ones of the clamp members and that have rear ends that engage one of two adjacent ones of the clamp members, and actuating members, each having a pivot end pivoted on the front end of one of the linkage members for turning relative thereto and formed with a cam face which is eccentric relative to a center of rotation of the actuating member, and which engages the other one of the two adjacent clamp members in a cam action manner.

Abstract: A planing machine includes a carriage locking mechanism disposed above a cutter carriage, which in turn, is connected movably to left and right pairs of vertical posts. The carriage locking mechanism includes an elongated mounting plate disposed fixedly on the cutter carriage, a left locking unit having a pair of left clamping claws that press respectively and releaseably against the left pair of posts, and a right locking unit having a pair of right clamping claws that press releaseably against the right pair of posts. A cam member is disposed pivotally on the mounting plate. The cam member has two projections that engage respectively the left and right locking units. A pivot end of a rotary lever is mounted pivotally on the mounting plate, and is connected to the cam member so as to rotate synchronously with the cam member. The rotary lever is rotatable so as to remove the projections of the cam member from the left and right locking units.

Abstract: A coupling structure of a variable length shaft, comprises a pipe member having an end formed with a plurality of slits elongated in the axial direction to be capable of expanding and diminishing in diameter, an intermediate shaft spline-fitted in the end of the pipe member, and a ring member fitted on an outer periphery of the end of the pipe member, the intermediate shaft being fastened by the end of the pipe member. A holder is releasably attached to an end of the ring member to expand a diameter thereof and thereby reduce a slide frictional resistance of the pipe member against the intermediate shaft. When the holder is released, the ring member diminishes in diameter, and a fastening force of the pipe member on the intermediate shaft is increased.

Abstract: This invention provides an adjustment length member (100) for fitment to a variety of apparatus including ladders. The preferred form provides two members (1,2) contained in sliding contact one of which (2) has a taper or sloped surface. The members pass through a constriction (3) and a member (21) adjacent, such as a wedge or camming device may be used to adjust the construction to limit the passage of the tapered member through the constriction.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in mounting a door on an overhead track comprising a carriage assembly constructed and arranged to be moved horizontally along the track in such a way as to limit upward movement thereof, and a door mounted assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted on an upper edge of the door so as to be moved with the door. The door mounted assembly is movable with the door (1) into an initial position wherein a locking member on the carriage assembly is in an initial vertically aligned position with respect to a locking member receiving opening on the door mounted assembly and (2) from the initial position upwardly with a snap action into a locking position wherein the locking member is in a locking position within the opening.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a canopy to a telescoping rafter while simultaneously securing the rafter is provided by the present invention. A handle is pivotally mounted on a rafter arm used to support and extend a retractable awning canopy. When the handle is rotated to a first position, the clamp is disengaged and a rafter arm may be extended freely. When the handle is rotated to a second position a spring lock is engaged by a cam attached to the handle, such that the spring lock secures the position of a first member relative to a second member of the telescoping rafter. At least one end of the handle includes a pair of clamping jaws for securing a canopy to the handle. The clamping jaws are tightened or loosened by a thumb screw connecting the jaws. The thumb screw may also be used to secure the handle to the rafter when the handle is not in use.

Abstract: An attachment element for mounting or otherwise securing an ancillary device to the vicinity of a machine tool or the like provides quick locking/release on a dovetail element. The attachment member has a base member and a pair of spaced arms forming an open-mouthed way that slides over such a dovetail member. At a locking angle relative to the dovetail, the edges of the arms bear against the dovetail sides, and the edges of the distal ends of the arms bear against the surface from which the dovetail extends. That locking angle is less than 90° angle between the plane of the attachment element and the surface from which the dovetail extends. The attachment element is translatable from its locked orientation to a release orientation by a brief application of manual pressure on it.

Abstract: An air cleaner that locks two shells together by a cam action is disclosed having two shells with interlocking fingers staggered along at least one length of the joint between the first and second shells. A cam is inserted between the interlocking fingers and when rotated pulls the fingers apart and pulls the two shells together.