Support column collet assembly

Abstract

A support column collet assembly is provided that comprise a base having a tube extending perpendicularly from the base, a bearing plate having a tube extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate, and a collet clamp. The collet clamp has a tapered cylindrical portion at the end of the collet that is adapted to be received within the bearing plate tube, and an opening therein for adjustably receiving the end of the base tube. The collet further comprises at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet adapted to receive the base tube. The inside diameter of the collet clamp is configured to compress against the base tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical surface is pressed into the bearing plate tube, to effectively clamp the base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.

1 . A collet clamp having a tapered portion and an opening therein adapted to receive a first tube, the tapered cylindrical portion being adapted to be received within a second tube, the collet clamp being configured to be compressed against the first tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical portion is pressed into the second tube to effectively clamp the support base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.  
   
   
       2 . The collet clamp according to  claim 1  wherein the taped portion of the collet is generally cylindrical.  
   
   
       3 . The collet clamp of  claim 2  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length of between about 4 and about 6 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The collet clamp of  claim 3  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The collet clamp of  claim 4  further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the first tube, the slots having a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylindrical portion.  
   
   
       6 . The collet clamp of  claim 5  further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the first tube.  
   
   
       7 . A support column assembly comprising: 
 a first tube having first and second ends;    a base on the first end of the first tube for engaging a surface;    a second tube having first and second ends, with an opening in the second end;    a base on the first end of the second tube;    a collet clamp having a tapered portion adapted to be received within the opening in the second end of the second tube, the collet further comprising an opening therein for receiving the second end of the first tube, the collet clamp being configured to compress against the second end of the first tube received in the opening of the collet when the tapered surface is pressed into the opening in the second end of the second tube, to effectively clamp the first tube relative to the second tube.    
   
   
       8 . The support column of  claim 7  wherein the tapering face of the collet is generally cylindrical, and the first and second tubes are generally cylindrical.  
   
   
       9 . The support column assembly of  claim 8  further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the support base tube.  
   
   
       10 . The support column assembly of  claim 8  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches.  
   
   
       11 . The support column assembly of  claim 10  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 and about 5 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The support column assembly of  claim 11  further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the support base tube, the slots having a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion.  
   
   
       13 . The support column assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the support base tube.  
   
   
       14 . An adjustable support column assembly comprising: 
 a first tube having first and second ends;    a first base plate on the first end of the first tube, extending perpendicularly with respect to the first tube;    a second tube having first and second ends, the second end of the second tube having an opening therein;    a second base plate on the first end of the second tube, extending perpendicularly with respect to the second tube; and    a collet clamp having a tapered cylindrical portion at one end that is adapted to be received in the opening in the second end of the second tube, and an opening therein for adjustably receiving the second end of the first tube, the collet clamp including at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet that is adapted to receive the first tube, the collet clamp being configured to compress against the portion of the first tube received in the opening in the collet when the tapered cylindrical surface of the collet is pressed into the opening in the second end of the second tube, to effectively clamp the base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.    
   
   
       15 . The adjustable support column of  claim 14  wherein the first tube may be adjustably positioned within the opening of the collet clamp to adjust the height of the support column as necessary.  
   
   
       16 . The adjustable support column of  claim 15  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length of between about 4 and about 6 inches.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable support column of  claim 16  wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The adjustable support column of  claim 17 , wherein there are two slots in the collet, and wherein the slots have a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion.  
   
   
       19 . The adjustable support column of  claim 17  further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the support base tube.  
   
   
       20 . The adjustable support column of  claim 17  wherein the collet clamp is made of steel or a steel alloy.  
   
   
       21 . The adjustable support column of  claim 17  wherein the first tube and second tube are made of steel or a steel alloy.  
   
   
       22 . An adjustable support column assembly comprising: 
 a first support tube having first and second ends, with an opening in the second end;    a bearing plate on the second end of the first support tube;    a second support tube, having first and second ends;    a bearing plate on the first end of the second support tube;    the second end of the second support tube telescoping into the opening in the second end of the first tube;    a locking wedge between the second end of the first tube and the second end of the second tube, the wedge having an tapered exterior face facing the inside of the second end of the first tube;    a cylindrical clamp having an opening for receiving the second end of the first tube, and adapted to be driven over wedge member, the clamp having a tapered interior surface for engaging the second end of the first tube between the locking wedge and clamp, so that the relative axial movement of the cylindrical clamp and the locking wedge compresses the second end of the first support tube against the second end of the second tube to effectively clamp the first support tube relative to the second support tube.    
   
   
       23 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the locking wedge is separate from the second support tube.  
   
   
       24 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the locking wedge is formed integrally with the second support tube.  
   
   
       25 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the locking wedge.  
   
   
       26 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the second end of the first tube.  
   
   
       27 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the second end of the first tube is flared.  
   
   
       28 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the tapered portion of the locking wedge has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches.  
   
   
       29 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the tapered portion of the locking wedge has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.  
   
   
       30 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the tapered portion of the locking wedge.  
   
   
       31 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the locking wedge is a separate piece than the first support tube, and wherein the locking wedge comprises a shoulder at one end of the locking wedge adapted to engage the second end of the first support tube.  
   
   
       32 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the locking wedge and cylindrical clamp are made of steel or a steel alloy.  
   
   
       33 . The adjustable support column of  claim 22  wherein the first and second support tubes are made of steel or a steel alloy.