Telescoping shoring post with gross adjustment capacity

Abstract

A telescoping shoring post having an inner tube having a plurality of projections spaced longitudinally thereon, longitudinally adjacent projections forming a groove there between to create a plurality of grooves on the inner tube; a hollow outer tube, the outer tube dimensions to allow the inner tube to slide therein; a load plate, the load plate having a collar adapted to affix the load plate to the outer tube and tongues projecting from the load plate, the tongues adapted to project over a hollow portion of the outer tube when the load plate is affixed to the outer tube, wherein the inner tube can slide within the outer tube to a gross adjustment extension length and wherein the tongues on the load plate are adapted to engage the grooves on the inner tube.

1 . A telescoping shoring post comprising:
 an inner tube having a plurality of projections spaced longitudinally thereon, longitudinally adjacent projections forming a groove there between to create a plurality of grooves on said inner tube;   a hollow outer tube, said outer tube dimensions to allow said inner tube to slide therein;   a load plate, said load plate having a collar adapted to affix said load plate to said outer tube and tongues projecting from said load plate, said tongues adapted to project over a hollow portion of the outer tube when said load plate is affixed to said outer tube,   wherein said inner tube can slide within said outer tube to a gross adjustment extension length and wherein said tongues on said load plate are adapted to engage said grooves on said inner tube.   
     
     
         2 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the inner post is extruded. 
     
     
         3 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 2 , wherein the grooves are cut into the projections of the inner post. 
     
     
         4 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are comprised of aluminum, steel, or plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the load plate is comprised of steel, aluminum, or plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the load plate is fixed in position relative to the outer post. 
     
     
         7 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the load plate comprises a lower portion adapted to be fixed to the outer post and an upper portion adapted to rotate about the lower portion. 
     
     
         8 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube include longitudinally extending slots therein. 
     
     
         9 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 8 , wherein the slots are adapted to receive bracing. 
     
     
         10 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the outer tube includes fins extending radially outward from an outer surface of the outer tube, said fins adapted to provide structural strength to said outer tube. 
     
     
         11 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube includes fins extending radially inwards from an outer surface of the inner tube, said fins adapted to provide structural strength to said inner tube. 
     
     
         12 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1  further comprising a fine adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 12 , wherein the fine adjustment mechanism comprises a screw and nut. 
     
     
         14 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 13 , wherein the load plate is formed onto said fine adjustment mechanism, rotation of said nut causing said load plate to extend or retract from an end of said outer post. 
     
     
         15 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock. 
     
     
         16 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 15 , wherein said lock is attached to said load plate and adapted to engage said inner tube when said tongues are engaged to said grooves. 
     
     
         17 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 16 , wherein said lock comprises an end adapted to fit between projections on said inner tube, thereby preventing rotation of said inner tube when said lock is engaged. 
     
     
         18 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the telescoping shoring post is a portion of a prop. 
     
     
         19 . The telescoping shoring post of  claim 1 , wherein the telescoping shoring post is a portion of a scaffold system.