Length Adjustable Member

Abstract

A length adjustable member includes an outer tubular member ( 12,112 ), an inner tubular member ( 14,114 ) slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, and a locking mechanism ( 28,128 ) located within the inner and outer tubular members for locking the inner and outer tubular members in any of plural longitudinal positions relative to each other. Upon rotation of one of the tubular members with respect to the other tubular member to a release position, the locking mechanism disengages to allow one tubular member to be slid with respect to the other to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member, and, when the release position is no longer held, the locking mechanism is biased to re-engage to lock the inner and outer tubular members in one of the plural longitudinal positions.

1 . A length adjustable member, including:
 an outer tubular member;   an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member; and   a locking mechanism located within the inner and outer tubular members for locking the inner and outer tubular members in any of plural longitudinal positions relative to each other;   wherein, upon rotation of one of the tubular members with respect to the other tubular member to a release position, the locking mechanism disengages to allow one tubular member to be slid with respect to the other to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member, and wherein, when said release position is no longer held, the locking mechanism is biased to re-engage to lock the inner and outer tubular members in one of said plural longitudinal positions.   
   
   
       2 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 1 , wherein said bias arises from a spring fitted between a component rotatable with the inner tubular member and a rotationally fixed component. 
   
   
       3 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 1  wherein the locking mechanism includes interengaging formations that mechanically block relative longitudinal movement of the tubular members. 
   
   
       4 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a tubular component that is attached to the inner tubular member at the end within the outer tubular member. 
   
   
       5 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 4 , wherein said tubular component includes a first formation for engaging a formation associated with the outer tubular member. 
   
   
       6 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 5  further including an innermost longitudinal member fixable at its base with respect to the outer tubular member and extending within the outer tubular member, which innermost longitudinal member has plural formations engageable by said first formation and defining said plural longitudinal positions. 
   
   
       7 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 6 , wherein there is provided a tubular supporting member that extends inside the inner tubular member to slidably engage said innermost longitudinal member, such that said tubular supporting member is slidable longitudinally with the inner tubular member and said tubular component, and the inner tubular member and tubular component are rotatable relative to the innermost longitudinal member and the tubular supporting member. 
   
   
       8 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 7 , wherein the tubular supporting member is connected at its distal end to a mounting device. 
   
   
       9 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 8 , wherein the mounting device allows an accessory, such as a horizontal arm, to be mounted to the mounting device and thereby to the length adjustable member such that the accessory does not rotate with the inner tubular member. 
   
   
       10 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 1 , further including means to mount a cantilevered arm or other accessory to the length adjustable member. 
   
   
       11 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 1 , incorporated in a merchandising display stand. 
   
   
       12 . A length adjustable member, including:
 an outer tubular member;   an inner tubular member that is slidably disposed within the outer tubular member;   an innermost longitudinal member fixable at its base with respect to the outer tubular member and extending within the outer tubular member the inner tubular member being slidable between the outer tubular member and the innermost longitudinal member; and   a locking mechanism that includes a first formation, connected to either the inner tubular member or the innermost longitudinal member, for selective engagement with one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced formations on the other of the inner tubular member and the innermost longitudinal member, wherein the first formation is biased into an engaged position;   wherein the inner tubular member is actuable against the bias to a release position to disengage the first formation to allow the inner tubular member to longitudinally slide with respect to the outer tubular member to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member, and wherein, when said release position is no longer held, the locking mechanism biases the first formation into engagement with a respective formation of the plurality of longitudinally spaced formations.   
   
   
       13 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12  wherein the formations mechanically block relative longitudinal movement of the tubular members. 
   
   
       14 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of longitudinally spaced formations include an upper and a lower surface between which the first formation engages to prevent longitudinal sliding in either direction. 
   
   
       15 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the first formation is a lug and is connected to the inner tubular member. 
   
   
       16 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of longitudinally spaced formations are defined by a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections from the innermost longitudinal member, where the first formation engages between the surfaces of adjacent projections. 
   
   
       17 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of longitudinally spaced formations are defined by a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches in the innermost longitudinal member. 
   
   
       18 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the formations are of a width to allow the first formation to be rotated out of engagement by turning the inner tubular member by up to ninety degrees. 
   
   
       19 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein there is provided a base from which the innermost longitudinal member extends. 
   
   
       20 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 19 , wherein the outer tubular member is also fixed to the base. 
   
   
       21 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a tubular component that is attached to the inner tubular member at the end within the outer tubular member. 
   
   
       22 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 21 , wherein the tubular component includes said first formation. 
   
   
       23 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein said bias arises from a spring fitted between a component rotatable with the inner tubular member and a rotationally fixed component. 
   
   
       24 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , wherein there is provided a tubular supporting member that extends inside the inner tubular member to slidably engage said innermost longitudinal member, such that said tubular supporting member is slidable longitudinally with the inner tubular member and said tubular component, and the inner tubular member and tubular component are rotatable relative to the innermost longitudinal member and the tubular supporting member. 
   
   
       25 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 24 , wherein the tubular supporting member is connected at its distal end to a mounting device. 
   
   
       26 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 25 , wherein the mounting device allows an accessory, such as a horizontal arm, to be mounted to the mounting device and thereby td the length adjustable member such that the accessory does not rotate with the inner tubular member. 
   
   
       27 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , further including means to mount a cantilevered arm or other accessory to the length adjustable member. 
   
   
       28 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 12 , incorporated in a merchandising display stand. 
   
   
       29 . A length adjustable member, including:
 a longitudinal member fixed at its base;   a tubular member slidably disposed about the longitudinal member;   a tubular supporting member that extends inside the tubular member and is slidably disposed about the longitudinal member; and   a locking mechanism that includes a first formation, connected to either the tubular member or the longitudinal member, for selective engagement with one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced formations on the other of the tubular member and the longitudinal member, wherein the first formation is biased into an engaged position;   wherein the tubular member is rotatable against the bias to disengage the first formation to allow the tubular member to longitudinally slide with respect to the longitudinal member to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member and wherein, upon release, the locking mechanism biases the first formation into engagement with a respective formation of the plurality of formations, and wherein the tubular supporting member slides with the tubular member but does not rotate.   
   
   
       30 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 29 , wherein the tubular supporting member includes a mounting device at its end displaced from the longitudinal member. 
   
   
       31 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 29 , wherein the formations mechanically block relative longitudinal movement of the tubular members. 
   
   
       32 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 30 , wherein the mounting device fixes a horizontal member to the length adjustable member. 
   
   
       33 . A length adjustable member according to  claim 31 , wherein as the tubular supporting member does not rotate with the tubular member, when the length is adjusted, the horizontal member is longitudinally displaced, but is not rotated. 
   
   
       34 . A length adjustable member, including:
 a longitudinal member fixed at its base;   a tubular member slidably disposed about the longitudinal member;   a locking mechanism that includes a first formation connected to the tubular member for selective engagement with one of a plurality of spaced formations on the longitudinal member, wherein the first formation is biased into an engaged position;   wherein means are provided to disengage the first formation to allow the tubular member to longitudinally slide with respect to the longitudinal member to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member and wherein, upon release, the locking mechanism biases the first formation into engagement with a respective formation of the plurality of formations.   
   
   
       35 . A mechanism for a length adjustable member having at least one tubular member, the mechanism including:
 a longitudinal member capable of being fixed at its base and adapted for insertion at least partly within the tubular member;   a locking mechanism that includes a first formation connectable to the tubular member for selective engagement with one or a plurality of spaced formations on the longitudinal member, wherein the first formation is biased into an engaged position;   wherein means are provided to disengage the first formation to allow the tubular member to longitudinally slide with respect to the longitudinal member to adjust the overall length of the adjustable member and wherein, upon release, the locking mechanism biases the first formation into engagement with a respective formation of the plurality of formations.