Latching Device for Insertion into a Tube for Latching Movement of the Tube Relative to an External Element

Abstract

A latching device for insertion into a tube provides two large flat buttons one on each side to lock the tube relative to an outer tube or to two parallel plates. A tubular housing with open ends slides into the tube between the side walls of the tube with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls. The buttons are mounted on respective slide members mounted in the housing spring biased apart so that the buttons can be depressed. One or two set screws acting as stop members can be inserted after the housing is moved to the required location in the tube to prevent depression of the buttons to a position inward of the inner surface of the tube so that the housing is held in place.

1 . A latching device for insertion into a tube for latching movement of the tube relative to an external element having two parallel walls,
 where the tube has two substantially parallel side walls with inside surfaces of the side walls spaced by a hollow interior of the tube, at least one of the side walls of the tube having a hole therein;   the latching device comprising:   a housing shaped and arranged for insertion into the tube longitudinally of the tube with ends of the housing spaced by a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the side walls, such that the housing can slide into the interior of the tube between the side walls with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls;   a slide member mounted in the housing movable longitudinal of the housing and therefore transversely of the tube;   a button on the slide member arranged to project outwardly from one end of the housing such that the button can project through the hole for engagement with the element;   the button arranged such that the button can be depressed, to release engagement with the element, so as to cause sliding movement of the slide member in the housing;   and a spring within the housing for resisting the sliding movement as the button is depressed.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a second slide member mounted in the housing movable longitudinal of the housing and therefore transversely of the tube with a second button on the second slide member arranged to project outwardly from an end of the housing opposite said one end of the housing such that the second button can project through a second hole opposite the hole for engagement with the element, the second button arranged such that the second button can be depressed, to release engagement with the element, so as to cause sliding movement of the second slide member in the housing relative to the slide member, the spring being arranged to resist the sliding movement as the second button is depressed. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the second slide member slides on said slide member. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the buttons can be compressed to a position within the housing by a telescoping action of the two slide members 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein said slide member and the second slide member overlap when moved to the outwardly to a position where the button and the second button project outwardly from the tube, to prevent binding during operation. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the element has two side walls each along side a respective one of the side walls of the tube and wherein said button and said second button are arranged to engage respective one of the walls of the element for added safety and security. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the second button is movable independently of said button so that independent operation of each button further improves safety. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein there is provided at least one stop member mounted on the housing and arranged to engage said slide member and the second slide member to halt movement inwardly to a position where said button and said second button are inward of the inner surface of the wall of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein there is provided a single stop member which engages said slide member and said second slide member to prevent depression of said button and the second button to a position within the inner surface of the side wall, so as to prevent movement of the housing within the tube, the single stop member being arranged to be inserted into place after the housing is moved into place within the tube, whereby the housing can be moved into place to said at least one hole within the tube with the stop member removed, and whereby the insertion of the stop member prevents movement of the housing from said place. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein there is provided a first stop member which engages said slide member prevent depression of said button and a second stop member which engages said second slide member to prevent depression of the second button to positions within the inner surface of the side wall so as to prevent movement of the housing within the tube, the stop members being arranged to be inserted into place after the housing is moved into place within the tube, whereby the housing can be moved into place to said at least one hole within the tube with the stop members removed, and whereby the insertion of the stop members prevents movement of the housing from said place. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a stop member which engages the slide member to prevent depression of the button to a position within the inner surface of the side wall so as to prevent movement of the housing within the tube, the stop member being arranged to be inserted into place after the housing is moved into place within the tube, whereby the housing can be moved into place to said at least one hole within the tube with the stop member removed, and whereby the insertion of the stop member prevents movement of the housing from said place. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11  wherein said stop member is arranged to hold the housing positively retained after installation by preventing depression of said button and wherein the stop member can be removed to allow the housing to be removed if required for service or replacement. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said button has an outer face which is in an outward position thereof substantially flush with respect to the wall of the element to guard against unintentional disengagement. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the outer face is substantially flat so as to be flush with the outer surface of the tube when compressed. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said button has a diameter greater than 0.4 inch so as to allow for easier operation while wearing gloves or other personal protective equipment. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the element is a second tube within which the tube slides. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the tubes are rectangular in cross section. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the element is a plate along a surface of which the tube moves. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the element includes a pair of parallel plates between which the tube moves. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the housing is tubular with at least one open end so that the slide member can be inserted through the open end.