Raceway ratchet limiter

Abstract

A clicker ratchet limiter is a mechanical device that allows one part to move a defined distance relative to another by means of a linkage moving around a closed circuit track with a minimum and maximum position, and by means of a captured spring to allow for propulsion of the linkage around the track. One part, the anchor, is fastened to an anchoring object, leaving the top part to move between a minimum and maximum displacement position. Switching between positions is effected by compressing an internal coil spring by pressing down on the top part. The linkage device is a ratchet but not robust to pulling of the top off of the anchored anchor part. A hook and step displacement limiter is provided within each raceway pair of rib and inverted rib on the anchor and top part, respectively, to prevent pulling off of the top.

1 . An anchored cylinder anchored by an underlying threaded post to a bath drain, wherein:
 a closed circuit track is inscribed in a vertical planar flat formed into the side of the cylinder, the floor of this track being ramped and stepped to allow the flat end of one leg of a staple-shaped wire-form to pass in one direction about the track, but not reverse.   
     
     
         2 . An anchored cylinder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a ratchet comprises the anchored cylinder overlain by a cylindrical sleeve compressing a coil spring between the top of the cylinder and the underside of the cylindrical sleeve, and with the end of one leg of a staple-shaped linking wire captured in a seat feature in the top of the cylindrical sleeve and the end of the other leg of the linking wire travelling within the closed circuit track between a minimum displacement position of the overlying cylindrical sleeve relative to the anchored cylinder to a maximum displacement position, in a ratcheting, one-way direction.   
     
     
         3 . A ratchet as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 a plurality of raceways comprising vertical ribs on the anchored cylinder are accommodated by vertical inverted ribs in the internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve, said inverted ribs equipped with an internal step at the maximum displacement position of the cylindrical sleeve relative to the anchor, such that each step is limited by a hook decorating the vertical rib that is accommodated within the inverted rib.