U.S. patent number 3,666,311 [Application Number 05/055,372] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-30 for shotgun stick.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hastings Fiber Glass Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Earl W. McMullin.
United States Patent |
3,666,311 |
McMullin |
May 30, 1972 |
SHOTGUN STICK
Abstract
A shotgun or clamp stick for applying devices, such as clamps,
to electrical lines or conductors and removing devices therefrom.
The stick includes an elongated support rod having an insulating
head at one end and a movable actuating handle at the other end
thereof. An operating rod extends from the handle and is slidably
received within the insulating head. The operating rod is connected
to a clamping mechanism which is slidably disposed within the head
whereby actuation of the handle causes linear movement of the
operating rod for causing a corresponding movement and actuation of
the clamping mechanism. The support rod and the operating rod are
both of a telescopic construction. Releasable locking devices are
provided for individually releasably fixedly locking together the
telescoping parts of both the support rod and the operating rod.
The support rod and the operating rod can be easily telescopically
extended or shortened for permitting selective adjustment of the
overall length of the clamp stick.
Inventors: |
McMullin; Earl W. (Rutland
Township, Barry County, MI) |
Assignee: |
Hastings Fiber Glass Products,
Inc. (Hastings, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
21997374 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/055,372 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/750; 294/174;
81/53.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25J
1/04 (20130101); H01R 11/14 (20130101); Y10T
29/53222 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B25J
1/00 (20060101); B25J 1/04 (20060101); H01R
11/14 (20060101); H01R 11/11 (20060101); A47f
013/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;294/19,20
;56/332,333,335 ;81/53.1 ;287/58R,58CT |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Blunk; Evon C.
Assistant Examiner: Cherry; Johnny D.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive
property or privilege are defined as follows:
1. A clamp stick especially adapted for use with energized
electrical distribution lines or equipment and having means for
permitting the overall operational length of the stick to be
selectively varied, said stick comprising:
an elongated telescoping support rod means including first and
second elongated support members at least partially telescopically
slidably supported one on the other and selectively movable axially
relative to one another;
head means disposed adjacent one end of said support rod means and
secured to said first support member;
a clamping mechanism slidably mounted on said head means;
handle means movably mounted on said second support member
substantially adjacent the other end of said support rod means for
actuating said clamping mechanism;
elongated operating rod means operatively connected between said
handle means and said clamping mechanism, said operating rod means
including first and second elongated operating members movable
axially relative to one another;
first locking means coacting with said first and second support
members for releasably fixing said support members against axial
movement relative to one another in any selected one of a plurality
of axially spaced positions; and
second locking means coacting with said first and second operating
members for releasably fixing said operating members against axial
movement relative to one another in any selected one of a plurality
of axially spaced positions.
2. A clamp stick according to claim 1, in which said first and
second operating members are at least partially telescopically
slidably supported one on the other.
3. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein said first locking
means includes manually releasable lock means coacting with said
support rod means for positively and fixedly axially securing said
first and second support members relative to one another in any
selected one of a plurality of different positions for permitting
the axial length of said support rod means to be varied; and
wherein said second locking means includes manually releasable
holding means coacting with said operating rod means for axially
securing said first and second operating members relative to one
another in any selected one of a plurality of different positions
for permitting the axial length of said operating rod means to be
selectively varied.
4. A clamp stick according to claim 3, wherein said releasable lock
means includes a plunger radially movably mounted within the inner
support member and spring means normally resiliently urging said
plunger radially outwardly through an opening formed in the
peripheral wall of said inner support member, and the outer support
member having a plurality of axially spaced openings formed through
the wall thereof with said plunger being adapted to extend into one
of said openings in said outer member for positively axially
fixedly securing said inner support member relative to said outer
support member, said plunger being manually depressable in
opposition to the urging of said spring means to release said inner
and outer support members.
5. A clamp stick according to claim 3, wherein said releasable
holding means includes a movable detent member coacting between
said first and second operating members and resiliently urged means
coacting with said detent member for normally maintaining said
detent member in engagement with said first and second operating
members for preventing relative axial movement therebetween.
6. A clamp stick according to claim 5, wherein said releasable
holding means further includes release means for permitting said
holding means to be maintained in a released condition in
opposition to the urging of said resiliently urged means for
permitting said first and second operating members to be
selectively axially moved relative to one another.
7. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein said handle means
includes a handle member movably mounted on said second support
member for movement relative to said support rod means through a
predetermined distance from a first retracted position forwardly
toward said head means to a second advanced position, and control
means coacting between said handle member and said second support
member for controlling the advancing movement of said handle member
from said first to said second position.
8. A clamp stick according to claim 7, wherein said control means
includes first means coacting between said handle member and said
second support member for controlling the advancing movement of
said handle member from said first position toward a third position
located intermediate said first and second positions, and second
means for controlling the advancing movement of said handle member
from said third position toward said second position.
9. A clamp stick according to claim 8, wherein said second means
includes a first stop member movably mounted on said handle member
for movement therewith and a second stop member fixedly mounted
relative to said second support member and disposed for contacting
said first stop member for normally preventing advancing movement
of said handle means beyond said third position.
10. A clamp stick according to claim 9, wherein said first stop
member comprises a trigger member movably mounted on said handle
member for movement substantially radially relative to said support
rod means, and spring means normally urging said trigger member
radially outwardly for permitting same to contact said second stop
member when said handle member is advanced to said third position,
whereby manual depression of said trigger member in opposition to
the urging of said spring means permits same to be released from
said second stop member to permit further advancing movement of
said handle member toward said second position.
11. A clamp stick according to claim 10, wherein said control means
includes an elongated control member fixedly secured to and
extending axially of said second support member, said control
member having an elongated cam groove therein with said cam groove
including first and second elongated straight groove portions
axially and laterally offset from one another with the adjacent
ends of said straight groove portions being disposed in
communication with one another, said trigger member having a cam
follower disposed within said cam groove with said cam follower
being slidably movable along said first straight groove portion as
said handle member is moved from said first to said third position,
said cam follower abutting the end of said first straight groove
portion for normally preventing further advancing movement of said
handle means, movement of said trigger member causing said cam
follower to be laterally displaced into said second straight groove
portion for enabling said handle member to be further advanced from
said third position toward said second position.
12. A clamp stick according to claim 11, wherein said first means
comprises a one-way ratchet mechanism coacting between said handle
member and said control member for normally preventing advancing
movement of said handle member from said first toward said third
position, and said handle member comprising a sleeve-like member
disposed in surrounding relationship to both said second support
member and said control member.
13. A clamp stick for use with energized electrical distribution
lines or equipment, comprising:
elongated support rod means;
head means fixedly secured adjacent one end of said support rod
means;
a clamping mechanism slidably mounted on said head means;
elongated operating rod means disposed adjacent and substantially
parallel with said support rod means and having one end thereof
operatively interconnected to said clamping mechanism for moving
same; and
handle means movably mounted on said support rod means
substantially adjacent the other end thereof and connected to the
other end of said operating rod means for controlling the movement
and actuation of said clamping mechanism;
said handle means including a handle member movably mounted on said
support rod means and movable therealong through a predetermined
distance from a first retracted position in a direction toward said
head means to a second advanced position;
control means coacting between said handle member and said support
rod means for controlling the advancing movement of said handle
member from said first to said second position;
said control means including first means coacting between said
handle member and said support rod means for controlling advancing
movement of said handle member from said first position to a third
position disposed intermediate said first and second positions,
said first means permitting said handle member to be locked
relative to said support rod means when disposed between said first
and third positions for preventing further advancing movement of
said handle means; and
said control means further including second means coacting between
said handle member and said support rod means for controlling the
advancing movement of said handle means from said third position
toward said second position, said second means including a
stationary stop member fixedly secured relative to said support rod
means and a movable stop member movably mounted on said handle
member and disposed for coaction with said stationary stop member
when said handle member is advanced to said third position for
normally preventing further advancing movement of said handle
member.
14. A clamp stick according to claim 13, wherein said movable stop
member comprises a trigger member movably mounted on said handle
member for movement substantially radially relative to said support
rod means, and spring means normally urging said trigger member
radially outwardly for permitting same to contact said fixed stop
member when said handle member is advanced to said third position,
whereby manual depression of said trigger member in opposition to
the urging of said spring means permits same to be released from
said fixed stop member so as to permit further advancing movement
of said handle member toward said second position.
15. A clamp stick according to claim 14, wherein said control means
includes an elongated control member fixedly secured to and
extending axially of said support rod means, said control member
having an elongated cam groove therein with said cam groove
including first and second elongated straight groove portions
axially and laterally offset from one another with the adjacent
ends of said straight groove portions being disposed in
communication with one another, said trigger member having a cam
follower disposed within said cam groove with said cam follower
being slidably movable along said first straight groove portion as
said handle member is moved from said first to said third position,
said cam follower abutting the end of said first straight groove
portion for normally preventing further advancing movement of said
handle means, movement of said trigger member causing said cam
follower to be laterally displaced into said second straight groove
portion for enabling said handle member to be further advanced from
said third position toward said second position.
16. A clamp stick according to claim 15, wherein said first means
comprises a one-way ratchet mechanism coacting between said handle
member and said control member for normally preventing advancing
movement of said handle member from said first toward said third
position, and said handle member comprising a sleeve-like member
disposed in surrounding relationship to both said support rod means
and said control member.
17. A clamp stick according to claim 13, wherein said control means
includes an elongated control member fixedly secured to and
extending axially of said support rod means, said control member
having an elongated cam groove therein with said cam groove
including first and second elongated straight groove portions
axially and laterally offset from one another with the adjacent
ends of said straight groove portions being disposed in
communication with one another, and said movable stop member having
a cam follower slidably disposed within said cam groove.
18. A clamp stick for use with energized electrical distribution
lines or equipment, comprising:
an elongated, electrical insulating, support rod assembly
comprising an elongated tubular front support rod and an elongated
tubular rear support rod, the rearward end of said front support
rod being telescopically and slidably received within the front end
of said rear support rod;
an electrical insulating head fixedly mounted on the front end of
said front support rod;
a clamping mechanism axially slidably mounted within said head for
extension from said head and retraction into said head;
a handle assembly axially slidably mounted on the rear support rod
adjacent the rear end thereof;
an elongated operating rod assembly extending alongside said
support rod assembly and comprising an elongated front operating
rod and an elongated tubular rear operating rod, the front end of
said front operating rod being connected to said clamping mechanism
and the rear end of said front operating rod being telescopically
and slidably received within the front end of said rear operating
rod, the rear operating rod being connected to said handle
assembly, so that axial movement of said handle assembly along said
rear support rod will move said clamping mechanism within said
head;
first locking means coacting between the telescoped portions of
said support rods for releasably fixedly securing said support rods
against axial movement relative to each other in any selected one
of a plurality of axially spaced positions, said first locking
means being located between said handle and said head;
second locking means coacting between the telescoped portions of
said operating rods for releasably fixedly securing said operating
rods against axial movement relative to each other in any selected
one of a plurality of correspondingly axially spaced positions,
said second locking means being located between said handle and
said head;
whereby the effective operating lengths of said support rod
assembly and said operating rod assembly can be adjusted in
corresponding amounts; and
cooperating releasable stop means on said handle assembly and on
said rear support rod for releasably positioning said handle
assembly in axially spaced positions for thereby positioning said
clamping mechanism in axially spaced positions with respect to said
head.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus, commonly referred to as a
clamp stick or a shotgun stick, for applying devices, such as
clamps, to electrical conductors and removing the devices
therefrom. Particularly, the invention relates to an improved
shotgun stick which is telescopically adjustable for permitting the
overall length thereof to be easily and selectively varied.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Service personnel for power companies often utilize an apparatus
referred to as a clamp stick or a shotgun stick for installing hot
line clamps and for manipulating various other tools when working
on or around an energized electrical distribution line. While the
known sticks of this type are satisfactory, so far as I am aware,
no one has previously devised a successful and satisfactory stick
of this type in which the length of the stick can be selectively
and easily adjusted.
As is well known, the accessibility of electrical distribution
lines varies substantially because the lines are installed not only
above the ground at various elevations, but also many lines are
disposed below the ground in underground distribution systems.
Because of the widely diverse and nonuniform manner in which
electrical distribution lines are positioned and mounted, the
access distances from the working positions of the maintenance
personnel to distribution lines vary over a substantially wide
range. For example, when a service man is working on an overhead
line, the line may be as much as 12 feet from the service man and
thus the service man must have a stick of at least approximately 12
feet in length in order to reach the line. On the other hand, when
the service man is working in an underground installation, wherein
space is limited, then the service man is generally much closer to
the electrical line and, therefore, he requires a substantially
shorter stick, such as one of approximately 4 to 6 feet in
length.
In order to work under the widely diverse access distances
encountered at various locations, it is often necessary for
maintenance personnel to have available a series of clamp sticks of
different lengths. For example, a maintenance crew might possess
five different sticks having lengths of 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10
feet and 12 feet in order to permit them to operate within the 4 to
12 foot range. While this permits the maintenance crew to operate
under all the expected access conditions, nevertheless, the
necessity of carrying about such a large number of different length
sticks is undesirable, not only because it substantially increases
the equipment cost, but also because it requires additional storage
space and often results in inefficient utilization of working time
because in many working situations the service man may not have
initially selected a stick of the correct length.
In order to overcome the necessity of providing a number of sticks
of different lengths, some of the prior known clamp sticks have
been manufactured in a plurality of sections so as to be separable,
thereby enabling one or more extension pieces to be inserted into
the middle of the stick to permit the overall length thereof to be
selectively adjusted. While this obviously reduces the inventory of
needed equipment, nevertheless this type of clamp stick is also
undesirable because the length adjustment can be accomplished only
by disassembling the stick to permit one or more extension pieces
to be inserted therein, whereupon the stick is then reassembled.
This requires a substantial amount of time. This type of clamp
stick is also heavy and bulky.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved shotgun stick which overcomes the above-mentioned
disadvantages by constructing the stick so that the overall length
thereof can be easily and selectively adjusted over a substantially
wide range.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which has both a telescoping support
rod assembly and a telescoping operating rod assembly for
permitting the overall length of the stick to be easily and
selectively adjusted.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which has easily releasable
locking devices associated with both the telescoping support rod
assembly and the telescoping operating rod assembly for maintaining
said assemblies at a selected axial length and for permitting said
telescoping assemblies to be easily released for permitting the
axial length thereof to be extended or shortened.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which has an improved handle
assembly for permitting actuation of the clamp assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved
shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which can be efficiently and safely
utilized on or around energized electrical distribution lines, is
of relatively light weight, can have the axial length thereof
easily and quickly adjusted over a relatively wide range without
requiring dismantling or disassembly thereof, is strong and durable
so as to minimize maintenance and repair, and can be economically
manufactured and sold.
Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to
persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the
following specification and inspecting the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shotgun stick constructed
according to the present invention, the same being illustrated with
the clamp mechanism retracted within the insulating head.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional, elevational view of the handle
assembly.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line
III--III as appearing in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
IV--IV as appearing in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line V--V
as appearing in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, elevational, sectional view of the head end
of the stick.
FIG. 7 is a broken, horizontal, sectional view of a portion of the
insulating head and illustrating the clamp mechanism in the
extended, open position.
FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the clamping
mechanism in a partially retracted, closed position.
FIG. 8 is a sectional, elevational view taken substantially along
the line VIII--VIII as appearing in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged, sectional view illustrating the operating
rod locking mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line X--X
as appearing in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating the
lock mechanism in the released position.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the operating rod lock
mechanism and showing in solid lines the locked position
illustrated in FIG. 9 and showing in broken lines the released
position illustrated in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a modified operating rod locking
mechanism.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for
convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words
"upwardly," "downwardly," "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will
designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.
The words "front" and "rear" will refer to the right and left sides
of the device and designated parts thereof as appearing in FIG. 1.
The word "forwardly" will refer to rightward movement of the handle
and the operating rod as appearing in FIG. 1, and the word
"rearwardly" will correspondingly refer to leftward movement of the
handle and the operating rod as appearing in FIG. 1. The words
"inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away
from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and
designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words
above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of
similar import.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the objects and purposes of the invention are met by
providing a shotgun stick having an elongated, telescopic support
rod assembly and a substantially parallel, elongated, telescopic
operating rod assembly. An insulating head is fixedly mounted
adjacent one end of the support rod assembly and said head has a
clamping mechanism slidably receivable therein and extendable from
the forward end thereof. The adjacent end of the operating rod
assembly is slidably received within the insulating head and is
connected to the clamping mechanism for causing slidable movement
thereof relative to the head. The other end of the support rod
assembly has a handle assembly slidably mounted thereon. The handle
assembly is fixedly interconnected to the rearward end of the
operating rod assembly whereby sliding movement of the handle
assembly relative to the support rod assembly causes a
corresponding movement of the operating rod assembly for causing
the clamping mechanism to be slidably moved relative to the
insulating head. Both the telescopic support rod assembly and the
telescopic operating rod assembly include releasable locking
devices associated therewith for permitting the axial length of
said rod assemblies to be easily and simultaneously lengthened or
shortened as desired.
The handle assembly includes a manually movable trigger which
coacts with an elongated cam secured to the support rod assembly
for controlling the movement of the clamping mechanism. The cam
includes a first portion coacting with the trigger for permitting
the clamping assembly to be slidably moved forwardly within the
head to the forward end thereof. Further forward movement of the
clamping mechanism is prevented until the trigger is released so as
to cooperate with a second cam portion which enables further axial
forward movement of the clamping mechanism beyond the forward end
of the head, whereby the jaw or jaws of the clamping mechanism move
to an open position. The handle assembly additionally includes a
lever which is disposed for coaction with a rack formed on the cam
member for preventing forward sliding movement of the clamping
mechanism when the trigger is disposed in contact with the first
cam portion, the second-mentioned forward movement of the clamping
mechanism being possible only after first initially releasing the
lever from engagement with the rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an improved shotgun stick 11 constructed
according to the present invention, which stick comprises an
elongated telescoping support rod assembly 12 having an insulating
head 13 mounted on one end thereof and a handle assembly 14
slidably mounted thereon adjacent the other end thereof. The head
13 has a clamping mechanism 16 (FIGS. 6 and 7) slidably mounted
therein, which clamping mechanism is actuated by means of a
telescoping operating rod assembly 17 which is connected between
the clamping mechanism 16 and the handle assembly 14.
The support rod assembly 12 is comprised of an elongated tubular
front support rod 21 partially telescopically received within a
tubular rear support rod 22, which rods are secured together
against relative axial movement by means of a releasable lock
device 23.
The releasable lock device 23, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 5,
includes a plunger member 24 slidably received within an opening 26
formed in the front or inner support rod 21. The plunger 24 is
normally resiliently urged radially outwardly by means of a spring
27, which spring extends into the hollow interior 28 of the plunger
and abuts thereagainst. The plunger 24 is adapted to extend
outwardly through one of a plurality of axially spaced openings 29
formed in the rear or outer support rod 22 for permitting the front
and rear support rods 21 and 22 to be selectively axially locked
together in one of a plurality of different positions for
permitting the axial length of the support rod assembly 12 to be
selectively varied.
Thus, by depressing the plunger 24 so that it is disposed entirely
within the inner rod 21, the inner rod can be moved longitudinally
with respect to the outer rod 22. The rods 21 and 22 can be
releasably locked in position by aligning opening 26 with one of
the openings 29. The lock device 23 can be the same as that
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,980,456 and further description
thereof is believed to be unnecessary.
The operating rod assembly 17 includes a front operating rod 31,
the rearward portion of which is telescopically received within a
rear operating rod or tube 32. The front and rear operating rods 31
and 32 are selectively secured against relative longitudinal
movement by means of a releasable lock mechanism 33, which
mechanism 33 will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
The insulating head 13 is fixedly mounted on the forward end
(rightward end in FIG. 1) of the front support rod 21. The forward
end of the front operating rod 31 is slidably received within the
insulating head 13. The head 13 is comprised of an elongated,
one-piece hollow member 36 (FIG. 6). The rear portion 37 of member
36 is keyhole-shaped in cross section and the front portion 38 of
member 36 is cross-shaped in cross section. The rear portion 37 has
a first bore 39 formed therein, which bore receives therein the
forward end of the front support rod 21 for fixedly securing the
head 13 to the forward end of the support rod assembly 12. The rear
portion 37 of the head 13 also includes a further bore 41 which is
substantially parallel to the bore 39 and slidably receives therein
the forward end of the front operating rod 31. The head 13 has a
elongated cross-shaped opening 42 extending throughout the length
of the front portion 38, which cross-shaped opening 42 slidably
receives therein the clamping mechanism 16. The clamping mechanism
16 is fixedly interconnected to the forward end of the front
operating rod 31 by means of an intermediate rod adapter 44.
The forward end of the head 13 has notches or slots 45 therein for
receiving portions of the clamps or other tools being
manipulated.
The clamping mechanism 16 includes a guide 43 slidably positioned
within the cross-shaped opening 42 and fixedly, here threadedly,
connected to the forward end of the rod adapter 44. The guide 43 is
cross-shaped in cross section and substantially corresponds in
shape to the shape of the opening 42. A hook or jaw member 46 is
pivotally mounted on the forward end of guide 43. The rearward or
inner end of the jaw member 46 is positioned within a recess 47
formed in one of the cross webs 50 of the guide 43. A pivot pin 48
extends through the web 50 and the hook member 46 for pivotally
interconnecting same. A conventional tension spring 49 is connected
between the guide 43 and the jaw member 46 for normally resiliently
urging the jaw member 46 toward its open position when the clamping
mechanism is partially extended beyond the end of the head 13
substantially as illustrated in FIG. 7. The spring 49 causes the
jaw member 46 to pivotally swing into the open position and bear
against the end wall 51 of the head 13 when the clamping mechanism
is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 7. The jaw member 46
is designed to coact with a projection or fixed jaw 52 which
extends outwardly from the guide member 43 so as to define a
substantially closed loop when the guide 43 is retracted axially
inwardly from the FIG. 7 position whereby the hook member 46 is
caused to pivotally swing into a closed position adjacent the
projection 52, as illustrated in FIG. 7A.
While the clamping mechanism 16 as illustrated and above described
uses only a single movable hook or jaw, it will be readily apparent
to those familiar with devices of this type that the clamping
mechanism 16 could obviously be provided with a conventional double
jaw structure in which both jaws are pivotally movable like jaw 46
in the illustrated embodiment.
Considering now the handle assembly 14, same includes a sleeve-like
handle member 56 (FIG. 2) positioned in slidable and surrounding
relationship on the rear support rod 22. The handle member 56 has a
generally keyhole-shaped internal opening 57 (FIG. 4) extending
longitudinally therethrough. The opening 57 includes a
substantially cylindrical central portion 58 through which slidably
extends the rear support rod 22. The opening 57 also includes a
substantially rectangular recess 59 disposed in continuous
communication with the cylindrical portion 58 and designed for
slidably receiving therein an elongated slide member 61.
The elongated slide member 61 is fixedly secured to the external
periphery of the support rod 22 and extends axially thereof and
includes a pair of identical cam grooves 62 formed in the opposite
sides thereof. One of the cam grooves 62 is disclosed in side
elevation in FIG. 2 and it includes a pair of straight groove
portions 63 and 64, which straight groove portions are laterally
offset from one another but have their adjacent ends longitudinally
overlapped and communicating with one another by means of an
intermediate transverse groove portion 66. The forward end of the
straight groove portion 63 is defined by means of a shoulder 67
formed integrally on the slide member 61. The rearward end of the
straight groove portion 63 is defined by means of an end stop
member 68 fixedly secured to the slide 61. The forward end of the
other straight groove portion 64 is also defined by a shoulder 69.
The rearward end of groove portion 64 is defined by means of an
inclined cam surface 71.
The handle member 56 is provided adjacent its forward end with a
recess 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in which is movably positioned a manually
depressable trigger member 73. The trigger member 73 is provided
with a pair of side leg portions 77 which project downwardly so as
to be positioned adjacent the opposite sides of the slide member
61. The leg portions 77 are each provided with an inturned flange
or projection 78 which is slidably received within the adjacent cam
groove 62. A spring 74 is disposed below the trigger member 73 and
normally resiliently urges same outwardly relative to the handle
member 56, the outward movement of the trigger member 73 being
restrained by means of the projections 78 being disposed in
slidable engagement with the upper walls 79 of the cam grooves 62.
The lower end of the spring 74 is seated on a rib 76 which is
positioned between the leg portions 77 of the trigger and extends
across the recess 72. The purpose of the trigger 73 will be
explained in greater detail hereinafter.
The handle member 56 is also provided with a lever or pawl 81
pivotally mounted thereon, which lever has a tooth 82 adjacent its
forward end adapted for coaction with a toothed rack 83 which
extends along the upper surface of the slide 61. The forward end of
the lever 81 is adapted to extend through an opening 84 formed in
the sidewall of the handle member 56 for permitting the tooth 82 to
contact the rack 83. The handle member 56 is provided with a pair
of upstanding tabs 86 (FIG. 4) disposed on opposite sides of the
opening 84, and a pivot pin 87 extends between the tabs 86 for
pivotally supporting the lever 81. A torsion spring 88 extends
around the pivot pin 87 and has its opposite free ends disposed for
coaction with the external periphery of the handle member 56 and
the free end of the lever 81 for normally resiliently urging the
tooth 82 into engagement with the rack 83. The one end of the
spring 88 is normally retained between a pair of projections 89
(FIG. 4) which are fixedly secured to and extend upwardly from the
handle sleeve member 56.
The sleeve-like handle member 56 also has a further bore 91 (FIG.
2) formed in the forward end thereof for fixedly receiving therein
the rearward end of the rear operating rod 32. The rear end of the
operating rod 32 is fixedly positioned within an adapter sleeve 92,
which adapter sleeve is in turn positioned within the bore 91 and
is fixedly axially retained therein by means of a transverse screw
member 93.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, the operating rod lock mechanism 33
comprises a cylindrical locking sleeve 96 fixedly secured to the
rear operating rod 32 and a cylindrical clamping sleeve 104
slidably disposed in surrounding relationship on the cylindrical
locking sleeve 96. The cylindrical locking sleeve 96 includes a
first sleeve portion 97 disposed in surrounding relationship and
fixedly secured to the forward end of the rear operating rod 32.
The cylindrical locking sleeve 96 also includes a second sleeve
portion 98 which extends forwardly of the rear rod 32 and has a
reduced diameter bore 99 therein which is coaxially aligned with
and is of substantially the same diameter as the bore formed within
the rear rod 32 for permitting the front operating rod 31 to
slidably extend therethrough.
The cylindrical locking sleeve 96 is provided with one or more
radial openings 101 extending therethrough, which openings 101 each
have a detent ball 102 positioned therein, which balls are adapted
to coact with and be seated within annular recesses 103 formed in
the periphery of the front operating rod 31. The rod 31 is provided
with a plurality of axially spaced sets of recesses 103 for a
purpose as explained hereinafter.
The balls 102, when seated within a set of recesses 103, are
lockingly maintained therein by means of the cylindrical clamping
sleeve 104, which sleeve 104 surrounds and is slidably supported on
the locking sleeve 96. The clamping sleeve 104 includes a front
sleeve portion 106 which is slidably guided on the front sleeve
portion 98 of the locking sleeve 96. The clamping sleeve 104 also
includes an intermediate sleeve portion 107 which has a reduced
diameter internal bore formed therein and is interconnected to the
front sleeve portion 106 by means of the annular cam ramp 108,
which cam ramp is designed for coaction with the balls 102 for
camming the balls 102 into the recesses 103 when the locking device
is moved to the locking position illustrated in FIG. 9.
The clamping sleeve 104 further includes a rear sleeve portion 109
which is radially spaced outwardly from the locking sleeve 96 so as
to define an annular space therebetween in which is positioned a
compression spring 111, which spring at its rearward end bears
against a spring retainer 112 fixedly seated on the locking sleeve
96. The forward end of the spring 111 is seated against an internal
shoulder formed on the clamping sleeve 104 for normally urging the
clamping sleeve forwardly so as to abut against a shoulder 113
formed on the locking sleeve 96.
The locking sleeve 96 further has a pin 114 (FIG. 12) extending
radially therefrom, which pin is adapted to extend into an axial
slot 116 which extends inwardly through the sidewall of the
clamping sleeve 104 adjacent the forward end thereof. The pin 114
functions as a means for permitting the clamping sleeve 104 to be
maintained in a released position in opposition to the urging of
the spring 111 merely by rotating the sleeve 104 relative to the
sleeve 96, as is illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 12. In the
released position shown in FIG. 11 and by broken lines in FIG. 12,
the rod 31 can be slid longitudinally relative to rod 32, whereas
in the locked position illustrated in FIG. 9 and by solid lines in
FIG. 12, the rods 31 and 32 are locked against relative
longitudinal movement.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the rod 31 is provided with a plurality
of sets recesses 103 spaced axially along the external periphery
thereof, which sets of recesses are axially spaced apart by
distances substantially equal to the distances between the openings
29 whereby the support rod assembly 12 and the operating rod
assembly 17 are both simultaneously axially adjustable through
equal distances and are selectively axially lockable in the
selected extended or retracted positions.
The shotgun stick 11 further includes one or more protective rod
guides 118 (FIGS. 1 and 5) disposed in surrounding relationship to
the support rod and operating rod assemblies for maintaining these
assemblies in proper parallel relationship to one another and for
providing additional strength to the stick. The guide 118 can also
be used as a hand grip if so desired. The rearward end of the rear
support rod 22 is also preferably provided with a plastic
protective base cover 119 for preventing the rear of the rod from
being damaged during utilization or storage of the stick.
An O-ring 120 is mounted in a groove in the rod 31. The ring 120 is
adapted to abut against the end of the head 13 as illustrated in
broken lines in FIG. 6 so as to serve as a stop to limit movement
of the clamping mechanism out of the head 13. This is a safety
feature that is of utility when the locking mechanism 33 is
released so that the rod 31 is free to move independently of the
handle.
With respect to the materials of which the essential components of
the shotgun stick are made, the support rod assembly and the
operating rod assembly are made of an electrical nonconductive
material, such as resin-impregnated fiber glass, and the head 13 is
also constructed to an insulator material, such as polycarbonate
resin.
OPERATION
The operation of the shotgun stick embodying the present invention
will be described in detail so as to insure a complete
understanding thereof.
It will first be assumed that the stick has already been adjusted
so that it is of the appropriate length and that both of the
locking mechanisms 23 and 33 are in their locking position so as to
prevent extension of the support rod assembly 12 and extension of
the operating rod assembly 17. It will further be assumed that the
stick is in its inoperative, retracted position as illustrated in
solid lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
In order to utilize the stick 11, the user will manually grasp the
stick by placing one hand on the rear end of the support rod
assembly 12, such as on the guide or hand grip 118, the other hand
being placed on the handle member 56. The lever 81 will then be
manually depressed to release the tooth 82 from engagement with the
rack 83, whereupon the handle assembly 14 will then be manually
axially slidably moved forwardly relative to the support rod 22
until the projections 78 formed on the trigger 73 contact the
abutment surfaces 67 so as to prevent further forward movement of
the handle assembly. This last-mentioned movement of the handle
assembly also causes a corresponding forward movement of the
operating rod assembly 17 which in turn causes a forward sliding
movement of the clamp mechanism 16 into the dotted line position
designated A in FIG. 6 (and as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A).
The clamping mechanism 16, when in position A, is disposed closely
adjacent the free end of the head 13 but is still fully retracted
within the head so that the jaw 46 is still in the closed position
as illustrated in FIG. 7A. The trigger 73 will then be manually
depressed so as to move the projections 78 downwardly past the
abutment surfaces 67 so as to be disposed within the second
straight groove portion 64, whereupon the trigger will be
maintained in its depressed condition and the handle assembly 14
will again be slidably moved axially forwardly until the
projections 78 contact the forward abutment surfaces 69. This
subsequent axial movement of the handle assembly also causes a
further corresponding axial movement of the operating rod assembly
17, which in turn causes the clamping mechanism 16 to be moved from
position A of FIG. 6 into the fully open position designated as
position B, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Movement of the
clamping mechanism from the advanced closed position A to the
advanced fully open position B causes the hook 46 to move outwardly
beyond the end of the head 13, whereupon the spring 49 pivotally
swings the hook 46 into its open position (FIG. 7) so that the hook
bears against the forward end wall 51 of the head 13. In this
position, the hook 46 is now adapted to be hooked over the clamp or
other tool to be manipulated.
After the hook 46 has been suitably engaged with a clamp or other
tool, then the handle assembly 14 will be axially moved rearwardly
along the length of the straight groove portion 64, which rearward
axial movement will cause the hook guide 43 to be slidably moved
into the head 13, and in so doing the hook 46 will cam against the
end wall 51 so as to be swung from open position B into closed
position A. The clamp or tool is now held in the aperture defined
by jaws 46 and 52. The clamping mechanism is then in the advanced
closed position A.
In this condition, in some instances, a part of the clamp or tool
extends into one or more of the notches 45 and prevents further
retraction of the clamping mechanism. Thus, in effect, the clamp or
tool is fixedly held so that it can be easily manipulated as
needed.
In other instances, it will be possible and desirable to move the
clamp or tool further rearwardly at least in part into the head 13.
When the projections 78 and the trigger 73 reach the intermediate
cam groove portion 66, the spring 77 will resiliently move the
projections 78 up into the upper straight cam groove portion 63.
This will permit the handle assembly 14 to be moved rearwardly
along the support rod 22, whereupon the closed clamping mechanism
16 will likewise be retracted axially into the head 13 from
position A toward the fully retracted position as illustrated by
solid lines in FIG. 6. During the rearward sliding movement of the
handle assembly 14, the tooth 82 on the lever 81 will freely cam
over the teeth of the rack 83, which rack has rearwardly sloped
teeth thereon so as to function as a one-way locking device. When
the handle assembly has been axially retracted to the desired
extent, the lever 81 will engage the rack 83 so as to lock the
handle assembly in the desired retracted position and prevent same
from being axially moved forwardly.
Thus, by suitable manipulation of the lever 81, the jaws 46 and 52
in a closed position can be moved axially as needed in the head 13
and can be releasably locked in an adjustable axially fixed
position by engaging tooth 82 with a tooth on the rack 83. The jaw
46 can be opened only by releasing lever 81 and moving the handle
mechanism forwardly until projections 78 engage surfaces 67, then
depressing the trigger 73 and then further moving the handle
mechanism forwardly until projections 78 engage surfaces 69.
When it is desired to adjust the axial length of the stick 11, the
handle assembly 14 will first be retracted axially so as to cause
the lever 81 to engage the rack 83 to fixedly interconnect same.
The cylindrical clamping sleeve 104 will then be axially retracted
(downwardly in FIG. 9) in opposition to the urging of the spring
111 so as to withdraw the pin 114 from the recess 116, whereupon
the sleeve 104 will be manually rotated so as to permit the pin 114
to bear against the forward axial end of the sleeve 104, thereby
maintaining the sleeve 104 in the released position. With the
sleeve in a released position illustrated in FIG. 11, the balls 102
are then freely displaceable radially outwardly so as to leave the
recesses 103, whereupon the inner operating rod 31 is then freely
movably relative to the outer tube 32. movable
After the locking mechanism 33 has been released, the locking
device 23 on the support rod assembly 12 will also be released by
manually depressing the plunger 24 so as to disengage same from the
selected opening 29, whereupon the inner support rod 21 will then
be axially slidably moved relative to the outer support rod 22,
which in turn will cause a corresponding axial movement of the
inner operating rod 31 relative to the outer operating rod 32. The
rod assemblies will be axially extended or shortened by the desired
amount such that when in their new relative axial positions, the
plunger 24 will again resiliently extend into one of the openings
29 so as to axially secure the support rods 21 and 22 together. The
clamping sleeve 104 will then again be rotated so as to align the
recess 116 with the pin 114, whereupon the spring 111 will urge the
clamping sleeve 104 upwardly against the shoulder 113, which axial
movement of sleeve 104 will cause the ramp 108 to cam the balls 102
radially inwardly so as to be seated within the selected set of
recesses 103. This now places the stick 11 in condition for
utilization thereof.
The stick 11, when being used, can be manually held so that the
lever 81 and trigger 73 are disposed on the upper side of the
handle, thereby enabling their actuation by means of the user's
thumb. Alternately, the stick can be rotated 180.degree. so that
the lever 81 and trigger 73 are disposed on the lower side of the
handle, thereby being actuated by the user's fingers. This design
of the handle assembly is desirable since it permits the stick to
be positioned so as to be most comfortable to the user and/or
positioned at the most convenient working orientation.
MODIFICATION
While FIGS. 9-12 illustrate therein one preferred embodiment of a
locking mechanism 33 useable for axially connecting the telescoping
portions of the operating rod assembly 17, it will be readily
apparent that numerous other locking devices can be provided for
this purpose. One such locking device is illustrated in FIG. 13 and
it includes a sleeve 121 fixedly secured to the forward end of the
rear rod 32, the sleeve 121 having its forward portion extending
beyond the rear rod so as to overlap a portion of the front
operating rod 31. The forward end of the sleeve 121 is provided
with an opening 122 therethrough, which opening 122 is adapted to
be aligned with one of a plurality of axially spaced openings 123
formed within the rod 31. A leaflike spring 124 is fixedly secured
to the sleeve 121 and is provided with a pin or projection 126 at
its forward end, which pin is adapted to extend through the opening
122 so as to be receivable within one of the openings 123. The
spring 124 normally resiliently urges the pin 126 through the
opening 122 so as to engage one of the openings 123 so as to
fixedly axially interconnect the operating rods 31 and 32. To
permit the axial length of the operating rod assembly to be
adjusted, the spring 124 is manually pivoted outwardly so as to
remove the pin 126 from the opening 123, whereupon the rod 31 can
be axially moved relative to the rod 32 so as to align a different
opening 123 with the opening 122, whereupon the spring 124 will
then resiliently urge pin 126 back into the aligned openings 122
and 123 to again axially lock the operating rods 31 and 32
together.
Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have
been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be
recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed
apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *