Tracking telescoping outrigger

Abstract

An outrigger has a plurality of telescoping tubes capable of being retracted and extended with respect to one another, and a sleeve between the tubes; and said tubes and sleeve having longitudinal tracking means comprising protrusions and grooves to permit the tubes to be retracted and extended, while preventing substantial relative rotation therebetween; and locking means to lock the tubes in an extended position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An outrigger comprising a plurality of telescoping tubes capable of being retracted and extended with respect to one another, and further comprising at least one outer tube and one inner tube; 
 a sleeve juxtaposed between the inner and outer tubes; said sleeve having a first longitudinally extending tracking means thereon;    said tubes having second longitudinal tracking means thereon coacting with said first tracking means to permit the tubes to be retracted and extended, while preventing substantial relative rotation therebetween; and    locking means to lock the tubes in an extended position.    
     
     
         2 . The outrigger of  claim 1  wherein the outer tube has an inwardly and longitudinally extending protrusion; 
 the sleeve has a longitudinally extending groove co-acting with said protrusion;  
 the sleeve has an inwardly and longitudinally extending protrusion;  
 the inner tube has a longitudinally extending groove co-acting with the protrusion on the sleeve;  
 the inner tube has a inwardly and longitudinally extending protrusion; and  
 the locking means further comprises a retainer having a longitudinally extending groove therein co-acting with the protrusion on the inner tube to prevent substantial rotation therebetween; and  
 the retainer, the tubes and the sleeve have transfer holes therein which are aligned in at least one extended condition; and  
 the retainer has a hole therein in which there was positioned a spring-biased button biased to extend through said holes in said extended condition.  
 
     
     
         3 . The outrigger of  claim 2  wherein fastening means are provided to permit retention and disengagement of the retainer within said inner tube.  
     
     
         4 . The outrigger of  claim 2  wherein fastening means are provided to permit retention and disengagement of the retainer with said sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . The outrigger of  claim 1  wherein a guide means is provided on said outer tube co-acting with said inner tube to guide said inner tube during extension and retraction.  
     
     
         6 . The outrigger of  claim 5  wherein said guide means comprises a washer mounted on the end of said outer tube by means of a guide ring fastened to said outer tube and provided with means for disengagement from said outer tube whereby said tubes may be retained in their assembled condition and also disassembled.