Column and leg locking assemblies for stationary platforms

Abstract

The disclosure relates to locking assemblies. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to locking assemblies for a center column of a stationary platform. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to locking assemblies for legs of a stationary platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking assembly comprising:
 a first column portion having a hollow interior with a generally circular cross-section along a length of the first column portion;   an insert secured within an end portion of the first column portion, the insert having a first end which is solid contained within the first column portion, a threaded channel passing through the solid end, an inner cavity, and a second end which opens to the inner cavity;   wherein the inner cavity has a non-circular cross-section;   a second column portion having a main body and a first end, the first end having a non-circular cross-section corresponding to that of the inner cavity of the insert, wherein the first end is slidingly but not rotatably engaged with the inner cavity of the insert, the second column portion further having a channel through the first end, the channel being coaxial with the threaded channel of the insert; and   a fastening rod having a threaded end, wherein the fastening rod passes through the channel of the second column portion and engages the threaded channel of the insert.   
     
     
         2 . The locking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening rod further includes a fastening ring adjacent the threaded end, wherein the fastening ring has external dimensions greater than those of the channel of the second column portion. 
     
     
         3 . The locking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the non-circular cross-section of the inner cavity of the insert is selected from square, rectangular, triangular, and polygonal. 
     
     
         4 . The locking assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the non-circular cross-section of the first end of the second column is selected from square, rectangular, triangular, and polygonal. 
     
     
         5 . The locking assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the non-circular cross-section of the inner cavity of the insert is square. 
     
     
         6 . The locking assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the non-circular cross-section of the first end of the second column portion is square. 
     
     
         7 . The locking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first column portion has an outer diameter which is the same as an outer diameter of the main body of the second column portion. 
     
     
         8 . A stationary platform comprising a central column, the central column comprising the locking assembly of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The stationary platform of  claim 8 , wherein the stationary platform is a tripod. 
     
     
         10 . A locking assembly comprising:
 a locking ring secured to a first cylindrical section, the first cylindrical section insertable into a second cylindrical section and having a bearing surface at a second edge;   a first rotation stop secured to the second cylindrical section at a first end and slidable against the locking ring at a second end; and   a locking nut having a first end in threaded engagement with the first end of the rotation stop and having a second end secured to a locking wedge having a bearing surface,   wherein rotational movement of the locking nut in a first direction causes the bearing surface of the locking wedge to engage the bearing surface of the locking ring and rotational movement of the locking nut in a second direction causes the bearing surface of the locking wedge to disengage the bearing surface of the locking ring.   
     
     
         11 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the locking ring has a first edge containing a second bearing surface and the first rotation stop has a bearing surface corresponding to the second bearing surface of the locking ring. 
     
     
         12 . The locking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein rotational movement of the locking nut in the first direction causes the second bearing surface of the locking ring to engage the bearing surface of the first rotation stop and rotational movement of the locking nut in the second direction causes the second bearing surface of the locking ring to disengage the bearing surface of the first rotation stop. 
     
     
         13 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the locking ring, first rotation stop, locking nut and locking wedge are generally cylindrical and coaxial with each other and the first and second cylindrical sections. 
     
     
         14 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first rotation stop has a second bearing surface and the locking nut has a first bearing surface, the second bearing surface of the first rotation stop and the first bearing surfaces of the locking nut being opposed to one another, and wherein rotational movement of the locking nut in the first direction is limited by engagement of the second bearing surface of the first rotation stop and the first bearing surface of the locking nut. 
     
     
         15 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , further including a second rotation stop secured to the first rotation stop, wherein the locking nut is slidable against the second rotation stop. 
     
     
         16 . The locking assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second rotation stop has a first bearing surface and the locking nut has a second bearing surface, the first bearing surface of the second rotation stop and the second bearing surface of the locking nut being opposed to one another, and wherein rotational movement of the locking nut in the second direction is limited by engagement of the first bearing surface of the second rotation stop and the second bearing surface of the locking nut. 
     
     
         17 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the first rotation stop and the first end of the locking nut are correspondingly threaded, and wherein the thread pitch is from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The locking assembly of  claim 10 , further including a grip secured to the locking nut and locking wedge. 
     
     
         19 . A stationary platform comprising at least one telescoping leg comprising the locking assembly of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         20 . The stationary platform of  claim 19 , further comprising a second locking assembly, the second locking assembly comprising:
 a first column portion having a hollow interior with a generally circular cross-section along a length of the first column portion;   an insert secured within an end portion of the first column portion, the insert having a first end which is solid contained within the first column portion, a threaded channel passing through the solid end, an inner cavity, and a second end which opens to the inner cavity;   wherein the inner cavity has a non-circular cross-section;   a second column portion having a main body and a first end, the first end having a non-circular cross-section corresponding to that of the inner cavity of the insert, wherein the first end is slidingly but not rotatably engaged with the inner cavity of the insert, the second column portion further having a channel through the first end, the channel being coaxial with the threaded channel of the insert; and   a fastening rod having a threaded end, wherein the fastening rod passes through the channel of the second column portion and engages the threaded channel of the insert.