Telescopic pipe locking device and walking aid applying same

Abstract

An inner pipe of the telescopic pipe locking device is inserted into an outer pipe in a sliding mode, and a plurality of concave portions are arrayed on the outer wall of the inner pipe in the sliding direction. The locking piece is movably mounted on the outer pipe, and the inner end faces the outer wall of the inner pipe; the operating piece is movably installed on the outer pipe and provided with an operating part exposed out of the outer pipe, the operating part is used for driving the operating piece to move, the operating piece is provided with a protruding part and an inward-retracting part, the operating piece moves to switch the protruding part or the inward-retracting part to be aligned with the outer end of the locking piece, and when the protruding part is aligned with the outer end of the locking piece, the locking piece is pushed to move towards the inner pipe. One concave part is inserted to lock the sliding of the inner pipe, and when the inner receiving part is aligned with the outer end of the locking piece, the locking piece is loosened to be capable of retreating from the concave part to unlock the sliding of the inner pipe; the elastic piece is connected to the operating piece and used for elastically driving the operating piece to move till the protruding part faces the outer end of the locking piece. Through a structure convenient to operate, sliding of the inner pipe in the outer pipe is unlocked or firmly locked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of telescopic pipe devices, in particular to a telescopic pipe locking device and a walking aid applying the same. Background Art

[0002] A telescopic pipe generally includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The inner pipe is slidably inserted into the outer pipe. When the inner pipe extends out of the outer pipe, the telescopic pipe is lengthened. When the inner pipe retracts into the outer pipe, the telescopic pipe is shortened. And a locking device is also arranged between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The locking device can lock the sliding of the inner pipe, so that the pipe length of the telescopic pipe is fixed. Such a telescopic pipe structure is widely used in devices that need height adjustment.

[0003] However, most of the existing structures for locking the sliding of the inner pipe cannot take into account both reliable locking and convenient operation. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a telescopic pipe locking device and a walking aid applying the same, and the technical problem to be solved is how to unlock or reliably lock the sliding of the inner pipe in the outer pipe through a structure with convenient operation.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the solution of the utility model is: a telescopic pipe locking device, including an inner pipe, an outer pipe, a locking member, an operating member and an elastic member;

[0006] The inner pipe is slidably inserted into the outer pipe, and a plurality of recessed portions are arranged in an array along the sliding direction on the outer wall of the inner pipe;

[0007] The locking member is movably installed on the outer pipe, and the inner end faces the outer wall of the inner pipe;

[0008] The operating member is movably installed on the outer pipe and has an operating portion exposed outside the outer pipe. The operating portion is used to drive the operating member to move. The operating member has a protruding portion and a retracted portion. When the operating member moves, it is used to switch the protruding portion or the retracted portion to align with the outer end of the locking member. When the protruding portion aligns with the outer end of the locking member, it pushes the locking member to displace towards the inner pipe and inserts into a recessed portion to lock the sliding of the inner pipe. When the retracted portion aligns with the outer end of the locking member, the locking member is released, so that the locking member can withdraw from the recessed portion to unlock the sliding of the inner pipe;

[0009] The elastic member is connected to the operating member and is used to elastically drive the operating member to move until the protruding portion faces the outer end of the locking member.

[0010] Further, the operating member is pivotally connected to the outer pipe, and an arc-shaped transition portion is formed on the operating member. When the operating member pivots, different positions on the arc-shaped transition portion align with the outer end of the locking member. The protruding portion and the recessed portion are respectively a part of the arc-shaped transition portion.

[0011] Further, the rotating shaft on which the operating member is pivotally connected to the outer tube extends perpendicular to the extending direction of the outer tube. The operating part is provided on the operating member in a radially protruding manner. When the protruding part on the operating member faces the outer end of the locking member, the operating part swings towards the direction where the outer tube is located. When the operating part swings away from the direction where the outer tube is located, it drives the operating member to make the recessed part face the outer end of the locking member.

[0012] Further, the side wall of the recessed part and the inner end of the locking member form a wedge mechanism, so that when the inner tube slides, the locking member is pushed towards the direction away from the inner tube, causing the locking member to withdraw from the recessed part.

[0013] Further, an installation hole penetrates through the outer tube, and the locking member is slidably arranged in the installation hole to slide inwards and insert into a recessed part, or slide outwards to withdraw from the recessed part.

[0014] Further, the recessed part is a concave spherical surface, and the inner end of the locking member is a convex spherical surface. When the inwardly retracted part on the operating member aligns with the outer end of the locking member and the inner tube slides, through the cooperation of the concave spherical surface and the convex spherical surface, the locking member can be pushed out of the recessed part.

[0015] Further, an elastic piece is also arranged on the outer tube. One end of the elastic piece is fixedly connected to the outer tube, and the other end of the elastic piece elastically approaches the outer wall of the inner tube. A ball is rotatably installed at the end of the elastic piece close to the outer wall of the inner tube. When the inner end of the locking member aligns with each recessed part, the end of the elastic piece close to the outer wall of the inner tube drives the ball to bounce into another recessed part.

[0016] Further, a groove for the ball to be embedded is formed on the elastic piece, and the ball is embedded in the groove for rolling. The diameter of the notch of the groove is smaller than the diameter of the ball.

[0017] Further, the switching direction of the operating member from the protruding part aligning with the outer end of the locking member to the inwardly retracted part aligning with the outer end of the locking member is inconsistent with the moving direction of the locking member withdrawing from the recessed part.

[0018] A walking aid applies the above-mentioned telescopic tube locking device. The walking aid further includes a handrail and a chassis. Wheels are installed on the chassis. The inner tube and the outer tube are arranged between the handrail and the chassis to connect the handrail and the chassis. When the inner tube retracts into the outer tube, the handrail is lowered. When the inner tube extends out of the outer tube, the handrail is raised.

[0019] After adopting the above solution, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: When the user releases the operating part on the operating member, if the inner end of the locking member aligns with a recess on the outer wall of the inner tube, the elastic member will drive the operating member to move so that the protruding part faces the outer end of the locking member. At this time, the protruding part pushes against the outer end of the locking member, causing the inner end of the locking member to insert into this recess on the outer wall of the inner tube, locking the inner tube at a position within the outer tube. At this time, under the action of the elastic member, the protruding part remains aligned with the outer end of the locking member, restricting the locking member from withdrawing from the recess, achieving a reliable locking of the inner tube. When the user wants to adjust the length of the inner tube extending out of the outer tube, by operating the operating part, the operating member is driven to move, so that the operating member switches to the inner receiving part facing the outer end of the locking member, and the locking member will be loosened, thereby being able to withdraw from the recess and unlock the sliding of the inner tube. After sliding the inner tube and then releasing the operating part again, if the inner end of the locking member aligns with a recess, the elastic member will drive the operating member to reset, making the protruding part align with the locking member again, causing the inner end of the locking member to insert into a recess again, locking the sliding of the inner tube again. Thus, by operating the operating part, the inner tube can be unlocked, and releasing the operating part will automatically lock the inner tube, achieving the unlocking or reliable locking of the sliding of the inner tube within the outer tube through a structure with convenient operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present utility model when the inner tube is locked;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of part A in

[0023] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present utility model when the inner tube is unlocked;

[0024] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partial enlarged view of part B in

[0025] Reference numeral description: 1 - inner tube, 2 - outer tube, 3 - locking member, 4 - operating member, 5 - elastic member, 6 - recess, 7 - operating part, 8 - protruding part, 9 - inner receiving part, 10 - arc transition part, 11 - mounting hole, 12 - elastic sheet, 13 - ball, 14 - groove, 15 - mounting seat, 16 - spring pressing part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The following will describe the present utility model in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] In the claims, the description and the above-mentioned drawings of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, for orientation terms, such as the use of terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. to indicate the orientation or position relationship are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] The utility model provides a telescopic tube locking device, as Figures 1-5 shown, which includes an inner tube 1, an outer tube 2, a locking member 3, an operating member 4 and an elastic member 5;

[0029] The inner tube 1 is slidably inserted into the outer tube 2 to form a telescopic tube structure, so that when the inner tube 1 extends out of the outer tube 2, the elongation of the telescopic tube structure is realized, and when the inner tube 1 retracts into the outer tube 2, the shortening of the telescopic tube structure is realized. A plurality of recessed portions 6 are arranged in an array along the sliding direction on the outer wall of the inner tube 1. The recessed portions 6 can be holes penetrating the inner tube 1 or grooves not penetrating the inner tube 1, without specific limitation, and the specific structure will be given later;

[0030] The locking member 3 is movably installed on the outer tube 2, and the inner end faces the outer wall of the inner tube 1. The locking member 3 can be slidably arranged, that is, it can slide towards the direction where the inner tube 1 is located and towards the direction away from the inner tube 1. Of course, it can also be swingably arranged, for example, one end is pivotally connected to the outer tube 2 and the other end can swing towards or away from the direction where the inner tube 1 is located. Of course, it can also be other movable installation methods, as long as it is realized that the locking member 3 can move closer to or away from the inner tube 1. The preferred implementation will be given later;

[0031] The operating member 4 is movably mounted on the outer tube 2 and has an operating portion 7 exposed outside the outer tube 2. The operating portion 7 is for the user to operate to drive the operating member 4 to move. The operating member 4 has a protruding portion 8 and a retracted portion 9. The operating member 4 moves to switch the protruding portion 8 or the retracted portion 9 to align with the outer end of the locking member 3. When the protruding portion 8 aligns with the outer end of the locking member 3, it pushes the locking member 3 to displace towards the inner tube 1 and insert into a recessed portion 6 to lock the sliding of the inner tube 1. When the retracted portion 9 aligns with the outer end of the locking member 3, the locking member 3 is released so that the locking member 3 can withdraw from the recessed portion 6 to unlock the sliding of the inner tube 1. The switching direction of the operating member 4 from aligning the protruding portion 8 with the outer end of the locking member 3 to aligning the retracted portion 9 with the outer end of the locking member 3 is inconsistent with the moving direction of the locking member 3 withdrawing from the recessed portion 6 to prevent accidental unlocking of the inner tube 1. The specific structure can adopt any structure that can achieve the above functions, and more specific embodiments are listed later; the elastic member 5 is connected to the operating member 4 and is used to elastically drive the operating member 4 to move so that the protruding portion 8 faces the outer end of the locking member 3. Further, when the user releases the operating portion 7, the elastic member 5 will drive the operating member 4 to reset so that the protruding portion 8 faces the outer end of the locking member 3 to lock the sliding of the inner tube 1 on the outer tube 2.

[0032] In this embodiment, preferably, the operating member 4 adopts the following specific structure. The operating member 4 is pivotally connected to the outer tube 2, and an arc-shaped transition portion 10 is formed on the operating member 4. The operating member 4 pivots to make different positions on the arc-shaped transition portion 10 align with the outer end of the locking member 3. The distances from the positions on the arc-shaped transition portion 10 to the pivot axis are different. The protruding portion 8 and the recessed portion 6 are respectively part of the arc-shaped transition portion 10. Of course, the implementation method is not limited to the above specific structure. For example, the operating member 4 can also be designed to be slidably arranged on the outer tube 2, and the protruding portion 8 and the recessed portion 6 are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction so that the protruding portion 8 and the recessed portion 6 can respectively slide to align with the outer end of the locking member 3.

[0033] For the convenience of operation, the rotation axis of the operating member 4 pivotally connected to the outer tube 2 extends perpendicular to the extending direction of the outer tube 2. The operating portion 7 protrudes radially on the operating member 4. When the protruding portion 8 on the operating member 4 faces the outer end of the locking member 3, the operating portion 7 swings towards the direction where the outer tube 2 is located. When the operating portion 7 swings away from the direction where the outer tube 2 is located, it drives the operating member 4 to make the recessed portion 6 face the outer end of the locking member 3, thereby realizing pulling the operating portion 7 to unlock the inner tube 1, which is more in line with the operating habit.

[0034] To achieve the withdrawal of the linkage locking member 3 from the recess 6 when the inner tube 1 slides through a simple structure, a wedge mechanism is formed between the side wall of the recess 6 and the inner end of the locking member 3. When the inner tube 1 slides, the locking member 3 is pushed in a direction away from the inner tube 1, causing the locking member 3 to withdraw from the recess 6. More specifically, a mounting hole 11 penetrates through the outer tube 2, and the locking member 3 is slidably disposed in the mounting hole 11 to be inserted into a recess 6 inwardly or withdrawn from the recess 6 outwardly. The recess 6 is in the shape of a concave spherical surface, and the inner end of the locking member 3 is in the shape of a convex spherical surface. In this way, after pulling the operating portion 7 to release the outer end of the locking member 3 by the operating member 4, through the cooperation of the wedge mechanism formed by the concave spherical surface and the convex spherical surface, as long as the inner tube 1 is pulled to slide, the locking member 3 will be pushed out of the recess 6; the above is only a preferred embodiment. Of course, in other embodiments, the locking member 3 can also be designed into a structure such as a spring pin to achieve automatic withdrawal from the recess 6.

[0035] A shrapnel 12 is further provided on the outer tube 2. One end of the shrapnel 12 is fixedly connected to the outer tube 2, and the other end of the shrapnel 12 elastically approaches the outer wall of the inner tube 1. A ball 13 is rotatably mounted at one end of the shrapnel 12 close to the outer wall of the inner tube 1. When the inner end of the locking member 3 aligns with each recess 6, the end of the shrapnel 12 close to the outer wall of the inner tube 1 drives the ball 13 to bounce into another recess 6, and at this time, a sound will be emitted to prompt the operator that the inner tube 1 can be locked in this position, facilitating quick positioning of the adjustment position. Preferably, a groove 14 for the ball 13 to be embedded is formed on the shrapnel 12, and the ball 13 rolls in the groove 14. The diameter of the notch of the groove 14 is smaller than the diameter of the ball 13, and the ball 13 is riveted into the groove 14 to prevent the ball 13 from falling off and failing.

[0036] For the convenience of production and manufacturing, in a more specific embodiment, a mounting seat 15 is fixed at the end of the outer tube 2, and the locking member 3, the operating member 4, the elastic member 5, and the shrapnel 12 are all mounted on the mounting seat 15. The elastic member 5 is more specifically a spring, with one end abutted against a spring pressing portion 16 radially protruding on the operating member 4 and the other end abutted against the mounting seat 15.

[0037] A walking aid applies a telescopic tube locking device as described above. The walking aid further includes a handrail and a chassis. Wheels are mounted on the chassis. The inner tube and the outer tube are disposed between the handrail and the chassis to connect the handrail and the chassis. When the inner tube retracts into the outer tube, the handrail is lowered, and when the inner tube extends out of the outer tube, the handrail is raised. This is not shown in the drawings and is a conventional design in the art.

[0038] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the design of this case. All equivalent changes made according to the key design of this case fall within the protection scope of this case.

Claims

1. A telescopic tube locking device, characterized in that: It comprises an inner tube (1), an outer tube (2), a locking member (3), an operating member (4) and an elastic member (5); The inner tube (1) is slidably inserted into the outer tube (2), and the outer wall of the inner tube (1) is provided with a plurality of recessed portions (6) arranged in an array along the sliding direction; The locking member (3) is movably mounted on the outer tube (2), with the inner end facing the outer wall of the inner tube (1); The operating member (4) is movably mounted on the outer tube (2) and has an operating portion (7) exposed from the outer tube (2). The operating portion (7) is used to drive the operating member (4) to move. The operating member (4) has a protruding portion (8) and a retracted portion (9). The operating member (4) is movably used to switch the protruding portion (8) or the retracted portion (9) to align with the outer end of the locking member (3). When the protruding portion (8) is aligned with the outer end of the locking member (3), the locking member (3) is pushed to move toward the inner tube (1) and a recessed portion (6) is inserted to lock the sliding of the inner tube (1). When the retracted portion (9) is aligned with the outer end of the locking member (3), the locking member (3) is released so that the locking member (3) can withdraw from the recessed portion (6) and unlock the sliding of the inner tube (1). The elastic member (5) is connected to the operating member (4) and is used to elastically drive the operating member (4) to move until the protruding portion (8) faces the outer end of the locking member (3).

2. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The operating member (4) is pivotally connected to the outer tube (2). An arc-shaped transition portion (10) is formed on the operating member (4). The operating member (4) pivots so that different positions on the arc-shaped transition portion (10) are aligned with the outer end of the locking member (3). The protrusion (8) and the recess (6) are respectively a part of the arc-shaped transition portion (10).

3. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The operating member (4) is pivotally connected to the outer tube (2) with a rotating shaft perpendicular to the extension direction of the outer tube (2); the operating portion (7) is radially protrudingly arranged on the operating member (4); and when the protruding portion (8) on the operating member (4) faces the outer end of the locking member (3), the operating portion (7) swings toward the direction where the outer tube (2) is located; when the operating portion (7) swings away from the direction where the outer tube (2) is located, the operating member (4) is driven to make the recessed portion (6) face the outer end of the locking member (3).

4. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the recess (6) and the inner end of the locking piece (3) form a wedge-shaped mechanism so that when the inner tube (1) slides, the locking piece (3) is pushed in a direction away from the inner tube (1) so that the locking piece (3) exits the recess (6).

5. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outer tube (2) is penetrated by a mounting hole (11), and the locking member (3) is slidably arranged in the mounting hole (11) to be inserted into a recessed portion (6) by sliding inwards, or to be withdrawn from the recessed portion (6) by sliding outwards.

6. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The recessed portion (6) is a concave spherical surface, and the inner end of the locking member (3) is a convex spherical surface, so that when the retracted portion (9) on the operating member (4) is aligned with the outer end of the locking member (3) and the inner tube (1) is slid, the locking member (3) can be pushed out of the recessed portion (6) through the cooperation of the concave spherical surface and the convex spherical surface.

7. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outer tube (2) is also provided with a spring sheet (12), one end of which is connected and fixed to the outer tube (2), and the other end of which elastically approaches the outer wall of the inner tube (1). A ball (13) is rotatably mounted on the end of the spring sheet (12) close to the outer wall of the inner tube (1). When the inner end of the locking member (3) is aligned with a recessed portion (6), the end of the spring sheet (12) close to the outer wall of the inner tube (1) drives the ball (13) to bounce into another recessed portion (6).

8. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The spring sheet (12) is formed with a groove (14) for the ball (13) to be embedded in. The ball (13) is embedded in the groove (14) to roll. The notch diameter of the groove (14) is smaller than the diameter of the ball (13).

9. A telescopic tube locking device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The switching direction of the operating member (4) from the protruding portion (8) aligning with the outer end of the locking member (3) to the retracted portion (9) aligning with the outer end of the locking member (3) is inconsistent with the moving direction of the locking member (3) exiting the recessed portion (6).

10. A walking aid, characterized in that: A telescopic tube locking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is used, wherein the walker also includes a handrail and a chassis, wheels are mounted on the chassis, the inner tube and the outer tube are arranged between the handrail and the chassis to connect the handrail and the chassis, the inner tube is retracted into the outer tube to lower the handrail, and the inner tube is extended out of the outer tube to raise the handrail.

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