초록 ▼

A locking mechanism for elongate tools that are designed to engage objects from remote distances and that have engagement elements located on a distal end of a rod, a handle on a proximate end of the rod, a controller on the handle to control the engagement elements, and a linkage between the contro

A locking mechanism for elongate tools that are designed to engage objects from remote distances and that have engagement elements located on a distal end of a rod, a handle on a proximate end of the rod, a controller on the handle to control the engagement elements, and a linkage between the controller and the engagement elements to control the engagement elements is disclosed. The locking elements include a saw tooth receiving surface that is rigidly affixed to a trigger and a stop member having complementary saw tooth extensions. A switch member controls the movement of the stop member into engagement and out of engagement with the receiving surface which thereby locks and unlocks the movement of the trigger.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An improvement for elongate tools that are designed to engage objects from remote distances and that have engagement elements located on a distal end of a rod, a handle on a proximate end of said rod, a controller on said handle to control said engagement elements, and a linkage between

I claim: 1. An improvement for elongate tools that are designed to engage objects from remote distances and that have engagement elements located on a distal end of a rod, a handle on a proximate end of said rod, a controller on said handle to control said engagement elements, and a linkage between said controller and said engagement elements to control said engagement elements, said controller further comprises a trigger member and said trigger member is attached to said handle, said improvement comprising a lock member, said lock member comprising a receiving surface and a stop member, said receiving surface extending from said trigger member and adapted to receive said stop member, and said receiving surface attached to said trigger member in a rigid and fixed relationship, wherein said receiving surface comprises a series of adjacent saw-tooth shaped extensions and said stop member comprises at least one opposite complementary saw-tooth extension wherein when said extension from said stop member engages said receiving surface, said receiving surface is restricted from lateral movement with respect to said stop member thereby causing said trigger member to lock said lock member further comprising a switch member, said switch member connected to said stop member to control the movement of said stop member, wherein in response to movement of said switch member, said stop member either engages or disengages said receiving surface wherein when said stop member is engaged with said receiving surface the movement of said trigger member is prevented and when said stop member is disengaged from said receiving surface said trigger member is allowed to be displaced. 2. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said trigger member is attached to said handle in a manner to allow for pivotal movement. 3. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving surface is integrally formed with said trigger member. 4. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 1 wherein said switch member is located on said handle at a location that can be manipulated by a users thumb when said user is holding the handle and engaging the trigger member with fingers. 5. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said switch member is in a slideable engagement with said handle and when said switch member is slid, it mechanically translates said sliding motion to said stop member causing said stop member to engage and disengage said receiving surface. 6. The improvement as recited in claim 5 wherein said motion is transferred from said switch member to said stop member by a camming engagement. 7. The improvement as recited in claim 1 further comprising a hinge element located on said rod between said engagement elements and said trigger member. 8. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said engagement elements comprise opposite cup shaped members. 9. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises a cable and said cable is connected to said trigger member and said engagement elements. 10. The improvement as recited in claim 9 wherein said linkage is contained within said rod and one end of said linkage is attached to said trigger member. 11. The improvement as recited in claim 1 further comprising biasing means, wherein said biasing means bias said engagement elements apart. 12. An improvement for elongate tools that are designed to engage objects from remote distances and that have engagement elements located on a distal end of a rod, a handle on a proximate end of said rod, a controller on said handle to control said engagement elements, and a linkage between said controller and said engagement elements to control said engagement elements, said controller further comprises a trigger member and said trigger member is attached to said handle, said improvement comprising a lock member, said lock member comprising a receiving surface and a stop member, said receiving surface extending from said trigger member and adapted to receive said stop member, and said receiving surface attached to said trigger member in a rigid and fixed relationship, said lock member further comprising a switch member, wherein said switch member is connected to said stop member to control the movement of said stop member, wherein in response to movement of said switch member, said stop member either engages or disengages said receiving surface wherein when said stop member is engaged with said receiving surface the movement of said trigger member is prevented and when said stop member is disengaged from said receiving surface said trigger member is allowed to be displaced, and wherein said switch member is in a slideable engagement with said handle and when said switch member is slid, it mechanically translates said sliding motion to said stop member causing said stop member to engage and disengage said receiving surface, wherein said motion is transferred from said switch member to said stop member by a camming engagement. 13. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 12 wherein said trigger member is attached to said handle in a manner to allow for pivotal movement. 14. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said receiving surface is integrally formed with said trigger member. 15. The improvement for an elongate tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said switch member is located on said handle at a location that can be manipulated by a users thumb when said user is holding the handle and engaging the trigger member with fingers. 16. The improvement as recited in claim 12, wherein said switch member is in a slideable engagement with said handle and when said switch member is slid, it mechanically translates said sliding motion to said stop member causing said stop member to engage and disengage said receiving surface. 17. The improvement as recited in claim 16, wherein said motion is transferred from said switch member to said stop member by a camming engagement. 18. The improvement as recited in claim 12, further comprising a hinge element located on said rod between said engagement elements and said trigger member. 19. The improvement as recited in claim 12, wherein said engagement elements comprise opposite cup shaped members. 20. The improvement as recited in claim 12, wherein said linkage comprises a cable and said cable is connected to said trigger member and said engagement elements. 21. The device as recited in claim 20, wherein said linkage is contained within said rod and one end of said linkage is attached to said trigger member. 22. The improvement as recited in claim 12, further comprising biasing means, wherein said biasing means bias said engagement elements apart.