초록 ▼

A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second positi

A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A support system, comprising: a support post; a wedge member, having a tapered portion, located on said support post, said wedge member having a securing portion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported member to said support post, said support means including

What is claimed is: 1. A support system, comprising: a support post; a wedge member, having a tapered portion, located on said support post, said wedge member having a securing portion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported member to said support post, said support means including a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting said wedge member against said support post and a second position for releasing said press-fitting, said locking mechanism having a surface that abuts said wedge member when in the first position thereby to effect said press-fitting and that is released from said wedge member when moved to said second position to release said press-fitting, said locking mechanism cooperating with said securing portion of said wedge member so that said wedge member and said support means remain engaged with one another even when the support means is in the second position. 2. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a collar adapted to be structurally associated with the supported member, and said locking mechanism is rotatably supported by said collar, with said locking mechanism and said collar forming a sleeve surrounding said support post. 3. A support system according to claim 2, wherein said collar is contoured to complement a cross-sectional shape of said support post. 4. A support system according to claim 3, wherein said support post has a generally triangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex. 5. A support system according to claim 3, wherein said support post has a generally round cross-section. 6. A support system according to claim 3, wherein said collar comprises first and second lateral sides and a rear section, connecting said first and second lateral sides, having a shape to complement the cross-sectional shape of said support post. 7. A support system according to claim 6, wherein said collar further comprises means for securing said locking mechanism. 8. A support system according to claim 7, wherein said securing means comprises a cylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 9. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge member extends along its entire length. 10. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge member extends along part of its length. 11. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said tapered portion of said wedge member extends along a lower part of its length. 12. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said wedge member is engaged with said support post, with said locking mechanism having a rear face mating with an outer surface of said wedge member. 13. A support system according to claim 12, wherein said outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complement each other. 14. A support system according to claim 12, wherein said outer surface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement each other. 15. A support system according to claim 12, wherein said outer surface is angled and said rear face has an angled cavity to complement each other. 16. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis when said surface abuts said wedge member. 17. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of said support post when said surface abuts said wedge member. 18. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides, and channels extending vertically in said first and second lateral sides; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprises studs extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, said studs being cooperatively engaged in said channels of said collar so as to trap said wedge member within said support means. 19. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides, a first cylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides of said collar, said first cylindrical shaft securing said locking mechanism to said collar, and a second cylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides of said collar at a point higher than said first cylindrical shaft; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprises an overhanging upper portion of said wedge member, said overhanging upper portion of said wedge member being cooperatively engaged with said second cylindrical shaft so as to trap said wedge member within said support means. 20. A support system according to claim 19, said wedge member further comprising guide slots and said locking mechanism further comprising raised guide portions at an upper portion thereof, wherein said guide portions rotatably engage said guide slots when said locking mechanism moves from the second position to the first position. 21. A support system according to claim 19, said wedge member further comprising a spring molded into a rear face of said wedge member, the spring being compressed by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism moves from the second position to the first position. 22. A support system according to claim 19, wherein said overhanging upper portion of said wedge member has an inwardly projecting detent to securely engage said overhanging upper portion with said second cylindrical shaft. 23. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprises studs extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, said studs being located at upper and lower portions of each of the lateral sides of said wedge member, said wedge member and said collar being cooperatively engaged such that the studs remain above and below the lateral sides of said collar to trap said wedge member within said support means. 24. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides, and channels extending vertically in said first and second lateral sides; (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprises leaf springs extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, and a camming structure formed on an outer surface of said wedge member, said camming structure including first and second camming channels running parallel to one another and on opposite sides of said camming structure, each of said first and second camming channels being wider at an upper part of the camming structure and narrower at a lower part of said camming structure; and (c) said locking mechanism comprises an upper portion having fingers formed thereon, said fingers facing one another with a gap therebetween, said wedge member, said collar and said locking mechanism being cooperatively engaged with one another such that said leaf springs remain within said channels of said collar to trap said wedge member within said support means and said fingers are positioned so as to move reciprocatingly within said first and second camming channels, wherein when said locking mechanism is in said second position, said fingers are located within the lower part of said first and second camming channels imparting a force tending to pry said wedge member away from said support post and placing said leaf springs in tension and, when said locking mechanism is moved to said first position, said fingers move to the upper part of the first and second camming channels, to apply a compression force to said wedge member to effect said press fitting and to release the tension in said leaf springs. 25. A support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides, and embossed channels extending vertically in said first and second lateral sides, said embossed channels being concave with respect to an interior of said collar; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprises spring members extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, said wedge member, said collar and said locking mechanism being cooperatively engaged with one another such that end portions of said spring members rest within said channels of said collar to trap said wedge member within said support means and to bias the tapered face of said wedge member away from said support post when said locking mechanism is in said second position, and when said locking mechanism is moved to said first position, said locking mechanism places said spring members under tension by applying a compression force to said wedge member to effect said press fitting of said wedge member against said support post. 26. A support system according to claim 25, said wedge member further comprising guide slots, and said locking mechanism further comprising raised guide portions at an upper portion thereof, wherein said guide portions rotatably engage said guide slots when said locking mechanism moves from the second position to the first position.