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 having a tapered face; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to said support post, said support means including a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting said support means against the ta

What is claimed is: 1. A support system, comprising: a support post having a tapered face; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to said support post, said support means including a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting said support means against the tapered face of said support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting, said locking mechanism having a surface that abuts said tapered face of said support post when in the first position thereby to effect said press-fitting and that is released from the tapered face of said support post when moved to said second position to release said press-fitting. 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 D-shaped 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 8, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 10. A support system according to claim 8, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middle portions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 11. A support system according to claim 8, further comprising a sleeve, said sleeve being contoured to fit between said collar and said post. 12. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support post is formed so as to have plural tapered faces spaced along its length. 13. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism has a rear face mating with an outer surface of the tapered face of said support post. 14. A support system according to claim 13, wherein said outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complement each other. 15. A support system according to claim 13, wherein said outer surface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement each other. 16. A support system according to claim 1, wherein when said locking mechanism is in the second position, the support means can pass over the tapered face of said support post. 17. A support system according to claim 1, with said support means being translatable relative to said support post, wherein when said support means translates in a first direction said locking mechanism passes over the tapered face of said support post and when said support means translates in a second direction said locking mechanism seats on the tapered face of said support post and creates a wedging force. 18. A support system according to claim 17, further comprising means for actuating said locking mechanism toward the second position when said support means slides in the first direction or second direction to allow said locking mechanism to pass over the tapered face of said support post. 19. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis when said surface abuts the tapered face of said support post. 20. 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 the tapered face of said support post. 21. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support post is made by the roll-form process. 22. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support post is made by the hydro-forming process. 23. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said support post is made by the pultrusion process. 24. A system for supporting a member, said system comprising: a support post having a longitudinal axis and a tapered face; and support means adapted to be secured to the member, for supporting the member to said support post, said support means forming a sleeve around said support post and seated on said support post on the tapered face thereof, wherein said support means including a locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first position compressing the tapered face and supporting the member and a second position not compressing the tapered face. 25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the first position supports the member by a wedge action with said tapered face. 26. A system according to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the second position releases the compressive force applied to the tapered face of said support post. 27. A system according to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the second position is slidable over the tapered face of said support post. 28. A system according to claim 24, wherein said support assembly comprises a collar adapted to be structurally associated with the member, with said locking mechanism rotatably supported on said collar. 29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said locking mechanism has a rear face mating with an outer surface of the tapered face. 30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complement each other. 31. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement each other. 32. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface is angled and said rear face has an angled cavity to complement each other. 33. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface has a raised vertical section thereof. 34. A system according to claim 28, wherein said collar includes first and second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and second lateral sides, said rear section shaped to complement a contour of said support post. 35. A system according to claim 34, wherein said support post has a generally triangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex. 36. A support system according to claim 34, wherein said support post has a generally D-shaped cross-section. 37. A system according to claim 34, wherein said collar further comprises means for securing said locking mechanism. 38. A system according to claim 37, wherein said securing means comprises a cylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 39. A system according to claim 38, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 40. A system according to claim 38, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middle portions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar. 41. A system according to claim 28, wherein said locking mechanism has a flat lower portion. 42. A system according to claim 28, wherein said locking mechanism has a rounded lower portion. 43. A system according to claim 28, wherein said locking mechanism has an elongated lower portion forming a handle. 44. A system according to claim 24, with said sleeve receiving said support post and translatable relative thereto, wherein when said support assembly translates in a first direction said locking mechanism passes over the tapered face of said support post and when said support assembly translates in a second direction said locking mechanism seats on the tapered face of said support post and creates a wedging force. 45. A system according to claim 24, further comprising means for actuating said locking mechanism toward the second position when said support assembly slides in the first direction and the second direction to allow said locking mechanism to pass over the tapered face of said support post. 46. A system according to claim 24, wherein said support post includes a plurality of tapered faces extending along a length of said support post. 47. A system according to claim 24, wherein said support post is made by the roll-form process. 48. A system according to claim 24, wherein said support post is made by the hydro-forming process. 49. A system according to claim 24, wherein said support post is made by the pultrusion process.