FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A locking mechanism for telescopic pipes' assembly
APPLICANTS
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, 6th Floor, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India; an Indian Company.
INVENTOR
Volvoiker Vishal of Crompton Greaves Limited, Fans Division, Goa IDC Industrial Estate, Bethora, Ponda, Goa - 403 409, India; an Indian National.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of mechanical engineering.
Particularly, this invention relates to a locking mechanism for telescopic pipes' assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Telescopic pipes' assembly, typically, comprises two pipes; a second pipe extending from within a first pipe. Typically, the diameter of the second pipe is relatively lesser than the diameter of the first pipe. Telescopic pipes find many applications; such as in fans, in tripods, in mikes, and the like.
In at least one embodiment, telescopic pipes' assembly is used in pedestal fans. According to the prior art, a first (main) pipe is enveloped by a circumferential collate element which grips the pipe by means of a threading mechanism. Additionally, the collate element comprises a slot wherein a wing nut is introduced in order to grip the collate element about the second (telescopic) pipe. However, this wing nut provides only a point contact. Telescopic pipes have a tendency to protrude downwards while fan is under running condition due to vibration, and hence, the point contact may give away, thereby causing damage.
In at least some other embodiments, telescopic pipes' assembly is used in mikes, tripods, and the like applications where height adjustment or pipe coupling may be required.

There is a lack of positive gripping of the telescopic pipe in its operative condition. Hence, there is a relatively greater chance of the telescopic pipe slipping down while the fan is under running condition due to inherent and consistent vibrations.
There is a need for positive gripping and a safer assembly for telescopic pipes' assembly.
PRIOR ART:
US5593239 discloses a telescoping support pole suitable for supporting tarpaulins or camouflage netting. The ball locks are activated by spring loaded collars that force balls into circumferential grooves formed in the outside surfaces of the inner telescoping tubes. However, there is no circumferential positive gripping which allows for tightening and loosening as and how required.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide positive gripping in telescopic pipes.
Another object of the invention is to eliminate the risk of damage due to lack of gripping in telescopic pipes.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a safe and damage-free suspension rod for use in telescopic pipes.
Still another object of the invention is to provide resilient gripping in telescopic pipes.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a smooth gripping operation in telescopic pipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a locking mechanism for telescopic pipes' assembly, said telescopic pipes' assembly having at least a first pipe telescopically engaged with at least a second pipe, said locking mechanism adapted to be ensconced within a collate element, said collate element engaging with said first pipe by means of a securing engagement, said assembly comprises:
a. a substantially annular ring element with a radial opening and with a
corresponding substantially annular slot at its operative bottom surface;
b. a substantially annular retracting resilient means adapted to be fitted within
said substantially annular slot of said substantially annular ring element, said
substantially annular retracting resilient means adapted to act in a radial
manner, characterized in that, said substantially annular retracting resilient
means resiliency acting on ends that form said radial opening;
c. a substantially annular disc element with a radial opening corresponding to
said radial opening of said substantially annular ring element, said
substantially annular disc element adapted to match said operative bottom
side of said substantially annular ring element, wherein, said substantially
annular disc element further comprising a plurality of boll holding slots;
d. balls fitted in said ball holding slots.
Typically, said securing engagement comprises threading on operative outer surface of said first pipe, said threading co-operating with complementary

threading in an operative inner surface of said collate element in order to provide locking due to angular displacement of said collate element on said locking mechanism, thereby compressing said substantially annular retracting resilient means.
Typically, said substantially annular ring element is a tapered annular ring element, characterized in that, the operative top diameter of said substantially annular ring element is relatively lesser than the operative bottom diameter of said substantially annular ring element.
Typically, said annular ring element forms an open loop.
Typically, said substantially annular slot has its ends within ends defined by said radial opening such that said annular slot has a defined end at both its annular ends and does not open up to the radial opening.
Preferably, said substantially annular retracting resilient means is a substantially annular retracting spring.
Typically, said substantially annular disc element is adapted to cooperate with said operative bottom side of said substantially annular ring element, characterized in that, said substantially annular disc element being affixed in its place, by means of locking mechanisms.
Typically, said balls are aligned below said substantially annular retracting resilient means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates telescopic pipes' assembly of the prior art, where reference numeral B represents the section where a first (main) pipe mates with a second (telescopic) pipe;
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the section represented by reference numeral B of Figure 1; and
Figures 2A and 2B illustrate engagement between collate element and first (main) pipe.
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 3A illustrates a side view of a taper bush means used with the telescopic pipes of Figure 1 in order to secure a positive grip of the second (telescopic) pipe with the first (main) pipe;
Figure 3B illustrates a top view of the taper bush means;
Figure 3C illustrates an isometric view of the taper bush means;
Figures 3D and 3E illustrate various exploded views of the taper bush means; and
Figure 4 illustrates a telescopic pipes' assembly with the taper bush means of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates telescopic pipes' assembly of the prior art, where reference numeral B represents the section where a first (main) pipe mates with a second (telescopic) pipe; and
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the section represented by reference numeral B of Figure 1. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate engagement pattern (by way of threading) between collate element and first (main) pipe.
According to the prior art, a second (telescopic) pipe (12) is enveloped by a circumferential collate element (13) which grips a first (main) pipe (15) by means of a threading mechanism. Reference numeral 13a (as seen in Figure 2A of the accompanying drawings) refers to threading on the inner surface of the collate element (13). Reference numeral 15a (as seen in Figure 2A of the accompanying drawings) refers to threading on the outer surface of the first (main) pipe (15). Additionally, the collate element (13) comprises a slot wherein a wing nut (14) is introduced in order to grip the collate element (13) about the suspension rod (10). However, this wing nut (14) provides only a point contact. The second (telescopic) pipe (12) has a tendency to protrude downwards (in an exemplary embodiment of fans under running condition due to vibration) and hence, the point contact may give away, thereby causing damage. The operative lower end of the second (telescopic) pipe (12) is provided with a locking bush (16) and a cheese head screw (17) so that the second (telescopic) pipe (12) is not pushed out of the first (main) pipe (15) from its operative top part.

According to this invention, there is provided a locking mechanism for telescopic pipes' assembly.
Figure 3A illustrates a side view of a taper bush means (20) used with the telescopic pipes of Figure 1 in order to secure a positive grip of the second (telescopic) pipe (12) with the first (main) pipe (15). Figure 3B illustrates a top view of the taper bush means (20). Figure 3C illustrates an isometric view of the taper bush means (20). Figures 3D and 3E illustrate various exploded views of the taper bush means (20).
Figure 4 illustrates a telescopic pipes' assembly (10) with the taper bush means (20) of this invention.
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a substantially annular ring element (22) with a radial opening (23). The radial opening (23) is to ensure that the annular ring element (22) is not a complete ring but forms an open loop. This substantially annular ring element (22) is a tapered annular ring element, in that, the annular ring element's (22) operative top diameter is lesser than its operative bottom diameter. This forms the sidewise slope or taper for the tapered bush means (20). The substantially annular ring element (22) comprises a corresponding substantially annular slot (24) at its operative bottom surface. This substantially annular slot has its ends within the ends defined by the radial opening (23) such that the slot has a defined end at both its annular ends and does not open up to the radial opening (23). The annular ring element (22) may comprise threading on its operative outer surface. These threading, if present, co-operates with complementary threading in the operative inner surface of the collate element (13) and provides locking.

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a substantially annular retracting resilient means (26) adapted to be fitted within the defined substantially annular slot (24) of the substantially annular ring element (22). This substantially annular retracting resilient means (26) acts in a radial manner, in that, its acts on the ends that form the radial opening (23). Action of the resilient means (26) works towards providing a grip by closing the radial opening (23) by bringing the ends, that defines the opening, closer. The substantially annular retracting resilient means (26) may be a substantially annular retracting spring.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a substantially annular disc element (28) with a radial opening corresponding radial opening of the substantially annular ring element adapted to match the operative bottom side of the substantially annular ring element (22). This substantially annular disc element (28) is adapted to cooperate with the operative underside of the substantially annular ring element (22), in that, it is affixed in its place, by means of locking mechanisms (27) such as screws, clamps, or the like. Furthermore, the substantially annular disc element (28) comprises a plurality of boll holding slots (29) in order to hold balls (30). The balls (30), typically align below the substantially annular retracting resilient means (26). The balls (30) allow the taper bush means (20) to be spaced apart from a support bush means (40) that envelopes the second (telescopic) pipe (12). This entire taper bush means forms a spring ball locking mechanism which positively grips the telescopic pipe (12).
The taper bush means (20) is co-axially ensconced within the collate element (13), in that, the taper bush means (20) annularly envelopes the second (telescopic) pipe (12) just above the support bush means (40). Tightening of the collate element (13)

on the first (main) pipe (15) reduces internal diameter of the taper bush means (20), due to the radial opening (24) and action of the substantially annular retracting resilient means (26). This results in positive gripping of the telescopic pipe. The ball bearings (30) provide relatively smoother action, of gripping, due to reduced friction. When the collate element (13) is loosened the substantially annular retracting resilient means (26) exerts outward radial force thereby increasing internal diameter of taper bush means resulting in vertical adjustment of the second (telescopic) pipe (12).
Angular displacement of the collate element (13), in a first pre-defined direction, causes corresponding angular displacement of the taper bush element (20), thereby tightening the grip of the taper bush element (20) on the mating junction in the telescopic pipes' assembly. Angular displacement of the collate element (13), in a second pre-defined direction, causes corresponding angular displacement of the taper bush element (20), thereby loosening the grip of the taper bush element (20) on the mating junction in the telescopic pipes' assembly. The balls (30) allow for smoother angular displacement in the first and second directions and hence, smoother tightening and loosening.
The technical advancement of the current invention lies in providing a means for use in a telescopic pipes' assembly in order to positively grip its telescopic components. This positive gripping prevents slip down of the telescopic pipe in operating conditions. The means is defined by a taper bush means and comprises resilient elements, inherent or incorporated within the taper bush assembly, that account for apt tightening and loosening of grip. Further, the taper bush means comprises elements that eliminate friction due during tightening and loosening of grip (by angular displacement).

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We claim,
1. A locking mechanism for telescopic pipes' assembly, said telescopic pipes'
assembly having at least a first pipe telescopically engaged with at least a
second pipe, said locking mechanism adapted to be ensconced within a collate
element, said collate element engaging with said first pipe by means of a
securing engagement, said assembly comprising:
a. a substantially annular ring element with a radial opening and with a
corresponding substantially annular slot at its operative bottom surface;
b. a substantially annular retracting resilient means adapted to be fitted
within said substantially annular slot of said substantially annular ring
element, said substantially annular retracting resilient means adapted to
act in a radial manner, characterized in that, said substantially annular
retracting resilient means resiliently acting on ends that form said radial
opening;
c. a substantially annular disc element with a radial opening corresponding
to said radial opening of said substantially annular ring element, said
substantially annular disc element adapted to match said operative bottom
side of said substantially annular ring element, wherein, said substantially
annular disc element further comprising a plurality of boll holding slots;
and
d. balls fitted in said ball holding slots.
2. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing
engagement comprising threading on operative outer surface of said first
pipe, said threading co-operating with complementary threading in an
operative inner surface of said collate element in order to provide locking due

to angular displacement of said collate element on said locking mechanism, thereby compressing said substantially annular retracting resilient means.
3. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially annular ring element is a tapered annular ring element, characterized in that, the operative top diameter of said substantially annular ring element is relatively lesser than the operative bottom diameter of said substantially annular ring element.
4. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular ring element forms an open loop.
5. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially annular slot has its ends within ends defined by said radial opening such that said annular slot has a defined end at both its annular ends and does not open up to the radial opening.
6. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially annular retracting resilient means is a substantially annular retracting spring.
7. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially annular disc element being adapted to cooperate with said operative bottom side of said substantially annular ring element, characterized in that, said substantially annular disc element being affixed in its place, by means of locking mechanisms.

8. The locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balls are aligned below said substantially annular retracting resilient means.