Load distribution and anti-rotation mechanism

Claim 2

A load distribution and anti-rotation mechanism comprising a first member provided with an elongated bore open at one end, the bore surface being provided with a set of first pockets arranged in angularly spaced relation and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the bore open end; a set of first keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, the arcuate peripheral portion of each key being disposed within a pocket and the remainder of at least one key projecting a substantial distance into said bore; an elongated second member mounted for telescoping movement within said bore, the exterior of said second member being provided with an elongated longitudinally extending groove in which the projecting remainder of said one key is slidably disposed, and a set of second pockets arranged in angularly spaced relation and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the inner end of said second member; and a set of second keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, the arcuate peripheral portion of each second key being disposed within a second pocket, the remainder of each second key being in sliding contact with the bore surface.

Claim 3

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first pockets are symmetrically arranged about the bore surface, and the second pockets are symmetrically arranged about the exterior of said second member.

Claim 4

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the shape of each pocket substantially conforms to the arcuate peripheral configuration of the key portion accommodated therein.

Claim 5

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the remainder of each first key projects a substantial distance into said bore, and the exterior of said second member is provided with a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending grooves, one groove being provided for each first key.

Claim 6

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the groove terminates short of the inner end of said second member and the second pockets are disposed in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to the terminus of said groove.

Claim 7

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said second member is of tubular configuration and a portion thereof continuously projects outwardly from the open end of said bore regardless of the relative telescoping positions of said first and second members.

Claim 8

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the arcuate peripheral portion of each first key extends radially outwardly relative to the axis of said bore and the arcuate peripheral portion of each second key extends radially inwardly relative to said bore axis.

Claim 9

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein each first pocket includes a bearing insert, each insert having a bearing surface in contact with and conforming to the arcuate peripheral portion of a first key.

Claim 10

A load distribution and anti-rotation mechanism comprising a first member provided with an elongated bore open at one end, the bore surface being provided with a set of first pockets symmetrically arranged about the axis of the bore and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the bore open end; a set of first keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, each first key having an arcuate peripheral portion thereof disposed within a first pocket and the remainder of said first key projecting a substantial distance into said bore, each first pocket having a bearing surface in contact with and conforming substantially to the arcuate peripheral portion of the accommodated first key; an elongated second member mounted for telescoping movement within said bore, the exterior of said second member being provided with elongated longitudinally extending grooves symmetrically arranged about the axis of said second member and in which the projecting remainders of said first keys are slidably disposed, and a set of second pockets symmetrically arranged about the axis of said second member and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the inner end of said second member; and a set of second keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, an arcuate peripheral portion of each second key being disposed within a second pocket, each second pocket having a bearing surface in contact with and conforming substantially to the arcuate peripheral portion of the accommodated second key, the remainder of each second key being in slidable engagement with the surface of said bore; said first and second keys coacting with said members upon application of a transverse load to effect substantially uniform load distribution whether said members are in retracted or extended relation; said first and second keys further coacting to normally maintain the axis of said second member in substantially coaxial relation with the axis of said bore and to permit said axes to assume a predetermined askewed relation when said members are in a fully extended relation and a transverse load is applied to one of said members.

Claim 11

A load distribution and anti-rotation mechanism comprising a first member provided with an elongated bore open at one end, the bore surface being provided with a set of first pockets symmetrically arranged about the axis of the bore and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the bore open end; a set of first keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, each first key having an arcuate peripheral portion thereof disposed within a first pocket and the remainder of said first key projecting a substantial distance into said bore, each first pocket having a bearing surface in contact with and conforming substantially to the arcuate peripheral portion of the accommodated first key; an elongated second member mounted for telescoping movement within said bore, the exterior of said second member being provided with elongated longitudinally extending grooves symmetrically arranged about the axis of said second member and in which the projecting remainders of said first keys are slidably disposed, and a set of second pockets symmetrically arranged about the axis of said second member and disposed adjacent to but spaced from the inner end of said second member; and a set of second keys of substantially arcuate segment configuration, an arcuate peripheral portion of each second key being disposed within a second pocket, each second pocket having a bearing surface in contact with and conforming substantially to the arcuate peripheral portion of the accommodated second key, the remainder of each second key being in slidable engagement with the surface of said bore; said first and second keys coacting with said members upon application of a transverse load to effect substantially uniform load distribution whether said members are in retracted or extended relation; said first and second keys further coacting to normally maintain the axis of said second member in substantially coaxial relation with the axis of said bore and to permit said axes to assume a predetermined askewed relation when said members are in a fully extended relation and a transverse load is applied to one of said members.