Lock assembly for holding extensible outrigger leg in retracted position

Claim 1

In combination with an extensible assembly having an elongated, outer, tubular member and an elongated, inner member having one end telescoped within a first end of the outer member and the opposite end projecting therefrom, structure for releasably holding the inner member fully telescoped within the outer member and against reciprocation comprising: an independently functional, elongated, yieldable leaf spring component mounted on said inner member adjacent said opposite end thereof and adapted to move completely out of contact with said outer tubular member as said inner member reciprocates from its fully retracted position, said component being further disposed to resist flexure toward said inner member in response to the application of an external force on said component directed toward said inner member by said outer member, said component being fixed at one end thereof to said inner member and diverging progressively radially outwardly away from said inner member in a direction away from said first end; and an independently functional, mechanically and structurally distinct, compressible pad on said leaf spring component adjacent the opposite end thereof and on the side facing said inner member for resisting compression toward said inner member the opposite side of said component being smooth so as to provide a good bearing surface whereby, upon the application of such external force to the component directed toward said inner member when the inner member is moved to its retracted position relative to the outer member, said pad and said component cooperate to prevent unintentional movement of the inner member out of said retracted position by combining their individual resistances to such force.