Universal lock device for right hand or left hand applications

Claim 1

A binding or lock device for limiting relative motion of two members movable about a common axis comprising a pair of relatively movable arms, a double ended stud received by both arms defining the common axis, one end of said stud being formed with right hand threads and the opposite end being formed with left hand threads, a pair of cooperating retainer nuts each in threaded engagement with a mating end of said stud to retain said arms as an assembly, said stud being received in a first arm with a pressed fit, a first retainer nut in threaded engagement with its mating end and settable to a fixed position relative to said first arm effective to exert a tensile stress on said stud tending to withdraw said stud from the first arm, the second retainer nut being slidably received in and keyed to the second arm, said second arm being rotated relative to the first arm about said common axis in a predetermined direction until said arms lock or bind temporarily precluding further rotation in said predetermined direction, said arms retaining relative mobility in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction effective to release said arms.