Device for locking two concentrically positioned and axially displaceable members

Claim 1

A device for locking two concentrically positioned and axially displaceable members against displacement in one direction, characterized by a recess formed in one of said members adjacent the open end thereof and opening in the direction of the second member, and by locking elements located in said recess and contiguous with said open end, said recess having a first part with a bottom portion positioned at a greater distance from said second member than the distance corresponding to the size of the locking elements in a direction transversally to the axial direction of said members, and a second part of said recess having a bottom portion decreasing its distance to said second member away from said open end in the axial direction of said members and from the first mentioned bottom portion to a distance less than the distance corresponding to the size of the locking elements in said direction transversally to the axial direction of the members, said locking elements being free from locking engagement between said elements when located in said first part of recess and engaging said members for locking the members against displacement in at least one axial direction when located in said second part of recess, and an actuating element in the form of a sleeve snugly and slidably engaged in said one member for actuation axially therein and adapted to engage the locking elements from one axial direction and displace the locking elements between said parts of said recess, a first shifter element in the form of an annular member secured to said second member adjacent one axial end thereof diameter smaller than said open end so as to be slidable therein and engageable through said recess in said one member and having a length adequate to allow direct contact with said locking elements from the opposite axial direction to displace said actuating element in one axial direction to permit said locking elements to assume a locking position and a second shifter element secured to said second member adjacent its opposite axial end spaced from said one member and engageable with said actuating element to displace it in an opposite axial direction whereby said locking elements are displaced to a non-locking position.

Claim 2

A device for locking two concentrically positioned and axially displaceable members against displacement in one direction, characterized by a recess formed in one of said members adjacent the open end thereof and opening in the direction of the second member, and by locking elements located in said recess and contiguous with said open end, said recess having a first part with a bottom portion positioned at a greater distance from said second member than the distance corresponding to the size of the locking elements in a direction transversally to the axial direction of said members, and a second part of said recess having a bottom portion decreasing its distance to said second member away from said open end in the axial direction of said members and from the first mentioned bottom portion to a distance less than the distance corresponding to the size of the locking elements in said direction transversally to the axial direction of the members, said locking elements being free from locking engagement between said elements when located in said first part of recess and engaging said members for locking the members against displacement in at least one axial direction when located in said second part of recess, and an actuating element in the form of a sleeve snugly and slidably engaged in said one member for actuation axially therein and adapted to engage the locking elements from one axial direction and displace the locking elements between said parts of said recess, a first shifter element in the form of an annular member secured to said second member adjacent one axial end thereof diameter smaller than said open end so as to be slidable therein and engageable through said recess in said one member and having a length adequate to allow direct contact with said locking elements from the opposite axial direction to displace said actuating element in one axial direction to permit said locking elements to assume a locking position and a second shifter element secured to said second member adjacent its opposite axial end spaced from said one member and engageable with said actuating element to displace it in an opposite axial direction whereby said locking elements are displaced to a non-locking position.