Adjustable link

Claim 2

An adjustable link assembly which comprises: a. a first elongated externally threaded member defining at least one longitudinally extending slot, said threads being multi-start threads; b. a second elongated externally threaded member received within the first member and having at least one longitudinally extending externally threaded lug received within each slot of the first member in a manner such that portions of said members are in overlapping relation, said lug threads being multi-start threads substantially equal and opposite to the threads on the first member; and c. an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping portions of said first and second members in threaded engagement therewith, said sleeve having at least two multi-start substantially equal and opposite internal threads mating respectively with the external threads of said first and second members such that rotation of said sleeve in a first direction results in movement of the first and second members toward each other and rotation of said sleeve in the opposite direction results in movement of said first and second members away from each other.

Claim 3

An adjustable link assembly which comprises: a first externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal slots to definE longitudinal leg portions, the leg portions being threaded with multi-start threads; a second externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal slots to define longitudinal leg portions complementarily configured and positioned with respect to the first member such that the leg portions of the second member are slidably received between the leg portions of the first member and the members are movable toward and away from each other, said threads on the second member being multi-start threads substantially equal and opposite to the threads on the first member; an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping leg portions of said members having at least two substantially equal and opposite multi-start threads mating respectively and in engagement with the multi-start threads of the first and second members such that rotation of said sleeve in a first direction causes movement of said members toward each other and rotation of said sleeve in the opposite direction causes movement of said members away from each other.

Claim 4

An adjustable link assembly which comprises: a first externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal slots to definE longitudinal leg portions, the leg portions being threaded with multi-start threads; a second externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal slots to define longitudinal leg portions complementarily configured and positioned with respect to the first member such that the leg portions of the second member are slidably received between the leg portions of the first member and the members are movable toward and away from each other, said threads on the second member being multi-start threads substantially equal and opposite to the threads on the first member; an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping leg portions of said members having at least two substantially equal and opposite multi-start threads mating respectively and in engagement with the multi-start threads of the first and second members such that rotation of said sleeve in a first direction causes movement of said members toward each other and rotation of said sleeve in the opposite direction causes movement of said members away from each other.

Claim 5

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 2 wherein said multi-start threads comprise two-start threads, one thread being a two-start right hand thread, the other thread being a two-start left hand thread.

Claim 6

The adjustable link according to claim 3 wherein said two-start threads are formed internally within said sleeve with each two-start thread having at least two thread portions having diametrically opposed start positions, the effective lead of each two start thread being approximately twice the effective lead of each thread portion such that when said outer sleeve is rotated, the rate of movement with respect to said sleeve of each of said first and second members corresponds to movement of members having a single start thread with the same number of threads per unit length but approximately one half the effective lead of the two-start threads.

Claim 7

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 4 further comprising connecting means at each end.

Claim 8

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 5 further comprising means for fixing the internally threaded sleeve in a pre-selected position with respect to the first and second members to prevent further rotation of the sleeve and corresponding extension or contraction of said link.

Claim 9

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 6 further comprising an endless substantially circular handwheel connected to said internally threaded sleeve to manually rotate said sleeve to extend or contract said link.

Claim 10

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a connecting clevis secured to one end of at least one threaded member.

Claim 11

The adjustable link assembly according to claim 8 further comprising a wire rope connecting buttstop secured to at least one end of at least one threaded member.

Claim 12

An adjustable turnbuckle assembly which comprises: a first externally threaded elongated member defining at least two opposed longitudinal legs, the legs having multi-start threads thereon; a second externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal legs, the legs having multi-start threads substantially equal and opposite to the threads of the first member, the legs of the first member being configured and positioned to slidably and complementarily receive the legs of the second member therebetween such that movement of the members away from each other extends the length of the turnbuckle and movement of the members toward each other reduces the length of the turnbuckle; an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping portions of the legs of each member having at least two substantially equal and reversed internal multi-start threads which mate and engage respectively with the external threads of the first and second members such that rotation of the sleeve in a first direction causes movement of the members away from each other and rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction causes movement of the members Toward each other; and means connected to one end of at least one member for connecting the turnbuckle to an external connecting means.

Claim 13

An adjustable turnbuckle assembly which comprises: a first externally threaded elongated member defining at least two opposed longitudinal legs, the legs having multi-start threads thereon; a second externally threaded tubular member defining at least two opposed longitudinal legs, the legs having multi-start threads substantially equal and opposite to the threads of the first member, the legs of the first member being configured and positioned to slidably and complementarily receive the legs of the second member therebetween such that movement of the members away from each other extends the length of the turnbuckle and movement of the members toward each other reduces the length of the turnbuckle; an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping portions of the legs of each member having at least two substantially equal and reversed internal multi-start threads which mate and engage respectively with the external threads of the first and second members such that rotation of the sleeve in a first direction causes movement of the members away from each other and rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction causes movement of the members Toward each other; and means connected to one end of at least one member for connecting the turnbuckle to an external connecting means.

Claim 14

An adjustable link assembly which comprises: a. a first tubular elongated externally threaded member defining at least one elongated slot extending longitudinally of the member and radially from the inner opening of the tube to the outer surface thereof, said member being threaded on its outer surface with a two-start thread; b. a second elongated member received within the first member and having at least one elongated externally threaded lug configured to be slidably received within each elongated slot of the first member in a manner such that portions of said members are in overlapping relation, said lug being threaded on its outer surface with a two-start thread which is substantially equal and opposite to the threads on the first member; and c. an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping portions of said first and second members in threaded engagement therewith, said sleeve having at least two two-start substantially equal and reversed internal threads mating respectively with the external threads of said first and second members such that rotation of said sleeve in a first direction results in movement of the first and second members toward each other causing the length of the link to be reduced, and rotation of said sleeve in the opposite direction results in movement of said first and second members away from each other thereby extending the length of said link.

Claim 15

An adjustable link assembly which comprises: a. a first tubular elongated externally threaded member defining at least one elongated slot extending longitudinally of the member and radially from the inner opening of the tube to the outer surface thereof, said member being threaded on its outer surface with a two-start thread; b. a second elongated member received within the first member and having at least one elongated externally threaded lug configured to be slidably received within each elongated slot of the first member in a manner such that portions of said members are in overlapping relation, said lug being threaded on its outer surface with a two-start thread which is substantially equal and opposite to the threads on the first member; and c. an internally threaded sleeve embracing overlapping portions of said first and second members in threaded engagement therewith, said sleeve having at least two two-start substantially equal and reversed internal threads mating respectively with the external threads of said first and second members such that rotation of said sleeve in a first direction results in movement of the first and second members toward each other causing the length of the link to be reduced, and rotation of said sleeve in the opposite direction results in movement of said first and second members away from each other thereby extending the length of said link.