Raceway ratchet limiter

Abstract

A clicker ratchet limiter is a mechanical device that allows one part to move a defined distance relative to another by means of a linkage moving around a closed circuit track with a minimum and maximum position, and by means of a captured spring to allow for propulsion of the linkage around the track. One part, the anchor, is fastened to an anchoring object, leaving the top part to move between a minimum and maximum displacement position. Switching between positions is effected by compressing an internal coil spring by pressing down on the top part. The linkage device is a ratchet but not robust to pulling of the top off of the anchored anchor part. A hook and step displacement limiter is provided within each raceway pair of rib and inverted rib on the anchor and top part, respectively, to prevent pulling off of the top.

Claims

1. An anchored cylinder anchored by an underlying threaded post to a bath drain, wherein: a closed circuit track is inscribed in a vertical planar flat formed into the side of the cylinder, the floor of this track being ramped and stepped to allow the flat end of one leg of a staple-shaped wire-form to pass in one direction about the track, but not reverse.

2. An anchored cylinder as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a ratchet comprises the anchored cylinder overlain by a cylindrical sleeve compressing a coil spring between the top of the cylinder and the underside of the cylindrical sleeve, and with the end of one leg of a staple-shaped linking wire captured in a seat feature in the top of the cylindrical sleeve and the end of the other leg of the linking wire travelling within the closed circuit track between a minimum displacement position of the overlying cylindrical sleeve relative to the anchored cylinder to a maximum displacement position, in a ratcheting, one-way direction.

3. A ratchet as in claim 2, wherein: a plurality of raceways comprising vertical ribs on the anchored cylinder are accommodated by vertical inverted ribs in the internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve, said inverted ribs equipped with an internal step at the maximum displacement position of the cylindrical sleeve relative to the anchor, such that each step is limited by a hook decorating the vertical rib that is accommodated within the inverted rib.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the clicker ratchet.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a cutaway of a lateral view of the clicker ratchet, showing the link wire and ratchet track.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of a cross section of the clicker ratchet, showing the ratchet track from the underside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The clicker ratchet illustrated in isometric view in FIG. 1 show a spring seat 1 for the upper leg 2 of a link wire that is inserted through a void 6 in the upper planar end 3 of the cylindrical top 7, said cylinder being decorated with an upper external thread 4 and a limiting flange 5 for attachment to a plurality of seal bearing devices. On the top part outer surface, an outer inverted rib 8 of a raceway accommodates a complementary rib 9 to provide for resistance against rotation of the top about its cylindrical axis. A threaded post 10 provides for anchoring to a substrate such as a bath drain.

[0015] In FIG. 2, a cutaway lateral view of the clicker ratchet shows internal mechanisms. The topmost end 11 of the top part of the clicker ratchet shows the spring seat 1 accommodating the upper leg 2 of the link wire 12. The bottom leg of the link wire travels around a track 13 incised into a planar flat formed into the side of the bottom anchor part. Said track comprises a downward segment 14, a minor upward segment 15, a minor downward segment 16, and a major upward segment 17.

[0016] In FIG. 3, a cross-section of the clicker ratchet shows the free end leg 21 of the link wire in the maximum displacement position 22 of the track 13, allowing for maximum displacement of the top part of the clicker ratchet relative to the anchored bottom part. The end leg 2 of the link wire is captured in spring seat 1, only allowing the rotation that enables the free end 21 to travel around the closed circuit track. If a separating force is applied to the top part, the ends 21 and 2 of the link wire provide weak resistance to the top part of the ratchet being pulled off the bottom part of the ratchet. The hook and step device provide in each raceway combination of rib 9 and inverted rib 8 is provided with a physical displacement limiter comprising a step stop 25 against which a hook 24 decorating the internal rib 9 is limited. The result of this limitation is that the top part resists being pulled off the bottom anchor part of the ratcheting assembly. Placement of the hook and step stop mechanism is determined by the maximum displacement position of the track displacement limiter.