The quick-release arrangement includes a coupler adapted to slidably engage a braked upper drive shaft and to slidably engage a lower drive shaft. The lower drive shaft is coupled to an associated jack leg such that when the upper drive shaft, the coupler, and the lower drive shaft are coupled together, the jack leg is braked. A spring urges the coupler into engagement with the lower drive shaft. A cam member supports the downwardly-biased coupler and permits the coupler to be cammed upward against the spring bias force such that the coupler slides along the upper drive shaft and, thus, out of engagement with the lower drive shaft. When it is desired to release the jack leg from the braking control of the upper drive shaft to thereby permit rapid lowering of the jack leg to the ground, a cam lever is used to easily overcome the spring bias force and effect camming. Inadvertent camming is prevented because the spring bias force is not overcome by normal vibration, jolting or jarring. Braking control of the upper drive shaft can be effected in various manners. For example, the upper drive shaft can be coupled to a motor that provides an inherent brake mechanism. Alternatively, a mechanical braking mechanism can provide braking control to the upper drive shaft such that operation of the cam member to disengage the upper drive shaft from the lower drive shaft releases the lower drive shaft from the braking control and permits the jack leg to be rapidly lowered to the ground. The present invention provides such a mechanical braking mechanism that cooperates with the quick-release arrangement for use when necessary or desired.
A combination trailer crank and locking mechanism. The device includes a crank portion having a handle portion separated from a coupler portion by a generally S-shaped body portion. When the coupler portion of the device is coupled with a rotatable shaft of a retractable leg assembly of a trailer, the crank portion facilitates the raising and lowering of the trailer's legs. The device also includes a locking portion which is connected to the crank portion in a transverse orientation. When the device is connected to the rotatable shaft of the trailer by the locking portion, the crank portion will abut an underneath side of the trailer and prevent rotation of the rotatable shaft, thereby preventing a person from being able to raise and lower the retractable legs of the trailer.
An adjustable stand includes a leg, a first member secured to the leg, a second member adjustably secured to said first member, and a support member for holding items on the stand, the support member is secured to the second member. A first adjustment mechanism is coupled between the first member and the second member. Movement of the first adjustment mechanism shifts the position of said second member relative to said first member thereby raising or lowering said support member. A retention member is secured between the first member and the second member, the retention member securing the first member to the second member, while allowing at least limited relative movement relative to the first member. A first adjustment mechanism includes a nut threaded on a shaft, bearing against the first tubular member and an anti-rotation lock secured to the shaft and coupled to the first tubular member.
A Faraday assembly of an ion implantation apparatus includes a Faraday cup in a vacuum chamber, a driving shaft to which the Faraday cup is connected, a motor for inserting the driving shaft further into and drawing the driving shaft out of the vacuum chamber to cause the Faraday cup to advance and retreat within the chamber, and an auxiliary supplier of power for exerting a force that acts on the driving shaft as the driving shaft is being extracted by the motor from the vacuum chamber. Therefore, the force of suction, due to a pressure difference between interior and exterior of the vacuum chamber, is prevented from overloading the motor as the Faraday cup retreats within the vacuum chamber. As a result, the Faraday cup is positioned precisely and efficiently within the vacuum chamber.
A kit is described that modifies a standard screw jack for a trailer hitch, by introducing a safety lock mechanism. The modified screw jack will be inoperative until the safety lock mechanism is opened. In the inoperative position, the screw jack cannot be turned to lift or lower the trailer hitch. The crank for turning the screw jack will be freewheeling or frozen. Turning a key in a lock keyway will release the safety lock mechanism, thus putting the crank into rotational engagement with the screw jack.
A motor drive for camper jacks or screw jacks that rapidly operates the screw jack between a retracted position and an extended no load position. A manual operator then operates the screw jack between the extended no load position and an extended loaded position. The motor drive and manual operator share a right angle gear mechanism.
