| CPC E04G 21/1841 (2013.01) [E04G 21/26 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
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1. A leveling device selectively deployable and actuatable to raise, lift, or stabilize a structural member with respect to a support surface, comprising:
a device frame, comprising a first frame member and a second frame member, the second frame member slidably and adjustably overlapping with the first frame member such that a protruding portion of the second frame member extends beyond the first frame member, the device frame selectively extendable to various lengths by adjusting an overlap between the first and second frame members to vary a length of the protruding portion;
a lever-actuated, frame extension assembly operably engaging the first frame member and the second frame member of the device frame, the frame extension assembly configured to facilitate selective adjustment of the overlap between the first and second frame members of the device frame to adjust the length of the protruding portion and thereby adjust the device frame to a selected extended length; and
a frame lock configured to lock the device frame at the selected extended length, wherein the frame lock comprises a lock collar and an elongated flexible element, wherein the lock collar is slidable over and along the protruding portion of the second frame member, and further wherein the elongated flexible element extends from the lock collar to the frame extension assembly; wherein
the frame extension assembly comprises a lever, wherein the lever is pivotably connected to the first and second frame members about first and second pivot points defining first and second rotation axes, respectively, the second rotation axis spaced apart from and parallel to the first rotation axis, wherein the elongated flexible element extends from the lock collar to the lever, wherein the second frame member is slidable relative to the first frame member responsively to a pivoting of the lever about the first rotation axis; and further wherein
the leveling device is configured to selectively adopt:
an unlocked configuration, in which the lock collar is arranged in a first position relative to the second frame member such that the lock collar is slidable along the second frame member, and further in which the lever is pivoted to a raised position and the elongated flexible element is non-taut, and
a locked configuration, in which the lock collar is arranged in a second position relative to the second frame member such that the lock collar frictions against and is non-slidable relative to the second frame member, and further in which the elongated flexible element is taut, and the lever is pivoted to a lowered position relative to the raised position and is maintained in the lowered position by the taut, flexible element pulling on the lever and counteracting the force of gravity exerted on the lever.
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