Locking mechanism for rotatable assembly

摘要

A locking mechanism is provided for a rotatable assembly which comprises a substantially cylindrical member (3) and a split member (5) incorporating a slit (9) therein. The split member extends around the substantially cylindrical member and defines an internal surface corresponding substantially to the dimensions of the cylindrical member. The locking mechanism comprises an elongate actuating member (17) which engages directly or indirectly with part of the split member (5) for controlling opening and closing of the slit (9) between first and second positions. The locking mechanism further comprises means, such as a pushbutton (27), for deflecting the elongate actuating member (17) intermediate the ends thereof between first and second positions. Thus, in the first position of the elongate actuating member (17) the slit (9) in the split member (5) is in the first position thereof so as to permit relative rotation between the split member (5) and the cylindrical member (3) and in the second position of the elongate actuating member (17) the slit (9) in the split member (5) is in the second position thereof so as to lock the split member against the cylindrical member (3). <IMAGE>