Rail sliding mechanism with lock 2

[OldDogmeat]

Hello,

I need some help and pointers in sourcing an off the shelf solution for a mechanism that will allow for the smooth sliding and locking of 2 parallel sets of square/round tubing.

The tubing will be part of a frame that consist of 2 distinct section that need to be adustable towards and away from one another along 2 adjoining rails.

Ideally the mechanism will allow the two parallel sections of square/round tube to both slide towards and away from one another to a maximum distance of around 1m and be able to lock off at any distance

I am hoping to find an off-the-peg solution to achieve the above requirement,

Can anyone point me in the right direction for something that will accomplish my needs for an off-the-peg solution that slides smoothly and locks off.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Metalfixer]

Hi Dan,
Check out the linear motion section on,

http://8020.net/

Larry

 

[asimpson]

Tube clamps like

http://www.rose-krieger.com/Main_Pages/Light_Clamps_Index_Page.htm.

However unless frames are adjusted parallel they will bind and jamb in place.

If am more sloppy fit between frames is suitable binding may be avoided. Index plungers and a series or holes will give you a range of adjustment positions.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#indexing-plungers/=agx8xh

 

[OldDogmeat]

Thanks to both Metalfixer and asimpson for your replies, I should have explained it better and in more detail really rather than just quickly throwing a half baked post on here prior to dashing off to work this morning.

In truth I need all the help, pointers and suggestions I can get as I'm pretty new to all of this so a big thanks for replying.

I'll try and explain a bit more.

I quickly threw together the image of the tubes in my original post but in fact it wouldnt be one set of tubes sliding into another; the system merely needs one side of the frame, eg Section A, to be able to slide towards Section B, in order to compact the frame for when not in use and then be able to slide back out and lock off in open position for when the frame is in 'use' mode.

I'm still trying to figure out how best to do this really and so the section B frame neednt be as in the image I posted.

Ideally the sliding mechanism would be smooth and very rhobust as the frame would be opened and closed a lot.

I should probably simply explain what the frame is to be used for to give you a better idea.

Basically the frame is for simulation car racing and the idea is that the frame telescopes (slides open and closed) to compact the whole thing up for when not in use.

Section B of the frame would be the section with the seat mounted upon it and section A would be the frame that has the steering wheel, pedals, gear shifter and handbrake.

The sliding between sections A and B would also be used to determine a flexibe distance from seat to wheel/pedals for different height people and would need some kind of rhobust but simple clamping mechanism, for this I had in mind some kind of 'lever close' locking mechanism but I know nothing of what is available or would be suitable (I dont work in engineering or mechanical design) hence me posting on this forum to you people who do work in these fields and likley know of such mechanisms.

Apologies if I'm explaining this badly.

I was wondering if there was such a thing as some kind of bearing based slide mechanism (for silky smooth sliding) that locks off with a lever type mechanism of some kind that could be used here?

Thanks again in advance
Dan

 

[Metalfixer]

The only other thing I can think of that you could add a locking device to, and is available off the shelf, are the rails offered here.

http://www.truckcargobed.com/index.html

 

[asimpson]

Look up:

http://www.pbclinear.com/

http://igus.com/default.asp

http://www.rollon.com/USA/prodotti/TelescopicRail.htm

Telescoping rails as used on trucks are smooth but not very rigid unless you go very expensive and build a super accurate frame.

 

[OldDogmeat]

Once again a big thanks to both Metalfixer and in particular Asimpson whose links are absolutely spot on.