Shaft assembly capable of length variation and having minimal rotational backlash and minimal sliding resistance

摘要

A shaft assembly (10) capable of length variation is disclosed including a shaft (12) and telescoping tube (20). A coupling is provided between the shaft and tube including torsion means on the shaft for providing minimal rotational backlash and roller bearings (14,16) for providing minimal sliding resistence between the tube (20) and shaft (12). The torsion means may take various forms such as a torsion spring (18) or a torsion bar.