SHAFT LOCKING METHOD USING A GEAR RACK AND TOOTHED LOCKING LEVER

A shaft locking mechanism includes a rack (104) disposed on a translating shaft and a toothed locking lever (106) disposed on a corresponding translation post. The toothed locking lever (106) engages the rack (104) in a locked orientation to prevent the shaft translating within the translation post. The toothed locking lever (106) is disengaged during translation and the shaft may be translated and locked in place with very granular adjustability. A control rod release mechanism may be biased to maintain the toothed locking lever (106) in the locked orientation. A cam feature on the toothed locking lever (106) engages the body of the control rod which defines a recessed portion that coincides with the cam while in an unlocked orientation.