Abstract
An expandable baton includes an internally threaded first tube; a first inner support tube disposed in the first tube and including first external threads secured to the internal threads of the first tube; a second inner support tube spaced from the first inner support tube with a first annular groove formed between them; a second lock mechanism at a first end of the second tube and including two second lock protuberances and a second externally threaded connection wherein the second externally threaded connection includes a second shoulder; a release mechanism including an axially moveable lock needle having a pointed second end and a pushbutton at a first end, a pressing of the pushbutton moves the lock needle to either insert into or disengage from the second lock mechanism, thereby unlocking the second lock protuberances or locking same; and a positioning member for limiting the release mechanism.
Claims
1. An expandable baton, comprising: a first tube including internal threads on an inner surface of a second end; a second tube; a first inner support tube having a diameter less than that of the first tube, the first inner support tube including first external threads on an outer surface, the first external threads being secured to the internal threads of the first tube; and a second inner support tube having a diameter less than that of the first tube, the second inner support tube including second external threads on an outer surface, the second external threads being secured to the internal threads of the first tube, the second inner support tube spaced from the first inner support tube with a first annular groove formed between them.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The expandable baton of claim 1, further comprising at least one first wear resistant ring disposed on an inner surface of the first tube.
6. (canceled)
7. The expandable baton of claim 1, further comprising a plug threadedly secured to a second end of the second tube.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an expandable baton according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled expandable baton in an extended position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the assembled expandable baton being in a retracted position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the central, right portion of FIG. 2 showing the second tube partially extended out of the first tube;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the second tube partially retracted into the first tube;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a smaller tube secured to a larger tube by snapping according to the conventional art; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the larger tube according to the conventional art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an expandable baton in accordance with the invention comprises a first tube 10, a first inner support tube 121, a second inner support tube 122, a second tube 20, a release mechanism 30 and a positioning member 19 as discussed in detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 are taken as an embodiment. The first tube 10 includes internal threads 11. A diameter of the first inner support tube 121 is less than that of the first tube 10. First external threads 131 are disposed on an outer surface of the first inner support tube 121. The first external threads 131 are secured to the internal threads 11 of the first tube 10. A diameter of the second inner support tube 122 is less than that of the first tube 10. Second external threads 132 are disposed on an outer surface of the second inner support tube 122. The second external threads 132 are secured to the internal threads 11 of the first tube 10. The second inner support tube 122 is spaced from the first inner support tube 121 with a first annular groove 14 formed between them. A second lock mechanism 21 is provided at a first end of the second tube 20 and includes two second lock protuberances 211 and a second externally threaded connection 22. The second externally threaded connection 22 includes a second shoulder 221 adjacent to the second lock protuberances 211. An inner diameter of the second inner support tube 122 is less than an outer diameter of the second externally threaded connection 22. The outer diameter of the second externally threaded connection 22 is less than an inner diameter of the first inner support tube 121. Thus, the second externally threaded connection 22 is disposed in the first end of the second tube 20 and the second shoulder 221 urges against the first end of the second tube 20. A distance between each of the second lock protuberances 211 and the second shoulder 221 is equal to a length of the first annular groove 14. The second lock mechanism 21 is moveably secured to the first annular groove 14. The second tube 20 is moveably disposed in the first tube 10. A plug 24 is threadedly secured to a second end of the second tube 20. The release mechanism 30 includes an axially moveable lock needle 31 having a pointed second end and a pushbutton 32 at a first end, the pushbutton 32 projecting out of the first tube 10. A pressing of the pushbutton 32 moves the lock needle 31 to either insert into or disengage from the second lock mechanism 21. As a result, the second lock protuberances 211 retract to be unlocked or extend to be locked. The positioning member 19 is used to limit the release mechanism 30 at a first end of the first tube 10. While the positioning member 19 is disposed at a first end of a third tube 40 for the purpose of increasing length of the expandable baton in FIGS. 1 to 3, the third tube 40 can be eliminated to limit the release mechanism 30 at the first end of the first tube 10.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, at the first end of the first tube 10 there is provided a first lock mechanism 15 including two first lock protuberances 151 and a first externally threaded connection 16. The first externally threaded connection 16 includes a first shoulder 161 adjacent to the first lock protuberances 151. The first externally threaded connection 16 is disposed in the first end of the first tube 10 and the first shoulder 161 urges against the first end of the first tube 10. The first tube 10 is moveably disposed in the third tube 40. A second annular groove 41 is formed on an inner surface of the third tube 40. A distance between each of the first lock protuberances 151 and the first shoulder 161 is equal to a length of the second annular groove 41. The first lock mechanism 15 is moveably secured to the second annular groove 41. A first through hole 17 is axially provided through the first lock mechanism 15 and a second through hole 23 is axially provided through the second lock mechanism 21 respectively. The lock needle 31 may dispose through each of the first through hole 17 and the second through hole 23 to be locked or clear same to be unlocked. A t least one O-ring (two are shown) 50 is provided on an outer of the first lock mechanism 15 and at least one O-ring (two are shown) 51 is provided on an outer of the second lock mechanism 21 both for the purpose of increasing friction. Further, at least one wear resistant ring (one is shown) 18 is provided on an inner surface of each of the first tube 10 and the third tube 40 for the purpose of adding resistance to each of the first tube 10 and the third tube 40.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2 specifically, it is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled expandable baton in an extended position. After the assembled baton has been extended, the second lock mechanism 21 is fastened at the first annular groove 14, i.e., the second tube 20 being attached to the second end of the first tube 10. As a result, the extended baton is fastened. For further expanding the baton, the third tube 40 can be attached to the first end of the first tube 10 rather than the second end of the tube 10 which is attached to the second tube 20. With the first lock mechanism 15 fastened at the second annular groove 41, the third tube 40 is attached to the first end of the first tube 10. At this time, the release mechanism 30 is disposed at the first end of the third tube 40 (i.e., opposite to the first end of the first tube 10) with the lock needle 31 not passed through the first through hole 17. As a result, both the first lock mechanism 15 and the second lock mechanism 21 are locked.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 2 specifically in which FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled expandable baton in a retracted position. The lock needle 31 of the release mechanism 30 passes through the first through hole 17 and the second through hole 23 sequentially to unlock both the first lock mechanism 15 and the second lock mechanism 21. Thus, the first lock mechanism 15 clears the second annular groove 41, the second lock mechanism 21 clears the first annular groove 14, the second tube 20 is retracted into the first tube 10, and the first tube 10 is retracted into the third tube 40 respectively. As an end, the expandable baton is retracted.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, it is an enlarged view of the central, right portion of FIG. 2 showing the second tube 20 partially extended out of the first tube 10. The elongated internal threads 11 are formed on the inner surface of the first tube 10 with both the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 threadedly fastened therein. A total length of the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 is less than a length of the internal threads 11. Thus, the first annular groove 14 is formed among the first inner support tube 121, the second inner support tube 122 and the internal threads 11. The second lock mechanism 21 is locked by the first annular groove 14. As a result, the second tube 20 is attached to a predetermined position in the first tube 10.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, it is an enlarged view of the central, right portion of FIG. 2 showing the second tube 20 partially retracted into the first tube 10. As indicated by arrow, the lock needle 31 passes through the second lock mechanism 21 to cause the second lock mechanism 21 to clear the first annular groove 14. As a result, the second tube 20 is moveably disposed in the first tube 10.
[0028] The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art: After inner surfaces of both the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 are worn to a predetermined extent, both the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 can be pulled out of the first tube 10 by rotation and replaced with new ones. Thus, only both the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 are replaced rather than the first tube 10. This can greatly decrease the components replacement cost. Further, this can greatly decrease the difficulties of manufacturing the first tube 10. The first annular groove 14 can be formed by forming the internal threads 11 and threadedly securing both the first inner support tube 121 and the second inner support tube 122 to the internal threads 11 sequentially.
[0029] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
