Anti-rotational telescopic pole

Abstract

A cleaning tool comprising an extendable pole of two or more telescoping tubular members of a non-circular cross-section and having locking-clamping devices with the same form of noncircular cross-section. The telescoping tubular members are connected together through a clamping device, wherein one open end of the clamping device comprises an internal surface matching an external surface of a thicker tubular member and the second end of the clamping device comprises an internal surface and further comprises a notch extending through the length of the second end of the clamping device, and a lever mechanism, wherein the second end of the clamping device is arranged for diameter reduction upon performing a clamping action with said lever. The free end of the thinnest tubular member comprises means for attaching a cleaning tool.

Claims

1. An extendable telescopic pole comprising: an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member of a non-circular cross-section, each tubular member having two flat sides disposed between two curved sections to ensure resistance to rotation of the tubular members with respect to each other, the tubular members being concentrically disposed and axially movable with respect to each other for telescoping, the inner tubular member being thinner than the outer tubular member; a clamping device for inhibiting movement between the inner and outer tubular members; the tubular members being connected together through the clamping device; the clamping device comprising: a first open end having a first internal surface of the same non-circular cross-section matching an external surface of the outer tubular member, the first internal surface being attached to said external surface of the outer tubular member; a second end having a second internal surface of the same non-circular cross-section, which matches an external surface of the inner tubular member; a notch extending through the axial length of the second end of the clamping device, arranged to allow the diameter of the second end to be reduced; a lever mechanism, disposed in a perpendicular orientation to said notch and physically connected in parallel to a screw passing through a clamp body having said screw and a spring inserted into the clamp body, said screw arranged to draw together two portions of said clamp body when said lever mechanism is pulled closer to said clamp body in a clamped position; and said clamp body further comprising two half shell-shaped clamping ring segments that are flexibly interconnected and arranged to reduce the diameter of the second end upon performing a clamping action with said lever mechanism to grip only the side walls of said tubular members when said lever mechanism in placed in the clamped position, whereby the inner and outer tubular members are clamped together.

2. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 1, comprising more than two concentrically disposed telescoping tubular members of said non-circular cross-section.

3. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 2, wherein the non-circular cross-section is oval or stadium shape with two substantially parallel flat sides.

4. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 1, wherein free ends of the thinnest tubular member and the thickest tubular member have no clamping devices attached, and the free end of the thinnest tubular member comprises means for attaching a cleaning tool.

5. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 1, wherein the free end of the thinnest tubular member has no clamping devices attached, and comprises means for attaching a brush tool.

6. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 5, wherein the first internal surface is permanently attached to said external surface of the outer tubular member.

7. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 1, wherein the extendable telescopic pole is modular, wherein each tubular member is pieced together by creating an air tight connection, wherein the pole is arranged to be used in conjunction with vacuum equipment to either collect dust at height or to suck out dirt from guttering.

8. The extendable telescopic pole according to claim 7, wherein the tubular members have minimal dimensional tolerances allowing the tubular members to be clamped using the clamp device and squeezing the tubular members together and thus forming the air tight connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of an anti-rotational extendable telescopic pole, wherein telescoping tubular members of a noncircular cross-section, having two flat sides, have the locking clamping devices with the same form of non-circular cross-section and a clamping lever, which clamps the tubular members together consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a view of an anti-rotational extendable telescopic pole, wherein telescoping tubular members have a noncircular cross-section consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view of a locking-clamping device with the non-circular cross-sections and a clamping lever, which can clamp together telescopic tubular members consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view of a schematic drawing of cross-sections of a clamp body of a clamping device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

(7) The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

(8) Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

(9) In order to reduce the disadvantages indicated above, this invention aims to create a cleaning tool comprising an extendable pole of two or more telescoping tubular members of a non-circular cross-section, which has two flat sides, and the clamping devices with the same form of non-circular cross-section, thus they serve as a locking mechanism for clamping together telescoping tubular members with a clamping lever.

(10) The invention comprises a cleaning tool, which is mounted at one end of the telescoping pole that has telescopic tubular members, clamping devices with levers and the end cap that is attached to the other end of the telescopic pole. Telescoping tubular members of the pole are connected through the clamping device, wherein one open end of the clamping device comprises an internal surface matching an external surface of a thicker tubular member and the second end of the clamping device comprises an internal surface, which matches an external surface of a thinner tubular member. Also clamping device comprises a notch extending through the length of the second end of the clamping device, and a lever mechanism, wherein the second end of the clamping device is arranged for diameter reduction upon performing a clamping action with the lever.

(11) One of the applications of the telescopic pole as the cleaning tool is realized, wherein the telescopic pole is converted into a waterfed pole by running a tube to the top of the pole, to which a brush tool is added. Another possible usage of this cleaning tool is a modular design of telescopic pole, wherein each tubular member is pieced together without the use of a clamp, thus creating an air tight connection, wherein the pole is arranged to be used in conjunction with vacuum equipment to either collect dust at height or to suck out dirt from guttering.

(12) In an embodiment, the cleaning tool is mounted on the top of anti-rotational telescopic pole for the application of the cleaning industry. The free ends of the thinnest tubular member and the thickest tubular member have no clamping devices attached and the free end of the thinnest tubular member comprises means for attaching a cleaning tool. There are various means for attaching the cleaning tool to the anti-rotational telescopic pole, for example various mounts, articulated or swivel joints of different shapes and configurations.

(13) In a non-limiting example, a brush tool is mounted on the free end of the thinnest tubular member. Additional means for water delivery can be used to convert the anti-rotational telescopic pole into a waterfed pole. For example, a water-tight telescoping pole itself or a hose attached externally along the extended pole carries a liquid solution to the brush head tool utilizing a water pump delivery device of which they are many. Its purpose is to soften the dirt on the surface to be cleaned and additionally rinse away the mixture of dirt and liquid agitated in conjunction with the brush tool. It can also be used in conjunction with a higher pressured water nozzle and lance, which will softly spray liquid onto a larger surface. A bit like a pressure washer but with less water pressure.

(14) In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotational telescopic pole is modular, wherein each telescopic tubular member is pieced together with use of the locking-clamping devices, thus creating an air-tight connection between the telescoping members. In this embodiment the pole is arranged to be used in conjunction with vacuum equipment to either collect dust at height or to suck out dirt from guttering. To create an air-tight modulus pole the tolerance between each pole section is virtually 0 mm or additional gaskets shall be used. The base of the first pole is slightly “coned” in shape allowing the top of the proceeding section to insert. When inserted fully and no gap is noticed, thus air tight connection is realized. Another way is to have a minimal tolerance allowing the telescopic pole section to be clamped and uses a slightly modified larger version of non-circular clamp device and squeezing the pole sections together and thus forming an air tight connection.

(15) In an embodiment, the first open end of the clamping device is permanently attached to the external surface of the thicker tubular member by gluing, thermal forming, molding or similar. A person skilled-in-the-art might use other methods of attachment, if it ensures air-tight connection between the outer surface of the tubular member and the inner surface of the first open end of the clamping device.

(16) In the embodiment where the telescoping pole has an air-tight connection between the telescoping members, the complete body of the clamping device or just the second end thereof can be made of an elastic material, which molds onto the surface of the thinner tubular member in an air-tight fashion, but allows relative translation of the thinner tubular member in a telescoping action.

(17) Similarly, the notch of the clamp body can be filled with an elastic material, such as rubber. Such filling ensures air tightness, whereas the complete stiff body of the clamping device and the clamp itself in its locked position ensure high rigidity of the entire pole in its extended position.

(18) Yet in another embodiment, the present invention can be used in many fields, where stable, long-term and strong anti-rotational telescopic poles are needed because the external surfaces of thicker tubular members with clamping devices mounted thereto, suffer much less mechanical pressure than the external surfaces of a thinner tubular members that are clamped with clamping levers, thus this locking device decreases influence of mechanical pressure, mechanical friction and attrition between parts, as compared to other mechanisms used for the clamping of tubes.

(19) Turning now to FIG. 1, this figure presents a view of a view of an anti-rotational extendable telescopic pole, wherein telescoping tubular members of a noncircular cross-section, having two flat sides, have the locking clamping devices with the same form of non-circular cross-section and a clamping lever, which clamps the tubular members together consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the innovation comprises an anti-rotational telescopic pole with non-circular cross-sections (1) and locking-clamping devices (2) with the same shape of cross-sections respectively.

(20) In one or more non-limiting examples, the invention may be used to form a handle for cleaning or gardening tools, mounts for cameras and detectors, fishing rods, marine applications, painting walls, etc.

(21) The present invention comprises the telescoping pole, which has two or more telescoping tubular members (3) of the non-circular cross-section (1), which have two flat sides to ensure resistance to rotation of extendable members (3) with respect to each other. Said telescoping tubular members (3) are extractable from one end of a main tube (4), which is used for holding and handling the entire pole, while the other end of the main tube (4) has an end cap (5) attached thereto. Telescoping tubular members (3) of the extendable pole are connected through locking-clamping devices (2) which comprise clamp bodies (6) with the same non-circular cross-sections, having two flat sides to ensure anti-rotational locking of non-circular tubular members (3). One open end of the clamping device (2) comprises an internal surface matching an external surface of a thicker tubular member and the second end of the clamping device comprises an internal surface, which matches an external surface of a thinner tubular member, preferably with small dimensional tolerances.

(22) The present invention features safer handling, when holding the anti-rotational telescopic pole with locking-clamping devices (2) of the same non-circular cross-section. Two flat sides of said cross-sections provide additional safer grip and control, as compared to other cases, wherein a round shaped pole is used.

(23) Turning now to FIG. 2, this figure presents a view of an anti-rotational extendable telescopic pole, wherein telescoping tubular members have a noncircular cross-section consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the system presents a clamp body (6) that comprises a notch (see FIG. 3, item 7) extending through the length of the second end of the clamping device (2), and a lever (8) mechanism, wherein the second end of the clamping device (2) is arranged for diameter reduction upon performing a clamping action with the lever (8). The locking-clamping device (2) comprises one pin (9), which is inserted into the clamping lever through two holes of the clamping lever (8).

(24) Turning now to FIG. 3, this figure presents a view of a locking clamping device with the non-circular cross-sections and a clamping lever, which can clamp together telescopic tubular members consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping lever (8) with the pin (9) are assembled onto a lever holder (10), which is placed on the top of the clamp body (6) so that circular holes of the lever holder (10) and the clamp body (6) match together essentially concentrically. Then two hollow pins (11) are inserted into the clamp body (6) so that their circular holes are near by the circular holes of clamp body (6). A screw (12) and a spring (13) are inserted into clamp body (6) through circular holes of clamp body (6), two hollow pins (11), the lever holder (10) and the pin (9) for holding the components of the locking mechanism together.

(25) Turning now to FIG. 4, this figure presents a schematic drawing of cross-sections of a clamp body of a clamping device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the two flat sides of said non-circular cross-section have substantially the same length and are substantially parallel, and the cross-section diameter along the axis parallel to two flat sides is substantially longer than the cross-section diameter perpendicular to the two flat sides. The skilled person will recognize this shape as a stadium or flattened oval, comprising two substantially parallel flat sides and two approximately circular sections. The cross-sections of the telescopic poles (1) and the clamp bodies (6) have substantially the same form and shape.

(26) The flat sides are substantially the same length, which may make assembly of the telescopic pole easier.

(27) The non-circular cross-section has a first (14) and second (15) diameter: a first (or 1st) diameter (14), extending through the centre of symmetry of the cross-section, and further extending substantially parallel to the two flat sides. The first diameter (14) is pictured horizontally in FIG. 4. a second (or 2nd) diameter (15), extending through the center of symmetry of the cross-section, and further extending substantially perpendicular to the two flat sides. The first (14) and second (15) diameters are approximately perpendicular to each other. The second diameter (15) is pictured vertically in FIG. 4.

(28) When seen in cross-section, the length of each flat side is preferably 10-60% of the first diameter (14), more preferably 35 to 57%, and most preferably approximately 50% of said first diameter (14).

(29) This is calculated in percentage by dividing the outer length of the flat by the first outer diameter (14), or by dividing the inner length of the flat by the first inner diameter (14).

(30) When seen in cross-section, first diameter (14) is substantially longer than the second diameter (15) as it is a flattened oval or stadium shape. Preferably the second diameter (15) is 45-91% of the first diameter (14), more preferably 80 to 91%.

(31) This is calculated as a percentage by dividing the second outer diameter (15) by the first outer diameter (14), or by dividing the second inner diameter (15) by the first inner diameter (14).

(32) Example 1: an extendable telescopic pole may be assembled using thirteen tubular members (3) having the following cross-sectional dimensions in mm:

(33) TABLE-US-00001 Outer 1st Outer 2nd Inner 1st Inner 2nd Tubular diameter diameter diameter diameter Outer member (14) (15) (14) (15) flat length a 36.00 18.00 34.00 16.00 19.75 b 38.20 20.20 36.20 18.20 20.00 c 40.40 22.40 38.40 20.40 20.75 d 42.60 24.60 40.60 22.60 20.75 e 44.80 26.80 42.80 24.80 22.00 f 47.00 29.00 45.00 27.00 22.25 g 49.20 31.20 47.20 29.20 22.50 h 51.40 33.40 49.40 31.40 23.00 i 53.60 35.60 51.60 33.60 23.00 j 55.80 37.80 53.80 35.80 23.00 k 58.00 40.00 56.00 38.00 23.00 l 60.20 42.20 58.20 40.20 23.00 m 62.40 44.40 60.40 42.40 23.00

(34) All dimensions may have a tolerance of +/−0.01 mm. Tubular member m is also described herein as the main tube (4) or thickest tubular member (3). Tubular member a is also described herein as the thinnest tubular member (3).

(35) The tubular members in this example have tube walls of 1 mm+/−0.01 mm. A clearance of 0.10 mm+/−0.01 mm is provided between the outer diameter of an inner tubular member and the inner diameter of an outer member—that is, between concentric tubular members (3)—to allow a suitable degree of axial movement between an inner and an outer tubular member (3).

(36) In a non-limiting example, an extendable telescopic pole may be further assembled using device clamps (2) having substantially the same form of non-circular cross-section as tube members, and the following cross-sectional inner dimensions in mm:

(37) TABLE-US-00002 First end First end Second end Second end inner 1st inner 2nd inner 1st inner 2nd Clamp diameter diameter diameter diameter device (14) (15) (14) (15) c1 (tool to a) 36.00 18.00 33.80 15.80 c2 (a to b) 38.20 20.20 36.00 18.00 c3 (b to c) 40.40 22.40 38.20 20.20 c4 (c to d) 42.60 24.60 40.40 22.40 c5 (d to e) 44.80 26.80 42.60 24.60 c6 (e to f) 47.00 29.00 44.80 26.80 c7 (f to g) 49.20 31.20 47.00 29.00 c8 (g to h) 51.40 33.40 49.20 31.20 c9 (h to i) 53.60 35.60 51.40 33.40 c10 (i to j) 55.80 37.80 53.60 35.60 c11 (j to k) 58.00 40.00 55.80 37.80 c12 (k to l) 60.20 42.20 58.00 40.00 c13 (l to m) 62.40 44.40 60.20 42.20

(38) All dimensions may have a tolerance of +/−0.01 mm. The clamping devices (2) in this example have tube walls of 2 mm+/−0.01 mm.

(39) Clamp devices c2 to c13 may be used to assemble and clamp this example of extendable telescopic pole using tubular members a to m. Each clamp device is configured to clamp an outer and inner tubular member concentric pair.

(40) The inner diameter of each first end is dimensioned to have an internal diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer tubular member to be attached that clamp device.

(41) Each second end is provided with a notch extending through the axial length of the second end of the clamping device, arranged to allow the diameter of the second end to be reduced. The second end of the clamping device is clamped using the lever mechanism to the relevant inner tubular member.

(42) The inner diameter of each second end is dimensioned to have an internal diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the relevant inner tubular member to be clamped. This provides a satisfactory amount of resistance when the lever mechanism is unclamped, such that the inner tubular member can still be resistively moved to provide the required telescopic extent.

(43) Clamp device c1 may be used to clamp a brush or cleaning tool with similar tolerances to said tubular member, for example having an outer 1st diameter (14) of 33.80 mm+/−0.01 mm and an outer 2nd diameter (15) of 15.80 mm+/−0.01 mm.

(44) Example 2: an extendable telescopic pole may be assembled using nine tubular members (3) having the following cross-sectional dimensions in mm:

(45) TABLE-US-00003 Outer 1st Outer 2nd Inner 1st Inner 2nd Tubular diameter diameter diameter diameter Outer member (14) (15) (14) (15) flat length n 22.75 18.50 20.25 16.00 12.50 o 25.75 21.50 23.25 19.00 13.25 p 28.75 24.50 26.25 22.00 14.00 q 31.75 27.50 29.25 25.00 14.75 r 34.75 30.50 32.25 28.00 15.50 s 37.75 33.50 35.25 31.00 16.25 t 40.75 36.50 38.25 34.00 17.00 u 43.75 39.50 41.25 37.00 17.75 v 46.75 42.50 44.25 40.00 18.50

(46) All dimensions may have a tolerance of +/−0.01 mm. Tubular member v is also described herein as the main tube (4) or thickest tubular member (3). Tubular member n is also described herein as the thinnest tubular member (3).

(47) The tubular members in this example have tube walls of 1.25 mm+/−0.01 mm. A clearance of 0.25 mm+/−0.01 mm is provided between the outer diameter of an inner tubular member and the inner diameter of an outer member—that is, between concentric tubular members (3)—to allow a suitable degree of axial movement between an inner and an outer tubular member (3).

(48) In an alternate non-limiting example, the extendable telescopic pole may be further assembled using device clamps (2) having substantially the same shape of non-circular cross-section as tube members, and the following cross-sectional inner dimensions in mm:

(49) TABLE-US-00004 First end First end Second end Second end inner 1st inner 2nd inner 1st inner 2nd Clamp diameter diameter diameter diameter device (14) (15) (14) (15) c14 (tool to n) 22.75 18.50 19.75 15.50 c15 (n to o) 25.75 21.50 22.75 18.50 c16 (o to p) 28.75 24.50 25.75 21.50 c17 (p to q) 31.75 27.50 28.75 24.50 c18 (q to r) 34.75 30.50 31.75 27.50 c19 (r to s) 37.75 33.50 34.75 30.50 c20 (s to t) 40.75 36.50 37.75 33.50 c21 (t to u) 43.75 39.50 40.75 36.50 c22 (u to v) 46.75 42.50 43.75 39.50

(50) All dimensions may have a tolerance of +/−0.01 mm. The clamping device ends (2) in this example have tube walls of 3 mm+/−0.01 mm.

(51) Clamp devices c15 to c22 may be used to assemble and clamp this example of extendable telescopic pole using tubular members n to v. Each clamp device is configured to clamp an outer and inner tubular member concentric pair in the same way as described for example 1.

(52) Clamp device c14 may be used to clamp a brush or cleaning tool with similar tolerances to tubular member a, for example having an outer 1st diameter (14) of 17.75 mm+/−0.01 mm and an outer 2nd diameter (15) of 13.50 mm+/−0.01 mm.

(53) The dimensions given are purely exemplary and to illustrate the principles of composition. The skilled person will realize that starting with these examples, a wide variety of extendable telescopic poles may be provided. The dimensions and tolerances used depend, for example, on the requirements of the user, operating length, maximum acceptable weight, and the materials used. The tubular members (1) and clamping device ends (2) may be made of, for example, carbon fiber, metal, plastic or any combination thereof. Material such as carbon fiber for the tubular members and nylon for the clamping device ends may be particularly advantageous for use in manufacturing the disclosed device components.

(54) While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.