Expandable telescopic baton

Abstract

The expandable telescopic baton (1) consists of the handle (2), the central tube (5) with secondary locking member, of the end tube (6) with terminal locking member, of the button (4) and of the release rod (8). The locking member comprises at least two lever segments of the first order (9, 9), whose first tilting arms (11) bear the radial projections (10) securing the tubes (5, 6) in the extended position, the second tilting arms (12) extend inside the tubes (5, 6), and the tilting means comprising the tilting edge (15) ensures the tilting of the segments (9, 9) against the inner wall of the tube (5, 6). The release rod (8) passing through the locking tilts over the segments (9, 9), thus extending radial projections (10) from the internal radial grooves (7, 7).

Claims

1. An expandable telescopic baton (1) comprising: a tubular handle (2) having a terminal portion (3) with a button (4) and a release rod (8) located within said tubular handle in communication with said button; a central tube (5) contained within said tubular handle such that it covers said release rod, said central tube configured to move between a first position in which it is fully contained within said tubular handle and a second position in which only a portion of said central tube is being held within said tubular handle; and, an end tube (6) contained within said central tube, said end tube configured to move between a first position in which it is fully contained within said central tube and a second position in which only a portion of said end tube is being held within said central tube; wherein each of said tubular handle (2) and said central tube (5) includes an internal radial groove (7, 7) configured to fit to a corresponding radial projection that is part of a central locking member and a terminal locking member positioned in said central tube and said end tube (6) respectively; wherein said release rod (8) whose one end is connected with the button (4) and the other end fits into the locking members so as to retract their radial projections (10) from the grooves (7, 7) when the baton (1) is folded; wherein the central locking member and/or the terminal locking member comprise at least two double reversing lever segments (9, 9) arranged opposite to each other in the tube (5, 6) around its axis, formed by first tilting arms (11) and second tilting arms (12), where the first tilting arms (11) extend from the central and end tubes (5, 6) and are provided with said radial projections (10) for fitting into the grooves (7, 7), and second tilting arms (12) extend inside the central and end tubes; wherein on an outer side the segments (9, 9) in a region between the first tilting arms (11) and the second tilting arms (12) are provided with tilting means for tilting the segments (9, 9) against an inner wall of the central and end tubes, and with securing means (18) for fixing the position of the segments (9, 9) in the central and end tubes against displacement; wherein on an inner side the segments (9, 9) are provided with an elastic element (13) separating ends of the first tilting arms (11) with said radial projections (10); and, wherein the segments (9, 9) on an inner side are dimensionally adjusted so that in the position of fitting of the radial projections (10) into the grooves (7, 7), the smallest internal clear distance (L2) between the second tilting arms (12) is smaller than the smallest internal clear distance (L1) between the first tilting arms (11) and at the same time smaller than the diameter (d) of the release rod (8).

2. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the tilting means for tilting of the segments (9, 9) against the internal wall of the central and end tubes are formed so that the outer side of the first tilting arm (11) has a shape of part of a cylindrical surface and the outer side of the second tilting arm (12) has a shape of part of a conical surface, wherein a shape transition between the first tilting arm (11) and the second tilting arm (12) forms a tilting edge (15) in a shape of part of the ring, fitting against the internal wall of the tube (5, 6).

3. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the central locking member and/or the terminal locking member comprises two opposite pairs of segments (9, 9) arranged to form a hollow cylindrical body, where the segments (9, 9) are distributed over its circumference at 90.

4. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the securing means (18) form the spring ring positioned in the recess (19) formed at the periphery of the first tilting arms (11) of the segments (9, 9) and in the inner wall of the central and end tubes.

5. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (13) has a toroidal shape and is positioned in the grooves (20) on the inner side of the ends of the first tilting arms (11).

6. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the handle (2) has a conical part (21) and the central tube (5) has a conical part (22), where the said conical parts (21, 22) fit against each other in the extended position of the central tube (5), and an end (24) of the central tube (5) is aligned with the edge of the internal radial groove (7) in the handle (2) so that in the extended position of the central tube (5), the radial projection (10) fits against the end (24) of the central tube (5).

7. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the central tube (5) has a conical part (21) and the end tube (6) has a conical part (22), where the said conical parts (22, 23) fit against each other in the extended position of the end tube (6), and an end (25) of the end tube (6) is aligned with the edge of the internal radial groove (7) in the central tube (5) so that in the extended position of the end tube (6), the radial projection (10) fits against the end (25) of the end tube (6).

8. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the segments (9, 9) on the inner side of the second tilting arms (12) are provided with release projections (26) with an edge in the shape of part of the ring for fitting against the circumference of the release rod (8).

9. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the segments (9, 9) on the inner side in the region between the first tilting arms (11) and the second tilting arms (12) are provided with guide projections (27) with an edge in the shape of part of the ring for fitting against the circumference of the release rod (8).

10. The expandable telescopic baton according to claim 1, wherein the segments (9, 9) are made of metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in detail by drawings where the following is illustrated:

(2) FIG. 1 sectional view of the expandable telescopic baton in the extended state, with a view of the central locking member and a terminal locking member,

(3) FIG. 2 sectional view of the expandable telescopic baton as shown in FIG. 1 with partial sectional views of the central locking member and the terminal locking member,

(4) FIG. 3 sectional view of the expandable telescopic baton in a partially folded state, with the central tube inserted in the handle and with the end tube extended from the central tube,

(5) FIG. 4 sectional view of the expandable telescopic baton in a fully folded state,

(6) FIG. 5 sectional view of the terminal locking member in extension of the end tube from the central tube,

(7) FIG. 6 sectional view of the terminal locking member in insertion of the end tube into the central tube,

(8) FIG. 7 sectional view of the central locking member in extension of the central tube from the handle, in the embodiment with the guide projection.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

(9) The expandable telescopic baton 1 consists of three cylindrical telescopic parts placed in each other. The tubular handle 2 has the largest diameter, is formed by a metal tube coated with a rubber or plastic coating, and on one side is terminated by terminal 3, in which the button 4 is sliding-mounted on the spring 14. The button 4 fits against the end of the release rod 8, which extends in the axis of the handle 2 to its free end. The central tube 5 is mounted with an overlap, whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the handle 2 so that the central tube 5 is sliding-mounted in the handle 2 and can be telescopically inserted and extended, while maintaining the required linear overlap so as not to completely fall out of the handle 2 in full extension. In the central tube 5, the end tube 6 is further mounted, whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the central tube 5 so that the end tube 6 is sliding-mounted in the central tube 5 and can be telescopically inserted and extended, while maintaining the required linear overlap so as not to completely fall out of the central tube 5 in full extension. To prevent the central tube 5 from being inserted back into the handle 2 and the end tube 6 from being inserted back into the central tube 5, the handle 2 and the central tube 5 are provided with internal radial grooves 7, 7. In the extended position of the baton 1, the movable radial projections 10 fit into these internal radial grooves 7, 7, which are part of the central locking member mounted in the central tube 5 and the terminal locking member mounted in the end tube 6. The extended position of the baton 1 is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The movement of the radial projections 10 is actuated by the release rod 8, the end of which in the extended state of the baton 1 after pressing the button 4 passes through the central locking member and extends the radial projections 10 from the internal radial groove 7 in the handle 2. The central tube 5 with the central locking member is inserted into the handle 2, wherein the release rod 8 still passes through the central locking member. This partially folded state of the baton 1 is shown in FIG. 3. The end tube 6 in the extended state is displaced along the central tube 5 towards the handle 2 until the end of the release rod 8 passes through the terminal locking member mounted in the end tube 6. In this state, the radial projections 10 extend from the internal radial groove 7 in the central tube 5, and the end tube 6 is inserted into the central tube 5, whereby the baton 1 is in a fully folded state as shown in FIG. 4.

(10) The design of the terminal locking member and the mounting of overlap of the end tube 6 in the central tube 5 is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The central tube 5 has the conical part 21, the end tube 6 has the conical part 22. The conical parts 21, 22 fit against each other in the extended position of the end tube 6, thus defining precisely the mutual position of the tubes 5, 6 without clearance. Since the connection of conical parts 21, 22 is not self-locking, the mutual position of the tubes 5, 6 in the extended position is secured by the terminal locking member. Moreover, the conical parts 21, 22 of the tubes 5, 6 are connected again to the cylindrical parts of the tubes, and the end 25 of the cylindrical part of the end tube 6 is aligned with the edge of the internal radial groove 7 in the central tube 5. The radial projection 10 of the terminal locking member is shaped so that when fitted into the internal radial groove 7, its one side fits against the end 25 of the end tube 6. Very rigid and stable connection of the central tube 5 and the end tube 6 in the extended position is thus achieved. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 also show the detailed construction of the terminal locking member.

(11) The terminal locking member comprises two pairs of lever segments of the first order 9, 9, arranged opposite to each other in the end tube 6 symmetrically to its axis. FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view, where one segment 9 is removed, FIG. 6 shows an axial sectional view, where one pair of segments 9, 9 is visible. Four segments 9, 9 are arranged to form a hollow cylindrical body, where the segments 9, 9 are distributed over its circumference at 90. In another embodiment, the terminal locking member could also work with three or two segments 9, 9.

(12) The lever segments of the first order 9, 9 are made of metal, but may also be made of durable plastic or composite. Each segment 9, 9 is formed as a two-armed lever and comprises the first tilting arm 11 and the second tilting arm 12. The first tilting arm 11 extends from the end tube 6 and bears the radial projection 10. This means that the terminal locking member has four radial projections 10 fitting into the internal radial groove 7 in the central tube 5, each segment 9, 9 has one quadrant radial projection 10.

(13) The elongated parts of the first tilting arms 11 after the radial projections 10 also extend to the central tube 5 and are provided on their inner side with grooves 20, in which the elastic element 13 is mounted, comprised of the metal coil in a toroidal shape. This elastic element 13 permanently separates the ends of the first tilting arms 11 and pushes the radial projections 10 into the internal radial groove 7. The end of the release rod 8 can pass through the centre of the elastic element 13 into the terminal locking member. However, the elastic member 13 may be of design known to the expert.

(14) Part of the first tilting arms 11, mounted in the end tube 6, has the outer surface made in the shape of part of the cylindrical surface. The outer surface means surface closer to the inner wall of the end tube 6. The second tilting arms 12, connected in the end tube 6 to the first tilting arms 11, have the outer surface in the shape of part of the conical surface. The transition between the first tilting arm 11 and the second tilting arm 12 forms the tilting edge 15 fitting against the inner wall of the end tube 6. The lever segment of the first order 9, 9 may tilt over the tilting edge 15 to one or another side. The tilting means may be designed in another way than the tilting edge 15, e.g. a projection in the groove, pin, etc., but the tilting edge 15 has the advantage that it is the most simple and economic way to manufacture, fits against the inner wall of the end tube 6 completely free of clearance and achieves precise positioning.

(15) On the first tilting arms 11 and in the inner wall of the end tube 6, there are recesses 19, in which the securing means 18 formed of a spring ring is mounted. The securing means 18 fixes axially the position of the lever segments of the first order 9, 9 in the end tube 6.

(16) On the inner side, to be understood as the side closer to the axis of the tube 6, the lever segments of the first order 9, 9 are dimensionally adjusted so that in the position of fitting of the radial projections 10 into the internal radial groove 7, the smallest internal clear distance L.sub.2 between the second tilting arms 12 is smaller than the smallest internal clear distance L.sub.1 between the first tilting arms 11 and at the same time smaller than the diameter d of the release rod 8. This is achieved so that at the end of the second tilting arms 12 on their inner side there are the release projections 26 with the edge in the shape of part of the ring for fitting against the circumference of the release rod 8. When the release rod 8 extends inside the terminal locking member, it fits against the release projections 26, thus separating the ends of the second tilting arms 12. The lever segments of the first order 9, 9 are tilted over so that the first tilting arm 11 tilts through the resistance of the elastic element 13 and over the tilting edge 15 towards the axis of the end tube 6, so that the radial projections 10 extend from the internal radial groove 7 and the end tube 6 can be inserted into the central tube 5, e.g. by hand pressure.

(17) The central locking member, shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, operates as the terminal locking member, with the difference that it is positioned in the central tube 5, which has the conical part 22 fitting into the conical part 21 of the handle 2, and the radial projections 10 fit into the internal radial groove 7 in the handle 2. FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 also show an alternative embodiment of lever segments of the first order 9, 9, where the elastic element 13 is positioned in the grooves 20 substantially opposite to the radial projections 10 and the segments 9, 9 are in the region between the first tilting arms 11 and the second tilting arms 12 on the inner side provided with guide projections 27 in the shape of part of the ring for fitting against the circumference of the release rod 8. This embodiment provides guiding of the release rod 8 in the axis of the tube 5, while allowing easier and gradual tilting of the segments 9, 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(18) 1 expandable telescopic baton 2 tubular handle 3 terminal 4 button 5 central tube 6 end tube 7 internal radial groove in the handle 7 internal radial groove in the central tube 8 release rod 9, 9 lever segment of the first order of the locking member 10 radial projection 11 first tilting arm 12 second tilting arm 13 elastic element 14 button spring 15 tilting edge 16 cylindrical surface 17 conical surface 18 securing means 19 recess 20 groove on the inner side of the first tilting arm 21 conical part of the handle 22 conical part of the central tube 23 conical part of the end tube 24 end of the central tube 25 end of the end tube 26 release projection 27 guide projection L.sub.1 smallest internal clear distance of the first tilting arms of the segments of central and terminal locking members L.sub.2 smallest internal clear distance of the second tilting arms of the segments of central and terminal locking members d diameter of the release rod