U.S. patent application number 13/546407 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for on-the-go adjustable extension pole providing hands-free tool connection and disconnection.
This patent application is currently assigned to Robert D. Newman, JR.. Invention is credited to Judson C. Cole, Eldon Morain, Robert D. Newman, Jr..
Application Number | 20120272498 13/546407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38191916 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120272498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newman, Jr.; Robert D. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2012 |
ON-THE-GO ADJUSTABLE EXTENSION POLE PROVIDING HANDS-FREE TOOL
CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION
Abstract
A hands-free system for connecting and disconnecting a tool from
an adjustable length extension pole. The system includes first and
second slidably interconnected elongated members, a tool-holding
assembly releasably coupled to the second elongated member, and a
locking assembly disposed between the first and second elongated
members. The relative sliding of the first and second elongated
members can be selectively restrained by rotating the first and
second elongated members relative to one another. The tool-holding
assembly can be disconnected from the second elongated member by
sliding the first and second elongated members together.
Inventors: |
Newman, Jr.; Robert D.;
(Kansas City, MO) ; Cole; Judson C.; (Overland
Park, KS) ; Morain; Eldon; (Broken Arrow,
OK) |
Assignee: |
Newman, JR.; Robert D.
Kansas City
MO
|
Family ID: |
38191916 |
Appl. No.: |
13/546407 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12690562 |
Jan 20, 2010 |
8240008 |
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13546407 |
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11306325 |
Dec 22, 2005 |
7716790 |
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12690562 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/426.2 ;
29/426.1; 29/426.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/469 20150115;
Y10T 29/49821 20150115; H04M 19/08 20130101; Y10T 16/4719 20150115;
Y10T 16/498 20150115; B25G 3/18 20130101; H02J 7/0044 20130101;
Y10T 16/473 20150115; Y10T 29/49817 20150115; Y10T 29/49815
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/426.2 ;
29/426.1; 29/426.4 |
International
Class: |
B23P 11/00 20060101
B23P011/00 |
Claims
1. A hands-free method for changing working tools on an extended
reach device having slidably intercoupled first and second
elongated members, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sliding
the first and second elongated members together such that the
extended reach device is contracted into a tool disconnect
condition to thereby automatically decouple a first working tool
assembly from the second elongated member, step (a) including the
step of releasing a catch from a locking condition, in which the
catch securely locks the first working tool assembly to the second
elongated member, by movement of the device into the tool
disconnect condition.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1; and (b) aligning the second
elongated member with an opening in a second working tool
assembly.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2; and (c) inserting the second
elongated member into the opening in the second working tool
assembly to thereby couple the second working tool assembly to the
second elongated member.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, step (b) including the step of
aligning a slot in the second working tool assembly with a
protrusion on the second elongated member.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, step (c) including the step of
contacting the second elongated member with the second working tool
assembly such that the releasable catch is initially shifted away
from the locking condition as the second working tool assembly is
coupled to the second elongated member, whereupon the catch is
automatically shifted into the locking condition to thereby
securely lock the second working tool assembly to the second
elongated member.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, step (a) including the step of
contacting first and second hand grips disposed on the first and
second elongated members, respectively, with one another to thereby
apply a longitudinal force therebetween and deform a compressible
portion of at least one of the hand grips.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, at least a portion of one of
said hand grips being formed of a resilient, deformable material
such that compression of the one hand grip applies a longitudinal
force to the other hand grip to thereby bias the elongated members
away from the tool disconnect condition.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, said step of releasing the
catch being performed by contacting the first elongated member and
the first working tool assembly.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of
identically titled U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/690,562,
filed Jan. 20, 2010, which is a continuation application of
identically titled U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/306,325,
filed Dec. 22, 2005, both of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to adjustable extension poles. The
invention further concerns adjustable extension poles which provide
hands-free tool connection and disconnection.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0005] Extension poles are useful for a variety of purposes
including, for example, painting, cleaning, and changing light
bulbs. Typically a working tool is attached to the distal end of
the pole and extended to a working location which is unreachable
without extension. Because working locations may be of varying
distances from the worker, it is typically necessary to either
provide multiple extension poles of different lengths or a single
extension pole of adjustable length. Further, it may be necessary
to change from one type of working tool to another type of working
tool while performing a single operation. For example, in painting
applications it is often desirable to alternate working tools
between a corner paint pad assembly and a wall roller.
[0006] Many conventional extension poles include a pair of
telescoping tubes which can be selectively slid and locked relative
to one another to provide length adjustability. However, these
extension poles typically do not include a means for hands-free
tool connection and disconnection. Further, one or more of the
telescoping tubes of conventional extension poles generally
includes openings to allow for proper functioning of the locking
mechanism. Such openings in the telescoping tubes are
disadvantageous because they allow debris to enter the tube where
it may inhibit sliding and/or locking of the tubes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first aspect of the present invention concerns an
apparatus comprising slidably intercoupled first and second
elongated members and a working tool releasably connected to the
second elongated member. The working tool is automatically
disconnected from the second elongated member when the members are
slid relative to one another into a tool disconnect position.
[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is
provided comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated
member, and a tool-holding assembly. The first and second elongated
members each have proximal and distal ends. The first and second
elongated members are slidably interconnected. The tool-holding
assembly includes a releasable catch which releasably couples the
tool-holding assembly to the second elongated member. The distal
end of the first elongated member and releasable catch are
configured to decouple the tool-holding assembly from the second
elongated member when the distal end of the first elongated member
contacts the releasable catch as the members are slid relative to
one another.
[0009] A third aspect of the present invention concerns an
apparatus for extending the reach of a tool. The apparatus includes
a first elongated member, a second tubular elongated member, a
locking assembly, and a tool-holding assembly. The first and second
elongated members each have proximal and distal ends. The first
elongated member is slidably received within the second elongated
member so that the distal end of the first elongated member is
contained within the second elongated member. The locking assembly
is configured to restrain relative sliding of the first and second
elongated members when the first and second elongated members are
rotated relative to one another to a locked position. The
tool-holding assembly is releasably coupled to the distal end of
the second elongated member.
[0010] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a hands-free
method for changing working tools on an extended reach device
having a first elongated member telescopically received within a
second elongated member is provided. The method comprises the step
of sliding the first elongated member and the second elongated
member together, thereby decoupling a first working tool from the
second elongated member.
[0011] The present invention has the advantage of being easily
extended, retracted, and locked. The present invention has the
further advantage of allowing a worker to connect and disconnect a
working tool from the extension pole without releasing a hand from
the extension pole. A still further advantage of the present
invention is that the pole is constructed to prevent debris from
entering therein and inhibiting adjustability. Further advantages
of the present invention will be apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiment, claims, and
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of an adjustable extension pole coupled
to a working tool;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of an adjustable extension pole
decoupled from a working tool;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an adjustable extension pole
and working tool;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through the center of
an adjustable extension pole and tool-holding assembly showing the
tool-holding assembly secured to the extension pole;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a is a sectional view showing an adjustable
extension pole and a tool-holding assembly where the tool-holding
assembly is positioned for decoupling from the extension pole;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in
FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in
FIG. 5; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, the extension pole selected
for illustration comprises a base member 20 and an extension member
22. The base member 20 includes a base tube 24 having a proximal
end 26 and a distal end 28. The extension member includes an
extension tube 30 having a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34.
Proximal end 32 of extension tube 30 has an opening 36 for
receiving base tube 24. Distal end 28 of base tube 24 is slidably
received in extension tube 30 in a telescopically interfitting
relationship. Base tube 24 and extension tube 30 share a common
longitudinal axis around which they are at least partially
rotatable relative to one another. Base tube 24 and extension tube
30 can be shifted relative to one another along the longitudinal
axis between an extended position where the reach of the extension
pole is maximized and a retracted position where the reach of the
extension pole is minimized. Base tube 24 and extension tube 30 are
preferably composed of a relatively strong but light weight
aluminum or synthetic resin material. Base tube 24 and extension
tube 30 each are preferably substantially hollow and present a
round cross sectional area. Base tube 24 and extension tube 30 are
preferably configured to inhibit debris from entering the interior
of the extension pole when base tube 24 and extension tube 30 are
slidably intercoupled. Most preferably, base tube 24 and extension
tube 30 have substantially no openings in their external, exposed
surfaces which would allow debris to enter the extension pole.
[0022] Proximal end 26 of base tube 24 presents an opening which is
preferably enclosed by an end cap 38. End cap 38 prevents debris
from entering base tube 24 through the opening in proximal end 26.
A base grip 40 is preferably mounted on proximal end 26. Base grip
40 includes a fixed portion 42 and a slidable (or compressible)
portion 44. The interior surface of fixed portion 42 is fixedly
secured to the exterior surface of base tube 24 by any means known
in the art such as, for example, a flowable adhesive or two-sided
tape. Slidable portion 44 is shiftably disposed on the exterior
surface of base tube 24. Slidable portion 44 preferably includes a
plurality of ribs 46 which are capable of being deformed when a
longitudinal force is applied to the terminal end of slidable
portion 44, as shown in FIG. 2. Base grip 40 is preferably composed
of a resilient, deformable, synthetic material. Most preferably,
base grip 40 is composed of foam rubber.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, an extension grip 48 is mounted on
proximal end 32 of extension tube 30. Extension grip 48 is fixedly
secured to the outer surface of extension tube 30 by any means
known in the art such as, for example, a flowable adhesive or
two-sided tape. Extension grip 48 can be composed of the same
material used for base grip 40. As shown in FIG. 2, when the
extension pole is in the retracted position with base tube 24 being
slid into extension tube 30 nearly as far as possible, the terminal
end of slidable portion 44 contacts an opposing terminal end of
extension grip 48 in an abutting relationship. As base tube 24 is
further slid into extension tube 30, the abutting relationship of
slidable portion 44 and extension grip 48 forces ribs 46 of
slidable portion 44 to be compressed and deformed, as illustrated
in FIG. 2. The compression of slidable portion 44 provides a
longitudinal force which resists further sliding of base tube 24
into extension tube 30.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 2, an alignment member 50 is fixedly
attached to distal end 34 of extension tube 30. Alignment member 50
is adapted to be received in a tool-holding assembly 52.
Tool-holding assembly 52 includes a tube-receiving end 54 for
receiving alignment member 50 and a tool-holding end 56 for holding
a working tool element 58. Tool-holding assembly 52 includes an
alignment notch 60 extending from the terminal end of
tube-receiving end 54 towards tool-holding end 56. Alignment notch
60 is adapted to receive an alignment protrusion 62 which extends
radially from alignment member 50 to thereby properly align
extension member 22 and tool-holding assembly 52 and restrain
relative rotation of extension member 22 and tool-holding assembly
52 when extension member 22 and tool-holding assembly 52 are
coupled together. It will be appreciated that tool holding assembly
52 is preferably in the form of a handle so that the assembly and
tool element cooperatively form a handheld tool that can be used
apart from the extension pole.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, a locking assembly 64 is coupled to
distal end 28 of base tube 24 by any means known in the art.
Locking assembly 64 comprises a lock body 66 and a lock collar 68
rotatably coupled to the lock body 66. Lock body 66 presents a
tapered end 70 for facilitating insertion of lock body 66 into
distal end 28 of base tube 24. Lock body 66 further presents an
outer securing surface 72 which is fixedly secured to the interior
surface of base tube 24. A circumferential eccentric slot 74 is
formed in lock body 66 and defines an eccentric compression member
76 around which lock collar 68 is disposed. In FIG. 3, lock collar
68 is shown separate from lock body 66, however, during normal
operation lock collar 68 will reside in eccentric slot 74 and
around eccentric compression member 76. A ring 78 is disposed
between eccentric slot 74 and securing surface 72 to restrain lock
collar 68 from sliding onto base tube 24. A sliding surface 80 is
disposed next to lock collar 68 on the side opposite of ring 78 and
prevents lock collar 68 from sliding off of lock body 66. Sliding
surface 80 and the outer surface of ring 78 are adapted to fit
flushly with an inner surface 82 of extension tube 30 and to be
slidably received therein.
[0026] Tool-holding assembly 52 comprises a body 84 and a
releasable catch 86. Releasable catch 86 is adapted to be received
and secured within tube-receiving end 54 of body 84. Releasable
catch 86 is fixedly secured in body 84 by any means known in the
art such as, for example, compression-fitting an outer holding
surface 88 of releasable catch 86 with an inner surface 90 of body
84, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 8. Referring again to FIG. 3,
tool-holding end 56 of tool-holding assembly 52 can be coupled to
working tool element 58 via an attachment device 92.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, tube-receiving end 54 of tool-holding
assembly 52 is adapted to be coupled to extension tube 30 via
alignment member 50, a resilient latch 94, and a latch-receiving
opening 96. Alignment member 50 is fixedly secured to distal end 34
of extension tube 30 by any means known in the art. Alignment
member 50 includes projection 62 and an outer surface 97. Outer
surface 97 is configured to fit generally flush within inner
surface 90 of body 84. When alignment member 50 is inserted into
tube-receiving end 54 of body 84, resilient latch 94 enters
extension tube 30 and snaps into latch-receiving opening 96,
thereby securing tool-holding assembly 52 to extension member 22.
Releasable catch 86 includes a guide 98 to guide resilient latch 94
through alignment member 50 and into extension tube 30. Releasable
catch 86 also includes a lip 99 which presses against a front
surface 100 of alignment member 50 when resilient latch 94 is
secured in latch-receiving opening 96 to thereby prevent further
insertion of releasable catch 86 into extension tube 30. Resilient
latch 94 includes a sloped contact surface 102 which allows
resilient latch 94 to be shifted between a latched position in
which resilient latch 94 is substantially undeformed and a
unlatched position in which resilient latch 94 is partially
elastically deformed and flexed. Moreover, the angle of surface 102
provides a cam that permits the tool to be automatically latched to
the pole simply by inserting the alignment member 50 into the
tube-receiving end 54 of assembly 52. Particularly, the contact
surface 102 allows resilient latch 94 to be partially deformed
during extension of resilient latch 94 through alignment member 50
and into extension tube 30 and then snapped into a latched position
when resilient latch 94 is aligned with latch-receiving opening
96.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), latch
receiving opening 96 in extension tube 30 can be eliminated. In
this configuration, the interior of alignment member 50 is formed
with a suitable notch, rib, or ridge configured to receive
resilient latch 94 and thereby secure tool-holding assembly 52 to
extension member 22. In order for resilient latch 94 to be received
in the latch-receiving notch, rib, or ridge of alignment member 50,
distal end 34 of extension tube 30 is only partially received in
alignment member 50 so that extension tube 30 does not cover or
interfere with the latch-receiving notch, rib, or ridge formed on
the inner surface of alignment member 50.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing tool-holding assembly 52
secured to extension tube 30 by resilient latch 94. In FIG. 4,
resilient latch 94 is inserted into latch-receiving opening 96 in a
latched position. FIG. 4 illustrates that a front surface 104 of
lock body 66 defines an inwardly projecting cavity 105.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates resilient latch 94 being deformed by
front surface 104 into an unlatched position. Front surface 104 of
lock body 66 is positioned into contact with contact surface 102 of
releasable catch 86 by shifting base tube 24 into extension tube 30
until, as shown in FIG. 2, slidable portion 44 of base grip 40 is
contacted with and deformed by extension grip 32. Thus, working
tool 50 and tool-holding assembly 52 can be disconnected from
extension member 22 by simply sliding base tube 24 into extension
tube 30 until front surface 104 of lock body 66 causes resilient
latch 94 to be removed from latch-receiving opening 96 and pushes
tool-holding assembly 52 out of contact with alignment member 50.
Cavity 105 at least partially receives resilient latch 94 when
front surface 104 is slid into contact which contact surface 102 of
resilient latch 94 to thereby release resilient latch 94 from
latch-receiving opening 96. The illustrated arrangement therefore
provides "hands free" disconnection (and connection as described
above) of the pole and tool.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, lock collar 68 is a
ring-shaped member having a thin-walled portion 106 and a
thick-walled portion 108. Thick-walled portion 108 has a break 110
therein which allows for circumferential expansion and contraction
of lock collar 68. Lock collar 68 further comprises a plurality of
friction ridges 112 protruding radially outward from thick-walled
portion 108 and contacting interior surface 82 of extension tube
30. Lock collar 68 is received in eccentric slot 74 and rotatably
disposed around eccentric compression member 76. Lock collar 68
exerts an outward radial force on interior surface 82 of extension
tube 30. The magnitude of the outward radial force exerted by lock
collar 68 is adjustable by changing the relative position of lock
collar 68 and eccentric compression member 76.
[0032] In operation, when base tube 24 is rotated relative to
extension tube 30 eccentric compression member 76 rotates relative
to lock collar 68. When eccentric compression member 76 is
positioned closest to thin-walled portion 106, as shown in FIG. 7,
friction ridges 112 of lock collar 68 exert minimal force on
interior surface 82 of extension tube 30. Thus, FIG. 7 illustrates
an unlocked position. When base tube 24 and extension tube 30 are
rotated relative to one another so that compression member 76 is
rotated into contact with thick-walled portion 108, as shown in
FIG. 6, friction ridges 112 of lock collar 68 are forced outward
and exert a radial securing force on inner surface 82 of extension
tube 30, thereby restraining relative sliding movement of base tube
24 and extension tube 30. Thus, FIG. 6 illustrates a locked
position. In order to function properly, lock collar 68 is
preferably composed of a resilient material such as, for example, a
synthetic resin. The configuration of the locking assembly 64 shown
in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 allows the relative sliding of base tube 24
and extension tube 30 to be controlled by simply rotating base tube
24 and extension tube 30 relative to one another in either a
clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
[0033] Furthermore, the grips 40 and 48 and the arrangement of the
tubes 24 and 30 provide two-handed operation of the pole at a point
close to the user's body. Additionally, in the illustrated
arrangement, with the outer tube 30 serving as the connection to
the tool, debris (e.g., paint, dust, etc.) is essentially prevented
from contaminating the sliding interconnection of the tubes, the
lock mechanism, etc.
[0034] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to
be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a
limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention.
Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove
set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0035] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not
materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the
invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *