U.S. patent application number 15/184803 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-21 for hinged handle cap for baton.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aegis Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth J. Stethem.
Application Number | 20170363384 15/184803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59216097 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170363384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stethem; Kenneth J. |
December 21, 2017 |
HINGED HANDLE CAP FOR BATON
Abstract
A baton has a body with a first end and a second end. A handle
is connected to and extends from the body between the two ends. A
cap is hingedly connected to an end of the handle. A locking
mechanism selectively locks the cap to the handle and includes a
catch plate that includes a catch, a latch releasably engaged with
the catch, and an actuation button. The actuation button is movably
engaged with the latch to disengage the latch from the catch. The
actuation button is movable along a stop axis and a latch axis
different than the stop axis.
Inventors: |
Stethem; Kenneth J.;
(Rockville, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aegis Industries, Inc. |
Rockville |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59216097 |
Appl. No.: |
15/184803 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 9/10 20130101; F41B
15/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41B 15/02 20060101
F41B015/02 |
Claims
1. A baton comprising: a body having a first end and a second end;
a handle connected to and extending from the body between the first
end and the second end; a cap hingedly connected to an end of the
handle; and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the cap to
the handle, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a catch plate
comprising a catch; a latch releasably engaged with the catch; and
an actuation button movably engaged with the latch for disengaging
the latch from the catch, wherein the actuation button is movable
along a stop axis and a latch axis different than the stop
axis.
2. The baton of claim 1, wherein the actuation button comprises a
stop positionable along the stop axis in a first stop position and
a second stop position, wherein when in the first stop position,
the stop is engaged with a recess defined by at least one of the
catch plate, the cap, and the handle, and wherein when in the
second stop position, the stop is disengaged from the recess.
3. The baton of claim 2, wherein the actuation button is movable
along the latch axis only when the stop is disengaged from the
recess.
4. The baton of claim 1, wherein the latch is positionable along
the latch axis in a first latch position and a second latch
position, wherein when in the first latch position, the latch is
engaged with the catch, and wherein when in the second latch
position, the latch is disengaged from the catch.
5. The baton of claim 2, wherein the stop is biased into the first
stop position.
6. The baton of claim 4, wherein the latch is biased into the first
latch position.
7. The baton of claim 1, wherein the catch plate is secured to the
handle, and wherein the latch is movably secured to the cap.
8. The baton of claim 5, wherein the latch comprises an arm
extending therefrom, and wherein the actuation button comprises a
spring configured to bias the actuation button away from the
arm.
9. The baton of claim 1, wherein the actuation button comprises two
buttons, wherein each of the two is disposed on opposite sides of
the cap.
10. A baton comprising: a body; a handle extending from the body; a
hinged cap disposed at an end of the handle; and a locking
mechanism configured to selectively secure the hinged cap to the
handle, wherein the locking mechanism is movable in a first range
of motion and a second range of motion so as to unlock the locking
mechanism.
11. The baton of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism comprises
an actuation button movable in a first direction and a latch
movable in a second direction.
12. The baton of claim 11, wherein the actuation button is movable
in the second direction.
13. The baton of claim 12, wherein the actuation button comprises
two actuation buttons, wherein the two actuation buttons are biased
away from each other.
14. The baton of claim 13, wherein each actuation button is biased
by a plurality of springs.
15. The baton of claim 13, wherein each actuation button is movably
secured to an arm that extends from the latch.
16. The baton of claim 12, wherein the actuation button comprises a
stop configured to engage a recess so as to prevent movement of the
actuation button in the second direction.
17. The baton of claim 11, wherein locking mechanism comprises a
catch and wherein the latch is configured to releasably engage the
catch.
18. A method of actuating a locking mechanism, the method
comprising: engaging a recess with a stop, wherein the recess is
connected to an actuation button; moving the actuation button in a
first direction so as to disengage the recess from the stop; moving
the actuation button in a second direction different than the first
direction, so as to disengage a latch from a catch; and hingedly
lifting the locking hinge cap.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] Batons may be used as a striking and blocking weapon for
close-quarters combat and/or personal defense. Such batons can
include electrical discharge elements, light-emitting elements
(e.g., strobes, flashlights, etc.), sound discharge elements,
irritant spray canisters, and other accessories that may be used to
benefit or advantage the user of the baton. Some of these
accessories may be secured in a body of the baton, while others may
be secured in a handle of the baton.
SUMMARY
[0002] In one aspect, the technology relates to a baton having: a
body having a first end and a second end; a handle connected to and
extending from the body between the first end and the second end; a
cap hingedly connected to an end of the handle; and a locking
mechanism for selectively locking the cap to the handle, wherein
the locking mechanism includes: a catch plate having a catch; a
latch releasably engaged with the catch; and an actuation button
movably engaged with the latch for disengaging the latch from the
catch, wherein the actuation button is movable along a stop axis
and a latch axis different than the stop axis. In an embodiment,
the actuation button has a stop positionable along the stop axis in
a first stop position and a second stop position, wherein when in
the first stop position, the stop is engaged with a recess defined
by at least one of the catch plate, the cap, and the handle, and
wherein when in the second stop position, the stop is disengaged
from the recess. In another embodiment, the actuation button is
movable along the latch axis only when the stop is disengaged from
the recess. In yet another embodiment, the latch is positionable
along the latch axis in a first latch position and a second latch
position, wherein when in the first latch position, the latch is
engaged with the catch, and wherein when in the second latch
position, the latch is disengaged from the catch. In still another
embodiment, the stop is biased into the first stop position.
[0003] In another embodiment of the above aspect, the latch is
biased into the first latch position. In an embodiment, the catch
plate is secured to the handle, and wherein the latch is movably
secured to the cap. In another embodiment, the latch includes an
arm extending therefrom, and wherein the actuation button includes
a spring configured to bias the actuation button away from the arm.
In yet another embodiment, the actuation button has two buttons,
wherein each of the two is disposed on opposite sides of the
cap.
[0004] In another aspect, the technology relates to a baton having:
a body; a handle extending from the body; a hinged cap disposed at
an end of the handle; and a locking mechanism configured to
selectively secure the hinged cap to the handle, wherein the
locking mechanism is movable in a first range of motion and a
second range of motion so as to unlock the locking mechanism. In an
embodiment, the locking mechanism includes an actuation button
movable in a first direction and a latch movable in a second
direction. In another embodiment, the actuation button is movable
in the second direction. In yet another embodiment, the actuation
button includes two actuation buttons, wherein the two actuation
buttons are biased away from each other. In still another
embodiment, each actuation button is biased by a plurality of
springs.
[0005] In another embodiment of the above aspect, each actuation
button is movably secured to an arm that extends from the latch. In
an embodiment, the actuation button includes a stop configured to
engage a recess so as to prevent movement of the actuation button
in the second direction. In another embodiment, the locking
mechanism has a catch and wherein the latch is configured to
releasably engage the catch.
[0006] In another aspect, the technology relates to a method of
actuating a locking mechanism, the method including: engaging a
recess with a stop, wherein the recess is connected to an actuation
button; moving the actuation button in a first direction so as to
disengage the recess from the stop; moving the actuation button in
a second direction different than the first direction, so as to
disengage a latch from a catch; and hingedly lifting the locking
hinge cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are
presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baton.
[0009] FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of a baton
handle, with actuation buttons in a first position.
[0010] FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of the
baton handle of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons in a second
position.
[0011] FIG. 2C is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of a baton
handle of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons in a third position.
[0012] FIG. 3A is an enlarged top section view of a locking
mechanism in the cap of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons in the
first position.
[0013] FIG. 3B is an enlarged top section view of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 3A, with actuation buttons in the second
position.
[0014] FIG. 3C is an enlarged top section view of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 3A, with actuation buttons in the third
position.
[0015] FIG. 4A is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 2A, with a latch in a first position.
[0016] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 4A, with the latch in a second position.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
locking mechanism of FIG. 2A.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of
FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front view of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a method of actuating a locking mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baton 100 having a body
102 and a handle 104 connected thereto. In general, the baton 100
is held by the handle 104 and the body 102 used for blocking,
parrying, striking, and other actions. The body 102 has a first end
106 that can include one or more accessories, such as a high-lumen
light source (strobe, constant, etc.), a laser pointer, an
electrical discharge module, a sound discharge module, etc. A
second end 108 may include an access port for batteries to operate
one or more accessories, a control button for said accessories, and
so on. The handle 104 can be contoured to match the fingers of a
user so as to improve gripping ability. Generally, during use, the
baton 100 is gripped by the handle 104 such that the first end 106
and opening 114 point towards a target, with the thumb of the user
of the baton 100 disposed proximate the cap 110. An end portion of
the handle 104 includes a cap 110 connected to the handle 104 at a
hinge 112. The cap 100 may define an opening 114 from which an
irritant spray (such as pepper spray, mace, etc.), may be
discharged from a canister located therein. A button 116 on top of
the cap 110 may be used to activate the spray, and one or more
actuation buttons 118 may be used to selectively unlock a locking
mechanism (described below) that secures the cap 110 to the handle
104. By utilizing an actuable locking mechanism, the cap 110 is
prevented from disconnecting from the handle 104 when the baton 100
is used for striking or other purposes. However, the operation of
the locking mechanism allows the user to quickly change spray
canisters.
[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C, together, depict a method for operating the
hinged cap 110 of the baton 100. FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective
view of the cap 110 of the baton handle 104, with actuation buttons
118 in a first position. FIGS. 2B and 2C depict the actuation
buttons in second and third positions, respectively. Certain of the
components depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C are described above in FIG. 1
and, as such, are not necessarily described further. In FIG. 2A,
the actuation buttons 118 are in a first position, generally at
their furthest projected distance from the cap 110. The actuation
buttons 118 are movable in both a first range of motion and a
different second range of motion, so as to selectively unlock the
locking mechanism that secures the cap 110 to the handle 104. To
ensure the locking mechanism remains in a locked configuration, the
actuation buttons 118 must be moved from the first position, and
through first range of motion, prior to moving through the second
range of motion. In FIG. 2B, the actuation buttons 118 have both
been moved along a first generally axial direction A1. In effect,
when two actuation buttons 118 are utilized, they are both moved
towards each other along the first generally axial direction A1. At
this point, the outer extent of the actuation buttons 118 are now
closer to the cap 110. Movement through this first range of motion
(i.e., from the first button position to the second button
position) also disengages a stop (depicted and described below)
from a recess (also depicted below), so as to enable the actuation
buttons 118 to move through the second range of motion, depicted in
FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2C, the actuation buttons 118 are moved in a
second generally axial direction A2, which is different than, and
in some cases, orthogonal to, the first generally axial direction
A1. This movement moves the actuation buttons 118 in the second
range of motion (i.e., from the second button position to a third
button position). The second range of motion also moves the
actuation buttons 118 away from a front face 120 of the cap 110,
and towards a rear face 122 thereof. As the actuation buttons 118
are moved towards the rear face 122, a latch (described below) of
the locking mechanism disengages from a catch (also described
below), thus allowing the cap 110 to be hingedly opened H away from
the handle 104.
[0023] FIG. 3A is an enlarged top section view of a locking
mechanism 200 in the cap 110 of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons 118
in the first position. The locking mechanism 200 includes a number
of elements, in addition to the actuation buttons 118. For example,
the locking mechanism 200 includes a pair of arms 202 that extend
from the latch (described below). Each actuation button 118 is
deflectably secured to a respective arm 202 via one or more screws
204. A body 206 of each actuation button 118 is biased away from
the respective arm 202 via one or more biasing elements 208, such
as compression springs. Leaf springs, elastomer rings or bodies, or
other biasing elements may also be utilized. In the depicted
configuration, a spring 208 is disposed around each screw 204, so
as to balances the forces necessary to prevent binding of the body
206 as it moves along the screws 204. The body 206 may terminate at
an end cap 210, which may be removed so as to access the screws
204. When two actuation buttons 118 are used, the springs 208 bias
the actuation buttons 118 away from each other, extending the
actuation buttons 118 out of openings 212 defined by the cap
110.
[0024] The spray discharge button 116 is also depicted. Notably,
the spray discharge button 116 is disposed within outer upper walls
214 of the cap 110 so as to protect the discharge button 116 from
inadvertent discharge by, e.g., an assailant adverse to the baton
user. The spray discharge button 116 defines a discharge conduit
216 therein that terminates at a discharge opening 218. The
discharge opening 218 is disposed between the arms 202 of the lock
mechanism 200 and is aligned with the opening 114 in the cap 110.
When the spray discharge button 116 is actuated (generally by
pressing downward), irritant spray is discharged from the canister
located below, through the discharge conduit 216, and out the
discharge opening 218 at a target. Given its location between the
arms 202, the spray discharge button 116 may be actuated without
interfering with the locking mechanism 200.
[0025] FIG. 3B is an enlarged top section view of the locking
mechanism 200 of FIG. 3A, with actuation buttons 118 in the second
position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 3B are
described above and, as such, are not necessarily described
further. Here, the actuation buttons 118 have been moved through
the first range of motion along the first generally axial direction
A1. This movement compresses the biasing elements 208 as the body
206 moves closer to the arms 202 of the locking mechanism 200. The
actuation buttons 118 may be moved along the first generally axial
direction A1 until the biasing elements 208 reach their maximum
compression, the body 206 contacts the arm 202, or the screws 204
contact the end cap 210. During movement along the first generally
axial direction A1, the button bodies 206 generally do not contact
the surfaces of the openings 212, thus ensuring smooth operation
thereof.
[0026] FIG. 3C is an enlarged top section view of the locking
mechanism 200 of FIG. 3A, with actuation buttons 118 in the third
position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 3C are
described above and, as such, are not necessarily described
further. Here, the actuation buttons 118 have been moved along the
second generally axial direction A2, and thus closer to the rear
face 122 of the handle 104. Given the dimensions of the openings
212 in the cap 110, the actuation buttons are able to move into
this third position without contacting the surfaces that define the
openings 212. Once in this third position, the cap 110 may be
hingedly opened H.
[0027] FIG. 4A is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism 200 of FIG. 2A, with a latch 220 in a first latch
position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 4A are
described above and, as such, are not necessarily described
further. In the first latch position, the latch 220 is engaged with
a catch 222 formed on a catch plate 224. In this example, the catch
plate 224 is disposed at a top of, and connected to, the handle
104. The catch plate 224 substantially surrounds an opening that
defines a canister chamber 226 that holds an irritant spray
canister 228. The catch plate 224 also forms part of the hinge 112.
The latch 220 is in this first latch position when the actuation
buttons 118 are in both the first actuation button position and the
second actuation button position, as described above. As noted
above, these first and second actuation button positions are
disposed along the first generally axial direction A1. Also
depicted in FIG. 4A is the arm 202 that is connected to the
actuation button 118.
[0028] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism 200 of FIG. 4A, with the latch 220 in a second latch
position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 4B are
described above and, as such, are not necessarily described
further. In FIG. 4B, the latch 220 has been moved to the second
latch position by movement of the actuation button 118 to the third
actuation button position. As such, the second generally axial
direction A2 may also be referred to as a latch axis, since
movement of the latch 220 is substantially therealong. Once
disengaged from the catch 222, the cap 110 may be hingedly opened
H. As the cap 110 is opened H, since the spray discharge button 116
is secured to the cap 110, the discharge tube 216 disengages from a
discharge outlet 230 of the canister 228, typically without
dislodging the canister 228 from the canister chamber 226.
Similarly, the latch 220 is also secured to the cap 110 and thus
pivots away from the canister chamber 226 along with the cap 110,
thus making the canister chamber 226 more accessible. The canister
chamber 226 forms a fairly tight fit (e.g., via high friction
surface 234) with the canister 228 so as to keep the canister 228
secured therein. Nevertheless, the canister 228 may still be easily
removed and replaced, and the cap 110 hinged back into a closed
position. The locking mechanism 220 is biased towards a locked
position due to the use of a number of springs, (e.g., springs 208
and other springs as described below). FIG. 4B also depicts one of
the screws 232 used to secure the catch plate 224 to the handle
104.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 2A, while FIG. 6 is perspective view
thereof. As such, FIGS. 5 and 6 are described concurrently. Certain
of the components depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are described above
and, as such, are not necessarily described further. The handle 104
and cap 110 are depicted in dashed lines for illustrative purposes
only. When the locking mechanism 200 is in the locked position (as
depicted in FIG. 6), the latch 220 and elements connected thereto
(e.g., the arms 202, the buttons 118) are biased towards the front
face 120 of the cap 110 due to a force exerted by one or more
biasing elements 250, such as extension springs. The biasing
elements 250 pull the arms 202 (and therefor the latch 220) towards
a shaft 252 that may be disposed within the hinge of the cap 110.
In examples, the shaft 252 may be disposed within the catch plate
224. Two biasing elements 250 are utilized in the depicted
embodiment to balance the forces associated therewith. With the
biasing element 250 pulling the latch 220 towards the front face
120, the latch 220 engages with the catch 222, thus holding the
locking mechanism in the locked position.
[0030] A stop 254 extends from at least one of the actuation
buttons 118, e.g., from button body 206. In the depicted example, a
stop 254 extends from each actuation button 118. The springs 208
(not depicted in FIG. 5 or 6) bias the actuations buttons 118 away
from each other, as described above. As such, the stops 254 are
engaged with recesses 256 defined by the cap 110. The recess 256 is
depicted in FIG. 7. This prevents the actuation buttons 118 from
being moved along the axis until the latch axis stops 254 are
disengaged from the recesses 256. As such, in order to unlock the
locking mechanism 200, the actuation buttons 118 must first be
moved along the first generally axial direction A1. As such, the
first generally axial direction A1 may also be referred to as a
stop axis, since movement of the stop 254 is substantially
therealong. Once the stops 254 are disengaged from the recesses
256, the actuation buttons 118 may then be moved in the second
generally axial direction A2, so as to disengage the latch 220 from
the catch 222, so as to unlock the locking mechanism 200. FIGS. 5
and 6 also depict an opening 258 defined by the catch plate 224.
Once secured to the handle 104, via screws 232 (FIG. 4B) inserted
through screw holes 260, the opening 258 defines a passage through
which spray canisters may be inserted into and removed from the
handle 104.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front view of the locking
mechanism 200 of FIG. 5. Certain of the components depicted in FIG.
7 are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described
further. The locking mechanism 200 (namely the actuation button 118
and related components) are depicted as exploded away from the cap
110 to depict the relationship between the stop 254 and its mating
recess 256. As can be seen, the stop 254 extends from an underside
of the button body 206, although examples where the stop extends
from the top of the body 206, or another surface, are also
contemplated. When the actuation button 118 is secured to the arm
202 via the screw 204, the stop 254 is engaged with the recess 256,
which may be formed in the cap 110. In other examples, the recess
256 may be formed in the handle 104 or the catch plate, depending
on the particular lock mechanism configuration. The stop 254
remains biased into the recess 256 due to the force of the spring
208, until acted upon by an external force.
[0032] FIG. 8 depicts a method 300 of actuating a locking
mechanism, for example, a locking mechanism on a cap of a handle
such as a baton handle. The method 300 begins with the a stop
connected to an actuation button being engaged with a recess.
Alternatively, the method 300 may begin by engaging the recess with
the stop, operation 302. In operation 304 the actuation button is
moved in a first direction to disengage the stop from the recess.
In operation 306, the actuation button is moved in a second
direction different than the first direction. This movement in the
second direction disengages a latch from a catch. Once the latch is
disengaged, the cap may be hingedly lifted to provide access to an
interior of the handle.
[0033] [KEN, ANYTHING TO ADD REGARDING MATERIALS? THIS PART WAS
TAKEN FROM A PREVIOUS CASE.] Material utilized in the manufacture
of the baton may include plastic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, and
related resins, as well as polyester graphite that can be mixed
with a wide variety of composite materials with desirable strength
and other characteristics as herein disclosed. Suitable composite
materials also include polyester/PTFE, polyester/MOS2, blended
fiber/graphite, high PV polyimides, polybenzamidizole, PTFE filled
PBT, PTFE filled acetal, filled PTFE, solid lubricant filled nylon
type 6, aramid fiber filled nylon, PBT, oil and MOs filled nylon
type 6, glass reinforced nylon 6,6 (high grade), heat stabilized
nylon, and other materials. Such materials are available from St.
Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation, of Aurora, Ohio, under the
brand names Meldin and Rulon; Ensinger GmbH of Nufringen, Germany,
under the brand names Hydex and Hydlar; TriStar Plastics Corp., of
Shrewsbury, Mass., under the brand name Ultracomp; Celanese
Acetate, LLC, of Dallas, Tex., under the brand name Celazole;
Norplex-Micarta, of Postville, Iowa, under the designators R320 and
EX350B; and Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, of Alpharetta, Ga.,
under the brand name Torlon. Additionally, construction may include
composite materials injection molded over a skeleton, web, or frame
of rigid material, such as stainless steel, titanium, fiberglass,
Kevlar, etc. The skeleton may be formed, for example, of horizontal
and vertical welded stainless steel tendons.
[0034] In some of the depicted examples, the baton is
non-mechanical, but for the hinges connection to the cap. The baton
body may be molded and/or machined from a single piece of tubular
composite material with no moving parts. The composite material has
excellent mechanical properties with a high resistance to moisture,
cutting, fracture, and rust, and is unlikely to be fouled by
extreme hot or cold weather conditions. The composite used in
certain embodiments is of sufficient structural strength to obviate
the need for any metal in the assembly for support or other
structural need. The baton can be made with a wide variety of
composites that may approximate or exceed the characteristics of
the polyester/graphite composite described.
[0035] The baton described herein is easily deployed and used with
high speed relative to conventional batons of either traditional or
more modern varieties. Due to the high structural strength of the
composite utilized in one example, the baton may be smaller than
traditional batons, also making the baton easily concealed within
and under clothing. The reduced weight and footprint of the baton
allow it to be easily worn on a typical duty belt with little
fatigue or complication.
[0036] As described above, the baton is compatible with use of a
variety of other non-lethal devices, particularly with stun
devices. The composite is electrically inert, offering little
chance of accidental shock due to unintended involvement with stun
devices, either in relation to deployment or while holstered.
Depending on the precise chemical formulation, the composite may
have excellent resistance to solvents, oils used in pepper spray
formulations, fire, high heat, marine sea spray, dirt, and high UV
exposure (encountered in arid, sunny environments) and may resist
shatter, even under cryogenic conditions.
[0037] The overall length of the baton body may be in the range of
about 8 inches to about 24 inches. The handle may have a length in
the range of about 3 inches to about 6 inches, and may be located
at a midpoint of the body. In alternative embodiments, the handle
may be offset from the center of the body. In longer baton
embodiments where the handle is offset from the center of the body,
it may be desirable that the operational end of the baton be that
nearest to the handle. This configuration allows the baton to be
used in a manner similar to existing batons, with the control end
of the baton located near the user's elbow. Desirable diameters of
the body range from about 1 inch to about 2 inches or more. Certain
embodiments are approximately one and five-eighths inches in
diameter. Internal diameters of the body and handle are generally
determined based on the clearances required to accommodate
batteries, spray canisters, electrical discharge generators, etc.
Particularly advantageous wall thicknesses range from about
one-sixteenth inch to about one-quarter inch or more. Certain
embodiments have walls of approximately one-eighth inch in
thickness.
[0038] While there have been described herein what are to be
considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present
technology, other modifications of the technology will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The
particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein
are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It
is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the
technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters
Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the
following claims, and all equivalents.
* * * * *