U.S. patent application number 17/220176 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-07 for extendable baton with locking mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Safariland, LLC. Invention is credited to John Hultman.
Application Number | 20210310764 17/220176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005538912 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210310764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hultman; John |
October 7, 2021 |
Extendable Baton With Locking Mechanism
Abstract
An extendable baton includes first and second telescoping tube
sections, the first tube section having two inner circumferential
grooves near one end. A cam assembly is carried by the second tube
section for selectively locking the first and second tube sections
to each other. The cam assembly includes two radially movable cams
each having two lands and a groove therebetween. The two cams are
movable radially relative to each other between a locked position
in which the lands on the two cams are engaged in the grooves in
the tube section, and an unlocked position in which the lands on
the two cams are displaced radially inward from the grooves on the
tube to enable relative axial movement of the first and second tube
sections.
Inventors: |
Hultman; John; (Casper,
WY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Safariland, LLC |
Jacksonville |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005538912 |
Appl. No.: |
17/220176 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63004855 |
Apr 3, 2020 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 15/027
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41B 15/02 20060101
F41B015/02 |
Claims
1. An extendable baton comprising: first and second telescoping
tube sections, the first tube section having two inner
circumferential grooves near one end, spaced apart from each other
by a first distance and having an inner circumferential rib between
them; and a cam assembly carried by the second tube section for
selectively locking the first and second tube sections to each
other; the cam assembly comprising two radially movable cams each
having two lands and a groove therebetween; the first and second
cams being movable radially relative to each other between a locked
position in which the lands on the two cams are engaged in the
grooves in the tube section, and an unlocked position in which the
lands on the two cams are displaced radially inward from the
grooves on the tube to enable relative axial movement of the first
and second tube sections.
2. A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second cam has a cam
portion and an insert portion, the cam portion of the second cam
including the lands on the second cam, and the insert portion of
the second cam slidably engaging in an opening of the first cam to
provide relative sliding movement of the two cams in a radial
direction between the locked position and the unlocked
position.
3. A baton as set forth in claim 2 wherein the insert portion of
the second cam has an oval shaped external configuration that is
received in an oval-shaped opening of the first cam thereby to
interlock the first and second cams and block relative axial or
tipping movement.
4. A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube section
includes an elongate cylindrical tube and the locking grooves are
formed on the tube.
5. A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube section
includes an elongate cylindrical tube with a separate cap and the
locking grooves are formed on the cap.
6. An extendable baton comprising: first and second telescoping
tube sections, the first tube section having two inner
circumferential grooves near one end, spaced apart from each other
by a first distance and having an inner circumferential rib between
them; and a cam assembly carried by the second tube section, the
cam assembly for selectively locking the first and second tube
sections to each other; the cam assembly comprising two cams having
alignment holes located therein; the first cam having a radially
outer surface with two arcuate lands and a groove therebetween; the
second cam having a radially outer surface with two arcuate lands
and a groove therebetween; the locking lands on the second cam
being spaced apart by the same distance as the locking lands on the
first cam, which is equal to the first distance between the tube
section grooves; the first and second cams being movable radially
relative to each other between: a locked position in which the
lands on the two cams are engaged in the grooves in the tube
section, and the rib on the tube is in the grooves on the cams,
blocking relative axial movement of the first and second tube
sections, and an unlocked position in which the lands on the two
cams are displaced radially inward from the grooves on the tube to
enable relative axial movement of the first and second tube
sections.
7. A baton as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second cam has a cam
portion and an insert portion, the cam portion of the second cam
including the lands on the second cam, and the insert portion of
the second cam slidably engaging in an opening of the first cam to
provide relative sliding movement of the two cams in a radial
direction between the locked position and the unlocked
position.
8. A baton as set forth in claim 7 wherein the insert portion of
the second cam has an oval shaped external configuration that is
received in an oval-shaped opening of the first cam thereby to
interlock the first and second cams and block relative axial or
tipping movement.
9. A baton as set forth in claim 6 wherein the tube section
includes an elongate cylindrical tube and the locking grooves are
formed on the tube.
10. A baton as set forth in claim 6 wherein the tube section
includes an elongate cylindrical tube with a separate cap and the
locking grooves are formed on the cap.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 63/004,855, filed Apr. 3, 2020, titled Extendable
Baton With Locking Mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an extendable baton. In these
batons, two or more telescoping tube sections are provided, with a
locking mechanism for locking the baton in an extended condition
for use. The locking mechanism can be selectively unlocked, to
collapse the tube sections and make a shorter baton for
transport.
[0003] One example of this type of baton is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
8,721,459. This baton has a tube section with an internal groove
that can receive two identical radially movable locking members or
cams. A spring between the cams biases them radially outward. When
the locking members are aligned axially with the groove, they
expand outward into the groove, thereby locking the tube sections
together. This locking engagement is released by pressing a rod end
into openings in the centers of the locking members, causing the
members to be drawn radially inward, out of the groove. This allows
the tube sections to telescope inward, to enable collapsing of the
extendable baton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a new and improved locking
mechanism for an extendable baton. In one embodiment, the invention
relates to an extendable baton including first and second
telescoping tube sections. The first tube section has two inner
circumferential grooves near one end, spaced apart from each other
by a first distance and having an inner circumferential rib between
them. A cam assembly is carried by the second tube section for
selectively locking the first and second tube sections to each
other. The cam assembly includes two cams having alignment holes
located therein. The first cam has a radially outer surface with
two arcuate lands and a groove therebetween. The second cam has a
radially outer surface with two arcuate lands and a groove
therebetween. The lands on the second cam are spaced apart by the
same distance as the lands on the first cam, which is equal to the
first distance between the tube section grooves. The first and
second cams are movable radially relative to each other between a
locked position in which the lands on the two cams are engaged in
the grooves in the tube section, and the rib on the tube is in the
groove on the cams, blocking relative axial movement of the first
and second tube sections, and an unlocked position in which the
lands on the two cams are displaced radially inward from the
grooves on the tube to enable relative axial movement of the first
and second tube sections.
[0005] In one embodiment, an portion of the second cam has an
insert portion that is received in an opening of the first cam
thereby to interlock the first and second cams and block relative
axial or tipping movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Further features of the invention will become apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains,
from a reading of the following description of an embodiment of the
invention together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a baton that is a first
embodiment of the invention, shown in a fully extended
position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 1 focusing on
one of the cam assemblies;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the cam
assembly in a locked position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the two cams in an
expanded position;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration showing the two cams in
a retracted position;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the cam
assembly and tubes in an engaged and locked condition;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the view
illustrating the cam assembly in an unlocked condition without
having moved the tubes relative to each other;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the view
illustrating the cam assembly in an unlocked condition and showing
the tubes moved relative to each other; and
[0015] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating a second
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a new and improved locking
mechanism for an extendable baton. The invention is applicable to
batons and locking mechanisms of different constructions. As
representative of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a baton 10 that
is a first embodiment of the invention.
[0017] The baton 10 has three telescoping tubes: an outer tube or
handle 12 with a handle cap 14; a middle tube 16; and an inner tube
18. The middle tube 16 carries at its proximal end (nearer the
handle 14) a first cam assembly 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that is
engageable with a pair of grooves 70 on the distal end of the outer
tube 12. Each one of the tubes 14-18 is preferably made from one
open right cylindrical piece of material such as aluminum or
plastic. End caps may be provided on the tubes 14-18, as shown.
[0018] The inner tube 18 carries at its proximal end (nearer the
handle 14) a second cam assembly 22 (FIG. 1) that is engageable
with another pair of grooves 72 on the distal end of the middle
tube 16. The second cam assembly 22 is functionally identical to
the first cam assembly 20. A lock release rod 24 is also provided,
of a known type.
[0019] The cam assembly 20 (FIGS. 1-3) includes two parts, or cams,
that are physically different from each other but that are fitted
together to form the cam assembly. The two cams are referred to
herein as the outer cam or first cam 30 and the inner cam or second
cam 50. A portion of the inner cam 50 is received inside the outer
cam 30 as described below.
[0020] The outer cam 30 has an overall rectangular box shape
including six walls that surround and define a central chamber. Two
of the six walls, each designated 32 and located opposite each
other, have aligned circular openings for 34 receiving the release
rod 24. These two walls 32 extend radially when assembled and face
axially up and down the length of the baton 10. Two other walls 36,
which extend chordally in the baton tubes when assembled and face
radially outward, are solid, that is, with no openings
provided.
[0021] Of the remaining two outer cam walls 38 and 40, one wall
(the upper wall 38 as viewed in FIG. 4) has an oval shaped opening
42. This opening 42 is dimensioned to receive an insert portion 54
of the inner cam 50, as described below.
[0022] The sixth and remaining wall 40 of the outer cam 30 (the
lower wall as viewed in FIG. 4) is solid and is configured to
engage with the grooves 70 in the tubes. Specifically, this lower
wall 40 has two cam projections or lands 42 on opposite axial ends
of the wall, with a notch 44 between the lands. The lands 42 are
arcuate to match the inner circumference of the baton tubes.
[0023] The inner cam 50, as noted above, is different from the
outer cam 30. The inner cam 50 has a cam portion 52 and an insert
portion 54. The cam portion 52 of the inner cam 50 is similar in
configuration to the lower wall 40 of the outer cam 30--two arcuate
cam projections or lands 56 on opposite sides of a notch 58. The
lands 56 of the inner cam 50 align axially with the lands 42 of the
outer cam 30 when assembled, on opposite radial sides of the baton
centerline.
[0024] The insert portion 54 of the inner cam 50 projects radially
inward from the cam portion 52. The insert portion 54 has the same
configuration as, and is shaped to fit closely inside of, the oval
shaped opening 42 of the outer cam 30. The two cams 30 and 50 are
thereby interlocked. The insert portion 54 has a circular opening
60 for receiving the unlock rod 24. The insert portion 54 of the
inner cam 50 is slid able within the opening 42 of the outer cam
30, to enable radial expansion and contraction of the cam assembly
20 when it is assembled inside the baton 10. When assembled, the
lands 56 on the inner cam 50 are located diametrically opposite the
lands 42 on the outer cam 30.
[0025] The cam assembly 20 preferably includes spring pockets 62 as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 that receive compression springs 64 to bias
apart the two cams 30 and 50. Alternatively, repelling magnets can
be used if spring weakening over time is an issue.
[0026] When the baton 10 is assembled, the first cam assembly 20 is
carried in the proximal end portion of the middle baton tube 16 and
thus moves with the middle tube. The outer tube 12 has two circular
grooves 70 on its cylindrical inner side surface, that are the same
distance apart from each other as the two pairs of lands 42 and 56
on the first cam assembly 20. A rib 74 is located between the two
grooves 70.
[0027] The dimensions of the parts are selected so that when the
outer tube 12 and the middle tube 16 are not locked (FIG. 8) , the
lands 42 on the first cam assembly 20 are spaced apart axially
(along the length of the baton 10) from the grooves 70 on the outer
tube 12. The radially outer side surfaces of the lands 42 and 56 on
the cams 50 and 50, respectively, are biased radially outward
against the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 12, and
the cams are held in a radially inward position, as shown in FIG.
8.
[0028] When the middle tube 16 and the outer tube 12 are positioned
axially relative to each other so that the first cam assembly 20 is
aligned axially with the grooves 70 in the outer tube 12, that is,
when it is located radially inward of the grooves 70, the cams 30
and 50 can move radially outward into the grooves, under the
influence of the springs 64. The lands 42 on the first cam 30 and
the lands 56 on the second cam 50 engage in the grooves 70. This
position of the parts is shown in FIG. 6.
[0029] Specifically, the two individual lands 42 on the outer cam
30 are engaged in the two individual grooves 70 of the outer tube
12. On the circumferentially opposite side of the baton 10, the two
individual lands 56 of the inner cam 50 are engaged in the same two
grooves 70 of the outer tube 12. This engagement provides a locking
engagement between the first cam assembly 20 and the outer tube 12.
As a result, the middle tube 16 is locked with the outer tube
12.
[0030] Extendable batons like the baton 10 are of a generally
standard length and diameter. Thus, the baton 10 is of generally
the same length and diameter as the baton shown in the prior art
U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,459 referenced above. In contrast, each cam
assembly 20, 22 of the baton 10 is significantly longer (axially)
than the single cams of the baton shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,459.
Because of this added length, the cam stability is greatly
increased. There is significantly more surface engagement, in a
direction extending along the axis, between the cam assembly and
the tubes. This helps to stabilize the cams 30 and 50, minimizing
cam roll, for example.
[0031] Further, the increased number of cam projections and grooves
provides increased locking surface area. There are two cam
projections or lands 42 and 56 on each cam 30 and 50, respectively,
locked into two grooves 70, rather than just one. As a result,
there are four radially extending cam side surfaces in engagement
with four radially extending groove side surfaces, resisting axial
movement, rather than just two. This feature increases locking
surface area and thus locking strength of the baton 10.
[0032] Another benefit of the present invention arises from the
fact that the oval-shaped insert portion 54 of the inner cam 50 is
completely surrounded by the body of the outer cam 30, in the
oval-shaped opening 42 of the inner cam 30. Thus, the two cams 30
and 50 are interlocked together at all times, and self-aligning.
Sideways (axial) force on the cam assembly 20 will not separate the
cams 30 and 50. This feature greatly increases cam stability as
compared to a cam assembly in which the two cams are only side by
side.
[0033] When the parts of the baton 10 are thus locked, the center
hole 60 in the inner cam 50 is misaligned radially with the center
hole 34 in the outer cam 30. To release (unlock) the middle tube 16
from the outer tube 12, the release rod 24 is pushed in so that its
tip engages the surface defining the center hole 34 in the outer
cam 30 and the surface defining the center hole 60 in the inner cam
50, forcing the two center openings to align by drawing the cams
radially inward. This radially inward movement of the two cams 30
and 50 draws the cam lands 42 and 56 out of the grooves 70 in the
outer tube 12 (FIG. 7). As a result, the middle tube 16 is no
longer locked with the outer tube 12, and those two tubes can be
collapsed relative to each other, as shown for example by the
different position of the parts that is illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0034] A similar action occurs with the second cam assembly 22,
which can selectively lock or unlock the middle tube 16 with the
inner tube 18.
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of a baton 10a that is a second
embodiment of the invention. In the baton 10a, the locking grooves
are formed in the tube end caps, rather than in the tubes
themselves. This construction can be provided for ease of
manufacture. In FIG. 9, parts of the baton 10a that are the same as
or similar to corresponding parts of the baton 10 (FIGS. 1-8) are
given the same reference numerals with the suffix "a" added for
clarity.
[0036] Specifically, in the baton 10a (FIG. 9), an end cap 100 is
screwed onto the distal end of the outer tube 12a. The end cap 100
has two inner circumferential grooves 70a. A cam assembly 20a is
carried on the end of the middle tube 16a. When the middle tube 16a
is extended from the outer tube 12a, the cam assembly 20a becomes
positioned radially inward of the end cap 100. The cams 30a and 50a
can then move radially outward into locking engagement with the
grooves 70a. The releasable locking connection between the middle
tube 16a and the inner tube (not shown) would be similar.
[0037] Thus, the present invention can be seen to encompass at
least two physically different embodiments--with the locking
grooves formed directly in the elongate tubes themselves, or with
the locking grooves formed in a separate element (like the end cap
100) that is connected with the elongate tube. The term "tube
section" as used herein encompasses both of these variations and
others that are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0038] From the above description of the invention, those skilled
in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications.
For example, the cam projections and grooves could have a shape
that is different from the shape that is shown in the illustrated
embodiment, to vary or increase engagement surface. Such options
could include a triangular shape or a hexagonal shape. Also, more
than two cam projections can be provided on each cam, with a
correspondingly increased number of grooves. Such improvements,
changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended
to be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *