Expandable Baton With Locking Mechanism

Abstract

A multi-section locking baton includes a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through outer, middle and inner tubes for unlocking first and second cam joints between the tubes. The release rod includes a tip having three sections, including an outermost or distal section that increases in diameter as measured in a direction moving away from the distal end of the tip; an intermediate section that is the widest section of the tip and that has a plurality of relief openings formed in as outer surface; and a proximal section that tapers from the intermediate section to a narrower diameter at the proximal tip end where it is secured onto the release rod. A portion of the release rod tip is located in one of the cams when the baton is in the extended condition. The baton also includes bushings on the inner diameters of the outer and middle tubes, and wear rings on the outer diameters of the middle and inner tubes.

1 . A multi-section locking baton comprising:
 an outer tube;   a middle tube telescoping within the outer tube,   a first locking cam joint connecting the outer tube and the middle tube, including a first cam on the middle tube that has a central opening and a ball bearing with balls movable radially in response to axial movement of the first cam to releasably lock the outer tube to the middle tube;   an inner tube telescoping within the middle tube,   a second locking cam joint connecting the middle tube and the inner tube, including a second cam on the inner tube that has a central opening and a ball bearing movable radially in response to axial movement of the second cam to releasably lock the middle tube to the inner tube; and   a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through the outer, middle and inner tubes for unlocking the first and second cam joints;   the release rod including a tip having three sections, the three sections including an outermost or distal section that increases in diameter as measured in a direction moving away from the distal end of the tip; an intermediate section that is the widest section of the tip and that has a plurality of relief openings formed in its outer surface; and a proximal section that tapers from the intermediate section to a narrower diameter at the proximal tip end where it is secured onto the release rod.   
     
     
         2 . A baton as set forth in claim wherein at least a portion of the release rod tip is located in the central opening of the first cam when the baton is in the extended condition. 
     
     
         3 . A baton as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the intermediate section of the release rod tip has a substantially constant diameter. 
     
     
         4 . A baton as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising:
 a bushing on the inner diameter of the distal end of the outer tube that circumscribes and engages the outer diameter of the middle tube; 
 a bushing on the inner diameter of the distal end of the middle tube that circumscribes and engages the outer diameter of the inner tube; 
 a wear ring on the outer diameter of the middle tube that engages the inner diameter of the outer tube; and 
 a wear ring on the outer diameter of the inner tube that engages the inner diameter of the middle tube. 
 
     
     
         5 . A baton as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the bushings are replaceable. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-section locking baton comprising:
 an outer tube;   a middle tube telescoping within the outer tube,   a first locking cam joint connecting the outer tube and the middle tube, including a first cam on the middle tube that has a central opening and a ball bearing with balls movable radially in response to axial movement of the first cam to releasably lock the outer tube to the middle tube;   an inner tube telescoping within the middle tube,   a second locking cam joint connecting the middle tube and the inner tube, including a second cam on the inner tube that has a central opening and a ball bearing movable radially in response to axial movement of the second cam to releasably lock the middle tube to the inner tube;   a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through the outer, middle and inner tubes for unlocking the first and second cam joints;   a bushing on the inner diameter of the distal end of the outer tube that circumscribes and engages the outer diameter of the middle tube; and   a bushing on the inner diameter of the distal end of the middle tube that circumscribes and engages the outer diameter of the inner tube.   
     
     
         7 . A baton as set forth in  claim 6  further including a wear ring on the outer diameter of the middle tube that engages the inner diameter of the outer tube, and a wear ring on the outer diameter of the inner tube that engages the inner diameter of the middle tube. 
     
     
         8 . A baton as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the bushings are replaceable. 
     
     
         9 . A baton as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the bushings are replaceable. 
     
     
         10 . A baton as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the release rod includes a tip having three sections, the three sections including an outermost or distal section that increases in diameter as measured in a direction moving away from the distal end of the tip; an intermediate section that is the widest section of the tip and that has a plurality of relief openings formed in its outer surface; and a proximal section that tapers from the intermediate section to a narrower diameter at the proximal tip end where it is secured onto the release rod. 
     
     
         11 . A baton as set forth in  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of the release rod tip is located in the central opening of the first cam when the baton is in the extended condition, and wherein the intermediate section of the release rod tip has a substantially constant diameter.