Extension pole

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a partition system that is used to separate portions of a building or room, and wherein the partition system includes a collapsible and extendable extension pole. The present disclosure is also directed to a method for using a partition system to separate portions of a building or room, and further to a method of storing and using a collapsible and extendable extension pole with a partition system.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A collapsible and expandable extension pole for use in partition systems; said extension pole comprising:
 (a) a main pole section;   (b) a first pole section that is distinct from the main pole section; and   (c) a first tether that is configured to connect together said main pole section and said first pole section such that said first pole section is configured to removably connect to the main pole section.   
     
     
         2 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first tether includes an elastic material that is configured to draw together said first pole section to said main pole section. 
     
     
         3 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the main pole section comprises a plurality of pole sections that are arranged in a telescoping configuration; said main pole section includes locking arrangement that are configured to releasably lock said pole sections of said main pole section in position relative to one another during use of said main pole section. 
     
     
         4 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) a female fitting is formed on a first end of said main pole section;   (b) a male fitting is formed on a first end of said first pole section; and   (c) said male fitting removably engages said female fitting.   
     
     
         5 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first pole section includes a grip pad that is pivotally coupled to a second end of said first pole section, and wherein said grip pad is configured to receive a partition material. 
     
     
         6 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a second pole section that is distinct from said main pole section and said first pole section; and   (b) a second tether that is configured to connect together said main pole section and said second pole section such that said second pole section is configured to removably connect to said main pole section.   
     
     
         7 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second tether includes an elastic material that is configured to draw together said second pole section to said main pole section. 
     
     
         8 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 6 , wherein:
 (a) a male fitting is formed on a second end of said main pole section;   (b) a female fitting is formed on a first end of said second pole section; and   (c) said male fitting removably engages said female fitting.   
     
     
         9 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said second pole section includes a compressible portion that is configured to partially or fully compress said compressible portion when a second end of said second pole section engages a structure, and wherein said compressible portion includes a) a biasing member; and b) a rod that is telescopically received in a body of the second pole section. 
     
     
         10 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said main pole section further includes at least one fastener that is configured to releasably connect a body of said first pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in a fully collapsed configuration, and wherein said first pole section is substantially parallel said the main pole section when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration and is connected to the main pole section by the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said main pole section further includes at least one fastener that is configured to a) releasably connect a body of said first pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in a fully collapsed configuration; and b) releasably connect a body of said second pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration; and wherein said first, second, and main pole sections are substantially parallel when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration and the first and second pole sections are connected to the main pole section by the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The extension pole as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said first and second tethers are formed of a cord, an elastic cord, a wire, a strap, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A partition system, the partition system comprising:
 (a) at least one collapsible and expandable extension pole including:
 (i) a main pole section; 
 (ii) a first pole section that is distinct from the main pole section; and 
 (iii) a first tether that is configured to connect together said main pole section and said first pole section such that said first pole section is configured to removably connect to the main pole section; and 
   (b) at least one partition material that is at least partially supported by said at least one extension pole to form a partition wall.   
     
     
         14 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said first tether includes an elastic material that is configured to draw together said first pole section to said main pole section. 
     
     
         15 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the main pole section includes a plurality of pole sections that are arranged in a telescoping configuration; said main pole section includes locking arrangement that are configured to releasably lock said pole sections of said main pole section in position relative to one another during use of said main pole section. 
     
     
         16 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein:
 (a) a female fitting is formed on a first end of said main pole section;   (b) a male fitting is formed on a first end of said first pole section; and   (c) said male fitting removably engages said female fitting.   
     
     
         17 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said first pole section incudes a grip pad that is pivotally coupled to a second end of said first pole section, and wherein said grip pad is configured to receive a partition material. 
     
     
         18 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (a) a second pole section that is distinct from said main pole section and said first pole section; and   (b) a second tether that is configured to connect together said main pole section and said second pole section such that said second pole section is configured to removably connect to said main pole section.   
     
     
         19 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said second tether includes an elastic material that is configured to draw together said second pole section to said main pole section. 
     
     
         20 . The partition system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein:
 (a) a male fitting is formed on a second end of said main pole section;   (b) a female fitting is formed on a first end of said second pole section; and   (c) said male fitting removably engages said female fitting.   
     
     
         21 . The partition system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said second pole section includes a compressible portion that is configured to partially or fully compress said compressible portion when a second end of said second pole section engages a structure, and wherein said compressible portion includes a) a biasing member; and b) a rod that is telescopically received in a body of the second pole section. 
     
     
         22 . The partition system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said main pole section further includes at least one fastener that is configured to releasably connect a body of said first pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in a fully collapsed configuration, and wherein said first pole section is substantially parallel said the main pole section when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration and is connected to the main pole section by the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         23 . The partition system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said main pole section further includes at least one fastener that is configured to a) releasably connect a body of said first pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in a fully collapsed configuration; and b) releasably connect a body of said second pole section to said main pole section when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration; and wherein said first, second, and main pole sections are substantially parallel when said extension pole is in said fully collapsed configuration and said first and second pole sections are connected to the main pole section by the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         24 . The partition system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said first and second tethers are formed of a cord, an elastic cord, a wire, a strap, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A collapsible and expandable extension pole for use in partition systems; said extension pole comprising:
 (a) a main pole section having a plurality of pole sections that are arranged in a telescoping configuration;   (b) a first tether that is configured to connect together a first pole section and said main pole section such that said first pole section is configured to removably connect to the main pole section; said first pole section includes a grip pad that is configured to receive a partition material; and   (c) a second tether that is configured to connect together a second pole section and said main pole section such that the second pole section is configured to removably connect to said main pole section.   
     
     
         26 . The collapsible and expandable extension pole as defined in  claim 25 , wherein the main pole section includes a plurality of pole sections that are arranged in a telescoping configuration;
 said main pole section includes a locking arrangement that is configured to releasably lock said pole sections of said main pole section in position relative to one another during use of said main pole section; said first pole section and/or said second pole section are absent telescoping sections.   
     
     
         27 . A method for forming a partition wall comprising:
 (a) providing an extension pole; said extension pole including:
 (i) a main pole section; 
 (ii) a first pole section that is distinct from the main pole section; and 
 (iii) a first tether that is configured to connect together said main pole section and said first pole section such that said first pole section is configured to removably connect to the main pole section; 
   (b) providing a partition material; and   (c) at least partially supporting said partition material by said extension pole in a structure to form a partition wall in said structure.