Locking telescopic tool

This locking mechanism utilizes oppositely wound coil springs which surround the inner tubular sleeve. By changing the bias on the springs which can be accomplished by moving external knobs on the outer surface of the locking mechanism, the inner sleeve is released permitting its telescopic adjustment within the outer sleeve. In this case, the coil springs are subject to fatigue and breakage, and the locking mechanism is susceptible to paint being entrapped therein due to its use of external knobs to change the bias on the springs within same.

Lastly, U. In this case, the extension pole is not telescopically adjustable, however, the locking mechanism permits the attachment of the pole, which can be any length, to the end of the paint roller frame. The locking mechanism disclosed in this patent is comprised of a lever arrangement which is external to the end of the pole, and thus, is very susceptible to paint being entrapped therein causing the locking mechanism to become difficult to operate or inoperable.

Because of the fore going inherent disadvantages associated with presently available extension poles, it has become desirable to develop an extension pole locking mechanism that is durable, is easy to produce, assemble and operate and which is not susceptible to paint being entrapped therein.

The present invention solves the problems associated with prior art extension poles and other problems by providing an extension pole locking mechanism which comprises a minimum number of components, is less susceptible to paint being entrapped therein, and is extremely simple to produce and operate. The locking mechanism of the present invention comprises an outer tubular sleeve, an inner tubular sleeve received within the outer tubular sleeve and a collar assembly attached to the outer tubular sleeve.

The collar assembly comprises a collar member attached to the outer tubular sleeve and a locking trigger mechanism which is received over the collar member and includes a bottom trigger member and a top trigger member having a locking pin therein. The top trigger member has a circular configuration and grippingly engages the collar member.

The bottom trigger member has a U-shaped configuration and interlocks with the top trigger member. Because of the U-shaped configuration of the bottom trigger member, when the top and bottom trigger members are interlocked, a gap is created between the inner surface of the bottom trigger member and the collar member. By depressing the bottom trigger member, the gap between the bottom trigger member and the collar member closes causing the top trigger member to move laterally outwardly retracting the locking pin from the inner tubular sleeve permitting the length of the extension pole to be adjusted.

After the desired length of the pole has been attained, if pressure is released on the bottom trigger member, the top trigger member will move laterally inwardly causing the locking pin therein to be received in an aperture in the inner tubular sleeve locking the inner tubular sleeve within the outer tubular sleeve at the approximate desired length of the extension pole.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an extension pole locking mechanism which utilizes a minimum number of components. Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension pole locking mechanism which is less susceptible to paint being entrapped therein. A still another object of the present invention is to provide an extension pole locking mechanism that is durable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an extension pole locking mechanism that is relatively inexpensive to produce and is easy to assemble. A still further object of the present invention is to provide an extension pole locking mechanism that can be easily replaced, if necessary. Referring now to the drawings where the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and not intended to limit the invention described herein, FIG.

Extension pole 10 is comprised of an outer tubular sleeve 12 having a grip 14 at one end thereof and a collar assembly 16 at the opposite end thereof, and an inner tubular sleeve 18 received within the outer tubular sleeve The inner tubular sleeve 18 has an end cap 20 attached to one end thereof and a threaded connector 22 attached to the opposite end thereof. The outer tubular sleeve 12 can be fabricated from a metallic or a non-metallic material, such as nylon or the like.

If a nylon material is utilized, fiberglass can be added to same to increase strength. The grip 14 has an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of outer tubular sleeve 12 permitting grip 14 to be slip fit over end 30 of outer tubular sleeve 12 and to be grippingly retained thereon.

The opposite end 32 of outer tubular sleeve 12 is press fit into one end 34 of collar assembly The inner tubular sleeve 18 is sized so as to be receivable and telescopically movable within outer tubular sleeve 12 and is typically formed from metallic material and is preferably hexagonal in cross-section, however, the configuration of this sleeve 18 can be polysided, such as square or octagonal.

A plurality of apertures 36 is provided in a spaced-apart relationship along one surface of the inner tubular sleeve End cap 20 has a configuration complementary to inner tubular sleeve 18 permitting it to be received within end 38 of inner tubular sleeve 18 and to be retained therein by a fastener 40 which passes through the inner tubular sleeve 18 and into end cap End cap 20 has a circular flanged surface 42 at one end thereof.

Flanged surface 42 has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer tubular sleeve Threaded connector 22 is received within the opposite end 44 of inner tubular sleeve 18 and is retained therein by oppositely disposed fasteners 46 which are threadably received through the inner tubular sleeve 18 and into the body of threaded connector Threaded connector 22 has a threaded end 48 which is received in a complementary female threaded connector provided in the end of the handle for a paint roller frame not shown.

Collar assembly 16 is comprised of a collar member 50 , a bottom trigger member 52 , a top trigger member 54 and a locking pin 56 shown in FIG. Referring now to FIG. End portion 58 has a bore 64 therethrough having a configuration complementary to the configuration of the inner tubular sleeve 18 , i.

The complementary configurations of inner tubular sleeve 18 and bore 64 in end portion 58 prevents the inner tubular sleeve 18 from rotating relative to collar assembly 16 and outer tubular sleeve First bore portion 60 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the second bore portion The diameter of second bore portion 62 is slightly less than the outer diameter of the outer tubular sleeve 12 permitting end 32 of outer tubular sleeve 12 to be press fit within second bore portion 62 of collar member 50 and to be grippingly retained within same.

Outer tubular sleeve 12 is received and positioned within collar member 50 such that its end 32 abuts shoulder 66 defined by the junction of first bore portion 60 with second bore portion 62 of collar member Bottom trigger member 52 is formed from moldable plastic material and is generally U-shaped in configuration, as shown in FIGS.

An inwardly directed lip 86 is located on the inner surface 82 of bottom trigger member 52 and is positioned between each pair of ears The outer surface 88 of bottom trigger member 52 is provided with a flattened surface 90 for placement of the user's thumb in order to facilitate depressing bottom trigger member 52 to adjust the overall length of extension pole 10 , as hereinafter described.

The top trigger member 54 is generally circular in configuration, as shown in FIGS. An angularly extending gap is provided between the ends of the tabs A recess that is sized so as to receive an ear 80 on bottom trigger member 52 is provided on either side of each tab In addition, an elongated recess that is sized so as to receive inwardly directed lip 86 on bottom trigger member 52 is provided in each tab Locking pin 56 is provided within a blind bore in the inner surface of top trigger member 54 and is positioned so as to be substantially oppositely disposed to angularly extending gap Alternatively, locking pin 56 can be received within a through bore not shown in top trigger member 54 and can be positioned and retained therein so as to be substantially oppositely disposed to angularly extending gap The end of locking pin 56 is chamfered, as shown in FIG.

The top trigger member 54 is formed from a flexible plastic material and has an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter portion of collar member 50 which is positioned adjacent first bore portion 60 thereof, as shown in FIG. In this manner, the top trigger member 54 can be slipped over outer diameter portion of collar member 50 and is grippingly retained thereon.

The diameter of outer diameter portion is slightly less than the immediately adjacent diameters of end portion 58 and second bore portion 62 of collar member 50 forming shoulders and , respectively, which minimize the possibility of any foreign material becoming entrapped between trigger members 52 , 54 and outer diameter portion of collar member Outer diameter portion of collar member 50 has a bore therethrough for receipt of locking pin 56 in top trigger member Bore is aligned with apertures 36 in inner tubular sleeve After top trigger member 54 has been received on outer diameter portion of collar member 50 , bottom member trigger member 52 is press fit into top trigger member 54 causing each oppositely disposed ear 80 on each end 84 of bottom trigger member 52 to be received within a complementary elongated recess on top trigger member 54 and also causing inwardly directed lip 86 adjacent each end 84 of bottom trigger member 54 to be received within its complementary elongated recess provided in tab on top member 54 , as shown in FIG.

In this manner, the ears 80 and the inwardly directed lip 86 on the bottom trigger member 52 interlock with the complementary recesses and on top trigger member 54 causing the bottom trigger member 52 and the top trigger member 54 to be joined and move as a unit. In addition, since top trigger member 54 grippingly engages outer diameter portion of collar member 50 and since bottom trigger member 52 is U-shaped rather than circular in configuration, the interlocking engagement of these members causes a gap to be created between the inner surface 82 of bottom trigger member 52 and the adjacent surface defining the outer diameter portion of collar member In order to adjust the length of the extension pole 10 , the surface 90 on bottom trigger member 52 is pressed laterally inwardly against outer tubular sleeve 12 causing the gap to close and causing the top trigger member 54 , which is formed from flexible plastic material, to move laterally outwardly with respect to collar member 50 resulting in locking pin 56 in top trigger member 54 being retracted from aperture 36 in inner tubular sleeve 18 through bore in outer diameter portion of collar member The distance of lateral movement of the trigger members 52 , 54 is less than the height of shoulders , on collar member 50 minimizing the possibility of any foreign material passing between the trigger members 52 , 54 and the shoulders , and becoming entrapped between the trigger members 52 , 54 and the outer diameter portion of the collar member The inner tubular sleeve 18 can then be telescopically adjusted within outer tubular sleeve 12 until the approximate desired length of the extension pole 10 has been attained.

If the bottom trigger member 52 is then released, the gap opens causing the top trigger member 54 to move laterally inwardly with respect to collar member 50 resulting in the chamfered end of locking pin 56 contacting the outer surface of inner tubular sleeve Further telescopic adjustment of inner tubular sleeve 18 within outer tubular sleeve 12 causes the locking pin 56 to be received within the closest aperture 36 provided within the inner tubular sleeve 18 resulting in the inner tubular sleeve 18 being locked within the outer tubular sleeve 12 at the approximate desired length of the extension pole The chamfered end of locking pin 56 acts as a pilot or guiding surface which assists in the receipt of the locking pin 56 in the closest aperture The circular flanged surface 42 on end cap 20 prevents the inner tubular sleeve 18 from being inadvertently removed from within the outer tubular sleeve 12 during the telescopic adjustment process.

In this manner, the length of the extension pole 10 can be easily adjusted and, when adjusted, the length is retained by the locking pin 56 in the top trigger member 54 being received in the appropriate aperture 36 in the inner tubular sleeve Further, the user can easily perform the length adjustment during use and does not have to stop the usage, when adjusting the length.

The length can also be adjusted without a substantial change of the grip on the handle. All of the above results in an adjustment process, which minimizes the physical wear on the user. In a specific embodiment said deactivation part is a button positioned at the end of the grip part of the outer member. Thereby the adjustment is even easier; the user can just move the thumb to press the deactivation part to adjust the length of the telescopic handle and release the button when the desired length is obtained.

In an embodiment fixating said inner member by interacting with the surface of said inner member because of engagement of engagement means of said locking part with the surface of said inner member is obtained by a friction between a surface on the engagement means and the surface of said inner member. Thereby the telescopic handle can be fixed in an unlimited number of lengths. The surface of the engagement means could be a material of high friction, such as rubber. In an embodiment fixating said inner member by interacting with the surface of said inner member because of engagement of engagement means of said locking part with the surface of said inner member is obtained by protrusion of members on the locking part with corresponding holes on the inner mem- ber.

Thereby a very strong fixation can be obtained between the inner member and the engagement means, which compared to a friction engagement, is less sensitive to grease from e. In an embodiment the inner member is hollow having an outer and inner surface, and wherein said locking part is positioned on the inside of said inner member and is adapted for fixating said inner member by interacting with the inner surface of said outer member because of engagement of engagement means of said locking part with the inner surface of the outer inner member.

This has proven to be an efficient way of obtaining a good fixation between the inner member and the outer member of the telescopic handle.

In an embodiment said button is connected to the locking part via a stick, whereby the movement of said stick, and therefore the locking part parallel to the telescopic handle, deactivates or activates said locking mechanism.

In an embodiment said deactivation part is connected to the engagement means of the locking part via a spring system whereby said locking mechanism is activated through the release of the spring energy stored in the spring system when the deactivation means is no longer pressured in a direction substantially parallel to the telescopic handle.

In the following the present invention, and in particular preferred embodiments thereof, will be described in more details in connection with accompanying drawing in which. Figure 1 shows a telescopic handle according to the present invention,. Figure 2 shows a cross section of the telescopic handle shown in Fig. Figure 3 a and b show a side view of the outer elongated hollow member shown in Fig. Figure 4 a and b show a side view of the outer elongated hollow member shown in Fig.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the grip part, and. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the locking part also showing the stick rod and a tracker, which is mounted to a rod. Figure 1 shows a telescopic handle 1 according to the present invention, comprising an outer elongated hollow member 2 having a grip part 6 and an open-end 7 and an inner elongated member 3 slideably received in the outer elongated hollow member 2 , where at least a part of the inner member 3 extends out of said open-end 7.

A locking mechanism provides a length adjustment of the telescopic handle 1 , which, when activated, fixates said inner member 3 in a specific position relative to the outer hollow mem- ber 2. A deactivation part 4 positioned at the grip part 6 is adapted to deactivate a locking mechanism by pressing the deactivation part 4 with a force in a direction 17 substantially parallel to the telescopic handle 1. By doing so, the inner elongated member 3 is movable within the outer elongated hollow member 2 , whereby a length adjustment of the telescopic handle 1 is possible.

In one embodiment the deactivation is provided by holding the deactivation part 4 in a deactivating position, i. In another embodiment the deactivation is provided by means of pressing the deactivation part 4 once resulting in that the deactivate position is obtained.

The position of the deactivation part 4 may be situated elsewhere, shown in Fig. By pressing the deactivation part 4 the movement of the stick becomes parallel to the telescopic handle, which results in a deactivation or activation of said locking mechanism.

Through such an arrangement the action of deactivating and activating the locking mechanism is gentler for the user, because of the pressure direction being parallel to the telescopic handle. More details of the functionality of the locking mechanism will be discussed in more details in Figs. Figure 3 a and b show a side view of the outer member 2 shown in Fig. The intermediate part is not shown here.

Also shown is a part of the locking mechanism showing the deactivation part 4 , the locking part 8 , a housing 9 that is mounted to the outer member 2 in a fixed position for housing said stick and a spring 5. The spring 5 is pref- erably mounted to the end of the housing 9 and the deactivation part 4. Figure 3 a shows the outer elongated member 2 and the inner elongated member 3 arranged inside thereof.

As shown, the locking part 8 engages the inner elongated member 3 through the two slots 10 in the housing 9. The fixation between the outer elongated member 2 and the inner elongated member 3 is obtained through a friction force or a combination of friction and force towards the second housing member 3. Therefore, in this embodiment the material of the locking part 8 at the surface of the locking part 8 is preferably a material of high friction, e.

Also, the larger the surface is of the locking part 8 , the larger is the friction force. Therefore, the size of the surface and the material is adjusted to the necessary friction force. In one embodiment the locking part 8 is obtained by a protrusion of members on the locking part with corresponding holes on the inner member.

This can be one or more pins or similar means to engage an aperture or gap in the inner elongated member 3 substantially of the same shape as said aperture or gap. The shown locking part 8 has a substantially rectangular surface that is facing the inner 3 member and is attached to the housing 9 through an elastic material 10 , which allows the mobility that is needed to obtain the different positions shown in Figs.

Figure 4 a and b show a side view of the outer member 2 shown in Fig. Figure 4 b shows the deactivation part 4 being pressed inwards as indicated by the arrow Simultaneously, the spring 5 becomes compressed. The force resulting from the pressure is transferred through the stick towards the locking part 8 resulting in retracting the locking parts 8 from the active position locking position to a deactivate position unlocking position.

As long as the deactivation part 4 is pressed inwards as indicated by the arrows 19 and maintained, the deactivate position of the locking parts 8 is maintained, and thereby the length adjustment of the telescopic handle 1 is possible.

As the deactivation part 4 is released, the deactivated position is transferred to an activated position as shown in Fig. In another embodiment a mechanism could be provided to hold the deactivation part 4 locked in this position. In such an embodiment the fixation between the inner and the outer member could be released by pressing the deactivation part 4 again.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the grip part 6 and additionally the spring 5 , the housing 9 and the stick 11 between the deactivation part 4 and the locking parts 8.

As shown, the stick 11 comprises a rod, which may be made of e. Figure 6 shows a perspective of the locking parts 8 also showing the stick 11 and a tracker 14 , which is mounted to a rod As shown, the locking part 8 comprises two of the same "brake" pads 8 arranged along the inner elongated member 3 and opposite to each other, whereby their distal sur- faces are concave and follow the shape of the inner surface of the inner elongated member 3 and arranged substantially parallel to said shaft.

The inner surfaces of two of the like "brake" pads 8 comprise an incline and decline grooves 20 adapted for engaging with the tracker As shown the tracker 14 has a v-shape to engage with the grooves Thereby, by pressing the deactivation part 4 , and thereby the tracker 14 , forwards in the direction indicated by the arrow 16 the "brake" pads 8 are retracted and forced towards each other.

Since the friction force is no longer present, the inner member 3 is slideably within the outer member 2. In one embodiment the cross section of the outer elongated hollow member 2 and the inner elongated member 3 is axis symmetric to the housing members 2,3. Other cross section symmetries are also possible, e. As shown, the inner elongated member 3 is hollow inside.