Abstract:
A hand-held personal defense/police baton comprising an elongated, telescoping main cylinder having an extendable first end and a second end comprising a rounded, shatter-proof light that is secondarily useable for jabbing maneuvers. Proximate the second end is a mushroom-shaped side handle that extends transverse to the main cylinder. The side handle houses a pressurized chemical spray canister operated by a push button and having safety features to prevent accidental discharge. The side handle also has a dome-shaped locking top that conceals the push button and canister, and that may be properly used in striking maneuvers. Multiple embodiments of the closure and lock are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/449,938, filed Nov. 29, 1999, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/163,263, filed Nov. 3, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to expandable police batons. More specifically, the invention is an expandable baton having an integrated shatter-proof light and a pressurized spray canister for dispensing a chemical agent, such as mace. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The use of flashlights, clubs, extendable batons, and chemical irritants for use by security personnel, the police and military are well known. Previously, however, such devices were largely independent of each other. Prior attempts have been made to combine various elements into one device. These attempts have met with limited success. One reason for this, among others, is that it is unlawful or against public policy in many jurisdictions for police to use flashlights, per se, i.e., modified flashlights, as clubs. There are additional problems relating to the balance required of a baton that is difficult to achieve with respect to modified flashlights. Moreover, previous multi-faceted police batons have heretofore lacked certain safety features, such as arcuate striking surfaces (rather than surfaces having sharp angles that can cause unnecessary gashes in the skin), and means to prevent accidental discharge of any chemical irritants. 
     The related art discussed below is representative of developments in the art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,377, issued to Roberts on Feb. 4, 1992, describes a defense baton having a light and a replaceable spray canister. However, there is no short side handle and it does not operate with the versatility of a regular police baton. Roberts, thus, does not teach the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,140, issued to Starrett on Nov. 3, 1992, describes an expandable police baton. Starrett does not disclose a lamp or a chemical sprayer and therefore, it does not teach the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,436, issued to Clyde et al. on Sep. 13, 1994, describes a combination baton/light emitting device. The Clyde device does not have a spray canister or a telescoping extension. Clyde does not teach the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,285, issued to Wideman on Nov. 8, 1994, describes a baton and flashlight assembly. The baton is not telescoping and does not have a sprayer. Thus, Wideman does not teach the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,134, issued to Wolfram on Apr. 11, 1995, describes a gas ejecting handle attachment for flashlights. Wolfram does not have a swiveling top, or a push button safety mechanism to protect the officer from having the device used against him or her. Moreover, the Wolfram baton is not extendable. Finally, Wolfram is not designed with rounded striking surfaces at each of its three extremities. In fact, it is unlawful in many jurisdictions for flashlights, per se, to be used as clubbing batons. In addition, flashlights do not provide the proper balance required for a police baton. Therefore, Wolfram does not teach the present invention as claimed. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hand-held personal defense baton comprising an elongated, hollow, telescoping, horizontal main cylinder having an extendable first end and a second end comprising a rounded, shatter-proof light that is secondarily useable for jabbing maneuvers. Proximate the second end is a mushroom-shaped side handle that extends vertically from the main cylinder. The side handle houses a pressurized canister operated by a push button having dual safety features. The push button effectuates a chemical spray through an integral nozzle aimed in the same general direction as the light. The side handle also has a dome-shaped top that conceals the push button and canister, and that may be properly used in jabbing and other police baton-style maneuvers. In sum, each of the three extremities of the baton has a dual function that includes inflicting blows. 
     Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to provide an expandable baton having a concealable pressurized spray canister that sprays a chemical irritant in the general direction of the short handle of the baton. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an expandable personal defense baton having a shatter-proof light comprising an integral, curved jabbing surface without sharp angular edges, where the light illuminates in the general direction of the short handle of the baton. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an expandable baton having a side handle containing a pressurized canister utilizing a push button safety mechanism. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide an expandable baton having a side handle containing a pressurized spray canister beneath a rounded, soft-lock, top, wherein the side handle may be alternately, safely and properly used as a jabbing surface. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an expandable baton with integrated mace and light according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of a baton side handle and light. 
     FIG. 3A is a top view of the first embodiment of the baton side handle. 
     FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a closure top used with the first embodiment of the baton side handle. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of a pressurized canister use with the first embodiment of the baton side handle. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the baton side handle and light. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the second embodiment of the baton side handle. 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmented side view, partly in section, of an alternate embodiment of the baton handle with a cleanout cap in place of a light. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As best shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is an expandable, extendable, hand-held personal defense/police baton  12  with integrated mace and light features. Although FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment, of the baton  12 , it is noted that the second embodiment of the baton  12 A (seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) would have the identical appearance to the view shown in FIG.  1 . The differences between the two embodiments, as discussed below, is in the side handles  22  and  22 A and their interior features, which are not shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Baton  12  comprises an elongated, telescoping, horizontal main cylinder  14  having an extendable first end  16 , and a second end  18  including a fixture that is preferably a shatter-proof light  20 . A mushroom-shaped side handle  22  extends transversely from main cylinder  14  proximate second end  18 . Side handle  22  contains a pressurized canister  24  having a fluid projecting nozzle  26 . A canister push button  28  effectuates fluid communication between canister  24  and nozzle  26 . Canister  24  preferably contains a chemical eye irritant, such as Mace®. Each end  16 ,  18  of main cylinder  14 , as well as side handle  22 , may be used for standard jabbing maneuvers employed by law enforcement and/or in self defense. Each of these three baton extremities also has at least a dual function, as further described. 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, side handle  22  comprises a mounting base  30  adjacent main cylinder  14 . Preferably, side handle  22  is affixed to main cylinder  14  with an internal flat head bolt  37  that is fastened to an inside wall  41  of main cylinder  14  and that extends through mounting base  30  of side handle  22 . Access to bolt  37  is gained by extending extension member  78  through cylinder  14  so that the proximal end  86  of extension member  78  clears the shaft of the side handle  22 . A tool can then be inserted through opening  39  to reach the head of bolt  37 . Side handle  22  could also easily be welded to cylinder  14 . 
     A solid, semi-spherical closure top  32 , opposite base  30 , resembles the cap of a mushroom. Closure top  32  has a curved upper surface  34 , a flat, horizontal lower surface  36 , and a perimeter edge  38  connecting lower surface  36  to said upper surface  34 . Closure top  32  is capable of sliding forward toward second end  18  and in a reverse direction toward first end  16  in a horizontal plane across the top of collar  46 . 
     This sliding of the closure top  32  is best explained with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. A rail  31  on either side of the lower surface  36  of the closure top  32  engages a rail groove  43  on either side of the upper surface of the collar  46 . Each rail  31  has a protrusion  33 , which engages an internal protrusion groove  47  within each rail groove  43 . 
     From the position in which the closure top  32  is in place on the collar  46 , the top  32  can be slid forward toward the second end  18  along the rails  31  and the rail grooves  43 . However, the internal protrusion grooves  47  do not extend the complete length of the rail grooves  43 , effectively acting as a stop by stopping the forward motion of the protrusions  33  and, therefore, the cap  32 . This stop mechanism ensures that the cap  32  will remain attached to the collar  46  when it is pushed forward to expose the canister  24  during operation. The internal protrusion grooves  47  extend to the end of the collar proximate the first end  16 , allowing the cap  32  to be removed from the collar  46  when it is moved rearwardly for re-loading another canister  24 . 
     Top  32  is held in place on the collar  46  by a “soft-lock”, a lock which may be opened with slight pressure from the thumb of the hand which grips handle  22 . The lower surface  36  of the top  32 , has a pair of camming grooves  42  extending parallel to and closer to the perimeter edge  38  than the rails  31 . Each of the camming grooves  42 , which extends completely across the lower surface  36 , is relatively shallow and includes a deeper socket  44  at its center. 
     In operation, as the closure top  32  is slid from its open to its closed position, the spring-loaded balls  40  engage and partially depress into camming grooves  42 . When top  32  is fully closed, balls  40  fully occupy sockets  44  so as to lock closed closure top  32 . 
     Side handle stem  56  connects collar  46  to main cylinder  14 . Stem  56  has formed therein a cylindrical chamber  58  which houses canister  24 . A dispensing port is disposed beneath and adjacent to collar  46 . The dispensing port comprises a small hole  27  through a wall portion of chamber  58 , facing second end  18  of main cylinder  14  such that nozzle  26  dispenses the Mace®, or other chemical irritant, in an essentially horizontal stream, essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of main cylinder  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3C, which shows a customized pressurized canister  24 , it can be seen how the canister  24  is securely held in place by the collar  46 . The locking flap  55  and the nozzle  26  fit into the square depression  45  and the locking notch  50  (shown in FIG.  3 A), respectively, of the collar  46 . The insertion of the locking flap  55  into the square depression  45  prevents the canister  24  from moving in any direction when the closure top  32  is in either a closed position or pushed forward toward end  18  for use. 
     Additionally, the chamber  58  and the canister  24  are produced with zero tolerances to prevent any movement of the canister  24  after it is placed in service. These safety measures are further enhanced by a safety mechanism  54 , which tops push button  28 , and is preferably integral with canister  24 . Safety mechanism  54  is a latch that is lifted with the thumb that operates push button  28 . Safety mechanism  54 , in conjunction with closure top  32 , prevents accidental discharge of canister  24 . Another feature of the canister  24  is that its upper portion is sloped to allow easy access to the button  28  from the thumb depression  57  in the collar  46 . 
     A second embodiment of side handle  22 A is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, which are analogous to FIGS. 2 and 3A of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the closure top  32 A swivels to expose the canister  24 A. The canister  24 A includes a nozzle  26 A, which dispenses fluid in the same manner as in the first embodiment through dispensing port opening  27 A. Push button  28 A and safety mechanism  54 A are similar to the corresponding features of canister  24 . However, canister  24 A does not have a locking flap  55  such as that of canister  24  to hold it in place. Rather, a canister spring  60  seated upon mounting base  30  urges canister  24 A upwards against the lower surface of the collar  46 A. 
     The closure top  32 A is capable of swiveling 360° in a horizontal plane about a hinge pin  52  extending through top  32 A, proximate perimeter edge  38 A. Lower surface  36 A has formed therein a shallow camming groove  42 A extending to perimeter edge  38 A of top  32 A from either side of a socket  44 A proximate perimeter edge  38 A. Socket  44 A is disposed 180° opposite hinge pin  52 . 
     Closure top  32 A is swivelably hinged to, and seated upon, cylindrical collar  46 A. Collar  46 A also has the same diameter as closure top  32 A. Collar  46 A maintains a ring-shaped perimeter wall  48 A. Wall  48 A has formed therein a canister lock notch  50 A. Wall  48 A also features an inlaid spring lock ball  40 A that is vertically biased into engagement with camming groove  42 A, and with socket  44 A of closure top  32 A. In operation, as the closure top  32 A is swiveled from its open to its closed position, the spring loaded ball  40 A engages camming groove  42 A, and ball  40 A partially depresses into perimeter wall  48 A. When top  32 A is fully closed, ball  40 A fully occupies socket  44 A so as to lock closure top  32 A. It is a “soft-lock” because top  32 A may be opened with slight lateral pressure from a thumb of the hand that grips handle  22 A. 
     Side handle stem  56 A connects collar  46 A to main cylinder  14 . Stem  56 A has formed therein a cylindrical chamber  58 A which houses canister  24 A. Chamber  58 A is defined by an inside wall surface that is flush with an inner-most edge of canister lock notch  50 A. A protrusion on canister  24 A is introduced into lock notch  50 A. Then canister  24 A is rotated such that the canister protrusion serves to lock canister  24 A into operating position just below perimeter wall  48 A of collar  46 A. 
     Referring to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, light  20  has an externally threaded shank  72 . Light  20  further comprises a high strength, shatter-proof (preferably plexiglass) lens  74  at its free end. Lens  74  may be used to vigorously jab at bone, or like material, without cracking or shattering lens  74 . Between shank  72  and lens  74  of light  20  is a light housing  76 , containing a light source, preferably a shock-resistant battery (within housing  76 ) that is either rechargeable or disposable. Housing  76  is preferably made from the same material as the housing for main cylinder  14 , which is preferably metal. It may also be formed from a hard, damage resistant plastic, ceramic, hard rubber, or any other material suitable for making a police baton, and capable of withstanding rough blows by military and law enforcement officers. Light housing  76 , once light  20  is screwed into place, is flush, i.e. maintains a smooth transition, with main cylinder  14 . Recessed button switch  92 , formed inside light housing  76 , activates and deactivates light  20 . A twist or slide switch may be used so that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the baton. 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a rounded cleanout cap  66  is used in place of light  20 . According to this embodiment, a cleanout cap  66  having a rounded butt end is connected to externally threaded cylindrical shank  72  such that the butt end maintains a smooth interface with main cylinder  14 . 
     In all embodiments, a telescoping extension member  78  protrudes from first end  16  of main cylinder  14 , preferably enabling the main cylinder to increase in length up to sixteen inches. Extension member  78  is subject to guide means disposed on a surface of main cylinder  14 . Preferably those guide means include at least two pins  82  extending radially inward from an inside wall of main cylinder  14 , proximate first end  16 . Pins  82  engage a channel  83  formed on the surface, and along the length, of extension member  78  for stable deployment of extension member  78 . 
     Extension member  78  also includes locking means, to lock it in at least two alternate positions. The locking means are preferably a spring-loaded button  84  mounted inside a proximal end  86  of extension member  78 . Button  84  engages a hole  88  near first end  16 , and button  84  also engages button cavity  89  near second end  18  of main cylinder  14  to secure extension member  78  in a first position and a second position. 
     The first position (the extension member  78  is retracted) is where the proximal end  86  of said extension member  78  is affixed to, and inside, second end  18  of said main cylinder  14 , whereas a distal end  90  of member  78  extends slightly beyond first end  16  of main cylinder  14 . The second position (the extension member  78  is fully extended) is where proximal end  86  is affixed to, and inside, first end  16 , whereas distal end  90  extends substantially beyond said first end  16 . 
     Pressure release hole  91  is located on main cylinder  14  proximate second end  18 , but does not intersect shank  72 . Release hole  91  allows air in and out of main cylinder  14  as extension member  78  extends and retracts through cylinder  14 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.