Abstract:
A self defense tool includes a tubular body provided with an axial bore and a removable closed handle end opposite a removable closed striking end. A variable weight holding arrangement is positioned inside the axial bore of the body between the handle and striking ends and is engageable with the striking end. The holding arrangement is adapted to retain at least one weight member inside the axial bore to selectively enable changing weight of the tool. The variable weight holding arrangement includes a stop disposed in the axial bore of the body, and a coil spring inserted in the axial bore and extending between the stop and striking end. The at least one weight member is adapted to be received in the axial bore and held between the spring and the striking end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to expandable batons or night sticks employed by law enforcement personnel. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a three section, telescopic baton having a variable weight feature. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Expandable batons have been used for many years by law enforcement officers as a convenient alternative to conventional one-piece batons or night sticks. In the retracted position, expandable batons can be worn in a holster attached to the equipment belt of a law enforcement officer without interfering with the movement of the officer. Additionally, when retracted, the expandable baton can be somewhat concealed by the officer to reduce his or her threatening appearance when confronted with a delicate situation. 
   Expandable batons typically include an outer gripping tube that acts as the handle for the baton when the baton is in the extended position. One or two telescoping sections nest within the gripping tube such that the retracted length of the expandable baton is approximately one-third of its extended length. During use, the baton is sharply swung in an arc such that the inner telescoping sections are flung outward by the centrifugal force generated during the swinging action. Typically, each of the telescoping sections include an expanded end that interacts with a tapered surface formed on the outer section to frictionally lock the baton in its extended position. 
   Although currently available expandable batons work reasonably well, improvements may be made to enhance their capability and efficiency. When a law enforcement officer attempts to restrain an individual through a swinging action of the baton, the amount of force associated with the swing is attributable to the centrifugal force generated at the striking end of the baton. Thus, the greater the weight of the baton and the longer the baton, the greater the force that may be imparted. Notwithstanding that current expandable batons have permitted an increase in inertia provided by weapon use in a swinging fashion, there remains a need to provide for a customized design in which an officer may selectively change the weight and strike force capability of the expandable baton. It is also desirable to upgrade the handling of the baton so that it can be accessed more easily from one&#39;s holster and can be positively grasped to provide a reliable intermediate force weapon for the officer. Furthermore, it is desirable to offer an expandable baton in which the telescoping sections may be extended at variable rates and lengths as desired by the individual user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a general object of the present invention to provide an expandable baton which provides improved strike force capability, handling and operating efficiency for law enforcement personnel. 
   It is one object of the present invention to provide a variable weight expandable baton in which removable slugs are slidably inserted inside the striking tube of the baton. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide an expandable baton having an upgraded gripping structure on the gripping tube of the baton. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an expandable baton having an adjustable closure cap and force retention arrangement on the gripping tube for variably changing the rate in which the baton is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an expandable baton in which the length of the striking tube may be increased. 
   In one aspect of the invention, a self defense tool has a tubular body provided with an axial bore and a removable closed handle end opposite a removable closed striking end. The invention is improved by a variable weight holding arrangement positioned inside the axial bore of the body between the handle and the striking ends and engageable with the striking end. The holding arrangement is adapted to retain at least one weight member inside the axial bore to selectively enable changing weight of the tool. The variable weight holding arrangement is accessible from at least the striking end. The variable weight holding arrangement includes a stop disposed in the axial bore of the body, a coil spring inserted in the axial bore and extending between the stop and the striking end, and the at least one weight member being adapted to be received in the axial bore and held between the spring and the striking end. The stop is a set screw threadably received in the axial bore of the body. The spring has a first end engaged with the set screw, and a second end normally engaged with the striking end, and adapted to be engaged with the at least one weight member. Upon removal of the striking end, the spring will urge the at least one weight member out of the tubular body. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a variable weight baton is expandable between a retracted position and an extended position. The baton includes a gripping tube having an outer wall and an inner wall defining an axial bore extending between a first end and a second end provided with a removable end cap. A striking tube is telescopingly slidable into and out of the axial bore of the gripping tube. The striking tube has an external wall and an internal wall defining an axial passageway extending between a first end provided with a removable end cap and a second end slidably received in the first end of the gripping tube. The striking tube includes a stop positioned in the axial passageway, a spring extending between the stop and the end cap, and at least one weight member disposed between the spring and the end cap for selectively enabling changing weight of the baton. In the retracted position, the striking tube is retained within the gripping tube by a resilient member which forms a retention force. The gripping tube includes adjustment structure for changing the retention force between the gripping tube and the striking tube. The spring extends along a substantial length of the axial passageway of the striking tube. An external surface of the gripping tube is provided with a non-slip, resilient gripping member formed with a plurality of grip-enhancing holes. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a variable weight baton is expandable between a retracted position and an extended position. The baton includes a gripping tube having an outer wall and an inner wall defining an axial bore extending between a first end and a second end provided with a closure cap. A center tube is telescopingly slidable into and out of the axial bore of the gripping tube. The center tube has an exterior wall and an interior wall defining an axial chamber extending between a first end and a second end. A striking tube is telescopingly slidable into and out of the axial chamber of the center tube. The striking tube has an external wall and an internal wall defining an axial passageway extending between a first end provided with an end cap, and a second end slidably received in the first end of the center tube. The striking tube includes a stop positioned in the axial passageway, a spring extending between the stop and the end cap, and a weight arrangement disposed between the spring and the end cap for selectively enabling changing weight of the baton. The stop is a set screw threadably received in the axial passageway of the striking tube. The spring has a first end engaged with the set screw, and a second end engaged against the weight arrangement. In one embodiment, the weight arrangement is comprised of a single removable weight member slidably insertable into and out of the axial passageway of the striking tube. In another embodiment, the weight arrangement is comprised of a series of adjacently disposed, removable weight members. Each weight member preferably is a bullet-shaped slug having a flat rear end and a curved front end. Each rear end is recessed to receive a curved front end of an adjacently disposed weight member. The closure cap may be provided with an external knurled surface to enhance handling of the baton. 
   Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a variable weight expandable baton of the present invention in an extended position; 
       FIG. 2  is a elevational view of the baton shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2  showing the baton without any weight member added inside the baton; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken on line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the use of a single weighted member inside the striking tube of the baton; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing multiple weighted members inside the striking tube of the baton; 
       FIG. 4A  is an enlarged detailed view taken on line  4 A— 4 A of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the baton of  FIG. 4  in a retracted position; 
       FIG. 5A  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the closure cap adjusted to change the retention force of the baton in the retracted position; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of an alternative closure cap which may be used on the handle end of the baton. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  generally illustrate a variable weight, expandable baton  10  of the present invention. The baton  10  is expandable between the retracted position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5A  and the extended, operative position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2 A,  3  and  4 . 
   The baton  10  generally includes a gripping tube  12 , a center tube  14  and a striking tube  16 . The gripping tube  12  extends longitudinally between a first end  18  and a second end  20  and includes an outer wall  21  and inner wall  22  that defines an axial bore  23 . The axial bore  23  formed in the gripping tube  12  is sized to receive the center tube  14  and the striking tube  16  in a nested fashion as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 5A . Specifically, an external wall  17  of the striking tube  16  is received within an axial chamber  24  formed in the center tube  14 , and an exterior wall  15  of the center tube  14  is received in the axial bore  23 . A resilient, non-slip grip member  26 , such as constructed from a rubber material, is adhered to the outer circumference of the gripping tube  12 . The grip member  26  is provided with a series of spaced apart holes  27  to improve retention of the baton  10  in the hands of its user, and to enhance the aesthetics of the baton  10 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a closure cap  28  is threadably attached to the second end  20  of the gripping tube  12 . The closure cap  28  includes a well  30  that opens into the axial bore  23  which is sized large enough to receive a second end  32  of the striking tube  16  and a second end  34  of the center tube  14  when the baton  10  is in the retracted position. A resilient wire retainer  36  is attached to a bottom wall  38  of the well  30  by a fastener  40 . The wire retainer  36  extends from the closure cap  28  into the axial bore  23  and is compressed into contact with an internal wall  42  of striking tube  16  when the baton  10  is in the retracted position. The interaction between the wire retainer  36  and the internal wall  42  of the striking tube  16  exerts a retention force to hold the tubes of the baton  10  in the retracted position. To extend the baton  10 , an outward force must be applied to the striking tube  16  to overcome the retention force created by wire retainer  36 . The outward force can be created by either swinging the baton  10  in an arc to generate a centrifugal force, or by grasping a bulbous end cap  44  on a first end  45  of striking tube  16  and pulling the striking tube  16  from within the axial bore  23 . 
   As a feature of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the closure cap  28  may be unscrewed several threads from the second end  20  of gripping tube  12  to lessen the maximum frictional force exerted by the wire retainer  36  relative to internal wall  42  of striking tube  16  as shown in  FIG. 5 . This selective adjustment has the effect of permitting the baton  10  to be whipped out into the extended position at variable rates. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2A ,  3  and  4 , the first end  18  of gripping tube  12  includes a tapered portion  46  having an inner diameter which gradually decreases from the inner diameter of axial bore  23 . The second end  34  of the center tube  14  also includes a tapered portion  48  which increases in diameter from the diameter of an interior wall  50  defining axial chamber  24 . When the baton  10  is in the extended position, the increasing diameter of portion  48  on center tube  14  interacts with the decreasing tapered portion  46  formed on first end  18  of gripping tube  12 . The frictional engagement between these two members holds the center tube  14  and gripping tube  12  in their extended positions. 
   A first end  52  of the center tube  14  includes a decreasing diameter tapered portion  54  having a diameter which is slightly reduced from the diameter of interior wall  50 . An increasing diameter tapered portion  56  is contained on second end  32  of striking tube  16 . When the baton  10  is in the extended position, the increasing diameter portion  56  on striking tube interacts with the decreasing diameter tapered portion  54  formed on first end  52  of center tube  14 . The frictional engagement between these two members holds the center tube  14  and the striking tube  16  in their extended positions. An expanded guide bore  58  is formed on the second end  32  of striking tube  16  in alignment with an axial passageway  60  defined by the inner wall  42 . The guide bore  58  aids in guiding the wire retainer  36  into the striking tube  16  when the baton  10  is moved to the retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5A . The first end  45  of striking tube  16  is internally threaded to receive an externally threaded attachment shank  62  of end cap  44  which has a striking portion  64 . The end cap  44  has a bulbous contour which is designed not to cause puncture wounds if the retracted baton  10  is used to poke or prod a suspect. The threaded engagement between the attachment shank  62  and the striking tube  16  allows the end cap  44  to be removed from the striking tube  16 , if desired. 
   In accordance with the invention, the striking tube  16  is provided with a variable weight holding arrangement positioned in axial passageway  60  between the first end  45  and the second end  32  to selectively enable changing the weight of the baton  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2A , the striking tube  16  is internally threaded to threadably receive a stop in the form of a set screw  66  near the second end  32 . An elongated coil spring  68  is slidably inserted in the axial passageway  60  by removing end cap  44 . The spring  68  has a first end  70  engaged against an end of the set screw  66  facing end cap  44 . A second end  72  of spring  68  is engaged against the end of the attachment shank  62  of end cap  44  when end cap  44  is threaded back into striking tube  16 . The set screw  66  and the spring  68  define the holding arrangement for slidably receiving and retaining one or more removable weight members  74  inside the axial passageway  60 . In  FIG. 2A , the striking tube  16  is not provided with any weight member  74 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , the striking tube  16  is provided with a single weight member  74  to slightly increase the weight of the baton  10 .  FIG. 4  shows the striking tube  16  equipped with a series of adjacently disposed weight members  74  disposed between spring  68  and attachment shank  62 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , the weight members  74  are bullet-shaped slugs with the back end  76  of each slug  74  being recessed or countersunk at  78  to receive a nose  80  of an adjacently disposed slug  74  so as to ensure alignment of the slugs  74  and prevent any rattling. The back end  76  of each weight slug  74  has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of axial passageway  60  so that each weight slug  74  slides cleanly into the striking tube internal wall  42 . The overall weight of the striking tube  16  can thus be modified by selectively inserting or removing the weight slugs  74 . In this manner, the baton can be modified by the owner. The spring  68  is designed so that upon removal of the end cap  44 , the weight slugs  74  will be expelled from the open end  45 . It may also be possible to further use variably weighted end caps  44  to selectively change the weight of the baton  10 . Increasing the weight of the baton  10  will enable the user to exert a greater striking force in use. 
   The invention contemplates providing a striking tube  16  with longer lengths if desired as represented by the phantom lines in  FIG. 2 . Likewise, the gripping tube and the center tube may have variable lengths. In addition, it should be understood that closure cap  28  may be provided with a knurled surface  82  and a diameter greater than the diameter of the grip member  26 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to prevent slippage from the user&#39;s hand. Also, it should be appreciated that the gripping tube  12 , center tube  14  and striking tube  16  may be formed of various rigid materials having various wall thicknesses to provide the requisite strength of the baton  10 . 
   While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with the following claims.