Abstract:
The invention is a multifunctional law enforcement tool, which preferably includes several of the tools needed by law enforcement and security personnel. In one embodiment the multifunctional tool comprising an extendable baton, flashlight, stun gun, glass breaker, and deterrent spray canister and I.D. holder within an orthogonal handle. 
     In the second embodiment the extendable baton and full length glass breaker are removed and replaced with a rubber compression unit and miniature glass breaker. For a more compact and more easily carried unit. 
     In the third embodiment a disposable deterrent spray canister and canister top make for a quicker change of new and used canister.

Description:
This application is a continuation in part of Utility Patent Ser. No. 09/699,846 entitled Combination Police Baton filed Oct. 29, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,855 herein incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to law enforcement and security personnel. More specifically, this invention relates to different combinations of a flashlight, spray deterrent, glass breaker and stun gun with an extendable baton and an orthogonal handle. 
   2. Related Art 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,255 (Stordtman) discloses combination flashlight-baton. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,134 (Wolfram) discloses combination gas ejecting handle, attachment for baton and flashlight. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,649 (Nelson et al.) discloses a combination baton-flashlight. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,429 (Delucia) discloses a combination flashlight and propellant discharge device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,851 (Cantor), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,804 (Morris et al.) disclose a pepper spray canister in a flashlight. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,985 (Chen), U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,168 (Teig et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,054 (Booty, Jr.) also disclose a pepper spray canister in a flashlight. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,377 (Roberts) discloses a combination baton and propellant discharge device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 401,374 (Lum) discloses ornamental features for a combination flashlight and propellant discharge device in a police baton with a bolt-on orthogonal handle. 
   In addition, Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc. (A.S.P.) of Appleton, Wis., U.S.A. offers a Tac-Lites* combination flashlight and extendable baton. 
   Still, there is a need for a compact but effective multifunctional law enforcement tool with the special features of a flashlight, pepper spray, stun gun, glass breaker and extendable baton. This invention will address the need of law enforcement and security personnel. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a multifunctional law enforcement tool that may serve an officer&#39;s need to have various features and options quickly at hand, while keeping the officer&#39;s gun hand free. In one embodiment, the invention comprising a flashlight, spray deterrent, stun gun, glass breakers, with an extendable baton and orthogonal handle. In another embodiment, the extendible baton and full length glass breaker are replaced with a rubber compression unit and miniature glass breaker for a more concealable unit. 
   In a third embodiment no functional changes were made from the first embodiment, however a more quickly changed deterrent spray canister and housing were added. 
   The invented multifunctional law enforcement tool allows several important devices to be easily at hand for law enforcement and security personnel, in a single unit. By having all the tools combined into one unit this leaves the users gun hand always free. Also, the invented combination baton places both defensive and offensive tools together in the user&#39;s hand, along with a flashlight. The user keeps a light, deterrent spray, stun gun and a baton for offensive and defensive purposes. Having all the commonly used tools ready immediately, greatly increases his options when dealing with the uncertainties of a suspects behavior. The officer may approach a suspect with the invented baton in one hand and his other hand ready at his gun, and may respond to a suspect&#39;s behavior as appropriate. The user need not whisk out a deterrent spray container, baton or stun gun, if he senses they may be needed. These actions can be threatening and confrontational and can escalate the situation. Instead, he can hold and use the multifunctional law enforcement tool as a flashlight, which is a non-threatening action, while having the other defensive and offensive tools ready for use. Thus, the invented combination allows the user to be more in control of the situation, and ready for many turn of events. 
   Another object of the invented multifunctional law enforcement tool is to eliminate the need for several different objects (spray, baton, stun gun, flashlight and glass breaker) to be clipped separately onto an officer&#39;s belt. This eliminates the “clutter” of the separate objects, and reduces total weight because the invention may weigh significantly less, by about 2 or 3 pounds, than the total of the separate objects. Also, for a female officer with a small waist, it is difficult to position the separate objects around her belt. 
   Another possible use of the invented multifunctional law enforcement tool is with airline security. These non-lethal options will help detain or incapacitate confrontational passengers where more lethal alternatives would be less appropriate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  Depicts a cross section view of invention wherein the baton is collapsed. 
       FIG. 2  Depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 1  wherein the baton is extended. 
       FIG. 3  Depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 1  without extendable baton and glass breaker and with rubber compression unit and miniature glass breaker. 
       FIG. 4  Depicts a cross section view of flashlight lens cover unit with reflector and stun gun probes. 
       FIG. 5  Depicts a perspective view of glass breaking unit with retention magnet and return spring. 
       FIG. 6  Depicts a perspective view of light switch in “on” and “off” positions. The “on” position exposing spray valve, stun gun and flashlight mechanisms. 
       FIG. 7  Depicts a perspective view of bulb housing unit with stun gun and flashlight mechanisms and battery pack holder. 
       FIG. 8  Depicts cross section view of protruded compact glass breaking tip. 
       FIG. 9  Depicts handle top faceplate with flashlight and stun gun switches with deterrent spray valve in cross section and perspective views. 
       FIG. 10  Depicts cross section view of deterrent spray canister. 
       FIG. 11  Depicts cross section view of  FIG. 1  without extendable baton and full length glass breaker. 
       FIG. 12  Depicts a perspective view of stun gun probes. 
       FIG. 13  Depicts a sectional view of the canister with housing. 
       FIG. 14  Depicts a perspective view of canister housing. 
       FIG. 15  Depicts a perceptive and cross section view of removable faceplate. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the figures, these are depicted several, but not all, embodiments of the present invention, which is a multifunctional law enforcement tool. In the following description of the preferred embodiment, the term “Distal” refers to the end of the baton from which the extendible baton extends and that includes the glass breaking tip or the threaded end of the handle unit when the baton is not present. The “Proximal” refers to the end containing the flashlight and stun gun probes. Because of the typical use of the invented baton with the flashlight pointing “forward” from the user, the flashlight end is also referred to as the “forward” direction, and the glass breaker end is also referred to as the “rearward” direction. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a first embodiment of the invented Multifunctional Law Enforcement Tool  100 , which comprises a Telescoping Baton  101  and a Handle Unit  102  ( FIG. 11 ). According to these figures,  FIG. 2  of the preferred embodiment comprises three Telescoping Tubular Members. These Telescoping Tubular Members are extended preferably with a quick wave of the baton, an action which might be called “whipping out” the baton. Centrifugal force extends the baton wherein frictional engagement maintains the batons extended state. The Telescoping Baton  101  of FIG.  2 &#39;s innermost Tubular Member  3  has a Small Mass  4  with a Hole  5  at its distal end. The Small Mass  4  is used to break glass in its extended position combined with centrifugal force generated by the user. 
   Telescoping Tubular Member  1  is interchangeably connected (discussed below) to Handle Unit  102  of  FIG. 1  at the threaded end of the Tubular Member  1 . When Multifunctional Law Enforcement Tool  100  of  FIG. 1  is in its compact position Tubular Member  3 &#39;s position is secured by a Magnetic Retention Clip  6  thus holding baton from accidental extension ( FIG. 5 ). Retention Clip  6  is attached to Compact Glass Breaker Body  7 . The Compact Glass Breaker is another preferred feature of  FIG. 1 . The Compact Glass Breaker is implemented by striking the Small Mass  4  and Hole  5  against glass. The Compact Glass Breaker comprising a Pointed Tip  8 , Magnetic Retention Clip  6 , Wave Spring  9  and a Glass Breaker Body  7 . At the threaded end of Tubular Member  1  of  FIG. 1  is a Wave Spring  9  which permits a small amount of relative travel inward of Tubular Member  3  thus allowing Pointed Tip  8  to protrude beyond Hole  5  when struck against glass, ( FIG. 8 ) thus breaking the glass. Following glass breakage the compressed Tubular Member  3  is returned to its original compact position by Wave Spring  9  wherein magnetic retention clip holds the baton in place, this allows Pointed Tip  8  to stay covered ( FIG. 1 ), and cannot accidently scratch user. This system will allow said user to, for example extricate willing or unwilling people involved in a crime or automobile accident, from automobiles. 
   In this first embodiment Handle Unit  102  of  FIG. 11  is comprised of an Exterior Shell  10  and Handle  11 . Orthogonal Baton Handle  11  preferably extends integrally from Exterior Shell  10  wherein the Handle  11 , Tapers  12 , opposite Exterior Shell slightly outward to keep the baton in the users hand while swinging the Baton of  FIG. 2 , from side to side. The Handle Top  13  is shaped in a domelike manner for ease of switch operations (discussed below). Handle  11  extends perpendicularly and smoothly from Exterior Shell  10 , which is preferably round at its proximal end and tapers down just past Handle  11 . Exterior Shell  10  of FIG.  11 &#39;s taper contains Internal Threading  14  connection at its distal end. Telescoping Tubular Member  1  of  FIG. 2  has Interchangeable Threads  15  that fit into Internal Treading  14 . The baton portion may be disconnected manually ( FIG. 8 ). 
   Exterior Shell  10  of  FIG. 11  has  2  Quick Change Holes  16  near its proximal end, that allows user to access Release Tabs  17  to assist removing Lens Cover Unit  18  by using 2 fingers depressing release tabs simultaneously and pulling Lens Cover Unit  18  towards its proximal end. Once removed the user may change the Light Bulb  19  or Battery Pack  21  very quickly. The Exterior Shell  10  contains an Access Port  22  opposite of Handle Top  13  in  FIG. 11 . 
   Access Port  22  of  FIG. 1  accepts Deterrent Spray Canister  23 . Deterrent Spray Canister  23  is pushed through Access Port  22  through Hollow Handle  11  internally until Canister Plug  24  a threaded bottom affixed to Deterrent Spray Canister  23  begins to advance upward screwing into Access Port  22  of Exterior Shell  10 . When screwed into place canister Stem  37  will enter Deterrent Spray Canister Valve  30 , threaded Plug  24  will keep Access Port  22  watertight. The Deterrent Spray Canister  23  and Canister Plug  24  are designed as a 1 piece Disposable Unit. 
   The location of Handle  11  on Exterior Shell  10  is determined from balance, weight and center of gravity considerations. Preferably Handle  11  is 40 to 45% of the distance from the proximal end of the multifunctional law enforcement tool of  FIG. 1 . 
   Handle Unit  102  of FIG.  11 &#39;s Exterior Shell  10  possesses two holes for Recharging Contacts  25  wherein Battery Pack  21  may be recharged externally making Battery Pack  21 &#39;s removal unnecessary. The multifunctional law enforcement tool includes a Wiring Harness  38  located inside Exterior Shell  10  and travels through orthogonal Handle  11  alongside Deterrent Spray Canister  23  and connects to Stun Gun Rocker Switch  26  and Flashlight Switch  27  (discussed below). The wiring and other mechanisms connect the Battery Pack  21 , Flashlight Switch  27 , Recharge Contacts  25 , Bulb Holder Unit  20  and Stun Gun Switch  26 . Two screws hold rechargeable Contact  25  and Wiring Harness  38  in place. 
   The user will preferably operate the Flashlight Switch  27  and Stun Gun Switch  26  of  FIG. 6  located on Handle Top  13  facing its distal end with his or her thumb while holding Handle  11  with four fingers wrapped around said Handle  11 . This will allow the underside of users forearm to block any potential strikes from combatant using the multifunctional law enforcement tool as a shield The Slide Switch  28  acts as a safety covering the Stun Gun Switch  26  and Deterrent Spray Canister Valve  30  making them inaccessible to user while insuring against accidental firing or discharge. When the Slide Switch  28  of  FIG. 6  is covering the switches, it is in the down or “off” position. The operator may push the Slide Switch  28  upwards or in the direction of the Handle Top  13 , this compresses Flashlight Switch  27  turning on the light while simultaneously lining up the holes in the Slide Switch  28  with the Spray Canister Valve  30 , making accessible Deterrent Spray Valve  30 . The Stun Gun Switch  26  is also accessible at this point. The user may access either switch or valve immediately. The users thumb pushes down on Spray Canister Valve  30  discharging deterrent spray in the direction of the illuminated flashlight or the proximal end. By accessing the Stun Gun Switch  26 , a Rocker Switch side to side the user will discharge a high voltage arc visible at proximal end between Metal Probes  32  of  FIG. 12 , on inner lens bevel. By simply touching the attacker with Metal Probes  32 , the user may disable attacker with as much but not limited to 400,000 volts. The user may activate safety or Slide Switch  28  of  FIG. 6  in a downward manner thus turning “off” the flashlight and covering the Stun Gun Switch  26  and Canister Spray Valve  30 . When Slide Switch  28  is in said “off” position the user may still access the Flashlight Switch  27 . By pushing down with his or her thumb on the Flashlight Switch  27  intermittent use is attainable without uncovering switches. FIG.  9 &#39;s Flashlight Switch  27 , Stun Gun Switch  26  and Deterrent Spray Canister Valve  30  are mounted in a Faceplate  53  which is attached by screws to the Handle Top  13  facing the distal end of the Baton. 
   The Handle Unit of  FIG. 11 , Exterior Shell  10  houses three separate components longitudinally that are electrically connected. A Battery Pack  21  furthest Inside Exterior Shell  10  which is connected to the Bulb Holder Unit  20  located between and connected to the Lens Cover Unit  18  located at the proximal end of Exterior Shell  10 . The Battery Pack  21  may be recharged by a battery charger unit placed against the Exterior Shell  10 , while touching Recharge Contacts  25 . 
   The Handle Unit of FIG.  3 &#39;s, Exterior Shell  10  houses a Lens Cover Unit  18  of  FIG. 4 , wherein it may include a Shatterproof Lens  31 , Parabolic Reflector  33 , Release Tabs  17 , Backside Contacts  34  and Metal Probes  32 . The Lens Cover Unit  18  maintains its position inside the Exterior Shell by two Release Tabs  17  that line up with Quick Change Holes  16  when inserted in the proximal end Shell  10  and pushes towards its distal end. The release tabs will expand outwardly into Quick Change Hole  16  locking Lens Cover Unit  18  into Exterior Shell  10 , wherein Backside Contacts  34  complete electrical connection with Bulb Holder Unit  20 &#39;s Frontal Connections  42 . 
   Bulb Holder Unit  20  of  FIG. 7  may contain buy not limited to a Flashlight Bulb  19 , Two Frontal Contacts  42 , Battery Holder  41 , Battery Plug In Contact  43 , with all stun guns and flashlight electrical components, housed internally. The Battery Holder  41  preferably slides longitudinally through the open space created between multiple cells in the Battery Pack  21 , to its furthest point forward. Battery Pack  21  will electrically engage or contact with Battery Plug In Contact  43 . Bringing power to Bulb Holder Unit  20 . 
     FIG. 3  depicts a second embodiment of the multifunctional law enforcement tool without the baton and glass breaking unit ( FIG. 11 ). The handle unit of  FIG. 1  remains entirely unchanged. 
   In the second embodiment, however,  FIG. 3  depicts the multifunctional law enforcement tool with a Miniature Glass Breaker  40  may be installed with a Rubber Compression Unit  39  ( FIG. 3 ), and struck against Rubber Hole  35  allowing Miniature Glass Breaker  40 &#39;s Tip  36  to penetrate glass. Rubber Compression Unit  39  will return to its original shape covering Glass Breaker Tip  36 . This smaller profile unit will allow undercover law enforcement and possibly airline security personnel to carry the Handle Unit  102  of  FIG. 3  without detection. 
   The multifunctional law enforcement tool of the first embodiment comprises a flashlight, stun gun, glass breaker, deterrent spray and an extendable baton. 
   In the third embodiment the multifunctional law enforcement tool has no functional change, however the Handle Top  13  of  FIG. 1 , which is an integral part of the Handle Unit ( FIG. 11 ) of the first embodiment, is removable in the third embodiment. Removable Handle Top  50  of  FIG. 13  is attached to Deterrent Spray Canister  77  and is a one piece disposable unit. The threaded Plug  24  is no longer attached to canister but still remains threaded into handle unit. The Stun Gun Switch  26 , Flashlight Switch  27 , and Slide Switch  28  of  FIG. 9  of the first embodiment are attached to Faceplate  53  and screwed into Handle Top  13 . In the third embodiment Stun Gun Switch  26 , Flashlight Switch  27  and Slide Switch  28  are attached to Faceplate  58  ( FIG. 15 ), which plugs into Spray Canister  77 &#39;s removable Handle Top  50  which contains a Socket  168  ( FIG. 14 ) and Socket  88  ( FIG. 13 ). The handle top or housing with Socket  88  and  168  is a one piece diposable unit with wiring and contacts being an integral part of the Handle Top  50 . When the user is finished with the Spray Canister  77  and its Handle Top  50 , he or she will unplug Faceplate  58  ( FIG. 15 ) and plug it into a full or new unit. Multiple Contacts in Socket  168  which is on Handle Top  50  ( FIG. 14 ), connect with contacts on the Faceplate  58  and complete the circuit making Flashlight Switch  27 , and Stun Gun  26  operational.