Patent Publication Number: US-8991012-B1

Title: Extension pole assembly with dual connecting members

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/329,631, filed Apr. 30, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure is related to extension poles. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to extension pole assemblies having an extension pole with a connecting member on each end, and a handle that can be mated at either end of the extension pole. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Tools and related implements (hereinafter “implements”) such as, but not limited to, brooms, brushes, squeegees, and the like are well known. In order to gain access to lower areas such as floors or higher areas such as ceilings, handles or extension poles (herein after “extension poles”) have been made available that connect to various implements. 
     Typically, a connecting member is provided to secure the implement and the extension pole to one another. One common prior art connecting member is provided by simply including a male thread on the end of the extension pole and including a corresponding female thread in the implement. In this manner, the connecting member is a threaded connecting member, where the male and female threads are removably threaded to one another. 
     Another common prior art connecting member is provided by including a male conical or tapered surface on the end of the extension pole and including a corresponding female conical or tapered surface in the implement. In this manner, the connecting member is formed as a press-fit connecting member where the male and female conical surfaces are press-fit to one another in a releasable fashion. 
     One particular prior art connecting member, which is disclosed by Applicants&#39; own U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,366, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, allows for both a threaded connection and a press-fit connection between the implement and the extension pole. Thus, Applicants&#39; own prior art connecting member allows extension poles to be connected to a wide variety of implements. 
     Unfortunately, the male conical surface on the connecting member only mates with a correspondingly sized female conical surface in the implement. Similarly, the male thread on the connecting member only mates with a correspondingly sized female thread in the implement. Thus, current extension poles having connecting members are limited to mating with implements having only one size female conical surfaces or thread, which limits the versatility of prior art extension poles. 
     Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a continuing need for extension poles that overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art extension poles. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An extension pole assembly is provided that includes an extension pole and a pole grip. The extension pole includes a connecting member on each free end. Each of the connecting members includes a plurality of implement connecting devices such as, but not limited to a thread and a tapered cone, and others. Advantageously, the pole grip can be matingly received on at least one connecting device of each of the connecting members so that the pole grip can be secured at either end of the extension pole. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided that includes an extension pole having a first end and a second end and a pole grip. The assembly further includes a first connecting member at the first end and a second connecting member at the second end. The first connecting member has a first plurality of implement connecting devices at the first end, while the second connecting member has a second plurality of implement connecting devices at the second end. The pole grip releasably mates with at least one of the first and at least one of the second plurality of implement connecting devices. In some embodiments, the second plurality of implement connecting devices are different than the first plurality of implement connecting devices. In other embodiments, the second plurality of implement connecting devices are the same as the first plurality of implement connecting devices. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided that includes an extension pole having a first end and a second end and a pole grip. The assembly further includes a first connecting member having a first implement connecting device at the first end and a second connecting member having a second implement connecting device at the second end. The pole grip releasably mates with the first and second implement connecting devices so that the pole grip can be secured at either the first end or the second end of the extension pole. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided having an extension pole and a pole grip. The extension pole has a first end and a second end. A first connecting member is positioned at the first end, where the first connecting member has a first plurality of implement connecting devices. A second connecting member is positioned at the second end, where the second connecting member has a second plurality of implement connecting devices. At least one at least one of the second plurality of implement connecting devices is different than at least one of the first plurality of implement connecting devices. The pole grip has a third implement connecting device that releasably mates with at least one of the first plurality of implement connecting devices and at least one of the second plurality of implement connecting devices so that the pole grip can be secured at either the first end or the second end of the extension pole. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided with an extension pole having a first end and a second end and a pole grip that can be secured at either the first or the second end. The assembly further includes a first connecting member at the first end and a second connecting member at the second end. The first connecting member has a first threaded end and at least one other first implement connecting device, while the second connecting member has a second threaded end and at least one other second implement connecting device. The at least one other second implement connecting device is different than the at least one other first implement connecting device. The pole grip has a threaded portion that releasably mates with the first threaded end and the second threaded end. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided that includes an extension pole having a first end and a second end and a pole grip. The assembly further includes a first connecting member at the first end and a second connecting member at the second end. The first connecting member has a first tapered surface and a first threaded end, while the second connecting member has a second tapered surface and a second threaded end. The second tapered surface has a different angle than the first tapered surface. The pole grip has a threaded portion configured to releasably mate with the first threaded end and the second threaded end so that the pole grip can be secured at either the first end or the second end of the extension pole. 
     An extension pole assembly is provided that includes an extension pole having a first end and a second end and a pole grip. The assembly further includes a first connecting member at the first end and a second connecting member at the second end. The first connecting member has a first locking protrusion and at least one other first implement connecting device, while the second connecting member has a second locking protrusion and at least one other second implement connecting device. The at least one other second implement connecting device is different than the at least one other first implement connecting device. The pole grip has a locking opening that releasably mate with the first locking protrusion and the second locking protrusion so that the pole grip can be secured at either the first end or the second end of the extension pole. 
     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an extension pole assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure having a pole grip secured at a first end; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 1  having the pole grip secured at a second end; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a first end of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken at circle  4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a second end of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken at circle  5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 2 , taken along lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the first end of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 2 , taken at circle  7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a second end of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 2 , taken at circle  8  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the pole grip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the pole grip of  FIG. 9 , taken along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of an extension pole assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure having a pole grip secured at a first end; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 11  having the pole grip secured at a second end; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an extension pole assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure having a pole grip secured at a first end; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the extension pole assembly of  FIG. 13  having the pole grip secured at a second end. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of an extension pole assembly is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  10 . Assembly  10  includes an extension pole  12  and a pole grip  14 . Advantageously, assembly  10  is configured so that pole grip  14  can be removably connected at either end of extension pole  12 . 
     Extension pole  12  can have any single desired length or can have an adjustable length. Further, extension pole  12  can be made of any desired material sufficient to withstand the stresses imposed on the pole during use. For example, extension pole  12  can be made of wood, plastic, metal, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or any combinations thereof. For purposes of clarity, extension pole  12  is shown in the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure as a single length aluminum pole. 
     Extension pole  12  includes a first connecting member  16  on a first end  18  and a second connecting member  20  on a second end  22 . First and second connecting members  16 ,  20  can be permanently or releasably secured to ends  18 ,  22  of extension pole  12  in any desired manner. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  are shown forming a press-fit connection with an internal dimension of extension pole  12 . However, any desired method of permanently or releasably securing first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  to extension pole  12  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     Both first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  include a plurality of implement connecting devices. For example, first connecting member  16  includes a first tapered or conical exterior surface  24  and a first threaded end  26 , while second connecting member  20  includes a second tapered or conical exterior surface  28  and a second threaded end  30 . Exterior surfaces  24 ,  28  can form a press-fit with an inner surface (not shown) of an implement in a known manner, while threaded ends  26 ,  30  can be threadably engaged with a corresponding thread (not shown) of an implement in a known manner. 
     Advantageously, assembly  10  is configured so that at least one of the implement connecting devices of connecting members  16 ,  20  is common to one another, while at least another of the implement connecting devices of the connecting members  16 ,  20  is different to one another. Pole grip  14  includes a third implement connecting device, which can be mated with at least one of the implement connecting devices of each connecting member  16 ,  20 . In this manner, pole grip  14  can be secured at either of first or second connecting members  16 ,  20 , which allows assembly  10  to find increased use with a larger variety of implements than previously possible by providing an increased number of implement connecting devices. 
     In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 through 8 , connecting members  16 ,  20  are configured so that first and second threaded ends  26 ,  30  have the same thread size, while first and second exterior surfaces  24 ,  28  have a different cone angle  32 ,  34  to one another, respectively. Pole grip  14  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  includes a threaded portion  36 , which has a corresponding thread size that mates with both first and second threaded ends  26 ,  30 . 
     Thus, pole grip  14  can be secured to first connecting member  16  by mating first threaded end  26  of the first connecting member to threaded portion  36  of the pole grip. Alternately, pole grip  14  can be secured to second connecting member  20  by mating second threaded end  30  of the second connecting member to threaded portion  36  of the pole grip. As such, pole grip  14  can be matingly received on either end  18 ,  22  of extension pole  12 . 
     When pole grip  14  is secured to first connecting member  16 , the implement connecting devices (i.e., second exterior surface  28  and second threaded end  30 ) of second connecting member  20  are available for use in connecting to various implements. Conversely, when pole grip  14  is secured to second connecting member  20 , the implement connecting devices (i.e., first exterior surface  24  and first threaded end  26 ) of first connecting member  16  are available for use in connecting to various implements. In this manner, assembly  10  of the present disclosure finds increased use with a larger variety of implements than previously possible by providing an increased number of implement connecting devices. 
     Additionally, pole grip  14  covers at least a portion of whichever connecting member  16 ,  20  it is secured to, which provides the user with an easy to grip surface instead of having to grip an uncovered connecting member. 
     It should be recognized that assembly  10  is disclosed herein for reasons of clarity having first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  with only two implement connecting devices, namely tapered cones  24 ,  28  and threaded ends  26 ,  30 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  to have any desired number of implement connecting devices. 
     In one preferred embodiment, first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  can be as shown and described in Applicants&#39; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/098,732 and Applicants&#39; issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,366, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In this embodiment, pole grip  14  includes a locking opening (not shown) instead of threaded portion  34 , where the locking opening is configured to receive a locking protrusion depending from first and second connecting members  16 ,  20 . Here, first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  each include three implement connecting devices, namely tapered cones  24 ,  28 , threaded ends  26 ,  30 , and locking protrusions with the tapered cones and threaded ends being different from one another and the locking protrusions being common to one another. 
     Further, it should be recognized that assembly  10  is disclosed herein with first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  having the same two types of implement connecting devices, namely tapered surfaces  24 ,  28  and threaded ends  26 ,  30 . However, it is also contemplated by the present disclosure for first and second connecting members  16 ,  20  to have different types of implement connecting devices, where only one of the implement connecting devices is common to both ends. 
     For purposes of clarity, first and second threaded ends  26 ,  30  are described hereinabove as having the “same thread size”, while threaded portion  36  is described hereinabove as having a “corresponding thread size” that mates with both the first and second threaded ends. However, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for threaded portion  36  of pole grip  14  to have two interleaved threads within the threaded portion. Here, one of the interleaved threads can mate with first threaded end  26 , while the other of the interleaved threads can mate with second threaded end  30 . Thus, first and second threaded ends  26 ,  30  are considered by the present disclosure to be in common with one another when both of the threaded ends can be threadably secured to single threaded portion  36  of pole grip  14 . 
     Additionally, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for all of the connecting devices on first connecting member  16  to be different than all of the connecting devices on second connecting member  20  provided that the connecting device on pole grip  14  can connect with at least one of the connecting devices of the first connecting member and at least one of the connecting devices of the second connecting member. 
     Additionally, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for all of the connecting devices on first connecting member  16  to be the same as all of the connecting devices on second connecting member  20  provided that the connecting device on pole grip  14  can connect with at least one of the connecting devices of the first connecting member and at least one of the connecting devices of the second connecting member. In this embodiment, assembly  10  provides a longer life product in the event of damage to threads, the cone, or the locking member occurs. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a second exemplary embodiment of an extension pole assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  110 . Here, component parts having similar or analogous functions are labeled in multiples of one hundred. 
     Assembly  110  includes an extension pole  112  and a pole grip  114 , where pole grip  114  can be removably connected at either end of extension pole  112 . 
     Extension pole  112  includes a first connecting member  116  on a first end  118  and a second connecting member  120  on a second end  122 . First and second connecting members  116 ,  120  can be permanently or releasably secured to ends  118 ,  122  of extension pole  112  in any desired manner. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second connecting members  116 ,  120  are shown forming a press-fit connection with an internal dimension of extension pole  112 . However, any desired method of permanently or releasably securing first and second connecting members  116 ,  120  to extension pole  112  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     Both first and second connecting members  116 ,  120  include a single implement connecting device. For example, first connecting member  116  includes a locking protrusion  138 , while second connecting member  120  includes a threaded end  130 . Locking protrusion  138  can form a locking connection with a locking opening (not shown) of an implement in a known manner, while threaded end  130  can be threadably engaged with a corresponding thread (not shown) of an implement in a known manner. 
     Advantageously, assembly  110  is configured so that the single implement connecting device of each of connecting members  116 ,  120  can be mated with pole grip  114 . Here, pole grip  114  includes a threaded portion  136 , which has a corresponding thread size that mates with threaded end  130  and a locking opening  140  that mates with locking protrusion  138 . 
     When pole grip  114  is secured to first connecting member  116 , the implement connecting device (i.e., threaded end  130 ) of second connecting member  120  is available for use in connecting to various implements. Conversely, when pole grip  114  is secured to second connecting member  120 , the implement connecting device (i.e., locking protrusion  138 ) of first connecting member  116  is available for use in connecting to various implements. In this manner, assembly  110  of the present disclosure finds increased use with a larger variety of implements than previously possible by providing an increased number of implement connecting devices. 
     Additionally, pole grip  114  covers at least a portion of whichever connecting member  116 ,  120  it is secured to, which provides the user with an easy to grip surface instead of having to grip an uncovered connecting member. 
     It should be recognized that assemblies  10 ,  110  have been described above by way of example only as having pole grip  14 ,  114  connected to connecting members  16 ,  20 ,  116 ,  120 , respectively by way of the connecting devices themselves. However, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for pole grip  14 ,  114  and connecting members  16 ,  20 ,  116 ,  120  to include a set of complimentary connectors for connecting the pole grip to the connecting member above and beyond the connecting devices provided for securing implements to the extension pole. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a third exemplary embodiment of an extension pole assembly according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral  210 . Here, component parts having similar or analogous functions are labeled in multiples of two hundred. 
     Assembly  210  includes an extension pole  212  and a pole grip  214 , where pole grip  214  can be removably connected at either end of extension pole  212 . 
     Extension pole  212  includes a first connecting member  216  on a first end  218  and a second connecting member  220  on a second end  222 . First and second connecting members  216 ,  220  can be permanently or releasably secured to ends  218 ,  222  of extension pole  212  in any desired manner. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second connecting members  216 ,  220  are shown forming a press-fit connection with an internal dimension of extension pole  212 . However, any desired method of permanently or releasably securing first and second connecting members  216 ,  220  to extension pole  212  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     Both first and second connecting members  216 ,  220  include a single implement connecting device. For example, first connecting member  216  includes a threaded end  226 , while second connecting member  220  includes a tapered or conical exterior surface  228 . Threaded end  226  can be threadably engaged with a corresponding thread (not shown) of an implement in a known manner, while exterior surface  228  can form a press-fit with an inner surface (not shown) of an implement in a known manner. 
     Advantageously, assembly  210  is configured so that pole grip  214  can be mated directly with first and second ends  218 ,  222  of extension pole  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, pole grip  214  forms a press-fit directly to first and second ends  218 ,  222  of extension pole  212 . 
     When pole grip  214  is secured to first end  218  as shown in  FIG. 13 , the implement connecting device (i.e., tapered surface  228 ) of second connecting member  220  is available for use in connecting to various implements. Conversely, when pole grip  214  is secured to second end  222  as shown in  FIG. 14 , the implement connecting device (i.e., threaded end  226 ) of first connecting member  216  is available for use in connecting to various implements. In this manner, assembly  210  of the present disclosure finds increased use with a larger variety of implements than previously possible by providing an increased number of implement connecting devices. 
     Additionally, pole grip  214  covers whichever connecting member  216 ,  220  it is secured over, which provides the user with an easy to grip surface instead of having to grip an uncovered connecting member. 
     It should be recognized that assembly  210  has been described above by way of example only as having pole grip  214  connected directly to first and second ends  218 ,  222 , respectively by a press-fit connection to extension pole  212 . However, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for pole grip  214  and ends  218 ,  222  to include a set of complimentary connectors for connecting the pole grip to extension pole  212 . 
     It should also be recognized that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.