Patent Publication Number: US-9422143-B1

Title: Handheld extendable pole with a rotatable tip designed to fit smoke detector buttons

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/914,683 filed on Dec. 11, 2013, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments herein relate generally to tools, and more particularly, to a handheld device for testing smoke detectors. 
     Smoke detectors are used in buildings and function to alert people therein to the presence of smoke in the building. Smoke detectors should be routinely tested to verify that they are properly functioning. However, smoke detectors are often placed in high or hard to reach places. Thus, a device is needed that is capable of testing smoke detectors, even when the smoke detectors are located in hard to reach places. 
     Canned smoke is one type of device used to test smoke detectors. However, canned smoke is depleted upon use, meaning that new cans must constantly be purchased to test smoke detectors. Using canned smoke also includes using a long pole to make the can close enough to the smoke detector to effectively test the smoke detector. These long poles are burdensome and not easily carried. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a tool, which is easily carried and not depleted upon use thereof, for effectively testing smoke detectors. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a collapsible system for depressing a button on a device, such as a smoke detector, that is out of reach. The system may include a generally cylindrically-shaped handle having an inner portion and a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of extendable segments configured to telescope outwardly from the inner portion of the handle through the distal end of the handle, the plurality of extendable segments including a distal-most segment, and a tip rotatably attached to the distal-most segment of the plurality of extendable segments. The tip may have a concave portion configured to accommodate at least a portion of the device button when in contact with the device button. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in collapsed state. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail section view of one embodiment of the present invention along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 2  shown in an unlocked state. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail section view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in a locked state. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in an exemplary primary state. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in an exemplary second state. 
         FIG. 11  is a side detail cutaway view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in pre-engagement. 
         FIG. 12  is a side detail cutaway view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in engaged state. 
         FIG. 13  is a side detail cutaway view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in engaged and force-applied state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications. 
     The device of the present disclosure may be used to test smoke detectors and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. 
     1. Handle 
     2. Extendable Segments 
     3. Rotatably Attached Tip 
     The various elements of the collapsible system for depressing a button on a device that is out of reach of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only. 
     By way of example, and referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , some embodiments of collapsible system for depressing a button on a device of the present disclosure comprise an extendable pole  10  having a rotatable tip  98  that is designed to fit buttons, such as smoke detector buttons  102 . In its unextended state, embodiments of the collapsible system may collapse to a total length of about 5 to about 10 inches, such as about 6¾ inches with the tip  98  positioned at a 90° angle and about 7¾ inches with the tip  98  straight out or at a 0° angle. In its fully extended state, embodiments of the system may be about 5 feet long. 
     In some embodiments, the extendable pole  10  includes a handle  12 , several extendable segments, such as about 10 to about 20 segments, such as 14 segments (shown as items  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42 ,  46 ,  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62 , and  66  in the figures), and a rotatable tip  98 , wherein the segments are configured to collapse into each other and into the handle in a telescoping fashion. The segments may each comprise a notch ( 16 ,  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  32 ,  36 ,  40 ,  44 ,  48 ,  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64 , and  68 ) positioned at a distal end of each segment, the notches configured to help lock the segments in an extended state, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and also in a non-extended or collapsed state, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Each of the segments may also have a sheet bearing ( 70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94 ), wherein the sheet bearing aids in keeping the extendable pole  10  in its desired position—either extended or collapsed. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each segment may have a sheet bearing attached to an end of the segment opposite the notch, wherein the segment may comprise a tap configured to snap into an orifice on the segment. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the sheet bearing  94  on a second segment  66  may engage with the notch  64  on a first segment  62  to lock the segments in an extended state. In some embodiments, the sheet bearings may comprise copper. 
     The rotatable tip  98  may be attached to a distal-most segment  66  from the handle  12 , such that the rotatable tip  98  may be rotated at any angle co-liner with the handle  12  to at least perpendicular to the handle  12 . For example, the rotatable tip  98  may be attached to a base  96  that is attached to the distal-most segment  66 . In some embodiments, the rotatable tip  98  is attached to the base  96  using a fastener  106  and a washer  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The rotatable tip  98  may be substantially cylindrical in shape with (i) an attaching portion at a proximal end of the rotatable tip  98 , which attaches to the base  96 , and (ii) a notched portion  108  at a distal-most end of the rotatable tip  98 . In some embodiments, the notched portion  108  may comprise a concave surface configured to accommodate a portion of a button of a device when in contact with the button. For example, the notched portion  108  may accommodate a button  102  on a smoke detector  100 , wherein the button  108  is used for testing the functionality of the smoke detector  100 . Specifically, in some embodiments, the notched portion  108  is designed to accommodate a smoke-detector button having a size of ⅜ inch. In embodiments, the rotatable tip  98  may be magnetic and may comprise a light to help a user see the button that he or she is wishing to press. 
     In embodiments, the handle  12  may be generally cylindrically-shaped having an inner portion, a proximal end, and a distal end. In some embodiments, the handle  12  may comprise a covering made of a material such as vinyl, rubber, plastic, or the like, wherein the covering functions as a grip and padding. The handle  12  may have any desired size and, in some embodiments, has a length of about 5 to about 6 inches. The diameter of the handle  12  may be a size such that the extendable sections may collapse into the handle  12 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in the figures, the extendable segments may be generally cylindrically-shaped and may have an inner portion, a proximal end, and a distal end. The plurality of extendable segments may be configured to telescope from the inner portion of the handle  12  through the distal end of the handle  12 . In embodiments, the diameter of the segments beginning from the proximal extendable segment  14 , i.e., the segment closest to the handle  12 , to the distal extendable segment  66 , i.e., the segment nearest the rotatable tip  98 , successively decreases such that each segment can collapse into the previous segment. In embodiments, each segment may have a length of, for example, from about 2 inches to about 5 inches. In a particular embodiment, the proximal extendable segment  14  may have a length of about 4 3/16 inches and is the longest segment, and the distal extendable segment  66  may have a length of about 2½ inches and may be the shortest segment. 
     The extendable pole  10  may be made of any suitable material. For example, the collapsible system may be made of stainless steel allowing the tip to withstand up to 3000 g of force without the device collapsing into its unextended state. 
     To use the device of the present disclosure, a user may extend the sections to the necessary length to reach a button on a device, such as on a smoke detector  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the tip  98  may be aligned with the button  102  such that the notched portion  108  on the tip  98  aligns with and covers the button  102 , wherein the user may then exert force on the device, causing the button  102  to be pressed, testing the functionality of the smoke detector  100 . 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.