Patent Publication Number: US-7223175-B2

Title: Expandable baton adjustable top cap assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,103 filed on Jul. 29, 2005. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to an adjustable top cap retainer for expandable batons or night sticks used by law enforcement personnel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a top cap retainer for a three section, telescoping baton that allows the user to selectively adjust the holding force of the top cap. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Expandable batons have been used for many years by law enforcement officer as a convenient alternative to conventional one-piece batons or night sticks. When 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. When retracted, a top cap retainer prevents the expandable portions of the baton from extending out of the holster and possibly injuring the officer. 
   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 ⅓ of its extended length. During use, the baton is sharply swung in an arc such that the inner telescoping sections are flung outward such that the centrifugal force generated during the swinging action overcomes the holding force created by the top cap retainer. Typically, each of the telescoping sections includes an expanded end that interacts with a tapered surface formed on the outer section to frictionally lock the baton in its extended position. When the expandable baton is not being used, the top cap contains a spring retainer which, when compressed within the smallest inner diameter section, allows the baton to be secured in a retracted position. An example of such a baton is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,643. 
   The spring retainer that forms part of the top cap used with expandable batons is typically a wire spring that provides a predetermined amount of holding force to hold the baton in its retracted position. If the holding force of the spring retainer needs to be increased or decreased, the user must physically distort the wire spring, which can be very difficult to accomplish without the use of tools. The user may wish to increase the holding force of the spring retainer depending upon the type of action the officer sees or the physical size of the officer. As an example, a smaller officer may wish to decrease the spring retainer holding force to allow the officer to more easily extend the baton by swinging the baton in an arc. 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a top cap retainer that allows the holding force of the spring retainer to be adjusted easily without the use of any additional tooling. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a top cap retainer for use with an extendable baton. More specifically, the present invention relates to a top cap assembly for a three section, telescoping baton that allows the user to selectively adjust the holding force of the top cap assembly. 
   The top cap assembly includes a pair of spring retainers that each engage one of the sections of the expandable baton to retain the baton in its retracted position. Each of the spring retainers extends laterally outward from a center axis of the top cap assembly a holding distance. The top cap assembly includes an end cap that is rotatable about an engagement section to selectively adjust the holding distance the spring retainers extend from the center axis of the top cap assembly. By rotating the end cap, the user can adjust the holding force supplied by the pair of spring retainers. Thus, the user can selectively adjust the holding force of the spring retainer based upon the user&#39;s individual requirement. 
   As the end cap rotates, an adjustment stem moves relative to the spring retainers, causing a portion of each spring retainer to move along a tapered end portion of the adjustment stem. As the spring retainers move along the tapered portion toward the tip portion of the adjustment stem, the distance from the center line of the adjustment stem to the outermost portion of the spring retainer decreases, thereby decreasing the holding force created by the top cap assembly. Rotation of the end cap in the opposite direction allows the spring retainer to move in an opposite direction along the tapered section, thereby increasing the holding force of the spring retainer. 
   In accordance with the present invention, the holding force of the spring retainer can be selectively adjusted by the user without the requirement of any additional tooling. Thus, the user can selectively modify the baton to personalize the characteristics of the baton. 

   
     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 an expandable baton; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial section view of the adjustable top cap assembly including the spring retainer; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial section view of the expandable baton in the retracted position; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of the spring retainer in its maximum holding force position prior to engagement; 
       FIG. 5  is a view of the spring retainer in an intermediate holding force position; 
       FIG. 6  is a view of the spring retainer in its minimum holding force position; and 
       FIG. 7  is a partial section view of a second embodiment of the adjustable top cap assembly including the spring retainer. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , thereshown is the expandable baton  10  of the present invention. The baton  10  is expandable between a retracted position (not shown) and the extended, operative position shown in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the baton  10  has an overall length between twenty-one and twenty-nine inches in the extended position and has a retracted length between approximately eight and 11.5 inches, although other sizes for the baton  10  are contemplated. 
   The baton  10  generally includes a gripping tube  12 , a center tube  14  and a striking tube  16 . When the baton is in the retracted position, as shown in the partial view of  FIG. 3 , the center tube  14  is received within the gripping tube  12  and the striking tube  16  is received within both the center tube  14  and the gripping tube  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a resilient, non-slip grip member  18  is preferably adhered to the outer circumference of the gripping tube  12 . The distal end  20  of the striking tube  16  includes a striking member  22  that is threadedly received on the distal end  20 . The center tube  14  includes a tapered portion  24  that engages the outer surface of the striking tube  16 , while the gripping tube  12  includes a similar tapered portion  26  that engages the outer surface of the center tube  14 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the proximal end  28  of the gripping tube  12  includes a top cap assembly  30  that is threadedly received within the proximal end  28 . When the baton is in the retracted position of  FIG. 3 , the top cap assembly  30  engages the striking tube  16  to retain the baton  10  in the retracted position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , thereshown is the top cap assembly  30  of the present invention removed from the baton  10 . The top cap assembly  30  includes an end cap  32  and a depending engagement section  34 . The engagement section  34  includes external threads  36  that engage the threaded inner surface  38  of the gripping tube  12 . The top cap  30  assembly further includes an adjustment stem  42  that extends past the bottom edge of the engagement section  34 . In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment stem  42  includes a series of threads  40  that interact with the end cap  32  and the engagement section  34 . In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the end cap  32  is rotatable about the engagement section  34  such that as the end cap  32  rotates, the position of the adjustment stem  42  relative to the engagement section  34  is modified. Specifically, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the end cap  32  is rotated clockwise relative to the engagement section  34 , the adjustment stem  42  is moved downward such that the length of the adjustment stem  42  extending below the engagement section  34  is increased. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the adjustment stem  42  includes a main body  47  and a tip section  49 . The tip section  49  includes a tapered outer surface  52  that reduces the outer diameter of the adjustment stem  42  from the main body  47  to the tip portion  51 . In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the entire adjustment stem  42  is formed from a molded plastic material, although it is contemplated that the adjustment stem  42  could also be formed from other durable material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the top cap assembly  30  further includes a pair of spring retainers  44 . Each of the spring retainers  44  includes a top section  46  positioned along the body  47  of the adjustment stem  42 . The top section  46  is received and retained on the end cap  32 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of the spring retainers  44  further includes an expandable, extended retaining section  48  that extends away from the outer surface of the tapered tip section  49 . Each of the retaining sections  48  includes a contact leg  50  positioned in direct contact with the outer surface of the tapered portion  52  of the tip section  49 . In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, each of the spring retainers  44  is formed from a flexible, thin metallic material that can deflect upon pressure being applied to the retaining section  48 . Preferably, each of the spring retainers  44  is formed from a metallic material, such as steel, to enhance the durability of each of the spring retainers  44 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the width of the retention sections  48  from the adjustment stem  42  is greater than the inner diameter of the bottom end  54  of the striking tube  16  such that the spring retainers  44  are compressed when the spring retainer  44  and adjustment stem  42  are received within the striking tube  16 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , when the expandable baton  10  is in its fully retracted position, the bottom end  54  of the striking tube  16  is received within the hollow interior  55  of the engagement section  34  and contacts the inner surface  57  of the end cap  32 . When the striking tube  16  is fully retracted, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the retaining sections  48  of each of the spring retainers  44  are compressed to exert a frictional holding force against the inner walls of the striking tube  16 . The amount of holding force exerted on the striking tube  16  is dependent upon the amount of compression of the retaining sections  48  when the striking tube  16  passes over the adjustment stem  42 . 
   As further shown in  FIG. 3 , when the baton  10  is in the fully retracted position, the bottom end  59  of the center tube  14  contacts the engagement section  34  to prevent further movement of the center tube  14 . 
   As discussed above, the amount of holding force exerted onto the striking tube  16  by the pair of spring retainers  44  is dependent upon the amount of compression of the retaining sections  48 . In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment stem  42  is movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the fixed top cap assembly  30  to adjust the position of the tapered portion  52  of the adjustment stem  42  relative to the stationary spring retainers  44 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , thereshown is the relationship between the movable adjustment stem  42  and one of the spring retainers  44 . In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the adjustment stem  42  is in its fully extended position at which time the spring retainer exerts its maximum holding force. When the adjustment stem  42  is in its fully extended position, the contact leg  50  of the retaining section  48  is positioned along a generally wide portion of the tip section  49  of the adjustment stem  42 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the retaining section  48  extends away from the center line  58  of the adjustment stem a holding distance illustrated by reference line  56 . 
   As the end cap  32  ( FIG. 2 ) is rotated relative to the stationary engagement section  34 , the adjustment stem  42  is retracted in the direction shown by arrow  61  in  FIG. 5 . As the adjustment stem  42  is retracted, the contact leg  50  moves further down the outer surface  52  of the top section  49  of the adjustment stem  42  toward the tip portion  51 . As the contact leg  50  moves further down the tapered tip section  49 , the diameter of the tapered tip section  49  decreases. During this movement of the contact leg along the tapered tip section  49 , the distance the retaining section  48  extends from the center line  58  is decreased to the distance  60  shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be understood by comparing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the distance  60  is less than the distance  56 , which thereby reduce the holding force of the spring retainer  44 . 
   As the end cap  32  continues to rotate, the adjustment stem  42  is further retracted into the end cap, as shown by the arrow  61  in  FIG. 6 . As the adjustment stem  42  is retracted, the contact leg  50  moves further down the outer surface  52  toward the tip portion  51 . As the adjustment stem  42  is retracted, the distance  62  that the retention section  48  extends from the center line  58  is further reduced. Thus, the holding force created by the spring retainer  44  can be adjusted by moving the adjustment stem  42  relative to the spring retainer  44 . In this manner, the user can adjust the retention force created by the top cap assembly  30  by rotating the end cap  32 . 
   Although the embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures is shown and described as including a movable adjustment stem  42  and a pair of fixed spring retainers  44 , it is also contemplated that the spring retainers  44  could move relative to the fixed adjustment stem  42 . In either embodiment, the movement of the contact leg  50  along the outer surface  52  of the tip section  49  controls the holding distance the retaining section  48  extends from the center line  58 , thereby affecting the amount of holding force created by the top cap assembly. 
   In another contemplated embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the rotation of the end cap relative to the engagement section could include a series of detents such that the amount of rotation and adjustment in the holding force would be controlled by the individual detents. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the end cap  32  could be rotated smoothly to provide an infinite number of adjustment positions for the holding force created by the spring retainer  44 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a second embodiment of a top cap assembly  70 . The second embodiment of the top cap assembly  70  is similar to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2–6  and operates in a similar manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the top cap assembly includes an adjustment stem  72  that extends past the bottom edge of the engagement section  34 . Similar to the first embodiment, the end cap  32  is rotatable about the engagement section  34  such that as the end cap rotates, the position of the adjustment stem  72  relative to the engagement section  34  is modified. Specifically, when the end cap  32  is rotated clockwise relative to the engagement section  34 , the adjustment stem  72  is moved downward such that the length of the adjustment section  42  extending below the engagement section  34  is increased. 
   The main body of the adjustment stem  72  includes a tapered outer surface  74  that bows outward away from the center axis of the adjustment stem  72  an exaggerated amount compared to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the top cap assembly  70  further includes a pair of spring retainers  76 . The spring retainers  76  are similar to the spring retainers  48  shown in  FIG. 2  except that the spring retainers  76  are inverted. Thus, the contact leg  78  of each spring retainer  76  is received within the end cap  32 , while the top section  80  contacts the outer surface  74  of the adjustment stem  72 . 
   When the end cap  32  is rotated relative to the stationary engagement section  34 , the adjustment stem  72  is retracted. As the adjustment stem  72  is retracted, the contact point  82  between each of the spring retainers  76  and the outer surface  74  of the adjustment stem  76  moves to a more narrow portion of the adjustment stem  72 , decreasing the distance the retaining section  84  extends away from the center line of the adjustment stem  72  and reducing the holding force of the spring retainers  76 . 
   When the end cap  32  is rotated in the opposite direction, the contact point  82  moves to the widest portion of the adjustment stem  72  to increase the holding force created by the pair of spring retainers  76 . 
   Like the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2–6 , the rotation of the end cap  32  increases or decreases the holding force created by the pair of spring retainers  76 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the outer surface  74  of the adjustment stem  72  includes an enhanced profile to more quickly increase/decrease the holding force relative to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2–6 .