Abstract:
A baton for a runner is provided that can be held in the hand or worn on a belt. The baton consists of a lightweight segmented cylinder having interchangable compartments for holding various items needed by the runner.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates generally to night sticks and more specifically it relates to a baton for a runner. 
     Numerous night sticks have been provided in prior art that are adapted to combine flashlights with billyclubs. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,257,227; 3,737,649 and 4,479,171 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to poovide a baton for a runner that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide a baton for a runner that is held in the hand of the runner and consists of a lightweight segmented cylinder having interchangable compartments for holding various items needed by the runner. 
     An additional object is to provide a baton for a runner that contains a belt which can be worn around waist of the runner so that the baton can hang vertically therefrom. 
     A further object is to provide a baton for a runner that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide a baton for a runner that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 showing the leaded weight inside. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view with parts broken away of a modification showing a take up spool inside with a Velcro belt extending therefrom. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a person utilizing the modification by wearing the belt around the waist so that the invention can hang vertical therefrom. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a person utilizing another modification by wearing a belt around the waist with a baton worn on each side of the person for equal weight distribution. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrates a baton 10 for a runner 12 that consists of a plurality of interchangable lightweight cylindrical segments 14a, 14b and 14c, a first end cap 16 and a second end cap 18. Each of the segments 14a, 14b and 14c have internal threads 20 at one end and external threads 22 at other end. The internal threads 20 of one of the segments can engage with the external threads 22 of another of the segments. 
     The first end cap 16 has external threads 24 to engage with the internal threads 20 of one of the segments 14a at one side of the baton 10. The first end cap 16 is transparent and the segment 14a engaging the first end cap includes a built-in flashlight 26 therein. The segment 14a can also contain a radio receiver, mace dispenser, visibility light, audible alarm, CB channel nine transmitter, stopwatch or odometer. 
     The second end cap 18 has internal threads 28 to engage with the external threads 22 of another of the segments 14c at other side of the baton 10 so as to complete the baton thus allowing the runner 12 to hold the baton in their hand (not shown). The second end cap 18 includes a compartment 30 for holding a key (not shown) therein. 
     One of the segments 14b (see FIG. 2) includes a leaded weight 32 inside to increase upper body strength of the runner 12. One of the segments 14c (see FIG. 1) includes a compartment 34 for holding various items (not shown) therein. The items can include water, food, money, compacted clothing and ointment/medicine. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, one of the segments such as 14c can include a take up spool 36 which is spring biased and rotatably positioned within the segent 14c on shaft 38. A belt 40 is wrapped around the spool 36 and extends outwardly from the segment 14c through a door 42. A hook and loop pile fastener 44 is provided. One portion 46 of the hook and loop pile fastener 44 is attached to free end 48 of the belt 40 while other portion 50 of the hook and loop pile fastener 44 is attached to opposite side 52 of the segment 14c. The belt 40 can be wrapped around waist 54 of the runner 12 and attached to the opposite side 52 of the segment 14c allowing the baton 10 to hang vertically therefrom as shown in FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 5 shows another belt 56 that has attachable and detachable ends 58, 60. The belt 56 has two of the batons 10 spaced apart and affixed thereto. The belt 56 can be wrapped around waist 54 of the runner 12 allowing the batons 10 to hang vertically therefrom on each side of the runner 12 for equal weight distribution. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.