US-12624918-B2 - End cap adapter for baton

US12624918B2US 12624918 B2US12624918 B2US 12624918B2US-12624918-B2

Abstract

An adapter for a cylindrical end cap of a multi-section locking baton. The adapter has a non-cylindrical outer side surface thereby providing the end of the baton with a non-cylindrical outer side configuration, such as a wedge shape or a domed shape.

Inventors

John Hultman

Assignees

DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20221006

Claims (12)

1 . A multi-section locking baton comprising: a series of lockable telescoping tubes that lock when the baton is extended, one of said telescoping tubes being a handle of the baton; a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through the telescoping tubes for unlocking the tubes; an end cap that is connected with the handle and that closes the outer end of the handle; the end cap supporting a push button on the end of the baton, the push button being connected for movement with the release rod whereby pushing the push button moves the release rod to enable unlocking of the tubes and closing of the baton; the end cap having a first outer configuration; and an adapter that is fitted over the end cap thereby to provide the end cap with a second outer configuration different from the first outer configuration.
2 . A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the end cap has a cylindrical outer configuration; the adapter has a cylindrical inner chamber receiving the end cap; and the adapter has a non-cylindrical outer configuration thereby providing the end cap with a non-cylindrical outer configuration.
3 . A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the adapter has a wedge shape including a frustoconical outer side surface.
4 . A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the adapter has a domed shape including a hemispherical outer side surface.
5 . A baton as set forth in claim 1 wherein the adapter has a lip that is clamped between the end cap and the handle when the adapter is fitted over the end cap thereby to secure the adapter in position on the end cap.
6 . A baton as set forth in claim 5 wherein the end cap has a cylindrical, externally threaded end portion that is screwed into the handle, and the adapter lip has an annular configuration that encircles the end portion of the end cap when the adapter is installed on the end cap.
7 . A baton as set forth in claim 5 wherein the adapter is substantially the same length as the end cap.
8 . An adapter for the end cap of a multi-section locking baton; the baton including a series of lockable telescoping tubes that lock when the baton is extended, one of said telescoping tubes being a handle of the baton; the baton also including a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through the telescoping tubes for unlocking the tubes; the baton also including an end cap that is connected with the handle and that closes the outer end of the handle, the end cap supporting a push button on the end of the baton, the push button being connected for movement with the release rod whereby pushing the push button moves the release rod to enable unlocking of the tubes and closing of the baton, the end cap having a cylindrical outer configuration; and said adapter including a side wall having a cylindrical inner side surface defining a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving the cylindrical end cap; and said adapter side wall having a non-cylindrical outer side surface thereby providing the end cap with a non-cylindrical outer side configuration.
9 . An adapter as set forth in claim 8 having a wedge shape including a frustoconical outer side surface.
10 . An adapter as set forth in claim 8 having a domed shape including a hemispherical outer side surface.
11 . A baton as set forth in claim 8 wherein the adapter has a lip that is clamped between the end cap and the handle when the adapter is fitted over the end cap thereby to secure the adapter in position on the end cap.
12 . An adapter for a cylindrical end cap of a baton; the adapter having a non-cylindrical outer side surface thereby providing the end cap of the baton with a non-cylindrical outer side configuration, such as a wedge shape or a domed shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A baton of the type shown generally in US Patent Publication No. 2014/0194212 has a tubular handle that forms the outermost of a series of telescoping tubes. The handle includes an end cap. The end cap has an externally threaded projecting end portion that is screwed into the open end of the handle, to close off the end of the tubular handle. The end cap supports a push button on the end of the baton. The push button is connected for movement with a release rod. When the baton is extended and the push button is pushed, the release rod is activated to enable opening or closing of the baton. These batons typically are offered for sale with any one of three different end cap styles: “standard”, “wedge”, and “domed/Hindi” style. See FIG. 15 herein, and also see U.S. Pat. No. D710,481, which illustrates a wedge-shaped end cap. The choice of end cap is a user preference for appearance and grip. The purchaser selects one end cap when purchasing the baton. Being integral to the baton build, each cap variant requires a unique build and manufacturing process. This is the case both for extendable batons and for single length batons. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides adapters that can be used on a baton in conjunction with the standard end cap, or with any existing end cap. The adapter covers some or all of the end cap and converts it to a visually different end cap, such as a wedge style cap or a domed/Hindi style cap. The adapters easily fit over the existing end cap and can be installed by the end user with no special tooling or training necessary. The adapters provide the look and feel of another end cap. In one embodiment, the invention is an adapter for a cylindrical end cap of a baton. The adapter has a non-cylindrical outer side surface thereby providing the end of the baton with a non-cylindrical outer side configuration, including but not limited to a wedge shape or a domed shape. In one embodiment, the invention is a multi-section locking baton comprising a series of lockable telescoping tubes that lock when the baton is extended, one of the telescoping tubes being a handle of the baton. A manually actuatable release rod extends axially through the telescoping tubes for unlocking the tubes. An end cap is connected with the handle and closes the outer end of the handle. The end cap supports a push button on the end of the baton, the push button being connected for movement with the release rod whereby pushing the push button moves the release rod to enable unlocking of the tubes and closing of the baton. The end cap has a first outer configuration. An adapter is fitted over the end cap thereby to provide the end of the baton with a second outer configuration different from the second outer configuration. In another embodiment, the invention is an adapter for the end cap of a multi-section locking baton. The baton includes a series of lockable telescoping tubes that lock when the baton is extended, one of the telescoping tubes being a handle of the baton. The baton also includes a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through the telescoping tubes for unlocking the tubes. The baton also includes an end cap that is connected with the handle and that closes the outer end of the handle, the end cap supporting a push button on the end of the baton, the push button being connected for movement with the release rod whereby pushing the push button moves the release rod to enable unlocking of the tubes and closing of the baton. The end cap has a cylindrical outer configuration. The adapter includes a side wall having a cylindrical inner side surface defining a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving the cylindrical end cap. The adapter side wall has a non-cylindrical outer side surface thereby providing the end of the baton with a non-cylindrical outer side configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, from a reading of the following description of an embodiment together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extendable baton in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, including a wedge adapter covering a standard end cap; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the wedge adapter of the baton of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the baton of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the baton of FIG. 1 but not including the wedge adapter; FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the baton of FIG. 4 in a disassembled condition with the standard end cap and the release rod having been removed; FIGS. 6 through 8 are elevational views illustrating assembly of the wedge adapter onto the baton with standard end cap; FIGS. 9 through 11 are exploded sectional views illustrating assembly of the wedge adapter onto the baton with standard end cap; FIG. 12 is a p