Lever-activated lock for telescoping pole

[0001] This application claims priority from and hereby expressly incorporates by reference U.S. provisional application No. 60/258,433 filed Dec. 27, 2000.

[0002] The present invention relates to a lock for selectively fixedly securing sections of a telescoping pole relative to each other to prevent telescoping movement or rotational movement therebetween. The subject lock is similar to conventional locks of the same type, but includes a novel and unobvious lever-activated locking mechanism that is conveniently and infinitely adjustable. Conventional locks of this type are known to become overtightened and freeze in position so that they are difficult to loosen, or to loosen through use. Also, the torque needed to lock and unlock the mechanism on most conventional telescoping locks is very great, especially during unlocking. This high torque is detrimental to the user's body including his/her hands, wrists and associated ligaments, joints, etc. Often, these conventional locks become so set in the locked position that a tool (e.g., pliers or the like) must be used to unlock the device. These prior devices also sometimes are difficult to use in that it is not clear to the user which way the locking mechanism is to be turned for locking or unlocking. Thus, a need has been identified for a new and improved lock for a telescoping pole.

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, a lock is provided for temporarily fixedly securing first and second associated pole sections in a telescoped arrangement. The lock includes a base defining an axially extending through-bore adapted for close sliding receipt of an end portion of a first associated pole section. A neck projects from the base. A collar defines an opening aligned with the axially extending through-bore of the base. The collar is connected to the neck and is adapted for close sliding receipt of a second associated pole section partially telescoped into said first associated pole section. The collar is defined by first and second collar portions connected to the neck and terminating in respective first and second ears arranged in spaced-apart relation to each other. The ears define respective first and second bores. A fastener extends through the first and second bores between the first and second ears. The fastener includes: (I) a head abutting the first ear; (ii) a first portion frictionally engaged with a portion of the first ear that defines the first bore to inhibit unintentional rotation of the fastener; and, (iii) a threaded distal end extending through the second bore defined in the second ear and projecting outwardly from the second ear. A lever has a head defining a threaded aperture that is threadably engaged with the threaded distal end of the fastener. The lever is movable rotatably relative to the threaded distal end of the fastener between an unlocked position, wherein said collar slidably receives and accommodates a second associated pole section, and a locked position, wherein the head of said lever is advanced on the threaded distal end of the fastener toward the head of the fastener and urges the second ear toward the first ear to constrict the collar radially into frictional gripping engagement with a second associated pole section received in the collar.

[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a telescoping pole apparatus is provided and includes a first pole section defining a first bore and a second pole section slidably located in the first bore of the first pole section in a telescoping arrangement. A lock is connected to the first pole section and is adapted to secure the second pole section axially relative to the first pole section. The lock, itself, includes a base defining an axial through-bore, wherein an end portion of the first pole section is located in the axial through-bore. A selectively radially constrictable and expandable collar is connected to the base and defines an opening aligned with the axial through-bore. The second pole section projects from the first bore of said first pole section and through the opening of the collar. The collar, when radially constricted, firmly engages and retains the second pole section in an axially and rotatably fixed position relative to the first pole section. A fastener is connected to the collar and is frictionally engaged with the collar so as to be restrained against unintended rotation relative to the collar. The fastener includes a threaded end that projects outwardly from the collar. A control member is provided and mates threadably with the threaded end of the fastener. The control member is selectively manually rotatable relative to the fastener in first and second directions to constrict and expand the collar radially, respectively.

[0005] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a lock apparatus for fixedly securing first and second telescoping pole sections relative to each other is provided. The lock apparatus includes a first portion adapted for connection to an end portion of a first associated pole section. The lock further includes a second portion connected to the first portion and defining a selectively constrictable collar adapted for receipt of a second associated pole section that is partially telescoped into the first associated pole section. The collar, when radially constricted, firmly engages and fixedly retains a second associated pole section received thereby. A screw is connected to the collar and includes a headed end and an opposite threaded end. A lever is operably coupled to the threaded end of the screw and is adapted for rotation in a first direction on the screw causing the lever to be advanced on the screw toward the headed end whereby the collar is radially constricted. The lever is also adapted for rotation in a second direction, opposite the first direction, whereby the lever moves away from the headed end of the screw and the collar resiliently radially expands.

[0006] One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a novel and unobvious lever-activated lock for a telescoping pole.

[0007] Another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a lock for a telescoping pole that includes a lever control member that is easily manipulated by a user.

[0008] A further advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a lock for a telescoping pole wherein that lock is manually adjustable using a conventional screw-driver.

[0009] Still another advantage of the present invention is that user over-tightening is inhibited.

[0010] A further advantage of the present invention is that it includes a minimum number of parts that simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing.

[0011] A still further advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a lever-activated lock for a telescoping pole that firmly and securing retains telescoping pole sections in an axially and rotatably fixed relationship relative to each other.

[0012] Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those possessed of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading and understanding this specification.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, a lever-activated lock formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown at 10. The lock comprises a body 20 having a base 30 and a collar 50. The body 20 is preferably defined as a one-piece molded plastic construction.

[0021] Telescoping poles are generally tubular members and, thus, the base 30 is preferably an annular member that defines an axial through-bore 32. The bore 32 includes a first, enlarged portion 34 that is dimensioned and conformed for close, sliding receipt of an end portion E1 of a first pole section P1 therein as shown in FIG. 4. The end E1 is preferably adhesively and/or mechanically secured in the enlarged portion 34 of the bore 32. A radially inwardly extending shoulder 36 is defined at the transition between the enlarged first portion 34 of the bore and the remaining second portion 38 of the bore 32. The shoulder 36 provides a stop for abutment of the pole section P1 thereagainst when the end E1 of the pole section is fully inserted into the enlarged bore portion 34 as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, with the base 30 operatively secured to the pole section P1 as shown in FIG. 4, the second portion 38 of the bore is aligned with the bore B1 formed through the pole section P1. The dimensions of the base 30 can vary, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it must have sufficient axial length to accommodate a sufficient length of the end E1 of the pole section P1 so that a strong connection between these two members is possible and so that the base 30 does not fracture under loads encountered for the expected application of the telescoping pole, e.g., window washing, light bulb changing, etc.

[0022] The collar 50 of the body 20 is connected to the base 30 by a narrow neck 52 so that a substantial portion of the collar 50 is separated from the base 30 by a space 54. This space 54 allows for radial constriction and expansion of the collar 50 relative to the base 30 as described below.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the collar 50 is also preferably conformed as an annular member, but it is split so that a circumferential gap 56 is defined between first and second collar halves 60a,60b. More particularly, each collar half 60a,60b originates at the neck 52 and terminates in an ear 62a,62b, respectively. The ears 62a,62b are arranged parallel and spaced-apart from each other. Movement of the ears 62a,62b together causes the collar 50 to constrict radially while movement of the ears 62a,62b away from each other causes radial enlargement of the collar 50.

[0024] The collar 50 also defines an opening or bore 70 therethrough that is coaxial with the bore 32 defined in the base 30. The opening 70 is dimensioned and conformed for close sliding receipt of a second pole section P2 (FIG. 4) therein when the collar halves 60a,60b are in a free, relaxed position, i.e., when the collar 50 is neither constricted nor enlarged. The collar 50 is defined to have an axial length that is sufficient to provide the collar with required strength and also so that the inner surface 72 defining the opening 70 contacts a sufficient axial length of the pole section P2 to grip same when the collar is constricted. As shown in FIG. 4, when the second pole section P2 is slidably inserted into the collar 50, the second pole section P2 telescopes through the base 30 and into the bore B1 of the first pole section P1.

[0025] The lock 10 includes a locking mechanism for selectively constricting the collar 50 about the pole section P2 to prevent sliding movement of the pole section P2 relative to the collar. In the illustrated embodiment, the ears 62a,62b define respective aligned unthreaded apertures 64a,64b. A fastener such as a screw 80 is inserted into and through theses aligned apertures so that the screw head 82 abuts the ear 62a and so that the threaded distal end 84 of the screw 80 projects through the ear 62b. With brief reference to FIG. 3, it is most preferred that the screw 80 be conformed as shown to have a proximal portion 86 adjacent the head 82 that is purely cylindrical and unthreaded. This proximal screw portion 86 and the aperture 64a defined in the ear 62a are dimensioned relative to each other so that the proximal screw portion 86 is received in the aperture 64a with a tight friction fit sufficient to prevent rotation of the screw 80 by means other than a tool acting on the head 82. Thus, once the screw 80 is operatively installed in the lock 10 as shown, it is rotationally fixed in position unless manually rotated by a user with a screwdriver acting on the screw head 82. Both apertures 64a,64b are unthreaded. With particular reference again to FIG. 3, it is most preferred that the distal end 84 of the screw 80 be threaded with a double-lead (two threads that start at two diametrically opposed positions on the distal screw end 84), left-handed thread for reasons that will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading further.

[0026] The lock 10 comprises a control member such as a lever 90. The lever includes a head 92 and a shank 94. The shank 94 is preferably defined as a wide, flat tab adapted for receipt of manual force thereon. The head 92 includes a threaded aperture 96 defined therethrough. The threaded aperture 96 is adapted for coacting with the threaded distal end 84 of the fastener 80. To assemble the lock 10, the screw 80 is first pushed fully into the aligned apertures 64a,64b until the screw head 82 abuts or nearly abuts the ear 62a. The screw 80 is then rotated with a tool acting on the screw head 82 to advance the head 92 of the lever 90 onto the distal end 84 of the screw until the lever 90 abuts the ear 62b. Of course, the lever 90 can be replaced by a thumb-screw or any other suitable control member that mates with the end 84 of the fastener 80 without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention.

[0027] Once the lock 10 is assembled as described, the screw 80 is frictionally fixed against further rotation owing to the friction fit of the proximal screw portion 86 in the aperture 64a of the ear 62a. In particular, the lever 90 is rotatably moveable on the screw 80 without causing rotation of the screw. Of course, other suitable means can be used to fix the screw 80 against unintended rotation without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention.

[0028] During the assembly process, the lever 90 is advanced onto the screw 80 a sufficient amount by rotation of the screw 80 so that when assembly is complete, movement of the lever 90 to a first (unlocked) position (shown at 90-1 in FIG. 4) causes the lever 90 to be retracted on the screw 80 so that the collar halves 60a,60b move apart due to their natural resilience a sufficient amount so that the pole P2 is able to slide freely relative to the collar 50. Furthermore, when the lever 90 is moved from the first position 90-1 to a second (neutral) position 90-2, it is preferred that the pole P2 still be movable axially and rotationally relative to the collar 50. On the other hand, movement of the lever 90 from the neutral position 90-2 to a third (locked) position (shown at 90-3 in FIG. 4) causes the lever 90 to be advanced on the screw 80 a sufficient amount so that the lever 90 bears against the ear 62b and so that the screw head 82 bears against the ear 62a whereby the ears 62a,62b move toward each other a sufficient distance to constrict the collar 50 and prevent sliding and/or rotational movement of the pole section P2 relative to the collar 50. A user can use a screwdriver or like tool to rotate the screw 80 periodically to adjust the position of the lever 90 on the screw 80 so that the first, second and third lever positions are properly defined even after repetitive movement of the lever 90 between the first, second and third positions. It is most preferred that the lever 90 abut the body 20 when moved from the neutral position 90-2 to the locked position 90-3 to prevent over-tightening of the collar 50 about the pole section P2.

[0029] The preferred double-lead thread on the screw 80 provides for maximum axial displacement of the lever 90 on the screw 80 when the lever 90 is rotated between its first, second and third operative positions. The left-hand thread allows for proper orientation of the lever relative to the poles P1,P2 and proper orientation of the first and second positions. Of course, the invention is not to be construed as limited to use of a left-hand and/or a double-lead screw 80.

[0030] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Modifications will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading this specification. It is intended that the following claims be construed as encompassing all such modifications.