Abstract: A tool having a telescoping handle including a main shank and an outer sleeve complementary shaped to receive the main shank therein. A guide groove is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the main shank for receiving a guide pin formed or attached to an inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve. A locking collar may be provided to cause a bearing member to selectively engage locking structures formed on the main shank in order to selectively lock the telescoping handle in selected positions. The bearing member may also serve as the guide pin. Alternatively, at least two distinct locking and release mechanisms may be provided to selectively lock the telescoping handle in selected positions.

Abstract: Active and spare battery holders are removably disposed within a battery compartment of a battery operated device such that battery cells in the active holder provide electrical power to operate the device, while battery cells in the spare holder are electrically isolated to prevent their discharge. In one embodiment, upon discharge of the battery cells of the active holder the cells of the active holder and the spare holder are exchanged, providing the active holder with fresh cells to operate the device. In another embodiment, the active and spare holders are simply interchanged, so that the spare holder becomes the active holder and the active holder becomes the spare holder. According to the latter embodiment, a unitary battery holder includes a first and second battery holder in a single unit, so that to interchange active and spare holders the unitary battery holder is reversed within the battery compartment.