Side-bar baton system

Abstract

A side-bar baton system for providing a baton that is easier to control while providing a commanding impact force upon a subject. The side-bar baton system includes an elongate first handle, a second handle attached traversely to the first handle and an elongate engaging member extending from the handle. The second handle is attached to the first handle by a shaft threadably positioned within the first handle. The handles and engaging member are preferably constructed of nylon. The engaging portion may include an interior cavity toward a distal portion thereof filled with a weight. The weight is preferably comprised of a fluid particulate material such as lead to reduce bouncing when engaging a subject or object. The handle preferably includes a plurality of radial grooves within creating a plurality of radial ridges for increasing the gripping by a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. Number 09/795,034 filed Feb. 26, 2001. This application is a continuation-in-part of the Ser. No. 09/795,034 application. The Ser. No. 09/795,034 application is currently pending. The Ser. No. 09/795,034 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to baton devices and more specifically it relates to a side-bar baton system that is easier to control while providing a commanding impact force upon a subject.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Conventional baton devices have been in use for years. Conventional baton devices are commonly utilized by law enforcement personnel such as police for self-defense and criminal apprehension. A conventional baton device is typically constructed of a rigid, one-piece, elongate structure of a solid cross section and having a smooth outer surface. Conventional batons may be comprised of solid steel, plastic, or wood. Gripping covers made of foam or rubber are available for attachment about the handle of the baton to increase the gripping of the baton during usage.

[0006] The main problem with conventional baton devices is that they are easily damaged or broken when utilized. A broken baton provides reduced protection for law enforcement. Another problem with conventional batons is that they are difficult for a person to grasp within their hand and can be accidentally removed from the person's hand. A further problem with conventional batons is that they are prone to “rebounding” after engaging an object making the batons difficult to operate and control. Also, some batons constructed of flexible materials are prone to bending when engaging an object.

[0007] Examples of patented baton related devices which are illustrative of such prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,967 to Moe; U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,888 to Hindi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,922 to Siddle; U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,348 to Starrett; U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,958 to Raitto; U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,687 to Bedard; U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,140 to Starrett; U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,131 to von Braunhut.

[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for use by individuals for self-defense and criminal apprehension. Conventional batons are easily broken or damaged over time and are difficult to utilize.

[0009] In these respects, the side-bar baton system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a baton that is easier to control while providing a commanding impact force upon a subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of baton devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new side-bar baton system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a baton that is easier to control while providing a commanding impact force upon a subject.

[0011] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new side-bar baton system that has many of the advantages of the baton devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new side-bar baton system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art baton devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an elongate first handle, a second handle attached traversely to the first handle and an elongate engaging member extending from the handle. The second handle is attached to the first handle by a shaft threadably positioned within the first handle. The handles and engaging member are preferably constructed of nylon. The engaging portion may include an interior cavity toward a distal portion thereof filled with a weight. The weight is preferably comprised of a fluid particulate material such as lead to reduce bouncing when engaging a subject or object. The handle preferably includes a plurality of radial grooves within creating a plurality of radial ridges for increasing the gripping by a user.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a side-bar baton system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0016] A second object is to provide a side-bar baton system for providing a baton that is easier to control while providing a commanding impact force upon a subject.

[0017] Another object is to provide a side-bar baton system that is not easily broken or damaged over extended periods of time of usage.

[0018] An additional object is to provide a side-bar baton system that is easy to grasp and maintain control of.

[0019] Another object is to provide a side-bar baton system that has a weight filled end to provide a commanding impact force without dramatically increasing the overall weight of the baton.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0021] 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 DRAWINGS

[0022] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is side view of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded top view of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the present invention grasped by an individual.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a magnified upper perspective view with a portion of the engaging member cutaway.

[0029] FIG. 7 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a side-bar baton system 10, which comprises a first handle 28, an elongate second handle 30 attached to the first handle 28 and an elongate engaging member 20 extending from the second handle 30. The second handle 30 and engaging member 20 are preferably constructed of nylon. The engaging portion includes an interior cavity 22 toward a distal portion thereof filled with a weight 50. The weight 50 is preferably comprised of a fluid particulate material such as lead to reduce bouncing when engaging a subject or object. The second handle 30 preferably includes a plurality of radial grooves 32 within creating a plurality of radial ridges 34 for increasing the gripping by a user.

[0032] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the first handle 28 and the engaging member 20 form an elongate structure having various lengths between 1-4 feet. The engaging member 20, the first handle 28, and the second handle 30 are preferably constructed of a single solid structure with the engaging member 20 extending from the first handle 28. The first handle 28, second handle 30 and the engaging member 20 are preferably constructed of a nylon material for reducing flexing and breakage during usage.

[0033] A desirable material for constructing the first handle 28, the second handle 30 and the engaging member 20 is manufactured under the name NYLATRON by DSM ENGINEERING PLASTIC PRODUCTS. NYLATRON is comprised of conventional nylon filled with molybdenum disulphide to improve its strength and rigidity, NYLATRON provides increased heat resistance, tensile strength and flexural strength compared to conventional nylon.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, the second handle 30 includes a rounded end portion 36 with a plurality of grooves 32 radially turned into the second handle 30 forming a plurality of radial ridges 34. The second handle 30 is an elongate solid structure as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings. The radial ridges 34 preferably have a width less than the width of the grooves 32 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The grooves 32 preferably have a concave cross section for providing an orthogonal upper portion for the ridges 34.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the second handle 30 includes a concentric aperture 31 extending within an end opposite of the end portion 36. The aperture 31 snugly receives a shaft 40 that is threadably inserted into the first handle 28 as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The shaft 40 is comprised of a threaded portion 42 and an upper portion 44, wherein the upper portion 44 has a relatively smooth outer surface. The second handle 30 is preferably pressed upon the shaft 40 utilizing conventional machinery.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings, the second handle 30 includes a pair of flanged portions 38 that extend outwardly. The flanged portions 38 have curved inner portions for fitting about the first handle 28 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The flanged portions 38 further prevent rotations of the second handle 30 upon the shaft 40 during usage thereof thereby preventing accidental removal of the second handle 30 from the shaft.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, the engaging member 20 is an elongate structure extending from the distal portion of the engaging member 20. The engaging member 20 has a width similar to the width of the first handle 28 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The engaging member 20 and the second handle 30 preferably have a circular cross sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

[0038] The engaging member 20 may be comprised of a solid structure as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings. However, the distal portion of the engaging member may have an interior cavity 22 within that is sealed with a cap member 24 as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The interior cavity 22 defines a volume and is less than ⅓ of the length of the entire engaging member 20. The interior cavity 22 is partially filled with a weight 50 preferably comprised of a particular material such as lead. The particulate material for the weight 50 may be comprised of other materials such as steel, copper and the like.

[0039] The particulate material is preferably spherical in shape to facilitate smooth and easy movement of the material within the interior cavity 22 during usage. The cap member 24 is sealed within the distal end of the engaging member 20 for retaining the particulate weight 50 within. The weight 50 provides an increased “sweet spot” when engaging a subject or an object. In addition, the weight 50 reduces the bouncing of the end of the engaging member 20 from the subject or object after engagement.

[0040] In use, the user grasps the first handle 28 and/or the second handle 30 prior to swinging the side-bar baton system 10 as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. When the user swings the side-bar baton system 10 towards an object or subject, the particulate weight 50 within the interior cavity 22 is shifted toward the distal end of the engaging member 20 as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. After engaging the subject or object with the end of the engaging member 20, the particulate material of the weight 50 is repositioned within the interior cavity 22 toward the point of impact thereby reducing the bounce affect and maintaining an increased contact time with the subject or object. The user thereafter repositions the side-bar baton system 10 into the strike position for usage again if necessary.

[0041] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0042] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0043] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A side-bar baton system, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a first handle and an engaging member, wherein said engaging member includes an interior cavity within a distal portion thereof;

a second handle attached traversely to said first handle; and

a weight movably positioned within said interior cavity.

2. The side-bar baton system of claim 1, wherein said weight is comprised of a particulate material.

3. The side-bar baton system of claim 2, wherein said particulate material is comprised of a lead material.

4. The side-bar baton system of claim 3, wherein said lead material is comprised of a plurality of spherical lead particles.

5. The side-bar baton system of claim 4, wherein said lead material comprises at least 80 percent of a volume of said interior cavity.

6. The side-bar baton system of claim 4, wherein said lead material comprises at least 90 percent of a volume of said interior cavity.

7. The side-bar baton system of claim 5, wherein said interior cavity is exposed through an opening within a distal end of said engaging member and including a cap member secured within said opening for retaining said lead material within said interior cavity.

8. The side-bar baton system of claim 1, including a shaft having a threaded portion and an upper portion, wherein said threaded portion is threadably positioned within said first handle, an aperture extending into an end of said second handle for snugly receiving said upper portion, and a pair of opposing flanged portions extending from said second handle for preventing rotation of said second handle upon said shaft.

9. The side-bar baton system of claim 1, wherein said elongate shaft is constructed of a nylon material.

10. The side-bar baton system of claim 1, wherein said nylon material is comprised of nylon filled with molybdenum disulphide.

11. A side-bar baton system, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a first handle and an engaging member comprised of a solid material;

a second handle attached traversely to said first handle;

a shaft having a threaded portion and an upper portion, wherein said threaded portion is threadably positioned within said first handle;

an aperture extending into an end of said second handle for snugly receiving said upper portion of said shaft; and

a pair of opposing flanged portions extending from said second handle for preventing rotation of said second handle upon said shaft.

12. The side-bar baton system of claim 11, wherein said elongate shaft is constructed of a nylon material.

13. The side-bar baton system of claim 11, wherein said nylon material is comprised of nylon filled with molybdenum disulphide.