HINGED HANDLE CAP FOR BATON
A baton has a body with a first end and a second end. A handle is connected to and extends from the body between the two ends. A cap is hingedly connected to an end of the handle. A locking mechanism selectively locks the cap to the handle and includes a catch plate that includes a catch, a latch releasably engaged with the catch, and an actuation button. The actuation button is movably engaged with the latch to disengage the latch from the catch. The actuation button is movable along a stop axis and a latch axis different than the stop axis.
Batons may be used as a striking and blocking weapon for close-quarters combat and/or personal defense. Such batons can include electrical discharge elements, light-emitting elements (e.g., strobes, flashlights, etc.), sound discharge elements, irritant spray canisters, and other accessories that may be used to benefit or advantage the user of the baton. Some of these accessories may be secured in a body of the baton, while others may be secured in a handle of the baton.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the technology relates to a baton having: a body having a first end and a second end; a handle connected to and extending from the body between the first end and the second end; a cap hingedly connected to an end of the handle; and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the cap to the handle, wherein the locking mechanism includes: a catch plate having a catch; a latch releasably engaged with the catch; and an actuation button movably engaged with the latch for disengaging the latch from the catch, wherein the actuation button is movable along a stop axis and a latch axis different than the stop axis. In an embodiment, the actuation button has a stop positionable along the stop axis in a first stop position and a second stop position, wherein when in the first stop position, the stop is engaged with a recess defined by at least one of the catch plate, the cap, and the handle, and wherein when in the second stop position, the stop is disengaged from the recess. In another embodiment, the actuation button is movable along the latch axis only when the stop is disengaged from the recess. In yet another embodiment, the latch is positionable along the latch axis in a first latch position and a second latch position, wherein when in the first latch position, the latch is engaged with the catch, and wherein when in the second latch position, the latch is disengaged from the catch. In still another embodiment, the stop is biased into the first stop position.
In another embodiment of the above aspect, the latch is biased into the first latch position. In an embodiment, the catch plate is secured to the handle, and wherein the latch is movably secured to the cap. In another embodiment, the latch includes an arm extending therefrom, and wherein the actuation button includes a spring configured to bias the actuation button away from the arm. In yet another embodiment, the actuation button has two buttons, wherein each of the two is disposed on opposite sides of the cap.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a baton having: a body; a handle extending from the body; a hinged cap disposed at an end of the handle; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the hinged cap to the handle, wherein the locking mechanism is movable in a first range of motion and a second range of motion so as to unlock the locking mechanism. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes an actuation button movable in a first direction and a latch movable in a second direction. In another embodiment, the actuation button is movable in the second direction. In yet another embodiment, the actuation button includes two actuation buttons, wherein the two actuation buttons are biased away from each other. In still another embodiment, each actuation button is biased by a plurality of springs.
In another embodiment of the above aspect, each actuation button is movably secured to an arm that extends from the latch. In an embodiment, the actuation button includes a stop configured to engage a recess so as to prevent movement of the actuation button in the second direction. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism has a catch and wherein the latch is configured to releasably engage the catch.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a method of actuating a locking mechanism, the method including: engaging a recess with a stop, wherein the recess is connected to an actuation button; moving the actuation button in a first direction so as to disengage the recess from the stop; moving the actuation button in a second direction different than the first direction, so as to disengage a latch from a catch; and hingedly lifting the locking hinge cap.
There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The spray discharge button 116 is also depicted. Notably, the spray discharge button 116 is disposed within outer upper walls 214 of the cap 110 so as to protect the discharge button 116 from inadvertent discharge by, e.g., an assailant adverse to the baton user. The spray discharge button 116 defines a discharge conduit 216 therein that terminates at a discharge opening 218. The discharge opening 218 is disposed between the arms 202 of the lock mechanism 200 and is aligned with the opening 114 in the cap 110. When the spray discharge button 116 is actuated (generally by pressing downward), irritant spray is discharged from the canister located below, through the discharge conduit 216, and out the discharge opening 218 at a target. Given its location between the arms 202, the spray discharge button 116 may be actuated without interfering with the locking mechanism 200.
A stop 254 extends from at least one of the actuation buttons 118, e.g., from button body 206. In the depicted example, a stop 254 extends from each actuation button 118. The springs 208 (not depicted in
[KEN, ANYTHING TO ADD REGARDING MATERIALS? THIS PART WAS TAKEN FROM A PREVIOUS CASE.] Material utilized in the manufacture of the baton may include plastic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, and related resins, as well as polyester graphite that can be mixed with a wide variety of composite materials with desirable strength and other characteristics as herein disclosed. Suitable composite materials also include polyester/PTFE, polyester/MOS2, blended fiber/graphite, high PV polyimides, polybenzamidizole, PTFE filled PBT, PTFE filled acetal, filled PTFE, solid lubricant filled nylon type 6, aramid fiber filled nylon, PBT, oil and MOs filled nylon type 6, glass reinforced nylon 6,6 (high grade), heat stabilized nylon, and other materials. Such materials are available from St. Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation, of Aurora, Ohio, under the brand names Meldin and Rulon; Ensinger GmbH of Nufringen, Germany, under the brand names Hydex and Hydlar; TriStar Plastics Corp., of Shrewsbury, Mass., under the brand name Ultracomp; Celanese Acetate, LLC, of Dallas, Tex., under the brand name Celazole; Norplex-Micarta, of Postville, Iowa, under the designators R320 and EX350B; and Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, of Alpharetta, Ga., under the brand name Torlon. Additionally, construction may include composite materials injection molded over a skeleton, web, or frame of rigid material, such as stainless steel, titanium, fiberglass, Kevlar, etc. The skeleton may be formed, for example, of horizontal and vertical welded stainless steel tendons.
In some of the depicted examples, the baton is non-mechanical, but for the hinges connection to the cap. The baton body may be molded and/or machined from a single piece of tubular composite material with no moving parts. The composite material has excellent mechanical properties with a high resistance to moisture, cutting, fracture, and rust, and is unlikely to be fouled by extreme hot or cold weather conditions. The composite used in certain embodiments is of sufficient structural strength to obviate the need for any metal in the assembly for support or other structural need. The baton can be made with a wide variety of composites that may approximate or exceed the characteristics of the polyester/graphite composite described.
The baton described herein is easily deployed and used with high speed relative to conventional batons of either traditional or more modern varieties. Due to the high structural strength of the composite utilized in one example, the baton may be smaller than traditional batons, also making the baton easily concealed within and under clothing. The reduced weight and footprint of the baton allow it to be easily worn on a typical duty belt with little fatigue or complication.
As described above, the baton is compatible with use of a variety of other non-lethal devices, particularly with stun devices. The composite is electrically inert, offering little chance of accidental shock due to unintended involvement with stun devices, either in relation to deployment or while holstered. Depending on the precise chemical formulation, the composite may have excellent resistance to solvents, oils used in pepper spray formulations, fire, high heat, marine sea spray, dirt, and high UV exposure (encountered in arid, sunny environments) and may resist shatter, even under cryogenic conditions.
The overall length of the baton body may be in the range of about 8 inches to about 24 inches. The handle may have a length in the range of about 3 inches to about 6 inches, and may be located at a midpoint of the body. In alternative embodiments, the handle may be offset from the center of the body. In longer baton embodiments where the handle is offset from the center of the body, it may be desirable that the operational end of the baton be that nearest to the handle. This configuration allows the baton to be used in a manner similar to existing batons, with the control end of the baton located near the user's elbow. Desirable diameters of the body range from about 1 inch to about 2 inches or more. Certain embodiments are approximately one and five-eighths inches in diameter. Internal diameters of the body and handle are generally determined based on the clearances required to accommodate batteries, spray canisters, electrical discharge generators, etc. Particularly advantageous wall thicknesses range from about one-sixteenth inch to about one-quarter inch or more. Certain embodiments have walls of approximately one-eighth inch in thickness.
While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.
Claims
1. A baton comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end;
- a handle connected to and extending from the body between the first end and the second end;
- a cap hingedly connected to an end of the handle; and
- a locking mechanism for selectively locking the cap to the handle, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a catch plate comprising a catch; a latch releasably engaged with the catch; and an actuation button movably engaged with the latch for disengaging the latch from the catch, wherein the actuation button is movable along a stop axis and a latch axis different than the stop axis.
2. The baton of claim 1, wherein the actuation button comprises a stop positionable along the stop axis in a first stop position and a second stop position, wherein when in the first stop position, the stop is engaged with a recess defined by at least one of the catch plate, the cap, and the handle, and wherein when in the second stop position, the stop is disengaged from the recess.
3. The baton of claim 2, wherein the actuation button is movable along the latch axis only when the stop is disengaged from the recess.
4. The baton of claim 1, wherein the latch is positionable along the latch axis in a first latch position and a second latch position, wherein when in the first latch position, the latch is engaged with the catch, and wherein when in the second latch position, the latch is disengaged from the catch.
5. The baton of claim 2, wherein the stop is biased into the first stop position.
6. The baton of claim 4, wherein the latch is biased into the first latch position.
7. The baton of claim 1, wherein the catch plate is secured to the handle, and wherein the latch is movably secured to the cap.
8. The baton of claim 5, wherein the latch comprises an arm extending therefrom, and wherein the actuation button comprises a spring configured to bias the actuation button away from the arm.
9. The baton of claim 1, wherein the actuation button comprises two buttons, wherein each of the two is disposed on opposite sides of the cap.
10. A baton comprising:
- a body;
- a handle extending from the body;
- a hinged cap disposed at an end of the handle; and
- a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the hinged cap to the handle, wherein the locking mechanism is movable in a first range of motion and a second range of motion so as to unlock the locking mechanism.
11. The baton of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an actuation button movable in a first direction and a latch movable in a second direction.
12. The baton of claim 11, wherein the actuation button is movable in the second direction.
13. The baton of claim 12, wherein the actuation button comprises two actuation buttons, wherein the two actuation buttons are biased away from each other.
14. The baton of claim 13, wherein each actuation button is biased by a plurality of springs.
15. The baton of claim 13, wherein each actuation button is movably secured to an arm that extends from the latch.
16. The baton of claim 12, wherein the actuation button comprises a stop configured to engage a recess so as to prevent movement of the actuation button in the second direction.
17. The baton of claim 11, wherein locking mechanism comprises a catch and wherein the latch is configured to releasably engage the catch.
18. A method of actuating a locking mechanism, the method comprising:
- engaging a recess with a stop, wherein the recess is connected to an actuation button;
- moving the actuation button in a first direction so as to disengage the recess from the stop;
- moving the actuation button in a second direction different than the first direction, so as to disengage a latch from a catch; and
- hingedly lifting the locking hinge cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2016
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2017
Inventor: Kenneth J. Stethem (Rockville, MD)
Application Number: 15/184,803