[0001] This application is being filed on June 16, 2017, as a PCT International Patent application and claims priority to U.S. Utility patent application Serial No.

15/184,803, filed June 16, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

[0002] 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.

SUMMARY

[0003] In 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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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.

[0007] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] 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.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baton.

[0010] FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of a baton handle, with actuation buttons in a first position.

[0011] FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of the baton handle of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons in a second position.

[0012] FIG. 2C is an enlarged perspective view of a cap of a baton handle of FIG. 2A, with actuation buttons in a third position.

[0013] FIG. 3 A is an enlarged top section view of a locking mechanism in the cap of FIG. 2 A, with actuation buttons in the first position.

[0014] FIG. 3B is an enlarged top section view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 A, with actuation buttons in the second position.

[0015] FIG. 3C is an enlarged top section view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 A, with actuation buttons in the third position.

[0016] FIG. 4A is an enlarged side section view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 2A, with a latch in a first position.

[0017] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side section view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 4A, with the latch in a second position.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 2 A.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front view of the locking mechanism of

FIG. 5.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a method of actuating a locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baton 100 having a body 102 and a handle 104 connected thereto. In general, the baton 100 is held by the handle 104 and the body 102 used for blocking, parrying, striking, and other actions. The body 102 has a first end 106 that can include one or more accessories, such as a high-lumen light source (strobe, constant, etc.), a laser pointer, an electrical discharge module, a sound discharge module, etc. A second end 108 may include an access port for batteries to operate one or more accessories, a control button for said accessories, and so on. The handle 104 can be contoured to match the fingers of a user so as to improve gripping ability. Generally, during use, the baton 100 is gripped by the handle 104 such that the first end 106 and opening 114 point towards a target, with the thumb of the user of the baton 100 disposed proximate the cap 110. An end portion of the handle 104 includes a cap 110 connected to the handle 104 at a hinge 112. The cap 100 may define an opening 114 from which an irritant spray (such as pepper spray, mace, etc.), may be discharged from a canister located therein. A button 116 on top of the cap 1 10 may be used to activate the spray, and one or more actuation buttons 118 may be used to selectively unlock a locking mechanism (described below) that secures the cap 110 to the handle 104. By utilizing an actuable locking mechanism, the cap 110 is prevented from disconnecting from the handle 104 when the baton 100 is used for striking or other purposes. However, the operation of the locking mechanism allows the user to quickly change spray canisters.

[0023] FIGS. 2A-2C, together, depict a method for operating the hinged cap

110 of the baton 100. FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of the cap 110 of the baton handle 104, with actuation buttons 118 in a first position. FIGS. 2B and 2C depict the actuation buttons in second and third positions, respectively. Certain of the components depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C are described above in FIG. 1 and, as such, are not necessarily described further. In FIG. 2A, the actuation buttons 118 are in a first position, generally at their furthest projected distance from the cap 110. The actuation buttons 118 are movable in both a first range of motion and a different second range of motion, so as to selectively unlock the locking mechanism that secures the cap 110 to the handle 104. To ensure the locking mechanism remains in a locked configuration, the actuation buttons 118 must be moved from the first position, and through first range of motion, prior to moving through the second range of motion. In FIG. 2B, the actuation buttons 118 have both been moved along a first generally axial direction Al .

In effect, when two actuation buttons 118 are utilized, they are both moved towards each other along the first generally axial direction Al . At this point, the outer extent of the actuation buttons 118 are now closer to the cap 110. Movement through this first range of motion (i.e., from the first button position to the second button position) also disengages a stop (depicted and described below) from a recess (also depicted below), so as to enable the actuation buttons 118 to move through the second range of motion, depicted in FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2C, the actuation buttons 118 are moved in a second generally axial direction A2, which is different than, and in some cases, orthogonal to, the first generally axial direction Al . This movement moves the actuation buttons 118 in the second range of motion (i.e., from the second button position to a third button position). The second range of motion also moves the actuation buttons 118 away from a front face 120 of the cap 110, and towards a rear face 122 thereof. As the actuation buttons 118 are moved towards the rear face 122, a latch (described below) of the locking mechanism disengages from a catch (also described below), thus allowing the cap 110 to be hingedly opened H away from the handle 104.

[0024] FIG. 3 A is an enlarged top section view of a locking mechanism 200 in the cap 110 of FIG. 2 A, with actuation buttons 118 in the first position. The locking mechanism 200 includes a number of elements, in addition to the actuation buttons 118. For example, the locking mechanism 200 includes a pair of arms 202 that extend from the latch (described below). Each actuation button 118 is deflectably secured to a respective arm 202 via one or more screws 204. A body 206 of each actuation button 118 is biased away from the respective arm 202 via one or more biasing elements 208, such as compression springs. Leaf springs, elastomer rings or bodies, or other biasing elements may also be utilized. In the depicted configuration, a spring 208 is disposed around each screw 204, so as to balances the forces necessary to prevent binding of the body 206 as it moves along the screws 204. The body 206 may terminate at an end cap 210, which may be removed so as to access the screws 204. When two actuation buttons 118 are used, the springs 208 bias the actuation buttons 118 away from each other, extending the actuation buttons 118 out of openings 212 defined by the cap 110.

[0025] 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. [0026] FIG. 3B is an enlarged top section view of the locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 3 A, with actuation buttons 118 in the second position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 3B are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. Here, the actuation buttons 118 have been moved through the first range of motion along the first generally axial direction Al . This movement compresses the biasing elements 208 as the body 206 moves closer to the arms 202 of the locking mechanism 200. The actuation buttons 118 may be moved along the first generally axial direction Al until the biasing elements 208 reach their maximum compression, the body 206 contacts the arm 202, or the screws 204 contact the end cap 210. During movement along the first generally axial direction Al, the button bodies 206 generally do not contact the surfaces of the openings 212, thus ensuring smooth operation thereof.

[0027] FIG. 3C is an enlarged top section view of the locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 3 A, with actuation buttons 118 in the third position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 3C are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. Here, the actuation buttons 118 have been moved along the second generally axial direction A2, and thus closer to the rear face 122 of the handle 104. Given the dimensions of the openings 212 in the cap 110, the actuation buttons are able to move into this third position without contacting the surfaces that define the openings 212. Once in this third position, the cap 110 may be hingedly opened H.

[0028] FIG. 4A is an enlarged side section view of the locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 2 A, with a latch 220 in a first latch position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 4A are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. In the first latch position, the latch 220 is engaged with a catch 222 formed on a catch plate 224. In this example, the catch plate 224 is disposed at a top of, and connected to, the handle 104. The catch plate 224 substantially surrounds an opening that defines a canister chamber 226 that holds an irritant spray canister 228. The catch plate 224 also forms part of the hinge 112. The latch 220 is in this first latch position when the actuation buttons 118 are in both the first actuation button position and the second actuation button position, as described above. As noted above, these first and second actuation button positions are disposed along the first generally axial direction Al . Also depicted in FIG. 4A is the arm 202 that is connected to the actuation button 118. [0029] FIG. 4B is an enlarged side section view of the locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 4 A, with the latch 220 in a second latch position. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 4B are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. In FIG. 4B, the latch 220 has been moved to the second latch position by movement of the actuation button 118 to the third actuation button position. As such, the second generally axial direction A2 may also be referred to as a latch axis, since movement of the latch 220 is substantially therealong. Once disengaged from the catch 222, the cap 110 may be hingedly opened H. As the cap 110 is opened H, since the spray discharge button 116 is secured to the cap 110, the discharge tube 216 disengages from a discharge outlet 230 of the canister 228, typically without dislodging the canister 228 from the canister chamber 226. Similarly, the latch 220 is also secured to the cap 110 and thus pivots away from the canister chamber 226 along with the cap 110, thus making the canister chamber 226 more accessible. The canister chamber 226 forms a fairly tight fit (e.g., via high friction surface 234) with the canister 228 so as to keep the canister 228 secured therein. Nevertheless, the canister 228 may still be easily removed and replaced, and the cap 110 hinged back into a closed position. The locking mechanism 220 is biased towards a locked position due to the use of a number of springs, (e.g., springs 208 and other springs as described below). FIG. 4B also depicts one of the screws 232 used to secure the catch plate 224 to the handle 104.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the locking

mechanism 200 of FIG. 2A, while FIG. 6 is perspective view thereof. As such, FIGS. 5 and 6 are described concurrently. Certain of the components depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. The handle 104 and cap 110 are depicted in dashed lines for illustrative purposes only. When the locking mechanism 200 is in the locked position (as depicted in FIG. 6), the latch 220 and elements connected thereto (e.g., the arms 202, the buttons 118) are biased towards the front face 120 of the cap 110 due to a force exerted by one or more biasing elements 250, such as extension springs. The biasing elements 250 pull the arms 202 (and therefor the latch 220) towards a shaft 252 that may be disposed within the hinge of the cap 110. In examples, the shaft 252 may be disposed within the catch plate 224. Two biasing elements 250 are utilized in the depicted embodiment to balance the forces associated therewith. With the biasing element 250 pulling the latch 220 towards the front face 120, the latch 220 engages with the catch 222, thus holding the locking mechanism in the locked position. [0031] A stop 254 extends from at least one of the actuation buttons 1 18, 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 FIGS. 5 or 6) bias the actuations buttons 118 away from each other, as described above. As such, the stops 254 are engaged with recesses 256 defined by the cap 110. The recess 256 is depicted in FIG. 7. This prevents the actuation buttons 118 from being moved along the axis until the latch axis stops 254 are disengaged from the recesses 256. As such, in order to unlock the locking mechanism 200, the actuation buttons 118 must first be moved along the first generally axial direction Al . As such, the first generally axial direction Al may also be referred to as a stop axis, since movement of the stop 254 is substantially therealong. Once the stops 254 are disengaged from the recesses 256, the actuation buttons 118 may then be moved in the second generally axial direction A2, so as to disengage the latch 220 from the catch 222, so as to unlock the locking mechanism 200. FIGS. 5 and 6 also depict an opening 258 defined by the catch plate 224. Once secured to the handle 104, via screws 232 (FIG. 4B) inserted through screw holes 260, the opening 258 defines a passage through which spray canisters may be inserted into and removed from the handle 104.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front view of the locking mechanism 200 of FIG. 5. Certain of the components depicted in FIG. 7 are described above and, as such, are not necessarily described further. The locking mechanism 200 (namely the actuation button 118 and related components) are depicted as exploded away from the cap 110 to depict the relationship between the stop 254 and its mating recess 256. As can be seen, the stop 254 extends from an underside of the button body 206, although examples where the stop extends from the top of the body 206, or another surface, are also contemplated. When the actuation button 118 is secured to the arm 202 via the screw 204, the stop 254 is engaged with the recess 256, which may be formed in the cap 110. In other examples, the recess 256 may be formed in the handle 104 or the catch plate, depending on the particular lock mechanism configuration. The stop 254 remains biased into the recess 256 due to the force of the spring 208, until acted upon by an external force.

[0033] FIG. 8 depicts a method 300 of actuating a locking mechanism, for example, a locking mechanism on a cap of a handle such as a baton handle. The method 300 begins with the a stop connected to an actuation button being engaged with a recess. Alternatively, the method 300 may begin by engaging the recess with the stop, operation 302. In operation 304 the actuation button is moved in a first direction to disengage the stop from the recess. In operation 306, the actuation button is moved in a second direction different than the first direction. This movement in the second direction disengages a latch from a catch. Once the latch is disengaged, the cap may be hingedly lifted to provide access to an interior of the handle.

[0034] 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 Mel din 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; Norpl ex-Mi carta, of Postville, Iowa, under the designators R320 and EX350B; and Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, of Alpharetta, Ga., under the brand name Tori on. 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.