Patent Application
20190275659
This invention relates to devices for cleaning swimming pools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire tools and the like, and more particularly to an apparatus and method using a telescopic or expandable pole for attachment to tools for cleaning swimming pools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire apparatus, and other objects.
Various devices have been proposed and implemented for holding and positioning tools and other articles using telescopic poles, sometimes referred to as telepoles. Such devices allow a user to both grip the tool and increase extension, reach, and leverage. Many examples of such prior extendable handles for tools and other implements exist and include, extendable handles for shovels, brushes, hammers, screwdrivers, mops, rakes, and the like. Although prior devices have been adapted and used for such various purposes, there exists a need for a telescopic handle for swimming pool cleaning devices which can be used for positioning and securing a cleaning tool securely even under high pressure and tension which arises from strongly pushing or pulling the tool through water.
A telescoping or extendable handle are very useful for swimming pool cleaning tools so that the user can clean the pool without getting wet while standing or walking along the side of the pool. Similar extendable handle tools are used for painting, window washing, and concrete and paving operations.
Examples of extendable handles or telescoping poles are those with two separate lengths of tubing, configured so that one slides within the other to adjust the overall length of the pole, and a positioning or locking device so that when locked, the two lengths do not move or slide with respect to one another.
Such extendable handle or telescoping poles are typically composed of aluminum, fiberglass or other strong, durable material. A plurality of apertures are positioned so that a pin or other fastening means can be inserted often via a collar type mechanism and thereby position the tubes at varying lengths in relation to each other as desired.
Other telescoping poles use external locking devices, compression rings, or sliding lock assemblies for retaining and positioning the tubes relative to one another. Other examples include internal and external locking devices, multiple locking mechanisms and the use of three tubes.
Such prior telescoping or extendable poles, however, have serious limitations which have limited there usefulness, especially in the application to swimming pool tools and cleaning devices. One such limitation is that the locking mechanisms often weaken or loosen, resulting in collapse or slippage when pressure is applied during use.
Further such prior poles are prone to bending and weakening of the locking means which are subject to wear and tear over time. This results in deformation and sliding of the inner tube within the outer tube. And may result in jamming or the inability of the inner tube to properly slide and be aligned within the outer tube. Or if the locking and position means fail the inner tube may be overextended and completely separate from the inner tube. Prior poles typically used a series of bolt holes drilled into the inside pole which met with a pin located in a handle assembly that is controlled by spring pressure which forces the pin into a hole and stays in place while forward and backward movement is applied. The major problem with this prior mechanism was that the pivot hole or bolt hole located in the handle has to be above the location of the drilled holes in the inside tube. By locating this pin hole above the tube, this creates an alignment which favors the pin to pull up an out of the hole, resulting in pole failure and collapse.
Further limitations of prior devices are seen with grips that fail to secure tightly to the inner tube allowing slippage of the inner tube if that tube slides too far within the outer tube. This may require repositioning or reassembly of the pole again prior to use.
The present invention provides an improved telescoping or extendable pole for swimming pool cleaning and maintenance tools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire applications, and the like, which overcomes the defects of prior telescoping or extendable poles and handles. The present invention provides a reliable, stable, and easy to use and operate telescoping pole or handle for swimming pool cleaning and maintenance tool, and other tools using extendable handles. The improved telescoping or extendable pole of the present invention comprises an inner dodecagon shaped tube which slides within an outer tube and an angled locking detent means to secure the inner tube in a desired position within the outer tube. In one embodiment the inner and outer tubes are fabricated from a durable, lightweight material such as aluminum, but may be otherwise. If desired a reinforcement wall may be provided, but may be otherwise. One end of the inner tube preferably has a detachable grip mounted thereon, allowing for easy gripping and grasping of the inner tube. The inner dodecagon shaped tube has a plurality of apertures along its length which are positioned to receive a pin element or other fastening means of the detent means. The pin element is preferably tapered or having a ring groove or notch therein. On the end of the outer tube, a housing or collar is provided through which the inner tube slides and in which the angled detent means are preferably housed. The detent means, which may be a pin or other fastening device is preferably attached to an angled arm element and secured by a screw, pin, bolt, or other fastening means to the collar or housing. An actuator button is pressed to depress the pin or other detent means into a selected aperture in the inner tube, thereby adjusting the length of the telescoping pole or handle as desired. Preferably, the end of the outer tube opposite from the housing or collar, has a plurality of apertures for attaching and detaching swimming pool cleaning tool and additional apertures may be provided for draining water from the outer tube further if a swimming pool cleaning tool is secured to the outer tube.
Another object of the present invention, is to provide a telescoping or extendable tools for cleaning swimming pools and the like, in which an angled detent mechanism securely maintains the integrity of the extended length of the pole under all conditions of use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight telescoping pole for pool cleaning tools and the like, that includes a spring or compression type device for locking the detent in a desired location, thereby firmly securing the inner and outer tubes at a desired length.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight telescoping pole for pool cleaning tools and the like, that includes a grooved grip that is detachably secured to the inner tube at an end thereof.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a telescoping or expandable pole or handle for swimming pool cleaning tools, that is very stable and secure under high pressure and stress, and is easy to assemble or disassemble, and may be used with a wide variety of pool cleaning tools, and other tools as desired.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for cleaning swimming pools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire applications and the like, comprises an outer tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the outer tube has a collar and angled detent. The second end of the outer tube has a mechanism, such as apertures, for attaching a tool. A dodecagon shaped inner tube has a first end and a second end, and includes a detachable grooved grip for grasping and positioning the apparatus. The second end of the inner tube is adapted and configured to be received within the outer tube within an aperture in said collar. The inner tube is shaped to slide within the outer tube to a selected position in relation to said outer tube, allowing for the angled detent to position and secure the inner tube within the outer tube. A plurality of apertures are aligned on the inner tube, so that the angled detent, which includes a locking mechanism, which may be a pin, which may be tapered or ringed to snap in the aperture. The pin is snapped into or operably engaged with one of the apertures, to secure and position the inner tube at a selected position within the outer tube. In one embodiment the locking mechanism of the angled detent is a pin that is tapered has a ringed notch therein, and the angled detent includes an angled actuator arm. The locking mechanism of the angled detent includes an actuator means, which may comprise a enlarged surface area to facilitate activating the angled actuator arm secured to a spring mechanism. The collar includes a fastening mechanism, such as a screw or bolt, for securing and tightening the collar to the outer tube. The inner tube may include an inner insert for engagement with the angled detent. The angled detent may includes a ring-shaped mechanism for securing the locking mechanism of the angled detent within one of said plurality of apertures in the inner tube.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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Preferably, outer tube 12, and dodecagon inner tube 26, are composed of a durable resilient material such a aluminum or other metal, plastic, rubber, or the like. It is also noted, that in other embodiments, inner tube 26, may have an alternative configuration which is not dodecagon shaped, such as round, or rectangular, hexagon, or pentagon shaped as desired, but preferably is shaped a as dodecagon. Outer tube 12, and inner tube 26 may be of any selected length depending upon the application and use. For example, inner tube may be 3 feet long, 5 feet long, 8 feet long, or otherwise as desired. Collar housing 18, is preferably composed of a durable resilient material such as plastic, rubber, composite, metal, or the like. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, tapered pin 38, or ringed or notched pin 40, are composed of a durable resilient material such as plastic, metal, composite, or thermoplastic, for example. The detachable grooved grip 32, may be composed of plastic, rubber, neoprene, or other flexible, durable, material.
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In operation and use, the telescoping pole 10, of the present invention provides an apparatus that may be used for cleaning swimming pools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire tools and the like. In particular, the telescoping pole 10, provides an apparatus for attachment to tools for cleaning swimming pools, cement finishing tools, ceiling wire tools, or the like. Telescoping pole or apparatus 10, may be easy, safely, and efficiently used to extend the reach of the user while using the tool. Telescoping pole 10, easily and quickly snaps or locks into place by using a series of apertures in an inner dodecagon shaped pole. A pin that is tapered, notched or ringed and is used and controlled by spring pressure that forces the pin into an aperture and stays in place while forward and backward movement is applied. By providing a tapered or ringed pin, this eliminates the pin pulling up and out of the aperture when pressure and force is applied. This also creates a stopping effect on the pulling up of the pin from the aperture, resulting in a stable and reliable lock position. Telescoping pole or apparatus 10, may be used for pool cleaning, cement finishing, ceiling wire applications and any application that requires different lengths of pole or tubing at different times of application. Telescoping pole 10, may be provided in a wide variety of different sizes and configurations.
Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
