US2705015A - Collapsible rod, post, or stick - Google Patents

Description

Mamh 29, 1955 H. w. LANGLAIS COLLAPSIBLE ROD, POST OR STICK 3 ShBetS ShBet 1 Filed April 6, 1949 mam? 07 firoziWzaz/yfazls 2y; k w.

29, 1955 w, L s

COLLAPSIBLE ROD, POST OR STICK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1949 Mam-ch 29, 1955 w, LANGLMS 2,705,015

COLLAPSIBLE ROD, POST OR STICK Filed April 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Jrzmfc? United States Patent 0 COLLAPSIBLE ROD, POST, 0R STICK Harold W. Langlais, Chicago, Ill. Application April 6, 1949, Serial No. 85,932

11 Claims. (Cl. 135-45) The present invention relates in general to collapsible rods, and has more particular reference to rods for use as walking sticks, batons or canes, although, of course, not necessarily limited to the use to which rods embodying the invention may be put. Indeed, the invention may be applied to advantage in many types of batons, canes,

Another important object is to provide a structure comprising tubular sections adapted to be interfitted in extended relationship to form an elongated member, the constituent sections being held together in interfitting extended relationship by an elongated tension member extending through and within the tubular sections and acting to draw the parts axially together and hold them in end-to-end extended relationship, said tension member being flexible to permit the sections, when uncoupled, to be folded together, laterally, in accordion fashion, to form a compact bundle, the flexible tension member extending through the sections, when folded as well as when extended, and serving to hold the otherwise disjointed sections together as a unit.

Another object is to provide for connecting the tension member to the end sections of the structure in position extending through the intermediate sections thereof, to serve thereby to draw the end sections together upon the intermediate sections and to hold the end and intermediate sections together in interfitting extended relationship.

Another object is to employ a string, cord or filament of suitable material as a tension member, and to attach the string more or less permanently to an end section, at one side of the structure, while providing readily operable tying or latching means for securing the tension member to the opposite end section of the structure, so

that the tension member may be easily released to permit the structure to be collapsed and as readily tightened and fastened to secure the device in extended position.

Another object is to use an elastic tension member more or less permanently fastened to and between the opposite end sections of the structure, to thus hold the sections resiliently in extended position, such elastic means being yieldingly extensible to permit the end and intermediate sections to be drawn apart axially, to thereby permit the same to be uncoupled, or disjointed, and folded together.

Another important object is to utilize rubber or equivalent substance, in tube form, or as an elastic filament, strand, tape or rope, as resilient means for holding the sectional rod parts together; a still further object being to employ a helical spring, as of metal, for the purpose.

Still another object is to form the rod-like structure of tubular sections having ends formed to interfit, in axial alinement, each in the end of an adjacent section.

Yet another object is to provide a tapering collapsible rod structure comprising adjacent sections of decreasing sectional size; a still further object being to make the rod of uniform section throughout.

Another important object is to provide a collapsible rod-like structure comprising concentric tubular shells, wherein each shell consists of sections formed for end-toend abutting relationship when the structure is extended, the sections of the concentric shells being arranged so that, when extended, the abutting ends of the outer shell sections are offset with respect to the abutting ends of the inner shell sections; still another object being to make the intermediate sections of the inner and outer concentric shells of the same length throughout; a yet further object being to make the sections of the inner shell all of the same sectional size and shape, and likewise to make all of the sections of the outer shell to the same sectional size and shape to snugly receive the inner shell sections telescopically therein; a still further object being to make an end section of each shell, but at opposite ends of the structure, shorter than the other sections, to thus stagger the abutting section end joints of the shells when the structure is in extended position, the said shorter end sections being preferably made one-half of the length of the other sections, in the interest of manufacturing economy and maximum joint stagger.

Yet another object is to use metal inner shell sections for strength and outer shell sections of plastic material for appearance; a further object being to employ outer shell sections of desired color, or of contrasting colors, and, especially, to make the sections white throughout the structure, except at an end thereof, and to form at least one end section, of the outer shell, such as the half length end section, of plastic of contrasting color, such as red, whereby to provide a cane especially adapted for use by sightless persons.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the present invention and shown in extended position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the device shown in Fig. l and utilizing an elastic tension member;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing use of a relatively inelastic tension member and releasable anchorage means therefor;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the anchorage device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device showing the parts in relatively folded position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a structural modification;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7--7 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another form of rod structure embodying the present invention and shown in extended position, with attached wrist loop;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views taken longitudinally through the device shown in Fig. 8, and respectively illustrating the structure of the same at the opposite ends thereof;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a modified arrangement for attaching the wrist loo Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the device in collapsed position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing a modified form of the device illustrated in Fig. 2;

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are sectional views showing modified forms of the device illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are sectional views illustrating a modified form of the device shown in Fig. 2.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show collapsible rod-like structures R comprising interfitting tubular sections S held together by flexible tension means T, whereby the sections may be secured in extended coaxial alinement to form a rigid rod-like device, and may also be disjointed and the sections folded laterally one upon the other to provide a compact package 1? for storage or convenient transportation.

It will be apparent, of course, that the present invention is not necessarily limited or restricted to the use to which rod-like devices embodying the same may be put; in fact, the present invention contemplates the application of its features in many types of rod-like structures,

including batons, canes, legs, masts, rods, poles, posts, pointers, sticks, struts, shafts, wands, and other rod-like devices wherein ready collapsibility to small compass is desirable in devices embodying reasonable strength and rigidity when extended.

For the purpose of best demonstrating the invention, however, the drawings show two different types of device embodying the invention, Figs. 1-7 illustrating a type of device adapted for various uses, including use as a pointer, baton, swagger stick or wand of the sort commonly employed by lecturers, magicians, and orchestra conductors, while the device shown in Figs. 812 comprises a collapsible pole or post suitable for various uses, but especially well adapted for use as a walking cane. It will be apparent, however, that both forms of the invention may be adapted to many uses, other than those specifically mentioned.

As shown in Figs. l-7, the collapsible rod-like device R may comprise a plurality of tubular sections S, including a butt section 12, intermediate sections 13 and 14, and a tip section 15; and any desired plural number of sections may, of course, be employed. Preferably the sections are of uniform length and progressively decreasing external diameter from the butt end of the device towards its tip, although the several sections may all have the same sectional size and shape, if desired. The sections, of course, may have the same wall thickness, although, as shown, the sections of progressively decreasing diameter may have decreasing wall thickness.

Each section is formed at its end or ends to interfittingly receive an end of the next adjacent section of the struc ture, so that the sections may be interfitted together to form a rigid, elongated, rod-like structure R when the device is in extended position. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2, each section may be formed with an internal pocket 16 for the snug reception of the end of the next adjacent section, such pockets being preferably formed in the butt section 12 and in the intermediate sections 13 and 14, it being ordinarily unnecessary to form a pocket at the tip end of the tip section 15. The bottoms of the pockets 16, however, may form shoulders 16 for engaging the ends of the interfitting sections to limit the insertion thereof in the pockets.

In order to hold the sections together as a unit, and more particularly to retain the same in interfitted coaxially alined relationship, suitable tension means T is employed. Such tension means may comprise an elongated strand, tube, tape, string or filament, of elastic material, such as rubber, or an elongated helical spring of metal may be employed. A relatively inelastic tension member may be used; in fact, any suitable elongated, flexible element may be employed. The tension means is preferably assembled in position within the tubular sections and may be anchored on and within the end sections 12 and 15, and thus entirely enclosed within the rod structure when the same is in extended position. Any suitable or convenient anchoring means may be employed to attach the tension element on the end sections.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 2, the tension means may comprise a length of elastic string 17 looped through a clip 18 in an end of the tip section 15. This clip 18 may comprise a piece of metal wire having a medial loop for receiving the elastic member 17, and ends interlockingly received in openings drilled, preferably diametrally, in the walls of the member 15. These mounting openings for the clip 18 may be formed near the end of the member 15 in position to be enclosed within the socket 16 of the adjacent member 14, and thus concealed when the parts are in extended position. The opposite or tip end of the tip section 15 may be closed, if desired, by a suitable tip plug 19, which conveniently may comprise a head and a stem 19 adapted to be press fitted or for threading engagement in the channel of the member 15 in order to mount the element 19 as a tip for the distal end of the device.

The elastic means 17 may also be anchored in the butt section 12 in any suitable, preferred or convenient fashion. As shown, the elastic means 17 may be looped through an opening 20 in the stem 21 of a mounting member 21, and tied with a knot 22 or other fastening expedient. The mounting member 21 may comprise a headed stem 21 adapted to be disposed at the end of the butt section 12. To this end, the head of the element 21 may be made large enough to cover the end of the butt section 12, and its stem 21' may be sized to extend within the channel of the butt section. This stem, if desired, may be threaded for engagement with corresponding threads formed in the butt section, although the stem, if desired, may be formed without threads for free sliding movement or for press fitted engagement in the end section.

Alternately, the elastic member 17 may comprise a helical metal spring 17 connected at its opposite ends on the clip 18 and on the mounting member 21, as shown in Fig. 13; or, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, said elastic member 17 may comprise a length of elastic tubing 44 mounted in the manner hereinafter described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 8l2.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the heads of the members 19 and 21 may form attractive end coverings for closing the opposite ends of the rod-like member when in extended position. It will be seen, also, that the elastic member 17 under tension may yieldingly draw the end sections 12 and 15 and hold the same together upon the intermediate sections, the elastic means 17 thus serving yieldingly to hold all of the sections together in interfitting extended position. The snug interfitment of the ends of the sections, in extended position, provides adequate rigidity.

In order to collapse the device from the extended position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it is merely necessary to draw the end sections 12 and 15 apart, against the tension of the elastic means 17, sufficiently to disengage the ends thereof from the next adjacent section or sections, whereupon the end sections may be folded laterally against each other, and against the intermediate section or sections, if any, and, if there be more than one intermediate section, the same may be disjointed and folded the one upon the other, in like fashion. The elasticity and flexibility of the elastic means 17 permits the structure to be thus disjointed and the sections thereof folded together to form a neat, compact package, as shown in Fig. 5. The elastic means thus not only serves to hold the parts together in extended position, but serves also to interconnect the otherwise disconnected parts, as a folded unit, when in relatively collapsed position.

It is preferable, also, to provide a wrist string 23, as at the butt end of the device, whereby the same may be connected as to the wrist of the user. To this end, the walls of the butt section 12 may be formed with openings 24, on opposite sides thereof, through which the string 23 may be threaded and the ends thereof connected together, as by means of a knot 25, to form the string as a wrist loop. This loop, when the device is in relatively collapsed and folded position, as shown in Fig. 5, may be wrapped around the sections in order to secure the same in a bundle. A short length of elastic string 26 also may be tied around the wrist string 23 and knotted, as at 27, to form a fastening loop which may be employed, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, to aid in securing the relatively folded sections as a bundle. Alternately, the wrist string may be attached as hereinafter described in connection with the structure shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

While the tension means T preferably comprises an elastic member 17 more or less permanently secured on the opposite end sections of the structure and adapted to stretch to permit the sections to be disjointed, the invention, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, also contemplates the use of a relatively inelastic tension member 28, such as a piece of cord or wire, attached preferably more or less permanently to one of the end sections, as by fastening it on a suitable anchorage, such as the clip 18, on the end member 15. Such relatively inelastic tension member 28 may extend thence through the several sections, and suitable means may be provided for anchoring it, in readily detachable fashion, as on the end member 12 at the remote end of the structure.

Any suitable or preferred expedient for detachably anchoring the relatively inelastic tension member may be employed. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a convenient detachable anchorage may be provided by using an anchorage member 29 on the end member 12 and adapted to detachably and latchingly engage with the tension member. To this end, the anchorage member 29 may comprise a headed element adapted to close the open end of the end member on which mounted. The member 29 also may comprise a stem 29' adapted to threadingly or otherwise engage within the bore of the end member. The anchor member 29 may be formed with an axial channel 30 in which the tension member 28 may extend, for free longitudinal movement therein; and the memher 29 also may be formed with an offset latching depression or seat 31 on one side of and connected with the outer end of the channel 30 by a slot 32 of restricted width just sufficient to receive the tension member. The tension member may be formed with a latching enlargement or knot 33, sized to pass freely through the channel 30, but not through the slot 32. This knot may be positioned on the string so that, when the sections of the collapsible rod are assembled in interfitting relation, the knot may be drawn freely into and part way through the channel 30, and may be placed under slight tension by drawing it completely through the channel, thereby securing the sections in extended relation. The knot may then be disposed in the seat 31 with the adjacent portions of the tension member extending in the slot 32 and thence, under tension, through the several sections of the structure to its anchorage on the opposite end section 15. Since the knot may not pass directly through the slot 32, the tension member may thus be anchored on the seat 31, by the knot, under tension, to hold the sections in interfitted and extended relation.

To disjoint and collapse the device, it is merely necessary to displace the knot, from the seat 31, into alinement with the open end of the channel 30. The sections may then be pulled apart axially to disjoint the same, the knot sliding freely through the channel 30 and into the end section 12, to permit of such disjointing operation. The tension member is preferably extended, as at 34, beyond the knot 33, and fitted with a terminal button or head, as at 35, to limit disjointing movement of the end sections on the tension member, said terminal button being sized to prevent passage thereof and of the connected end of the tension member through the channel 30.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, instead of forming sockets 16 in the ends of the sections, for the reception of the ends of the adjacent sections, the ends of the sections may be necked down, as shown at 36, for snug interfitting reception within the bore of the adjacent sections, such necked down portions forming shoulders 36 to limit insertion of the sections on which formed into the adjacent sections. If desired, the sections may be formed with sockets and the interfitting sections necked down to fit the sockets of adjacent sections. Alternately, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the several sections may be sized so that each may fit snugly within the bore of the next adjacent section, such adjacent sections being provided with a diametral pin 37 mounted thereon inwardly of the end thereof, to form a stop for engaging the end of the section adapted to interfit therein. The end of the interfitting section also, if desired, may be notched, as at 37, to receive the pin 37, to prevent relative turning of the sections when interfitted together.

The rod-like structure R illustrated in Figs. 8l2 consists of sections S forming telescopically interfitting inner and outer shells or sheaths, held together by suitable tension means T. The outer sectional shell may comprise a number of tube sections 42, preferably of identical length, and an end section 42 of lesser length than the other sections, said end section 42' being preferably one-half the length of the others. These outer shell sections are preferably of identical diametral size and bore. The inner sectional shell may consist of a number of tube sections 43, preferably of identical length, and an end section 43' of lesser length than that of the sections 43, the end section 43' being preferably one-half the length of the sections 43. These inner shell sections 43 and 43 preferably are respectively of the same length as the outer shell sections 42 and 42'; and the inner tube sections are preferably sized and shaped to fit snugly yet slidingly within the sections of the outer shell.

It will be obvious that the sections of the inner and outer shells may be inexpensively manufactured merely by cutting up tubing of appropriate diametral size into appropriate lengths. It will be obvious, also, that the inner and outer shells, when the sections thereof are arranged in end-to-end abutting relationship, may have the same overall length, so that the shells may be interfitted together in relatively telescoped relationship, with the opposite ends of the shells in transverse registration and with the abutting ends of the sections of one shell in relatively staggered position opposite the medial portions of the sections of the other shell, thereby providing a perfectly rigid, compound rod. To this end, the sections of the inner and outer shells may be assembled with the inner end section 43 disposed at the end of the composite rod opposite from the end thereof at which the end section 42' of the outer shell is assembled.

Suitable tension means T may be employed in order to hold the sections together as a unit, and to retain the same in lnterfitted coaxially alined relationship. Such tension means, as shown in Fig. 15, may comprise an elongated strand of rubber-like string or filament 17, like the filament 17 described in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. Alternately, as shown more particularly in Fig. 16, a relatively non-elastic member 28', like the member 28 in the Fig. 3 embodiment, may be used. An elongated helical spring of metal 17' may be employed, if desired, as shown more particularly in Fig. 14; in fact, any suitable elongated, flexible tension element may be employed. A suitable length of elastic tubing, of rubber-like material, however, provides an exceedingly effective flexible and elastic tension member for the purpose. Accordingly, such a tubular element 44 is shown assembled in position within the tubular sectional shells in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8-12. The tension means also is anchored on and within the end sections or" the device, and is thus enclosed and concealed within the rod structure when the same is in extended position. Any suitable or convenient anchoring means may, of course, be employed to attach the tension element on the end sections.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 9 and 10, however, mounting elements 45 and 46 may be provided and formed not only to connect the tension means to the end sections of the structure, but also to form attractive coverlugs for the opposite ends of the rod. These mounting elements preferably comprise head portions large enough to cover the ends of the end sections of the outer shell. They also may each respectively include a stem 45, 46', adapted to extend within the bore of the end sections of the inner shell. The ends of the tension means may be connected with the mounting elements in any suitable or preferred fashion. As shown, the stems of the mounting elements may be threaded or ribbed circumferentially, and where a tubular element 44 of elastic material is employed, the opposite ends thereof may be stretched and allowed to contract upon, and thus grippingly engage, the ribbed or threaded stern portions 45' and 46 of the mounting elements 45 and 46. These threaded or ribbed stems, if desired, may be sized to squeeze the mounted ends of the elastic tube 44 within the bore of the end sections of the inner shell, to thus not only firmly secure the elastic tube on the end sections of the structure, but also to secure the mounting elements 45 and 46 firmly in the structure at the opposite ends thereof. If desired, however, the mounting elements may be sized to permit free slidlngmovement thereof in the end sections. Threaded mountlng elements may also be used to anchor a tension member comprising a helical spring, by threading the stems of the mounting elements into the opposite ends of the spring.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the heads of the members 45 and 46 may form attractive end coverings closing the opposite ends of the rod-like member. It will be seen, also, that the elastic member 44, under tension, will y1eldingly draw the sections together and hold the same in interfitted relationship to form a rigid composite red, the snug interfitment of the staggered ends of the sections of the inner and outer shells providing adequate rigidity in the rod structure when extended.

in order to collapse the device from the extended position illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, it is merely necessary to draw the end sections of the inner and outer shells apart sufficiently to disengage the ends thereof from the adjacent inner and outer shell sections. Thereupon, the intermediate sections of the inner shell, if any, may slide each into position within the corresponding intermediate section of the outer shell, so that the several intermediate sections may be folded together in accordion fashion, together with the end sections, each intermediate inner shell section being contained within a corresponding section of the outer shell. The folded sections may then be formed into a bundle of substantially circular sectional shape, as shown in Fig. 12. The elasticity and flexibility of the elastic means 44 permits the structure to be thus disjointed and the sections thereof folded together to form a neat, compact package P, as shown in Fig. 12. The tension element thus not only serves to hold the parts together in extended position, but serves also to interconnect the parts as a folded unit when in relatively collapsed position.

It is preferable, also, to provide a wrist string 47 near one end of the device, whereby the same may be connected as on the wrist of the user. To this end, the walls of an end section of the outer shell may be formed with one or more openings 48. The string 47 may then be tied tightly around the end section, knots 49 being formed in the string in position to interlockingly extend in the openings 48 to thereby hold the string in position. The remaining portions of the string may be knotted, as at 50, to provide a wrist loop. Alternately, openings 48, 48', may be formed in alinement in the end sections of both shells and the string threaded through such openings, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 11, the ends of the string being knotted to form a wrist loop.

The wrist loop, however attached, when the device is in relatively collapsed and folded position, as shown in Fig. 12, may be wrapped around the sections in order to secure the same as a bundle. A short length of elastic string 51 may be tied around the wrist string 47 and knotted, as at 52, to form a fastening loop, which may be employed as shown clearly in Fig. 12, to aid in securing the relatively folded sections as a bundle.

While the invention may be applied in collapsible rod structures for various different purposes, the form shown in Figs. 812 is particularly suitable for use as a walking stick or cane. The sections of the inner and outer shells may be made of metal, if desired; but any other suitable material may also be employed. The sections of the outer shell may also be colored uniformly throughout, or contrasting colors may be employed, in the several sections. Preferably, the inner shell sections are made of metal, for strength, while the outer shell sections may conveniently be made of plastic or other non-metallic material, thus minimizing rattle of the parts. By assembling the section 42' at the ground engaging end of the cane and coloring the section red, while employing all white sections 42 throughout the remainder of the structure, a characteristically colored cane for use by sightless persons may be easily and inexpensively produced.

In applying the invention to provide canes for blind people, it is preferable to utilize elastic tension means, such as a helical spring, or elastic means of the sort shown in Figs. 2, 9, and 10, rather than the relatively inelastic tension means shown in Fig. 3; and in conjunction with the elastic tension member, it is desirable to size the stem of the anchoring member 21 or 45, at the handle or butt end of the device, for free sliding movement in the end section on which mounted. The blind user of a cane so constructed may employ the free sliding anchor stud to considerable advantage, as a sounding device, by drawing the same a short distance out of the end section and then releasing it. When released, the tension member immediately will snap the anchor stud back to seated position on the end of the rod, thereby creating a sharp snapping crack of sound, which is, if anything, somewhat amplified by a sound bafile effect in the hollow rod structure. The sharp crack of sound thus created is appreciably more effective, in establishing echoes for the guidance of the user of the cane, than is the tapping sound made by striking a conventional cane on the pavement or ground. Sharp cracks of sound provided by the present invention, moreover, are uniform and thus give more easily gauged echoes than is the case with sounds made by conventional stick tapping, which of necessity vary in quality and intensity with the character of the pavement, ground, or other object struck by the stick.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for dis posal, in extended position, in coaxial relationship, and an elongated tube of elastic material forming a tension member extending in said sleeve sections and connected on and between anchorage means on said end sections, whereby yieldingly to hold said sections in extended position.

2. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal, in extended position, in coaxial relationship, an elongated tube of elastic material forming a tension member extending in said sleeve sections and connected on and between anchorage means on said end sections, whereby yieldingly to hold said sections in extended position, said sections being axially separable on said tension member and laterally foldable thereon to form a compact collapsed bundle.

3. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal, in extended position, in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit in extended position, as an inner sheath, within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, and an elongated tube of elastic material forming a tension member extending in said sleeve sections and connected on and between anchorage means on said end sections, whereby yieldingly to hold said sections together in extended relationship.

4. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal, in extended position, in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit in extended position, as an inner sheath, within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, and an elongated helical spring forming a tension member extending in said sleeve sections and connected on and between anchorage means on said end sections, whereby yieldingly to hold said sections together in extended relationship.

5. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal, in extended position, in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit in extended position, as an inner sheath, within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, and an elongated cord of elastic material forming a tension member extending in said sleeve sections and connected on and between anchorage means on said end sections, whereby yieldingly to hold said sections together in extended relationship.

6. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal, in extended position, in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sec tions, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit in extended position, as an inner sheath, within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sec tions in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, and an elongated fastening cord comprising a tension member extending in said sleeve sections, said cord having an anchored end connected on anchorage means on a said end section at one end of the structure, said cord being also formed with an anchorage knot thereon in spaced relation with respect to said anchored end of the cord in position to detachably engage latching means comprising a knot receiving seat on a said end section at the opposite end of said structure, whereby to tension said cord between said knot and the anchored end of the cord and thereby hold said sections in extended position.

7. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit, in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship, as an inner sheath within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, yielding tension means serving to secure said inner and outer sheaths against relative axial movement to maintain said staggered relationship, and anchoring means securing said tension means to the endmost sections of said sheaths at the opposite ends of the structure, said tension member being yieldable to allow rela- ,tive axial movement of the sections of said sheaths to permit the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections to register with the abutting ends of corresponding sections of the outer sheath whereby to permit the inner and outer sheath sections to be folded laterally to collapse the structure as a compact bundle.

8. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit, in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship, as an inner sheath within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, yielding tension means serving to secure said inner and outer sheaths against relative axial movement to maintain said staggered relationship, and anchoring means securing said tension means to the endmost sections of said sheaths at the opposite ends of the structure, said anchoring means, at one end of the structure, comprising a stem adapted to extend in and a head adapted to overlie and seat upon the end of the endmost sections of said sheaths at said end of the structure, said head being axially separable from the ends of said endmost sections and being operable to create a sharp clap of sound, when snapped against said endmost sections, by axial retraction of said head, from seated position thereon, followed by release of the head for return to seated position under the influence of said tension means.

9. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit, in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship, as an inner sheath within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, yielding tension means serving to secure said inner and outer sheaths against relative axial movement to maintain said staggered relationship, and anchoring means securing said tension means to the endmost sections of said sheaths at the opposite ends of the structure.

10. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to slidingly fit, in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship, as an inner sheath within said outer sheath, with the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections, and yielding tension means comprising an elongated flexible tension member extending within and through said inner sheath, between the opposite ends of the structure, said tension member at its opposite ends being connected with the end sections of said inner and outer sheaths.

11. A rod-like structure comprising a plurality of hollow sleeve sections, including end sections, adapted for disposal in extended position in coaxial end to end relationship to form an outer sheath, a plurality of sleeve sections, including end sections, formed to fit in extended 20- position in coaxial end to end relationship as an inner sheath within said outer sheath, the sections of said sheath being sized as to length to maintain the abutting ends of the inner sheath sections in staggered relationship with respect to the abutting ends of the outer sheath sections when the structure is in extended "position, and yielding tension means serving to secure said inner and outer sheaths against relative axial movement to maintain said staggered relationship, at least one section of each sheath being of length dilferent from the length of the remaining sheath sections to determine the staggered relationship of the sections of said sheaths when in. extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 244,066 Martin July 12, 1881 460,651 Noble Oct. 6, 1891 888,468 Casale May 26, 1908 933,285 Blair Sept. 7, 1909 1,077,836 Keresztfalvy Nov. 4, 1913 1,637,750 Kilham Aug. 2, 1927 1,762,869 Kratochwill June 10, 1930 1,927,985 Leahey Sept. 26, 1933 2,379,577 Harsted July 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,261 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1909

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