Method for providing a telescoping assembly

Abstract

To provide a method of providing a telescopic assembly.SOLUTION: The method includes a step of providing an extension and retraction mechanism configured to extend and retract telescopic segments. The method provides a safety feature, wherein if the telescopic segments in an extended position is depressed by a poking force on a person, the poking force causes the telescopic segments to retract in a direction toward a handle to thereby prevent injury to the person, and manual retraction or extension of the telescopic segments do not destroy the extension and retraction mechanism due to its flexible / elastic features, and the retraction / folding of the telescopic segments due to exceeding the poking force will not impair the extension and retraction mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a telescoping mechanism for extending telescoping segments, and more particularly to a telescoping segment extension and retraction mechanism configured to extend and retract segments (i.e., sequential segments such as sleeves). [Background technology]

[0002] Toy swords are popular toys with a large market share, and the telescoping feature can add to the fun.

[0003] Examples of toy swords or sabers with telescoping features are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,611,398 (Hasbro Inc., 2009-11-03) and U.S. Patent No. 10,500,518 (Graves, 2019-12-10), and a telescoping mechanism for a camera support is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,684,694 (Fromm; 2010-03-23). Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention relates to a telescoping item and a mechanism therefor. The telescoping item may be constituted by a toy sword, or may be constituted by or incorporated into some other product.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a telescoping mechanism for a toy sword or the like is provided. The mechanism includes a plurality of hollow, telescoping blade segments having at least a proximal blade segment and a distal blade segment. The mechanism also includes a threaded spindle disposed within the telescoping blade segment, the spindle having a spindle thread; a plurality of nuts corresponding to and configured to interface with the spindle; and a power mechanism configured to spin the spindle. Each of the nuts interfaces with a respective proximal portion of a hollow blade segment, the nuts having nut threads corresponding to the spindle threads. The nut threads are suitably sturdy so that the nut moves back and forth on the spindle threads as the spindle is rotated, but are sufficiently flexible and resilient so that they slide over the spindle threads when the distal telescoping blade segment is pressed into a suitably rigid body or object beyond a given threshold force, allowing any extended blade segment to retract.

[0006] The nut threads may include teeth. The teeth may be arranged at different heights or levels around each nut in a spiral staircase-like fashion. The nuts may include tooth side supports arranged on the sides of the teeth. The nut threads may be configured with upwardly extending petal-like protrusions having ridges for engaging the spindle threads. The tooth side supports may be Y-shaped.

[0007] The nut may be configured to be attachable to the proximal end of each of the blade segments. The nut may be attachable to the proximal end of each of the blade segments via one or more segment connecting elements.

[0008] One or more of the segment connecting elements can include a shoulder portion configured to snap into a corresponding spaced apart aperture or cutout in the proximal end of the respective blade segment.

[0009] The nut may include one or more nut-to-segment friction members having resilient arms with outwardly facing shoulders to provide finite but minimal frictional resistance with the blade segments and prevent the blade segments from spontaneously retracting until desired.

[0010] The nut thread can include a flexible and resilient central annular element. The nut thread can include a flexible and resilient strip. The nut thread can include a flexible and resilient helical member. The nut thread can include a wine-glass shaped resilient spindle-thread interface element. The nut thread can include petal-like protrusions with ridges.

[0011] The blade segments may have an outward step at their proximal ends and a corresponding inward shoulder at their distal ends, or vice versa, to prevent the blade segments from disengaging from one another during extension.

[0012] The spindle may include a nut / segment brake mechanism or a segment extension restraint mechanism to prevent the blade segments from disengaging from one another. The nut / segment brake mechanism or the segment extension restraint mechanism may be configured to prevent each blade segment from extending until the previously extended blade segment is fully extended. The nut / segment brake mechanism or the segment extension restraint mechanism may include a brake ring. The nut / segment brake mechanism or the segment extension restraint mechanism may include one or more friction elements disposed on the proximal inner end of the blade segment. The nut / segment brake mechanism or the segment extension restraint mechanism may include a restraining lever, the proximal end of which is attached to the hilt of the sword. The nut / segment brake mechanism or the segment extension restraint mechanism may include a restraining lever, the restraining lever including a rotatable wheel at its distal end.

[0013] The blade segments may have one of a tapered cylindrical shape; a tapered square profile; a tapered square profile; a tapered rectangular profile; a tapered oval profile; and a tapered polygonal profile.

[0014] The sword can include a segment holder. The power mechanism can include a motor and a power source. The power mechanism can include a manually powered mechanism.

[0015] The mechanism can include a blade segment extension stop that includes an outward step at the proximal end of the blade segment that corresponds to an inward shoulder at the distal end of the blade segment, or vice versa, whereby the blade segments are stopped after being extended to their predetermined fully extended state.

[0016] The blade segments may include a segment anti-spin mechanism to prevent the blade segments from spinning. The segment anti-spin mechanism may include an elongated groove on one side of each segment and a corresponding rail on the other side of an adjacent segment. The segment anti-spin mechanism may include a through hole in the nut with a corresponding rod passing through the through hole.

[0017] The sword may include an illumination device. The illumination device may include a light bulb or LED on the top of the sword hilt, thereby illuminating the outer portion of the blade segments. The illumination device may include one or more of the flexible nuts, the flexible nuts including one or more illumination elements configured to light up the blade segments, each blade segment having an electrical conductor from a power source. The illumination device may include perforations in the segments, allowing light to shine through the perforations. The illumination device may include one or more illumination windows.

[0018] At least one of the nuts may be made from a transparent or translucent material.

[0019] Accordingly, the present invention provides a telescoping mechanism for extending telescoping segments, and in particular provides a telescoping segment extension and retraction mechanism configured to extend and retract segments (i.e., sequential segments such as sleeves).

[0020] Telescoping mechanisms may be implemented in a variety of applications, such as, for example, toy swords; retrieval arms; pointers; saw cutters for tree branches; fishing rods; "selfie" camera sticks; tripods; antennas; novelty items (e.g., extendable horns on hats); parking lot gates or other such gates (that open / extend and retract); telescopes and binoculars; vacuum cleaner tubes; and microphone handles; tools (e.g., screwdrivers, etc.).

[0021] For convenience, the extension / retraction mechanism will be described in relation to a toy sword with a telescoping blade (telescopic blade segments), however, it should be understood that the mechanism may be implemented mutatis mutandis in the above applications. The terms "blade" and "segment," as well as derivatives thereof, including "blade segment," may be used interchangeably in this specification and claims.

[0022] A particular feature of the present telescoping mechanism is that it includes a specially designed nut as part of the extension / retraction mechanism. The nut has a flexible and resilient thread mechanism that allows a correspondingly threaded spindle to engage the nut thread mechanism with sufficient rigidity so that when the spindle is rotated (such as when the sword is extended), the nut is driven by the threaded spindle, but the flexible / resilient nut threads will slide over the spindle threads above a given (threshold) force (thereby providing a safety feature) (such as when the extended sword is forced into a rigid or semi-rigid body (such as a person)).

[0023] In this regard, when the sword is folded (retracted), especially suddenly (which may occur, for example, by a person pulling (extending) and pushing (retracting / folding) the sword blade segments), the flexible nut threads also allow the respective nut to re-engage with the spindle. The opening defined by the teeth (nut opening) can become larger due to the flexibility of the teeth, allowing the nut to slide back over the threaded spindle (the teeth can then close back to their original, unbent dimensions).

[0024] The flexible nuts also aid in the rapid retraction of the sword blade segments, allowing the segments to move over the spindle because their flexibility allows them to adapt to various conditions during extension and retraction (i.e., when the nut is at a slight angle or not perfectly centered). For example, during retraction, the flexible nut (particularly its flexible threads) can rapidly pass over the spindle.

[0025] A particular feature of the present telescoping mechanism is that it includes blade segment extension stops (e.g., outward steps and corresponding inward shoulders on adjacent segments) so that the segments can be stopped after being extended to their predetermined full extension without the need for friction stops between the blade segments, as is common in conical telescoping swords.

[0026] One potential advantage of this feature is that the telescoping segments are not rigidly held in the extended position, so that if the sword is pressed into a surface or object, the extended segments do not provide a powerful thrust and can even retract from the pressure. As such, the sword can include the attractive feature of automatically extending and retracting without undue safety concerns. Furthermore, manual retraction or extension of the sword blade segments will not destroy the extension / retraction mechanism (due to their flexible / elastic nature), nor will the retraction / folding of the blade segments due to exceeding the aforementioned thrust force compromise the extension / retraction mechanism.

[0027] Another particular feature of the present invention is that, due to its construction, the sword blade (blade segment) can be replaced with another blade (blade segment).

[0028] The invention may be understood more clearly on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping item and mechanism therefor, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of a telescoping item and mechanism (showing the power supply therefor) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a spindle and nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view (including a close-up) of a spindle and nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view illustrating a telescoping item and mechanism in an extended position, including a close-up view thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a segmented anti-spin mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] 10A-10C are various views of a nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] 10A-10C are various views of a nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8C] 10A-10C are various views of a nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8D] 10A-10C are various views of a nut of a telescoping item and mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] 1A-1C are top views of various exemplary configurations of nuts for telescoping items and mechanisms according to embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 9B] 1A-1C are top views of various exemplary configurations of nuts for telescoping items and mechanisms according to embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 9C] 1A-1C are top views of various exemplary configurations of nuts for telescoping items and mechanisms according to embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 9D] 1A-1C are top views of various exemplary configurations of nuts for telescoping items and mechanisms according to embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 9E] 1A-1C are top views of various exemplary configurations of nuts for telescoping items and mechanisms according to embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a telescoping item according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 is a side view of a telescoping item according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of another exemplary configuration of a nut for a telescoping item and mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention showing an additional exemplary embodiment. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a side view of the present invention showing an additional exemplary embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is an interior side view illustrating an exemplary segment extension restraint mechanism of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is an interior side view illustrating an exemplary segment extension restraint mechanism of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13C] FIG. 10 is an interior side view illustrating an exemplary segment extension restraint mechanism of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14A] 1A-1D are various views illustrating exemplary embodiments of the illumination device of the present invention; [Figure 14B] 1A-1D are various views illustrating exemplary embodiments of the illumination device of the present invention; [Figure 14C] 1A-1D are various views illustrating exemplary embodiments of the illumination device of the present invention; [Figure 14D] 1A-1D are various views illustrating exemplary embodiments of the illumination device of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings mentioned above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

[0031] Identical, overlapping, equivalent, or similar structures, elements, or parts that appear in more than one drawing are generally labeled with the same reference number, optionally accompanied by one or more additional letters to refer to the specific object. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or in true perspective. For clarity, some elements or structures may not be shown or may be shown only in part, or may be shown in a different or no perspective, and overlapping, equivalent, or similar parts may not be repeatedly labeled and / or described.

[0032] The following description relates to one or more non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the described embodiments or drawings, and can be practiced in various ways. The terminology used herein should not be understood as limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0033] The figures illustrate a telescoping toy sword according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 10A, and 10B, the sword includes a hilt 10; a telescoping, segmented, hollow sword blade 12 (e.g., comprising five hollow blade segments 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e); and a telescoping mechanism 14 that provides for blade extension and retraction. The telescoping mechanism 14 includes a threaded rod or spindle 16 that passes through the longitudinal axis of the blade 12; and a plurality of flexible / resilient nuts 18 (individually designated 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, and 18e, one nut interfacing with a respective hollow blade segment 12a-12e at a proximal portion of the blade 12). The nuts 18a-18d have threads that correspond to the threads of the spindle, which will be described in more detail below. Nuts 18a-18e are sized, inter alia, with respect to their diameter / circumference, in a series of sizes (FIGS. 2 and 3) that correspond to the inner diameters of sequentially sized blade segments 12a-12e. In the illustrated embodiment, segments 12a-12e are shown as being cylindrical (having a circular profile / cross-section), however, they may be tapered (slightly conical) or may have a square or other profile (e.g., triangular, rectangular, oval, or polygonal profile, etc.).

[0034] Telescoping mechanism 14 is activated by a motor 20 (FIG. 3), which is powered by a power source 22 (e.g., one or more batteries) and operated by one or more actuator buttons 24 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, telescoping mechanism 14 may be mechanically powered, such as by a spring mechanism (not shown). Spindle 16 may be coupled to motor 20 via a coupling 26 (FIG. 3).

[0035] 4, 5, and 8A-8D, including close-up views, show one embodiment of the nut 18 on the spindle 16, in which the nut threads are configured with a plurality of spindle-thread interfaces, such as inwardly protruding teeth 28. The teeth 28 are configured with one or several combinations of material, dimensions (length, thickness, and width), and end shape such that the teeth are sufficiently strong or rigid so that the nut 18 moves back and forth (up and down) on the spindle 16 (particularly the spindle threads 30) as the spindle is rotated, but also such that the teeth are flexible and resilient so that the teeth slide over the spindle threads when the end of the blade 12 is pressed into a fairly rigid body (e.g., a person or a wall). The teeth 28 are preferably arranged at different heights or levels around the nut in a spiral staircase-like fashion ( FIG. 5 ), although they need not be so arranged.

[0036] FIG. 5 further illustrates that, in a preferred embodiment, the spindle 16 includes a nut / segment brake mechanism 32 (also known as a segment extension restraint mechanism), which is illustrated by a brake ring (although it may alternatively be configured by an alternatively designed brake component (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C), or by L-shaped or finger-shaped arms, or annular outward-facing rings (not shown) at the proximal ends of the segments). In some embodiments, the brake component or equivalent is mounted on the outside of the handle 10 and configured to interact with the segments 12 to cause sequential segment extension. This nut / segment brake mechanism 32 prevents each segment 12 from extending until the sequentially smaller segment is fully extended (at which point the subsequent nut 18 is pulled with sufficient force to slide over the brake mechanism). However, alternatively, if the motor 20 provides sufficient thrust, the segments 12 can extend one at a time due to their momentum.

[0037] Nuts 18a-18e may be attached to the proximal ends of each of blade segments 12a-12e in any suitable manner, including via welding; threaded connection; adhesive; or even integrally molded in a one-piece construction. An exemplary manner of attaching nuts 18a-18e to blade segments 12a-12e shown in FIG. 1 is by one or more segment connecting elements 34 that securely snap via shoulder 35 into corresponding spaced apart apertures or cutouts 36 in the proximal end of each blade segment.

[0038] As best seen in the enlarged view in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the nut 18 includes one or more nut-to-segment friction members 38 having resilient arms 40 with outwardly facing shoulders 42, providing a finite but minimal frictional resistance with the segments 12 and preventing the segments from spontaneously retracting until desired. This resistance is preferably minimal, so that for safety reasons, for example, if the sword were to be thrust violently into a child's body, the segments 12 would retract beyond a relatively low threshold force. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the blade segments 12a-12e are cylindrical (i.e., have circular cross sections). To prevent the segments 12 from disengaging from one another during extension, the segments 12a-12d can have blade segment extension stops including an outward step 44 (e.g., an annular shape) at their proximal ends; the segments 12b-12e have corresponding inwardly facing shoulders 46 at their distal ends (or vice versa).

[0039] The distal ends of the segments 12 can have a slightly smaller inner diameter than their proximal ends, so that there is finite but minimal friction between adjacent segments and more robustly holds the connected segments together. In some embodiments, this smaller inner diameter is gradual, tapering along the length of the segments 12 toward the distal ends.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1 , blade segments 12a-12e are cylindrically shaped and, in some embodiments, have segment anti-spin mechanisms 48, exemplified by elongated grooves 50 on one side of each segment and corresponding rails 52 on the other side of an adjacent segment, to help prevent the segments from spinning when motor 20 is operated, and thus spindle 16 rotates. Anti-spin mechanisms 48 prevent the segments from spinning as spindle 16 rotates during extension and retraction. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the device does not include any segment anti-spin mechanisms; rather, rotation of spindle 16 relative to segments 12 by motor 20 either causes nut 12 to move back and forth, or segments 12 are configured such that friction exists between adjacent segments, reducing or even preventing their rotation.

[0041] The segment anti-spin mechanism 48 can be any suitable mechanism and can include, for example, rails or ridges 54 (FIG. 7), linear bumps, channels, etc. It should be noted that in cases where the segments 12 do not have a circular profile, there is no need for the segment anti-spin mechanism 48.

[0042] Alternatively, the segment anti-spin mechanism 48 may be constituted by a longitudinal rod (not shown) or the like, which passes through a corresponding through-hole 56 (FIG. 8A) in the nut 18 or otherwise prevents rotation of the nut.

[0043] It should be understood that the nut 18 may be configured to provide the same function through other mechanisms or components, such as, for example, via a suitably configured coil spring (not shown) that interfaces with the spindle 16 in a manner similar to the teeth 28.

[0044] In this regard, Figures 9A-9D provide several examples of possible alternative nut configurations. Nut opening 61 indicates where spindle 16 will pass through nut 18. Figure 9A shows an embodiment of nut 18 with a flexible and resilient central annular element 60 (which acts in a manner similar to teeth 28). In some embodiments, the disk is a partial disk (not shown). Figure 9B shows an embodiment of nut 18 with a flexible and resilient strip 62 that runs across or approximately across the center of the nut (the strip acts in a manner similar to teeth 28). Figure 9C shows an embodiment of nut 18 with a flexible and resilient helical member 64 (which acts in a manner similar to teeth 28); in some embodiments, the disk is a partial helical strip (not shown). Figure 9D shows an embodiment of nut 18 configured with a wine-glass-shaped resilient spindle-thread interface element 65 (which acts in a manner similar to teeth 28). FIG. 9E shows an embodiment of the nut 18 configured with resilient and generally upwardly extending petal-like protrusions 66 having ridges 68 for engaging the spindle threads 30 (the protrusions act in a manner similar to the teeth 28).

[0045] Alternatively, the spindle thread 30 is made from a flexible / elastic material rather than the nut 18 (eg, teeth 28).

[0046] In some embodiments, the nut 18 allows light to pass through as a result of having openings and / or being made from a transparent or translucent material, which allows for lighting features.

[0047] 10A and 10B show side views of the sword in the fully retracted and fully extended positions, respectively.

[0048] In some embodiments (not shown), the motor 20 is automatically turned off when the sword is fully extended. For example, a switch in an electrical circuit including the motor can turn the motor off when the final segment is extended. Similarly, in some embodiments, the motor 20 is automatically turned off when the sword is fully retracted.

[0049] In some embodiments, telescoping mechanism 14 is manually operated and therefore includes a manually powered mechanism (not shown), including, for example, a crank, thumbnail, or winding device.

[0050] It should be understood that the telescoping mechanism 14 may be used to extend and retract segments having any telescoping / interengageable profile shape, and that the shape is not simply conical; rather, the segments may be cylindrical (i.e., have a circular profile), or have substantially square; rectangular; triangular; and polygonal profiles, etc.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a flexible / elastic nut 18 that further includes tooth side supports 70 to support and / or protect the teeth 28 and essentially act as lateral stabilizers. The tooth side supports 70 are positioned between the sides of the teeth and are exemplified by Y-shaped supports. The side of each support 70 is preferably very close to the corresponding / opposing side of the tooth 28. Such supports 70 can be useful if the spindle 16 becomes off-center during use, thus creating some lateral (sideways) force that could otherwise damage the teeth 28. The side supports 70 can limit or even prevent lateral movement of the teeth 28.

[0052] 12A-12B show a toy sword that includes a segment holder 72 in the form of a ring (FIG. 12A), which can be a resilient, snap-fit, or threaded ring, and which is thus configured to allow segments 12 to be attached to and removed (i.e., replaced) from hilt 10. FIG. 12A also shows an optional lighting element 74 (e.g., one or more LEDs, etc.), the light of which can shine outward through one or more light openings or windows 76 (FIG. 12B).

[0053] 13A-13C illustrate a segment extension restraint mechanism 78 that prevents premature extension of the segments 12, i.e., ensures that the segments extend sequentially (each segment in its turn); an alternative to the nut / segment brake mechanism 32 (FIG. 5). In FIG. 13A, the segment retention mechanism 78 includes one or more small friction elements 80 (which may be comprised of annular friction elements) at the proximal inner ends of the segments 12. However, as can be appreciated, friction elements are not required in the most distally extending segments. These friction elements 80 frictionally interface with each subsequent segment 12, holding them with a small / weak friction force, ensuring that each segment extends one segment after the previous (faster-extending) segment has fully extended.

[0054] 13B-13C illustrate an alternative segment extension restraint mechanism 78 that prevents premature extension of the segments 12. In FIG. 13B, the segment extension restraint mechanism 78 includes a restraining lever 84a, the proximal end 82 of which is attached to the hilt 10 and may include a weak biasing element or spring (not visible) that urges the lever toward the proximal end of the sword (downward in the illustration). The distal end of the restraining lever 84a is configured and positioned to interface with the distal end of a segment 12 (but not necessarily the segment that extends first). As such, the restraining lever 84a provides a small / weak force to the segments 12, ensuring that each segment extends one after the previous (faster-extending) segment has fully extended.

[0055] 13C, the segment extension restraint mechanism 78 includes a restraint lever 84b generally similar to that of FIG. 13B, but the lever 84b includes a rotatable wheel 86 at its distal end. The rotatable wheel 86 is configured so that there is friction between the wheel and the lever 84b, providing a small / weak friction force that can ensure that each segment 12 extends one segment after the previous (faster-extending) segment has fully extended. This wheel-to-lever friction force can be an alternative to a biasing element or spring in the lever 84a.

[0056] 14A-14D illustrate various lighting features that may be incorporated into the sword.

[0057] 14A shows an external illumination device 88 that can be mounted on top of the hilt 10 (e.g., a powerful light bulb or a ring of LEDs 90) to illuminate the exterior of the segments 12. The segments 12 can have slits, apertures, or segment windows 92 that can reflect bright light around the sword, creating a kind of aura around it.

[0058] 14B illustrates illumination device 88, which includes openings or perforations 94 in segment 12 to allow light to shine through. Perforations 94 may be created by a molding process during production of segment 12, which is typically made from a plastic material.

[0059] 14C, illumination device 88 includes one or more of flexible nuts 18 with one or more illumination elements 96 (e.g., nut bulbs or LEDs, etc.) that light up the subsequent segments 12. Each segment 12 includes electrical conductors 98 (FIG. 14D) (e.g., conductive paint or strips of conductive metal, etc.) to transmit power from power source 22. As a result, in the extended position, the sword can glow with a bright light.

[0060] 14D illustrates illumination elements 96 (e.g., a series of light bulbs or LEDs) and electrical conductors 98 (of illumination device 88) disposed along each segment 12. The electrical conductors may be disposed in elongated recesses 100. Thus, in the extended mode, the sword can glow with a bright light.

[0061] Operation (with powered sword): To automatically extend the sword blade 12 from the hilt 10, the user activates the motor 20 by pressing the extension actuator button 24, which rotates the spindle 16. As a result, the first (smallest) nut 18a rises up the spindle and extends / pushes the first (smallest) segment 12a (which is positioned above the nut / segment brake mechanism 32). When segment 12a is fully extended, it pushes against the next larger segment 12b (outward step 44 contacts shoulder 46), pulling the next nut 18b up the brake mechanism 32, which rises up the spindle 16 and extends segment 12b, and so on.

[0062] Depending on the particular design of the actuator, the sword blade 12 can be retracted by pressing a separate (retract) actuator button 24 or the same button, which causes the motor 20 to turn the spindle 16 and pull / retract the segment 12.

[0063] It should be understood that the present telescoping mechanism may be used in a retrofit fashion, i.e., as part of an existing segmented sword or other such telescoping component.

[0064] It is to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative, that there are various embodiments of the invention that may be devised mutatis mutandis, that features described in the above-described embodiments and features not described herein may be used separately or in any suitable combination, and that the invention may be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

1. 1. A method of providing a telescoping assembly, the method comprising: providing an extension and retraction mechanism configured to extend and retract a telescoping segment, the extension and retraction mechanism including a power mechanism for rotating a threaded spindle coupled to the telescoping segment, wherein rotating the threaded spindle causes the telescoping segment to extend outward from a handle to an extended position; The method includes the step of providing a safety feature such that if a telescoping segment in the extended position is pushed in by a poking force against a person, the poking force causes the telescoping segment to retract in a direction toward the handle, thereby preventing injury to the person, and manual retraction or extension of the telescoping segment will not destroy the extension and retraction mechanism due to its flexible and elastic nature, nor will retraction or folding of the telescoping segment due to the poking force impair the extension and retraction mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extension and retraction mechanism includes a flexible nut on the telescoping segment or a flexible spindle thread on the threaded spindle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the threaded spindle includes a spindle thread, the threaded spindle is disposed within the telescoping segment and is connected to the telescoping segment by a plurality of nuts that correspond to the threaded spindle and interface with the threaded spindle, and the nuts or the spindle thread are made of a flexible and elastic material.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the telescoping segment toward the handle comprises relative sliding movement between a nut positioned on the telescoping segment and the threaded spindle.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one illumination element and at least one electrical conductor disposed along at least one of the telescoping segments.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising causing the at least one illumination element to illuminate when the telescoping segment is in an extended position.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of replacing some of the telescoping segments and substituting other telescoping segments.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the telescoping assembly in a retrofit fashion by connecting the telescoping segments to other existing components.

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