US20190274401A1

US20190274401A1 - Extendable Umbrella

Info

Publication number: US20190274401A1
Application number: US16/127,348
Authority: US
Inventors: John Roberts Humphrey; Mark D. Roberts
Original assignee: Mindlathe LLC
Current assignee: Mindlathe LLC
Priority date: 2018-03-06
Filing date: 2018-09-11
Publication date: 2019-09-12
Also published as: WO2019172957A1

Abstract

An extendable umbrella is described herein which has a shaft, where the outside of the shaft serves as a guide for an umbrella runner which allows for the opening and closing of a canopy and the inside of the shaft contains multiple lockable adjustable height telescoping tubes that can be extended from the shaft and all the way to the ground if desired to provide support to the umbrella while it is being held by a person in a standing position.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/710,991, filed Mar. 6, 2018, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an extendable umbrella. More particularly, the present invention relates to an extendable umbrella having a shaft, where the outside of the shaft serves as a guide for an umbrella runner which allows for the opening and closing of a canopy and the inside of the shaft contains multiple lockable adjustable height telescoping tubes that can be extended from the shaft and all the way to the ground if desired to provide support to the umbrella while it is being held by a person in a standing position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to Wikipedia, an umbrella (or parasol) is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal or plastic pole that may instead be referred to as a tube or shaft. Umbrellas and parasols are primarily hand-held portable devices sized for personal use. The largest hand-portable umbrellas are golf umbrellas. Umbrellas can be divided into two categories: fully collapsible umbrellas, in which the metal pole supporting the canopy retracts, making the umbrella small enough to fit in a handbag; and non-collapsible umbrellas, in which the support pole cannot retract and only the canopy can be collapsed. Another distinction can be made between manually operated umbrellas and spring-loaded automatic umbrellas which spring open at the press of a button.
FIG. 1 (PRIORT ART) depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary prior art umbrella 100 (see Richtom80 at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0). Referring to FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART), the umbrella 100 includes a shaft 102 within which a top spring 104 and bottom spring 106 are configured such that, when the bottom spring 106 is depressed, the umbrella's runner 108 can be moved from a closed position beneath the bottom spring 106 to an open position above the top spring 104 where it will be maintained in the open position by the top spring 104 and, when the top spring 104 is depressed, the umbrella's runner 108 can be moved from the open position to the closed position where it will be maintained in the closed position by the bottom spring 106. Near the top of the shaft 102 are a top notch 110, open cap 112, end 114, and ferrule 116. Ribs 118 a and 118 b to which a canopy (not shown) is attached are each held in place at one end between the top notch 110 and the open cap 112. Stretchers 120 a and 120 b are attached to ribs 118 a and 118 b and to the runner 108. When the runner 108 is moved to the open position the ribs 118 a and 118 b are extended outward and when the runner 108 is moved to the closed position the ribs 118 a and 118 b are moved inwards towards the shaft 102. The end 114 of the umbrella has the ferrule 116 for strengthening the end 114 of the tube to prevent it from splitting or wearing. At the bottom of the shaft 102 is a tip cup 122 and a crook handle 124. Also shown in FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is an optional center ball spring 126 that can be found on telescopic collapsible umbrellas, which is not present (or necessary) on non-collapsible umbrellas. Non-collapsible umbrellas such as golf umbrellas may or may not have a bottom spring 106 and typically have a rubber handle grip that is straight (i.e., without a crook).
Various types of extendable adjustable height poles are well known for use as walking poles or camera support poles. Such extendable adjustable height poles typically have several nested telescoping tubes, which may be made of aluminum or plastic, and locking mechanisms associated with each telescoping tube enabling the pole to be collapsed to a minimum height (e.g., 16″) and extended up to a maximum height (e.g., 59″). Various types of locking mechanisms are commonly used with such poles such as flip-lever clamps, compression rings, button clips and the like.
FIGS. 2A-2C (PRIOR ART) depict an exemplary extendable adjustable height pole 200 called the Element 59″ Monopod, which is sold by Manfrotto. In FIG. 2A (PRIOR ART), the pole 200 is shown fully extended. The pole 200 includes a main shaft 202 having a handle 204 and a strap 206. Four telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d are shown fully extended and locked in position using compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d. At the bottom of the pole 200 is a rubber foot 212 and on top of the pole is a top cap 214. In FIG. 2B (PRIOR ART), the pole 200 is shown fully collapsed. FIG. 2C (PRIOR ART) depicts an enlarged image of the shaft 202, telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d, compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d and rubber foot 212.
FIG. 2D (PRIOR ART) depicts another exemplary extendable adjustable height pole 200 called the Tg-tpm67-101 67″ Monopod, which is sold by Targus. In FIG. 2D (PRIOR ART), the pole 200 is shown fully collapsed. The pole 200 includes a main shaft 202 having a handle 204 and a strap 206. Three telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c are shown partially collapsed and locked in position using flip- lever clamps 216 a, 216 b, 216 c. At the bottom of the pole 200 is a rubber foot 212 and on top of the pole is a top cap 214.
Various patents disclose umbrellas combined with telescoping tubes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,338 entitled “Combined Golfing Umbrella and Golf Ball Retriever Structure” describes a combined golfing umbrella and golf ball retriever structure, where the golf ball retriever structure telescopes into and out of the umbrella screen end of a golf umbrella. The telescoping inner shaft sections described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,338 having mating conical portions with reduced diameter end portions as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B (PRIOR ART), which correspond to FIGS. 6 and 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,338, respectively. The mating conical portions enable the telescoping inner shaft sections to fully extend to a maximum height or to fully collapse to a minimum height. However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,338 does not disclose locking mechanisms that would enable the height of the golf ball retriever structure to be adjusted to a height that is in between its maximum height and its minimum height that is maintained by the locking mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,861 entitled “Universal Golf Umbrella” describes a golfing accessory apparatus that employs a longitudinally extensible and retractable pole upon which an umbrella unit is mounted for use in the usual fashion when an umbrella is desired. Mounts on both the handle end and the opposite end of the umbrella pole provide a means for attaching and detaching any one of a number of accessory devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,861 does not disclose telescoping tubes that extend from and retract into the shaft of the umbrella. U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,861 also does not disclose locking mechanisms that enable the pole to be adjusted to a height between its maximum height and its minimum height that is maintained by the locking mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,665 entitled “Golf Bag Umbrella” describes an umbrella for use in a golf bag for protecting items stored in the golf bag, which is depicted in FIG. 4 (PRIOR ART). The umbrella comprises a telescopic shaft including an upper sliding tube and a lower support tube for slidingly receiving a portion of the upper sliding tube, where the lower support tube has a ring fixed therearound and an inverted U-shaped clip fixed to the ring, where the clip can be fastened to the golf bag when the lower support tube of the umbrella is inside the golf bag. U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,665 does not disclose telescoping tubes that extend from and retract into the shaft of the umbrella. U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,665 also does not disclose locking mechanisms that enable the pole to be adjusted to a height between its maximum height and its minimum height that is maintained by the locking mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,379 entitled “Portable and Compact Umbrella” describes a collapsible umbrella that is depicted in FIGS. 5A (PRIOR ART) and 5B (PRIOR ART), which is capable of being folded compactly that includes an extendable umbrella stick that can be extended and retracted to change its length from its minimum height and its maximum height. FIGS. 5A (PRIOR ART) and 5B (PRIOR ART) correspond to FIGS. 2 and 6 Cof U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,379, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,379 does not disclose locking mechanisms that enable the height of the stick to be adjusted to a height in between its maximum height and its minimum height that is maintained by the locking mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An extendable umbrella and a method for using the extendable umbrella are described in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the extendable umbrella and the method for using the extendable umbrella are further described in the dependent claims.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an extendable umbrella comprising: a canopy; a shaft; a runner, wherein the shaft has an outside that serves as a guide for the runner allowing an opening and a closing of the canopy; a handle attached to one end of the shaft and the canopy is secured to an opposite end of the shaft; a first telescoping tube that is located inside the shaft while in a non-extended position and the first telescoping tube while in an extended position protrudes at least partially out from the one end of the shaft; and a first locking mechanism configured to enable the first telescoping tube to move from the non-extended position to the extended position and vice versa and further configured to lock the first telescoping tube in either the non-extended position or the extended position, and wherein while the first telescoping tube is in the non-extended position or the extended position the first locking mechanism is abutted up against the handle. The first locking mechanism may have an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an extendable umbrella comprising: a canopy; a shaft; a runner, wherein the shaft has an outside that serves as a guide for the runner allowing an opening and a closing of the canopy; a handle, wherein the handle is attached to one end of the shaft and the canopy is secured to an opposite end of the shaft; a plurality of telescoping tubes arranged to telescope into and out of an inside of the one end of the shaft; and a plurality of locking mechanisms, wherein each one of the locking mechanisms is associated with each one of the telescoping tubes, wherein each one of the locking mechanisms is configured to enable the associated each one of the telescoping tubes to move from the inside of the one end of the shaft to an outside of the one end of the shaft and vice versa and further configured to lock the associated each one of the telescoping tubes in the inside of the one end of the shaft or the outside of the one end of the shaft, and wherein while the plurality of telescoping tubes are located in the inside of the one end of the shaft then the plurality of locking mechanisms resemble an additional handle that abuts against the handle. Each one of the locking mechanisms may have an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of using an extendable umbrella. The extendable umbrella comprising: a canopy; a shaft; a runner, wherein the shaft has an outside that serves as a guide for the runner allowing an opening and a closing of the canopy; a handle, wherein the handle is attached to one end of the shaft and the canopy is secured to an opposite end of the shaft; a plurality of telescoping tubes arranged to telescope into and out of an inside of the one end of the shaft; and a plurality of locking mechanisms, wherein each one of the locking mechanisms is associated with each one of the telescoping tubes, wherein while the plurality of telescoping tubes are located in the inside of the one end of the shaft then the plurality of locking mechanisms resemble an additional handle that abuts against the handle. The method comprises steps of: operating each one of the locking mechanisms to move each one of the telescoping tubes from the inside of the one end of the shaft to outside of the one end of the shaft and vice versa; and operating each one of the locking mechanisms to lock the associated each one of the telescoping tubes in the inside of the one end of the shaft or the outside of the one end of the shaft. Each one of the locking mechanisms may have an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.
Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth, in part, in the detailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and in part will be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned by practice of the disclosure. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 (PRIORT ART) depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary prior art umbrella;

FIG. 2A (PRIORT ART) depicts an exemplary prior art extendable adjustable height pole which is fully extended;

FIG. 2B (PRIORT ART) depicts the exemplary prior art extendable adjustable height pole which is fully collapsed;

FIG. 2C (PRIORT ART) depicts an enlarged image of the exemplary prior art extendable adjustable height pole;

FIG. 2D (PRIORT ART) depicts another exemplary prior art extendable adjustable height pole;

FIG. 3A (PRIORT ART) depicts a telescoping inner shaft section of a prior art combined golfing umbrella and golf ball retriever;

FIG. 3B (PRIORT ART) depicts another telescoping inner shaft section of the prior art combined golfing umbrella and golf ball retriever;

FIG. 4 (PRIORT ART) depicts a prior art golf bag umbrella;

FIG. 5A (PRIORT ART) depicts a full view of a prior art portable and compact umbrella;

FIG. 5B (PRIORT ART) depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the prior art portable and compact umbrella;

FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary extendable umbrella in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B depicts the exemplary extendable umbrella without depicting the telescoping tubes which are in their non-extended position;

FIG. 6C depicts the exemplary extendable umbrella with the telescoping tubes in their extended position;

FIG. 6D depicts a cross section of a portion of the exemplary extendable umbrella near the top spring;

FIG. 6E depicts a cross section of a bottom portion of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6F depicts a handle of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6G depicts four compression rings of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6H depicts four compression rings of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6I depicts a handle and the four compression rings of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6J depicts finger grip indentions in the handle and four compression rings of the exemplary extendable umbrella;

FIG. 6K depicts the four compression rings having been turned such that the finger grip indentions of the four compression rings are 180° relative to the finger grip indentions in the handle of the exemplary extendable umbrella; and

FIG. 6L depicts use of exemplary four flip-lever clamps in place of the four compression rings on the exemplary extendable umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary extendable umbrella 600 in accordance with the invention that is in an open position. The top portion of the umbrella is not shown in FIG. 6A but may be the same as the top portion of the umbrella depicted in FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) and generally may be the same as a typical non-collapsible umbrella such as a golf umbrella. Referring to FIG. 6A, the extendable umbrella 600 has a shaft 102, a top spring 104, runner 108, stretchers 120 a and 120 b, telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d, handle 204, compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d and rubber foot 212, where the telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d, which are inside the shaft 102, are represented by dotted lines.
FIG. 6B depicts the extendable umbrella 600 without depicting the telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d, which are in their non-extended position and FIG. 6C depicts the extendable umbrella 600 with the telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d in their extended position.
FIG. 6D depicts a cross section of a portion of the extendable umbrella 600 near the top spring 104. Referring to FIG. 6D, the shaft 102 of the extendable umbrella 600 includes four telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d (more or less can be used as desired), where the first telescoping tube 208 a is inside the shaft 102, the second telescoping tube 208 b is inside the first telescoping tube 208 a, the third telescoping tube 208 c is inside the second telescoping tube 208 b, and the fourth telescoping tube 208 d is inside the third telescoping tube 208 c. The fourth telescoping tube 208 d is attached to the rubber boot 112.
FIG. 6E depicts a cross section of the bottom portion of the extendable umbrella 600. Referring to FIG. 6E, the handle 204 is a single piece of material, for example rubber or plastic, shown having three grooves spaced consistent with the shapes of the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d such that when the extendable portion (i.e., the telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d) of the extendable umbrella 600 is in its non-extended position, the handle 204 resembles the combined compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d and vice versa such that the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d can also serve as a handle (e.g., for holding the umbrella 600 with two-hands). The four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d may be made out of the same type of material as the handle 204 or may be made of different material.
FIG. 6F depicts the handle 204 that has an outer diameter and has three grooves that have a width and a diameter.
FIGS. 6G and 6H depict the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d that each have a bottom portion having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the handle 204 and an inner diameter indicated by the dotted lines that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the respective tube 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d that the respective compression ring 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d is configured to compress by turning the respective compression ring 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d. The four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d each have a top portion having substantially the same width and diameter as do the three grooves of the handle 204. FIG. 6G shows the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d having spacing between them and FIG. 6H shows the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d abutted up against each other such that the combination resembles the handle 204 of FIG. 6F.
FIG. 6I depicts the handle 204 of FIG. 6F and the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d of FIG. 6H abutted up against each other such that their combination resembles and can function as a double length handle.
FIG. 6J depicts the handle 204 and four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d having finger grip indentions 602 a-602 h.
FIG. 6K depicts the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d having been turned such that the finger grip indentions 602 e, 602 f, 602 g, 602 h of the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d are 180° relative to the finger grip indentions 602 a, 602 b, 602 c, 602 d of the handle 204, which can be accomplished by loosening the uppermost compression ring 210 a and rotating the compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d relative to the shaft 102, where the finger grip indentions 602 e, 602 f, 602 g, 602 h can be configured at any desired angle relative to the finger grip indentions 602 a, 602 b, 602 c, 602 d of the handle 204.
FIG. 6L depicts use of exemplary four flip-lever clamps 216 a, 216 b, 216 c, 216 d in place of the four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d. The four flip-lever clamps 216 a, 216 b, 216 c, 216 d can be made of the same material as the handle 204 or can be made of a different material.
Although the exemplary extendable umbrella 600 describe above used four telescoping tubes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d and four locking mechanisms (i.e., four compression rings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d or four flip-level clamps 216 a, 216 b, 216 c, 216 d), a number of telescoping tubes and locking mechanisms less than or greater than four could instead be used in accordance with the invention.
The disclosure as provided above was described in relation to a non-collapsible umbrella as shown in FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART). However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with any umbrella design including a fully collapsible umbrella.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements which embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An extendable umbrella comprising:

a canopy;

a shaft;

a runner, wherein the shaft has an outside that serves as a guide for the runner allowing an opening and a closing of the canopy;

a handle, wherein the handle is attached to one end of the shaft and the canopy is secured to an opposite end of the shaft;

a plurality of telescoping tubes including a first telescoping tube and a second telescoping tube, wherein the first telescoping tube is at least partially located inside the shaft while in a non-extended position and while in an extended position protrudes at least partially out from the one end of the shaft, wherein the extended position can be a fully extended position or a partially extended position;

a plurality of locking mechanisms including a first locking mechanism attached to the first telescoping tube and a second locking mechanism attached to the second telescoping tube, wherein the first locking mechanism is configured to enable the first telescoping tube to move from the non-extended position to the extended position and vice versa and is further configured to lock the first telescoping tube in either the non-extended position or the extended position; and

a foot attached to the second telescoping tube and having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the first telescoping tube and having a bottom surface that is flat and perpendicular to the second telescoping tube.

2. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first locking mechanism and the outer diameter of the second locking mechanism are substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.

3. The extendable umbrella of claim 1,

wherein the second locking mechanism can be abutted up against another locking mechanism of said plurality of locking mechanisms.

4. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein the boot is a rubber boot.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking mechanisms comprises a plurality of compression rings.

9. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein when the plurality of telescoping tubes are collapsed the plurality of locking mechanisms resemble the handle.

10. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein the handle has a plurality of grooves spaced apart to resemble a shape of the plurality of locking mechanisms when the plurality of telescoping tubes are collapsed.

11. The extendable umbrella of claim 1G, wherein the handle has multiple finger grip indentions, the first locking mechanism has a finger grip indention, and the second locking mechanism has a finger grip indention.

12. The extendable umbrella of claim 11, wherein the multiple finger grip indentions are at an angle relative to the finger grip indentions of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism.

13. The extendable umbrella of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking mechanisms comprises a plurality of flip lever clamps.

14. An extendable umbrella comprising:

a canopy;

a shaft;

a plurality of telescoping tubes including a first telescoping tube and a second telescoping tube that are arranged to telescope into and out of an inside of the one end of the shaft;

a plurality of locking mechanisms including a first locking mechanism attached to the first telescoping tube and a second locking mechanism attached to the second telescoping tube, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are each configured to enable one of the telescoping tube to move from the inside of the one end of the shaft to an outside of the one end of the shaft and vice versa and further configured to lock the one of the telescoping tubes in the inside of the one end of the shaft or the outside of the one end of the shaft, and wherein while the plurality of telescoping tubes are located in the inside of the one end of the shaft then the plurality of locking mechanisms resemble the handle; and

a foot attached to the second telescoping tube and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first telescoping tube and having a bottom surface that is flat and perpendicular to the second telescoping tube.

15. The extendable umbrella of claim 14, wherein each locking mechanism of the plurality of locking mechanisms has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.

16. The extendable umbrella of claim 14, wherein the handle has multiple finger grip indentions and each locking mechanism of the plurality of locking mechanisms has a finger grip indention.

17. The extendable umbrella of claim 16, wherein the multiple finger grip indentions are at an angle relative to the finger grip indentions of the plurality of locking mechanisms.

18. The extendable umbrella of claim 14, wherein the plurality of locking mechanisms is a plurality of compression rings or a plurality of flip lever clamps.

19. A method of using an extendable umbrella, wherein the extendable umbrella comprising:

a canopy;

a shaft;

a plurality of telescoping tubes including a first telescoping tube and a second telescoping tube arranged to telescope into and out of an inside of the one end of the shaft;

a plurality of locking mechanisms including a first locking mechanism attached to the first telescoping tube and a second locking mechanism attached to the second telescoping tube, wherein while the plurality of telescoping tubes is located the inside of the one end of the shaft then the plurality of locking mechanisms resembles; and

a foot attached to the second telescoping tube and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first telescoping tube and having a bottom surface that is flat and perpendicular to the second telescoping tube, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

operating the plurality of locking mechanisms to move the plurality of telescoping tubes from the inside of the one end of the shaft to an outside of the one end of the shaft and vice versa; and

operating the plurality of locking mechanisms to lock the plurality of telescoping tubes in the inside of the one end of the shaft or the outside of the one end of the shaft.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein each locking mechanism of the plurality of locking mechanisms has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the handle.