Locking mechanism for an extension pole

An extension pole comprising:

• an elongated outer tubular body;
• an elongated inner body telescoped within the outer body, with the bodies being relatively shiftable along a pole axis in order to vary the length of the pole;
• and
• a locking mechanism operable to selectively prevent relative shifting of the bodies,
• said locking mechanism including a shiftable component positionable in a locked position, in which movement of the bodies is prevented, and an unlocked position, in which relative shifting of the bodies is permitted,
• said shiftable component including a locking segment that is fixed axially relative to a first one of the bodies, such that a second one of the bodies is axially shiftable relative to the locking segment,
• said second one of the bodies including a body surface that presents a centerline that is at least substantially coaxial with the pole axis,
• said locking segment including a segment surface that presents a centerline, with the segment surface extending at least partly around the body surface of said second one of the bodies,
• said centerline of the locking segment being substantially aligned with the pole axis when the shiftable component is in said unlocked position thereof,
• said centerline of the locking segment being moved to an offset position relative to the pole axis when the shiftable component is in said locked position thereof, with the locking segment thereby engaging said second one of the bodies to prevent relative shifting of the bodies.

An extension pole comprising:

• an elongated outer tubular body;
• an elongated inner body telescoped within the outer body, with the bodies being relatively shiftable along a pole axis in order to vary the length of the pole;
• and
• a locking mechanism operable to selectively prevent relative shifting of the bodies,
• said locking mechanism including a stationary component secured to a first one of said bodies and a relatively rotatable component positionable in a locked position, in which movement of the bodies is prevented, and an unlocked position, in which relative shifting of the bodies is permitted,
• a second one of said bodies and at least one of said first one of said bodies and said stationary component presenting slidably engaging, axially extending surfaces,
• said surfaces having complemental segmented circular shapes, each including at least one arcuate section and at least one chord section, such that relative rotation between the bodies is prevented.