Extensible tool for handling energized electric equipment

An extensible tool for handling energized electrical equipment comprising:

• a. a plurality of telescoping cylindrical tubular sections of insulating material each having a longitudinal passage and arranged in series so that the tool when extended is of reduced transverse cross section progressively from a rear to a forward end, each of the sections except a most rearward section having an outer diameter of such size that it slidably fits in the next rearwardly adjacent larger section;
• b. a rearwardly facing annular interior shoulder positioned near the forward end of each of the sections except a most forward section;
• c. a forwardly facing annular exterior shoulder positioned near the rearward end of each of the sections except the most rearward section;
• d. a first radial aperture in each section except the most forward section positioned forwardly of and adjacent to the rearwardly facing shoulder of its section;
• e. a second radial aperture in each section except the most rearward section positioned forwardly of and adjacent to the forwardly facing shoulder of its section;
• f. each forwardly facing shoulder, when the tool is fully extended, being in engagement with the rearward facing shoulder of the next adjacent larger section and the first apertures being in substantial alignment respectively with the second apertures;
• g. a pin support disposed within each section except the most rearward section and having a cavity coaxial with the second aperture of its section;
• h. a pin and a spring disposed within each cavity, each spring biasing its associated pin radially outwardly for causing an end portion of its associated pin to extend into the second aperture of its section, and, when the tool is fully extended, for causing the end portion of its associated pin to extend into the first aperture of the next larger section, thereby to lock the sections in their extended positions with respect to each other;
• and
• i. a rear radial aperture near the rearward end of the most rearward section having a cap positioned in the rearward end of the passage of the section, the cap having an apertured flange portion blocking entry to the passage, a shank portion provided with curved portions fitted snugly against the interior of the passage, and a cylindrical cavity coaxial with the rear radial aperture of the section, a pin disposed within the cavity in the cap and a compression spring for biasing the pin radially outwardly so that an end portion thereof extends into the rear radial aperture of the section.