Small handling pole locking assembly

A system comprising:

• a first pole section;
• a second pole section coupled to the first pole section;
• a tubular female end portion on an end of the first pole section, the tubular female end portion including a pair of opposing substantially J-shaped connecting slots, each having a backbone section open at a distal end of the female end portion;
• a male end portion on an end of the second pole section, the male end portion having a connecting pin extending therethrough, the male end portion insertable into the female end portion such that opposing ends of the connecting pin are insertable into the backbone sections of the connecting slots and radially transitionable to a hook section of the respective connecting slots;
• a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion at a proximal end of the male end portion, the locking nut rotatable to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion such that the connecting pin ends are retained in the hook sections of the connecting slots to fixedly interlock the male end portion with the female end portion;
• a locking sleeve retaining pin extending through a locking sleeve assembly portion of the second pole between the locking nut and a proximal end of the locking sleeve assembly portion;
• and
• a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on the locking sleeve assembly portion between the locking nut and the locking sleeve retaining pin, the locking sleeve assembly including,
• a locking sleeve having a collar portion and neck portion;
• a plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the collar portion;
• and
• a biasing device located within the interior of the collar portion, between the neck portion and the plunger, for forcing the plunger against the locking nut to prevent rotation thereof,
• the neck portion including at least one retraction slot selectively engageable with a locking sleeve retaining pin on the second pole section to place the locking sleeve in an unlocked position and allow rotation of the locking nut.