Patent Publication Number: US-2006016047-A1

Title: Locking hinge connector apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This Utility Patent Application for “Locking Hinge Connector Apparatus” filed on Jun. 29, 2005 is a Continuation-in-Part to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 60/585,247 filed Jul. 1, 2004 and 60/667,909 filed Mar. 25, 2005 and claims the benefit of the priority dates of those two U.S. Provisional Patent Applications. The aforementioned U.S. Provisional Patents Applications Nos. 60/585,247 and 60/667,909 hereby incorporate by reference in their entirety and for all purposes into this Patent Application.  
      This Patent Application filed on Jun. 29, 2005 is also hereby cross-referenced to and incorporates by reference the separate Utility Patent Application titled, “Quick Change Pole End Attachment Connector” invented by the same two co-inventors Gary Blackman and Kent Zilliox, and filed on the same date of filing with the present Patent Application for “Locking Hinge Connector Apparatus.” 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an apparatus for quickly changing devices attached to a handle, and more particularly for quickly changing the orientations of the attached devices to the attached handle.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      There are many different manual operations that can be performed by those people interested in using a device attached to a handle such as an extension pole. However, with common extension poles, many devices for pole attachment, such as swimming pool skimmers, are designed in a fixed direction from the line of the pole, often in straight line with the direction of the pole. However, such common fixed-direction pole attachment devices are typically limited to a single orientation of usage, some of which may not be feasible for certain desired operations, or are strenuous for a person using long handle pole devices.  
      For instance, in the swimming pool industry a main component of routine maintenance is removal of debris anywhere from within the body of water in the pool. Debris removal is typically accomplished with the use of a skimming apparatus, which is commonly comprised of a telescoping pole, with a handle at one end, and at the other end of the pole is typically a net device attached to its outer end. This simple net device has been a standard tool in the swimming pool industry for many years and is commonly referred to as a “skimmer” or “skimmer net.” It is used by pool owners and professional maintenance personnel alike. The device often contains few or no moving parts, yet it offers several design features, enabling it to capture debris floating close by or adhering to the side of the pool, debris floating farther out on the water surface, debris suspended anywhere below the surface and debris lying on the bottom of the pool.  
      The net (skimmer net) device may consist of a specialized hoop with a net attached to the entire perimeter of the hoop and an industry-standard attachment handle, designed to attach to any industry-standard pole. The net may vary in depth from very shallow to quite deep, depending on the amount of debris it&#39;s intended to capture and contain.  
      The hoop itself, which is often more rectangular than circular, may have sharp edges on three of its sides, enabling the device to scrape debris adhering to the side of the pool and debris lying on the bottom of the pool. The sharp edges on either side of the hoop are used to scrape and capture debris adhering to the side of the pool, while the sharp leading edge is used to scrape and capture debris lying on the bottom of the pool. Debris scraped in this manner mostly flows into the attached net and is immediately captured and contained therein.  
      The orientation of the hoop opening in many common skimmers, is generally parallel with the attached pole, similar to a butterfly net, and is useful in several types of orientations. For example, when scraping debris from the side of the pool, this orientation requires the user to stand very close to the edge of the pool and operate the device from directly above. In this manner, one side of the hoop is held against the side of the pool and moved forward. Line-of-sight visibility between the user and the skimmer/poolside contact point is somewhat obscured by overhanging the or coping surrounding typical pools. This orientation also requires the user to apply force in two directions: pressing the device against the side of the pool to maintain the scraping action and pushing the device forward, all while slightly leaning over the edge of the pool to maintain visual contact with the process.  
      In another type of usage with a pole and skimmer, the parallel orientation of the hoop opening to the attached pole enables the user to push the device along the bottom of the pool so its sharp leading edge can scrape debris into the attached net. During this bottom-scraping operation, the user pushes the device from a point on the bottom nearest to him outward to the limit of the reach of the attached pole. The device is then pulled back toward the user, pushed back down against the bottom of the pool, then out again, away from the user. The process is often repeated until the debris lying of the bottom of the pool is collected.  
      The parallel orientation of the hoop opening to the attached pole also enables the user to collect debris both floating on the surface of the water and suspended below the surface. The user can manipulate the device to capture debris in a side-to-side motion, a lifting motion or a downward motion. While effective, the user must accomplish these side-to-side and up-and-down motions from the end of a long pole. This cantilevered operation of the pole can be quite fatiguing, since it places reversed-leverage forces on the user. Thus there is a need for the inventive pole connection apparatus to allow for at least one device to be connected at a non-linear angle relative to the handle, such as perpendicular to a pole handle. These additional pole orientations allow routine maintenance tasks to be accomplished more quickly and with less physical effort. Furthermore, it would be even more useful to have a connection apparatus which can be easily reset and locked into various desired angles of relative orientations.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The apparatus is designed to simultaneously reduce back strain and fatigue and increase the effectiveness of long pole handle and attachment operations, although there are many other uses and benefits.  
      The connector apparatus comprises two main connector parts, pivotally joined by a hinge mechanism, enabling a first part of the connector apparatus to be pivoted into an angled orientation position relative to the second connector part. Together with a hinge mechanism the connector apparatus can further include an integral locking mechanism, such that the two main connector parts can be pivoted into a desired relative orientation and then locked into place. In a preferred embodiment example used for descriptive purposes herein, such a connector apparatus is made to attach to a pole handle on the first connector part, and where the second main connector part can attach to a useful device such as a swimming pool skimmer net or brush, or other useful type of device. The user can easily unlock and lock the hinge mechanism in each relative position orientation, allowing the device of this embodiment to be switched between straight, 135 degree angled orientation, perpendicular, or other orientations very quickly. The speed and ease of the unlocking-locking operation can be very convenient for certain maintenance professionals or anyone trying to do something with a particular device in a hard to reach area.  
      The quick change locking hinge connection apparatus in a most basic form comprises two main connection portions, pivotally joined to allow a change of angle relative to between the two connector portions, thus changing the direction of operation of an attached device relative to the direction of the handle, such as in the example of usage with a pool skimmer basket connected ninety degrees relative to a pole handle, then reset and locked to quickly transform the effective angle of the tool relative to the handle, such as to a linear direction.  
      Other types of handles besides straight poles can be used with the invention, although pole handles are used commonly herein as examples in describing some possible usages of the invention. A short handle body with a hand grip could also be made suitable to work with the invention as could other handle types which are known or can be developed by those skilled in the art.  
      In a quick change locking hinge connection apparatus pole end embodiment example of a swimming pool skimmer, the apparatus can connect to many kinds of industry-standard device attachments. The locking hinge connector apparatus can be secured between the outer end of a telescoping pole and a skimmer device. In this example, the male connector of an industry-standard skimmer connects to the female side of the connection apparatus. The male side of the connector apparatus in turn, connects to the female connector of any industry-standard pole. The user can easily connect and disconnect various attachment tools and devices, allowing him to switch between desired tools such as various skimmer nets and scrub brushes very quickly. This speed and ease of the connecting and disconnecting operation, while convenient for pool owners, is especially important for pool maintenance professionals, who must account for their time on each job. Once any of the devices are attached, the hinge mechanism can be unlocked, pivoted, then relocked into the new desired orientation, giving excellent flexibility of usage for a wide variety of tools and devices.  
      In the pool skimmer embodiment example, during a side-scraping operation with the device in a perpendicular, ninety-degree orientation, the device enables the user to walk ahead of the skimmer, trailing the pole behind him, pulling the skimmer along the sidewall of the pool. By walking a path a foot or two from the side of the pool, the pole is angled away from the pool (toward the side), which, with the resulting angle of attack, automatically keeps the skimmer pressed against the side while it scrapes debris into the net.  
      Pulling rather than pushing the skimmer around the perimeter of the pool allows the operation to proceed more quickly. In addition, pulling the skimmer in only one direction, requires less force to be applied and relieves back strain, compared to the conventional method without an angled connector, of holding the pole in a vertical orientation and pushing the skimmer through the water. The increased speed made capable with the angled connector, has the additional benefit of creating a temporary swirling current within the pool. This swirling action helps consolidate debris floating farther out on the pool surface, enabling more efficient capture.  
      Ninety-degree orientation, 135 degree orientation, linear orientation, and other angles of significantly nonlinear dimensions between the skimmer to the pole can also be used in particular instances to enhance capture of debris floating near the center potion of the surface of the water. In the ninety degree orientation, the skimmer is tossed through the air to land beyond the debris. The skimmer is then pulled back in, toward the user, with its opening facing the direction of travel. In this manner, any debris floating between the user and the landing point of the skimmer is captured and retained in the skimmer net.  
      If the user requires the skimmer hoop opening to be retuned to a linear or parallel orientation, he can unlock the hinge mechanism on the connector apparatus, pivot the connectors relative to each other, then relock the connector apparatus into the new desired orientation with the skimmer net oriented in a parallel position relative to the handle. Since parallel orientation is required for at least the bottom scraping operation, it is anticipated the user will use the skimmer in both orientations during an entire pool cleaning operation.  
      In yet another highly useful embodiment, two or more devices can be attached at the same time, such as a floatation device and a skimmer can both be attached to some embodiments of the inventive apparatus, which is then in turn attached to such a long poled handle. Then, with the apparatus turned such that the skimmer faces upwards, out of the water, the pole is used to push the apparatus with skimmer and float far out across the surface of the pool to a desired location. Next the pole handle is rotated to allow the skimmer to extend downwards into the water, and the floating skimmer and apparatus can easily then be pulled back across the surface, gathering the desired floating leaves or such debris. In another multiple device example, a brush and a skimmer net (and/or other devices) can be attached to a pole handle to perform two operations at once, or in rapid sequential order without changing devices.  
      In the pool skimmer embodiment example, the male end of the apparatus is built to fit the size and dimensions to connect to any industry-standard swimming pool cleaning pole. The female end of a pole connector apparatus is built for the correct size and dimensions to accept the standard male type connectors used for many industry-standard skimmers and other maintenance devices.  
      The inventive pivot able hinge connection apparatus can be designed and made in numerous types of embodiments. In the swimming pool industry example, the various embodiments are mostly related to the standard pool cleaning type pole connectors of approximately 1.125 inches diameter. In other industries, the various embodiments may relate to other styles of device attachment. For example, the connectors can be made to accommodate attachments common to many tasks, such as threaded connectors. Furthermore, the device can be manufactured in various sizes and specifications, depending on its intended use. The male and female connection portions of the device can embody various shapes. The male and female connectors in versions intended for use in the swimming pool industry are industry standard to fit virtually any standard pole or skimmer. In uses contemplated for other industries, the device can function in various configurations and shapes. In the preferred embodiment for use in the swimming pool industry, said apparatus including the male and female connector ends are made of molded plastic and the spring connector is made of nylon-type molded plastic. All or part of the connector apparatus can also be made of aluminum tubing, of industry standard dimensions. Other materials, such as metal, wood, plastic, Plexiglas, wood, rubber, or any material suitable for construction and durable enough for usage of the device, can also be employed. One embodiment of particular usage may comprises at least one connector end to have a plastic or metal threaded connector, such as to fit with paint roller handles, scrapers, push-brooms and other types of useful devices.  
      The pivoting apparatus can also be built in other embodiments for stationary device usage, such as for mounting lights, cameras or video equipment, where a quick change from a first locked orientation to a second angled orientation can be quickly and easily performed. In these types of useful embodiments the apparatus can be designed and built with suitable connectors to match the connector type of the device to be pivotable employed.  
      Furthermore, additional embodiments for this useful invention can include a pivotable apparatus where both ends of the hinged mechanism are fixed and non-removable, yet the relative orientation of the two parts can be changed from one relative angle to another and locked into place at the desired relative orientation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a spring-action quick connecting locking hinge connector apparatus, set to an angle of relative orientation between the two connector ends, of approximately 90 degrees.  
       FIG. 2  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus with the center hinge/locking pins in a locked state with the two connector ends in a straight orientation.  
       FIG. 3  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus with the center hinge/locking pins depressed in an unlocked state and the two connector ends free to be rotated to a new orientation.  
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a portion of a locking hinge connector apparatus with one of the center hinge/locking pins lined up with the corresponding shaped openings of each of the two connector ends.  
       FIG. 5  shows the Locking Hinge Connector in a locked state, with the center hinge/locking pin apparatus tensioned with a coiled spring.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show two various center hinge/locking pin configurations.  
       FIG. 6  shows various matching pin and corresponding hole patterns for the center hinge/locking pins.  
       FIG. 7  shows a spring-action quick connecting locking hinge connector apparatus, set to an angle of relative orientation between the two connector ends of approximately 90 degrees. This embodiment shows locking pins separate from center hinge pins. Also shown are small ramps or flares on the outer end of the female connector which helps to guide both the male and female fittings together, and depress industry-standard apparatus locking pins toward their respective holes.  
       FIG. 8  shows a spring-action quick connecting locking hinge connector apparatus set at different angles.  FIG. 8A  shows the connector apparatus locked in a straight-out configuration.  FIG. 8B  shows the connector apparatus locked in a 45-degree configuration and  FIG. 8C  shows the connector apparatus locked in a 90-degree configuration.  
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of a spring-action quick connecting locking hinge connector apparatus where the locking pin apparatus is tensioned with a coiled spring and the locking pins are located in a circular array about the center hinge pin.  
       FIG. 10  shows variations of a locking hinge connector apparatus, with tapered and non-tapered locking pins and receiving holes, where the locking pins are located in a circular array about the center hinge pin.  
       FIG. 11  shows the locking hinge connector apparatus with a fixed pole handle on one connector end, and where a attachable/detachable connection can be made between the second connector end and a device to be attached, such as a brush, net, paint roller, vacuum head, video camera or other useful mechanical devices.  
       FIG. 12  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus with a fixed device on one end of the hinge mechanism, and with an attachable/detachable connector on the other end, such as to connect to a pole or handle by means of a threaded method of attachment.  
       FIG. 13  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus with a fixed device on one end of the hinge mechanism, and with an attachable/detachable male connector on the other end, such as to be received by a female connector on a pole or handle and locked in place by means of spring connector pins.  
       FIG. 14  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus fixed to both a pole handle on one end, and an apparatus on the other end, where both ends are fixedly attached and non-removable.  
       FIG. 15  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus fixed to an apparatus on one end and, with an attachable/detachable male connector on the other end, such as to be received by a female connector on a pole or handle and locked in place by means of spring connector pins.  
       FIG. 16  shows two locking hinge connector apparatuses assembled in a series to give a complex multidimensional angle between a handle and an attached device.  
       FIG. 17  shows locking hinge connector apparatuses used in a boat cleaning process where the attached device (a brush) is orientated at 45 degree and 90 degree angles to the long handled pole.  
       FIG. 18  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus where a shorter extension is connected between the locking hinge connector apparatus and the attached device for use in difficult to reach areas.  
       FIG. 19  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus joining two long handled poles in a 90 degree configuration for use in a measuring process in difficult to reach areas.  
       FIG. 20  shows two locking hinge connector apparatuses assembled in a series to give a complex multidimensional angle between a handle and an attached device.  
       FIG. 21  shows different connector configurations including  FIG. 21A  female to female,  
       FIG. 2I  B male to male and  FIG. 21C  male to female connector ends, such as the types used in standard swimming pool cleaning handles and devices.  
       FIG. 22  shows an example of a locking hinge connector apparatus where a separate piece is used to hold the locking pins in an unlocked configuration where the locking hinge connector apparatus is made to swing freely. Another embodiment of the unlocking function would employ a component integral with the locking hinge connector apparatus.  
       FIG. 23  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus designed to connect to a handle one end and to a device on the other end, where both connector ends are designed with threaded connection fittings such as commonly found for use with paint rollers, scrapers, push brooms and other useful tools and devices. In some embodiments such threaded connections could be designed and sized to match with and attach to cameras, video equipment, tripod stands, telescopes and other useful devices.  
       FIG. 24  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus where various pivoting ends ( FIGS. 24A, 24B  and  24 C) can receive device attachments.  
       FIG. 25  shows two various locking hinge connector apparatuses where a male connector end attaches to a pole handle ( FIG. 25B ) and one or more female connector ends at fixed angles ( FIG. 25A ) relative to each other are pivotally attached and where the female connector ends can receive devices by means of a threaded attachment mechanism.  
       FIG. 26  shows an operator during a sidewall cleaning process sidestepping parallel to the edge of a swimming pool manipulating a long handled pole connected directly (without locking hinge connector apparatus) to a standard skimmer net where the skimmer net is aligned parallel to the pole.  
       FIG. 27  shows an operator during a sidewall cleaning process walking parallel to the edge of a swimming pool pulling a long handled pole and a locking hinge connector apparatus holding a standard skimmer net in a 90 degree orientation to the pole handle with an inward angle of attack of the skimmer net relative to the sidewall of the pool.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A locking hinge connector apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  comprises two main connector parts  12  and  14 , pivotally joined by a hinge mechanism  15  which in some embodiments can be integrally incorporated with a spring mechanism  16 , enabling the first connector part  12  of the apparatus  10  to be pivoted into an angled orientation position relative to the second connector part  14 . The hinge mechanism  15  need not be composed of the same part as the spring mechanism  16 , although in this embodiment both are integral within a single plastic part as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Together with the hinge mechanism  15  the connector apparatus  10  can further include an integral locking mechanism  17 , also known as a locking/unlocking mechanism, such that the hinge between the two main connector parts  12  and  14  can be locked or unlocked, and while unlocked can be pivoted into a desired relative orientation and then locked into place to prevent relative pivoting of the two main connector parts, until unlocked again. The hinge  15  and locking mechanism  17  need not incorporate a spring, although a spring loaded locking mechanism  17  provides for a useful quick release operation of the locking mechanism  17 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , two locking pins  18   a  and  18   b , and two rounded spring loaded push buttons  20   a  and  20   b  are built into the spring mechanism  16 . Each of the aforementioned component pieces  12 ,  14 ,  15 ,  17 ,  18   a ,  18   b , and  20   a  and  20   b  used in this embodiment of a spring loaded, quick release locking hinge connector apparatus  10  can be made of molded plastic, or of metal, or other suitable materials known or used by those skilled in the arts. Similarly other hinging and locking features can be employed as are known or can be devised by those skilled in the art.  
      The central spring mechanism  16  shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  4 , allows the user to easily depress the push buttons  20   a  and  20   b , allowing the locking pins  18   a  and  18   b  to be depressed below the locking slots  22   a  and  22   b , while the pushbuttons  20   a  and  20   b  are still retained within the pin receiving holes  24   a  and  24   b . This allows clearance of the locking pins  18   a  and  18   b  from locking slots  22   a  and  22   b , while the push button portions  20   a  and  20   b  of the hinge mechanism  16  are still retained within the receiving holes  24   a  and  24   b , allowing the hinge device to unlock and swing into a desired angle. The spring could also be made to stay unlocked when desired, in other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 22 , and allow an attached device to swing freely.  FIG. 5  shows alternative embodiments for one of many possible spring mechanisms  16 .  
      The embodiment shown in the  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 , &amp;  5  features locking pins  18   a  and  18   b  which are linearly aligned within the central pivoting axis, and are depicted such as to allow locked positions at a linear orientation, and at 90 degrees relative orientation between the two connector parts  12  and  14 . Other locking mechanisms can also be employed within the scope of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 6  shows a small selection of possible shapes for locking pins  18   a  and  18   b , which are also linearly aligned within the central pivoting axis. Naturally, for these shapes of locking pins  18   a  and  18   b  to be used, the locking slots  22   a  and  22   b  would have to be sized and dimensioned to match accordingly. Obviously, a single locking pin  18   a  could alternatively be employed rather than a pair, although using a pair of locking pins  18   a  and  18   b  provides a stronger interlock with less wiggle room.  
      In another embodiment of a locking hinged connector apparatus, shown in  FIG. 7 , a different locking mechanism is depicted where there are multiple locking pins  18  on each end of the hinge mechanism, which makes the locking mechanism much stronger and more rigid than in the previously described embodiment. Another advantage of such an embodiment configuration is that this type of hinged connector apparatus  10  can be locked in several orientations, as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of such a locking hinged connection apparatus demonstrating the parts and components required to build this such embodiment. Each of these components can be made of molded plastic, metal, or of other suitable material which is suitably strong and durable for a desired usage. In a preferred embodiment, the spring  16  is made of metal and is enclosed in the two parts of a spring cup  30   a  and  30   b , which are then capped on the outer ends with a pair of locking mechanism parts  17   a  and  17   b . Each of the locking mechanism parts  17   a  and  17   b  comprise a number of locking pins, depicted here as  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d , and  18   e , although more or less than five locking pins  18  can be employed on either side of the spring mechanism  16 . The full assembly comprising spring  16 , spring cup parts  30   a  and  30   b , and the locking mechanisms  17   a  and  17   b , are fitted within the hinge mechanism portion of a connector part  14 . This assembly is then fitted with the locking hinge part of the connector  12 . As with the previously described embodiment, the locking mechanism can be disengaged by pressing in the push buttons  20   a  and  20   b , so that the locking pins  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d , and  18   e  are recessed towards the center of the hinged mechanism device sufficiently so that they no longer are in contact with the locking slots  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d ,  22   e ,  22   f ,  22   g , and  22   h , and the two main connector parts  12  and  14  are free to rotate. When a desired angle of relative orientation between the two main connector parts is obtained, the push pins  20   a  and  20   b  are released, and the locking pins  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d , and  18   e , are allowed to engage into whichever of the locking slots  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d ,  22   e ,  22   f ,  22   g , and  22   h  with which they are then aligned.  
      As shown in  FIG. 10 , locking pins  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d , and  18   e  can be tapered to enhance the ease with which the pins  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d , and  18   e  align and fit into the nearest aligned locking slots of  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d ,  22   e ,  22   f ,  22   g , and  22   h . Similarly to the multiple locking slots  22  can also be tapered to further enhance the initial fit and alignment when the locking mechanism  17  is to be engaged.  
      Each of the aforementioned embodiments, and as shown clearly in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , is depicted with connector parts sized and dimensioned to fit with standard quick connect swimming pool cleaning devices and handles, such as skimmer net devices, brushes and long poled handles and the like. Obviously, other types, styles, and sizes of connectors may also be used with an inventive locking hinged apparatus connector which is appropriately designed, as can be recognized and built by those skilled in the art. An example of another such connector style would be the usage of threaded connectors, sized and dimensioned to fit with industry standard paint roller handles, scrapers, push brooms and the like.  
      With the embodiments described herein which employ standard swimming pool cleaning device connector styles, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the connector apparatus can be made with a male connector  12  and a female connector  14 . The dimensions of such a male connector  12  could be on the order of 1.125 inches outside diameter, while the dimensions of such a female connector  14  could be on the order of 1.125 inches inside diameter. The male connector  12  would further comprise one or more snap pins such as  32   a  and  32   b . These snap pins  32   a  and  32   b  are common and well known in the swimming pool industry, and are typically spring loaded, often employing a wishbone shaped piece of nylon type springy plastic  34 . The snap pins  32   a  and  32   b  are made to align with snap pin holes such as  36   a  and  36   b , when the a male connector portion and a female portion are fully inserted together and engaged, as is also well known in the industry.  
      A novel feature of the connector apparatus as shown in  FIG. 7  is the inclusion of flared snap pin receiving grooves  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c , and  38   d . The flared snap pin receiving grooves  38   a ,  38   b  assist in both aligning snap pins such as  32   a  and  32   b  with the snap pin holes  36   a  and  36   b , and they also assist in automatically depressing the spring loaded snap pins  32   a  and  32   b  as the approach the snap pin holes  36   a  and  36   b , making the connection of male and female parts quicker and easier. By including a set of four snap pin holes  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c , and  36   d , and four snap pin receiving grooves  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c , and  38   d , a male connector part can be aligned and connected in more rotational orientations than can be obtained if only a set of two opposing snap pin holes  36   a  and  36   b  were employed.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 11, 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  each of the two main parts  12  and  14  which swing relative to each other can either be integrally fixed, or removably connected, such as to a pole, handle, or any number of useful work apparatus such as a brush or swimming pool skimmer. Thus, in different embodiments, the device can be either fixed or removably connected between any industry-standard pole handle on one end of the rotating element, and with an apparatus at the other end. In the case of a fixed pole or handle, the connector on the other side of the hinge may connect to an apparatus such as a brush, paint roller, etc. In the case of a fixed apparatus embodiment, the connector on the other side of the hinge may also connect to any industry-standard pole handle, such as one used for a paint roller, or a brush or one such as used for swimming pool cleaning handles, as well as any other desired connection type. A locking hinge apparatus could also be fixed to both the connector and apparatus on both sides, which would be a useful embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 16  shows two a locking hinge connector apparatuses  10  assembled in a series to give a complex multidimensional angle between a handle and an attached device. This may be useful in difficult to reach areas.  
       FIG. 17  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus  10  used to facilitate a boat cleaning operation where the locking hinge connector apparatus  10  is attached to a long handled pole on one end  12  and brush device on the other end. The locking hinge connector apparatus  10  can be unlocked, moved to a different orientation and relocked to more easily conform to the various angles of the boat hull surface relative to the location of the operator.  
       FIG. 18  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus  10  where a shorter extension  41  is connected between the locking hinge apparatus  10  and the attached device for use in difficult to reach areas where extra length  41  is required on the device side of the connection.  
      As shown in  FIG. 19  two long handled poles  12  are attached to each end of a locking hinge connection apparatus  10  so one pole  12  assumes a 90 degree orientation to the other  12 . A male-to-male embodiment of the locking hinge apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 21  would be received by the female pole ends standard in the swimming pool industry. Such a configuration may be useful in measuring the depth in the center of large holes in the ground with the operator safely positioned on edge of the hole.  
      The device could also have a double hinge embodiment, allowing movement in both horizontal and vertical plains of operation, as shown in  FIG. 20 . This can be achieved by having both hinges fixed between or attached in many number of obvious ways. A combination of devices can be attached together to create a combination of various angles joined together.  
       FIG. 21  shows different connector configurations including female to female, male to male and male to female connector ends, such as the types used in standard swimming pool cleaning handles and devices.  
       FIG. 22  shows an example of a locking hinge connector apparatus where a separate piece is used to hold the locking pins in an unlocked configuration where the locking hinge connector apparatus is made to swing freely. Another embodiment of the unlocking function would employ a component integral with the locking hinge connector apparatus. This may be useful when the locking hinge connector apparatus (unlocked) is orientated to swing horizontally and connected to a pole connector that is orientated to swing vertically and is commonly included on such industry standard devices as vacuum heads. This connection configuration essentially forms a universal joint whereby rotating or twisting the pole handle causes the attached device (vacuum head) to steer to one side or the other during a bottom cleaning operation in a swimming pool.  
       FIG. 23  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus designed to connect to a handle one end and to a device on the other end, where both connector ends are designed with threaded connection fittings such as commonly found for use with paint rollers, scrapers, push brooms and other useful tools and devices. In some embodiments such threaded connections could be designed and sized to match with and attach to cameras, video equipment, tripod stands, telescopes and other useful devices.  
       FIG. 24A  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus where two female connectors at a fixed angle relative to each other pivot relative to a male connector attached to a pole handle.  FIG. 24B  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus where one male connector end attached to a pole handle end and one female connector end are at a fixed angle relative to each other and a female connector end pivotally attached.  FIG. 24C  shows a locking hinge connector apparatus where one male connector end attached to a pole handle and one female connector end are fixed inline relative to each other and one female connector end pivotally attached.  
       FIG. 25  shows two various locking hinge connector apparatuses where a male connector end attaches to a pole handle and one or more female connector ends at fixed angles relative to each other are pivotally attached and where the female connector ends can receive devices by means of a threaded attachment mechanism.  
       FIG. 26  shows an operator during a sidewall cleaning process sidestepping parallel to the edge of a swimming pool manipulating a long handled pole connected directly (without locking hinge connector apparatus) to a standard skimmer net where the skimmer net is aligned parallel to the pole.  
       FIG. 27  shows an operator during a sidewall cleaning process walking parallel to the edge of a swimming pool pulling a long handled pole  12  and a locking hinge connector apparatus holding a standard skimmer net in a 90 degree orientation  10  to the pole handle with an inward angle of attack of the skimmer net relative to the sidewall of the pool.