Abstract:
Extension rod tools and method of using the tools for allowing power tools such as power drills and power screw drivers and socket wrenches to be able to open and/or close crank handles on windows and/or shutters. The novel tools can have flat sided ends that can attach to the power tools or socket wrenches, and have second opposite ends that fit over a raised t-shaped pin on the crank handle to the window/shutter. The second end of the rod tools can have a pair of opposite located slots that lock onto the t-shaped pins so that twisting the rod tools locks the rod tools to the crank handle. The slots can include clockwise oriented curved slots. The slots can include counter clockwise oriented curved slots. The slots can include oval shapes. The slots can include t-shapes. The rod tools can have a length of approximately 12 to approximately 18 inches or greater and a diameter of approximately ½ to approximately 1 inch, and be formed from a single piece of material, such as metal, or plastic, or composite or combinations thereof, and the like.

Description:
This invention relates to windows and storm shutters and in particular to an extension rod tool devices and methods of use to allow power tools and socket wrenches to automatically open a close existing elevated window type shutters that have T shaped and crossed pins in their crank knob. 
   BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Elevated window and storm shutters are known to have built in shutter cranks that require long extended hand crank arms, that require a user to grip the shutter crank, and manually rotate the long extended arm to open and close the shutters. The manual action can be both tedious, time consuming, and difficult to most users. As a result, often the hand crank arms are not used, and the shutters remain in either constantly open or closed positions. 
   Various tools have been proposed over the years that can be attached to and be used for extending the reach of power tools. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,765,362 to Berry; U.S. Pat. No. 3,011,813 to Arneson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,845 to Cornia; Des. 358,082 to Trezza; U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,033 to Wrobel; U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,885 to Isaksson; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,089 to DeBlasio. However, none of these devices has been described for use with crank arms on shutters and windows. In addition, these patented devices would not be able to be used with T-shaped control knobs used on elevated shutter type windows. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,489 to Krauthamer describes a “window handle turning accessory”, title, that can attach to a power drill. However, this device requires an enlarged cylindrical housing with a rear conical section that is separately attached to a smaller diameter shank, the latter of which is attached to the power tool,  FIGS. 2 , 3, 4. The accessory has one long side slit 30/31  FIG. 2 , or two opposite long side slits 52, 54 for fitting over, a round handle knob,  FIG. 3  or over a double wing(butterfly) knob, FIG. 4. Other enlarged heads in the remaining figures having cylindrical openings that fit over cylindrical splined portions of window handles, FIGS. 5–9. 
   The Krauthamer accessories would require the user loosely fit the enlarged heads of the accessory over the knobs without locking the knob to the accessory. Thus, the Krauthamer accessories can potentially disengage and fall off the knobs during use. 
   Furthermore, the Krauthamer accessories would not be practical or easy or inexpensive to manufacture due to the enlarged head which must require separate machining and molding before it can be attached to a shank for use with a power tool. 
   In addition, the Krauthamer accessories would not be able to be used with cross positioned and T-shaped pins that are used on cranks of elevated window shutters since their heads would not fit thereon, and would not be able to lock onto T-shaped pins on the cranks of elevated window shutters. Furthermore, the short shank lengths in the Krauthamer accessories are not long enough to be used with elevated shutter windows. 
   Thus, the need exists for solutions to the problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an extension rod tool and method of using the extension rod tool with power drills and power screw drivers, that can automatically crank open and crank closed an elevated window type shutter having a crank handle having cross shaped and T-shaped pins. 
   A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide an extension rod tool and method of using the extension rod tool with power drills and power screw drivers, that can automatically lock onto and easily be released from crank handles having cross shaped and T-shaped pins used on elevated window type shutters. 
   A third objective of the present invention is to provide an extension rod tool and method of using the extension rod tool with elevated window type shutters having a crank handle having cross shaped and T-shaped pins, that is inexpensive to manufacture and use. 
   Embodiments of the invention can include novel rod shaped members having a flat sided end such as a hexagon shaped perimeter end that can be inserted into an adjustable chuck head of a conventional power tool(battery, cordless or powercord), such as a electric drill, electric screw driver, and the like. The opposite end of the novel rod shaped member can include an adapter head end having an opening with opposite facing slit slots so that the adapter end can fit over a tip of a window/shutter crank handle and existing sideway protruding pins on the crank handle can pass through the side slits and lock into curved slots by rotating the rod shaped member. 
   A first embodiment can have a pair of clockwise oriented curved slots on opposite sides of the rod shaped member having a lower case b-shaped configuration. Twisting the rod counter-clockwise locks the rod to the crank handle. 
   A second embodiment can have a pair of counter-clockwise oriented curved slots on opposite sides of the rod shaped member having a backward lower case b-shaped configuration. Twisting the rod clockwise locks the rod to the crank handle. 
   A third embodiment can have a pair of t-shaped curved slots on opposite sides of the rod shaped member. Twisting the rod either clockwise or counter clockwise locks the rod to the crank handle. 
   A fourth embodiment can have a pair of oval shaped curved slots on opposite sides of the rod shaped member. Twisting the rod either clockwise or counter clockwise locks the rod to the crank handle. 
   The rod members can be easily removed by slightly twisting the rod members and pulling the rod members from the crank handle. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective right side view of a first preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod with flat sided tool head end and crank end having clockwise oriented curved slots. 
       FIG. 2A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 B. 
       FIG. 2C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 2B  along arrow  2 C. 
       FIG. 2D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 2C  along arrow  2 D. 
       FIG. 2E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 E. 
       FIG. 2F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 F. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the crank extension rod of the preceding figures separated from a power tool. 
       FIG. 3B  is another view of the crank extension rod of the preceding figures attached to the power tool. 
       FIG. 4A  shows the power tool with attached crank extension rod of  FIG. 3B  about to be attached to crank handle on a window/shutter. 
       FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 4A  showing the crank extension rod about to be attached to the perpendicular pins on the crank handle of the window/shutter. 
       FIG. 5A  shows the power tool with attached crank extension rod of the preceding figures positioned attached to the perpendicular pins on the crank handle of the window/shutter. 
       FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 5A  showing the crank extension rod attached to the perpendicular pins on the crank handle of the window/shutter. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective right side view of a second preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod with flat sided tool head end and crank end having counter-clockwise oriented curved slots. 
       FIG. 7A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  2 B. 
       FIG. 7C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 7B  along arrow  7 C. 
       FIG. 7D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 7C  along arrow  7 D. 
       FIG. 7E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  7 E. 
       FIG. 7F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  7 F. 
       FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of a power tool attached crank rod of the second embodiment about to be attached to the crank handle of the window/shutter. 
       FIG. 8B  is another view of  FIG. 8A  with the crank rod attached to the crank handle. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective right side view of a third preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod with flat sided tool head end and crank end having t-shaped curved slots. 
       FIG. 10A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 10B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 B. 
       FIG. 10C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 10B  along arrow  10 C. 
       FIG. 10D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 10C  along arrow  10 D. 
       FIG. 10E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 E. 
       FIG. 10F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 F. 
       FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of a power tool attached crank rod of the third embodiment about to be attached to the crank handle of the window/shutter. 
       FIG. 11B  is another view of  FIG. 11A  with the crank rod attached to the crank handle. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective right side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod with flat sided tool head end and crank end having oval-shaped curved slots. 
       FIG. 13A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 13B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 B. 
       FIG. 13C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 13B  along arrow  13 C. 
       FIG. 13D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 13C  along arrow  13 D. 
       FIG. 13E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 E. 
       FIG. 13F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 F. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   First Embodiment 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective right side view of a first preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod  1  with flat sided tool head end  40  and crank end  20  having clockwise oriented curved slots  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 .  FIG. 2A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 B.  FIG. 2C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 2B  along arrow  2 C.  FIG. 2D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 2C  along arrow  2 D.  FIG. 2E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 E.  FIG. 2F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 F. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–2F , extension rod  1  can include a cylindrical tubular portion  10  having a length of approximately 12 to approximately 18 inches or greater and a tubular diameter of approximately ½ inch to approximately 1 inch. Extending from a front end  30  of the cylindrical mid portion  10  of extension rod  1  can be a narrower diameter protruding portion  40  having flat sides  42  that can have a hexagon perimeter shape. The opposite end  20  of the cylindrical tubular portion  10  can include a hollowed out opening  25  and a pair of oppositely facing clockwise oriented curved cut-out slots  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  in the sides of cylindrical tubular portion  10  that can each have a generally lower case b-shape configuration. The slot width openings can be approximately {fraction (3/16)} of an inch for a tight fit, and up to approximately ¼ inch for a loose fit. 
     FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the crank extension rod  1  of the preceding figures separated from and about to be moved in the direction of arrow X to the adjustable head of a power tool  50 .  FIG. 3B  is another view of the crank extension rod  1  of the preceding figures attached to the power tool  50 . A conventional handheld power tool  50  such as but not limited to an electrical power drill, a power screw driver, and the like, having an adjustable chuck head  55  can be used to lock about the flat sided faces  42  of the protruding portion  40  of the novel extension rod  1 . 
     FIG. 4A  shows the power tool  50  with attached crank extension rod  1  of  FIG. 3B  about to be attached to a conventional crank handle  70  on a window/shutter  60 .  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 4A  showing the crank extension rod  1  about to be attached to the perpendicular pins  76  on the crank handle  70  of the window/shutter  60 . The pins  76  in this conventional crank handle  70  are generally perpendicular to shaft portion  74  forming a generally T-shaped configuration. The shaft portion  74  can be attached by a pivot member to a base  72  that can rotate within a stationary base  71  in the crank handle  70 .  FIG. 5A  shows the power tool  50  with attached crank extension rod  1  of the preceding figures after being slipped over the tip  78  and perpendicular pins  76  on the crank handle  70  of the window/shutter  60 .  FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 5A  showing the crank extension rod  1  attached to and locked onto the pins  76  on the crank handle  70  of the window/shutter  60 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5B , opening  25  of end  20  of extension rod  1  can be moved in the direction of arrow I 1  to slip over tip portion  78  of crank handle  70  and allow pins  76  to pass through the vertical slot cut-out portions  22 ,  26  in the end  20  of the rod  1  until the pins  76  abut against wall portions in the horizontal slot cut-out portions  24 ,  28 . The extension rod  1  is then locked to the pins  76  of the crank handle  70  by twisting the extension rod in a counter-clockwise direction as shown by arrow R 1  until the pins  76  abut against other wall portions in the slots. A user can then turn on the power tool  50  to rotate in a counter clockwise direction allowing the shaft  74  of the crank handle  70  to open the shutter/window  60 . To close the shutter/window  60 , the power tool  50  can be switched to rotate the rod  1  in a clockwise direction allowing the shutter/window to be closed. When finished the user can easily twist the rod  1  by the power tool  50  to pull off and remove the rod  1  from the crank handle  70 . 
   Second Embodiment 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective right side view of a second preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod  100  with flat sided tool head end  140  and crank end  120  having counter-clockwise oriented curved slots  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 .  FIG. 7A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  2 B.  FIG. 7C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 7B  along arrow  7 C.  FIG. 7D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 7C  along arrow  7 D.  FIG. 7E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  7 E.  FIG. 7F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod  100  of  FIG. 7A  along arrow  7 F. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6–7F , the second embodiment crank rod  100  can include a cylindrical tubular portion  110  having a length of approximately 12 to approximately 18 inches or greater and a tubular diameter of approximately ½ inch to approximately 1 inch. Extending from a front end  130  of the cylindrical mid portion  110  of extension rod  100  can be a narrower diameter protruding portion  140  having flat sides  142  that can have a hexagon perimeter shape. The opposite end  120  of the cylindrical tubular portion  110  can include a hollowed out opening  125  and a pair of oppositely facing counter-clockwise oriented curved cut-out slots  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  in the sides of cylindrical tubular portion  110  that can each have a generally lower case backward b-shape configuration. The slot width openings can be approximately {fraction (3/16)} of an inch for a tight fit, and up to approximately ¼ inch for a loose fit. 
     FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of a power tool attached crank rod  100  of the second embodiment about to be attached to the crank handle  70  of the window/shutter.  FIG. 8B  is another view of  FIG. 8A  with the crank rod  100  attached to the crank handle  70 . Referring to  FIGS. 6–8B , a power tool  50 (such as that shown in  FIGS. 3A–3B  can be attached to the protruding portion  140  in a manner similar to the first embodiment described above. 
   Next, opening  125  of end  120  of extension rod  100  can be moved in the direction of arrow  12  to slip over tip portion  78  of crank handle  70  and allow pins  76  to pass through the vertical slot cut-out portions  122 ,  126  in the end  120  of the rod  100  until the pins  76  abut against a wall portion in the horizontal slot cut-out portions  124 ,  128 . The extension rod  100  is then locked to the pins  76  of the crank handle  70  by twisting the extension rod in a clockwise direction as shown by arrow R 2  until the pins  76  abut against another wall portion in the slots. A user can then turn on the power tool  50  to rotate in a clockwise direction allowing the shaft  74  of the crank handle  70  to close the shutter/window  60 (shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 A). To open the shutter/window  60 , the power tool  50  can be switched to rotate the rod  1  in a counter-clockwise direction allowing the shutter/window to be opened. When finished the user can easily twist the rod  100  by the power tool  50  to pull off and remove the rod  100  from the crank handle  70 . 
   Third Embodiment 
     FIG. 9  is a perspective right side view of a third preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod  200  with flat sided tool head end  240  and crank end  220  having t-shaped curved slots  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 .  FIG. 10A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 B.  FIG. 10C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 10B  along arrow  10 C.  FIG. 10D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 10C  along arrow  10 D.  FIG. 10E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 E.  FIG. 10F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod  200  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 F. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9–10F , the third embodiment crank rod  200  can include a cylindrical tubular portion  210  having a length of approximately 12 to approximately 18 inches or greater and a tubular diameter of approximately ½ inch to approximately 1 inch. Extending from a front end  230  of the cylindrical mid portion  210  of extension rod  200  can be a narrower diameter protruding portion  240  having flat sides  242  that can have a hexagon perimeter shape. The opposite end  220  of the cylindrical tubular portion  210  can include a hollowed out opening  225  and a pair of oppositely facing t-shaped curved cut-out slots  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  in the sides of cylindrical tubular portion  210 . The slot width openings can be approximately {fraction (3/16)} of an inch for a tight fit, and up to approximately ¼ inch for a loose fit. 
     FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of a power tool attached crank rod  200  of the third embodiment about to be attached to the crank handle  70  of the window/shutter  60 .  FIG. 11B  is another view of  FIG. 11A  with the crank rod  200  attached to the crank handle  70 . Referring to  FIGS. 9–11B , a power tool  50 (such as that shown in  FIGS. 3A–3B  can be attached to the protruding portion  240  in a manner similar to the first embodiment described above. 
   Next, opening  225  of end  220  of extension rod  200  can be moved in the direction of arrow  13  to slip over tip portion  78  of crank handle  70  and allow pins  76  to pass through the vertical slot cut-out portions  222 ,  226  in the end  220  of the rod  200  until the pins  76  abut against a wall portion in the horizontal slot cut-out portions  224 ,  228 . The extension rod  200  is then locked to the pins  76  of the crank handle  70  by twisting the extension rod in a counter-clockwise direction as shown by arrow R 1  or in a clockwise direction as shown by arrow R 2  until the pins  76  abut against other wall portions in the slots. A user can then turn on the power tool  50  to rotate in a clockwise direction allowing the shaft  74  of the crank handle  70  to close the shutter/window  60 (shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 A). To open the shutter/window  60 , the power tool  50  can be switched to rotate the rod  1  in a counter-clockwise direction allowing the shutter/window to be opened. When finished the user can easily twist the rod  200  by the power tool  50  to pull off and remove the rod  200  from the crank handle  70 . 
   Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG. 12  is a perspective right side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a crank extension rod  300  with flat sided tool head end  340  and crank end  320  having oval-shaped curved slots  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328 .  FIG. 13A  is a right side view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13B  is a top side view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 B.  FIG. 13C  is a left side view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 13B  along arrow  13 C.  FIG. 13D  is a bottom side view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 13C  along arrow  13 D.  FIG. 13E  is a rear end view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 E.  FIG. 13F  is a front end view of the crank extension rod  300  of  FIG. 13A  along arrow  13 F. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12–13F , the fourth embodiment crank rod  300  can include a cylindrical tubular portion  310  having a length of approximately 12 to approximately 18 inches or greater and a tubular diameter of approximately ½ inch to approximately 1 inch. Extending from a front end  330  of the cylindrical mid portion  310  of extension rod  300  can be a narrower diameter protruding portion  340  having flat sides  342  that can have a hexagon perimeter shape. The opposite end  320  of the cylindrical tubular portion  310  can include a hollowed out opening  325  and a pair of oppositely facing oval shaped curved cut-out slots  326 ,  328  having stem cut-out portions  322 ,  324 , in the sides of cylindrical tubular portion  310 . The fourth embodiment can operate and function in a similar manner to the third embodiment described above. The slot width openings can be approximately {fraction (3/16)} of an inch for a tight fit, and up to approximately ¼ inch for a loose fit. 
   While the invention has been described for use with window type shutters, the invention can be applicable to storm shutters, hurricane shutters, security shutters, safety shutters, rollup and roll down shutters, and the like. 
   The novel tool rod members can be formed from stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. The tool rod can be formed from other materials such as plastics, graphite, composites, combinations thereof, and the like. 
   The novel tool rod members can be formed from a single cylindrical member with one end crimped into a shank portion for being attached to a power tool. Alternatively, the tool rod members can have other cross-sectional shape exteriors other than cylindrical, and can include square, rectangular, triangular, hexagon, and the like. 
   While the invention has been described for use with window type shutters, the invention can be applicable to storm shutters, hurricane shutters, security shutters, safety shutters, rollup and roll down shutters, and the like. 
   Although the preferred embodiments describe using the novel extension rod with power tools, the invention can be used with socket wrenches, and the like. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.