Extender-arm

• US 20050017523A1
• Filed: 07/25/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David B. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Schmidt
• Original Assignee: David B. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Schmidt
• Inventors: Johnson, David B., Schmidt, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,533,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 294/24
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/04 telescopic; extensible; sectional
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 1/04 rigid, e.g. shelf-reachers without grippers A47F13/06

Abstract

An extender-arm for use in an automobile. The extender-arm includes a handle section, a gripping section, and an extension section connecting the handle section to the gripping section. The handle section includes an actuator for effecting open-and-close movement of a gripper or other device in the gripper section. The handle also includes a socket into which a variety of tools—that may be useful in an automobile or other one environment—may be removably inserted. The extender-arm may include a rechargeable power source for connection with the tools inserted into the socket. The extension section may include an ancillary device such as a cellular phone holding clip, and/or a coin holding structure. Also, a pouch may be provided to store the tools that are removably attachable to the socket.

Claims

1. An extender-arm comprising:

a handle section, said handle section comprising an actuator, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein a tool receiving socket is disposed at said proximal end, said tool receiving socket including a connection structure for connection with a tool inserted in said socket; and

an open-and-close section connected to said distal end of said handle section so as to be operable by said actuator.

2. The extender-arm according to claim 1, further comprising an extension section disposed between said open-and-close section and said distal end of said handle to thereby connect said open-and-close section to said handle section.

3. The extender-arm according to claim 1, wherein said open-and-close section comprises a gripping section.

4. The extender-arm according to claim 1, wherein said connection structure comprises one that is both electrically and mechanically connective.

5. The extender-arm according to claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power supply electrically connected to said connection structure.

6. The extender-arm according to claim 2, further comprising an ancillary device disposed on said extension section.

7. The extender-arm according to claim 6, wherein said ancillary device is a cellular phone holding clip.

8. The extender-arm according to claim 6, wherein said ancillary device is a coin holding structure.

9. The extender-arm according to claim 2, wherein said extension section is flexible so as to allow said gripping section to be disposed at an angle relative to said handle section.

10. An extender-arm system comprising:

the extender-arm according to claim 1, and a mounting post having a cross sectional shape complementary to that of said socket for removably mounting said mounting post to said extender arm.

11. An extender-arm system comprising:

the extender-arm according to claim 1, and a removable flashlight tool having a cross sectional shape complementary to that of said socket for removably mounting said flashlight tool to said extender arm.

12. An extender-arm system comprising:

the extender arm according to claim 1, and a removable ice scraper tool having a cross sectional shape complementary to that of said socket for removably mounting said ice scraper tool to said extender arm.

13. An extender-arm system comprising:

the extender arm according to claim 1, and a re-sealable pouch for holding tools mountable within said socket.