Air vent cover with one-handed operation

Abstract

A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for covering structural openings, such as air vents, air intakes, and the like. In various embodiments, an exterior push or pull mechanism is used to attach and firmly hold a vent cover over an opening to form a substantially air-tight seal around the opening. A rigid or semi-rigid rod with an attachment mechanism at an interior end of the rod passes through the vent cover. The attachment mechanism includes a hook, a loop, a suction cup, a strong magnet, and the like. The push mechanism on the exterior of the vent cover includes a spring, a screw, and a shaft gripper, among others. The attachment and push mechanisms are configured to be easily operated with one hand from outside the vent cover, and also to attach the vent cover from a distance without touching the vent cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover for an air vent opening, the cover comprising:
 an interior space configured to enclose the air vent opening;   a hole in a surface of the cover configured to allow a rod to pass through the hole; and   a rigid rod passing through the hole and elastically coupled with the surface of the cover using an elastic coupling, having an attachment mechanism at a first end of the rod to temporarily attach to a part of the air vent opening.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension handle configured to be coupled with a second end of the rod, and an air hose inlet configured to provide pressurized air within the cover. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the extension handle is configured to apply the cover without direct hand contact with the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is constructed from transparent material. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to be used with one hand to cover the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is one of a hook, a magnet, or both. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic coupling comprises a compression spring, a tension spring, or an elastic band, attached at one end to the surface of the cover and at the other end to the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises a gasket to cover the opening in an air-tight manner. 
     
     
         9 . A cover for an air vent opening, the cover comprising:
 an interior space configured to enclose the air vent opening;   a rigid rod passing through a surface of the cover having a first end and a second end, the rigid rod being elastically coupled with the surface of the cover; and   an extension handle configured to be coupled with the second end of the rod to allow operation of the cover at a distance without direct hand contact with the cover.   
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9 , further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled with the first end of the rigid rod configured to be temporarily attached to the air vent opening. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one of a hook, a  magnet, and/or a suction cup. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to be activated with one hand. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic coupling comprises a compression spring, a tension spring, or an elastic band, attached at one end to the surface of the cover and at the other end to the rod. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 9 , further comprising a gasket to provide an air-tight enclosure around the air vent opening. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic coupling is made of any elastic material. 
     
     
         17 . A method of covering an opening, the method comprising:
 applying force to a rigid rod elastically coupled with and passing through a vent cover, wherein the vent cover encloses the opening and wherein the rigid rod detachably engages a grill covering the air vent opening;   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising using an extension handle to cover the opening at a distance without direct hand contact with the vent cover. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein engaging the grill uses one of a hook, a magnet, and suction cup. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic attachment uses one of a spring, a screw, and a shaft gripper.