Power tool extension handle apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus including a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein, the handle receiver being installed on the power tool for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extension handle with the handle receiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus comprising a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein, the handle receiver being incorporated into the power tool for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extension handle with the handle receiver formed on the power tool. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the handle receiver is mounted directly on the power tool. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the handle receiver is mounted pivotally on the power tool. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the handle receiver is mounted rotationally on the power tool. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the handle receiver is mounted on a body, the body being mounted on the power tool. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the body is formed having opposite first and second legs extending away from the handle receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the neck of the power tool is formed having a recess defining a perimeter and a curved back wall formed within the recess, the back wall substantially conforming to a curved inner surface of the first and second legs, whereby the first and second legs are at least partially retained within the recess adjacent to the curved back wall and travel of the body and handle receiver is limited by the perimeter of the recess. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein first and second springs are connected between the respective first and second legs and the recess so as to selectively bias the body and handle receiver within the recess. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein:
 the first and second legs are mounted on the handle receiver proximally and distally are substantially offset and parallel, the first and second legs terminating distally in opposite, inwardly-projecting leg pins; and 
 opposite leg mounts are formed on the neck of the power tool so as to extend outwardly thereof, each leg mount having formed therein an outwardly-opening leg mount hole configured for selective pivotal receipt of the respective leg pin formed on the first and second legs so as to pivotally mount the body and handle receiver on the power tool. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 a leg mount plate having a somewhat curved pattern of leg mount plate holes is formed on at least one leg mount; and 
 a locking pin is formed on at least a respective first or second leg, whereby the locking pin may selectively engage a leg mount plate hole to selectively lock the first and second legs and thus the body and handle receiver in a particular position relative to the power tool. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the leg mounts are installed on a collar-type secondary body rotatably mounted on the neck of the power tool. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the body is substantially annular so as to be selectively rotatably installed on the neck of the power tool. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the handle receiver is pivotally mounted on the body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the neck of the power tool is formed having an outwardly-opening circumferential channel and the body is configured to be rotatably installed in the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a locking pin formed on the body is configured to engage spaced-apart pin holes formed about the neck of the power tool, whereby the locking pin may selectively engage a pin hole to selectively lock the body and handle receiver in a particular position relative to the power tool. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the body is hinged, whereby the body may be selectively removed from the power tool. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the handle receiver comprises a receiver socket configured to selectively and pivotally engage a receiver ball formed on the power tool. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the receiver ball is mounted on a body, the body being rotatably mounted on the power tool. 
     
     
         19 . A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus comprising:
 a substantially annular body selectively rotatably installed on the neck of the power tool; and   a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein pivotably mounted on the body, the handle receiver being configured for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extension handle with the handle receiver.   
     
     
         20 . A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus comprising:
 a body having opposite first and second legs;   a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein mounted on the body; and   a recess formed in the neck of the power tool and defining a perimeter and having a curved back wall formed within the recess, the back wall substantially conforming to a curved inner surface of the first and second legs, whereby the first and second legs are at least partially retained within the recess adjacent to the curved back wall and travel of the body and handle receiver is limited by the perimeter of the recess.