Hydraulic apparatus, handle, and method of prividing an extendable handle

Abstract

Handles, extendable handles, and linkage mechanisms are examples of apparatuses that include a body; a pivotably attached head; cylinder, actuator, or hydraulic actuator; a fluid passage or hose; and a valve, blocking means, or hydraulic control device. The valve, blocking means, or hydraulic control device may be normally open and may close only when held closed, and may be connected on one side to the fluid passage or hose and on another side to atmosphere. An operator may use a tool, such as a drywall flat box attached to the head, by holding the handle and controlling pivoting of the head by operating the valve. Methods include providing for an operator to control a tool on a handle, and include providing the handle and instructing the operator to actuate the blocking means to hold the tool in a constant orientation relative to the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a head pivotally attached to a body at a first pivot point;   a cylinder attached to the body;   a piston comprising a seal that seals against an inside surface of the cylinder;   a rod connected at a first end to the piston and pivotably connected at a second end to the head at a second pivot point; and   a valve connected on a first side to a fluid passage and on a second side to atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the piston is located at least partially within the cylinder, and   wherein the fluid passage extends from the cylinder through the body.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is at least partially hollow, and wherein the cylinder, the fluid passage, and the valve are all at least partially located within the body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body is elongated and forms a handle, and   wherein the head comprises a mounting surface for a tool.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is configured for an operator to use the tool by holding the handle and to control pivoting of the head about the first pivot point by operating the valve. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage comprises a hose. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve defaults to an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body comprises a first structural member and a second structural member,   wherein the first structural member slidably engages the second structural member over a range of distance, and   wherein the body comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the first structural member to the second structural member at multiple points over the range of distance.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are both tubular,   wherein the first structural member telescopically engages the second structural member over the range of distance,   wherein the cylinder, the fluid passage, and the valve are located at least partially within the body, and   wherein the fluid passage comprises helically wound hose.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a body comprising a first structural member and a second structural member, wherein the first structural member slidably engages the second structural member over a range of distance;   a head pivotably attached to the first structural member at a first pivot point;   an actuator attached to the first structural member and attached to the head, wherein the actuator controls movement of the head relative to the first structural member about the first pivot point;   a hose extending from the actuator to the second structural member; and   a valve for blocking movement of fluid through the hose at the second structural member.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the body further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the first structural member to the second structural member at multiple points over the range of distance; and   wherein the actuator comprises:   a cylinder; and   a piston comprising a seal that seals against an inside surface of the cylinder.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a rod connected at a first end to the actuator and pivotably connected at a second end to the head at a second pivot point. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is connected on a first side to the hose. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the valve comprises an open orifice sized, shaped, and positioned to be blocked by an operator using a portion of the operator's hand. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is open on a second side to atmosphere for release or introduction of air through the hose to the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the body is hollow,   wherein the actuator, the hose, and the valve are all at least partially located within the body,   wherein the body is elongated and forms a handle,   wherein the head comprises a mounting surface for a tool, and   wherein the apparatus is configured for an operator to use the tool by holding the handle and to control pivoting of the head about the first pivot point by operating the blocking means.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the valve is normally open,   wherein the valve is closable by an operator,   wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are both tubular,   wherein the first structural member telescopically engages the second structural member over the range of distance,   wherein the hose is helically wound, and   wherein the hose and the valve are at least partially located within the body.   
     
     
         18 . A method of controlling a tool on a handle, the method comprising:
 providing an extendable handle configured to be attached to the tool, the extendable handle comprising:   a body comprising a first structural member and a second structural member wherein, when the body is assembled, the first structural member slidably engages the second structural member over a range of distance;   a head wherein, when the extendable handle is assembled, the head is pivotably attached to the first structural member at a first pivot point;   an actuator wherein, when the extendable handle is assembled, the actuator is attached to the first structural member and attached to the head and controls movement of the head relative to the first structural member about the first pivot point;   a hose wherein, when the extendable handle is assembled, the hose extends inside the body from the actuator into the second structural member; and   a mechanism for blocking movement of fluid through the hose at the second structural member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 ,
 wherein the mechanism is operable to hold the tool in a constant orientation relative to the handle, and   wherein the body further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the first structural member to the second structural member at multiple points over the range of distance.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 ,
 wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are both tubular, and   wherein, when the body is assembled, the first structural member telescopically engages the second structural member over the range of distance.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein providing an extendable handle comprises providing, as the mechanism, a valve connected on a first side to the hose, and connected on a second side to the atmosphere for release or introduction of air through the hose to the actuator.