Patent Application
20160345492
The invention relates to a battery-powered string trimmer. More particularly, the invention relates to a battery-powered string trimmer configured with a center of gravity provided between dual handle members to facilitate operator use and a more ergonomic handle assembly.
Conventional string trimmers are generally used for horizontal trimming and vertical edging of lawn. Typically, string trimmers include dual handle members, a motor, a power source, an elongated shaft and a lower cutting head, from which the string cutting element extends and rotates to cut grass, weeds, and other vegetation. String trimmers generally may be powered by combustible fuel engines or electric motors and a battery.
Most conventional battery-powered string trimmers have the motor provided in a head assembly at a lower end of a shaft, and are actuated by a trigger, provided in the handle assembly. Most handle assemblies include a front handle member and a rear handle member. Further, most battery-powered string trimmers provide that the actuator, battery and the switch member, that control the power flowing from the battery to the cutting head, are cooperatively housed within the handle assembly. One disadvantage of this configuration is that the center of gravity for the entire unit is usually located in front of, or proximate to the front handle member.
As a consequence of providing the center of gravity in front of the front handle member, the operator is required to exert additional force to the rear handle in order to balance the head assembly of the string trimmer. As a result of applying a force to the rear handle member, the operator is then also required to exert an additional force on the front handle member, in order to counterbalance the force applied at the rear handle. Accordingly, providing the center of gravity in front of the front handle member has its disadvantages.
Similarly, for battery-powered string trimmers that provide a center of gravity generally proximate to the rear of the unit and behind the rear handle member, a user must exert force on the front handle member, in order to balance the unit. This additional force on the front handle requires the operator to exert an additional force to the back of the handle member, thus adding to the overall force exerted by the operator to operate the unit. Energy exertion by the operator, over an extended period of time, can create physical problems to the operator, and/or limit the operator's string trimmer usage.
In light of the present need for a well balanced string trimmer, a brief summary of various exemplary embodiments is presented. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts will follow in later sections
The battery-powered string trimmer assembly includes an elongated support shaft assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The battery-powered string trimmer assembly further includes a head assembly including a motor, connected to the distal end of the support shaft assembly, and a handle assembly.
The handle assembly is operatively connected to the support shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a front handle member and a main handle member. The front handle member is provided in front of the center of gravity on the shaft and the main handle member is provided rearward of the center of gravity on the shaft. The battery housing assembly is connected to the proximal end of the support shaft assembly and in spaced relation from the main handle member. As such, the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer assembly is provided between the first handle member and second handle member. The battery housing assembly includes a housing configured to receive a battery.
In an embodiment of the battery-powered string trimmer assembly, the housing of the main handle member includes an actuator configured to control operation of the motor of the head assembly and a switch member operatively connected to the actuator and to the motor. The battery housing assembly encloses a switch member therein.
In another embodiment of the battery-powered string trimmer assembly, the battery-powered string trimmer assembly further includes a linkage assembly extending between the handle assembly and the spaced apart battery housing assembly, the linkage assembly including a rod member operatively connected to the actuator provided in the handle assembly and the variable switch member provided in the battery housing assembly.
In another embodiment of the battery-powered string trimmer assembly, the actuator includes a first trigger member operatively connected to the rod member such that when a user depresses the first trigger member, a portion of the first trigger member rotates pulling the rod member, thereby activating the switch member located in the battery housing.
In order to better understand various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used to designate elements having substantially the same or similar structure and/or substantially the same or similar function.
As previously discussed, most battery-powered string trimmers are front heavy and provide the center of the gravity of the unit in front of a front handle member causing the user to exert additional energy to balance the string trimmer. To reduce the energy required to operate, it is therefore desirable to provide a battery-powered string trimmer configured such that the center-of-gravity is located generally between the first front handle member and the second rear handle member. As such, the operator can balance the mass of the unit between his/her arms, permitting the user to operate the unit comfortably for extended periods of time.
It is further desirable to provide a string trimmer with a battery assembly in spaced configuration from the handle assembly to further facilitate the balancing of the battery mass and the motor between the front handle member and second handle member.
It is further desirable to provide a linkage assembly extending between the rear handle member and battery housing, to permit positioning of variable switch in the battery housing, and thus providing the operator with an enhanced operating experience.
The foregoing advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation that may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the illustrations are for purposes of describing one or more embodiments and not for the purposes of limiting the same,
The battery-powered string trimmer 10 further includes a handle assembly 14, provided along the support shaft 12, intermediate to the head assembly 16 and battery housing assembly 20. The handle assembly 14 and the battery housing assembly 20 are in spaced relationship to each other. As shown, the handle assembly 14 generally includes a front or auxiliary handle member 24 for receiving a grip from one of the operator's hands, and a rear or main handle member 26, for receiving a grip from the operator's other hand.
As previously mentioned, the battery-powered string trimmer 10 is configured such that the center of gravity of the unit is provided between the front handle member 24 and the rear handle member 26 during operation, thus enhancing the user's operating experience. As illustrated in
The front handle member 24 and main handle member 26, each includes a grip, and are configured for receivable engagement by one of the operator's hands. As shown, the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26 are spaced apart. As shown, in this embodiment, the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26 are separated by approximately 382.6 millimeters, indicated at A.
As such, the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10 is provided between the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26 providing a mechanical advantage to the user during operation. In the operating position, the front handle member 24 is located generally below the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer member 10, and the main handle member 26 is located above the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10 in the operating position.
The battery-powered string trimmer 10 provides for several battery capacity options, which generally each have different masses. As shown, the location of the center of gravity of the overall battery-powered string trimmer 10 for a first embodiment is represented at ST1 generally between front handle member 24 and main handle member 26. As shown ST1 is generally central to the front handle member 24 and rear handle member 26, permitting the operator to balance the battery-powered string trimmer 10 between both arms generally equally. ST2 represents the center of gravity of a second embodiment of the battery unit that is slightly heavier than the first. It should be understood that although different battery capacities (which affect the weight) could be used, the battery weight should be selected so as to maintain the CoG of the string trimmer to be between the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26. More specifically, the center of gravity may be located approximately centered between the front handle member 24 and a trigger member 32. The center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10 was calculated at an approximate operating position of 32 degrees relative to the (x) axis.
In the string trimmer according to the first embodiment, the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10 shown at ST1 is provided approximately 131 millimeters from the center of the grip from the frontal handle member 24, indicated at B and approximately 245 millimeters from the center of the grip portion from the rear handle member 26, indicated at C. Accordingly the entire combined distance is approximately 376 millimeters, which is indicated at A. The distance between the front handle member 24 connection to the support shaft 14 and the center of gravity of the string trimmer ST1 is approximately 87 millimeters, which is indicated at H. For a string trimmer according to the second embodiment, the center of gravity of the string trimmer 10 at ST2 is provided approximately 202 millimeters from the front handle, indicated at D, and 174 millimeters from the main handle member, indicated at E. The distance between the front handle member 24 connection to the support shaft 14 and the center of gravity ST2 is approximately 157 millimeters, which is indicated at I.
By positioning the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26 at a selected distance, and configuring the center of gravity between the front handle member 24 and main handle member 26, a mechanical advantage is achieved by balancing the mass of the unit between both handle members 24, 26. Balancing the battery-powered string trimmer 10 mass between both of the operator's arms, provide the operator with enhanced control and balance, during operation.
As shown in
The battery housing assembly 20, (further described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/713,411, entitled, “String Trimmer Battery Housing Assembly”, incorporated herein by reference), is configured to receive the battery therein. In general, the battery has a relatively heavy mass, which acts as a counterweight in balancing the head assembly 16 of the battery-powered string trimmer 10. As shown in
As shown the battery housing assembly 20 is provided in spaced relation from the handle assembly 14. As such, the end portion 48 has a length of approximately 57.15 millimeters between the front end 70 of the battery housing assembly 20 and the rear of the rear handle member 26, as indicated at J. Accordingly, the battery housing assembly 20 is spaced from the rear handle member 26. As such, in the first embodiment of the string trimmer, the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10 is approximately 697 millimeters from the rear of the battery housing assembly 20, indicated at F. In the second embodiment of the string trimmer, the rear of the battery housing assembly 20 is approximately 654 millimeters from the center of gravity of the battery-powered string trimmer 10, indicated at G.
As shown in
In addition to driving the spool 64, the gear reduction transmission system 62 of the head assembly 16 and motor 28 provides an increased weight to the head assembly 16. When the user strikes the head assembly 16 or string 50 against an object, such as a wall or pole, for example, the weight of the transmission system 62 provides a beneficial counterweight sufficient to withstand the impact.
As shown in
The second trigger member 34 acts as a lockout which allows the first trigger member 32 to activate the battery-powered string trimmer 10 only when it is actuated. As shown in
By positioning the switch member 56 in the battery housing assembly 20, the main handle 26 is able to achieve a slim profile, helping to maintain an ergonomic handle design, as well as other benefits further detailed below. The battery-powered string trimmer 10 further includes a linkage assembly 40, which operatively connects the actuator assembly 30 to the switch member 56 and related modules. The linkage assembly 40 includes a rod member 42. The rod member 42 has an elongated shape, and is operatively connected to the first trigger member 32 located inside of the main handle member 26. The first trigger member 32 is rotatable such that movement of the trigger member 32 causes longitudinal movement of the rod member 42. As shown, the trigger 32 is configured to pivot and pull the rod 42 along the support shaft 12. As such, the linkage assembly 40 and connected rod member 42 ride in the plastic cover 78, which is connected to the support shaft 12 to protect the rod member 42.
As shown the battery housing assembly 20 has a lower portion 54 which encloses the switch member 56 therein. The rod member 42, extending from the main handle member 26, is operatively connected to the switch member 56. Accordingly, actuation of the trigger 26 activates the switch member 56 into an on and off position, providing variable power to the motor 28. The switch member 56 may be a variable speed switch, permitting the user to selectively control the speed of the motor 28.
One inherent benefit of providing the switch member 56 in the battery housing assembly 20, instead of the main handle member 26, is that the size of the overall main handle member 26 is reduced by not having to provide space for the switch member 56 and related electrical components therein.
Similarly, the relocation of the switch member 56 allows passage of the unitary support shaft 12 through the limited interior space of the main handle member 26. In contrast, if the switch member 56 were provided in the main handle member 26, there would not be enough space for the support shaft 12 to pass without unduly increasing the size of the main handle member 26. Alternatively, the support shaft could be split into two pieces to accommodate the switch member 56, with a first shaft member provided at one end of the handle assembly 24 and a second shaft member continuing on the other end of the main handle assembly 26. But this two shaft configuration would not be as durable as the unitary shaft 12 employed in this invention. In sum, by locating the switch member 56 in the battery housing assembly, the unitary support shaft 12 provides an enhanced structural strength to the overall battery-powered string trimmer 10 and slimmer profile.
Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.
