BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power source 100 of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of “top” portion 200 of a manually operated or manually controlled outdoor tool, or functional apparatus;
FIG. 3 depicts a throttle control mechanism utilized in the inventive designs;
FIG. 4 is a more detailed version of the linkage shown in the FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a coupling for functional apparatus constructed to accommodate a throttle mechanism, constructed in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 6 depicts a weed whacker functional apparatus, 600, with inventive coupler 610;
FIG. 7 depicts a hedge trimmer functional apparatus, 700, with inventive coupler 710;
FIG. 8 depicts a chainsaw functional apparatus, 800, with inventive coupler 810; and
FIG. 9 depicts a lawn mower functional apparatus, 900, with inventive coupler 810.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The portable interchangeable power source of the invention (“power source”) includes an internal combustion engine, a universal drive or power train system and a coupling mechanism arranged to couple mechanical power delivered by the drive mechanism to any of the inventive hand-controlled equipment or attachments, constructed to operatively couple with the power source, and like apparatus and systems so modified. The functional attachments may include various known and conventional tool heads, or tool head attachments, which might be otherwise conventional but for inclusion of the inventive coupling, and any modifications required for inclusion of the coupling in the accessory or functional attachment. Examples of hand-controlled equipment and apparatus which may be modified in accord with the invention include chain saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, lawn mowers, rotary devices, weed-trimmers, portable air conditioners, minibikes, go carts, compressors, etc. The list is not exhaustive, but is meant to show that any conventional hand-controlled power tool, outdoor yard implement, etc., any be modified to operate in accord with the present invention.
Each inventive hand-controlled functional attachments or implements include a mating coupler, or coupling means, such that the interchangeable power source can be readily interchanged between the inventive implements and apparatus, connecting all necessary links between the body of the apparatus and the power source via the mating couplers. The inventive coupling essentially couples, or links the internal combustion engine to top of the drive chain of the functional attachment. The coupler on the functional attachment mates with the coupler on the interchangeable power source when the power source is connected to the attachment. For example, the speed control from the attachment is coupled to the power source and the crankshaft energy from the internal combustion engine comprising the power source. The crankshaft energy is modified by gear ratios and known drive mechanisms, and delivered through the mating couplers to the initial drive portion of the drive chain at the functional attachment. The planetary gears to drive the functional attachments provide that the drive energy is modified to meet the attachment's needs, as mentioned, for example, specific torque requirements, RPM requirements, etc. A centrifugal clutch, not shown in any of the drawings, throttle mechanism, vibration suppressor, etc., may be incorporated into the several embodiments, and is readily provided for in the inventive designs.
The system of the invention includes the portable inventive power source with coupler coupled through a like-constructed mating coupler to the complementary functional attachments. The ability to simply move the power source between functional attachments, couple it into a particular functional attachment, is very desirable to the consumer not only for ease of use, but they benefit from having to purchase only one gas powered source to drive a plurality of power tools and outdoor gas-powered equipment, modified in accordance with the inventive principles herein to couple and be driven by the portable power source. That is, the power source may be sold with numerous functional attachments so designed, as a combination, where the purchaser can realize the benefit of an assortment of power driven tools for much less cost than purchasing each of the tools separately, with separate internal combustion engines for each. Because the power source for the assortment of functional attachments is universal to the bunch, the manufacturability of attachment is only different with respect to the top of the drive chain at the coupler, for example, the throttle and drive attachments.
While the inventions as described herein are directed to internal combustion engines, the skilled artisan shall readily understand that the inventive concepts may be readily applied to electrically operated, e.g., battery-powered, hand-held, or hand- operated outdoor tools and apparatus, without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is the driving versatility of the inventive power source, as a universal driver for coupling attachment, to drive each of an array of functional attachments that include most known manually controlled and hand-held tools, so modified. The interchangeable power source 's simple, compact, portable construction, and its ability to mate and deliver driving force to the functional attachments through the inventive coupling arrangement, that renders the system of the inventions herein valuable, and desirable to consumers in need of related functional equipment and tools.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power source 100 of this invention. The reader should note that the figures, and explanations thereof, are presented for exemplary purposes only. The specific embodiments shown are not meant to limit the scope and spirit of the invention in any way or form. Power source 100 includes an internal combustion engine, or like 130, and a power source coupler, or coupler 110. The coupler 110 includes various vias to accord communication, mechanical or otherwise, through the power source coupler. For example, via 111 as shown in FIG. 1 provides for coupling of mechanical drive energy from a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine (the crankshaft behind the coupler in the FIG. 1 perspective, but not shown explicitly). Vias 112 allow the power source 100 to be fixed, or couplingly attached by the coupler 110 to a mating coupler comprising a functional apparatus (see FIG. 2). As an example, vias 112 in the power source coupler 110 may comprise pins for attachably insertion into vias 212 of a functional coupler 212, fixing the power source to the attachment. Vias 114 and 116 allow for communication between a functional attachment and motor 130, within power source 100.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that highlights a coupler 210 of the invention, fixed to a “top” portion 200 of a manually operated or manually controlled outdoor tool, or apparatus (not identified in its entirety in the figure), so modified to utilize coupler 210 to allow the attachment to receive, and have the power source 100 power and control same while coupled. The figure is provided to highlight that the inventive coupler 210 couples to coupler 110 operatingly interface the attachment and power source at or near the top of the mechanical drive chain of the functional attachment. The attachment coupler 210 includes via 211 to provide communication of mechanical energy from a power source to the drive mechanism and gears of the functional apparatus. Vias 212, or the like, are included for mounting the coupler 210 to the mating coupler 110. Vias 214 and 216 are shown for use in communication between the functional apparatus and power source. The use of any particular via for any functional use, such as attaching, communicating drive energy, communicating control information, etc., is not meant to be a limitation on any embodiments of the invention, exemplified or covered by the claims appended hereto. Optional use of such vias or other means for communicating between the couplers should be clear to the skilled designer or artisan.
FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a throttle control mechanism 300 of the present invention. The control mechanism is modified so the portions resident in the fimctional attachment functionally communicate with a power source, through a via 214 used for that purpose. The via in coupler 210 is arranged or constructed to receive piston 320 from the engine power drive mechanism, through power source coupler 110 via arrangement 114. The throttle control communication is exchanged through respective vias, or the respective couplers to drive a carburetor of the power source (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1). The functional attachment includes, arranged behind the coupler (not shown), a throttle control mechanism or means that terminates at a piston 335. Piston 320 (extending through via 114) is driven by piston 335 to control throttle, etc., whereby when a detachable power source such as source 100 is connected through its coupler 110 through coupler 210 of a functional apparatus, extensions of piston 320 contacts pushes piston 335 of the functional apparatus (spring not shown), completing the linkage between the throttle control on the apparatus and the carburetor. More particularly, the piston 335 drives linkage 360 to drive a pivotal butterfly valve 350, which controls the carburetor 345 for the power source 100. An air intake 355 to the carburetor is shown. A throttle trigger, or hand-actuated throttle control 330, pushes on a rotatable disc 325 which pushes on piston 214, which through the couplers pushes on piston 320 to control the carburetor. Disc 325 is preferably constructed with graduated thicknesses to assert the push on the controller piston 335.
FIG. 4 is a more detailed version of the linkage shown in the FIG. 3, viewed from a perspective looking from the tool portion of the functional apparatus to the power source. As is seen from the figure, coupler 210 includes rotating disc 325, on one side (facing the tool) and via 214 with piston 335 on its other face. As mentioned, the thickness of the disc is graduated in order to effectively push its piston to contact mating piston 320, shown extended out of via 114. Via 114 connects the control from the users contact with lever 330 through linkage 360 to carburetor 345.
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a coupler 200 for functional apparatus constructed to accommodate a throttle mechanism, and a drive mechanism, which extends from a power source through a via 111, through a via 211 on the coupler, to drive the functional apparatus. As seen through via 211, the drive mechanism of the functional apparatus includes one or more planetary gears 517, and a drive connect means 518 with shaft 519 which detachably connects to a crankshaft drive mechanism of the engine of the power source, through via 111, when the power source is inserted into the functional apparatus. The figure also shows the throttle via, or cylinder, as described.
FIG. 6 depicts a weed trimmer functional apparatus, 600, with inventive coupler 610. Inventive coupler 610 may connect to a mating coupler of a power source such as coupler 110 of power source 100 with any means known to the skilled artisan for accomplishing such fixation. In an example, coupler 610 includes vias, e.g., pins or pin receptacles 612. Where the functional vias 112 may be implemented with a pin/pin-receptacle arrangement, the fixation means, or location within the couplers of communications vias are not meant to limit the scope and spirit of the invention in any way, but merely to support the detachable coupling, and operational coupling between the power source and attachment. The functional apparatus or attachment 600 includes a tube 620 with internal drive shaft and gear mechanisms (see FIG. 5). Vias 614 and 616, in the embodiment shown, are openings that allow delivery of functional or operational communication between the power source and attachment, i.e., torque, power, etc. For example, drive energy is communicated through any gear mechanism to the drive shaft mechanism, to deliver rotational force at axle 617, to generate the cutting force in cutting implements 618.
In a variation on the FIG. 6 embodiment, the functional attachment provides information, whether it be via an electrical communication signal, or some other form of communication, such as direct mechanical communication, back to the power source to control drive characteristics for the particularly arranged functional attachment. For example, a signal, electrical or mechanical, is sent by the attachment to the power source through respective mating couplers, and, for example. Resulting in an adjustment of torque, speed, operation states (e.g., disengage power train from crankshaft), etc.
FIG. 7 depicts a hedge trimmer finctional apparatus or attachment, 700, with inventive coupler 710. Inventive coupler 710 provides various attachment means, such as vias 712, by which the coupler is affixed to a mating coupler, such as coupler 110 of the power source 100 shown in FIG. 1. The power source slips into and couples with the functional attachment 700. The functional apparatus or attachment 700 includes a handle 720, and housing 730, which houses drive and gear mechanisms, attached to the engine crankshaft, such as clutches (not shown in detail). A vibrating means 740 is connected to the gear mechanism, which when in operational mode, vibrates clipper elements 750. Vias 714 and 716, in the embodiment shown, are included as opening to facilitate delivery of mechanical energy, etc., to the gear mechanism to the power the elements, and cut.
In a variation on the FIG. 7 embodiment, the functional attachment 700 provides information, whether it be a via 714 or 716 including an electrical wire, or by some other communication back through the coupler 710, to the power source. This may be implemented by physical or electrical means. The portable power source, such as source 100 of FIG. 1, includes a coupler modified to complement the vias to receive said feedback, and adjust cyclical speed, power delivered, operation states (e.g., disengage power train from crankshaft), etc., and direct said information to a control mechanism in the power source which is responsive thereto (not shown). The control mechanism may be mechanical, or electrical, where control logic to control the operation in accord with the signals is implemented in an ASIC, or other control device.
FIG. 8 depicts a chainsaw functional attachment or apparatus, 800, with inventive coupler 810. Inventive coupler 810 provides various attachment means, such as vias 812, by which the coupler is affixed to a mating coupler, such as coupler 110 of the power source 100 shown in FIG. 1. The functional apparatus 800 includes a handle 820, and housing 830, which includes gear mechanisms, such as clutches, load balancers, etc., not shown in detail. A blade mechanism 840 is connected to the gear mechanism, which when in operational mode, rotates chain mechanism 850. Vias 814 and 816, in the embodiment shown, are used to deliver mechanical energy through the gear mechanism to power the blade and chain mechanisms. The embodiment may comprise a vibration suppressor for smooth operation.
FIG. 9 depicts a lawn mower functional attachment or apparatus, 900, with inventive coupler 910. Inventive coupler 910 provides for various attachment means to couple the coupler, such as vias 912, by which the coupler is affixed to a mating coupler, such as coupler 110 of the power source 100 shown in FIG. 1. The functional attachment or lawn mower modified in accordance hereto includes a handle 920, attached to lawnmower housing 930. Housing 930 supports a power housing 935, upon which includes gear mechanisms, such as clutches, etc. (not shown in detail) which are directly driven through the coupling by the power source drive energy. The housing 930 is attached to wheels 960 for user mobility. As mentioned, the drive chain delivers the mechanical power received from the source to a shaft rotating a cutter blade (not shown in this view). Vias 914 and 916, in the embodiment shown, are used to deliver mechanical or electrical communication signals between the inventive power source and attachments, for example, to compel the hand-operated or hand-controlled attachment to cut the lawn.
As mentioned above, the embodiments shown and described herein are included to provide examples of the broad applications to which the inventive concepts may be applied, but are meant in no way to limit the invention, or the claims set forth below.
Patent Application
20080038073
