Patent Application
20170038004
The invention relates generally to shield apparatuses, methods and kits that provide for a safety measure associated with the use of devices that may hurl debris. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of power devices with apparatuses having a flexible screen to block high velocity debris hurled by the power device from traveling through the screen, thereby protecting bystanders and property from such debris.
Numerous individuals are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries relating to power devices such as and garden devices annually. Riding lawnmowers and garden tractors, alone, account for the injury and/or death of tens of thousands individuals each year. In addition, landscaping injuries can arise through a number of other routes as well. In addition, almost 40% of all eye injuries happen while people doing yard work. As a result, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a part of the United States Department of Labor has come up with a number of standards relating to landscape and horticultural services to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. Exemplary OSHA standards relating to landscaping practices include, e.g., provisions directed to personal protective equipment such as head protection, eye and face protection, hearing protection hazard communication, and hand and portable powered tools, other hand-held equipment.
In addition, Section 5(a) of the OSH Act (29 USC §654), often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” This section may be used to cite hazards for which there are no specific standards, such as ergonomics associated with gardening devices and apparatuses. There are no OSHA standards for protecting passersby and bystanders.
A string trimmer is a powered handheld landscaping device that uses a flexible monofilament line instead of a metallic blade for cutting grass and other plants near objects. String trimmers typically include a cutting head at the end of a long shaft with a handle or handles and sometimes a shoulder strap. String trimmers may be powered by an internal combustion engine or have an electric motor in the cutting head.
In use, the head of string trimmers spins a monofilament line at a high rate of speed to cut plant matter. A string trimmer works on the principle that centrifugal force resulting from spinning the head of a string trimmer can increase the effective stiffness of the line extending from the head. The faster the head turns, the stiffer the line. Even nylon lines having a round cross-sectional area is able to cut grass and slight, woody plants quite well. Some monofilament lines, designed for more powerful cutters, have an extruded shape—like a star—that enhances the cutting ability of the line. As a result, professional grade string trimmers are sometimes used to cut quite large woody plants such as small shrubs.
String trimmers have become popular tools for trimming grass and weed areas that cannot be reached by a lawn mower. Owners of trimmers also use them to edge vertically, or at some lesser angle than vertical, the edges of curbs, sidewalks and driveways and mulched beds. String trimmers are often used near buildings and windows. Accessories for use with string trimmers include, for example, edging guides that, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,930 to Byrne et al., facilitate a consistent edge along lawns.
As with any power tool such as mowers, blowers, edgers, bush cutters, shaft cutters, and rototillers, string trimmers are capable of causing injury if not used in a safe manner. Improper operation of string trimmers is hazardous because the rotating cutting string is exposed. The exposed cutting string has been known to occasionally hit the leg of the operator of the trimmer, thus causing injury to the operator's leg.
Thus, users of power tools should personal protection equipment during the tools' use. Standard protective gear for use with power tools include, e.g., hearing protection and eye protection such as safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield. Gloves are also useful to damp out vibrations. For string trimmers in particular, long trousers and sturdy shoes at a minimum should be worn. The string will at least sting if allowed to contact bare legs or feet. Additional protective apparel for the lower leg and knee is described U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,383 to Heller et al.
Guards for use with string trimmers are known in the art. For example, most string trimmers are provided with a small, relatively flat, attached string guard that encircles a rearward portion of the arc encompassed by the string. While these guards may, to some extent, prevent a user from inadvertently causing the rotating string from coming into contact with legs or feet of the user, these guards do little to prevent cuttings from being thrown toward the bystanders and passersby. In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,876 to Ezell describes a landscaping barrier for string trimmers. The barrier is constructed for fit onto a shaft of a hand-held string trimmer. The barrier typically functions to block grass, weed and other debris generated from operation of the string trimmer from being thrown onto legs and feet of an individual using the string trimmer.
Known string-trimmer guards and debris barriers suffer from a number of drawbacks not addressed by prior art technologies. In general, guards and barriers that are attached to string trimmers do not block all debris arising from the operation of trimmers. In addition, some users of string trimmers remove such guards. Furthermore, while prior art technologies generally focus on protecting users of string trimmers, there is a need to protect bystanders and passersby from debris generate by string trimmers, particularly since professional-grade string trimmers may throw objects with uncontrolled trajectories associated with considerable force and velocity imparted by the trimmers. Since string trimmers are often used to carry out landscape maintenance for commercial property such as schools, apartment complexes, business parks, and the like, stray flying debris may lead to lawsuits and complaints filed by injured pedestrians and owners of nearby property, e.g., cars, windows, etc.
Similarly, power devices in construction sites may also pose safety problems. For example, power devices such as jack hammers and pneumatic tools may be used to break up asphalt and side walls in roads, as well as sidewalk curbs. While in use, high velocity debris may be thrown upward and/or outward by the power device.
Accordingly, opportunities exist to provide solutions to the above-described shortcomings associated with safety hazards associated with various power devices and industries.
Provided is a combination that includes a device, e.g., powered by an engine or motor, capable of hurling debris upward and/or outward during operation and a shield apparatus. The apparatus includes first and second supports, each support having an upper end and a lower end. Also included are first and second bases each having a rod insertable up to a bulge thereof into the lower ends of the first and second supports, respectively, the bases having a construction to maintain the supports in a substantially vertical orientation above the bulges. A flexible screen having opposing vertical edges is attached to the first and second supports. The screen is effective to block debris hurled by the landscaping device from traveling through the screen. A retraction mechanism associated with the first support. The device is, during operation, located within about 20 feet of the shield apparatus.
Each of the first and second bases is selected from a set of hardscape and softscape bases. Each hardscape base has a hardscape construction comprising a disk having a vertical rod insertable up to the bulge of the hardscape base into the lower ends of the first or second supports. Each softscape base has a softscape construction comprising a stake and a horizontal member located below a vertical rod insertable up to the bulge of the softscape base into the lower ends of the first or second supports.
Also provided is a method for enhancing safety associated with a device's use. A region is identified for using a device capable of hurling debris upward and/or outward during operation, and a shield apparatus as discussed above is transported to the region. Rods of the first and second bases are inserted into the lower ends of the first and second supports. The first and second supports are positioned in a substantially vertical orientation at different locations bounding the region while the screen is automatically locked in a substantially taut manner between the supports. The device is used in the region at a location no greater than about 20 feet from the apparatus, thereby allowing the apparatus to block debris hurled by the apparatus from hitting passersby, bystanders and/or property located outside the region. The retraction mechanism is then actived to pull the second support toward the first support.
Further provided is a shield apparatus kit. The kit includes first and second supports, each support having an upper end and a lower end. The kit also includes a set of hardscape and softscape bases for the first and second supports, each base having a rod insertable up to a bulge into the lower ends of the first and second supports, respectively, to maintain the first and second supports in a substantially vertical orientation above the bulges. A flexible screen having opposing vertical edges is attached to the first and second supports. At least one additional support having an upper end and a lower end is physically associated with a portion of the screen located between the opposing vertical edges. A set of hardscape and softscape bases is provided for the at least one additional support, each base having a rod insertable into the lower end of the at least one additional support to maintain the at least one additional support in a substantially vertical orientation.
The set of hardscape and softscape bases comprise hardscape and softscape bases. Each hardscape base has a hardscape construction comprising a disk having a vertical rod insertable up to the bulge of the hardscape base into the lower ends of the first or second supports. Each softscape base has a softscape construction comprising a stake and a horizontal member located below a vertical rod insertable up to the bulge of the softscape base into the lower ends of the first or second supports.
In general, the invention relates to shield apparatuses that may be used to protect passersby, bystanders, and physical property, e.g., cars and windows, against harm arising from flying debris. The apparatus includes first and second supports having upper and lower ends, a flexible screen, and a retraction mechanism, typically associated with the first support. The screen has opposing vertical edges attached to the supports. The retraction mechanism has a construction that may allow the second support to be pulled toward the first support, e.g., by way of the screen.
In operation, the shield apparatus may be transported to a region where a device prone to hurl high-flying debris of differing trajectories may be used. The supports are positioned in a substantially vertical orientation at different locations bounding the region, while the screen is maintained in a substantially taut manner between the supports. The screen may serve to block debris hurled during use of the device in the region. Once work is completed, the retraction mechanism may be activated to return the apparatus to a more easily portable and/or transportable configuration.
The invention is useful in industries such as gardening, landscaping, construction and etc., where debris may be generated and/or hurled by motorized handheld equipment. Notably, the invention finds use in places where landscape maintenance is being conducted, e.g., schools, apartment complexes, business parks, etc.
For example, during the operation of string trimmers, their heads spins at an extremely high rate of speed. As a result, objects such as rocks, glass and debris may be hurled at extremely high velocities and or with great force, thereby causing damage to people, cars and or buildings, etc. A search of court records will reveal that there are numerous law suits and complaints filed annually by pedestrians who are hurt as well as by owners of cars whose paint jobs are marred due to flying debris.
Thus, whenever a landscaper may contemplate operating a string trimmer at a ground region where there is a risk of pedestrians and/or property, e.g., windows, cars, etc., being hit by flying debris, the landscaper may place the inventive apparatus in use in proximity to the string trimmer, e.g., by locating the apparatus within 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 feet of the string trimmer. For example, the landscaper may anchor the shield apparatus in the ground, extend the screen, and start working. The screen will serve to catch flying debris of differing trajectories being created by the string trimmer. As a result, harm to people and property is eliminated or reduced.
Similarly, when a construction worker may contemplate operating a power device that may fling flying debris, the construction worker may place in the inventive apparatus in use in proximity to the to the power device to catch flying debris. Thus, the invention may be used to stop high velocity debris emanating from pneumatic, electrical, and hand tools used for demolition purposes in the construction industry. Tools that may fling flying debris include, for example, pneumatic tools such as jack hammer and chipping guns, electrical tools such as rotary hammers, and hand tools such as sledgehammers, hammers, and picks.
Even when no flying debris is generated, the inventive apparatus may be used to deter bystanders and passersby to approach a construction site/region that may include trip, fall, and other hazards. Thus, the inventive apparatus may also be used in road work. For example, the apparatus may serve as a barrier for people who paint road markings, e.g., via mechanized stripers. Similarly, the apparatus may serve as a visual barrier for people working around manhole covers in the road and provide a barrier for people working with underground cables and pipes, whether laying such items or fixing such items.
Before describing the invention in conjunction with the figures, it should be noted that the description and figures are provided to illustrate examples of the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of presentation. Further, as used in this specification and the claims, the singular article forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes more than one support as well as a single support, reference to “a base” includes a single base as well as more than one base, etc.
As shown in
“Substantially vertical position” is used in its ordinary sense to refer broadly to items that are more or less, but not necessarily precisely, aligned with the direction of the force of gravity, as materialized with a plumb line. The words “substantial” and “substantially” are used analogously in other contexts involving analogous definitions.
As shown in
In some embodiments, as discussed below in detail, the retraction mechanism may also include a spring mechanism similar to that found in pull-down projection screens or pull-down window blinds. In other embodiments, a built-in inertia reduction mechanism may be included. In operation, the screen 60 unrolls in a conventional manner when a user pulls support 110 away from support 10. Once the pulling action ceases, an automatic locking mechanism may be used to temporarily lock the screen in place. In such embodiments, an additional tug on the second support may deactivate the locking mechanism to allow the retraction mechanism to slowly and gently retract the screen to the closed position on its own via rotational motion.
In the embodiment illustrated in
As would be understood by one of skill in the art, other retraction mechanisms may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the screen may be retracted via nonrotational motion, e.g., via folding action. Additionally, in some embodiments the screen may be manually rolled from one support to another.
In some embodiments, the shield apparatus may be easily disassembled and reassembled so that the parts can be easily replaced. For example, in some embodiments, the retraction mechanism may be constructed in a manner that allows for easily replacing damaged screens and the like. In some embodiments, the end cap 44 may be removable.
As shown in
For embodiments using a base such as the one illustrated in
The bases 100 and 200 may be affixed to, restrained with, or otherwise attached to the supports 10 and 110. In some embodiments, the base may include an integrated support socket (not shown) which may be used to mobilize the lower end of supports 10 and 100. In some embodiments, base and support attachment may be made permanent. Alternatively, the bases and supports may be made detachable from each other. Base and support attachment may be made directly or indirectly. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in
In some embodiments, additional supports and bases may be physically associated with a portion of the screen located between the supports attached to the vertical edges. The additional supports may be attached to the screen in any of a number of ways. For example, at the place for attaching the additional supports, the screen may include loops, casings, piping, hems or other appropriate means for attaching the supports. In some embodiments, supports may be placed approximately 20 feet apart or less, i.e. there will be about 20 feet or less distance between any two supports.
In some embodiments, the shield apparatus may be constructed so that it is portable. “Portable” is used in its ordinary sense to refer broadly to items that may be transported in a relatively easy manner. In such embodiments, a housing may be included, such as the housing illustrated at 40 of
In some embodiments, the shield may be heavier than 20 pounds based in part on the length and width of the screen. For example, a standard professional grade version of the invention may weigh up to about 40 pounds. A carbon-fiber version may weigh about 25-30 pounds.
The retraction mechanism may include a clutch assembly with an automatic assist. For example, the retraction mechanism may automatically assist to retract the screen by way of rotational motion. The automatic assist may include a coil spring that winds up as the screen is expanded. The spring provided the force for automatic assisting retraction of the screen. In addition, the retraction mechanism has a construction such that the second support may be automatically locked relative to and automatically pulled toward the first support, as desired. Such locking action may involve the use of a ratchet arranged so that a second pull will unlock the ratchet and allow the screen to retract.
Notably, such bases allow for the invention to be used a novel and nonobvious ways. For example, the construction of the bases allows the first support to pivot 360 degrees in any direction. In addition, the invention allows for the inventive screen to engage in shimmying action so as to cover a large distance by successive and selective movement of the bases. For example, rods of first and second bases may be inserted into first support and second supports. Then, the apparatuses may be placed such that the supports span a distance of about 10 to 20 feet from each other to allow the screen to block debris hurled by the power device from the hitting passersby, bystanders and/or property located outside the grounds region where the device is operated. Once the device user is finished with that particular grounds region, the first support and first base may be relocated without relocating the second support and the second base. As a result, the apparatus is effectively shimmied to a neighboring landscaping region for blocking hurled debris therefrom. Such shimming action may be carried out further by then relocating the second support and the second base without relocating the first support and the first base. That way, the inventive shield may be used with yet another neighboring landscaping region.
The shield apparatus is useful in numerous industries. A non-exclusive list of industries in which the shield apparatus would be useful includes, landscaping/horticulture, light and heavy construction projects, industries in which debris may be generated and/or hurled by motorized and other power equipment, and other industries with a need for a shield. The term “debris” is used herein in its ordinary sense and refers to small pieces or fragments of something, e.g., pebbles, small rocks, rubble, glass, pieces of tree bark, or small pieces of improperly discarded items found on grounds regions where work such as landscaping activities may occur. Exemplary debris that may be generated and/or hurled during the use of equipment include, for example, pebbles, masonry pieces, glass fragments, sand, nails, pieces of concrete, pieces o asphalt, etc. The term “hurl” is used herein in its ordinary sense and refers to propelling, throwing, launching, bouncing, etc., into the air by any means.
The shield apparatus is useful in numerous places. A non-exclusive list of examples of places where the shield apparatus is useful includes places where landscape maintenance is being conducted, e.g., schools, apartment complexes, business parks, roads, construction zones, undergrounding sites, etc.
In some embodiments, the shield apparatus is used in the landscaping/horticulture industry to block debris hurled by landscaping tools, such as mowers, blowers, rototillers, and string trimmers. In some such embodiments, the shield apparatus may be constructed and used to block debris hurled by a string trimmer. The term “string trimmer” is used herein in its ordinary sense to broadly describe a powered handheld device that uses a “string,” such as a flexible monofilament line, instead of a blade for cutting grass and other plants near objects. String trimmers typically include a cutting head at the end of a long shaft with a handle or handles. In use, the head of string trimmers spins the string at a high rate of speed to cut plant matter. Some string trimmers are used to cut quite large woody plants such as small shrubs.
Because the head of a string trimmer spins at a high rate of speed, objects such as debris may be hurled at extremely high velocities and or with great force, thereby causing damage to people, cars and or buildings, etc. While the user of a string trimmer may use standard protective gear for use with power tools such as safety glasses, goggles, a face shield gloves, and lower leg guards, these will not protect other people in the area such bystanders or passersby, nor the property in the area. Additionally, some string trimmers may include attached guards or shields on the string trimmer device itself However, these guards or shields do not block all debris arising from the operation of trimmers. Thus, debris may still be hurled and injure other people in the area and property.
In embodiments in which the shield apparatus is used with a string trimmer, the shield apparatus may be transported to a grounds region where a device prone to hurl flying debris may be used. The supports are positioned in a substantially vertical position at different locations in the region, while the screen is maintained in a substantially taut manner between the supports. The screen may serve to block debris hurled during use of the device in the region. Once work is completed, the retraction mechanism may be activated to retract the support attached to one vertical edge of the screen to the opposing vertical edge.
Depending on the intended use of the apparatus shield, the construction of the screen used in the apparatus shield, such as the screen's dimensions, strength, and composition, may vary. The height of the screen may also vary depending on its use. For example, in some embodiments, when the invention is used to protect bystanders, the screen may have a height greater than that of the bystanders. For example, in some embodiments used to protect children, a screen having a height of about 4 feet or more may be used. In other embodiments also used to protect adults, a screen having a height of up to about 7 feet may be adequate to protect most adult bystanders. For embodiments that are portable, an excessive height may be undesirable. These dimensions are exemplary and are not meant to be limiting. One of skill in the art would be able to assess the proper height for the particular use of the shield apparatus without undue experimentation.
The length of the screen may also vary according to the intended use of the shield apparatus. For example, for some embodiments the screen should have a sufficiently long length so that the user does not have to move the screen often during use. For example, in some embodiments depending on the use, the screen may have a length of at least about ten to twenty feet or more when completely extended. In some embodiments, one more additional supports and bases may be required because of the length of the screen and the material of the screen. These dimensions are exemplary and are not meant to be limiting. One of skill in the art would be able to assess the proper length for the particular use of the shield apparatus without undue experimentation.
Any of a number of commercially available materials may be used as long as the material can be made sufficiently strong for the apparatus's intended use. For example, polymeric materials such as nylon and polyester may be found in mesh form. Similarly, materials used in windows for insect screening such as aluminum and fiberglass may be used as well. Less common mesh materials that may be used include bronze, copper, brass, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. Naturally occurring cloth fabrics, e.g., cotton and burlap, and synthetic films such as polyethylene and polypropylene may be used as well.
For landscaping/horticulture applications, the shield should have a construction (i.e. enough strength and dimension) that allows the screen, when rendered taut between the supports, to block debris hurled by a landscaping device e.g., tools with an electrical motor and/or a gas-powered engine. Exemplary power landscaping tools known to generate debris include, for example, string trimmers, leaf blowers, mowers, rototillers, etc.
Through routine experimentation in view of the manufacturer's specification for such tool, persons of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine a suitable screen without undue experimentation. For example, commercial gas-powered string trimmers have 1.6 horse-power two-stroke engine with a 33.6 cubic centimeter displacement. Nylon mesh may be successfully used in the context of the inventive apparatus to prevent debris generated by the spinning head of such string trimmers. Another material that may be used for the screen in a shield apparatus, which is used to block debris such as that hurled by a string trimmer, is a charcoal fiberglass mesh screen, such as the one sold by Phifer, Inc. Another material that may be used for a screen in a shield apparatus that is may be used with a string trimmer is a vinyl-coated polyester screen, such as the SunTex® 80 screen with a breaking strength of 400 warp and 380 fill or SunTex® 90 screen with a breaking strength of 480 warp and 340 fill sold by Phifer, Inc. Screens within such a range of warps and fills may be used as well. In some instances, openings in the screen may not exceed an area of about 1/40 square inch. These examples are provided as illustrations of example materials and are not meant to be limiting. One of skill in the art would be able to assess a proper material for the screen without undue experimentation.
Typically, the screen may extend downward so as to be flush with the ground. In addition, a thinner screen material may be used so that the housing could hold a longer length than if a thicker screen materials is used. Furthermore, support ties for the posts may be used to keep the screen more taut. In any case, the housing may be integral to the first support and have a size effective to contain the entire screen upon retraction.
Depending on the intended use of the inventive apparatus, the screen may vary in permeability. Typically, a wind permeable material may be desired for outdoor use, as it may be difficult to maintain a wind-impermeable screen in a taut vertical orientation between the supports when the weather does not permit. However, mesh sizes should not be so excessive such that the ability of the screen to block debris is compromised. Upon routine experimentation, persons of ordinary skill in the art would be able to select a screen material with appropriate wind and/or debris permeability.
Similarly, the screen may vary in appearance depending on aesthetic and/or functional consideration. For example, the screen may be colored green, a color associated with landscaping. In addition, the screen may also serve to warn bystanders from approaching the grounds regions where work may take place. Such warnings may be communicated via printed text, symbols, and/or colors ordinarily associated with caution and/or safety, e.g., yellow or orange or black, etc. Optionally, the screen may be see-through, opaque, or anything in between.
Variations of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure contained herein. For example, the invention is not limited to the area of landscaping/horticulture. The invention may be used in construction zones, e.g., in conjunction with portable sandbags to weigh down bases and/or stakes. Such sandbags may take the form of heavy-duty, urethane-coated nylon saddle bags with double-sided handle. Such bags may come filled, e.g., with 10, 15, 20, or 30 pounds of soft sand or steel shot in plastic liners that are impulse sealed and placed in pockets of the saddlebags. Optionally, the pockets are sewn shut.
In addition, the retraction mechanism is a particularly nonobvious feature of the invention because it is no trivial matter to produce a mechanism that reliably retracts a screen of a size appropriate for the invention. The retraction and automatic assist mechanisms could work with the combination of an electric motor. The screen base assembly may be mounted on a landscape cart or truck, e.g., via any number of known means such as those involving bolts, nuts, straps, clips, etc.
Furthermore, the inventive apparatus may be constructed to contain or exclude specific features and components according to the intended use of the apparatus, and any particular embodiment of the invention, e.g., those depicted in any drawing herein, may be modified to include or exclude element of other embodiments. Alternatively, stated, different features of the invention described above may be combined in different ways.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description merely illustrates and does not limit the scope of the invention. Numerous alternatives and equivalents exist which do not depart from the invention set forth above. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No 14/997,552, entitled “LANDSCAPE SAFETY APPARATUS, ASSOCIATED COMBINATIONS, METHODS, AND KITS, filed Jan. 17, 2016, now allowed, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/288,928, entitled “GARDENING SAFETY APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed May 28, 2014, which is a is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/269,535, entitled “LANDSCAPE SHIELD APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed Aug. 7, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/049,884, entitled “LANDSCAPE SHIELD APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed Mar. 16, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13049884 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 13269535 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14997552 | Jan 2016 | US |
| Child | 15233827 | US | |
| Parent | 14288928 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14997552 | US | |
| Parent | 13269535 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Child | 14288928 | US |
