Patent Application
20140360740
Grounds care/yard maintenance and other outdoor tasks associated with grooming and maintaining property are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like snow removal, are typically performed by snow removal equipment such as snow blowers or snow throwers that may be mounted on riding or walk behind devices. Other tasks, like lawn mowing may be performed by riding or walk behind lawn mowers. Still other tasks, such as tilling, trimming and/or the like may also be employed by either riding or walk behind devices. Moreover, in some cases, such tasks may be performed using hand held power equipment.
When walk behind models are used, an operator typically walks behind the device and steers the device using a handle assembly that extends rearward toward an operator station. These walk behind devices may be self propelled and/or may move responsive to a pushing force provided by the operator. The handle assembly on such devices may include a handle apparatus (e.g., a handlebar or handles) that is provided at the end of an extension portion (e.g., one or more rods or bars) extending from the frames of the devices. In some cases, controls for operating the engine, performing a working function (e.g., cutting, trimming, tilling, ejecting material, and/or the like), or engaging self propelled functionality of the device may be provided at the operator station (e.g., on or in connection with the handle apparatus).
However, since operators may have many different statures and may also have corresponding different desires with respect to handling these devices, it may be desirable to enable the operators to adjust the height of the handle assembly. Such adjustment is typically performed using friction based components that are locally adjusted, and quite frequently require tools to be adjusted. Moreover, many of such adjustments can only be made to discrete or fixed locations along the range of motion of the components of the handle assembly. These adjustments are therefore also necessarily performed when the device is not actively in use.
Some example embodiments may therefore provide a handle apparatus that is adjustable and/or a walk behind power equipment device employing such a handle apparatus. Moreover, some embodiments may provide that the adjustment to the handle apparatus may be provided remotely and may also provide for fixing of an extension portion of the handle apparatus at a selected one of a plurality of non-discrete positions relative to a frame or housing of the device over an entirety of a range of motion of the extension portion. Thus, the operator can remotely adjust a height of the handle assembly even while the device is actively in use without the use of tools.
In one example embodiment, a walk behind power equipment device is provided. The walk behind power equipment device may include a frame, an engine supported at least in part by the frame, a mobility assembly, a working assembly, and a handle assembly. The mobility assembly and the working assembly may be operably coupled to the frame and the engine to provide to provide mobility and a working function of the walk behind power equipment device, respectively, responsive to operation of the engine. The handle assembly may be operably coupled to the frame to provide steering inputs responsive to which the mobility assembly moves the walk behind power equipment device. The handle assembly includes a handle apparatus, at least one extension portion and a handle height adjuster. The at least one extension portion extends between the handle apparatus and the frame. The at least one extension portion is coupled to the handle height adjuster. The handle height adjuster is remotely adjustable to fix the at least one extension portion at a selected one of a plurality of non-discrete positions relative to the frame over an entirety of a range of motion of the extension portion.
In another example embodiment, an adjustable handle assembly for a walk behind power equipment device is provided. The adjustable handle assembly may include a handle apparatus, at least one extension portion, and a handle height adjuster. The at least one extension portion may extend between a handle apparatus used to steer the walk behind power equipment device and a frame of the walk behind power equipment device. The at least one extension portion may be coupled to the handle height adjuster. The handle height adjuster may be remotely adjustable to fix the at least one extension portion at a selected one of plurality of non-discrete positions relative to the frame over an entirety of a range of motion of the extension portion.
Some example embodiments may improve the ability of operators to control the height of a handle assembly to improve comfort and operability of walk behind power equipment devices.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.
Some example embodiments may improve an operator's experience associated with operating a walk behind power equipment device (e.g., a snow blower or snow thrower, a tiller, a lawn mower, and/or the like) generally by improving the operator's ability to establish the height of the handle assembly of the device. Moreover, in an example embodiment, the operator may be enabled to make height adjustments while operating the device and without the use of tools. The operator may further be enabled to initiate adjustments remotely to any selected one of a plurality of non-discrete locations throughout any possible position in which the handle assembly may be fixed over its entire range of motion. Thus, any one of an infinite number of possible positions along the range of motion of the handle assembly may be selected for use.
The tiller 10 may include a chassis or frame 20 to which various components of the tiller 10 may be attached. The frame 20 may support an engine 30, such as a gasoline powered engine. Operation of the engine 30 may be initiated by a recoil starter via pulling of a recoil starter handle 32 by the operator. However, in other embodiments, walk behind power equipment devices may alternatively be started via a key, switch or other similar device.
The tiller 10 may include wheels 40 or continuous tracks forming a mobility assembly on which a substantial portion of the weight of the tiller 10 may rest, when the tiller 10 is stationary. The wheels 40 or continuous tracks may also provide for mobility of the tiller 10. In some cases, the mobility assembly may be driven via power from the engine 30. However, in other cases, the mobility assembly may simply provide for mobility of the tiller 10 responsive to pushing by the operator.
The tiller 10 may also include a working assembly 50. In this example, the working assembly 50 includes a rotatable set of tines 52 that are configured to work, or dig up, the ground responsive to rotation of the set of tines 52 by operable coupling to the engine 30. The operable coupling of the set of tines 52 to the engine 30 may be selectively engaged and/or disengaged (e.g., via a clutch, a series of belts/pulleys, a friction wheel or other similar devices). In other alternative example embodiments, the working assembly 50 may be a rotatable cutting blade (e.g., for a lawn mower, trimmer or edger) or an auger and/or impeller (e.g., for a snow blower or snow thrower). On the tiller 10, the set of tines 52 may be housed within a shroud 54 including side panels 56 and a leveling shield 58. The shroud 54 may prevent or inhibit dirt and debris from being expelled from the vicinity of the set of tines 52 and toward the operator or other people or objects nearby. The tiller 10 may also include a depth stake 60 and a drag stake 62 to facilitate operation of the tiller 10.
In an example embodiment, a handle assembly 70 may extend rearward and upward from the frame 20 above the shroud 50 in order to enable the operator to engage the handle assembly 70 and operate the tiller 10 while walking behind the tiller 10 (e.g., at the operator station). The handle assembly 70 may include a handle apparatus 72, which may include a handlebar or handles (as shown in
In an example embodiment, an extension portion 80 may be provided as a component of the handle assembly 70 to operably couple the handle apparatus 72 to the frame 20. In an example embodiment, the extension portion 80 may be a single rigid member (e.g., a single rod, tube, bar, beam, shaft or other linearly extending component) extending rearward from a portion of the frame 20 to provide a support structure for the handle apparatus 72. However, in other example embodiments, the extension portion 80 may include two or more linearly extending rigid members that may be parallel to each other or that may be connected to each other via an articulated joint (e.g., see flexible joint 82′ in
Thus, for example, the extension portion 80 may include a first end that is operably coupled to the frame 20 (e.g., at the flexible joint 82) and then the extension portion may extend to a second end that is operably coupled to the handle apparatus 72 and/or the control panel 74. The flexible joint 82 may then form an axis of rotation about which the extension portion 80 may be enabled to rotate in order to change the angle between the extension portion 80 and the frame 20 or the ground (e.g., the surface on which the tiller 10 operates). However, since the tiller 10 will by its nature dig its rear into the ground during operation, the angle between the extension portion 80 and the ground may change during operation. Thus, the angle between the extension portion 80 and the frame 20 may be the only angle that remains fixed until adjusted by the operator as described herein. Moreover, example embodiments may enable the operator to remotely adjust the angle of the extension portion 80 relative to the frame 20 so that the change in elevation of the handle apparatus 72 that occurs when transitioning between a transport state and a working state of the tiller 10 may be accounted for by the operator.
In an example embodiment, the handle assembly 70 may further include a handle height adjuster 90 disposed to extend between the extension portion 80 and a portion of the frame 20 to facilitate adjustment of the angle between the extension portion 80 and the frame 20. In the example of
The handle height adjuster 90 of
In an example embodiment, the handle height adjuster 90 may be embodied as a gas or air cylinder. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the air cylinder may be provided with a remotely operable two way valve. The remotely operable two way valve may be operated such that the valve may be opened to enable pressurized gas or air within the air cylinder to be moved in either direction through the two way valve to permit movement of a plunger disposed to separate two compartments of the air cylinder in either direction (e.g., toward either of the separate compartments). When the valve is closed, air may be locked in each separate compartment of the air cylinder to fix a position of at least one shaft extending out of an end of the air cylinder from the plunger. The shaft extending out of one end (or both ends) of the air cylinder may therefore elongate or contract the length of the handle height adjuster 90 dependent upon a position of the internal plunger as described above in order to adjust a position of the extension portion 80 at a selected point along its entire range of motion.
The number and location of the positions at which the plunger may be fixed within the air cylinder (e.g., by closure of the two way valve) may not be predefined. As such, the plunger may be disposed at any of an infinite number of potential locations within the confines of the air cylinder. This means that the handle height adjuster 90 is not limited to being fixable at discrete intervals since the air cylinder does not have any discrete fixing points therein. Having a capability for non-discrete fixing locations, or infinite number of fixing points along the range of motion of the extension portion 80, may provide an advantage to operators that might otherwise find that one fixed position is too high, while the next available fixed position is too low. Furthermore, the ability to remotely actuate the handle height adjuster 90 may further provide an operator with the ability to adjust the height of the handle apparatus 72 without leaving the operator station and without the use of tools.
In an example embodiment, a remote actuator 92 may be provided as a hand operated lever disposed at the handle apparatus 72. However, in other example embodiments, the remote actuator 92 may be embodied as a foot pedal or other lever or switch (e.g., located at the control panel 74) that the operator may actuate without leaving the operator station. The remote actuator 92 may be connected to the handle height adjuster 90 via a cable 94 to actuate the two way valve. Thus, for example, the operator may be transporting the tiller 10 to a working area with a first selected handle height that provides the handle apparatus 72 at a particular height above the surface of the ground and feels comfortable to the operator. Then, when the tiller 10 begins operation of the working assembly 50, the set of tines 52 may dig into the earth and lower the height of the handle apparatus 72 relative to the surface of the ground (although the position of the handle apparatus 72 relative to the frame 20 remains the same as the first selected handle height).
The operator may then be enabled to actuate the remote actuator 92 (either while digging or during a pause in the digging operation) to allow the handle height adjuster 90 to be lengthened in order to permit the handle apparatus 72 to be moved to a second selected handle height that is higher than the first selected handle height relative to the frame 20, but which may restore the handle apparatus 72 to the particular height above the ground that was comfortable during transport.
In some examples, during actuation of the remote actuator 92, the two way valve may be opened to enable the plunger in the air cylinder to be repositioned to any desirable position (e.g., without being limited to discrete fixing locations along a range of motion of the plunger within the cylinder). Thus, without limitation (except for the extreme limits of shortest and longest possible lengths of the handle height adjuster 90), the operator may select and lock the handle height adjuster 90 at a desired position that feels comfortable. Releasing the remote actuator 92 may shut the two way valve and lock air in the compartments of the air cylinder to prevent movement of the plunger and fix the length of the handle height adjuster 90 accordingly.
As such, the handle height adjuster 90 may generally be configured to have a released state that may be activated remotely to enable movement of the extension portion 80 relative to the frame 20 to any desirable point along the entirety of the range of motion of the extension portion 80. The handle height adjuster 90 may also be configured to have a fixed state in which the handle height adjuster 90 is not activated and the extension portion 80 is held fixed relative to the frame 20 at a corresponding point along the range of motion of the extension portion 80. The fixed state may further be provided without mechanical friction and the shift between the fixed and released states may be entirely accomplished remotely (e.g., at the operator station) without the assistance of tools.
Alternatives to the use of an air cylinder for the handle height adjuster 90 may also be provided in some cases. For example, the handle height adjuster 90 may be embodied as a threaded lead screw upon which a movable support assembly may ride to effectively lengthen or shorten the contact point at which the extension portion 80 is supported. A position of the movable support assembly may be remotely operable (e.g., at the control panel 74). As yet another example alternative, a servomotor may be used to adjust the point at which the extension portion 80 is supported. Other alternatives may also be provided.
As indicated above, instead of being a single member, the extension portion may be split into two or more component portions in some example embodiments. In such an embodiment, the handle height adjuster 90 may extend between the component portions of the extension portion instead of extending between the extension portion 80 and the frame 20 (as shown in
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2012/022171 | 1/23/2012 | WO | 00 | 7/17/2014 |
