Patent ID: 6625888
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
A pruning device for pruning and trimming vegetation, said pruning device comprising:a pair of jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, at least one of said jaws being a blade mounting jaw having a blade mounting portion; a relatively thin replaceable blade having a cutting edge, said blade being removably mounted on said blade mounting portion such that said cutting edge cuts into vegetation positioned between said jaws as said jaws are moving toward and into said closed position thereof; a blade retainer movable between a blade retaining position and a blade releasing position with respect to said blade mounting portion, said blade retainer having a forward blade engaging portion, said blade retainer being constructed such that (a) in said blade retaining position thereof said blade retainer secures said blade to said blade mounting portion with a forward edge portion of said blade adjacent said cutting edge being received between said forward blade engaging portion and said blade mounting portion, and (b) in said blade releasing position thereof said blade retainer releases said blade to allow for removal and replacement thereof; rearward blade engaging structure constructed and arranged such that, when said blade is secured to said blade mounting portion by said blade retainer, a rearward edge portion of said blade adjacent said cutting edge is received between said rearward blade engaging structure and said blade mounting portion, said forward blade engaging portion and said rearward blade engaging structure thereby cooperating with said blade mounting portion to restrict lateral movement of said cutting edge when said blade is cutting vegetation; and a pair of hand grip portions movable relative to one another and operatively connected to said jaws such that moving said hand grip portions relatively toward one another moves said jaws toward and into said closed position thereof and moving said hand grip portions relatively away from one another moves said jaws toward and into said open position thereof.