Patent ID: 8579537
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: A01D,B25G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An elongated member including: a first segmented section of the elongated member, the first segmented section being connected to one of a handle or a cutting head of an outdoor power equipment device, the first segmented section including a male end and a second end opposite the male end, the male end having an outer wall and a hollow space within the outer wall, the male end also having at least one first locking element; a second segmented section of the elongated member, the second segmented section being connected to the other of the handle or the cutting head, the second segmented section including a female end and a second end opposite the female end, the female end having an outer wall and a hollow space within the outer wall, the female end also having at least one second locking element, the male end of the first segmented section being adapted to be inserted within the hollow space of the female end of the second segmented section; a sleeve, the sleeve having an outer surface and an inner surface and at least one latching element located at least partially at the inner surface of the sleeve, the sleeve being carried on the first segmented section, the sleeve at least substantially encircles the male end of the first segmented section and the female end of the second segmented section when the male end of the first segmented section is inserted within the hollow space of the female end of the second segmented section so that the at least one latching element of the sleeve engages and locks onto an at least one aperture defined by the boundaries of the at least one first locking element located in the male end of the first segmented section and the at least one second locking element located in the female end of the second segmented section, and the first segmented section, the at least one latching element including a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the third surface connecting the first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the male end of the first segmented section is inserted into the female end of the second segmented section, the first surface contacting a corresponding surface of both the at least one first locking element and the at least one second locking element, and the second surface contacting only a corresponding surface of the at least one second locking element to cause the at least one latching element of the sleeve to engage and lock onto the at least one aperture during application of required forces and for preventing the male end of the first segmented section from being withdrawn from the female end of the second segmented section; and a retaining member removably affixed to the sleeve and the at least one latching element for preventing the at least one latching element from becoming disengaged from the at least one first locking element located in the male end of the first segmented section and the at least one second locking element located in the female end of the second segmented section.