Patent ID: 6178644
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
A pruner assembly for cutting limbs, said pruner assembly comprising:a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis, a lower end, and an open upper end, and a slidable grip portion, said slidable grip portion being slidable along said longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position;a shearing mechanism attached to said open upper end of said hollow shaft,said shearing mechanism including a body having a hook adapted to receive and hold a limb, a cutting blade pivotally attached to said body and selectively pivotable against said hook to cut said limb;an arm member pivotally connected to said body, said cutting blade being coupled to a portion of said arm member so that pivotal movement of said arm member pivotally moves said cutting blade;a pulley mounted to said arm member; anda cable guide member coupled to the hollow shaft adjacent the open upper end and having a friction reducing surface located to guide a cable into and out of said open upper end;a cable for moving said cutting blade with respect to said hook, said cable extending in operable engagement with said pulley and said guide member friction reducing surface, through said open upper end, through said hollow shaft and being coupled to said slidable grip portion, wherein movement of said slidable grip portion between said first and said second positions rotates said arm member and said cutting blade with respect to said hook.