Device for attaching a tool to harness

Device for a portable engine powered tool that is carried by a hook secured to a harness or a strap in order to reduce the loads on the operator. The tool is attached to the hook by a loop (19) placed close to the centre of gravity for the tool to facilitate the control of the operator.

This application claims the benefit of International Application Number PCT/SE02/02324, which was published in English on Jun. 26, 2003.

Loop for attaching a portable, elongated, engine powered tool to a hook secured to a harness or a strap. The loop being secured to the tool in such a way that it is allowed to turn around an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axle of the tool.

Engine powered tool are widely used to facilitate work in forests, gardens and parks. There are a number of different tools available like for example trimmers, clearing saws and different types of cutters. These tools are available in different sizes to meet the requirements for different kinds of work. The smallest ones are hand held while bigger and heavier tools are carried in an ergonomic harness or strap.

One well known type of tool have the engine and related components placed in one end of a tube while the working tool is placed in the other end of the tube. The working tool could be of different kinds and the length of the tube is selected to meet the requirements for the specific work that the tool is expected to be used for. For example is the length of the tube on a grass trimmer selected so that the operator will be able to walk upright with the working tool in a suitable height over the ground while a tool for pruning of trees have a longer tube so that the operator will be able to reach the top of the tree standing on the ground.

In order to improve the working conditions for the operator are the tools carried in a harness or a strap placed over the shoulders and back of the operator. This means that the operator carries the weight of the tool by the shoulders and back while the arms are used for controlling and steering the tool to perform the work.

The tool is normally attached to the harness or strap by a hook secured to the harness or strap. The tool is attached to the hook by a loop or shackle on the tool that the hook is connected to. This loop or shackle is placed close to the centre of gravity for the tool so that the tool will be balanced when it is attached to the harness or strap. This facilitates the control and steering of the tool considerably, which is favourable for the operator.

The known loops and shackles that are used are either fastened or integrated in the tools. These types of loops and shackles have a negative impact on the manoeuvrability of the tool during use since the operator must use a big force to manoeuvre the tool in the device for attachment of the tool to the harness.

In this application is a device for attachment of a tool to a harness or strap described that will improve the manoeuvrability and male the controlling and steering of the tool easier for the operator.

The new device for attachment of the tool to the harness is constituted of a loop secured to the tool close to the centre of gravity for the tool. The loop is placed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axle of the tube with the openings in the loop substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tube. The loop is secured to the tool in such a way that it is allowed turn around the point where it is secured to the tool. The loop is turning around an axle substantially parallel to the longitudinal axle of the tool.

In order to keep the stability in the attachment of the tool to the harness is the loop only allowed to turn around the axle within a selected range. This range is selected so that the loop is allowed to turn from an upright position to a position where the loop is placed at an angle of 45 degrees in the outwards direction in relation to the operator when the tool is placed in its right position close to the operators hip. This range makes the loop work in a satisfying way with good stability and manoeuvrability of the tool. The prefered range could be different for different types of tools and operators but are selected so that the loop will turn more in one direction that the other direction in relation to a vertical plane through the longitudinal axle of the tool in normal position.

The loop described above makes it easier for the operator to turn the tool sideways when it is attached to the harness. This facilitates for the operator and makes it easier for the operator to control and steer the tool to perform the desired work.

When the tool not is used is the tool released from the harness or strap by removing the loop from the hook secured on the harness or strap. The loop is provided with a spring that returns the loop to the upright position when the loop not is exposed to any loads. This feature makes it easier to attach and detach the loop from the hook since the upright position makes attachment and detachment most easy for the operator.

InFIG. 1is a tool with an engine10and related components placed in one end of a tube11. The other end of the tube10is provided with a working tool12. The tool in figure one is a saw for pruning of trees.

Close to the centre of gravity for the tool is a device13for attachment of the tool to a harness or a strap secured. The device13is secured to the tool by a strap14that surrounds a part of the tool or tube and the device13at the selected position for the device13. A screwed joint15fastens the strap14. The position of the device13is changed by releasing the screw joint15and the tension in the strap14so that the device13could be moved to another position on the tool that is selected by the operator.

The device13comprises of a lower section16that aligns the tube11or another part of the tool. The lower section16is designed for a stable connection to the tool. On the top surface of the lower section16are two recesses17and four supports18placed to keep a loop19in the right position. The loop19is placed in the recesses17and between the supports18The lower section16is also provided with a spring20for returning the loop19to the upright position when the loop19not is in use.

A covering section21that is extending through the loop19is placed on top of the spring20, the recesses17and the supports18and a part of the loop19. The covering section21is also provided with two recesses17and four supports22that are matching the recesses17and the supports18on the lower section16so that the loop19is kept in the right position in the lower section16. The loop19is shaped to fit in the recesses17and between the supports18without reducing the ability for the loop19to turn around an axle that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tube11. The strap14that is fastening the device13to the tool is finally put around the tool, the lower section16, covering section21and the loop19so that all components are secured to the tool.

The part of the loop19that is in contact with the lower section16is shaped so that the loop19only can turn within the selected range, in this case within a range of 45°. The range is set by the shape of the part of the loop19in contact with the lower section16. The loop19is only allowed to turn from the upright position to a position 45 degrees outward seen from the operator. Two protruding sections23that will align the lower section16when the loop19reaches the end of the range stops further movements of the loop19.