LANDSCAPING TOOL

A tool capable of functioning in a first configuration as one type of cutter or pruner and in a second configuration as another type of cutter or pruner has functions to increase the comfort and efficiency of the cutting process. In some embodiments, a pruning saw assembly may be employed with the cutter mechanism for versatility.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tools for landscaping and particularly to handheld tools for cutting and pruning, such as pruners, pull saws or lopping shears, that are used to trim plants, trees and other natural growth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gardeners and landscapers, both professional and recreational, often desire to prune the limbs of both live and dead ornamental landscape plantings. The process of pruning and/or trimming a tree or plant involves cutting of plants or limbs of varying diameter and density, to achieve a desirable shape. The larger and more robust limbs are often cut using a bypass style cutter, often referred to as loppers, which the smaller more delicate branches are trimmed using a handheld pruner. Alternatively, some pruning practices suggests that plant health is optimized and cutting effort is reduced by using anvil style pruners to cut dead and dry wood. Whereas, the bypass or scissor style pruners are best suited for cutting live plant wood growth. In any use, because of the various pruning scenarios, the task requires the purchase and use of multiple devices and it requires the operator to find and switch pruning devices throughout the process.

Still further, while a lopper style cutter or bypass style cutter might be suitable for branches or cuttings of a certain diameter, there will still often be plants that are too large to prune using such tools. Oftentimes, saws are used for pruning thicker branches. This results in a further additional tool that must be purchased, maintained and carried by a landscaper or other person to the job sight work area. Also saws are often handheld versions that require a ladder for an extended or elevated use.

As such, it is an objective of this invention to make the pruning process more convenient and time efficient by reducing the number of tools that have to be used during a pruning, trimming or landscaping process. It is another objective to reduce the number of tools that are necessary for purchase, transport and storage in order to handle multiple landscaping tasks. Still further, it is an objective to provide a tool that is comfortable and easy to use and configure. These and other objectives are addressed by the embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A landscaping tool in accordance with features of the invention may be selectively utilized as different types of cutters. The tool may be configured and reconfigured into the separate types of cutters as desired. In one embodiment, a set of bypass type cutters is in combination with a set of anvil type cutters. The cutter mechanisms implement features to reduce the distance that the handles of the tool have to travel to capture a branch and the distance that they have to travel toward each other to provide a cutting function.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the landscape tool of the invention may have a pruning saw assembly incorporated with the cutter mechanisms of the tool. In that way, in addition to pruning with a cutter, a pruning saw may be implemented. In one embodiment, the saw is a separate element. In another, the handles of the tool are reconfigured for forming and deploying an extended pool saw with the pruning saw at the end of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a landscaping tool in accordance with features of the present invention. The landscaping tool embodiment10provides features of both an anvil style pruner or cutter and a bypass style pruner or cutter. The type of cutter may be selected by a user when needed and the tool can be readily and easily configured as desired. Handles of the tool10may be rotated around a center axis for choosing which style of cutter is to be used.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the tool10includes opposing handles12a,12athat are arranged to pivot about a center shaft14and provide a cutting force for the tool. Each of the handles12a,12bmay be rotated around the center shaft14for selection of the particular style cutter blades that are to be utilized. The handles may be covered with a suitable plastic or foam13for comfort. To that end, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, tool10includes opposing blade elements16and18that are mounted side by side and also configured to pivot or rotate around the center shaft14. A portion of the blade elements16,18each form one-half of a particular cutter. That is, the end20of blade element16forms one portion of an anvil style cutter while the other end22forms one portion of a bypass style cutter. Similarly, blade element18, at the forward end, provides a portion of the anvil style cutter while the rear end provides the other portion of the bypass style cutter. (seeFIG. 1B). The various handles, blade elements and other elements as described herein are formed of a suitable material such as a metal that provides the strength and cutting edges and surfaces of the tool.

More particularly, as illustrated inFIGS. 2-4, the blade elements16and18are coupled together by the center shaft14and are configured to rotate together about the center shaft. A spring device24is incorporated with the blade elements16-18and around the center shaft14and in a conventional manner operates on the blade elements to bias both the bypass style cutter and anvil style cutter to an open position as illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, for example. As discussed further herein, the various handles12a,12bwill act on the sections of the blade elements that extend at the rear end22to engage the various handles, in order to close the blade elements with a cutting force.

Turning toFIGS. 2-4, blade element16includes an anvil section30that provides an anvil surface32. Blade element18provides an anvil blade section34with an edge36that bears against anvil surface32, such as for cutting a branch or plant growth. That is, when handles12a,12bare squeezed together, the anvil blade section34is brought against anvil section30so that edge36bears on surface32to provide a cut. To provide the cutting force, the handles12a,12bcouple with blade guards40,42that capture the portions of the blade elements16and18at the rear end22of those blade elements as illustrated inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 1, there are a pair of blade guards40,42associated with each of the handles12a,12b. As such, there are blade guards on each side of tool10. The distance separating each of blade guards40,42from the other corresponding blade guards in the pair will vary such that the blade guards40for handle12afit inside the blade guards42of handle12b, so as to allow a scissor action of the tool. The blade guards have appropriate openings for the passage of center shaft14such that the blade guards and handles, as well as the blade elements16and18pivot around the center shaft14. In one embodiment of the invention, the handles and blade guards are not coupled with the spring24acting on the blade elements and therefore are free to rotate around the center shaft14. The center shaft might be held in place and the assembly held together by an appropriate threaded bolt/nut configuration, for example, or other suitable attachment mechanism.

To operate the tool10such that closing the handles12a,12bwill close sections of the blade elements16,18, blade stop elements extend between the blade guards. The blade stop elements may be held between the blade guards again by an appropriate threaded bolt/nut configuration or some other configuration for maintaining their position between the blade guards for engaging the blade elements16,18at the rear end22. Referring toFIG. 1A, blade guards are cut away on one side of the handles12a,12bfor illustrating the blade stop elements44associated with handle12aand46associated with handle12b. In accordance with one embodiment as illustrated, the blade stop elements may be cylindrically shaped elements configured to bear against the blade elements16,18as discussed herein.

Referring toFIG. 2, the bypass style cutter consists of two bypass blade sections50,52. The bypass blade elements are configured to bypass each other and form a scissors action to cut. Bypass blade section50is a part of blade element16and forms a unitary blade element along with anvil section30. Similarly, bypass blade section52is part of blade element18and forms a unitary blade element along with the anvil blade section34. Accordingly, the anvil style cutter and the bypass style cutter operate in conjunction such that action on one such cutter by the handles is translated to the other cutter.

More specifically, referring toFIG. 2, tool10is illustrated to be configured as an anvil style cutter. That is, the anvil section30and anvil blade section34are positioned at the front of the tool for use. The scissor style cutter and bypass blade sections50and52are positioned rearwardly and generally in contact with the blade stop elements44and46as shown. When the handles12a,12bare opened or spread apart to a maximum length L as shown inFIG. 2, the blade stop elements44,46do not significantly bear upon the bypass blade sections. As such, the anvil style cutter is open to receive an element to cut, such as a branch56or other growth.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the respective anvil style cutters and bypass style cutters have notches formed therein, both internally along an inner edge in the respective anvil section30or anvil blade section34and also on externally along an outer edge. Such notches limit the length L that must be utilized in order to open the various cutters for receiving a branch56. Specifically, shown inFIGS. 2-4, the anvil section30and anvil blade section34each include respective internal notches60that are formed in respective surface32and edge36. That is, for the length of the anvil section and anvil blade section, the respective surface32and edge36are not carried along in a continuous radius for the length of the sections30,34. Rather, the internal notches60are formed to receive the branch56. In that way, the branch may be received between the anvil section and anvil blade section for cutting purposes and may be positioned rearwardly in the anvil style cutter so that a cutting force may be applied with a significantly reduced distance L1at the end of the handles12a,12b. As seen inFIG. 2, with dashed lines along the surface and edge32,36, a certain handle spread L would be necessary for engaging branch56, also the handles would then have to move together for a certain distance to effect the cut. Referring toFIG. 3, the notches60ensure that the branch56may be engaged by the respective surface32and edge36with the handles closer together than could be achieved with the traditional curved anvil section30and blade section34. Therefore the distance that the handles have to move toward each other to provide the desired cutting function for the tool is reduced. As a result, a greater amount of squeezing or gripping force may be applied to the handles12a,12bfor the purposes of cutting branch56. As may be appreciated, the gripping strength and therefore cutting strength of a hand is reduced the further the palm and fingers and thumb have to be spread out to apply a force to the handles. Also, the cutting stroke of bringing the handles together for the cutting function is reduced. Thus, the present invention ensures that maximum force may be applied over the shorter distance L1for proper cutting as shown inFIG. 4.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, to further reduce the distance L that the handles12a,12bmust be spread apart and then brought back together again to capture and cut branch56and to further reduce the handle distance L1for effective cutting and the amount of travel for the cutting function, external notches are used in the opposing bypass blade sections50,52. Referring toFIG. 3, external notches64are formed in respective bypass blade sections50,52at the position wherein the blade stop elements44,46would engage the blade sections50,52for operating the anvil style cutter. As such, the distances L and L1are again reduced to provide easier use of the tool10and a greater cutting force applied to either the anvil style cutter or bypass style cutter in use. The notches64, and their respective depths, may be adjusted as desired depending on the dimension of the blade elements16,18. As shown inFIGS. 2-4, the notches64allow the bypass blade sections50,52to be engaged at a reduced distance D than the distance that may be required if the stop element acted on the blade elements without the notches64of the invention. This also reduces the amount of the distance that the handles have to travel or move toward each other to provide the desired cutting function. Accordingly, the combination of internal notches60on the actual cutter, as well as external notches64on the opposing blade sections that are acted upon by the handle through the stop elements, provides more comfortable use of the tool, as well as a greater cutting force applied by the tool when the handles12a,12bare gripped or squeezed.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tool10may be readily changed from an anvil style cutter to a bypass style cutter through rotation of the handles12a,12babout the center shaft14. As noted, while the blade elements16,18are spring-loaded to be biased apart at the cutting ends, the handles12a,12bare free to rotate about the center shaft14. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the handles may be rotated such that the blade guards40,42overlie or capture the sections of the blade elements16,18proximate end20. That is, the blade guards40,42overlie and capture the anvil section30and the anvil blade section34as seen, for example, inFIG. 6. As such, the tool10may then be used as a bypass style cutter with bypass blade sections50,52open to engage a branch56. The bypass blade sections50,52also include internal notches68that are formed in the sharpened edges51,53of the bypass blade sections50,52. As may be appreciated, the edges36and51,53may be sharpened to provide for ease of cutting. Surface32of the anvil section30will generally be more blunt as the sharpened edge36bears against surface32. Similarly, the respective notches60,68are also appropriately sharpened or angled, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, for ease of cutting. Internal notches68provide for a reduced handle opening or spread distance L as discussed hereinabove with respect toFIGS. 1-5. In that way, a branch might be engaged and moved to the back of the blade sections50,52while allowing a shortened gripping distance L1for greater cutting force to be applied by a user squeezing the handles12a,12b.

In accordance with another feature, the sections of the anvil style cutter, including anvil section30and anvil blade section34also include external notches70formed in the external or outward edges of the respective sections30,34. The notches70are positioned and configured to engage the blade stop elements44,46in order to bear down against the spring biased blade elements and close the bypass blade sections50against each other for cutting branches and other growth. When the handles are rotated around, the stop elements engage the notches70. That is, the tool and the configuration shown inFIG. 6operates in a similar fashion to the tool as illustrated inFIGS. 1-4and thus can provide the benefits of the invention in both an anvil style cutter and bypass style cutter in a single tool10. The features as disclosed herein provide a greater ease of use, since a person's hand does not have to spread apart so significantly for engaging a branch or other growth and also provides an improved gripping scenario for application of a greater gripping force when a branch or other growth is to be cut in either configuration of tool10. That is, the internal notches in the various blade elements16,18allow a branch to be engaged with a smaller spread of the handles12a,12b. Similarly, the external notches reduce the handle spread length. When force is applied, the cooperation of the internal and external notches also provides for a reduced handle spread and the application of a greater cutting force by the hand of the user.

The tool10also includes a latch for keeping the tool in a closed position, such as for storage. To that end, a slidable latch47, slides in an appropriately configured slot49in one of the blade guards. A finger piece51is engaged to slide the latch47. When the handles12a,12bare brought together, the latch47may be slid into an appropriately configured notch53in another of the blade guards. As may be appreciated, if the notch53is only on one side, the tool may have to be in an appropriate configuration (bypass or anvil) in order to latch.

FIGS. 7-13illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a single tool provides both an anvil style cutter and a bypass style cutter based upon the selected configuration of a user. Referring toFIG. 7, tool100may be used to operate as both a bypass style cutter and an anvil style cutter similar to other embodiments as discussed herein. Tool100is incorporated as a two-handed tool with longer handles that provide more leverage and are brought together to provide a greater cutting force on a branch or growth. Tool100, for example, may be used for thicker branches or tougher growth for which the handheld version ofFIGS. 1-6would not be appropriate. The embodiment as discussed with respect toFIGS. 7-13may be used with basically elongated handles102a,102bas illustrated inFIG. 7. Alternatively, as discussed further herein, tool100might incorporate other handles that have integral features therein, such as a pruning saw assembly, for further providing additional uses for the tool.

Turning toFIG. 7, tool100has an anvil type cutter head104that is positioned opposite a bypass style cutter head106. Action on the bypass cutter head106of the handles102a,102bis translated to the anvil cutter head104to provide a cutting action. Similarly, when the tool100has been configured to act as a bypass style cutter, the bypass cutter head106is exposed for cutting as illustrated inFIG. 13. In such a version, the bypass tool might often be referred to as a “lopping shear”. Referring toFIG. 9, tool100includes blade elements110,112which rotate about a center axis114. Each of the blade elements provides one side of each of the anvil cutter head104and bypass cutter head106. More particularly, as shown inFIG. 9, blade element110provides an anvil section116with an anvil surface118. The anvil surface118may be integral with the blade element110or might be a separate piece as shown in the Figures that is attached by an appropriate bolt119or screw. The other side of blade element110is a bypass blade section120. Similarly, blade element112provides an anvil blade section122and an opposing bypass blade section124. The handles102a,102bare coupled with appropriate blade guards130,132that include latching mechanisms therein for selecting the type of cutting head for the tool100. Center axis114may include a bolt element134with a threaded end135that couples with a threaded nut element136. Appropriate washers138might be utilized as well as a ratchet gear140that engages a tooth142that is coupled with blade guard130, such as through a plate143. The ratchet gear140bears against tooth142as the gear is rotated to provide a clicking sound used for audible feedback for a user.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, blade guard130is configured to be somewhat more narrow than blade guard132so as to nest within the blade guard132in use. The blade guards also support the latching mechanisms used for configuring tool100into a particular type of tool, such as an anvil type cutter or bypass type cutter or lopping shear. As illustrated, the blade guards130,132rotate with respect to each other along with the appropriate handle102a,102b.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, the blade guards130,132that are coupled with handles102aand102binclude latch mechanisms150,152for latching the unused sections of the blade elements and translating the force on the handles102a,102bto the particular cutting head that is exposed. The latch mechanisms each include a sliding latch154coupled to bias springs156that are in turn coupled to a base element158in the respective blade guards. The springs156are held in alignment by post elements160on the latch and162on the base elements158. Each of the latches also includes a lock structure164on the latches154. The lock structure164engages an appropriate cross pin166that span between the opposing sides of the blade guards130,132. Formed in each of the sides of the blade guards are slots155in which the latches154travel. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 9, each of the latches154includes slide section170that is configured to span between opposing sides of the blade guards and be captured on both sides so as to allow the latch to slide toward and away from the blade elements110,112. The slide sections170also include a forward edge172that is configured to engage appropriately configured notches174,176for coupling each of the blade elements110,112with a respective handle102a,102b. Each of the latches154also includes an engagement section180that may be manually engaged, such as by the hand or fingers of the user to pull the latches154along the tracks155formed in each of the blade guards130,132. By gripping the latch154proximate to the engagement sections180, the latches may be pulled rearwardly as illustrated by arrows inFIG. 10B and 11to disengage a particular latch154and handle102a,102bfrom a respective blade element110,112.

When in use, the latches154engage the respective notches174,176and thus lock the handles102a,102bwith the blade elements. However, to change between selectable cutting heads, the latches154are moved rearwardly to disengage from the blade elements and the blade elements may be rotated together about the center axis114so that a different cutting head is available for use. Referring specifically toFIGS. 10A-12,FIGS. 10A,10Billustrate the tool100of the invention with an anvil style cutter head104as the available cutter head. To switch the cutter head, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the latches are engaged at the engagement sections180and pulled rearwardly against the bias of the springs156. The lock structures164of each of the latches154will engage the appropriate or respective cross pin. The lock structures164are configured or dimensioned to stay engaged with the cross pins166against the bias of the spring156. Referring toFIG. 12, the blade elements110,112or the handles102a,102bare rotated with respect to each other so as to expose the other blade sections for use. With respect toFIGS. 12 and 13, the bypass blade sections120,124are exposed for providing the bypass cutter head106for usage. The bypass cutter head106or lopper shear is exposed while the anvil cutter head including anvil section116and anvil blade section122are contained in the blade guards130,132proximate to the handles.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, each of the anvil blade section122and anvil section116includes a respective notch190,192for engagement with the latch mechanisms150,152. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 13, once the handles or the blade elements have been rotated with respect to the other for exposing a different cutter head, the latches154may be manually disengaged from a locked position, such as by pushing them forward as shown by the arrows inFIG. 13. The lock structures164then disengage from the cross pins166and the edges172of the latch slide sections then slide into the notches190,192to again lock the various blade elements110,112with the respective handles. Then, movement of the handles will cause movement of the various blade elements and thus cause a bypassing action of the bypass blade sections120and124. One or more of the opposing edges121,123might be sharpened as illustrated inFIG. 12for more efficient cutting. Similarly, the edge of the anvil blade section122might also be sharpened for improved cutting. In that way, tool100may have multiple purposes, including acting as both a bypass cutter or lopping shear and an anvil cutter, selectively.

FIGS. 14-19illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a pruning saw is incorporated into a combination tool that includes a cutting or pruning head. The illustrated embodiment as shown inFIGS. 14-19shows the use of handles that are used to drive or operate a cutting head, but also integrate a pruning saw assembly. The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 14-19are shown with a cutting/pruning head or mechanism that may be reconfigured between an anvil type cutter and a bypass type cutter. However, the embodiment as illustrated inFIGS. 14-19that has an incorporated and integrated pruning saw assembly does not have to be utilized with a reconfigurable device as illustrated, but might be used simply with a dedicated cutting mechanism, such as a dedicated anvil type cutter or a dedicated bypass type cutter. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated.

Referring toFIG. 14, a tool200incorporates a cutting mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14, the cutting mechanism202is similar to that discussed herein with respect toFIGS. 7-13, for example. The handles206a,206bare used in a traditional sense for cutting. The tool200also incorporates an integral pruning saw assembly and feature as illustrated at204within at least one of the handles206a,206bof the tool200. In the illustrated embodiment, the pruning saw assembly204is incorporated into handle206b. Referring toFIG. 15, the pruning saw assembly204incorporates a handle210and an integral saw blade212. The handle210portion acts as a portion of the handle206bwhen the tool200is used as a cutter mechanism. That is, the handle210portion remains integral with the larger handle206bof the tool until the pruning saw assembly is deployed. As illustrated inFIG. 15, movement of the handles in the direction of the arrows allows cutting and pruning as desired. Handle portion210is held integral with the handle206bby a latch mechanism214. When the latch mechanism is latched, the pruning saw assembly204remains with the handle. Selectively, the latch mechanism214may be unlatched to release the pruning saw assembly204.

The latch mechanism214as illustrated inFIG. 16is located along the handle206bto provide a saw handle with a sufficient length for the length of the blade212stored within the handle portion210. As illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17the latch mechanism214includes a telescoping segment220athat matches with the telescoping segment220bon the handle210of the pruning saw assembly204. A hinged latch222hinges about axis224and includes a cam226that bears against telescoping section220bthrough opening228when the portions220aand220bare telescoped together as illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16. By pivoting the latch222as shown by the arrow inFIG. 17away from telescoping section220a, the cam226is moved away from engagement with telescoping section220band the handle210may be slid away from handle206bas shown inFIG. 17. In that way, the pruning saw assembly is separated and ready for use. Pruning saw assembly204includes saw blade212that has a stored position where it is stored inside the handle portion210and an extended deployed position. The blade may be extended from portion210and is shown extended inFIGS. 18 and 19. The assembly204also includes a screw tensioner230that slides in a track232formed within the handle210portion. Referring toFIG. 19, the tensioner230includes a knob231and threaded shaft234that extends through an appropriately formed opening236within one end of the blade212that may be rotated to loosen or tighten the end of the blade212in relation to the handle portion. To deploy the saw, the tensioner knob231and shaft are rotated until tension on the blade it is loosened. Once loose, the tensioner may be slid along the track to push the blade along the length of the handle portion210to the extended, deployed position as illustrated inFIG. 18. A portion of the track232extends along the telescoping portion220b. The tensioner is moved along the full length of the track232to deploy blade212as shown. The tensioner mechanism230is then rotated to tighten the blade with the handle portion210and lock it into the position as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. Then, the assembly may be used as a pruning saw as needed. To return the assembly204back to the tool200, the process is reversed. The tensioner230is loosened to move again on track232, blade212is withdrawn to the storage position, and the tensioner is again tightened. The telescoping portion220bis then inserted into telescoping portion220aas shown inFIG. 17and the latch is rotated back so that the cam226acts on a surface of telescoping portion220bto hold the handle210together with the larger overall handle206b. When the tool200is in the cutter formation as illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16, assembly204includes a hook240at the base end of the saw blade and the assembly that may be used for hanging the tool200.

FIGS. 20-25illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention. Specifically,FIG. 20illustrates a tool300that incorporates a cutter/pruner mechanism302in combination with a pruning saw assembly304. As discussed with respect to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14, the cutter mechanism302may implement features of the invention as discussed with respect toFIGS. 8-13or may incorporate some other cutter mechanism, such as a dedicated anvil type cutter or a dedicated bypass type cutter rather than the reconfigurable mechanism of the invention. As such, the features of the invention as set forth with respect toFIGS. 20-25and the pruning saw assembly are not limited to a particular cutter mechanism302utilized with the tool300.

The pruning saw assembly304is incorporated into at least one of the handles306a,306bof the tool300. As illustrated in the Figures, the pruning saw assembly304is incorporated with handle306bto form a portion of the handle. Turning toFIG. 21, the pruning saw assembly304incorporates a latch assembly that has a rotating latch element310that rotates about an axis312in the handle306b. Latch element310includes a stop element314that fits into a notch316. When the latch element310is rotated to a down position against handle306bas shown inFIG. 20, latch assembly308holds the pruning saw assembly304with the rest of handle to form the elongated handle306b. However, when the latch is rotated away from handle306bas shown inFIG. 21, the pruning saw assembly may be deployed.

Specifically, referring toFIG. 22, the pruning saw assembly includes a handle portion320, a blade322, a tensioner mechanism324, and a telescoping section326awhich acts with a cooperating telescoping section326bon the handle306b. As illustrated inFIG. 22, telescoping section326afits inside of telescoping section326b. However, other configurations might be utilized for securing the saw assembly with the handle. Blade322is stored within the pruning saw assembly304within a slot328formed in handle portion320. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade322extends through notch316as shown inFIG. 21. Accordingly, the stop element314might also be slotted so as not to interfere with blade322so that latch element310may be folded downwardly against handle306b.

To deploy the saw, the latch element310is rotated away from handle306B as shown inFIG. 21. Referring toFIG. 22, this also frees up the blade322that may be rotated out of slot328to a deployed position as shown by the arrows inFIG. 22. The tensioner mechanism324may be tightened when the blade is in the fully deployed position as illustrated inFIG. 23. In such an arrangement, the blade322will generally be in a linear alignment with the saw handle320. Generally, the tensioner mechanism324as illustrated inFIG. 20includes a knob323that is coupled with a threaded bolt325that may be coupled as well with a nut (not shown). Rotation of the knob tightens or loosens the tensioner mechanism for securing the blade as desired.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, once the latch mechanism has been opened and the blade deployed, the pruning saw assembly304and handle portion320may be separated from the handle306band the rest of the tool300as shown inFIGS. 22 and 23. As such, the pruning saw assembly304may then be used as a separate pruning saw wherein a user simply grips the handle portion320and uses the saw as shown inFIG. 23.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, once the blade is deployed322and tightened into the extended position with the tensioner mechanism324, the assembly may be reinserted with handle306band then relatched such that the latch310holds the handle320with the larger overall handle306band the tool300. In that way, the pruning saw assembly304may be utilized as an extended pole saw with the tool as illustrated inFIGS. 24 and 25. More specifically, the handles306band306bmay be utilized along with the cutter mechanism302for forming a pole saw as illustrated inFIGS. 24-25. The tool shown inFIG. 24is shown with a slight angle in the handles once they are extended into the pole saw embodiment. As may be appreciated, the handles could be arranged with the cutter mechanism such that the pole is a straight pole rather than angled.

The cutter mechanism302used with tool300may resemble the mechanism as illustrated inFIGS. 7-13and may be used to implement one way or extending the handles into the pole shape Other mechanisms might be used to secure the two handles together into a pole form, but in the illustrated embodiment, the cutter mechanism and features thereof might be used to provide the extension. The blade elements in such a mechanism would have appropriate notches for allowing the reconfiguration of the tool between different types of cutter mechanisms. To form the extended pole saw version as illustrated inFIG. 24-25, at least one of the latch mechanisms332may be unlatched to disengage from a notch of a respective blade element334,336. The handle306aor306bassociated with the unlatched mechanism may then be rotated about the pruner mechanism302(or vice versa) in a fashion similar to the way that tool might be configured between different cutter mechanisms. Then the respective unlatched or disengaged latch330,332may engage into a respective notch340or342in the same blade element334,336as shown inFIG. 25.

FIG. 25is a cutaway version of one suitable pruning mechanism302for providing such an extended pole saw embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 24. In typical use, one of the handles is engaged or latched with a respective one of the blade elements334,336and acts on the respective blade element to move them toward and away from each other for the cutting function. Since each of the blade elements334,336are rigid elements, then coupling both handles306a,306bwith a single element, the tool may turn into an extended pole structure. Accordingly, by incorporating the latch mechanisms330,332into notches340,342associated with just a single blade element, either334or336, the handles306aand306bare rigidly coupled together to form the elongated pole structure as illustrated inFIG. 24for the purposes of having an extended pruning saw or pole saw for implementing the pruning saw assembly304. In that way, a user has an extended reach for the purposes of any pruning or trimming tasks. While the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 25shows the latch mechanisms330,332incorporated into the blade element334, those latch elements or others might also be incorporated into the respective notches formed in blade element336for the purposes of providing the pole saw embodiment illustrated inFIG. 24. The notches might be arranged on the blade elements to make a more straight pole version with the handles as noted. Furthermore, the blade322could be arranged such that the cutting teeth are on the opposing edge and opposite to what is shown inFIG. 24. Accordingly, the present invention as illustrated inFIGS. 20-25illustrates an embodiment wherein the pruning saw assembly might be used separately (FIG. 23) or in an extended pole saw arrangement (FIG. 24).