Abstract:
A pruning device is disclosed including a first handle coupled at a first end to a first jaw and a second handle, a first end of the second handle coupled to a second jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are pivotally connected. A rotatable handle is interfaced to a second end of the first handle such that it rotates with respect to the second handle. A first end of a flexible medium is affixed to the second handle and a second end of the flexible medium affixed to the rotatable handle, whereas turning of the rotatable handle winds the flexible medium around the rotatable handle and the second handle is pulled towards the first handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of trimming trees and branches and more particularly to a device for trimming branches. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As trees and shrubs grow, it is important to regularly trim them to keep them healthy and well groomed. Trimming is performed by cutting dead branches or branches that have grown too much or irregularly. 
   There are many trimmers already in use in the market. The simplest trimmer or hand tool has a pair of cutting blades similar to a scissor. Often the cutting blades are curved to improve cutting action, especially for green (wet) branches. A user opens the blades, surrounds the branch to be cut and applies force, closing the handles and cutting the branch. 
   A modified pivoted hand tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,159 to Linden. This hand tool is an improvement over the common everyday prune tool. In the described hand tool, the lower handle rotates as the handles are compressed between the user&#39;s palm and fingers. The purpose is to improve leverage and comfort when cutting branches close to the user. The described hand tool works well for smaller branches when they are located within reach of a person using the tool, but is not adequate for larger branches or when the branches are out of reach of the person using the tools. 
   In response to this need, several extension tools have been deployed that let the person using such cut branches that are outside of their unassisted reach. One example of such is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,381 to Jamison. The described tool has an extension handle that has an inner shaft within a pole. The pole is coupled to one cutting blade and the inner shaft to the other so that pulling or pushing the inner shaft with respect to the pole opens and closes the cutting blades. The inner shaft is connected to a hydraulic cylinder that is connected to a fluid pump. This tool is heavy and includes an expensive and complex system of extension poles, motors and hydraulics. 
   Another solution to the problem is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,917 to Westover, et al. The tool of this patent uses rotation of the extension pole to turn a screw that urges a base member to push the branch against a cutting blade, much like having the branch and a cutting blade in a vise. This tool requires many turns of the handle to move the base member far enough to cut a branch and has a release arm so the user doesn&#39;t have to turn the handle the same number of turns in the opposite direction in order to re-open the tool. This tool is not efficient when cutting many different branch sizes, especially for smaller branches which require the most number of turns of the handle. 
   Another pruning device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,546 to Cooke, et al. This device has a hollow extension pole with a cord or wire passing within. The cord is attached to the cutting system so that, when the extension pole is held stationary and the cord is pulled, the cutting blades engage and cut the branch. This device requires two handed operation, one to hold the extension pole and the other to pull the cord. Because of a lack of leverage, it is often difficult to support a heavy extension pole with one hand while using the other hand to pull on a cord. 
   What is needed is a simple pruning device that can cut various sized branches or other objects with simple mechanical movement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide a pruning device that cuts branches. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pruning device that cuts branches that are outside of the normal reach of the user. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pruning device that cuts branches that are outside of the normal reach of the user using a turning motion. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pruning device that cuts branches that are outside of the normal reach of the user using a turning motion utilizing a low number of rotations. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pruning device that cuts branches that are outside of the normal reach of the user when attached to a simple extension pole, whereas the user can keep both hands on the extension pole while twisting the extension pole to cut the branches. 
   In one embodiment, a pruning device is disclosed including a first handle coupled at a first end to a first jaw and a second handle, a first end of the second handle coupled to a second jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are pivotally connected. A rotatable handle is interfaced to a second end of the first handle such that it rotates with respect to the second handle. A first end of a flexible medium is affixed to the second handle and a second end of the flexible medium affixed to the rotatable handle, whereas turning of the rotatable handle winds the flexible medium around the rotatable handle and the second handle is pulled towards the first handle, thereby cutting any object held between the jaws. 
   In another embodiment, a method of pruning branches is disclosed including providing a pruning device with a first handle coupled at a first end to a first jaw and a second handle, a first end of the second handle coupled at to a second jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw pivotally connected. A rotatable handle is rotatably interfaced to a second end of the first handle and an extension pole is adapted to an end of the rotatable handle. A first end of a flexible medium is affixed to the second handle and a second end of the flexible medium affixed to the rotatable handle, whereas turning of the rotatable handle winds the flexible medium around the rotatable handle and the second handle is pulled towards the first handle. The method continues with holding the extension pole and positioning an object to be pruned between the first jaw and second jaw of the pruning device then twisting the extension pole, thereby winding the flexible medium around the handle, pulling the second handle towards the first handle and cutting the object to be pruned. 
   In another embodiment, a pruning device is disclosed including a first handle coupled at a first end to a first jaw and a second handle, a first end of the second handle coupled to a second jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are pivotally connected. A rotatable handle is interfaced to a second end of the first handle so that it freely rotates with respect to the first handle. A mechanism for urging the first handle towards the second handle in response to the rotatable handle being turned is adapted between the first and second handles, whereas turning of the rotatable handle pulls the second handle toward the first handle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention cutting a branch. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention including a twist shield. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a second embodiment of the present invention in a closed position. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric view of a pruning device of a third embodiment of the present invention in a closed position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. The pruning device of the present invention can be used to prune or cut branches or limbs or similar objects such as cables, wires and wood located either within reach or out of reach of a user. The pruning device of the present invention can be used with or without an extension pole. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The pruning device  10  comprises two pivotally connected levers ( 20 / 12   22 / 14 ) connected by a pivot  18  for scissor action. The levers operate between an open position (shown in  FIG. 1  and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The first lever has a first handle end  20  and a jaw  12  with a cutting edge  13 . The second lever has a second handle  22  and a second jaw  14 , also with a cutting edge  15 . Acting as a scissor, an object placed between the cutting blades  13 / 15  is cut when a closing force is applied to the handles  20 / 22 . The pruning device  10  also includes a wrapping mechanism with a rotatable handle extension  24  and a flexible medium  26 . The rotatable handle extension  24  is attached to the first handle  20  by an interface  21  such as a bearing that permits the rotatable handle extension  24  to rotate freely without rotating the first handle  20 . The flexible medium  26  is securely attached to the rotatable handle  24  and securely attached to the second handle  22  so that as the rotatable handle  24  is turned  28 , the flexible medium wraps around the rotatable handle  24 , thereby urging the second handle  22  to close toward the first handle  20  and applying a cutting force between the blades  13 / 15 , thereby cutting any object situated between the blades  13 / 15 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the flexible medium is a sturdy cloth strap made from, for example, nylon. In alternate embodiments, the flexible medium is a sturdy rope made from, for example, nylon. In yet another embodiment, the flexible medium is made from sheet steel that is thin enough to be flexible, yet thick enough to withstand repeated bending operations. An alternate to this embodiment is to use spring steel so that after the object is cut, the spring steel urges the pruning device  10  back into the open position. 
   In some embodiments, one or two stops  23  are provided to prevent the handles  20 / 22  from being overly forced together, thereby reducing the possibility of bending of breaking the handles. 
     FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention in a closed position. In this, the flexible medium  26  is securely attached to the rotatable handle  24  and to the second handle  22  and the rotatable handle  24  was turned  28  enough for the flexible medium to completely wrap around the rotatable handle  24 , thereby closing the second handle  22  to the first handle  20  and any object that was situated between the blades has been cut. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention cutting a branch will be described. The branch  34  (or other object) is wedged between the jaws  12 / 14 . An extension pole  32  is part of or coupled to the rotatable handle extension  24  and is turned in the direction of the arrow  28 , thereby twisting the flexible medium  26  around the rotatable handle and drawing the first handle  20  and second handle  22  toward each other, thereby through scissor action, cutting the object  34 . It should be noted that the preferred rotation is shown  28  because many extension poles  32  are designed to screw into brooms, paint rollers and devices like the present invention in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the clockwise rotation  28  will tighten this connection rather than loosen or break such. Otherwise, the rotation can be in the opposite direction of the arrow  28  if another connection method is used or if the extension pole  32  is a continuation of the rotatable handle  24 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a first embodiment of the present invention including a twist shield will be described. In this embodiment, a pruning device  40  is shown that is similar to the pruning device  10  shown in the prior figures with the addition of a twist shield  42 . The twist shield  42  is bonded to or part of the first jaw  12 . It is preferred that the twist shield  42  and the first jaw  12  interface along the cutting edge  44 , but in alternate embodiments, the twist shield  42  is bonded to or extends from other surfaces of the first jaw  12 . The object being cut  34  rests on the twist shield  42  and, as the rotatable handle is turned, the twist shield  42  wedges against the object being cut  34  and reduces the amount of rotation or skewing of the jaws  12 / 14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The pruning device  60  of this embodiment works in the same manner as the previous embodiment but in addition to the flexible medium  26  for urging the handles  20 / 22  toward each other, a gear system is used. In this example, a rack  66  and pinion  64  gear is used. The pinion is attached to or formed on the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63  and the rack  66  is attached to or formed with the second handle  68 . In this embodiment, the rotatable interface  70  is closer to the pivot point  18 , though the rack  66  and pinion  64  are positionable at other points on the handles  63 / 68 . In some embodiments, the flexible medium  76  and spool  72  are removable components such that the pruning device  60  is usable as a hand tool before the spool  72  and flexible medium  76  are attached. In this embodiment, the spool  72  is rotatably attached to the handle  68  by a fastener such as a screw  74  that threads into a threaded hole  80 . To permit the spool  72  to rotate, the threads of the hole  80  aren&#39;t as deep in the handle  68  as the length of the fastener or screw  74 , thereby, after tightening, the head of the fastener or screw  74  doesn&#39;t keep the spool  72  from turning. The loose end  78  of the flexible medium, which is enlarged at the loose end  78  by, for example, doubling it over and sewing it onto itself. Before fastening the spool  72  to the handle  68 , the loose end  78  is inserted into a slot  88  in the hollow end of the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63  and the flexible medium  76  is partially wrapped around the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63 . When the extension pole turns the spool  72 , the flexible medium  76  wraps around the spool, both urging the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63  towards the second handle  68  and turning the handle  63 , thereby turning the pinion  64  along the rack  66 . Both actions urge the handles  62 / 63 / 68  toward each other, thereby cutting an object located between the jaws  12 / 14 . In other embodiments, the spool is attached by other rotatable mechanisms such as a rivet or snap. In some embodiments, the spool  72  is permanently rotatably affixed to the handle  68  and the flexible medium is permanently affixed to the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63 . In some embodiments, the flexible medium is affixed to the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63  by other removable mechanisms such as a snap or button. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a second embodiment of the present invention in a closed position will be described. In this view, the spool  72  has been turned and the rotatable portion  62  of the first handle  63  has been turned and the pinion  64  had drawn the rack  66  toward the rotatable handle  62 , thereby the handles  62 / 63 / 68  are urged together and any object situated between the jaws  12 / 14  is cut. It should be noted that other gear systems are possible without veering from the present invention. Also, in some embodiments a twist shield  42  is attached to one of the jaws  12 / 14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a pruning device  80  has a scissor jack mechanism to urge the handles  94 / 96  together, resulting in closing the jaws  12 / 14  and cutting any object situated between the jaws  12 / 14 . In this embodiment, a rotatable handle  82  is coupled to a threaded shaft  90  that is rotatably coupled to a base  88  and the base  88  is coupled to the handles  94 / 96  and jaws  12 / 14  at the pivot point (not visible). A threaded coupling  84  has mating threads to the threaded shaft  90  and the threaded shaft  90  passes through the threaded coupling  84  so that as the rotatable handle  82  is twisted, the threaded shaft  90  turns and the threaded coupling  84  moves toward or away from the base  88 . Linkages  98  are rotatably or bendably coupled at one end to the threaded coupling  84  with pivots  92  and rotatably coupled at the other end to the handles  94 / 96 , also with pivots  92 . As the threaded coupling  84  moves away from the base  88 , the linkages  98  are pulled, urging the handles  94 / 96  toward each other, thereby closing the jaws  12 / 14  and cutting any object held therein. In some embodiments, a twist shield  42  is provided on one of the jaws  12 / 14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , an isometric view of a pruning device of a third embodiment of the present invention in a closed position will be described. In this view, the threaded coupling  84  is at its furthest distance from the base  88 , the linkages  98  have urged the handles  94 / 96  toward each other, thereby closing the jaws  12 / 14  and cutting any object held therein. 
   Although shown with certain handle sizes and diameters, the present invention lends itself to many variations that are all included. Many adjustments are possible affecting the leverage, the number of turns required and the force needed to be exerted to cut a given object. This includes, but is not limited to, the sharpness of the blades ( 13 / 15 ), the length of the handles ( 20 / 22 ), the diameter of the rotatable handle  24 , the distance between the pivot  18  and the flexible medium  26  and the diameter of the extension pole where the user provides the twisting force. 
   Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
   It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.