Abstract:
A lopper includes a first metal plate including a first gear structure and a first elongate extension, a second metal plate including a second gear structure in meshing engagement with said first gear structure and a second elongate extension, a first handle coupled to said first elongate extension, a second handle coupled to said second elongate extension, a link to which each of said first body and said second body is pivotably connected so that said first gear structure and said second gear structure are retained in meshing engagement, a first metal blade member having a first arm portion, a first cutting portion, and a first intermediate portion interposed between said first arm portion and said first cutting portion, and a second metal blade member having a second arm portion, a second cutting portion, and a second intermediate portion interposed between said second arm portion and said second cutting portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to cutting tools. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lopping shears. 
     BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
     Lopping shears, often referred to as loppers, are typically used to cut branches and other plant growth from tress, shrubs, bushes, and other types of vegetation. In general, loppers include a cutting blade pivotally coupled to an anvil. The blade has a cutting edge for severing branches and vegetation. The anvil generally does not have a cutting edge; instead, the anvil maintains the position of the vegetation to be cut by the blade. A first handle is connected to the blade and a second handle is connected to the anvil. Movement of the handles pivots the blade and anvil between an open and a closed position. 
     A branch or other vegetation may be cut with loppers by pivoting the anvil and blade to the open position with the handles. In the open position a section of vegetation may be placed between the anvil and the cutting blade. When the first handle is pivoted toward the second handle, the blade pivots toward the anvil and forces the vegetation into contact with the anvil. The anvil stabilizes the position of the vegetation, and as the handles are pivoted further toward one another, the cutting edge of the blade is forced through the vegetation to sever the vegetation. 
     To provide a lopper having the capacity to cut easily vegetation such as thick branches, the handles of the lopper must be sufficiently long. As the length of the handles is increased, however, the handles of some known loppers may bend or otherwise become deformed. What is needed, therefore, is an improved lopping shears. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure a lopper includes a first and second metal plate, a first and second handle, a link, and a first and second metal blade. The first metal plate includes a first body having a first gear structure, and a first elongate extension extending from the first body. The second metal plate includes a second body having a second gear structure positioned in meshing engagement with the first gear structure, and a second elongate extension extending from the second body. The first handle is coupled to the first elongate extension of the first metal plate. The second handle is coupled to the second elongate extension of the second metal plate. Each of the first body and the second body is pivotably connected to the link so that the first gear structure and the second gear structure are retained in meshing engagement with each other. The first metal blade member includes a first arm portion, a first cutting portion defining a first cutting surface, and a first intermediate portion interposed between the first arm portion and the first cutting portion. A second metal blade member includes a second arm portion, a second cutting portion defining a second cutting surface, and a second intermediate portion interposed between the second arm portion and the second cutting portion. The first arm portion of the first metal blade member is pivotably connected to the first body of the first metal plate. The second arm portion of the second metal blade member is pivotably connected to the second body of the second metal plate. The first intermediate portion of the first metal blade is pivotably connected to the second intermediate portion of the second metal blade. Movement of the first handle with respect to the second handle causes movement of the first cutting portion with respect to the second cutting portion. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure a lopper includes a first and second metal structure, a first and second handle, a link, and a first and second metal blade. The first metal structure includes a first body having a first gear structure, and a first elongate extension extending from the first body. The second metal structure includes a second body having a second gear structure positioned in meshing engagement with the first gear structure, and a second elongate extension extending from the second body. The first handle is coupled to the first elongate extension of the first metal structure. The second handle is coupled to the second elongate extension of the second metal structure. Each of the first body and the second body is pivotably connected to the link so that the first gear structure and the second gear structure are retained in meshing engagement with each other. The first metal blade member includes a first arm portion, a first cutting portion defining a first cutting surface, and a first intermediate portion interposed between the first arm portion and the first cutting portion. The second metal blade member includes a second arm portion, a second cutting portion defining a second cutting surface, and a second intermediate portion interposed between the second arm portion and the second cutting portion. The first arm portion of the first metal blade member is pivotably connected to the first body of the first metal structure. The second arm portion of the second metal blade member is pivotably connected to the second body of the second metal structure. The first intermediate portion of the first metal blade is pivotably connected to the second intermediate portion of the second metal blade. Movement of the first handle with respect to the second handle causes the first metal structure to move with respect to the second metal structure. Movement of the first metal structure with respect to the second metal structure causes the first cutting portion to move with respect to the second cutting portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the lopping shears described herein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a bottom plan view of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 , with the lopping shears shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top plan view of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 , with the lopping shears shown in an open position; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a pair of plates of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exploded perspective view of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a pair of inserts of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side elevational view of the lopping shears of  FIG. 1 , with the lopping shears shown in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals and characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figure views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the device described herein, reference is made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the device is thereby intended. It is further understood that the device includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the device as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this device pertains. 
     A lopper  100 , as disclosed herein, is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The lopper  100  is configured to cut vegetation. As used herein, the term “vegetation” includes tree branches, bushes, plants, and the like. The lopper  100  includes a plate  104 , a plate  108 , a handle  112 , a handle  116 , a link  120  ( FIG. 2 ), a blade  124 , and a blade  128 . The handle  112  is connected to the plate  104 , and the handle  116  is connected to the plate  108 . The blade  124  is pivotally coupled to the plate  108 , and the blade  128  is pivotally coupled to the plate  104 . Additionally, the blade  124  is pivotally coupled to the blade  128 . The link  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , pivotally couples the plate  104  to the plate  108 . When the handles  112 ,  116  are separated from one another the blades  124 ,  128  pivot to an open position ( FIG. 3 ). When the handles  112 ,  116  are moved toward one another the blades  124 ,  128  pivot to a closed position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The blades  124 ,  128  cut vegetation when the handles  112 ,  116  are moved from the open position to the closed position. 
     The plates  104 ,  108 , shown isolated from the lopper  100  in  FIG. 4 , are generally flat and have a uniform thickness. Preferably, the plates  104 ,  108  are made of a steel material. Each plate  104 ,  108  includes a body  132 ,  136 , an elongate extension  140 ,  144 , and a gear structure  148 ,  152 . The elongate extension  140  is connected to an end portion of the body  132 , and the elongate extension  144  is connected to an end portion of the body  136 . The elongate extensions  140 ,  144  have a generally uniform width. Each plate  104 ,  108  defines a shoulder  156 ,  160  at the junction of the body  132 ,  136  and the elongate extension  140 ,  144 . The plate  104  includes an opening  164  and an opening  168 , and the plate  108  includes an opening  172  and an opening  176 . As described below, fastening apparatus extend through the openings  168 ,  176  to couple the blades  124 ,  128  to the plates  104 ,  108 . Fastening apparatus also extend through openings  164 ,  172  and to couple the plate  104  to the plate  108 . Each gear structure  148 ,  152  is connected to an end portion of the body  132 ,  136 . The gear structure  148  includes teeth  180  that extend from a stop  184  to a stop  188 . The gear structure  152  includes teeth  192  that extend from a stop  196  to a stop  200 . The teeth  180  are offset from the teeth  192  to enable the gear structure  148  and the gear structure  152  to engage meshingly after being coupled together by the link  120 . The plates  104 ,  108  are shown with the gear structures  148 ,  152  meshingly engaged in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the link  120  is pivotally coupled to the plates  104 ,  108 . The link  120  is generally flat and, as shown in  FIG. 5 , includes an opening  204  positioned to align with the opening  164  and an opening  208  positioned to align with the opening  172 . The fastening apparatus  212 , such as nuts and bolts, extend through the openings  164 ,  172 ,  204 ,  208  to couple pivotally the plates  104 ,  108  to the link  120 . The link  120  keeps the gear structure  148  meshingly engaged with the gear structure  152  as the plates  104 ,  108  pivot from a closed position in which the stop  188  contacts the stop  200  to an open position in which the stop  184  contacts the stop  196 . 
     The blade  124  and the blade  128  cooperate to cut vegetation when the handles  112 ,  116  are moved toward one another. Preferably, the blades  124 ,  128  are made of a steel material. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the each blade  124 ,  128  includes an intermediate portion  198 ,  202  interposed between an arm portion  206 ,  210 , and a cutting portion  214 ,  218 . The blade  124  is pivotally connected to the body  136  of the plate  108  with a fastening apparatus  216 , such as a nut and bolt, that extends through an opening  230  in the arm portion  206  and opening  176 . Similarly, the blade  128  is pivotally connected to the body  132  of plate  104  with a fastening apparatus  220 , such as a nut and bolt, that extends through an opening  234  in the arm portion  210  and opening  168 . The intermediate portion  198  is pivotally connected to the intermediate portion  202  at pivot point  224  ( FIG. 1 ) with a fastening apparatus  238  ( FIG. 5 ), such as a nut, bolt, and washer, that extends through the openings  226 . In one embodiment, each cutting portion  214 ,  218  includes a cutting edge  254 ,  258  configured to sever vegetation. In another embodiment, the cutting portion  218  is a hook or anvil that does not have a cutting edge, but instead stabilizes vegetation as the cutting edge  254  of blade  124  severs the vegetation. In each embodiment, the cutting portion  254  moves with respect to the cutting portion  258  in response to movement of the handles  112 ,  116 . 
     The blades  124 ,  128  include a non-stick coating. In particular, the blade  124  includes a black non-stick coating and the blade  128  includes a gray non-stick coating. The non-stick coating prevents vegetation excretions, such as sap and the like, from binding the blades  124 ,  128 . Furthermore, the contrasting colors of the non-stick coatings provide a visual indication of the motion of the blade  124  relative the blade  128 . In an exemplary embodiment, the non-stick coating is polytetrafluoroethylene or another synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the handles  112 ,  116  are generally cylindrical in shape. An aluminum material may be used to form the handles  112 ,  116 . In particular, the handles  112 ,  116  may be extruded aluminum or rolled aluminum sheet. The handles  112 ,  116  are strong enough to force the blades  124 ,  128  through tough vegetation, but light enough to prevent user fatigue. In one embodiment, the handles  112 ,  116  are approximately twenty inches long, to provide enough leverage to force the blades  124 ,  128  through tough vegetation, such as dead branches, without an excessive force being exerted upon the handles  112 ,  116 . The handles  112 ,  116  remain rigid during usage. In particular, the handles  112 ,  116  do not bend to a significant degree in response to being forced through tough vegetation. 
     The handle  112  defines a cavity  228  and the handle  116  defines a cavity  232 . The cavity  228  extends from a first end of the handle  112  to a second end of the handle  112 . The cavity  232  extends from a first end of the handle  116  to a second end of the handle  116 . Elongate extension  140  is coupled to handle  112  in cavity  228 . Similarly, elongate extension  144  is coupled to handle  116  in cavity  232 . The elongate extensions  140 ,  144  extend deeply into the cavities  228 ,  232  to couple the handles  112 ,  116  to the plates  104 ,  108  securely. In particular, the elongate extensions  140 ,  144  extend within the cavities  228 ,  232  to a depth that prevents the elongate extensions  140 ,  144  from bending, or otherwise becoming deformed, as a result of the forces exerted upon the handles  112 ,  116 . 
     The lopper  100  includes inserts  236 ,  240  to couple the plates  104 ,  108  to the handles  112 ,  116 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , the inserts  236 ,  240  are illustrated isolated from the lopper  100 . The insert  236  defines a passageway  244  and the insert  240  defines a passageway  248 . The passageways  244 ,  248 , shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 , are configured to couple the plates  104 ,  108  to the handles  112 ,  116 . In particular, the passageways  244 ,  248  are configured to receive the elongate extensions  140 ,  144 . The passageways  244 ,  248  may extend from an end  246  of the inserts  236 ,  240  to an opposite end  250  of the inserts  236 ,  240 . Alternatively, the passageways  244 ,  248  may terminate before the end  250 . Each shoulder  156 ,  160  abuts an end  246  of an insert  236 ,  240 . 
     The exterior dimensions of the inserts  236 ,  240  are approximately the same as the interior dimensions of the cavities  228 ,  232 , such that the inserts  236 ,  240  become coupled to the handles  112 ,  116  upon being inserted into the cavities  228 ,  232 . Similarly, the exterior dimensions of the elongate extensions  140 ,  144  are approximately the same as the interior dimensions of the passageways  244 ,  248 , such that the plates  104 ,  108  become securely coupled to the inserts  236 ,  240  after being inserted into the passageways  244 ,  248 . Accordingly, the elongate extensions  140 ,  144  are positioned in both the cavities  228 ,  232  and the passageways  244 ,  248 . An adhesive may be provided to secure further the inserts  236 ,  240  to the handles  112 ,  116 , and also to secure further the plates  104 ,  108  to the inserts,  236 ,  240 . 
     The insert  236  includes a reduced diameter portion  252  separated from an increased diameter portion  256  by a shoulder  260 . Likewise, the insert  240  includes a reduced diameter portion  264  separated from an increased diameter portion  268  by a shoulder  272 . The reduced diameter portions  252 ,  264  are each located within a cavity  228 ,  232 . Each shoulder  260 ,  272  abuts an end of a handle  112 ,  116 . The increased diameter portions  256 ,  268  extend from the cavities  228 ,  232 . 
     The reduced diameter portions  252 ,  264  of the inserts  236 ,  240  each include a ribbed periphery  276 ,  280 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The ribbed peripheries  276 ,  280  include a plurality of resilient ribs  284 ,  288  that extend radially from the reduced diameter portions  252 ,  264 . The ribs  284 ,  288  are configured to flex, bend, or otherwise move when the reduced diameter portions  252 ,  264  are inserted into the cavities  228 ,  232 . The resiliency of the ribs  284 ,  288  securely connects the inserts  236 ,  240  to the handles  112 ,  116 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the lopper  100  includes elastic grips  292 ,  296 . The elastic grip  292  defines a cavity  300 , and the elastic grip  296  defines a cavity  304 . An end of the handle  112  is configured to fit within the cavity  300 , and an end of the handle  116  is configured to fit within the cavity  304 . The elastic grips  292 ,  296  include an elastic portion  308 ,  312  that is overmolded upon a plastic portion  316 ,  320 . The plastic portions  316 ,  320  are preferably made from glass-filled nylon. The elastic portions  308 ,  312  provide a soft comfort grip. In one embodiment, the elastic portions  308 ,  312  are made from a soft thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     In operation, the lopper  100  may be used to cut vegetation, and the like. To cut vegetation the handles  112 ,  116  are moved to the open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The handles  112 ,  116  may be moved to the open position by grasping the elastic grips  292 ,  296  and pivoting the handles  112 ,  116  away from each other. As the handles  112 ,  116  are pivoted away from each other the plate  104  pivots about opening  164  and the plate  108  pivots about the opening  172 . As the plates  104 ,  108 , pivot the gear structure  148  and the gear structure  152  meshingly engage until the stop  184  contacts the stop  196 . Movement of the handles  112 ,  116  also causes the blade  124  and the blade  128  to pivot about pivot point  224 . In the open position, the blade  124  is separated from the blade  128  by a distance  310 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the distance  310  is at least two inches, thereby enabling vegetation having a diameter or a width of up to two inches to be placed between the blades  124 ,  128  to be cut by the lopper  100 . 
     The lopper  100  cuts vegetation as the handles  112 ,  116  are moved to the closed position. In particular, as the handles  112 ,  116  are moved to the closed position the blade  124  and the blade  128  pivot toward one another about pivot point  224 . Continued movement of the handles  112 ,  116  to the closed position causes the blade  128  to stabilize the vegetation as the blade  124  is pushed through the vegetation. The length of the handles  112 ,  116  and the mechanical advantage provided by the gear structures  148 ,  152  enables the lopper  100  to cut dense vegetation. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lopper  100  is narrow in profile enabling the lopper  100  to be operated in a relatively confined area. 
     The device described herein has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications, and further applications that come within the spirit of the device described herein are desired to be protected.