Abstract:
A pole system for holding a tool includes a manually activated mechanism, an extendable pole apparatus, and a clamp mechanism. The clamp mechanism includes a receiver with a locked configuration to retain a tool and a released configuration to release the tool. The pole apparatus operably couples the actuator mechanism to the clamp mechanism such that manual operation of the actuator mechanism causes operation of the tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/533,124, filed Sep. 9, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/570,241, filed Dec. 13, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to tools and pole systems with clamp mechanisms capable of selectively receiving tools. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Ladders are often used to access hard-to-reach places. In gardening and landscaping, ladders are often used to cut trees (e.g., cut tree limbs) and prune large bushes. Ladders are also used to spray the sides of houses or under roofs (e.g., to spray wasp nests under roofs) or otherwise hard-to-reach locations. Unfortunately, if a ladder is used on soft soil or uneven surfaces, the ladder may have a tendency to lean and a user may fall to the ground. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    At least some embodiments are directed to extendable pole systems with clamp mechanisms capable of selectively receiving tools. Clamp mechanisms can be quick release mechanisms into which tools can be rapidly installed or removed. Clamp mechanisms can operably couple the tools to a gripper mechanism or other type of actuator. The tool (e.g., a pruner, a sprayer device, a saw device, clippers, etc.) can be held by the clamp mechanism carried at an end of a pole apparatus while the user stands on the ground. A user can safely use the tools to cut trees, prune large bushes, spray the side of houses, or the like. The tools can be conveniently replaced to perform different activities. A pole apparatus can be extended to access a wide range of locations, including hard-to-reach locations. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, a clamp mechanism includes a housing, a receiver, an arm, and a lever. The housing is coupleable to a pole apparatus (e.g., an extendable pole apparatus, a fixed length pole apparatus, etc.). The receiver has a locked configuration to retain a tool and an unlocked configuration to release the tool. The arm is pivotably coupled to the housing and moveable to allow movement of the receiver from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. The lever is pivotably coupled to the housing and also pivotably coupled to the arm. The lever can move the arm as the lever rotates with respect to the housing. 
         [0006]    An arm pin, in some embodiments, couples the arm to the housing to define an arm axis of rotation. A lever pin couples the lever to the housing to define a lever axis of rotation. The arm axis of rotation is spaced apart from and is substantially parallel to the lever axis of rotation. When the lever rotates about the lever axis of rotation, the arm is moved away from or towards the receiver. In some embodiments, the arm is moved (e.g., reciprocally translated) to cause operation of the tool. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a connector pin rotatably couples the lever to the arm. The connector pin is positioned between the arm axis of rotation and the lever axis of rotation. In certain embodiments, the connector pin is translationally fixed to the lever. At least a portion of the connector pin can extend through an elongated slot of the arm to allow a desired amount of translation of the lever with respect to the arm. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a clamp mechanism is configured to mechanically couple an actuator mechanism (e.g., a gripper mechanism) of a pole apparatus to a tool retained by the clamp mechanism. A user can manually operate the actuator mechanism to operate the tool via the clamp mechanism. The clamp mechanism can include one or more pulleys, gears, piston assemblies, rods, lever mechanisms, combinations thereof, or other mechanical and/or electrical components that mechanically couple the gripper mechanism to the tool. When a user operates the actuator mechanism, the tool is actuated for convenient use. 
         [0009]    A biasing device can be positioned within a channel of the receiver. The biasing device can cause disengagement of a catch of the receiver and a portion of the tool positioned within the clamp mechanism. In some embodiments, the biasing device includes one or more springs that push the receiver away from the catch of the tool. The tool can have other retaining feature(s). 
         [0010]    A pole system for holding a tool can include a gripper mechanism, an extendable pole apparatus, and a clamp mechanism. In certain embodiments, the clamp mechanism includes a housing coupled to the pole apparatus, a receiver surrounded by the housing, and an arm. The receiver has a locked configuration to retain a tool and a released or unlocked configuration to release the tool. The pole apparatus operably couples the gripper mechanism to the clamp mechanism such that operation of the gripper mechanism causes operation of the tool. In some embodiments, the arm is rotatably coupled to the housing and moveable between a first position and a second position. The arm allows the receiver to move from the locked configuration to the released configuration as the arm rotates. A lever is rotatably coupled to the housing and is rotatably coupled to the arm to cause rotation of the arm. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a saw device is coupleable to a pole assembly and includes a blade, a holder configured to be coupled to a pole assembly, (e.g., an extendable pole apparatus) and an adjustment mechanism. The blade is fixedly coupled to the holder when the adjustment mechanism is in a locked configuration. The blade is rotatably coupled to the holder when the adjustment mechanism is in a released configuration. The adjustment mechanism can be moved to different configurations by a gripper mechanism of the pole assembly. 
         [0012]    The adjustment mechanism, in some embodiments, includes a slider with teeth that are engageable with teeth of the blade that are positioned within the holder. The blade teeth can extend from an end of the blade. The slider can be moved away from the blade to disengage the teeth and allow rotation of the blade relative to the holder. The slider can be linearly displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the holder. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism is mechanically coupled to the gripper mechanism and is movable between the locked configuration and the released configuration by operating the gripper mechanism and/or a clamp mechanism of the pole assembly. 
         [0013]    The blade, in some embodiments, is rotatable relative to the holder about an axis of rotation. In certain embodiments, the blade can rotate an angle of at least 10 degrees, 50 degrees, 100 degrees, 180 degrees, 230 degrees, or 270 degrees. Other angles of rotation are also possible, if needed or desired. In some embodiments, the blade is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by a pin at an angle equal to or greater than about 10 degrees when the adjustment mechanism is in the released configuration. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, a system comprises a pole assembly and a saw device. The pole assembly has a manually operable clamp mechanism. The saw device includes a blade and a holder. The holder is coupleable to the pole assembly. The blade is selectively movable relative to the holder in response to operation of the clamp mechanism. The saw device can be replaced with other tools. Thus, the pole assembly can be used to operate more than one tool. 
         [0015]    The saw device, in some embodiments, includes a holder that connects the pole assembly to the blade. The holder can include one or more internal components that selectively lock and unlock the blade. In certain embodiments, when the gripper mechanism is actuated, the blade is freely rotatable relative to a holder. The gripper mechanism can be operated to lock the blade in the desired position. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, an extension pole apparatus comprises an extension pole, a tool on a distal end of the extension pole, and a pole actuator. The extension pole apparatus has (1) a first mode in which the tool can be moved directly by a user independent of the pole, which movement implements a normal functional operation of the tool, and (2) a second mode in which the tool is made to function indirectly by a user from the pole distal end by action of the pole actuator (e.g., a gripper mechanism). The tool functionally operates through movement of the pole actuator and can include a latch rod that is functionally connectible to the pole actuator, such that movement of the latch rod implements the tool. The latch rod extends slidably within a tool base. The tool base is mounted approximately axially to the extension pole distal end as the latch rod functionally connects to the pole actuator internal to the connected tool base and extension pole distal end such that the latch rod is protected from access outside of the connected tool base and extension pole distal end. The latch rod is within the tool base such that operation of the tool in the first mode does not cause the latch rod to move external to the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings. The same reference numerals refer to like parts or acts throughout the various views, unless otherwise specified. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an extendable pole system, in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a clamp mechanism with a lever for opening and closing the clamp mechanism. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a partial cross-sectional isometric view of the clamp mechanism of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a clamp mechanism in a closed configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a tool ready to be coupled to the clamp mechanism. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevational view of a tool ready to be coupled to the clamp mechanism. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional elevational view of the extendable pole system and the tool in a first position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional elevational view of the extendable pole system and the tool in a second position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional elevational view of the extendable pole system with the clamp mechanism in an open configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a saw device. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  is an elevational view of a saw device with a movable blade. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of an adjustment mechanism. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9C  is an elevational partial cross-sectional view of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 9B . 
           [0031]      FIG. 9D  is an isometric view of a portion of a saw device. A portion of a holder is shown removed. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are isometric views of a sprayer device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows an extendable pole system  100  that includes a tool in the form of a pruner  110  and a pole apparatus  120 . The pole apparatus  120  includes a gripper or actuator mechanism  130 , a clamp mechanism  150 , and telescopic poles  132 . A user can grip and squeeze handles  160 ,  162  to operate the pruner  110 . The telescopic poles  132  can be extended so that the pruner  110  can access hard-to-reach places without the use of a ladder, if desired. 
         [0034]    The clamp mechanism  150  can be a quick release mechanism that selectively receives and releases the pruner  110 . To install the pruner  110 , a base  164  of the pruner  110  can be pushed into the closed clamp mechanism  150 . Internal components of the clamp mechanism  150  mechanically connect the gripper mechanism  130  to the pruner  110  such that operation of the gripper mechanism  130  causes operation of the pruner  110 . 
         [0035]    The pruner  110  can operate in more than one mode of operation. In a first mode, the pruner  110  can be moved independent of operation of the pole apparatus  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, a user can squeeze the pruner handles together to cut an item (e.g., a branch) between the pruner&#39;s blades when the pruner  110  is coupled to or separated from the clamp mechanism  150 . The pruner  110  can thus be operated in a manner independent of whether the pruner  110  is attached to the pole apparatus  120 . In a second mode of operation, the pruner  110  is coupled to the pole apparatus  120  and mechanically coupled to the gripper mechanism  130 . Movement of the handles  160 ,  162  generally corresponds to movement of the handles of the pruner  110  such that a user can remotely manually operate the pruner  110 . 
         [0036]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the telescopic poles  132  include an outer pole  166  and an inner pole  168  disposed in a lumen of the outer pole  166 . The inner pole  168  can slide relative to the outer pole  166 , as indicated by arrows  167 ,  169 , to adjust the length of the telescopic poles  132 . For example, the pole  166  can be moved distally, as indicated by arrow  167 , to increase the length of the pole apparatus  120 . The poles  166 ,  168  can be made, in whole or in part, of one or more metals, polymers, fiberglass, plastic, and the like. The lengths and configurations of the poles  166 ,  168  can be selected to achieve the desired mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness, weight, etc.). For example, the poles  166 ,  168  can be hollow tubes made of plastic or metal. A locking mechanism  140  can selectively lock the hollow poles  166 ,  168  together. In other embodiments, the telescopic poles  132  can include more than two poles and additional locking mechanisms can lock the poles together. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2A  shows a housing  175  including a proximal end  176  fixedly coupled to the end of the inner pole  168 . A bracket  177  holds a pin  173  that defines a lever axis of rotation  170 . A pin  242  is coupled to the housing  175  and defines an arm axis of rotation  232 . A biasing member  231  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) can bias the lever  152  towards the illustrated closed position. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  shows a rotatable arm  230  that contacts and keeps a receiver  200  in a locked configuration. As the lever  152  rotates about the axis of rotation  170 , the arm  230  rotates about the arm axis of rotation  232 . The receiver  200  rotates about a receiver axis of rotation  292 . A distal end  201  of the receiver  200  moves towards a released or disengagement position. A biasing device  300  (see  FIG. 3 ) can cause such rotation and can include, without limitation, one or more springs, including helical springs, coil springs, or the like. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 2B and 3  show internal components of the clamp mechanism  150 . The receiver main body  312  is a generally U-shaped, elongate body rotatable about the axis of rotation  292 , as indicated by an arrow  268  of  FIG. 3 . A pin  293  defines the axis of rotation  292  and is coupled to a head  294 . The biasing device  300  is positioned generally between the pin  293  and a catch  310 . In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the biasing device  300  extends between a base member  295  and an upper portion  296  ( FIG. 3 ) of the receiver  200 . The biasing device  300  pushes against the upper portion  296  to cause rotation of the receiver  200  about the axis of rotation  292 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the pruner  110  ready to be coupled to the clamp mechanism  150 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a rod  190  extends through the base  164  (illustrated as a tubular base) and includes a retaining feature  192  (e.g., a notch, a protrusion, or the like). The base  164  can be inserted into an annular opening  181 . The rod  190  is inserted through an opening  182  (see  FIG. 2B ) until a retaining feature  192  physically engages a catch  193 . When the catch  193  moves into the retaining features  192 , a user can hear an audible indicator (e.g., a click noise). In some embodiments, a click noise can confirm when the pruner  110  is properly installed. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows the rod  190  (illustrated in dashed line) is retained by the catch  193 . The arm  230  presses down on the receiver  200 . A piston assembly  302  can be moved proximally from an initial position shown in  FIG. 6  to a final position shown in  FIG. 7 . A head  294  can pull the rod  190  to close the pruner  110 . The head  294  can be moved distally to open the pruner  110 . 
         [0042]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2A and 3 , to release the pruner  110 , lever  152  can be rotated about the axis of rotation  170 , as indicated by an arrow  262  in  FIG. 2A . An end  202  of the lever  152  moves upwardly, causing a pin  267  to slide in a slot  234  of the arm  230 . This causes rotation of the arm  230  about the axis of rotation  232 , as indicated by an arrow  280  in  FIG. 2A . An abutment portion  282  ( FIG. 3 ) can move upwardly and away from the rod  190 . The biasing device  300  can cause rotation of the receiver  200 , and the catch  193  can be pushed out of the receiving feature  192 . Once the catch  193  is out of the receiving feature  192 , the pruner  110  can be separated from the clamp mechanism  150 .  FIG. 8  shows the clamp mechanism  150  in an open configuration to allow removal of the pruner  110 . After removing the tool, the clamp mechanism  150  can be returned to the closed configuration to install another tool. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a tool in the form of a saw device  400  including a blade  402  coupled to a holder  404 . The holder  404  defines a handle that can be gripped by a user to manually use the saw device  400 . The blade  402  can have teeth for cutting through limbs of trees. The holder  404  has a connector  408  that can be selectively held by a clamp mechanism. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9A  shows an adjustment mechanism  406  between the holder  404  and the blade  402 .  FIG. 9B  shows the adjustment mechanism  406  in a locked configuration to hold the blade  402  in a first position.  FIG. 9C  shows the blade  402  locked in a second position  412 .  FIG. 9D  shows internal components of the saw device  400 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , the blade  402  can be moved between, for example, a first position  410  and a second position  412  (illustrated in dashed line) when the adjustment mechanism is in a released configuration. When the holder  404  is connected to a clamp mechanism (or other component of pole apparatus), the user can operate a gripper or actuator mechanism to selectively release and lock the blade  402 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , the adjustment mechanism  406  is in a locked configuration and includes a slider  414  having teeth  416 . The teeth  416  enmesh with blade teeth  418 . The slider  414  can be moved away from the blade  402 , as indicated by an arrow  420 . When the teeth  416  disengage the teeth  418 , the blade  402  can be rotated about an axis of rotation  433  (see  FIG. 9D ) defined by a pin  422 . For example, when the adjustment mechanism  406  is moved to a released configuration, the blade  402  can be rotated about the axis of rotation  433  an angle, for example, of at least 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 90 degrees, 130 degrees, 180 degrees, 230 degrees, or other desired angles. When the blade  402  is in a desired position, the slider  414  can be returned to the locked position, as indicated by an arrow  421  of  FIG. 9C . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 9C , the slider  414  is in a locked position to keep the blade  402  in the second position  412 . Even when significant forces are applied to the blade  402 , the blade  402  remains fixed relative to holder  404 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9D  shows the slider  414  that can be moved proximally by pulling on a rod  443  of a piston assembly  441 . A user can operate a gripper mechanism to displace the slider  414 . An end  445  of the rod  443  can be fixedly coupled to the slider  414 . After the slider  414  is moved proximally, the blade  402  can be moved to a desired position relative to the holder  404 . Once the blade  402  is in the desired position, the slider  414  can move distally to engage and lock the blade  402 . A biasing member  447  can contact an abutment  449  and urge the slider  414  distally to enmesh the teeth  416 ,  418 . In some embodiments, the slider  414  can automatically engage the blade  402  when the gripper mechanism is released. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show a sprayer device  500  configured to operate a spray canister  510 . The sprayer device  500  includes a holder  520 , illustrated as a retaining band that surrounds and securely holds the canister  510 . A head  530  is rotatably mounted to a connector  540 . The head  530  can rotate about an axis of rotation  542  to press down on a nozzle  550 . The connector  540  can be installed in a clamp mechanism. A gripper mechanism can be operated to push down on a spray nozzle via the head  530 . 
         [0050]    As used herein, the term “tool” is a broad term that includes, without limitation, a saw, a pruner, a gardening tool, a sprayer device, or other type of tool that is often used at hard-to-reach locations. Additionally, different types of actuating mechanisms, engagement features (e.g., teeth, pins, or the like), and the like can be used to move components of tools. By way of example, clamps, pins, and/or other features can be used to, for example, lock, release, or otherwise reposition a blade. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Unless the word “or” is associated with an express clause indicating that the word should be limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list shall be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0051]    U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/533,124, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/570,241, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,987 (application Ser. No. 11/832,046), issued on Nov. 22, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The embodiments, components, features, systems, devices, methods and techniques described herein may, in some embodiments, be similar to any one or more of the embodiments, features (e.g., tools, mechanical connectors, mechanical connections, etc.), systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,987 and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/533,124 and 61/570,241. In addition, the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described herein may, in certain embodiments, be applied to or used in connection with any one or more of the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,987 and Provisional Application Nos. 61/533,124 and 61/570,241. The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0052]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.