Patent Abstract:
A cutting tool for cutting vegetation including a rotary cutting bit adapted to be advanced through the vegetation in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the bit. The rotary cutting bit can be supported by two bit supports spaced apart axially. The tool can include an extension pole which allows the rotary tool to be mounted adjacent a distal end of the pole. In this way high branches and the like can be cut.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present exemplary embodiment relates to a pruning device for pruning vegetation. It finds particular application in conjunction with a device for trimming limbs of a tree, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications. 
         [0002]    Pruning devices are generally used to cut branches and limbs of trees and bushes. Basic pruning devices generally include a saw or shears for such cutting. Some pruning devices are adapted for remote operation and may include a saw blade or shears mounted on a pole. In the case of a saw, a user engages the saw blade with a branch to be cut, and then saws through the branch using a reciprocating motion. In the case of shears, the user aligns the jaws of the shear with a branch to be cut, and then snips the branch by manipulating a rope or other mechanism designed to remotely operate the shears. Such pruners are generally difficult to operate, particularly for those with limited upper body strength, and can result in imprecise cuts and scarring or damage to the tree. 
         [0003]    Other pruning devices are known including U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,536, which discloses a chain saw cutting device designed to be suspended by a hook from a branch of a tree above the branch to be cut, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,238 which discloses an elongated shaft attached to a hedge trimmer handle. 
         [0004]    Another remote pruning device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,695, wherein an electric router is mounted to an elongated rod. The electric router includes a fluted cutting bit installed in a chuck of the router and adapted to laterally cut through a small diameter limb or branch of vegetation such as a tree. As noted in the specification, this device can be difficult to operate. For example, when beginning a cut, it can be difficult to maintain a constant pressure on the cutting bit. To overcome this challenge, a spring-tensioned hook device is disclosed that allows the tool to be hooked over a branch at the cutting point. The router can then be rotated to advance the cutting bit through the branch to effect the cut. Although the hook device may make using this device easier, it adds weight, size and complexity to the assembly. 
         [0005]    The prior art pruning devices have been found to be difficult to operate due to weight and/or size, produce imprecise cuts, and/or require two hands to operate effectively which can make pruning dangerous. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting tool for cutting vegetation comprises an elongate pole member having a first end for supporting an associated rotary cutting bit and a second end opposite the first end for grasping by an operator during use, and a rotary cutting device supported at the first end of the elongate member, the rotary cutting device including a rotational drive member for spinning the associated rotary cutting bit, and first and second spaced apart bit supports for supporting the associated rotary cutting bit for rotation at spaced apart locations along its longitudinal axis. The cutting tool is configured for cutting vegetation with the associated rotary cutting bit between the first and second spaced apart bit supports while being manipulated by an operator grasping the elongate pole member. 
         [0007]    The rotary cutting device can include a motor for driving the associated rotary bit, and at least one of the first and second spaced apart bit supports is supported on an output shaft of the motor. The rotary cutting device can further include a housing in which at least a portion of the motor is contained, and a support arm extending from the housing supporting at least one of the bit supports. The support arm can be removably attached to the housing. The support arm can be adjustable to vary a longitudinal spacing between the first and second bit supports for accommodating bits of various axial lengths. The housing can include one or more bit retainers for holding one or more rotary cutting bits. The motor can be at least one of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a hydraulic motor. At least one of the first and second bit supports can include a collet for engaging a shank of the associated rotary cutting bit. 
         [0008]    The elongate pole member can include a telescoping portion for adjusting a length of the pole member. The elongate pole member can include a control mechanism located closer to the second end thereof for enabling a user to remotely activate the rotary cutting device. The control mechanism can include a switch that is coupled to the rotary cutting device by a cord having a coupling member for coupling the switch to the rotary cutting device. The rotary cutting device is detachable from the elongate pole member and further includes a trigger switch for handheld operation of the cutting tool when it is detached from the elongate pole member. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting attachment for use with an associated rotary tool comprises a rotary cutting bit support member attachable to a housing of the associated rotary tool, the rotary cutting bit support member including at least one bit support for supporting an associated rotary cutting bit for rotation at a spaced apart location from the housing of the associated rotary cutting tool, whereby an associated rotary cutting bit can be supported at a first end by the associated rotary cutting tool and at a second end by the at least one bit support. 
         [0010]    The rotary cutting bit support member can include first and second arm members, the first, arm member can be securable to the associated rotary tool, and the second arm member can be adjustably securable to the first arm member to vary a longitudinal spacing between the housing of the associated rotary tool and the second member. The attachment can further include an adjustment lock mechanism for selectively locking the first and second arm members together in a plurality of positions. The rotary cutting bit support can further include a pole extension receiver removably attachable to the rotary cutting bit support. The pole extension receiver can be adapted to receive a pole member. The at least one bit support can include a bearing. The bearing can be removable from the rotary cutting bit support member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary cutting tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the cutting tool of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the exemplary cutting tool; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary cutting tool without the pole attached; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the exemplary cutting tool with the pole attached; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the exemplary cutting tool in operation; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exemplary cutting tool in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the cutting tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of another exemplary cutting tool in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cutting tool of  FIG. 8  in an assembled state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a pole and bracket, according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, for supporting a cutting tool; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a cutting tool according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a first exemplary cutting tool for cutting vegetation in accordance with the disclosure is illustrated and identified generally by reference numeral  10 . The cutting tool  10  includes a pole member  12  and a rotary cutting device  14  supported at an upper end of the pole member  12 . At the opposite end of the pole member  12 , a pair of spaced apart handgrips  18  are provided along with a control mechanism in the form of pole trigger  20  that is designed to remotely activate the rotary cutting device  14 . The pole member  12  can be a telescoping pole and/or can be composed of a plurality of pole segments whereby the overall length of the pole member  12  can be adjusted. 
         [0024]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1B ,  2  and  3 , the details of the rotary cutting device  14  will be described. As noted, the rotary cutting device  14  is supported on the pole member  12 . To this end, a pole extension receiver  24  engages the upper end of the pole member  12  and is secured to a housing  26  of the rotary cutting device  14 . The pole member  12  can be connected to the rotary cutting device  14  in a variety of different manners known in the art, such as, for example, by threads on the terminal end of the pole member  12  that engage mating threads provided in the pole extension receiver  24 . The pole extension receiver  24  can be configured to interlock with the housing  26  of the rotary cutting device  14  thereby securing the pole member  12  to the rotary cutting device  14 . Various known quick-connect coupling mechanisms can be employed to allow quick connect/disconnect of pole extension receiver  24  from housing  26 . 
         [0025]    The housing  26  of the rotary cutting device  14  includes a pistol grip portion  28  designed to be grasped in a user&#39;s hand when the rotary cutting device  14  is used without the pole member  12  such as in a manner described herein. A trigger switch  29  is provided for activating the rotary cutting device  14 . Supported within the housing  26  is a motor (not shown), such as an electric motor, for rotating a rotary cutting bit  30  that is operatively connected to an output shaft of the motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary cutting bit  30  is fixed for rotation with the output shaft of the motor by a chuck assembly  32  that is designed to compressively engage a shank portion of the rotary cutting bit  30 . The end of the rotary cutting bit  30  opposite that which is received in the chuck assembly  32 , is supported by a bearing  36  that is configured to support the rotary cutting bit for rotation. Bearing  36 , which may be a removable bearing, is supported on a support arm  40  that extends from the housing  26  of the rotary cutting device  14 . 
         [0026]    Support arm  40  is adjustably secured to the housing  26  by an adjustment lock member  42 . Support arm  40  is slidably received within the housing  26  such that a spacing between the removable bearing  36  and the chuck assembly  32  can be varied to accommodate rotary cutting bits of various lengths. Support arm  40  includes a rail  44  that is received in a corresponding groove provided on the interior of the housing  26  such that the support arm  40  is guided in linear fashion between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Adjustment lock member  42  is provided for locking the support arm  40  to the housing  28  to restrict movement of the support arm  40 . Adjustment lock member  42  may be a cam lock or other suitable locking device. 
         [0027]    The housing  26  of the rotary cutting device  14  also includes a hand guard/support member  48  extending between a lower portion of the housing  26  including the electric motor and an upper portion adapted to receive the support arm  40 . The hand guard/support member  48  restricts or prevents contact between a user&#39;s hand and vegetation during cutting. The hand grip/support member  48  also increases the structural rigidity of the rotary cutting device  14 . The housing  26  further includes a pair of rotary cutting bit holders  50  that are adapted to retain spare rotary cutting bits. The lower portion of the housing  26 , as noted, can include an interlock feature  52  that is configured to cooperate with the pole extension receiver  24  when the rotary cutting device  14  is used in connection with a pole member  12 . 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , power is supplied to the electric motor of the rotary cutting device  14  by a cord  56 . Cord  56  includes a plug  58  that is received in a socket  60  (see  FIG. 4 ) formed in the housing  26 . In this configuration, the rotary cutting device  14  is not used in conjunction with the pole member  12 , and the cord  56  is configured to be plugged into a wall outlet or other source of electric power. The rotary cutting device  14  can then be used by grasping the pistol grip  28  and activating the electric motor by using trigger switch  64 . 
         [0029]    When the rotary cutting device  14  is used in conjunction with pole member  12 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 4 , a separate cord and plug is provided for powering the rotary cutting device  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a cord  62  and plug  64  extends from pole extension receiver  24  for connection to socket  60 . Cord  62  is routed through pole member  12  and extends along the length of the interior of pole member  12  and out the lower end of the pole member  12  (as seen in  FIG. 1A ). Cord  62  is also configured to be plugged into a wall outlet or other source of electrical power. As will be appreciated, routing the cord  62  on the inside of pole member  12  is convenient for preventing the cord  62  from tangling with vegetation during a cutting operation. 
         [0030]    Pole trigger  20  can be in line with cord  62  for controlling the supply of power to the rotary cutting tool  14 . The rotary cutting device  14  can be configured to sense whether plug  58  or plug  64  is received in socket  60 . When plug  64  is received in socket  60 , the rotary cutting device  14  can be configured to disable the trigger switch  29  such that the rotary cutting device  14  cannot be activated, except by the pole trigger  20 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 5 , the exemplary cutting device  10  is shown in a position for trimming a branch of a tree. An operator is illustrated grasping the lower portion of the pole member  12  and positioning the cutting bit  30  slightly above the branch to be cut. With the rotary cutting device  14  activated, the operator draws downwardly on the pole member  14  thereby advancing the rotary cutting bit through the branch severing the end of the branch from that portion of the branch connected to the trunk of the tree. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the rotary cutting device  14  as previously mentioned can be configured to accommodate rotary cutting bits  30  of various lengths. To this end, the rotary cutting device  14  as shown in  FIG. 6  includes a rotary cutting bit  30  that is shorter than the rotary cutting bit installed in the rotary cutting devices of  FIGS. 1-5 . It will be appreciated that support arm  40  in  FIG. 6  is illustrated in a generally fully retracted position thereby shortening the distance between chuck assembly  32  and bearing  36 . By making the distance between chuck assembly  32  and bearing  36  adjustable, a wide range of lengths of bits can be used with the rotary cutting device  14 . In addition, if a relatively long bit breaks during operation of the rotary cutting device  14 , it may be possible to still continue to use portions of the bit by decreasing the space between the chuck assembly  32  and bearing  36  and mounting a portion of the bit therein. Thus, an operator in the field may be able to complete a job despite not having a replacement bit readily available. 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another embodiment of a cutting attachment for use with an associated rotary tool is illustrated and generally identified by reference numeral  110 . The cutting attachment  110  generally includes a rotary cutting bit support member  116  that is attachable to a housing  120  of another type of rotary tool  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary cutting bit support member  116  includes first and second arm members  124   a  and  124   b  that are adjustably securable to each other via adjustment lock member  130 . First arm member  124   a  is securable to the rotary tool  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm member  124   a  includes a bore  132  for telescoping the first arm member  124   a  over a threaded shaft  134  of the rotary tool  112 . A hex nut  136  secures the first arm member  124   a  to the rotary tool  112 . 
         [0034]    Similar to the tool  10  described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 , the rotary cutting bit support member  116  is adjustable to vary a distance between a chuck or collet  140  of the cutting tool and a bit support provided on the second arm member  124   b . With further reference to  FIG. 9 , the bit support, in this case, a removable bearing  144 , is provided for supporting a distal end of a rotary cutting bit  148  when the rotary cutting bit  148  is installed in the collet  140  of the rotary tool  112 . As will be appreciated, by adjusting the distance between the collet  140  and the removable bearing  144  through the adjustment of the first and second arm members  124   a  and  124   b , various size cutting bits can be used with the attachment. 
         [0035]    The first arm member  124   a  also includes a threaded shaft  152  for receiving a pole extension receiver  154  which in turn is configured to couple the attachment  110  to a pole  156  such that the overall assembly can be used remotely, for example, by an operator standing on the ground.  FIG. 9  illustrates the assembled cutting attachment  116  coupled to a rotary tool  112  and to a pole  156  via pole extension receiver  154 . As will be appreciated, the use of a pole  156  is optional and the cutting attachment  116  can be used as a hand-held version without the pole  156 . In such case, an operator may grasp the rotary tool  112  as well as a handle member  160  provided on the cutting attachment  116 . The handle  160  facilitates two handed operation of the device which can result in a more stable and accurate cutting operation. 
         [0036]    As will be appreciated, the adjustment lock  130  can be any suitable mechanism for interlocking the first and second arm members  124   a  and  124   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment lock can be a spring loaded interlock that acts to interlock the two arm members together. Depression of the adjustment lock  130  for example by an operator&#39;s thumb or other fingers releases the interlock allowing the arm members  124   a  and  124   b  to slide relative to each other for adjustment. Once a desired length is reached, the operator releases the adjustment lock  130  and the first and second arm members  124   a  and  124   b  are again interlocked and relative movement therebetween is restricted. 
         [0037]    Still a further embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 .  FIG. 10  shows another type of pole  150  to which a one piece bracket  152  can be added for support of a rotary tool  160  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Respective holes  153  and  154  allow the bracket  152  to be selectively mounted on the pole  150  via a fastener (not illustrated) extending therethrough.  FIG. 11  shows a self-powered or battery powered rotary tool  160  including a battery  170 . Also illustrated is a housing  162 , a motor  164  supported within the housing and an output shaft  166  operatively connected to the motor for rotating a rotary cutting bit  168 . The tool  160  can include a pistol grip P and a trigger switch T. Of course, if the tool is mounted on the pole, the tool will need to be actuated remotely as in the earlier embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0038]    First and second spaced apart bit supports are provided for supporting the rotary cutting bit  168  for rotation. These can take the form of a collet  174  that is supported on the output shaft  166  and is configured to engage a shank portion of the rotary cutting bit  168 . The second bit support can include a bearing  176  supported on a bit support arm  178  which is in turn supported by the housing  162 . Bearing  176  is adapted to receive the distal end of the rotary cutting bit  168  such that, along with the collet  174 , the rotary cutting bit  168  is supported for rotation at two locations that are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis A L  of the rotary cutting bit  168 . 
         [0039]    The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. In addition, it will be appreciated that the various features of the different embodiments disclosed herein are interchangeable and/or combinable with other embodiments and/or other features thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0