Patent Abstract:
A picking tool employs a changeable end effector having first and second operative portions. A changing member allows selection of the first or the second portions for deployment during picking, such that the picking tool can be changed to different configurations of end effectors for varied uses. The changing member provides a locked position where the end effector is locked onto the picking tool for use and an unlocked position whereby the end effector may be removed and repositioned to present a different portion for operative use.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to picking tools, and more particularly for a manual picking tool having a changeable head contact portion and improved operation. 
   Tools for picking up items incorporate an articulatable gripping head portion with an elongate pole portion having an actuator at the end distal from the head, so that a user can hold the tool with one hand and actuate the head to close and clamp onto an item, for picking the item up by use of the same hand. This keeps the other hand free, which can be used to retrieve the item from the picking tool, if desired. Typical uses include picking up items from the ground, such as litter, for example, and for grasping items that would otherwise be out of reach, for example, items stored on shelves. 
   Some picking tools employ an actuator requiring the user to operation the tool by closing the fingers of one hand as a group, drawing the fingers toward the palm. However, since the same hand is holding the picking tool, this manner of operation puts an amount of strain on the user&#39;s wrist, such that long term use is uncomfortable, or such that the weight of items that can be picked up without wrist strain or pain is reduced considerably. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the invention, an improved picking tool employs a trigger style actuator handle, and a head portion having changeable end portions to enable changing of the configuration of the grasping end of the picking tool for different uses. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved picking tool having a variable end portion. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved picking tool that is adapted for grasping a variety of items comfortably. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved picking tool that is easy to use and light weight. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  top view of a picking tool according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the picking tool of  FIG. 1 , with the trigger in the actuated position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the head portion of the picking tool, with one arm removed; 
       FIG. 4  is an alternate perspective view of the head portion of the picking tool, with one arm removed, with the end effector switched to the alternate configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the handle and actuator trigger portion of the picking tool, with the trigger in the position when not actuated; 
       FIG. 6  is a view of the head portion  16  in a disassembled state; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the head portion taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a link member; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of arm  18 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an end view of arm  18 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom view of arm  18 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the picking tool in the open position; 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a stick member; 
       FIG. 13   b  is a cross sectional view of the shape of the portion  92  of the stick; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an end effector; 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of an end effector; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a lock/turning mechanism; 
       FIG. 17  is a top end view of the lock/turning mechanism of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom end view of the lock/turning mechanism of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the lock/turning mechanism of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the trigger; and 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a cable guide way employed in the handle member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a picking tool with a trigger style actuator to cause 2 arm members to pivot toward each other, to bring corresponding head members together for closing on an item to enable gripping and picking the item. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , which are top and side views of the picking tool  10  with the tool in the closed position, the tool includes a handle portion  12 , suitably including a TPR rubber covering, for comfort to the user&#39;s hand. The handle portion  12  is connected to an elongate extension member  14 , having at the end distal from the handle portion, an actuation head portion  16 . The head portion pivotally mounts arms  18  and  20 , said arms carrying end effectors  22  and  24  thereon. The head portion includes fixed arm members  36  and  38 , having pin member  26  and  28  at the distal ends thereof, the pin member  26  and  28  being engaged with an elongate slot portion  30 ,  32  of the respective arms  18  and  20 . End portions of arms  18  and  20  are pivotally held to the head portion  16  by pin  34  through respective holes (not visible in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in the arms  18  and  20 . 
   In  FIG. 2 , it may be observed that the picking tool handle supports a trigger member  40  which is pivotally carried by the handle portion  12 , pivoting about pivot position  42 . A cable  44  is engaged by the trigger member, the opposite end of the cable being attached to a portion of the head  16  as discussed hereinbelow. Actuation of the trigger to the position show in  FIG. 2 , pulls the cable which causes the two arms  18 ,  20  and end effectors  22 ,  24 , to be in the position shown in  FIG. 1 . Cable  44  extends through the elongate extension member  14 , which suitably is in the form of a hollow rod so as to have a space therein to receive the cable along the extent thereof. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , perspective views of the head end of the picking tool, with arm portion  20  removed for illustration purposes, it may be observed that the end effector  22  (and also end effector  24 ) may assume 2 different orientations. In  FIG. 3 , the end effector is positioned such that a flat face  46  is oriented toward the center, such that on actuation of the trigger, the two flat faces  46 ,  48  of the end effectors  22 ,  24  will meet, as in  FIG. 1 , to provide a flat gripping surface to the end effectors. In  FIG. 4 , the end effector  22  is rotated 180 degrees on the axis  50 - 50 , so that the cup-like face  48  is oriented toward the center, so as to provide a cup like grasping shape to the end effectors. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the handle and actuator trigger portion of the picking tool, with the trigger in the position when not actuated, the trigger  40  moves forwardly of the handle portion when in the un-actuated position. The trigger is spring biased by its engagement with the cable, as discussed below, to be in the un-actuated position in absence of being pulled toward the handle by a user. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a view of the head portion  16  in a disassembled state, extension member  14  (illustrated in phantom) is received into a corresponding shaped receiving portion  52  so as to fit the extension member  14  and head  16  together. The body of head  16  defines a tubular portion that carries arms  36  and  38 , which project forwardly in an arcuate shape, having parallel tangs  54  with holes  56  therein, so as to define the pivot positions  26  and  28 . A through bore  58  is formed in the end of head  16  at the region where extension member  14  is engaged. 
     FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the head portion  16 , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , wherein it may be observed that the interior of the tube-shaped portion of head  16  includes a space defined therein with a seat portion  60 , and a narrower diameter portion as it approaches the extension member  14  whereby a spring  62  may be received in the narrower portion and, when in its extended configuration, will extend into the wider portion  63 , to provide spring bias to the picking tool to an open position in conjunction with the link member of  FIG. 8 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a link member  64 , the link member comprises a narrow central extension  66  having a cable engaging portion  68  at the end thereof, for receiving and engaging cable  44 . A tubular portion  70  is provided and of a size so as to slidingly fit within the interior  63  of head  16  where spring  62  is positioned. The spring engages with face  72  of the link member, to bias it towards and extended configuration. A wider head portion  65  has bores  67  therethrough, with parallel tang portions  69  defining an opening therebetween. 
   When the picking tool is assembled, member  64  fits into opening  63  of head  16 , and portion  66  extends on through opening  58  so as to be accessible to engage cable  44  at portion  68 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates the picking tool with link portion  64  inserted into head  16 , it may be observed that the link is adapted for translation inwardly and outwardly of the head portion, as noted by arrow  74 . 
     FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  are a perspective, end and bottom view of arm  18 . The arm is substantially arcuate, having a cylindrical end post  76  positioned at the distal end of the arm. Elongate slot portion  30  is defined in a portion of the arm closer to the arm end having a bore  78  defined in a tang portion  80  of the arm  18 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , an end view of the arm  18 , end post  76  includes a square central bore  82  extending at least partially into the extent thereof. The exterior of the post is substantially cylindrical in shape, but carries a protrusion  84  on one edge at the distal end of the post, extending a short distance toward the base of the post. 
   When assembled, two such arm portions, arm  18  and arm  20  (which is substantially identical in configuration to arm  18 ), are positioned, with one arm flipped around such that the corresponding tang portions  80  of the two arms face each other and are positioned in the opening between tang portions  69  of the link member, and a pivot pin  34  is mounted through bores  67  and  78 . The pin is suitably configured to be fixed into place once mounted, so as to be retained in position while still allowing pivoting movement about the pin. 
   Further, the arm portions are positioned such that slot portions  30  are positioned between respective tangs  54  of the corresponding arms  36  and  38  of head portion  16 , whereupon a pin member  26  ( 28 ) is passed through the openings  56  of the tangs  54  so as to provide a sliding engagement with the arm  36  and slot  30  ( 32 ) of arm  18  ( 20 ). 
   Now, the cable  44  is engaged at portion  68  of the link member  64 , and is correspondingly engaged with the trigger member  40 , whereupon the interaction of the spring and link member and head portion, will spring bias the link portion outwardly of the head and the arms  18  and  20  will move outwardly in the direction of arrows  21  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 12 , a top view, illustrates the picking tool in the open configuration, when the trigger member is in the position of  FIG. 5 , not pulled. 
     FIGS. 13A-19  illustrate the end effectors and the construction and operation thereof. 
     FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a stick member  86 , which has one end  88  in a square cross section configuration, sized to be received within the square central bore  82  of end post  76 . A seat portion  90  on stick  86  is provided of sufficient diameter to act as a stop to define the extent to which the end  88  of stick  86  will extend into bore  82 . Alternatively, this extent may be defined by the length of portion  88  and the depth of bore  82 . Above seat portion  90 , two flat notch portions  92  are defined on opposite faces of the stick, comprising a first portion  92 A and a second portion  92 B at an angle thereto.  FIG. 13B  illustrates the cross sectional configuration of the notch portions  92 A and  92 B. Above the notch portions on the stick is a slightly narrower region  94 , ending in a top cap  96 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of an end effector  22 , it may be noted that the end effector includes a bore  99  substantially centrally of the portion defining the flat face  46  thereof. The shape and diameter of the bore corresponds to that shape and diameter of the portion  96  of stick  86 . The length of region  98  may be substantially the same as the length  100  of the end effector as in  FIG. 15 , a side view thereof. 
     FIGS. 16-19  are views of a turning/lock member.  FIG. 16  is a perspective view, wherein the lock/turning member  102  is of a hollow cylinder configuration and has indentations on the exterior thereof for gripping by a user. The view in  FIG. 16  may be considered as from the “bottom” of the lock member, and left and right slots  104 ,  106  are defined 180 degrees apart in the interior of the lock member. The slots  104 ,  106  extended a substantial length of the lock member, and near the opposite end of the lock member (but not all the way to the end) a ridge portion  110  is defined radially adjacent the slot  104  and an adjacent divot  112  is positioned radially adjacent the ridge portion  110 . A corresponding ridge and divot are defined on the opposite side, adjacent slot  106 . Inwardly extending tab portions  114  (and  116 ) are defined adjacent slot  104  (and  106 ), positioned on the other side of the slot  104  from ridge and divot  110  and  112 . 
   The components of  FIGS. 13-19  interact, together with end post  76 , to provide multiple configurations to the end effector, which may be desired depending on the particular use for which the picking tool is being employed. 
   In assembling to tool, the end  96  of stick  86  is inserted into the lock/turning member in the direction of arrow  118  of  FIG. 16 , with the two items being positioned such that portions  114  and  116  of the lock/turner are matched to notch portions  92 . Next, the end effector may be positioned onto the stick to cover portion  94 . The end effector operates to maintain the relation of the lock/turner to the stick. 
   Next, the square cross section portion  98  of the stick may be placed into the corresponding bore  82  of the respective arms  18  or  20 . The square configuration of the bore  82  and stick, together with the protrusion  84 , the slots  102 ,  104  and the tab portions  114 ,  116 , operate to define two alternate positions in which the stick may be inserted into the bore  82 , the two positions being 180 degrees out of phase. 
   Once the stick is so inserted into the bore, the user may rotate the turner  102  clockwise so that the protrusion  84 , which has ridden in either slot  104  or  106 , rides over ridge portion  110  so as to rest in divot  112 , operating as a lock to engage the end effector onto the end of the picking tool so as to not fall off thereof. The user may then operate the picking tool to grasp and pick items as desired, by pulling the trigger member, which will cause the arms  18  and  20  to move together from the configuration of  FIG. 12 , toward the configuration of  FIG. 1 , to grasp the item between the end effectors. 
   To change to the other style of end effector, the user grasps and rotates lock/turner member  102  counterclockwise so as to rotate the turner such that portion  84  is moved out of divot  112 , over portion  110 , to be aligned again with slot  104 . Then the end effector (including the stick and lock/turner) may be pulled out of engagement with bore  82 , rotated 180 degrees so as to position the other effector face in position, and then the stick portion is re-inserted to bore  82 . It will be understood that having rotated the end effector configuration 180 degrees, it is now the slot  116  on the opposing side of the lock member, and the corresponding adjacent ridge portion and divot, that will interact with protrusion  84  to lock the end effector in place. 
     FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the trigger member  40 , wherein a bore  42 ′ is formed therein to interact with a pin or the like to define pivot  42  as discussed in connection with  FIG. 5 . A cable engaging portion  120  is defined at the bottom front end of the trigger member, with a slot  122  being defined therein and extending up to the top of the front of the trigger, to receive cable  44  therein. Once cable  44  is positioned behind the engaging portion  120 , the rearward portion  122 ′ (for example) may be suitably filled in or otherwise closed up, to prevent the cable from inadvertently becoming detached from the trigger. This may be accomplished by insertion of a wedge or closing piece or by gluing or fusing the opening  122 ′. 
   Referring to  FIG. 21 , a cable guide way  124  is provided to guide the cable from the trigger/handle portion and position it relative to the extension portion  14 . A bore  126  ( FIG. 5 ) in the handle member corresponds to a bore  126 ′ in the guide way, for securing the guide way with a pin, for example, to the handle. Left and right tang member  128  of the guide way operate to engage the guide way with the handle member  16 . 
   The various components of the picking tool are suitably made of various plastic materials, although extension member  14  is an aluminum tube in a preferred embodiment. The end effectors are of a rubber type material, to provide a flexible aspect to the cup portions thereof and the flat portions, for better gripping of items being picked. The various pivot pins may suitable be metal rivets, for example. Cable  44  is suitably a steel cable, such as stainless steel. 
   Accordingly, a picking tool is provided that is easy to use with end effectors that can be changed to different configurations to provide varied picking capabilities. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8