Patent Abstract:
Pin apparatuses and methods are disclosed having particular suitability for use with machine handles such as those associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers. A pin apparatus can include a housing defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a pin. A pin can be provided having an elongated pin body with a proximal end section and a distal end section. The pin body can be adapted for positioning at least partially through the opening of the housing where the pin is movable with respect to the housing according to a method disclosed herein from an extended position where at least a portion of the distal end section extends to a predetermined extent outside of the opening, and a retracted position where the distal end section is in a retracted position from the predetermined extent. A handle can be provided external from the housing for moving the pin whereby movement of the handle moves the pin between the extended position and the retracted position.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional patent application which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,594, filed Sep. 16, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to pin apparatuses and methods. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to pin apparatuses and methods having particular suitability for use with a machine handle, such as a machine handle of a walk-behind machine such as a lawnmower.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0003]     Conventional technology used to adjust a handle of a walk-behind machine such as a lawnmower to adjust into different positions utilizes bolts, and sometimes knobs, typically tightened by hand. In light of the trend for walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers to be assembled and set up by customers rather than by dealers, it is desirable for the machines to be designed to provide for easy setup out of the box with virtually no required assembly. Since walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers are now many times being sold to customers that take them home in the box as shipped, an even greater need for easy handle setup and adjustability built into the same mechanism is desirable.  
         [0004]     A variety of apparatuses and methods exist in the prior art for use with handles or handle components. U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,596 to Grote et al. disclose an extension pole for tools and teaches a locking pin housing which is tubular and which extends from a sleeve  36 . A locking pin  42  and a retainer spring  44  are contained within the locking pin housing  40 . Holes are defined in the floor of an extension tube keyway  20 , and the distal end  50  of the locking pin  42  is adapted for selectively engaging any of the holes. In this manner, the locking pin  42  can be biased or urged by spring  44  to extend into a latched position with at least a portion of the distal end engaging one of the holes.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,016 to Keesee discloses a handle unit for a lawnmower comprising locking pins  41  which are adapted to enter openings  39  and the aligned opening  38  to lock an upper handle member  34  in selected vertical positions relative to a lower handle member  22 . A compression spring  44  surrounds each locking pin  41  between a lateral flange  42  and a spring abutment  46  in order for the locking pin  41  to be urged inwardly toward the opening  38 .  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,873 to Thorud et al. discloses a folding handle and latch assembly latch pins  25  which protrude through lower legs  15  and through aligned holes  26  in the upper lapping portion of upper legs  22  in order to maintain alignment of upper legs  22  with lower legs  15 . A spring-wire handle  27  is disclosed and passes through the inner end of the each of latch pins  25 . Each spring-wire handle  27  includes a transverse bend at a lower end which passes outwardly through the lower legs and is secured by retaining clips  28 .  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,342 to Marto discloses a fastener assembly for connecting an attachment to a frame. The fastener includes a pin holder, a latched pin and a torsion spring.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,855 to Meyer et al. discloses an adjustable handle for lawnmowers. A locking cam  20  along with other, related structure is utilized with an elongated tie rod  15  passing though holes in handle components  9  and  10  such that locking can  20  can be used to quickly lock and unlock the folded and unfolded positions of handle components  9  and  10 .  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,997 to Thorud discloses a folding handle latch utilizing an elongate latch pin  27  adapted for moving between openings defined through two spaced-apart, tubular handle components. A latch handle  28  can be formed of an integral length spring wire or rod and can attach at one end to one of the tubular components and at the other end to an end of latch pin  27 .  
         [0010]     Despite the existence of the prior art such as that described above, much room for improvement exists for pin apparatuses and methods such as that having particular use with machine handles associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0011]     In accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein, novel pin apparatuses and methods are disclosed. While the pin apparatuses and methods can be adapted for any suitable use, the pin apparatuses and methods have particular use with machine handles such as those associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers. A pin apparatus according to the disclosure herein can comprise a housing defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a pin. A pin can be provided having an elongated pin body with a proximal end section and a distal end section. The pin body can be adapted for positioning at least partially through the opening of the housing where the pin is movable with respect to the housing according to a method disclosed herein from an extended position where at least a portion of the distal end section extends to a predetermined extent outside of the opening, and a retracted position where the distal end section is in a retracted position from the predetermined extent. A handle can be provided external from the housing for moving the pin whereby movement of the handle moves the pin between the extended position and the retracted position.  
         [0012]     It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide novel pin apparatuses and methods having particular suitability for use with a machine handle of a walk-behind machine, such as, for example, a lawnmower.  
         [0013]     An objecting having been stated hereinabove, and which is achieved in whole or in part by the subject matter disclosed herein, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.  
         [0014]     It is an object of the presently disclosed subject matter to provide _.  
         [0015]     An object of the presently disclosed subject matter having been stated hereinabove, and which is achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is an exploded view of a pin apparatus with a machine handle and a positioning plate according to the present disclosure;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2   a  of the drawings is an isolated, perspective view of the pin body from the pin apparatus of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c  are top and bottom end views, respectively, of the pin body;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3   a  of the drawings is an isolated, perspective view of the housing of the pin apparatus of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c  are top and bottom end views, respectively, of the housing;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  of the drawings is an isolated, perspective view of the bottom of the handle of the pin apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   a  of the drawings is a perspective view illustrating the position of the handle of the pin apparatus of  FIG. 1  when the pin is in a retracted position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5   b  of the drawings is a perspective view illustrating the position of the handle of the pin apparatus of  FIG. 1  when the pin is in an extended position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6   a  of the drawings is a side view in partial section of the pin apparatus with the pin in a retracted position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6   b  of the drawings is a side sectional view of the pin apparatus with the pin in an extended position; and  
         [0024]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  of the drawings are side elevation views illustrating possible positions of the handle of the pin apparatus on a machine handle of a lawnmower when the pin is in a retracted position and when the pin is in an extended position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     In accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein, and with particular reference to the exploded view provided by  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a pin apparatus generally designated  10  is provided and comprises a pin with a pin body generally designated  100 , a housing generally designated  200 , and a handle generally designated  300 . Pin body  100 , housing  200  and handle  300  are illustrated and discussed in greater detail herein below. While it is envisioned that pin apparatus  10  can be adapted for any suitable use, pin apparatus  10  in  FIG. 1  is illustrated in an exploded view for assembly with a machine handle that can be associated with a walk-behind machine.  
         [0026]     When assembled, pin apparatus  10  can extend at least partially through machine handle H and be used to maintain machine handle H in a desired alignment with respect to a positioning plate P. A retaining pin  150  can be used with pin body  100  to securely maintain the position of pin body  100  with respect to handle  300  when pin apparatus  10  is fully assembled as described in detail below. A biasing member, such as spring S, can be positioned around a portion of pin body  100  as further shown and described below. Positioning plate P can be attached to a walk-behind machine, such as a lawnmower, as further illustrated and described below. Machine handle H can be an elongated, pipe-type handle of any suitable cross-sectional configuration. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a portion of machine handle H is illustrated as machine handle H is shown with a triangular cross section and wherein machine handle H defines an opening  400  that can be defined transversely through machine handle H and can be adapted for receiving at least a portion of housing  200 . When housing  200  is positioned through opening  400  of machine handle H, at least a portion of pin body  100  can extend through housing  200  such that handle  300  can attach to a portion of pin body  100 . As described in greater in detail below, handle  300  can be utilized to cause movement of pin body  100  within housing  200  such that pin body  100  can be in an extended position where a portion of pin body  100  extends at least partially into an opening defined in positioning plate P. As shown in  FIG. 1 , positioning plate P can define at least one or more positioning holes or openings, such as openings  01  and  02 . It is envisioned that positioning plate P can define any number of suitable openings adapted for receiving at least a portion of pin body  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. Positioning plate P can be of any suitable shape or configuration adapted for attachment to a machine such as a walk-behind machine.  
         [0027]     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  of the drawings, pin body  100  is illustrated in greater detail and comprises a proximal end section generally designated  102  and a distal end section generally designated  104 . Proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  can comprise an elongated, cylindrical outer configuration and define a transverse opening  106  therethrough for receiving retaining pin  150 . Handle  300  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can be positioned on proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  prior to placement of retaining pin  150 . After proper placement of handle  300  on proximal end section  102 , placement of retaining pin  150  through transverse opening  106  securely maintains handle  300  on proximal end section  102  of pin body  100 . Distal end section  104  of pin body  100  can comprise an outer wall section with a cylindrical shape of a greater diameter than the diameter of the outer wall section of proximal end section  102 . At one end of distal end section  104 , a tapered shelf  108  can be formed by distal end section  104  and extend peripherally around pin body  100 . At an opposite end of distal end section  104 , a flat shelf  110  can be formed by distal end section  104  and extend peripherally around pin body  100 . Flat shelf  100  can be adapted for engaging spring S as further described below.  
         [0028]     Pin body  100  as shown can therefore extend and be disposed along a central longitudinal axis as both proximal end section  102  and distal end section  104  can be disposed along the same central axis. As illustrated, a majority of the length of pin body  100  comprises a cylindrical or tubular portion with an outer wall  112  of which at least a portion of which constitutes proximal end section  102 . Also as shown, distal end section  104  can comprise a cylindrical or tubular portion with an outer wall  114  of a diameter substantially less than the diameter of outer wall  112 . It is envisioned according to the present disclosure that any suitable diameters of outer walls  112  and  114  can be utilized for pin body  100 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  of the drawings, housing  200  is illustrated and comprises an elongated housing body  202  that defines an opening generally designated  204  that can be disposed along a central, longitudinal axis of an elongated housing body  202 . Opening  204  can be in a top end  206  of elongated housing body  202 , and opening  204  can be suitably shaped and adapted for receiving proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  as shown and described further below. In top end  206  of elongated housing body  202 , opening  204  can have an inner wall  208  that can be cylindrical in shape and form an opening diameter suitable for receiving proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  as described further below. Further inside and toward an opposite end of elongated housing body  202 , opening  204  can have an expanded, inner wall  210  that can be cylindrical in shape and have an opening diameter greater than the opening diameter formed by inner wall  208 . Expanded inner wall  210  can extend entirely through elongated housing body  202  along a central axis thereof and be open at a bottom end  212  of elongated housing body  202 . The opening diameter formed by inner wall  210  can be suitably shaped and adapted for receiving distal end section  104  of pin body  100 . At the intersection of inner wall  208  and inner wall  210  of opening  204 , elongated housing body  202  can form a shelf  214  which can be suitably shaped and adapted for engaging an end of spring S as further illustrated and described below. A collar  216  can be attached to or formed as a part of bottom end  212  of elongated housing body  202 .  
         [0030]     While it is envisioned in accordance with the present disclosure that the outer shape of elongated housing body  202  can be any shape suitable for use as described herein, elongated housing body  202  is illustrated for example only and without limitation as having an outer cylindrical shape that can be of a size and shape adapted for positioning through opening  400  of machine handle H as shown and described further below.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, a bottom, perspective view of handle  300  is provided. As shown, handle  300  includes an upper grip portion  302  and a lower, cover portion generally designated  304 . Grip portion  302  can be of any suitable shape and configuration adapted for a user to grip and rotate, turn or twist handle  300 . Cover portion  304  can be formed as a part of handle  300  as a lower extension from grip portion  302  or cover portion  304  could be suitably attached to grip portion  302 . Cover portion  304  can be shaped and adapted for fitting onto a portion of machine handle H (shown in  FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , cover portion  304  can be at least generally concave or V-shaped in cross-sectional shape and include a lower surface  306  that can have a shape and configuration at least substantially identical to the shape, configuration and profile of an upper surface of machine handle H as shown and described further below. On opposite ends of cover portion  304 , edges  308   a  and  308   b  can be formed by cover portion  304  and can be curved in a profile adapted to fit on an upper edge of machine handle H as shown and described further below. In order to allow handle  300  to fit and attach to proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  (shown previously), a central opening  310  can be defined from the bottom of handle  300  through cover portion  304  and extend into the inside of grip portion  302  where proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  can be positioned. As described with reference to  FIG. 1 , a retaining pin  150  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can be used and positioned through an opening  312  defined through grip portion  302  of handle  300 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  of the drawings illustrate the positions of handle  300  with respect to machine handle H when pin body  100  (shown previously) is in a retracted position versus an extended position. When pin body  100  is a retracted position, handle  300  is positioned as illustrated in  FIG. 5   a  where grip portion  302  extends in a direction at least generally perpendicular to the direction of extension of machine handle H. In this position, cover portion  304  of handle  300  is aligned and positioned such that edge  308   a  and edge  308   b  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of cover portion of  304  engage and rest upon an upper surface  402  of machine handle H. In this position, a space or gap can exist between upper surface  402  of machine handle H and at least a portion of cover portion  304  of handle  300 .  
         [0033]     When pin body  100  (shown previously) is in an extended position, handle  300  can be positioned as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b  where grip portion  302  extends in a direction at least generally parallel to the direction of extension of machine handle H. In this position, cover portion  304  of handle  300  can fit flush and entirely against upper surface  402  of machine handle H. Edge  308   a  and edge  308   b  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) are positioned further down the sides and toward the bottom of upper surface  402  of machine handle H from their positions in  FIG. 5   a . Additionally, no gap exists between upper surface  402  and cover portion  304  of handle  300 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 6   a  of the drawings, pin apparatus  10  is illustrated in a fully assembled form and where pin body  100  is in a retracted position such that no portion of pin body  100  extends into or through opening  01  of positioning plate P. Movement of machine handle H is therefore permitted since no portion of pin body  100  extends into or through opening  01  of positioning plate P. To achieve this position, handle  300  is positioned as illustrated and described as in  FIG. 5   a  where grip  302  extends in a direction at generally perpendicular to the direction of extension of machine handle H and where cover portion  304  of handle  300  only contacts upper surface  402  of machine handle H by edges  308   a  and  308   b  (shown in  FIG. 5   a ) of cover portion  304  engaging and resting upon the upper portion of upper surface  402  of machine handle H. In this position, proximal end section  102  of pin body  100  is maintained a distance away from machine handle H by retaining pin  150  securing and maintaining pin body  100  in its attachment with handle  300 . Spring S can be compressed in this position as spring S can be positioned peripherally around outer wall  112  of pin body  100  and extend between flat shelf  110  of distal end section  104  and shelf  214  of housing  200 . Collar  216  is positioned outside of the bottom of machine handle H and can limit and prevent upper movement of housing  200  while top end  206  of housing  200 . Top end  206  of housing  200  is illustrated as contained within machine handle H and can be of a size larger than the size of opening  400  in machine handle H in order to prevent movement of housing  200  through opening  400  in upper surface  402  of machine handle H. It is also envisioned according to the present disclosure that opening  400  in upper surface  402  of machine handle H could be larger than top end  206  and the overall outer diameter of elongated housing body  202  of housing  200 . In such a configuration, collar  216  can by itself retain housing  200  in a fixed position with respect to limited or prevented upward movement of housing  200  within machine handle H.  
         [0035]     Outer wall  114  of distal end section  104  is positioned and adapted for vertical, sliding movement within the area within an elongated housing body  202  defined by expanded inner wall  210 . As shown in  FIG. 6   a , tapered shelf  108  of distal end section  104  of pin body  100  is maintained at a predetermined position and does not extend into or through opening  01  of positioning plate P.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 6   b  of the drawings, pin apparatus  10  is shown in a fully assembled form and with pin body  100  in its extended position where at least a portion of pin body  100  extends into opening  01  of positioning plate P. In order to achieve this extended position from the retracted position shown in  FIG. 6   a , handle  300  can simply be twisted to the position shown in  FIG. 6   b  where cover portion  304  of handle  300  fits against upper surface  402  of machine handle H. Lower surface  306  of cover portion  304  of handle  300  can fit directly on and against upper surface  402  of machine handle H as shown with no gap between any portion of cover portion  304  and machine handle H. Twisting or turning handle  300  from the position shown in  FIG. 6   a  to the position shown in  FIG. 6   b  moves pin body  100  downwardly within housing  200  such that proximal and section  102  of pin body  100  is closer to machine handle H than it was in the retracted position shown in  FIG. 6   a . Such movement of handle  300  therefore forces pin body  100  downwardly through housing  200 . Bias provided by spring S within housing  200  facilitates movement of pin body  100  into its extended position as spring S urges distal end section  104  of pin body  100  downwardly. As shown in  FIG. 6   b , distal end section  104  of pin body  100  has now progressed from the retracted position shown in  FIG. 6   a  to the extended position shown in  FIG. 6   b  where at least a portion of distal end section  104  extends into and/or through opening  01  of positioning plate P. As shown for example in  FIG. 6   b , a portion of outer wall  114  of distal end section  104  has extended through and below opening  01  of positioning plate P. In this position, pin apparatus  10  therefore securely maintains machine handle H in a desired position with respect to positioning plate P.  
         [0037]     While  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show pin body  100  first in a retracted position and then in an extended position, it can be appreciated that moving pin body  100  from its extended position shown in  FIG. 6   b  back to its retracted position shown in  FIG. 6   a  can easily be accomplished by simply twisting handle  300  to rotate and move handle  300  back to its position shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
         [0038]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  of the drawings illustrate, for example only and without limitation, use of pin apparatus  10  with association with a walk-behind machine shown as a lawnmower  500 . A positioning plate  502  can be attached to or formed as part of lawnmower  500 , and machine handle H can be attached to positioning plate  502  at a pivot  504 . Positioning plate  502  can define a plurality of positioning holes, such as for example positioning holes  504 A,  504 B and  504 C shown in  FIG. 7   a  and also positioning hole  504 D shown in  FIG. 7   b . Positioning holes  504 A-D are adapted for receiving at least a portion of pin body  100  (shown previously). Pin apparatus  10  can be used to selectively and securely position machine handle H in a desired alignment with respect to positioning plate  502 . Proper alignment and adjustment of machine handle H is important since an upper end or attachment to machine handle H is typically engaged to push lawnmower  500 . The pivotal attachment of machine handle H to positioning plate  502  permits pivotal movement of machine handle H such that machine handle H can be positioned adjacent either of positioning holes  504 A-D. Handle  300  of pin apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 7   a  in its position as illustrated also in  FIGS. 5   a  and  6   a  where pin body  100  (shown previously) is in its retracted position thereby allowing movement of machine handle H to selectively position machine handle H adjacent to a desired one of positioning holes  504 A-D. Once machine handle H is positioned adjacent a desired one of positioning hole  504 A-D, handle  300  can be twisted from the position shown in  FIG. 7   a  to the position shown in  FIG. 7   b  to secure and lock in place machine handle H in a desired alignment with respect to positioning plate  502 . When pin apparatus  10  is in the position as shown in  FIG. 7   b , at least a portion of pin body  100  (shown previously) extends into the adjacent positioning hole of positioning plate  502  to secure and prevent pivotal movement of machine handle H. As shown for exemplary purposes only in  FIG. 7   b , handle  300  of pin apparatus  10  is positioned to secure and lock machine handle H into a position or alignment where pin body  100  (shown previously) extends into positioning hole  504   a  of position of plate  502 .  
         [0039]     It can therefore be readily understood that pin apparatus  10  can be used in association with lawnmower  500  to secure machine handle H in a desired position and alignment with respect to positioning plate  502  of lawnmower  500 . Once pin apparatus  10  has been utilized to secure machine handle H in a desired position with respect to positioning plate  502  it can be readily be understood that subsequent alignment adjustments of machine handle H can be easily accomplished by simply again twisting handle  300  of pin apparatus  10  to move handle  300  from the position shown in  FIG. 7   b  back to the position shown in  FIG. 7   a  allowing pivotal movement of machine handle H with respect to positioning plate  502 .  
         [0040]     It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosed subject matter may be changed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8