Patent Description:
The use of mobile devices is known in the field of land maintenance, in particular gardening, such as lawnmowers, soil tillers, soil aerators, etc., having a work unit manually moved or directed by a handle constrained to the work unit by means of a bracket. In particular, the engagement between the handle and the work unit occurs by inserting bolts carried by the handle, inside the respective holes defined on the bracket, the latter carried by the work unit itself.

Although the solution described above allows to effectively constrain a work unit to a handle, the Applicant has found that such a solution highlights limitations and drawbacks. In particular, the coupling by means of a perforated bracket cannot be performed by a single user independently, thus making the coupling process complex and impractical.

The state of the art comprises in particular technical solutions of a lawnmower device in which the handlebar is constrained to the frame by means of an element comprising a pair of grooves, which are however not used for fastening the handlebar, but exclusively for adjusting the inclination.

Document <CIT> relates to a lawnmower device comprising a structure for mounting the handlebar to the frame. The mounting structure comprises an arm integral with the frame to which the handlebar is rotatably constrained. On the upper wall of the arm there are two notches to which two protrusions are selectively engaged, forming part of a plate associated with the handlebar.

Document <CIT> relates to a lawnmower comprising means for adjusting the inclination of the handle with respect to the frame. A plurality of notches are obtained on an arcuate element integral with the frame, so as to selectively house a dentil integral with the handlebar. The inclination of the handlebar therefore varies depending on the notch in which the dentil is inserted.

Document <CIT> relates to a lawnmower device comprising a system which allows a fastening of the handlebar which is releasable by means of a manually operated lever.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the previous solutions.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device comprising a fastening element capable of facilitating and minimizing the mounting times of the mobile device.

A further object of the invention is to offer a solution for fastening the handle to the work unit of a mobile device for the maintenance of land such as gardens which ensures a stable and efficient engagement between the parts.

The object of the present invention is also to provide a mobile device comprising a fastening element having a simple and compact structure, achievable by known industrial processes and with low implementation costs.

These and other objects, which will appear more clearly from the following description, are substantially achieved by a fastening element and by a mobile device comprising the fastening element in accordance with one or more of the appended claims.

Some embodiments and aspects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely for illustrative, non-limiting purposes in which:.

It should be noted that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated with the same numerical references. The figures could illustrate the object of the invention through non--scale depictions; therefore, the parts and components illustrated in the figures related to the object of the invention could exclusively relate to schematic depictions.

A mobile device <NUM> configured to perform maintenance operations, for example cutting turfgrasses, within a work area of a land, for example a turfgrass, a garden or an agricultural land, has been indicated as a whole with <NUM>.

The mobile device depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> can be a user-driven device or a user-driven and pushed device. In particular, the mobile device <NUM> can comprise a work unit 1a provided with movement means <NUM>, for example one or more wheels, or one or more rollers, or one or more motorized tracks or still other members, adapted to determine the advancement of the mobile device (for example, the work unit 1a can comprise one or more motors for the operation of the movement means and of the work tool(s)), or the mobile device can for example comprise wheels or rollers or idle tracks moved as a result of the thrust exerted by the user.

The mobile device <NUM> and in particular the work unit 1a further comprises a support frame <NUM> carrying the movement means <NUM>, and one or more work tools (such as blades, tools for trimming the land or other tools which are motorized or not motorized and known per se and therefore not illustrated) configured to perform the maintenance operations within the work area.

Furthermore, the mobile device <NUM> can comprise a drive handle <NUM> constrained to the frame <NUM> of the work unit 1a and configured to allow an operator to move and/or direct the mobile device within the work area. The drive handle <NUM> extends behind the frame along an inclined direction transverse to the frame <NUM>, between a first end 4a constrainable to the frame and a second end 4b configured to allow gripping by an operator. The drive handle <NUM> can be made of metal material, for example steel, iron or aluminium, or plastic or composite material.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the drive handle <NUM> is constrained to the frame <NUM> by means of a fastening element <NUM> interposed between the frame <NUM> and the same drive handle <NUM>. In particular, the coupling between the drive handle <NUM> and the frame <NUM> is obtained as a result of the engagement between the fastening element <NUM> and a coupling portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

It should be noted that in the accompanying figures, a fastening element <NUM> carried by the frame <NUM> and a coupling portion <NUM> carried by the drive handle <NUM> have been shown. However, an embodiment of the invention in which the fastening element <NUM> is carried by the drive handle <NUM> is not excluded, while the coupling portion <NUM> is carried by the frame <NUM> (see <FIG> in this regard).

The fastening element <NUM> comprises at least one main body <NUM> having, for example, an elongated shape. The body <NUM> is laterally delimited by at least a first and a second side 6a, 6b opposite each other. The main body <NUM> further comprises a head portion 6c, which delimits one end of the main body itself and connects the first and the second side 6a, 6b. For example, the head portion 6c can have a curvilinear shape, which connects respective ends of the first and the second side 6a, 6b. In particular, the head portion 6c has a first and a second lead-in stretch 6c', 6c" separated from each other by a first groove <NUM> penetrating in the body <NUM> and detailed hereinafter. In particular, as for example shown in <FIG> , the first lead-in stretch 6c' is interposed between the first side 6a and the first groove <NUM>, while the second lead-in stretch 6c" is interposed between the second side 6b and the same first groove. It should be noted how the first and the second stretch 6c', 6c" are offset along a straight trajectory X of the first groove <NUM>. In fact, the first lead-in stretch 6c' protrudes externally with respect to the second lead-in stretch 6c", in the direction of the trajectory X, to define a support lip <NUM> configured to guide an element associated with the coupling portion in insertion inside the first groove <NUM>, as will be further explained below.

As previously mentioned, the first groove <NUM> extends from an inner zone of the main body <NUM> to a peripheral area of the main body <NUM> itself where a first opening 7a for access to the first groove <NUM> is defined; in other words, the first groove is delimited by an open peripheral profile. In particular, the first opening 7a of the first groove <NUM> faces at the head portion 6c of the main body <NUM>, spacing the first and second lead-in stretches 6c', 6c" from each other. As for example shown in <FIG> , the first groove <NUM> is substantially defined in the peripheral area of the main body <NUM> at the head portion 6c, and extends from the first opening 7a for at least a first straight stretch along the trajectory X. In the examples illustrated the first groove <NUM> is in fact entirely straight from the first opening to a bottom of the groove <NUM> itself.

The fastening element <NUM> further comprises a second groove <NUM>, which cooperates with the first groove <NUM>, to removably engage the coupling portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> with the frame <NUM>, obtaining a constraint condition of the same fastening element <NUM>. The second groove <NUM> is distinct and spaced from the first groove <NUM>, and extends from an inner area of the main body <NUM> towards the peripheral area of the same main body where a second opening 8a is defined for access to the second groove <NUM>. The second groove <NUM> is defined by an open peripheral profile defined on the main body <NUM>. As can be seen for example from <FIG>, the second opening 8a of the second groove <NUM> is spaced from the first opening 7a of the first groove <NUM>: the first and the second groove <NUM>, <NUM> are thus completely distinct and spaced from each other. In other words, the second opening 8a of the second groove <NUM> faces at the first or second side 6a, 6b of the main body, at a predetermined distance from the first opening 7a. Under the geometric profile, the second groove extends along a first and a second stretch which are transverse to each other. According to the invention, the first stretch extends from the second opening 8a transversely to the trajectory X of the first groove <NUM>, while the second stretch extends in continuation of the first stretch, along a direction parallel to, or coinciding with, the trajectory X of the first groove <NUM>: in the example shown, the second groove <NUM> has a substantially "L" shape and the second stretch of the second groove is straight and of equal extension to the extension of the first groove.

Under the structural profile, the fastening element <NUM> can be a bracket, for example plate-shaped, engaged (for example welded or fastened by screws or other) to the frame and for example made of metallic or plastic material.

<FIG> show the mobile device in use conditions, in which the drive handle <NUM> is constrained to the frame <NUM> by means of the fastening element <NUM>. In this condition, the second groove <NUM> faces away from the land, so that the engagement of the coupling portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> with the groove <NUM> of the fastening element <NUM> is facilitated by the action of the force of gravity.

According to a first embodiment, for example shown in <FIG>, the fastening element <NUM> comprises a constraining portion <NUM>, extending from the main body <NUM> along an extension direction D which is inclined with respect to the trajectory X by an internal angle α between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. The constraining portion <NUM> in turn has a plurality of holes <NUM>, not aligned with each other (for example three holes arranged in a triangle), each of which is configured to allow the insertion of a bolt or a screw adapted to constrain the fastening element <NUM> to the frame <NUM>.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention shown in <FIG>, the constraining portion <NUM> emerges, for example laterally, from the main body <NUM> starting from the first or the second side 6a, 6b and is configured to engage, for example by interference, a tubular sleeve carried by the frame <NUM>. In fact, according to the latter embodiment, the constraining portion <NUM> is free of holes <NUM> and has a cylindrical or tubular shape adapted to receive in insertion the sleeve (or adapted to insert into the sleeve) carried by the frame <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the drive handle <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> comprises the coupling portion <NUM>, which is engageable to the fastening element <NUM> at least between a constraint condition (which ensures the stable engagement of the two parts <NUM> and <NUM> thus allowing the locking of the drive handle <NUM> with respect to the frame <NUM>) and a release condition (which allows the disengagement of the handle <NUM> from the frame <NUM>). In particular, in the constraint condition, the fastening element <NUM> is engaged to the coupling portion <NUM>, while in the release condition, the fastening element <NUM> is disengaged from the coupling portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the coupling portion <NUM> has an elongated body, for example of tubular shape, extending along a predetermined extension direction, on which at least a first and a second locking pin <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged, respectively configured to insert inside the second groove <NUM> and the first groove <NUM>. In particular, the first and the second locking pin <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned with each other and, in the illustrated example, are in particular along the extension direction of the elongated body of the coupling portion <NUM>, so as to be able to be positioned inside the first groove <NUM> and the second stretch of the second groove <NUM>.

The first and the second locking pin <NUM>, <NUM> have a respective stretch 12a, 13a (<FIG>) emerging transversely with respect to the elongated body of the coupling portion <NUM>: each stretch 12a, 13a is respectively configured to insert inside the first and the second groove <NUM>, <NUM>. Even more in detail, the stretch 12a of the first locking pin <NUM> terminally carries a body or terminal expansion <NUM>, having a radial dimension greater than the radial dimension of the stretch 12a and configured to prevent the extraction of the first locking pin <NUM> from the second groove along a direction parallel to the axis of the first pin <NUM>. In other words, by virtue of the body or expansion <NUM>, the first locking pin <NUM> can be inserted into the second groove <NUM> or removed from the second groove <NUM> only through the second access opening 8a since the stretch 12a has a radial dimension such as to slide in the second groove, while the body or expansion <NUM> has a minimum radial dimension greater than the maximum width of the second groove. The stretch 12a of the first locking pin <NUM>, in the constraint condition of the fastening element <NUM>, is thus inserted inside the second groove, while the body or expansion <NUM> remains outside the second groove acting in abutment on one of the opposite side surfaces of the main body.

With regard to the second locking pin <NUM>, it has a respective stretch 13a of radial dimensions such as to insert and slide into the first groove (in practice, the second pin has a maximum radial dimension smaller than the width of the second groove). The coupling portion <NUM> further comprises a locking knob <NUM> configured to engage a threaded portion made on the stretch 13a of the second locking pin <NUM> and configured to constrain the coupling portion <NUM> to the fastening element <NUM>. The stretch 13a of the second locking pin <NUM>, in the constraint condition of the fastening element <NUM>, is thus engaged within the first groove <NUM>, while the main body of the coupling portion <NUM> and the locking knob <NUM> act in abutment on surfaces of the main body <NUM> opposite each other. In other words, the locking knob <NUM> is configured to permanently constrain the second locking pin <NUM> to the first groove, preventing any clearance between the coupling portion <NUM> and the main body <NUM> of the fastening element or plate <NUM>.

It should further be noted that the device can comprise a plurality of coupling portions <NUM> and respective fastening elements <NUM> identical to what is described above; for example, in the illustrated embodiments, the drive handle <NUM> comprises a horizontal manoeuvring stretch at the second end 4b of the handle itself on which the user can act when he must push and/or direct the mobile device <NUM>; the handle <NUM> comprises two distinct arms 4c extending, for example parallel or mirrored with each other, from the second end 4b towards the work unit 1a and each terminating in a respective coupling portion <NUM>. In this case each coupling portion <NUM> of each arm 4c engages a respective fastening element <NUM> (in the case illustrated in the drawings there are therefore two fastening elements <NUM>, one for each of the arms 4c of the handle <NUM>) each of which is carried by the frame <NUM>.

A further object of the present invention is a procedure for mounting the mobile device in accordance with the description above and/or in accordance with any of the attached claims.

The procedure comprises the steps of constraining the drive handle <NUM> to the frame <NUM> using the first and the second groove <NUM>, <NUM> present on each of the fastening elements (or on the fastening element in the event of a handle <NUM> with only one arm 4c).

In particular, the procedure includes constraining the coupling portion <NUM> of each arm 4c to the or to a respective fastening element <NUM>.

In detail, for each arm 4c, the constraining step comprises the sub-steps of:.

In particular, the step of arranging the second locking pin at the first opening includes resting such a second pin on the lip <NUM>, thereby discharging the weight of the handle <NUM> on the frame <NUM> and thus on the ground.

Finally, the procedure includes, following the step of inserting the second locking pin <NUM> inside the first groove <NUM>, and after bringing both the first and the second pin at a bottom of the respective grooves, an engagement step between the threaded portion of the second locking pin <NUM> and the knob <NUM>.

Modifications and variations to the described device and procedure can be included, within the scope of protection of one or more of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
Fastening element (<NUM>) configured to be installed in a mobile device for the maintenance of land, in particular turfgrasses or gardens or agricultural land, said fastening element (<NUM>) comprising:
- at least one main body (<NUM>),
- at least a first groove (<NUM>) extending from an inner area of the main body (<NUM>) to a peripheral area of the main body (<NUM>) itself where a first opening (7a) for access to the first groove (<NUM>) is defined,
- at least a second groove (<NUM>) distinct and spaced from the first groove (<NUM>), said second groove (<NUM>) extending from the inner area of the main body (<NUM>) towards the peripheral area of the main body (<NUM>) itself where a second opening (8a) for access to the second groove (<NUM>) is defined,
wherein the first groove (<NUM>) extends from the first opening (7a) for at least a first stretch, along a straight trajectory (X),
characterised in that the second groove (<NUM>) has:
- at least a first stretch extending from the second opening (8a), transversely to the trajectory (X) of the first groove (<NUM>),
- at least a second stretch extending in continuation of the first stretch, along a direction parallel to, or coinciding with, the trajectory (X).