Patent Description:
Handheld outdoor power devices such as trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, and/or the like, are often used to perform tasks relating to yard/grounds maintenance or even commercial resource harvesting activities that require them to be mobile. Such devices often have a working implement adjacent to, or extending from, a battery powered electric motor. In designing these devices, it is important that the one or more handles are ergonomically positioned to ensure safe and comfortable handling of the device. In this regard, the handles must be designed and positioned to ensure optimal tool balance, control, and safe operation.

However, it is desirable in some situations to operate a handheld power device in multiple orientations. An operator may also wish to use a device in an orientation different than that for which the device was primarily designed. For example, the handle arrangement on a polesaw may be designed to optimize operator ergonomics when cutting in a vertical cutting direction, but it may be desirable to make a cut in the horizontal direction. In order to make such a cut, the operator may need to position the handles awkwardly, thus reducing operator comfort, decreasing leverage and control, and risking fatigue or injury.

To improve upon this situation, it is desirable to design outdoor power devices in a manner that provides more than one ergonomic mode of operation. While this may be achieved by, for example, adding extra handles or including elongated handles, such alterations add weight and do little to improve ergonomics. Accordingly, a polesaw may be designed to provide ergonomic handling in both the vertical and horizontal cutting orientations without making significant changes to the handle configuration. <CIT> discloses a pole saw with a very small chainsaw (<NUM>" bar) powered by a 12V electric motor. The chainsaw is attached to the pole via a ball joint.

Some example embodiments may therefore provide a cutting device that can provide more than one ergonomic mode of operation by allowing a working assembly of the device to be rotated about an elongated member. In this regard, an orientation adjustment assembly may operably couple a working assembly to an elongated member such that the working assembly may be rotated with respect to the elongated member. As such, for example, different cutting orientations of the working assembly may be achieved. For example, the working assembly may be oriented vertically for a pruning method of operation, while the working assembly may be oriented horizontally for a clear cutting method of operation. Accordingly, some embodiments may provide for an outdoor power device that has more than one ergonomic mode of operation.

According to the invention, a hand-held cutting device include a working assembly, a power assembly, an elongated member, a control assembly, and an orientation adjustment assembly. The working assembly include an electric motor and is positionable in a first orientation or a second orientation. The power assembly include an electric power source, and an elongated member extend between the working assembly and power assembly. The control assembly is configured for selectively providing power from the power assembly to the working assembly via the electric motor. The orientation adjustment assembly is disposed at a portion of the elongated member and comprises a locked state in which the working assembly is fixed in the first orientation or the second orientation, and an unlocked state in which the working assembly in rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated member between the first orientation and the second orientation.

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

In the context of the present disclosure, the term "operating position" refers to the default ergonomic orientation of the device when held for operation. In an example embodiment, this orientation may be defined in relation to a reference plane and the ground. In this regard, the left and right half portions of the housing of the power assembly may combine to form a seam that defines a reference plane. When the device is in the operating position, that reference plane is perpendicular to the ground. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the operating position may be defined using other reference planes, depending on the construction of the particular device. In the operating position, the working assembly represents the front of such devices. All other directional references should be understood in this general context. Thus, for example, the power assembly is located at the rear of the device, the bottom of the device faces the ground, and the top of the device faces upwards toward the operator or away from the ground.

Some example embodiments described herein provide a dual orientation cutting device. In this regard, embodiments employ a work assembly (e.g., a cutting head) that can pivot <NUM>° about the pole on which it is mounted, without changing the positioning of the handles. As such, again for example, a device may provide multiple ergonomic modes of operation. The device is a polesaw with a cutting head that may remain in an upright orientation for a pruning mode of operation, but which may be pivoted such that the cutting blade lies in a horizontal orientation for a clear cutting mode of operation. Notably, in both modes of operation, only the work assembly (e.g., cutting head) is pivoted, while the handle positioning and orientation remains fixed, thereby ensuring ergonomic device handling in both modes of operation. Thus, example embodiments provide for a cutting device that provides multiple ergonomic modes of operation.

Referring to the drawings, <FIG> shows a functional block diagram of a device configured in accordance with an example embodiment. The device may include a working implement or working assembly <NUM> that is operably coupled to a power assembly <NUM>. The power assembly <NUM> may have an elongated member, such as a pole <NUM> extending therefrom, which is operably connected to the working assembly through an orientation adjustment assembly <NUM>. The power assembly <NUM> may further comprise an electric power source, such as a battery pack, for powering an electric motor, which may be a part of the working assembly <NUM>. The battery pack may be electrically connected to the electric motor by electrical wires which are passed from the power assembly <NUM> through the center of the hollow pole <NUM> to the working assembly <NUM>. A control assembly <NUM> controls the amount of electric power delivered from the power assembly <NUM> to the working assembly <NUM>. In some alternatives, the power assembly <NUM> may include a power source that requires a corded connection (e.g., a corded connection to mains power).

As discussed below, the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> provides a means for connecting the pole <NUM> extending from the power assembly <NUM> with the working assembly <NUM>, such that the working assembly <NUM> may pivot relative to the pole <NUM> to provide multiple ergonomic modes of operation. As depicted in the figures, the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> is disposed proximate to the working assembly <NUM>. However, the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> may be disposed anywhere along the pole <NUM> between the working assembly <NUM> and the front handle. For example, the working assembly <NUM> may optionally comprise an extension arm or pole that extends from the working assembly <NUM> to couple with the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an electrically powered polesaw <NUM> that may be configured in accordance with an example embodiment. It should also be appreciated that the polesaw <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> is a battery powered device. However, example embodiments could alternatively be employed in connection with corded versions of various electrically powered, outdoor power devices. Moreover, in some cases, example embodiments could also be practiced in connection with combustion engines that are configured to enable conversion of the direction that the output shaft turns. Thus, although an example embodiment will be described hereinafter with specific reference to the battery powered polesaw <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, the applicability of alternative embodiments relative to other types of devices should be well understood.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the polesaw <NUM> include a working implement or working assembly <NUM>, which in this example includes a rotatable cutting blade assembly <NUM>. The working assembly <NUM> may further include a motor, such as electric motor <NUM> disposed in a housing <NUM> of the working assembly <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be used to power a cutting chain (not shown) which is disposed on the guide bar <NUM> for the effective cutting of any branches or vegetation. In this regard, in the example embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the motor <NUM> turns a drive shaft (i.e., a motor shaft) and a sprocket drive wheel (not shown). The cutting chain is operably coupled to the sprocket drive wheel and is supported in a peripheral groove which extends around the guide bar <NUM>. The guide bar <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM> by a tensioning and clamping assembly (not shown) provided at the proximal end of the guide bar <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> of the polesaw <NUM> may be powered, according to this example, by a battery pack <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> is received in a battery compartment of the polesaw <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the battery compartment may be a recess or cavity formed in a casing <NUM> of the power assembly <NUM>. The battery compartment can be located in the top, bottom, or sides of the casing <NUM> and may penetrate only one side of the casing <NUM>. However, in some examples, the battery compartment may include a through-hole that passes entirely through the casing <NUM> so that the battery compartment includes openings on opposing sides of the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> may substantially enclose the battery compartment, control circuitry, and/or other components associated with powering and/or controlling the operation of the polesaw <NUM>. In some embodiments, the casing <NUM> may be formed from one or more plastic or other rigid components that may be molded to have a desired shape. For example, in some cases, the casing <NUM> may be composed of a right half portion and a left half portion that may form a majority of the casing <NUM>. In such an example, a seam <NUM> may extend along a longitudinal centerline of the casing <NUM> to divide the casing <NUM> along the right half and left half portions. As discussed above, this seam <NUM> may define a reference plane that is perpendicular to the ground when the polesaw <NUM> is in the operating position.

An elongated member, such as pole <NUM> operably couples the working assembly <NUM> to the power assembly <NUM>, which are disposed at opposite ends of the pole <NUM>. Although depicted as a pole <NUM> in the example embodiment, the elongated member may be a hollow tube, pipe, rod, or other such member that may be straight or curved in different embodiments. The elongated member may also provide operable communication between the working assembly <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM> such that the battery pack <NUM> can power the working assembly <NUM>. In this regard, wires (indicated by dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>) extend from the battery pack <NUM> through the pole <NUM> to the working assembly <NUM> to provide power to the motor <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that alternative means for electrically connecting the motor <NUM> and power source are also contemplated. It should also be appreciated that the battery pack of some alternative embodiments may be housed within a backpack that may be worn on the operator's back. In such an example, the battery pack may be connected to the polesaw <NUM> via a cord or other adaptor.

The polesaw <NUM> may include a rear handle <NUM> and a front handle <NUM>. The rear handle <NUM> may be disposed in-line with the pole <NUM> proximate to the casing <NUM>, while the front handle <NUM> may be disposed between the casing <NUM> and the working assembly <NUM> along the pole <NUM>. An operator of the polesaw <NUM> may use one hand to hold the front handle <NUM> and the other hand to hold the rear handle <NUM> while operating the polesaw <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rear handle <NUM> may include a trigger <NUM> or other control mechanism for engaging operation of the motor <NUM> to power the working assembly <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the front handle <NUM> being positioned forward of the rear handle <NUM> along the pole <NUM>, it should also be appreciated that other arrangements for holding and operating the polesaw <NUM> may be provided. For example, in some cases, a "handlebar" embodiment may be provided in which the front and rear handles <NUM>/<NUM> are replaced by a single handle assembly attached to the pole <NUM>, where both handles on the handle assembly are substantially equidistant from the working assembly <NUM> and disposed spaced apart from the pole <NUM> on opposites sides thereof on a handlebar assembly. In addition, the front handle <NUM> may be fully adjustable, and may be rotated about the pole <NUM> or moved axially with respect to the pole. After being adjusted to the desired position and orientation, the front handle <NUM> may be fixed by a screw clamp, set screw, or any other suitable securing means. Other arrangements are also possible.

In an example embodiment, the motor <NUM> may be a DC motor or a brushless DC motor (BLDC) that is powered by the battery pack <NUM>. The power assembly <NUM> and battery pack <NUM> may be controlled by the trigger <NUM> and/or the control panel <NUM>. In the example embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the trigger <NUM> and control panel <NUM> are positioned on the casing <NUM> of the power assembly <NUM> proximate to the rear handle <NUM>. However, the trigger <NUM> and control panel <NUM> could be positioned at any of a number of other locations on the polesaw <NUM> in alternative embodiments, such as on front handle <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may be configured to control numerous aspects of the operation of the polesaw <NUM>. For example, the control panel <NUM> may monitor motor speed, set speed limits, apply cruise control, etc..

As explained in more detail below, the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> enables the working assembly <NUM> to be rotated with respect to the pole <NUM> and power assembly <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the blade assembly <NUM> is oriented such that the guide bar <NUM> is extended in a longitudinal direction with respect to the pole <NUM> and is vertically oriented with respect to the ground. In other words, the guide bar <NUM> lies in a plane parallel to the reference plane in which seam <NUM> separates the right half and left half portions of the casing <NUM>. This position is referred to herein as the first orientation, and is often known in the art as a pruning orientation. By contrast, <FIG> shows the blade assembly <NUM> in a second orientation, known in the art as a clear cutting orientation, where the guide bar <NUM> remains longitudinally extended with respect to the pole <NUM>, but is rotated <NUM>° about an axis defined by pole <NUM>, such that it is parallel to the ground. In other words, in the second orientation, the guide bar <NUM> lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the reference plane in which seam <NUM> separates the right half and left half portions of the casing <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, multiple cutting operations may be supported by providing different cutting blade <NUM> orientations. Thus, for example, the blade assembly <NUM> may configured to perform one function when oriented in the first orientation, and another function when oriented in the second orientation. <FIG> illustrates an example of the working assembly <NUM> of an example embodiment to more clearly illustrate some of the features of the working assembly <NUM>. In this regard, the working assembly <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, which may be partially open, such that the sides of the motor <NUM> are exposed for improved cooling. In addition, the housing of the motor <NUM> may comprise a plurality of radially extending fins to improve cooling efficiency. The housing <NUM> further comprises a chain oil reservoir <NUM> (see <FIG>) for lubricating the cutting chain. In the example embodiment, the oil reservoir <NUM> is disposed below the cutting blade <NUM> when the working assembly <NUM> is in the clear cutting orientation. An oil reservoir cap <NUM> is provided for filling the oil reservoir <NUM> with lubricating oil.

<FIG> illustrates a close-up perspective view of a partially disassembled work assembly <NUM> of the polesaw <NUM> according to an example embodiment. The orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> comprises a receiving neck <NUM> which may be connected to, or may be a unitary portion of, the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the receiving neck <NUM> may be disposed at any point along the pole <NUM>. In some cases, the receiving neck <NUM> may be configured to enable the housing <NUM> to be turned in either the first orientation or the second orientation relative to the pole <NUM> without removing the housing <NUM> from the pole <NUM>.

As is evident from <FIG>, wires <NUM> are fed from the control assembly, through the pole <NUM>, and through the receiving neck <NUM> to deliver power to the electric motor <NUM>. The receiving neck <NUM> is configured to receive pole <NUM>, which is inserted therein. To restrict the relative motion between the pole <NUM> and the receiving neck <NUM>, a protruding member, such as a set screw <NUM> is inserted through a receiving port <NUM> in the side of the receiving neck <NUM>. In this manner, the distal end of the set screw <NUM> protrudes through the receiving neck <NUM> and engages slot <NUM> of the pole <NUM>, such that it prevents movement of the working assembly <NUM> with respect to the longitudinal axis of pole <NUM>, but allows rotation within a limited angular range of motion. This is referred to herein as the unlocked state of the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM>.

Although the protruding member described above is a set screw <NUM>, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any other member sufficient to restrict the relative motion of the pole <NUM> and working assembly <NUM> may also be used. For example, the protruding member may alternatively be a detent, such as a spring-loaded ball, a rigid pin, or the like. In addition, the protruding member may be located proximate to, or some distance from, the collar, or may even extend through the collar. Notably, slot <NUM> extends circumferentially around the end of the pole <NUM>, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole <NUM>, over a range of around <NUM>°. By limiting the rotation angle of the housing <NUM>, the twisting and wear of wires <NUM> may be reduced.

In an example embodiment, a clamping member, such as an adjustable collar <NUM> is disposed circumferentially around the distal end of the receiving neck <NUM> and may engage pole <NUM> and/or a portion of the housing <NUM> proximate to the receiving neck <NUM>. As is best seen in <FIG>, the receiving neck <NUM> has an axially extending slot <NUM> along its circumference to allow a slight adjustment in the diameter of the receiving neck <NUM>. When the working assembly <NUM> is oriented in the desired cutting direction relative to pole <NUM>, the adjustable collar <NUM> is tightened by inserting and tightening a collar screw <NUM>. This action tightens the adjustable collar <NUM> and closes the axially extending slot <NUM> in the receiving neck <NUM>, thus reducing the diameter of the receiving neck <NUM> and fixing the pole <NUM> with respect to the housing <NUM>. This is referred to herein as the locked state of the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM>. By contrast, when the collar screw <NUM> is loosened or removed, such that the clamping pressure from the adjustable collar <NUM> is relieved, the axially extending slot <NUM> reopens and the pole <NUM> is once again free to rotate relative to the receiving neck <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the collar screw <NUM> is loosened such that the working assembly <NUM> is free rotate about pole <NUM>, and the working assembly <NUM> is in transition between the first orientation and second orientation.

Although the means for clamping the pole <NUM> in the receiving neck <NUM> are shown as an adjustable collar <NUM> and collar screw <NUM>, any other means suitable for fixing the working assembly <NUM> with respect to the pole <NUM> may be used and remain within the scope of the present invention. For example, another set screw can be inserted through holes drilled in the adjustable collar <NUM>, receiving neck <NUM>, and/or pole <NUM> to secure the working assembly <NUM> in its final position relative to the pole <NUM>.

In sum, assembly of a cutting device in accordance with an example embodiment comprises feeding wires <NUM> through the receiving neck <NUM> and connecting the wires to the electric motor <NUM>. The end of pole <NUM> is then inserted into the receiving neck <NUM> such that the set screw <NUM> may be aligned with slot <NUM>. After the slot <NUM> is properly aligned, set screw <NUM> may be inserted into the receiving port <NUM> on the receiving neck <NUM>. At this point the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> is in the unlocked state, such that the working assembly <NUM> is fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis of pole <NUM>, but may rotate within a limited angular range of motion, defined in part by the slot <NUM>, between a first and second orientation. When the working assembly <NUM> is placed in the desired orientation, the adjustable collar <NUM> may be tightened to place the orientation adjustment assembly <NUM> in the locked state. In the locked state, the working assembly <NUM> may not rotate relative to the pole <NUM>, and the working assembly <NUM> is ready for operation.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting device (e.g., a polesaw) is provided. The device may include a working assembly, a power assembly, an elongated member, a control assembly, and an orientation adjustment assembly. The working assembly may include an electric motor and may be positionable in a first orientation or a second orientation. The power assembly may include an electric power source, and an elongated member may extend between the working assembly and power assembly. The control assembly may be configured for selectively providing power from the power assembly to the working assembly via the electric motor. The orientation adjustment assembly may by disposed at a portion of the elongated member and may comprise a locked state in which the working assembly is fixed in the first orientation or the second orientation, and an unlocked state in which the working assembly in rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated member between the first orientation and the second orientation. The first orientation and the second orientation are about <NUM>° apart.

The device of some embodiments may include additional features that may be optionally added. For example, in an example embodiment, a front and rear handle may be added, the front handle being disposed along the elongated member and the rear handle being disposed on the casing of the power assembly. In some embodiments, the orientation adjustment assembly may be disposed along the elongated member between the front handle and the working assembly. In some cases, the orientation adjustment assembly may include a receiving neck for receiving a portion of the elongated member, and that receiving neck may be disposed proximate to a housing of the working assembly.

In yet another example embodiment, the orientation adjustment assembly may include a protruding member for preventing movement of the working assembly along the longitudinal axis of elongated member and limiting the angular range of motion of the working assembly relative to the elongated member in both the locked and unlocked states. In addition, the orientation adjustment assembly may include a clamping member for preventing rotation of the working assembly with respect to the elongated member. That clamping member may include, for example, an adjustable collar and a tightening element to effect a clamping pressure and secure the working assembly to the elongated member and put the orientation adjustment assembly in the locked state. In such an example, the protruding member may be disposed proximate to the adjustable collar.

In some example embodiments, the orientation adjustment assembly may include a slot that is disposed on the elongated member and extends about <NUM>° about the circumference of the elongated member. This slot may be configured to limit the angular range of motion of the working assembly. In some embodiments, the protruding member is a set screw which engages the slot in the elongated member. In other embodiments the protruding member is a spring-loaded steel ball.

According to some example embodiments, the working assembly may include a guide bar with a cutting chain disposed thereon, and the cutting chain may be operably coupled to the electric motor. According to an example embodiment, when the working assembly is in a first orientation, which may correspond to a pruning orientation, the guide bar is longitudinally extended with respect to the elongated member, and lies in a plane parallel to a reference plane that is perpendicular to the ground. When the working assembly is in the second orientation, which may correspond to a clear cutting orientation, the guide bar is longitudinally extended with respect to the elongated member and lies in a plane parallel to the ground.

Claim 1:
A hand-held cutting device (<NUM>), wherein the hand-held cutting device is a polesaw, the hand-held cutting device comprising:
a working assembly (<NUM>) comprising an electric motor (<NUM>), the working assembly (<NUM>) being positionable in a first orientation or a second orientation;
a power assembly (<NUM>) comprising an electric power source (<NUM>);
an elongated member (<NUM>) extending between the working assembly (<NUM>) and the power assembly (<NUM>);
a control assembly (<NUM>) for selectively providing power from the power assembly (<NUM>) to the working assembly (<NUM>) via the electric motor (<NUM>); and
an orientation adjustment assembly (<NUM>) disposed at a portion of the elongated member (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the orientation adjustment assembly (<NUM>) comprises a locked state in which the working assembly (<NUM>) is fixed in the first orientation or the second orientation, and an unlocked state in which the working assembly (<NUM>) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated member (<NUM>) between the first orientation and the second orientation,
wherein the working assembly (<NUM>) comprises a guide bar (<NUM>) with a cutting chain disposed thereon, the cutting chain being operably coupled to the electric motor (<NUM>),
wherein, in the first orientation, the guide bar (<NUM>) is longitudinally extended with respect to the elongated member (<NUM>) and lies in a plane parallel to a reference plane that is perpendicular to the ground, and
wherein, in the second orientation, the guide bar (<NUM>) is longitudinally extended with respect to the elongated member (<NUM>) and lies in a plane parallel to the ground.