Patent Description:
Garden tools such as string trimmers, hedge trimmers are used for cutting weeds in lawns, gardens, pastures. Due to the fact that the operating rods of the string trimmers, hedge trimmers are long, larger space may be occupied during storage and transportation, thus the transportation efficiency is reduced, and the transportation cost is increased. Therefore, the operating rod is usually divided into two sections, and the two sections are assembled into a single body by a metal or plastic connector. The telescopic motion of the operating rod is mainly realized by loosening and disengaging a connector between two sections of rods to realize relative motion. Due to the fact that the string trimmer with the functions of grass mowing and trimming two-in-one needs to rotate the operating mechanism relative to the operating rod so as to realize function switching, a rotating mechanism is newly added at the end portion, close to the operating mechanism, of the operating rod so as to realize function switching. However, such rotating mechanism not only increases the size of the machine, affects the beauty, but also has a complicated structure, and greatly increases the production cost of the product.

<CIT> discloses a telescopic rod, a steering device and an electric luggage box. The telescopic rod comprises a hollow first tube, a second tube sleeved outside the first tube and being slidable relatively to the first tube, a positioning mechanism configured to lock and unlock the first tube in position relative to the second tube, and a control member configured to control the positioning mechanism to lock and unlock in position, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a pushrod connected to the control member and movable in the first tube, an abutment unit provided at a bottom end of the pushrod, and a positioning unit adapted for being abutted by the abutment unit for locking and unlocking in position. The first tube has a limiting structure provided therein, for limiting a space for movement of the abutment unit. <CIT> discloses a rotary telescopic mechanism of a grass cutter further comprising a rotating positioning member.

In view of the above problems, it is necessary to provide a new operating rod, in order to solve the above problems.

The invention provides an operating rod assembly, the operating rod assembly can not only realize the telescopic function, but also realize the rotation function, and it has simple structure, convenient operation, low production cost, and improves the user experience.

The invention provides an operating rod assembly for garden tools, the operating rod assembly includes a first rod, a second rod, and a connector. The second rod is accommodated telescopically in the first rod. The first rod is hollow and is provided with a first limiting piece; an outer diameter of the second rod is smaller than an inner diameter of the first rod. The second rod is provided with a second limiting piece matched with the first limiting piece so as to limit a rotation angle of the first rod around the second rod. The connector is used for connecting the first rod and the second rod. When the connector is in a locking state, two ends of the connector respectively lock the first rod and the second rod and when the connector is in a loosening state, the connector releases the second rod or the first rod, and the first rod and the second rod can rotate and stretch relative to each other. The first limiting piece is a guide protrusion protruding from an inner wall of the first rod to the second rod, the second limiting piece is a limiting groove sinking inward from an outer wall of the second rod, and the limiting groove is matched with the guide protrusion to limit the rotation angle between the first rod and the second rod.

As a further improvement of the invention, the first limiting piece is a limiting groove recessing inward from an inner wall of the first rod; the second limiting piece is a guide protrusion protruding from an outer wall of the second rod to the first rod.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the second rod includes a rod body and a pipe sleeve arranged at one end of the rod body; the second limiting piece is arranged on the pipe sleeve.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the rod body is provided with a first fixing portion, and the pipe sleeve is provided with a second fixing portion matched with the first fixing portion so as to fix the pipe sleeve on the rod body; the pipe sleeve includes a first pipe body accommodated in the second rod and a second pipe body arranged outside the second rod, and the second limiting piece is arranged on the second pipe body; the second fixing portion is a fixing protrusion protruding from an intersection of the second pipe body and the first pipe body along an axial direction of the second rod to the rod body; the first fixing portion is a fixing groove concaving inwards from a side wall of the rod body along an axial direction of the rod body.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the connector includes a first connecting mechanism fixedly arranged on the first rod and a second connecting mechanism matched with the second rod; the second connecting mechanism includes a second connecting portion which is C-shaped and is used for clamping the second rod and a second locking portion which is used for locking two ends of the second connecting portion; when the second locking portion is changed from the releasing state to the locking state, the two ends of the second connecting portion gradually approach under the action of the second locking portion, so that an inner diameter of the second connecting portion is gradually reduced, and the second rod is locked.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the second connecting portion includes a second connecting main body and a second extending portion extending outwards from one side of the second connecting main body; the second connecting main body is integrated with the first connecting mechanism, and a gap is formed between the second extending portion and the first connecting mechanism.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the second locking portion includes a second screw passing through both ends of the second connecting portion and an operating member having an eccentric protrusion; the operating member is pivotally arranged on the second screw by a second pivot, the second pivot being slidable along the second screw.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the first connecting mechanism includes a first connecting portion which is C-shaped and is used for clamping the first rod and a first locking portion which is used for locking two ends of the first connecting portion; when the first locking portion is changed from the releasing state to the locking state, the two ends of the first connecting portion gradually approach under the action of the first locking portion, so that an inner diameter of the first connecting portion is gradually reduced, and the first rod is held.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, the first connecting portion includes a first connecting main body and a first extending portion extending outwards from one end of the first connecting main body; the first connecting main body and the second connecting main body are an integrated component, and a gap is formed between the first extending portion and the second extending portion.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, an inner side of the first connecting portion is provided with a rib matched with the first rod so as to enhance friction between the first connecting portion and the first rod.

As a further improvement of the disclosure, a first positioning portion is arranged on the inner side of the first connecting portion, and a second positioning portion matched with the first positioning portion is arranged on the first rod so as to limit a relative rotation between the first rod and the first connecting portion through the matching of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion.

The disclosure also shows a string trimmer, the string trimmer includes an operating mechanism, a handle assembly and the operating rod assembly, wherein the operating mechanism is arranged at one end of the operating rod assembly, and the handle assembly is arranged at the other end of the operating rod assembly.

The beneficial effect of the disclosure is that the operating rod assembly not only can realize the telescopic function, but also can realize the rotary function, and is simple in structure, convenient to operate, low in production cost and capable of improving user experience.

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the disclosure clearer, the disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the disclosure shows an operating rod assembly <NUM> for performing a telescopic function and a rotary function. The operating rod assembly <NUM> includes a first rod <NUM>, a second rod <NUM>, and a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is used for connecting and fixing the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> together. When the connector <NUM> is in the locked state, both ends of the connector <NUM> hold the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM>, respectively, so that the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> are fixed together. When the connector <NUM> is in a released state, the connector <NUM> releases the second rod <NUM> or the first rod <NUM>, and relative rotation and expansion can occur between the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first rod <NUM> has a hollow shape and is provided with a first limiting piece <NUM>. An outer diameter of the second rod <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of the first rod <NUM> so that the second rod <NUM> can be accommodated in the first rod <NUM>. The second rod <NUM> includes a rod body <NUM> and a pipe sleeve <NUM> mounted at one end of the rod body <NUM>. The rod body <NUM> is hollow and is provided with a first fixing portion <NUM>. The pipe sleeve <NUM> includes a first pipe body <NUM> received in the rod body <NUM> and a second pipe body <NUM> located outside the rod body <NUM>. The outer wall of the first pipe body <NUM> is provided with a convex rib <NUM> so that the rod body <NUM> and the first pipe body <NUM> are fixed together by an interference fit. The second pipe body <NUM> is provided with a second fixing portion <NUM> and a second limiting piece <NUM>. The second fixing portion <NUM> cooperates with the first fixing portion <NUM> so that relative rotation between the second pipe body <NUM> and the rod body <NUM> cannot occur. In this embodiment, the first fixing portion <NUM> is a fixing groove recessing inward from the side wall of the rod body <NUM> in the axial direction thereof, and the second fixing portion <NUM> is a fixing protrusion protruding along an axial direction of the second rod <NUM> to the rod body <NUM> from the intersection of the second tube body <NUM> and the first tube body <NUM>. Of course, it will be understood that the structures of the first fixing portion <NUM> and the second fixing portion <NUM> have various types, which will not be described in detail herein. The second limiting piece <NUM> is used for being matched with the first limiting piece <NUM> to limit the rotation angle when the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> rotate relative to each other. Moreover, in the axial direction of the first rod <NUM>, when telescopic movement occurs between the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM>, namely: when a length of part of the second rod <NUM> accommodated in the first rod <NUM> is adjusted, the first limiting piece <NUM> and the second limiting piece <NUM> can play a guiding role. In this embodiment, the first limiting piece <NUM> is a guide protrusion protruding from the inner wall of the first rod <NUM> toward the second rod <NUM>, and the second limiting piece <NUM> is a limiting groove recessed inward from the outer wall of the second rod <NUM>. In a circumferential direction of the first rod <NUM>, the width W1 of the guide protrusion is smaller than the width W2 of the limiting groove. Referring to <FIG>, when the guide protrusion is rotated from one end of the limiting groove to the other end, an angle α at which the guide protrusion is rotated about the axis of the first rod <NUM> is <NUM>. Of course, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the size of the angle α may be set as desired. Further, in the axial direction of the first rod <NUM>, the guide protrusion extends from one end to the other end of the first rod <NUM>. In this embodiment, the limiting groove is provided only on the second pipe body <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the limiting groove may be provided as: in the axial direction of the second rod <NUM>, the limiting groove extends from one end to the other end of the second rod <NUM>.

As another embodiment, the first limiting piece <NUM> can also be provided with: a limiting groove recessing outward from the inner wall of the first rod <NUM>, and a second limiting piece <NUM> is provided as follows: a guide protrusion is protruded from the outer wall of the second rod <NUM> toward the first rod <NUM>. At this time, in the circumferential direction of the first rod <NUM>, the width of the guide protrusion is smaller than the width of the limiting groove.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector <NUM> includes a first connecting mechanism <NUM> fixedly mounted to the first rod <NUM> and a second connecting mechanism <NUM> cooperating with the second rod <NUM>. The first connecting mechanism <NUM> includes a first connecting portion <NUM> and a first locking portion <NUM>. The first connecting portion <NUM> is C-shaped to hold the first rod <NUM>. The first locking portion <NUM> serves to lock both ends of the first connecting portion <NUM>. When the first locking portion <NUM> is changed from the released state to the locked state, both ends of the first connecting portion <NUM> gradually approach under the action of the first locking portion <NUM>, so that the inner diameter of the first connecting portion <NUM> gradually becomes smaller, thereby clamping and holding the first rod <NUM>. The side of the first connecting portion <NUM> facing the first rod <NUM> is further provided with a plurality of ribs <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> cooperate with the first rod <NUM> to enhance the clamping force of the first connecting portion <NUM>, while also increasing the frictional force between the first connecting portion <NUM> and the first rod <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, further, a first positioning portion <NUM> is provided on a side wall of the first connecting portion <NUM> facing the first rod <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the first rod <NUM> is provided with a second positioning portion <NUM> cooperating with the first positioning portion <NUM> so that relative rotation between the first rod <NUM> and the first connecting portion <NUM> cannot occur by the cooperation of the first rod <NUM> and the first positioning portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first positioning portion <NUM> is a positioning block, and the second positioning portion <NUM> is a positioning groove matched with the positioning block. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the side of the first connecting portion <NUM> facing the first rod <NUM> is further provided with a rotation stopping block <NUM>. The first rod <NUM> is provided with a rotation stopping groove <NUM> cooperating with the rotation stopping block <NUM> to further prevent relative rotation between the first rod <NUM> and the first connection portion <NUM> by the cooperation of the rotation stopping groove <NUM> and the rotation stopping block <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first rod <NUM> is configured to: the side wall of the first rod <NUM> is recessed radially inward thereof to simultaneously form a guide protrusion located inside the first rod <NUM> and a rotation stopping groove <NUM> located on the outer wall of the first rod <NUM>. By means of the arrangement, processing procedures can be saved. In this embodiment, the first locking portion <NUM> is a screw.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the second connecting mechanism <NUM> includes a second connecting portion <NUM> and a second locking portion <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> is C-shaped to hold the second rod <NUM>. The second locking portion <NUM> serves to lock both ends of the second connecting portion <NUM>. When the second locking portion <NUM> is changed from the released state to the locked state, both ends of the second connecting portion <NUM> gradually approach under the action of the second locking portion <NUM>, so that the inner diameter of the second connecting portion <NUM> gradually decreases, thereby clamping and holding the second rod <NUM>. The second locking portion <NUM> includes a second screw <NUM> penetrating both ends of the second connecting portion <NUM> and an operating member <NUM> pivotally mounted to the second screw <NUM> through a second pivot <NUM>. The second screw <NUM> passes through the second pivot <NUM> so that the second pivot <NUM> can slide along the second screw <NUM>. When the operating member <NUM> is in a locked state, that is: when one end of the operating member <NUM> is fastened to the second connecting portion <NUM>, the eccentric protrusion <NUM> abuts against one end of the second connecting portion <NUM> so that both ends of the second connecting portion <NUM> gradually approach, thereby gradually reducing the inner diameter of the second connecting portion <NUM>, thereby clamping and holding the second rod <NUM>. When the operating member <NUM> is in the released state, the user can rotate the first rod <NUM> or the second rod <NUM>, and can also adjust the length of the portion of the second rod <NUM> accommodated in the first rod <NUM>, that is: realizing telescopic adjustment. In this embodiment, the connector <NUM> is configured to lock or release the second rod <NUM>, but in other embodiments, the connector <NUM> may be configured to lock or release the first rod <NUM>.

Further, the first connection portion <NUM> includes a first connecting main body <NUM> and a first extending portion <NUM> extending outward from one end of the first connecting main body <NUM>. The first locking portion <NUM> is used to lock the first connecting main body <NUM> and the first extending portion <NUM> so that the first connecting main body <NUM> and the first extending portion <NUM> are close to each other, thereby locking the first rod <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> includes a second connecting main body <NUM> and a second extending portion <NUM> extending outward from one end of the second connecting main body <NUM>. The second locking portion <NUM> is used for locking the second connecting main body <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> so that the second connecting main body <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> are close to each other, thereby locking the second rod <NUM>. The first connecting main body <NUM> and the second connecting main body <NUM> are an integral component, and a gap is formed between the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extension portion <NUM>.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the first rod <NUM> is <NUM> and the outer diameter of the second rod <NUM> is <NUM>. When the first connection portion <NUM> is in a relaxed state, the inner diameter of the first connection portion <NUM> is <NUM>. When the second connection portion <NUM> is in a relaxed state, the inner diameter of the second connection portion <NUM> is <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the width W3 of the rotation stopping groove <NUM> is between <NUM> and5mm, and the depth D thereof is between at <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably, the width W3 is <NUM> and the depth D is <NUM>.

The operating rod assembly <NUM> provided by the disclosure not only can realize the telescopic function, but also can realize the rotary function, and is simple in structure, convenient to operate, low in production cost and capable of improving user experience.

Referring to <FIG>, the disclosure further shows a string trimmer <NUM>, the string trimmer includes a operating mechanism <NUM>, a handle assembly <NUM>, and an operating rod assembly <NUM>. The operating mechanism <NUM> is arranged at one end of the rod assembly <NUM>, and the handle assembly <NUM> is arranged at the other end of the rod assembly <NUM>. When it is necessary to switch the string trimmer <NUM> from the grass mowing state to the trimming state, the user simply opens the operating member <NUM>, rotates the first rod <NUM> or the second rod <NUM>, and then closes the operating member <NUM>. When it is necessary to switch the string trimmer <NUM> from the trimming state to the grass mowing state, it is still possible to operate as described above.

Claim 1:
An operating rod assembly (<NUM>) for garden tools comprising:
a first rod (<NUM>), wherein the first rod (<NUM>) is hollow and provided with a first limiting piece (<NUM>);
a second rod (<NUM>), wherein
an outer diameter of the second rod (<NUM>) is smaller than an inner diameter of the first rod (<NUM>), the second rod (<NUM>) is accommodated telescopically in the first rod (<NUM>), and
the second rod (<NUM>) is provided with a second limiting piece (<NUM>) matched with the first limiting piece (<NUM>) so as to limit a rotation angle of the first rod (<NUM>) around the second rod (<NUM>); and
a connector (<NUM>), being used for connecting the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>), wherein
when the connector (<NUM>) is in a locking state, two ends of the connector (<NUM>) respectively lock the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>), and
when the connector (<NUM>) is in a loosening state, the connector (<NUM>) releases the second rod (<NUM>) or the first rod (<NUM>), and the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>) are capable of rotating and stretching relative to each other characterized in that the first limiting piece (<NUM>) is a guide protrusion protruding from an inner wall of the first rod (<NUM>) to the second rod (<NUM>),
the second limiting piece (<NUM>) is a limiting groove sinking inward from an outer wall of the second rod (<NUM>), and
the limiting groove is matched with the guide protrusion to limit the rotation angle between the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>).