Patent Description:
A handle according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

An implement according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>. According to claim <NUM>, an implement is configured to be supported on a surface. The implement includes a main body, a working member coupled to the main body, and a motor coupled to the main body. The motor is operable to move the working member. The implement also includes a handle according to one of the claims <NUM> to <NUM> and configured to guide the implement during operation. The handle includes a first member coupled to the main body, a second member movably coupled to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position, and a locking mechanism coupled between the first member and the second member, the locking mechanism moveable between a locked position, in which the second member is fixed relative to the first member, and an unlocked position, in which the second member is movable relative to the first member, The implement further includes a control assembly configured to allow operation of the implement in response to the locking mechanism being moved into the locked position.

A handle according to the invention is defined in independent claim <NUM>. According to claim <NUM>, a handle is configured to be coupled to an implement to guide the implement during operation. The handle includes a first member configured to be coupled to a main body of the implement, a second member movably coupled to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position, and a locking mechanism coupled between the first member and the second member. The locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position, in which the second member is fixed relative to the first member, and an unlocked position, in which the second member is movable relative to the first member. The handle also includes a control assembly configured to allow operation of the implement in response to the locking mechanism being moved into the locked position.

In another embodiment, a handle is configured to be coupled to an implement to guide the implement during operation. The handle includes a first member configured to be coupled to a main body of the implement, a second member movably coupled to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position, and a locking mechanism coupled between the first member and the second member. The locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position, in which the second member is fixed relative to the first member, and an unlocked position, in which the second member is movable relative to the first member. The handle also includes a control assembly having a control processor configured to detect when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, disable operation of the implement when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, detect when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and allow operation of the implement when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.

<FIG> illustrates an implement (e.g., a self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower <NUM>) including a main body <NUM> supported above a surface <NUM> by wheels <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> also includes a motor housing <NUM> that supports an electric motor and at least one battery pack operable to drive the electric motor. In particular, the electric motor and the battery pack are electrically coupled to a control processor <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM> (e.g., the motor housing <NUM>) for the control processor <NUM> to selectively control the electric motor. The main body <NUM> further includes a working member (e.g., a rotatable blade <NUM>) that is driven by the electric motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor can also drive at least one of the wheels <NUM> for the lawnmower <NUM> to be self-propelled. In other embodiments, the implement can be different (e.g., a snow thrower, ground tiller, etc.) such that the working member can be, for example, a snow thrower auger, a ground tilling blade, etc..

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lawnmower <NUM> includes a telescoping handle <NUM> pivotably coupled to the main body <NUM> about an axis <NUM> between an operating position (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and a storage position (not shown, but where the telescoping handle <NUM> is pivoted towards the main body <NUM> about the axis <NUM> to be positioned above the main body <NUM>). Specifically, the telescoping handle <NUM> includes a lower portion <NUM> having two outer members (e.g., outer tubes <NUM>) coupled to the main body <NUM> about the axis <NUM>. The telescoping handle <NUM> also includes an upper portion <NUM> having two inner members (e.g., inner tubes <NUM>) each received within one of the outer tubes <NUM> such that the telescoping handle <NUM> is slidable between a retracted position (<FIG>) and an extended position (<FIG>). The upper portion <NUM> also includes at least one actuation member (e.g., an actuation bail <NUM>) electrically coupled to the control processor <NUM>. In other embodiments, the control processor <NUM> can be coupled to the telescoping handle <NUM> rather than the main body <NUM>. In further embodiments, the inner tubes <NUM> can be pivotably coupled to the main body <NUM> and the outer tubes <NUM> can include the bail <NUM>. In yet further embodiments, the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM> can be pivotably coupled to each other to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position.

As shown in <FIG>, the telescoping handle <NUM> includes a locking mechanism <NUM> coupled between the lower portion <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the telescoping handle <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the telescoping handle <NUM> includes two locking mechanisms <NUM> each associated with one pair of the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the telescoping handle <NUM> can include one locking mechanism <NUM> associated with one pair of the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM>. Both locking mechanisms <NUM> are substantially similar, as such, only one locking mechanism <NUM> is discussed in detail below.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking mechanism <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> fixed to the outer tube <NUM> and supports an actuation member (e.g., a lever <NUM>), a cam member <NUM>, a sleeve <NUM>, and a biasing member <NUM> (e.g., a coil spring). The lever <NUM> is rotatable about an axis <NUM> between a locked position (illustrated in solid lines within <FIG>) and an unlocked position (illustrated in broken lines within <FIG>). The housing <NUM> supports the lever <NUM> to inhibit the lever <NUM> from linear movement along the axis <NUM>. The illustrated lever <NUM> includes a post <NUM> received within an aperture <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> and protrusions <NUM> extending toward the cam member <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> engage raised surfaces <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> when the lever <NUM> is in the locked position, and the protrusions <NUM> engage recessed surfaces <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> when the lever <NUM> is in the unlocked position. The cam member <NUM> also includes tabs <NUM> received within slots <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (<FIG>) to inhibit rotation of the cam member <NUM> about the axis <NUM>, but allow axial movement of the cam member <NUM> along the axis <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cam member <NUM> includes a pin <NUM> received within a bore <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> and ribs <NUM> received within slots <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve <NUM> is coupled to the cam member <NUM> (e.g., by the engagement between the ribs <NUM> and the slots <NUM>) such that the sleeve <NUM> moves with the cam member <NUM> axially along the axis <NUM>. In other embodiments, the cam member <NUM> can move relative to the sleeve <NUM>. The illustrated biasing member <NUM> abuts the outer tube <NUM> to bias the cam member <NUM> towards the lever <NUM>. In addition, the axis <NUM> extends through (e.g., is concentric) with an aperture <NUM> formed in the outer tube <NUM>, and the pin <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> extends through the aperture <NUM>. In other embodiments, the lever <NUM> can be a push-button actuator moveable along the axis <NUM>, a pivotable actuator moveable transverse to the axis <NUM>, a slidable actuator moveable transverse to the axis <NUM>, etc. operable to move the pin <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lawnmower <NUM> includes a control assembly <NUM> in communication with one locking mechanism <NUM>. The illustrated control assembly <NUM> includes a position sensor <NUM> coupled to an inner surface <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM> such that the position sensor <NUM> aligns with a lower aperture <NUM> formed in the inner tube <NUM>. As such, the position sensor <NUM> moves with the inner tube <NUM> as the telescoping handle <NUM> moves between the extended position and the retracted position. The position sensor <NUM> is electrically coupled to the control processor <NUM> by wires routed internally through the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the position sensor <NUM> is a push-button contact switch including a plunger <NUM> moveable between a first state (e.g., an extended state; <FIG>) and a second state (e.g., a retracted state; <FIG>) with the plunger <NUM> biased into the extended state. In other embodiments, the position sensor <NUM> can be a different type of switch or sensor (e.g., toggle switch, slide switch, infrared sensor, etc.) that is actuated by direct contact or by proximity of an object. In further embodiments, the lawnmower <NUM> can include two control assemblies <NUM>, each associated with one locking mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the illustrated control assembly <NUM> enables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> (e.g., the control processor <NUM> enables the electric motor to drive the blade <NUM>) when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position (<FIG>) and the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the extended position (<FIG>). Conversely, the control assembly <NUM> disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> (e.g., the control processor <NUM> disables the electric motor) when the locking mechanism <NUM> is unlocked (<FIG>) allowing movement of the telescoping handle <NUM> between the extended position and the retracted position. In addition, the control assembly <NUM> also disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position (<FIG>) and the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position (<FIG>).

In particular, when the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position (<FIG>), the lever <NUM> can move into the locked position (<FIG>) such that the protrusions <NUM> of the lever <NUM> engage the raised surfaces <NUM> of the cam member <NUM>. In turn, the cam member <NUM> is axially moved inwardly toward the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM> against the force of the biasing member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pin <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> extends through an upper aperture <NUM> (<FIG>) formed in the inner tube <NUM> to lock the telescoping handle <NUM> in the retracted position. As the position sensor <NUM> is associated with the lower aperture <NUM>-and not the upper aperture <NUM>-of the inner tube <NUM>, the pin <NUM> does not actuate the position sensor <NUM>. As a result, the control assembly <NUM> disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> (e.g., actuation of the bail <NUM> will not actuate rotation of the blade <NUM>). In other words, when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position and the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position, the control processor <NUM> disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM>.

Once the lever <NUM> is moved into the unlocked position (<FIG>), the protrusions <NUM> slide on the cam member <NUM> to be received within the recessed surfaces <NUM> of the cam member <NUM>. In turn, the cam member <NUM> is axially moved outwardly by the force of the biasing member <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is then spaced from the inner tube <NUM>. The telescoping handle <NUM> can then move from the retracted position (<FIG> and <FIG>) to the extended position (<FIG> and <FIG>) such that the pin <NUM> aligns with the lower aperture <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM> and the position sensor <NUM>. As the pin <NUM> still does not contact the position sensor <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the unlocked position (<FIG>), the control processor <NUM> continues to disable operation of the lawnmower <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the lever <NUM> is then moved back into the locked position to move the protrusions <NUM> back into engagement with the raised surfaces <NUM> of the cam member <NUM>. In turn, the cam member <NUM> is axially moved inwardly for the pin <NUM> to be received within the lower aperture <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM>. The pin <NUM> also moves to actuate the position sensor <NUM> by engaging the plunger <NUM>. Accordingly, the control processor <NUM> detects the telescoping handle <NUM> is locked in the extended position to enable operation of the lawnmower <NUM> once the bail <NUM> is actuated. The control assembly <NUM> ensures the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the extended position, which provides a safe distance between the operator of the lawnmower <NUM> and the blade <NUM> during operation.

<FIG> illustrate a control assembly <NUM> according to another embodiment for interfacing with the locking mechanism <NUM>. The control assembly <NUM> is similar to the control assembly <NUM>; therefore, similar components are designated with similar references numbers each incremented by <NUM>. At least some differences and/or at least some similarities between the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> will be discussed in detail below. In addition, components or features described with respect to only one or some of the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to any other embodiments described herein.

The illustrated control assembly <NUM> is coupled to the locking mechanism <NUM> such that the inner tubes <NUM> move relative to the control assembly <NUM> when the telescoping handle <NUM> moves between the extended position and the retracted position. In particular, the control assembly <NUM> includes a position sensor <NUM> having a first sensor <NUM> fixed relative to the outer tube <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> is coupled to the sleeve <NUM>, which is fixed to the outer tube <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first sensor <NUM> can be spaced from the sleeve <NUM>. The position sensor <NUM> also includes a second sensor <NUM> coupled to the pin <NUM>, which moves axially relative to the sleeve <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, the position sensor <NUM> is a hall effect sensor that detects a position of the second sensor <NUM> relative to the first sensor <NUM>. The position sensor <NUM> is electrically coupled to the control processor <NUM> by wires routed externally relative to the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM>.

When the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position (<FIG>), the locking mechanism <NUM> can move into the locked position (<FIG>) in which the pin <NUM> extends through the upper aperture <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM> to lock the telescoping handle <NUM> in the retracted position. With reference to <FIG>, the second sensor <NUM> is positioned relative to the first sensor <NUM> (e.g., misaligned with the first sensor <NUM> along the axis <NUM>) such that the control assembly <NUM> detects the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position. In other embodiments, the second sensor <NUM> can be positioned in alignment with the first sensor <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position. In some embodiments, another position sensor can detect when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position while the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position to disable operation of the lawnmower <NUM>. For example, the control assembly <NUM> can include a separate position sensor (similar to the position sensor <NUM>) associated with the upper aperture <NUM> in which the pin <NUM> engages to disable operation of the lawnmower <NUM>. In further embodiments, the locking mechanism <NUM> can be moved into a second locked position (different than the locked position shown in <FIG>) associated with when the telescoping handle <NUM> is in the retracted position to disable operation of the lawnmower <NUM>.

Once the locking mechanism <NUM> is moved into the unlocked position (<FIG>), the second sensor <NUM> is moved relative to the first sensor <NUM> (e.g., in alignment with the first sensor <NUM> along the axis <NUM>) such that the control assembly <NUM> detects the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the unlocked position. In other embodiments, the second sensor <NUM> can be positioned out of alignment with the first sensor <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the unlocked position. As a result, the control assembly <NUM> disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the locking mechanism <NUM> can move into the locked position in which the pin <NUM> extends through the lower aperture <NUM> of the inner tube <NUM> to lock the telescoping handle <NUM> in the extended position. The second sensor <NUM> is then positioned relative to the first sensor <NUM> (e.g., misaligned with the first sensor <NUM> along the axis <NUM>) such that the control assembly <NUM> detects the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position. Again, in other embodiments, the second sensor <NUM> can be positioned in alignment with the first sensor <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked position. Accordingly, the control assembly <NUM> detects the telescoping handle <NUM> is locked in the extended position to enable operation of the lawnmower <NUM> once the bail <NUM> is actuated.

In other embodiments, the position sensor <NUM> can be a contact switch or a proximity sensor between the cam member <NUM> and the sleeve <NUM>/the outer tube <NUM>. For example, the position sensor <NUM> can be coupled to an outboard surface <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> (<FIG>). As such, the control assembly <NUM> enables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> when an inboard surface <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> (<FIG>) engages or is positioned at a determined distance from the position sensor <NUM> on the outboard surface <NUM>. The control assembly <NUM> then disables operation of the lawnmower <NUM> when the inboard surface <NUM> of the cam member <NUM> disengages or is positioned away from the determined distance relative to the position sensor <NUM> on the outboard surface <NUM>. In further embodiments, the position sensor <NUM> can be coupled to the cam member <NUM> (e.g., the inboard surface <NUM>).

Claim 1:
A handle (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to an implement to guide the implement during operation, the handle (<NUM>) comprising:
a first member configured to be coupled to a main body (<NUM>) of the implement;
a second member movably coupled to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position;
a locking mechanism (<NUM>) coupled between the first member and the second member, the locking mechanism (<NUM>) moveable between a locked position, in which the second member is fixed relative to the first member, and an unlocked position, in which the second member is movable relative to the first member; wherein the handle (<NUM>) further comprises
a control assembly (<NUM>) configured to allow operation of the implement in response to the locking mechanism (<NUM>) being moved into the locked position, wherein the control assembly (<NUM>) includes a position sensor (<NUM>) in communication with a pin (<NUM>) of the locking mechanism (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the pin (<NUM>) is operable to lock the second member relative to the first member when the locking mechanism (<NUM>) is in the locked position, and wherein the pin (<NUM>) is operable to allow the second member to move relative to the first member when the locking mechanism (<NUM>) is in the unlocked position.