Patent Description:
Lawn mowers are generally provided with a self-propelling function. Therefore, a control rod of a self-propelling motor and a control rod of a mowing motor are provided on a handle of the lawn mower. The two control rods are generally arranged on both sides of the handle. However, due to structural interference, the two control rods cannot be coaxial, which leads to that the distance between one control rod and the handle is inconsistent with the distance between the other control rod and the handle, resulting in a poor operating experience.

<CIT> discloses a garden tool that can be operated electrically. The garden tool comprises at least one switching units and operating rods that are movably mounted on one side of a handle bar and which can generate an actuating force for actuating switches in the switching units. <CIT> discloses a further example of garden tool provided with operating rods.

The object of the present invention is to provide a garden tool, which is convenient to operate.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hand-push garden tool, which comprises a main body, a wheel mounted on the main body, and a handle assembly mounted on the main body. The handle assembly comprises a handle, a first control rod rotatably mounted to the handle and a second control rod that is rotatably mounted on the handle. The first control rod and the second control rod are arranged coaxially. The handle comprises a first arm portion inclining upward in a direction away from the ground on which the garden tool is working and extending backward in a direction opposite the forward moving direction of the garden tool, and a second arm portion parallel to and spaced apart from the first arm portion and a connecting portion connecting the first arm portion and the second arm portion, wherein the connecting portion is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and the first control rod and the second control rod are separately arranged on the upper and lower side of the connecting portion, respectively. The handle assembly further comprises a first control box mounted on the first arm portion and a second control box mounted on the second arm portion, the first control box is provided with a first switch, which is arranged to be triggered when the first control rod is pressed downwards towards the connecting portion, the second control box is provided with a second switch, which is arranged to be triggered when the second control rod is pulled upwards towards the connecting portion.

In one embodiment, the first control box is provided with a first protruding portion, and a first cam that is mounted on the first protruding portion and arranged to trigger the first switch, the first control rod is coaxially connected with the first cam, and when the first control rod is rotated, the first cam is drivable to trigger the first switch.

In one embodiment, the second control box is provided with a second protruding portion coaxially arranged with the first protruding portion, and a second cam that is mounted on the second protruding portion and arranged to trigger the second switch, the second control rod is coaxially connected with the second cam, and when the second control rod is rotated, the second cam can is drivable to trigger the second switch.

In one embodiment, the handle assembly further comprises a first elastic piece arranged to drive the first control rod to reset and a second elastic piece arranged to drive the second control rod to reset, the first elastic piece is located between the first control rod and the first control box, and the second elastic piece is located between the second control rod and the second control box.

In one embodiment the hand-push garden tool further comprises a switch, which is pressable a first time to turn on the hand-push garden tool, wherein.

In one embodiment of the hand-push tool,.

In one embodiment, the rotation angle of the first control rod, when rotated from the first initial position to the first set position, is smaller than that of the second control rod when rotated from the second initial position to the second set position.

The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the first control rod of the hand-push garden tool and the second control rod of the hand-push garden tool are coaxially, which is not only convenient to operate, beautiful, tidy, but also coordinated on both sides, which can save design space and make the user experience better.

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following describes the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, the present disclosure discloses a garden tool <NUM> which can be a lawn mower, a snowplow or the like. In order to clarify the technical solution of the present disclosure, a lawn mower is taken as an example for the detailed description below.

The lawn mower <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM>, wheels <NUM> mounted on the main body <NUM>, at least one self-propelling motor (not shown) connected to the wheels <NUM>, and a handle assembly <NUM> mounted on the main body <NUM>. The self-propelling motor is used to drive the wheels <NUM>.

A main blade motor, a functional assembly, a power source, and a control board for controlling the functional assembly and the self-propelling motor are installed in the main body <NUM>. The functional assembly is used to assist in implementing related functions, such as mowing, snow clearance, etc. In this embodiment, the power source is a battery pack that is used to provide power to the lawn mower <NUM>. Of course, the power source may also be an external power source, it is not limited herein. The control board is used to control the main blade motor and the self-propelling motor. Since the main blade motor, functional assembly, power source and control board can be designed with reference to existing solutions, they will not be described here.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the handle assembly <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM>, a first control rod <NUM> which is mounted on the handle <NUM> and can be rotated relative to the handle <NUM>, and a second control rod <NUM> which is mounted on the handle <NUM> and can be rotated relative to the handle <NUM>. The first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> are arranged coaxially, that is, the first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> can rotate about the same axis. The handle assembly <NUM> further comprises a control box. In this embodiment, the control box comprises a first control box <NUM> and a second control box <NUM> which is provided separately from the first control box <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the handle <NUM> comprises a first arm portion <NUM> inclined upward and extending backward, a second arm portion <NUM> disposed parallel to the first arm portion <NUM>, and a connecting portion <NUM> connecting the first arm portion <NUM> and the second arm portion <NUM>, the handle <NUM> is substantially U-shaped. Of course, the handle <NUM> may also have other suitable structures, which are not limited herein. In this embodiment, the first arm portion <NUM> comprises a first vertical portion <NUM> extending mainly upward, and a first horizontal portion <NUM> extending mainly rearward from the top end of the first vertical portion <NUM>. The second arm portion <NUM> comprises a second vertical portion <NUM> extending mainly upward and parallel to the first vertical portion <NUM>, and a second horizontal portion <NUM> extending substantially rearward from the top end of the second vertical portion <NUM> and parallel to the first horizontal portion <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> connects the first horizontal portion <NUM> and the second horizontal portion <NUM> to form a hand-push portion for the user to push the lawn mower <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In context of the present disclosure a direction extending upward means a direction extending away from the ground on which the garden tool is working and a direction rearward or backward means a direction opposite the forward moving direction of the garden tool.

The first control rod <NUM> comprises an elongated first control portion <NUM> disposed horizontally, first control arms <NUM> extending forward from two opposite ends of the first control portion <NUM>, first deflecting portions <NUM> respectively extending downward and deflecting towards each other from the end of the corresponding first control arms <NUM>, and first rotating portions <NUM> extending downward from the ends of the corresponding first deflecting portions <NUM>. The size of each first rotating portion <NUM> is larger than the size of the corresponding first deflecting portion <NUM>. Each first rotating portion <NUM> is provided with a first through hole <NUM>. One of the first through holes <NUM> is circular, and the other one of the first through holes <NUM> is convex.

The second control rod <NUM> comprises an elongated second control portion <NUM> disposed horizontally, horizontal second control arms <NUM> extending forward from two opposite ends of the second control portion <NUM>, second vertical control arms <NUM> extending downward from the end of the corresponding horizontal second control arms <NUM>, second deflecting portions <NUM> that deflect from the end of the corresponding second vertical control arms <NUM> in a direction approaching each other, and second rotation portions <NUM> extending forward from the end of the corresponding second deflecting portions <NUM>. The size of each second rotating portions <NUM> is larger than the size of the corresponding second deflecting portion <NUM>. Each of the second rotating portions <NUM> is provided with a second through hole <NUM>. One of the second through holes <NUM> is circular, and the other one of the second through holes <NUM> is convex.

In the vertical direction, the first control portion <NUM> of the first control rod <NUM> is located on the upper side of the connecting portion <NUM>, and the second control portion <NUM> of the second control rod <NUM> is located below the connecting portion <NUM>. Of course, the first control portion <NUM> may also be disposed on the lower side of the connecting portion <NUM>, and the second control portion <NUM> is disposed on the upper side of the connecting portion <NUM>. That is, the first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the connecting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> in combination with <FIG>, the first control box <NUM> is mounted on the first horizontal portion <NUM> of the first arm portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> near the first vertical portion <NUM>. Of course, the first control box <NUM> can also be mounted at a suitable position of the handle <NUM> or other structures that is convenient for users to operate, which is not limited here. The first control box <NUM> comprises a first left case <NUM>, a first right case <NUM> that cooperates with the first left case <NUM>, a first intermediate case <NUM> that is sandwiched between the first left case <NUM> and the first right case <NUM>, a first display panel <NUM> on the first left case <NUM>, a first switch <NUM> installed on the first intermediate case <NUM> for controlling the main blade motor, a first cam <NUM> that activates or deactivates the first switch <NUM>, and a first elastic piece <NUM> that can drive the first cam <NUM> to reset. The first elastic piece <NUM> is disposed at the connecting portion between the first control rod <NUM> and the first control box <NUM>.

The first left case <NUM> and the first right case <NUM> are fixed together by bolts <NUM>, and the first intermediate case <NUM> is clamped by the first left case <NUM> and the first right case <NUM> and locked by the bolts <NUM>, so the first left case <NUM> and the first right case <NUM> are fixed together. Of course, the first control box <NUM> can also be designed with another numbers of cases and mating structures according to specific needs, and the first display panel <NUM> can also be exposed on other positions suitable for user to observe and operate as needed, which is not limited here.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first intermediate case <NUM> comprises a first protruding portion <NUM> extending beyond the first left case <NUM> to form a first rotating shaft. The first switch <NUM> comprises a first switch body <NUM> and a first elastic piece <NUM> extending from the first switch body <NUM> to the first cam <NUM>. The first switch <NUM> is a micro switch, but may also be another suitable switch, which is not limited herein. The first cam <NUM> is sleeved on the first protruding portion <NUM> (i.e., the first rotating shaft) and is rotatable relative to the first protruding portion <NUM>, so that the first cam <NUM> and the first control rod <NUM> are coaxially connected. The first cam <NUM> comprises a convex first mating portion <NUM>, and the convex first through hole <NUM> of the first control rod <NUM> cooperates with the first mating portion <NUM>, thereby the first cam <NUM> can be driven to rotate when the first control rod <NUM> is rotated, and then the first cam <NUM> touches the first elastic piece <NUM> to trigger the first switch <NUM>. Of course, the first control rod <NUM> can also be driven by other suitable structures that cooperate with the first cam <NUM>.

The first control box <NUM> further comprises a first sleeve <NUM> sleeved on the first protruding portion <NUM> and located outside the first cam <NUM>, a first blocking piece <NUM> sleeved on the first protruding portion <NUM> and located outside the first sleeve <NUM>, and a first holding member <NUM> fixed on the first protruding portion <NUM> to fix the first blocking piece <NUM> and the first sleeve <NUM> to the first protruding portion <NUM>. The circular second through hole <NUM> of the second control rod <NUM> is sleeved on the first sleeve <NUM> and is rotatable relative to the first sleeve <NUM>. It can be known from the above description that the connection position between the second control rod <NUM> and the first control box <NUM> offsets more inward than the connection position between the first control rod <NUM> and the first control box <NUM> towards the inside of the handle <NUM>.

The first display panel <NUM> of the first control box <NUM> is provided with a power-on switch <NUM>, an energy-saving switch <NUM> (ECO, Economic model), and a power display device <NUM> for displaying power. The power display device <NUM> allows a user to observe the use of power. The power-on switch <NUM> and the energy-saving switch <NUM> can transmit signals to the control board.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the second control box <NUM> is mounted on the second horizontal portion <NUM> of the second arm portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> near the second vertical portion <NUM>. Of course, the second control box <NUM> may also be installed at the handle <NUM> or other suitable positions convenient for users to operate, which is not limited herein. The second control box <NUM> comprises a second left case <NUM>, a second right case <NUM> that cooperates with the second left case <NUM>, a second intermediate case <NUM> that is sandwiched between the second left case <NUM> and the second right case <NUM>, a second display panel <NUM> exposed to the second right case <NUM>, a second switch <NUM> installed on the second intermediate case <NUM> to control the self-propelling motor, a second cam <NUM> that turns on or turns off the second switch <NUM> and a second elastic piece <NUM> that can drive the second cam <NUM> to reset. The second elastic piece <NUM> is disposed at a connection position between the second control rod <NUM> and the second control box <NUM>.

The second left case <NUM> and the second right case <NUM> are fixed together by bolts <NUM>, and the second intermediate case <NUM> is clamped by the second left case <NUM> and the second right case <NUM> and they are fixed together by bolts <NUM>. Of course, the second control box <NUM> can also be designed with another number of cases and mating structures according to specific needs, and the second display panel <NUM> can also be exposed to other positions suitable for user's observation and operation as needed, which is not limited herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second intermediate case <NUM> comprises a second protruding portion <NUM> extending beyond the second right case <NUM> to form a second rotating shaft. The second protruding portion <NUM> and the first protruding portion <NUM> are disposed coaxially. The second switch <NUM> comprises a second switch body <NUM> and a second elastic piece <NUM> extending from the second switch body <NUM> to the second cam <NUM>. The second switch <NUM> is a micro switch, but may also be another suitable switch, which is not limited herein. The second cam <NUM> is sleeved on the second protruding portion <NUM> (i.e., the second rotating shaft) and is rotatable relative to the second protruding portion <NUM>, so that the second cam <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> are coaxially connected. The second cam <NUM> comprises a convex second mating portion <NUM>, and the convex second through hole <NUM> of the second control rod <NUM> is engaged with the second mating portion <NUM>. The second cam <NUM> can be driven to rotate to when the second control rod <NUM> is rotated, and then the second cam <NUM> touches the second elastic piece <NUM> to trigger the second switch <NUM>. Of course, the second control rod <NUM> can also cooperate with the second cam <NUM> via other suitable structures.

The second control box <NUM> further comprises a second sleeve <NUM> sleeved on the second protruding portion <NUM> and located outside the second cam <NUM>, a second blocking piece <NUM> sleeved on the second protruding portion <NUM> and located outside the second sleeve <NUM>, and a second holding member <NUM> fixed on the second protruding portion <NUM> to fix the second blocking piece <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> to the second protruding portion <NUM>. The circular first through hole <NUM> of the first control rod <NUM> is sleeved on the second sleeve <NUM> and is rotatable relative to the second sleeve <NUM>. It should be noted from the above description that the connection position between the first control rod <NUM> and the second control box <NUM> offsets more inwardly than the connection position between the second control rod <NUM> and the second control box <NUM> towards the inside of the handle <NUM>.

The second display panel <NUM> of the second control box <NUM> is provided with a self-propelling speed adjustment switch <NUM> and a self-propelling speed display device <NUM>. The self-propelling speed adjustment switch <NUM> transmits a signal to the control board, and the self-propelling speed display device <NUM> displays the speed.

The first elastic piece <NUM> is used to drive the first control rod <NUM> to reset when an external force disappears, and the second elastic piece <NUM> is used to drive the second control rod <NUM> to reset when n external force disappears. In an exemplary embodiment, the first elastic piece <NUM> and the second elastic piece <NUM> are both torsion springs. Of course, the first elastic piece <NUM> and the second elastic piece <NUM> may also be other suitable elastic pieces, which is not limited herein.

The operation control method of the lawn mower <NUM> will be described in detail below.

The starting method of the main blade motor is described below. First, press the power-on switch <NUM> on the first display panel <NUM> to power on the lawn mower <NUM>. Then, press the first control portion <NUM> of the first control rod <NUM> so that the first control rod <NUM> moves to drive the first cam <NUM> to rotate clockwise, and the first cam <NUM> gradually presses the first elastic piece <NUM> of the first switch <NUM> such that the first elastic piece <NUM> is compressed. When the first control rod <NUM> rotates by a first predetermined angle and is pressed from a first initial position to a first set position, the first switch <NUM> is triggered. At this time, the main blade motor is started to drive the mowing blade to start. In an examplary embodiment, the first predetermined angle is <NUM>°.

The first control portion <NUM> of the first control rod <NUM> is released. At this time, the first control rod <NUM> is automatically rotated to the first initial position by the restoring force of the first elastic piece <NUM>, and the first switch <NUM> is powered off. The circuit of the main blade motor is cut off. At this time, a first work assembly controlled by the first control rod <NUM> stops working, and the mowing blade stops. In one exemplary embodiment, the first work assembly is used for cutting grass.

The operation method of starting self-propelling is described below.

First, press the power-on switch <NUM> on the first display panel <NUM> to power on the lawn mower <NUM>. Then, pull the second control portion <NUM> of the second control rod <NUM>, so that the second control rod <NUM> drives the second cam <NUM> to rotate clockwise. And the second cam <NUM> gradually presses the second elastic piece <NUM> of the second switch <NUM> to be compressed. When the second control rod <NUM> rotates by a second predetermined angle and is pressed from the second initial position to the second set position, the second switch <NUM> is triggered. The self-propelling motor drives the wheels <NUM> to travel at this time. In an examplary embodiment, the second predetermined angle is <NUM>°, which is bigger than the first predetermined angle <NUM>°. In other words, the rotation angle when the first control portion <NUM> rotates from the first initial position to the first set position is smaller than the rotation angle when the second control portion <NUM> rotates from the second initial position to the second set position.

By pressing the self-propelling speed adjustment switch <NUM> on the second display panel <NUM>, the traveling speed of the wheels <NUM> can be adjusted. When the second control portion <NUM> is released, the second control rod <NUM> is automatically rotated to the second initial position by the restoring force of the second elastic piece <NUM>, the second switch <NUM> is powered off, and the circuit of the self-propelling motor is cut off. At this time, the second work assembly controlled by the second control rod <NUM> stops working, and the self-propelling motor stops. In one embodiment, the second work assembly is used for driving wheels.

The operation logic of the lawn mower <NUM> is described below.

Press the power-on switch <NUM> on the first display panel <NUM>. At this time, the first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> are not pulled down, and the indicator lights of the power display device <NUM> and the self-propelling speed display device <NUM> are respectively on for <NUM> seconds. Then the self-propelling speed display device <NUM> displays the status when the power was last turned off by default, and the power display device <NUM> displays the current power. If the power-on switch <NUM> is pressed again, the power will be turned off immediately. If there is no action, the power will be automatically turned off after <NUM> seconds, and the real status will be displayed between <NUM> seconds and <NUM> seconds.

After pressing the power-on switch <NUM> on the first display panel <NUM>, if one of the first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> is pulled down, the alarm exclamation light is on to prompt the user to put down the first control rod <NUM> or second control rod <NUM> that is pulled down. After the first control rod <NUM> or the second control rod <NUM> that is pulled down is reset, the alarm exclamation light goes out and returns to the normal operation state.

The starting logic of the main blade motor is described below. Press the power-on switch <NUM> on the first display panel <NUM> and pull down the first rod <NUM> within <NUM> seconds. Then, if the power-on switch <NUM> is pressed again within <NUM> seconds, the main blade motor runs. After <NUM> seconds, press the power-on switch <NUM> again, at this time the whole machine is powered off.

The shutdown logic of the main blade motor is described below. Release the first control rod <NUM>, and the main blade motor stops. During the operation of the main blade motor, if the power-on switch <NUM> is pressed again, it has no effect. After shutdown, the power-on state can be maintained for <NUM> seconds.

The Eco (energy-saving mode) logic of the main blade motor is described below. The default mode is automatic when power is turned on. Press the energy-saving switch <NUM> to switch to the Eco-mode (energy-saving mode). At this time, the Eco-mode indicator is on. Press the energy-saving switch <NUM> again to turn down the Eco-mode, and the Eco mode indicator is off.

The self-propelling logic of the self-propelling motor is described below. Press the power-on switch <NUM>, the self-propelling indicator is on in <NUM> seconds, and the current speed is the speed at the last shutdown at defaulted after <NUM> seconds. The self-propelling speed can be set arbitrarily within <NUM> seconds. If the second control rod <NUM> is pulled down within <NUM> seconds, the self-propelling motor runs. If there is no action within <NUM> seconds, the whole machine is powered off.

The self-propelling speed adjustment switch <NUM> can set the self-propelling speed to: <NUM>/h, <NUM>/h, <NUM>/h, <NUM>/h or <NUM>/h.

In the present disclosure, two battery packs are provided and they are arranged on the left and right of the main body <NUM>. When the lawn mower <NUM> is started, the battery pack located on the left is discharged first from the operator's sight. At this time, the power indicator corresponding to the left battery pack lights up. When the left battery pack is exhausted, the battery pack on the right side starts to discharge, and the power indicator corresponding to the right battery pack lights up. In other words, from the perspective of the operator, the order of discharge of the two battery packs and the order of lighting of the corresponding power indicators are defaulted to "left first then right".

The indicator comprises <NUM> green power indicator lights, Eco mode indicator lights that are green, alarm exclamation light that is red, and <NUM> self-propelling indicators which comprises green light indicating <NUM>st gear, <NUM>nd gear and <NUM>rd gear and yellow light indicating <NUM>th gear and <NUM>th gear.

In summary, the lawn mower <NUM> of the present disclosure sets the first control rod <NUM> and the second control rod <NUM> coaxially, which is not only convenient, beautiful and tidy, but also symmetrical, which can save design space and make the user experience good.

Claim 1:
A hand-push garden tool (<NUM>), which comprises:
a main body (<NUM>),
a wheel (<NUM>) mounted on the main body (<NUM>), and
a handle assembly (<NUM>) mounted on the main body (<NUM>), the handle assembly (<NUM>) comprising a handle (<NUM>), a first control rod (<NUM>) rotatably mounted to the handle (<NUM>) and a second control rod (<NUM>) rotatably mounted to the handle (<NUM>), wherein the first control rod (<NUM>) and the second control rod (<NUM>) are rotatable about the same axis, the handle (<NUM>) comprises a first arm portion (<NUM>) inclining upward in a direction away from the ground on which the garden tool (<NUM>) is working and extending backward in a direction opposite the forward moving direction of the garden tool, and a second arm portion (<NUM>) parallel to and spaced apart from the first arm portion (<NUM>) and a connecting portion (<NUM>) connecting the first arm portion (<NUM>) and the second arm portion (<NUM>), wherein the connecting portion (<NUM>) is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and the first control rod (<NUM>) and the second control rod (<NUM>) are separately arranged on the upper and lower side of the connecting portion (<NUM>), respectively, characterised in that the handle assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a first control box (<NUM>) mounted on the first arm portion (<NUM>) and a second control box (<NUM>) mounted on the second arm portion (<NUM>), the first control box (<NUM>) is provided with a first switch (<NUM>), which is arranged to be triggered when the first control rod (<NUM>) is pressed downwards towards the connecting portion (<NUM>), the second control box (<NUM>) is provided with a second switch (<NUM>), which is arranged to be triggered when the second control rod (<NUM>) is pulled upwards towards the connecting portion (<NUM>).