Cutlery – Cutting tools – Plural cooperating blades
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-24
2001-08-14
Payer, Hwel-Slu (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Cutting tools
Plural cooperating blades
C030S296100, C403S308000, C403S378000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272755
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of telescoping tools, particularly of the type including a pole or tubular tool support for reaching areas remote from the user of the tool. More particularly, the invention relates to a telescoping tool, such as for example a tree pruner, having an actuating line received within the tubular tool support, the tool support being capable of being extended to greater heights while the actuating line remains taut.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A great number and variety of devices having telescoping handles have been proposed and are commercially available for performing a variety of operations such as tree pruning. Specifically, pole-mounted pruning tools are widely used by arborists and others to control foliage growth at substantial heights. Conventional tree pruners usually comprise an elongated shaft or tube on the upper end of which a lopping mechanism is mounted. The lopping mechanism includes a hook-shaped jaw and a pivotal blade. The blade is typically biased in an open position by a spring, and includes a lever arm extension attached to a cord or rope. To sever a tree branch or other object, a user places the jaw about the object and pulls the actuating cord to pivot the blade toward the jaw. A lopper generally of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,752, issued on Sep. 7, 1993 to Lutzke et al.
Because tree pruners of the type described above cannot always permit the remote trimming of branches and the like, a ladder or stool is typically needed to allow the user to reach an otherwise inaccessible branch. This shortcoming has already been recognized by those skilled in the art, as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,975, issued on Feb. 4, 1992 to Melter which covers an extendable tree pruner. Specifically, Melter discloses a tree pruner having a pair of telescoping tubes in which cables coupling an actuator and a shears are received. A compensating pulley permits extension of the telescoping tubes, while ensuring sufficient tension on the cord when a user desires to make a cut. As is readily apparent, the Melter device requires a number of compensating pulleys thereby adding to the complexity and cost of that item.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a tree pruning tool which can alleviate the problems associated with prior art devices to effectuate certain operations more efficiently and with less effort, without undesirably affecting the performance of the tool or unduly increasing its cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The extendable tool in accordance with the present invention is designed to facilitate the performance of certain operations, such as the caring of trees and plants growing to substantial heights tree, where an extended reach is required.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tool is configured as a tree pruner having a pair of telescoping tubular sections associated with a lopping mechanism. The lopping mechanism, which is preferably spring-biased, is connected to a slidable block via a head line. The slide block is engaged by an actuating line which is connected to the other of the tubular sections, so that actuation of the actuating line will cause operation of the lopping mechanism, but telescoping movement of the tubular sections will cause slidable movement of the actuating line with respect to the slidable block.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the tool includes a slidable handle connected to the actuating line.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tubular sections are teardrop-shaped, at least one of the tubular sections having a flat region to facilitate passage of the actuating line therebetween.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific embodiments are given by way of illustration only since, from this detailed description, various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
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Hubbard Brian W.
Mittlesteadt Vern
Schaefer Mark D.
Alterra Holdings Corporation
Foley & Lardner
Payer Hwel-Slu
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