GB2451852A - Power tool cable safety device. - Google Patents
Power tool cable safety device. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2451852A GB2451852A GB0715852A GB0715852A GB2451852A GB 2451852 A GB2451852 A GB 2451852A GB 0715852 A GB0715852 A GB 0715852A GB 0715852 A GB0715852 A GB 0715852A GB 2451852 A GB2451852 A GB 2451852A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- safety device
- power tool
- elongate arm
- elongate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 206010014405 Electrocution Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/82—Other details
- A01D34/822—Devices for guiding or supporting cables
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/835—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters specially adapted for particular purposes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D75/00—Accessories for harvesters or mowers
- A01D75/20—Devices for protecting men or animals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
Abstract
The safety device has an elongate arm 3 and at least one cable guide 6 and is fixed to a tool eg a lawn mower 1, by an attachment 4. The arm 3 is made up of a number of telescoping parts (3a,3b, fig 5) which allows the arm 3 to be made shorter or longer as required. The arm has locking means (7, fig 5) to lock the movement of the telescoping parts (3a,3b, fig 5). The arm 3 supports a cable 5 providing power to the tool and aids in keeping the cable 5 out of the way of the tool.
Description
POWER TOOL CABLE SAFETY DEVICE
Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns power tools which are powered by electrical power that is supplied from a mains power supply via an electrical power cable, such as lawnmowers, power-sanders. hedge trimmers, strimmers, etc, and in particular safety devices used in conjunction therewith.
to Background of the Invention
The use of mains powered electrical power tools, whether hand-held, such as hedge trimmers, or larger equipment, such as Iawnmowers, involves a number of known hazards. One such hazard is the possibility that the tool may come into contact with the power cable which connects it to the mains.
Such an event can lead to the cable becoming entangled with the power tool, causing a time consuming disruption. In some situations such an event can lead to the cable being severed and the electrocution of the user.
In order to prevent the accidental interaction of the power tool and its cable numerous devices have been devised to keep the cable and the tool apart. A selection of earlier UK Patent Applications which offer solutions to the above problem include GB 2223657 A, GB 2060539 A, GB 2197775 A, and GB 2287007 A. All of the above mentioned documents disclose a means for guiding the cable away from the power tool, which in most instances is a lawnmower, by use of a rigid or semi-rigid elongate member that is attached in someway to the power tool.
Whilst all of the earlier safety devices address the principal problem of preventing the cable from coming into contact with the power tool, none of the devices provide much versatility and only slight consideration to the storage of a power tool having such a safety device mounted thereon. The present invention seeks to improve on the basic concept of the safety device and provide a more convenient and versatile device.
Summary of the Invention
A first aspect of the present invention provides a cable safety device for a power tool connected to a power supply by a cable, said device comprising an elongate arm with an attachment means at one end thereof that is attachable to the power tool, said elongate arm being provided with at least io one cable retaining means to receive the cable and being extendable to enable variation of the length of the arm.
Preferably the elongate arm may have a telescopic arrangement to enable the variation of the length thereof. Further preferably, the telescopic arrangement may comprise at least one locking means, said locking means being engageable to lock two adjacent portions of the telescopic arrangement relative to one another.
Advantageously the interior of the telescopic elongate arm may provide the cable guide means, whereby the cable is guided along the interior of the elongate arm.
Alternatively, the telescopic elongate arm may provide cable guide means in the form of external guide members, such as hoops, mounted along the length of the elongate arm.
As an alternative to the telescopic arrangement the elongate arm may comprise a rail arrangement, wherein at least two rail sections can slide along one another to extend and retract the length of the arrangement.
Advantageously such an arrangement may also have at least one locking means to lock adjacent rail sections relative to one another.
As with the telescopic arrangement, the rail arrangement may advantageously comprise at least one externally mounted guide member.
Preferably the attachment means may comprise an adjustable clamp.
Alternatively the attachment means may comprise two engageable parts, the first attachment part being located on the power tool and the second attachment part on the cable safety device, and wherein the first and second attachment parts are engageable with one another to mount the safety device on the power tool.
Advantageously the attachment means will enable the safety device to be attached at various orientations relative to the power tool.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a power tool, operable by electricity supplied via a power cable, having a cable safety device, said device comprising an elongate arm which provides at least one cable retaining means to receive the power cable, wherein the elongate arm io being selectively extendable so that the length thereof can be varied.
It is appreciated that the cable safety device may be removably attached to the power tool by way of a suitable attachment means, such as a clamp. Alternatively the device may be integral with the power tool.
As with the first aspect of the present invention, it is appreciated that is various arrangements may be used to enable the elongate arm to be extendable and retractable.
Preferably the elongate arm of the second aspect comprises the telescopic arrangement. It may be advantageous for a portion of the telescopic arrangement to be integral with the power tool, for example the handle thereof. In this way the other portions of the telescopic arrangement can be housed, at least partially, within the handle of the power tool. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement will allow for easier storage of the power tool. Preferably the telescopic arrangement will comprise at least one locking means.
It is appreciated that the telescopic arrangement may extend from the power tool along either a horizontal plane (i.e. to the side of the tool in use) or a vertical plane (i.e. above the tool in use). In both alternatives the arrangement addresses the identified problems of the prior art.
As with the first aspect, the cable may be guided along the interior of the elongate arm or along the exterior of the elongate arm, for example by way of at least one guide member located thereon.
Advantageously the power tool may further comprise a cable catchment that is located at a point on the power tool adjacent to the cable safety device, whereby, when the cable safety device is retracted, the cable can be wound around the cable catchment and the cable safety device to allow for easy storage of the cable. Preferably the cable catchment can be stored within the power tool when it is not in use.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a safety device for reducing the likelihood of accidental cutting or abrasion, by holding away a cable of an electrically powered cutting tool which is connectable to a power io source by said cable, said device comprising an elongate arm having two ends, and attachment means mountable on said tool for enabling attachment of the arm on the tool at or adjacent one end with the arm extending away from said tool and with the second end thereof being remote from said tool, said elongate arm being such as or being provided with at least one cable retaining means at or adjacent its second end such as, when mounted, to enable support or retention of the cable at the second end thereof and, in use, to support the cable remote from the power tool; said arm being selectively displaceable from a position extending away from the tool to a retracted position or to a stowed position adjacent or close to said tool so as to reduce the extension thereof away from the tool.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use on a Iawnmower; Figure 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use on a lawnmower; Figure 3 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use on hedge trimmers; Figure 4 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use on hedge trimmers; Figure 5 shows a section of a preferred arrangement of the telescopic elongate arm; and Figure 6 shows a front view of a preferred design of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the power tool is a lawn mower.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Figures 1 and 2 show the cable salety device of the present invention attached to the handle 2 of a lawnmower I so that the power cable 5 of the lawnmower is kept clear of the path of the lawnmower. In this way the possibility of the user running over the cable with the lawn mower is greatly reduced.
The cable safety device, which comprises an elongate arm 3 with at least one cable guide means 6, is attached to the handle 2 of the lawnmower 1 by attachment means 4. The skilled man will appreciate that various forms of clamp can be used to removably attach the cable safety device to the lawnmower. Whilst the figures show the cable safety device attached to the handle 2 of the lawnmower 1, it will be appreciated that the cable safety device can also be effectively connected to the lawnmower I at other points without compromising the technical effect of the device.
The elongate arm 3 comprises a plurality of elongate members (shown in more detail in Figure 5), which are adapted to enable the length of the arm 3 to be extended and retracted to a length which provided a suitable clearance of the cable 5 from the lawnmower. The preferred length range of the elongate arm is, to an extent, determined by the type of power tool to which the cable safety device is attached. Hand tools, for example, are preferably extend to between 40cm to 60cm. Whereas larger tools, such as lawnmowers, preferably extend to between 90cm and 180cm.
It is appreciated that the elongate members of the elongate arm 3 should be constructed from a strong, yet relatively light and flexible material such as, aluminum, fiberglass or a suitable plastics material.
The cable guide means 6 are located along the length of the elongate member at regular intervals. In one arrangement a guide means 6 is located on each individual elongate member that makes up the elongate arm 3. It is appreciated that the cable guide means will either take the form of a clip or of an incomplete ring, so that the cable can be attached to each cable guide means 6 in any order without having to thread the cable 5 through each cable guide means 6. Suitable materials for the cable guide means include metal and plastics materials with suitable strength to hold the weight of the cable 5.
Figures 3 and 4 show the use of cable safety device of Figures 1 and 2 on an alternative power tool, namely a hedge trimmer 10. It will be appreciated that, whilst this is the same device as is shown in figures 1 and 2, the length of the elongate arm 3 has be retracted to a length that is more in proportion with the tool being used. It should also be noted that, because the attachment means 4 is used to attach the cable safety device to various tools, (in the case of Figures 3 and 4 the device is attached to the handle 11 of the hedge trimmers 10) the attachment means 4 should be capable of gripping tightly to various sized handles and the like. Thus a screw actuated clamp or a spring loaded clamp might be particularly suitable to retain the cable safety device and the cable in a fixed position relative to the power tool.
Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the elongate arm 3 to that shown in Figures 1-4. The elongate arm arrangement of Figure 5, which still comprises the plurality of elongate members 3a, 3b, 3c, differs from that of Figures 1-4 because it carries the cable 5 in its interior rather than on its exterior.
Another feature of the preferred elongate arm 3 which can be more clearly appreciated from figure 5 are the elongate locking means 7. The elongate locking means 7 enable the movement of a first elongate member 3a relative to a second elongate member 3b to be controlled. The elongate locking means 7 associated with elongate members 3a and 3b can be actuated to prevent the second elongate member 3b sliding further into or out of first elongate member 3a. Suitable locking mechanisms will be appreciated by the skilled person. With a locking means located on each of the elongate member(except the end elongate member in the arrangement of Figure 5), the user can easily select and maintain a particular length of elongate arm.
It will be appreciated from Figure 5 that the telescopic arrangement will provide both versatility of use, by enabling the cable safety device to be set at a length appropriate to the tool being used, and ease of storage, due to the possibility to greatly shorten the cable safety device when it is not in use.
Whilst Figures 1-4 essentially demonstrate a removable cable safety device that can be attached to various power tools by the attachment means 4, Figure 6 shows an alternative arrangement whereby the cable safety device is constructed as part of the power tool, which in this case is a lawnmower 1.
Although it is appreciated that an integrated cable safety device may essentially take the form of the arrangements shown in Figures 1-4 with the attachment means 4 being a permanent fitting rather than a removable one, it is also appreciated that the integration of the cable safety device into the power tool may be more comprehensive. Figure 6 shows an integrated lawnmower in which the elongate arm 13 extends from the handle 12 of the lawnmowerl.
It will be appreciated that the elongate members I 3a and 1 3b interact in the same way as elongate members 3a and 3b of Figure 5, with the locking means 7 once again present. When retracted both elongate members 3a and 3b are stored at least partially within the handle 12, which is in essence an additional elongate member with its own locking means 7. Such an arrangement allows the almost complete storage of the cable safety device within the handle 12 of the Iawnmower I when it is not in use.
When the cable safety device is stored within the handle 12, the cable can be wound around catchments 14 and 15 to prevent tangling of the cable during storage. Preferably catchment 15 may be housed within the handle 12 when it is not in use.
Claims (8)
1. A cable safety device comprising of an elongate arm of a plurality of elongate members which are adapted to enable the length of the elongate arm to be extended and retracted to a suitable length, the elongate arm providing a guide means in which an electrical cable can be connected for the purposes of guiding the cable away from the lawnmower or power tool, a locking means in which the movement of the first and second elongate members can be controlled, and an attachment means so as to secure the elongate arm to a handle of said iawnmower or power tool.
2. A cable safety device as claimed In claim I wherein the elongate arm has a telescopic arrangement to enable the variation of the length therein to be adjusted and at least one locking means being engageable to lock the two adjacent portions of the telescopic arrangement relative to one another.
3. A cable safety device as claimed in claim I wherein the elongate arm has a cable guide means in the form of external guide members, such as hoops, Incomplete rings mounted along the length of the elongate arm.
* **
4. A cable safety device as claimed in claims I wherein the telescopic :::::: arrangement may extend from the lawn mower or power tool along either a horizontal or vertical plane. * I.
*
5. A cable safety device as claimed In claim 1 wherein the attachment * means comprises of an adjustable clamp, preferably a screw actuated : ** clamp or a spring loaded clamp wherein two engageable parts are engaged with one another to securely mount the safety device on the S.....
* iawnmower or power tool.
6. A cable safety device as claimed in claIm 4 wherein the attachment means may be integral with the handle of a lawnmower or power tool.
7. A cable safety device as claimed In any preceding claim wherein the invention can be used on a variety of different power tools.
8. A cable safety device substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 -3 of the accompanying drawings * ** * * * * ** **** * * * ** * S S * S.
S S..
S * .* * S S
SSS S
S
S * S
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0715852A GB2451852A (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2007-08-15 | Power tool cable safety device. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0715852A GB2451852A (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2007-08-15 | Power tool cable safety device. |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0715852D0 GB0715852D0 (en) | 2007-09-26 |
| GB2451852A true GB2451852A (en) | 2009-02-18 |
Family
ID=38566377
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0715852A Withdrawn GB2451852A (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2007-08-15 | Power tool cable safety device. |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2451852A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102450135A (en) * | 2010-10-29 | 2012-05-16 | 苏州宝时得电动工具有限公司 | Grass trimmer |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB268504A (en) * | 1926-02-11 | 1927-04-07 | Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Ltd | Improvements in and connected with electrically driven lawn mowers |
| EP0386307A1 (en) * | 1989-03-07 | 1990-09-12 | Rieger, Roland | Snow Plow |
| FR2721372A1 (en) * | 1994-06-20 | 1995-12-22 | Yves Boucard | Hanger for electric power supply cable to mobile or manual machine |
| GB2420772A (en) * | 2004-12-01 | 2006-06-07 | Leonard Stockley | Electrically powered garden tool with retracting cable |
-
2007
- 2007-08-15 GB GB0715852A patent/GB2451852A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB268504A (en) * | 1926-02-11 | 1927-04-07 | Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Ltd | Improvements in and connected with electrically driven lawn mowers |
| EP0386307A1 (en) * | 1989-03-07 | 1990-09-12 | Rieger, Roland | Snow Plow |
| FR2721372A1 (en) * | 1994-06-20 | 1995-12-22 | Yves Boucard | Hanger for electric power supply cable to mobile or manual machine |
| GB2420772A (en) * | 2004-12-01 | 2006-06-07 | Leonard Stockley | Electrically powered garden tool with retracting cable |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102450135A (en) * | 2010-10-29 | 2012-05-16 | 苏州宝时得电动工具有限公司 | Grass trimmer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0715852D0 (en) | 2007-09-26 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4515423A (en) | Extension device for electrically powered tools | |
| US8677632B2 (en) | String trimmer | |
| US5787590A (en) | Extension and support for electric clippers | |
| US5450715A (en) | Wheel assembly for grass trimmers and the like | |
| ES2389920T3 (en) | Two-handle machined electro-portable tool | |
| US7093366B2 (en) | Ground supported portable tool guide | |
| US8863921B2 (en) | 360-degree freedom electric cord device and system | |
| US11051458B2 (en) | High reaching pruning apparatus | |
| US5070576A (en) | Hedge trimmer extension handle apparatus | |
| NO311754B1 (en) | Electrically powered handheld device | |
| US4687154A (en) | Device for handling and storage of extension cords and the like | |
| US11427430B2 (en) | Cord reel | |
| US8904699B2 (en) | Fishing travel tool | |
| CA2572710A1 (en) | Vehicle load caddy | |
| US7350741B1 (en) | Light string winding apparatus | |
| US20090302148A1 (en) | Organization device for winding a coilable item | |
| EP0879553A2 (en) | Hedge trimmer | |
| GB2451852A (en) | Power tool cable safety device. | |
| US9657867B2 (en) | Power cord safety holder | |
| WO2015067327A1 (en) | Pruning tool | |
| CA2933355A1 (en) | Self-enclosed ice fishing tip-up fishing line system | |
| US10390493B2 (en) | Pole saw conversion device to extend an operable reach of a chain saw | |
| EP3521228B1 (en) | Cable reel | |
| JP2008283912A (en) | Electric chain saw with an outrigger and an electric chain saw for a high branch equipped with an electric chain saw with an outrigger | |
| CN222707079U (en) | A portable garden saw for garden pruning |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |