WO2012113443A1

WO2012113443A1 - Tool supporting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012113443A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/052569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric HERMANSSON; Pär MARTINSSON; Joakim Persson; Hakan Fransson; Hugo Van Bijsterveldt; Magnus ANDERSON
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2011-02-22
Filing date: 2011-02-22
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-22
Also published as: EP2678137B1; EP2678137A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses an apparatus (100) for supporting a tool from a support structure. The apparatus (100) includes a body (102), a clamping member (124) for releasably securing the body (102) to the tool, and a ring member (104) pivotably connected to the body (102). The ring member (104) is movable between an idle position and a working position, the ring member (104) being adapted to engage with the support structure in the working position. Moreover, the ring member (104) is secured in both the idle position and the working position.

Description

TOOL SUPPORTING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a tool. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a tool from a support structure.

BACKGROUND

Hand-held tools, such as, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, or the like are well known in the art. Such tools are typically held by a user via one or more handles provided on the tool. However, on occasions, the user may need to free his hands to perform other tasks. In such instances, securing the tool in a safe way may be a problem, especially if the user is working in an elevated location, for example, up a tree.

Typically, a supporting device is provided to reliably secure the tool to an external support structure, for example, a belt or a harness worn by the user. The supporting device may be attached to or removed from the tool by a complicated and time consuming method. Further, the supporting device may require separate means to attach it to the tool. An attachment portion of the supporting device may also involve multiple components, thereby increasing design complexity and cost of manufacturing of the supporting device. Moreover, the supporting device generally includes a hook or a ring for attachment with the external support structure. The hook or the ring may interfere with the handling of the tool when the tool is in operation.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a supporting device for a tool that addresses one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. In particular, the objective is to provide an improved apparatus for supporting a tool from a support structure. The objective is at least partially achieved according to a novel apparatus, for supporting a tool from a support structure, described in claim 1 . The apparatus includes a body, a clamping member for releasably securing the body to the tool, and a ring member pivotably connected to the body. Further, the ring member is movable between an idle position and a working position, the ring member being adapted to engage with the support structure in the working position. Moreover, the ring member is secured in the idle position. Since the ring member is reliably secured in the idle position, the ring member does not interfere with an operation of tool. Moreover, according to claim 2 the ring member is also secured in the working position and reliably support the tool from a support structure since a relative position between the ring member and the body does not change in the working position.

According to claim 3, the body includes two first indent sections. The two first indent sections releasably engage with the ring member to secure the ring member in the working position. Further, according to claim 4, the body includes two second indent sections. The two second indent sections releasably engage with the ring member to secure the ring member in the idle position. According to claim 5, the body includes two angled portions adjacent to the first indent sections to move back the ring member to the working position. According to claim 6, the body includes a third indent section for manual handling of the ring member to move the ring member to the working position. According to claim 7, the body comprises a raised portion to prevent accidental movement of the ring member from the idle position. The first indent sections and the second indent sections are integral parts of the body. Thus, no additional part (E.g. a spring) may be required for securing the ring member in the working position or the idle position. This may simplify the design and manufacture of the apparatus, thereby reducing cost and improving reliability. Further, the third indent section, which is also an integral part of the body, also improves manual handling of the ring member.

According to claim 8, the ring member includes at least one attachment portion, the at least one attachment portion being attached to the body. According to claim 9, the ring member is substantially horizontal in the idle position and substantially vertical in the working position relative to the body.

According to claim 10, the ring member is mounted on a top portion of the body. Further, according to claim 1 1 , the clamping member is mounted on the bottom portion of the body.

According to claim 12, the body further includes a tool engaging portion. Further, according to claim 13, the tool engaging portion is located at a bottom portion of the body. According to claim 14, wherein the tool engaging portion and the clamping member form a loop attachable to the tool. Moreover, according to claim 15, the loop formed by the tool engaging portion and the clamping member is substantially non-circular. The non-circular shape of the loop substantially reduces twisting and sliding of the apparatus along a part of the tool to which the apparatus is attached. Thus, the apparatus may be reliably fixed to the tool with lower clamping force. This may reduce deformation of and/or damage to various components, such as, the clamping member and the tool engaging portion, thereby increasing their working life. Lower clamping force may also prevent damage to the part of the tool.

According to claim 16, the clamping member includes two connecting portions and two intermediate portions, the two connecting portions being inserted into two apertures on the body. Further, according to claim 17, the body includes two first ribs to bias the intermediate portions of the clamping member apart from each other.

According to claim 18, the clamping member includes an end portion, the end portion of the clamping member being fixed to the body via a fastening member. Further, according to claim 19, the body further includes two second ribs to limit the movement of the connecting portions further within the apertures during tightening of the fastening member. Thus, the clamping member may be easily assembled with the body by simply loosening and tightening of the fastening member via a screwdriver. According to claim 20, the support structure includes a belt or a harness of a user. According to claim 21 , the apparatus is removably attached to a handle of the tool. Further, according to claim 22, the tool is a chainsaw. Based on the requirement and application of the apparatus, according to claim 23, the ring portion includes a hook portion to facilitate a quick hanging of the tool on the support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a tool with a ring member in an idle position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus with the ring member in a working position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the apparatus with the ring member in the idle position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the apparatus with the ring member in the working position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the apparatus with the ring member in the working position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the apparatus with the ring member in the idle position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the apparatus, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus with the clamping member in an open position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 illustrates the apparatus attached to a handle with the ring member in the idle position, according to an embodiment of present invention; FIG. 10 illustrates the apparatus attached to the handle with the ring member in the working position, according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates perspective view of a ring member, according to an embodiment of present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates plane view of an ring member, according to another embodiment of present invention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates perspective view of a ring member, according to yet another embodiment of present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

FIGS. 1- 8 illustrate various views of an apparatus 100 for supporting a tool, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 may be used with any type of tool, for example, but not limited to, a chainsaw, a hedge trimmer, a power drill, or the like. Moreover, the apparatus 100 may be attached to any part of the tool, such as, a handle, a body etc..

The apparatus 100 includes a body 102 and a ring member 104 which is pivotably mounted on a top portion of the body 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention the body 102 and the ring member 104 are separately manufactured using different materials, for example, plastic and metal respectively.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2, 3 and 5, the ring member 104 includes two attachment portions 106, two arm portions 108 and a curved portion 110 attached to the arm portions 108. The attachment portions 106 are inserted into corresponding apertures 112 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) on the body 102. The apertures 112 may be a through aperture, or two separate apertures. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the ring member 104 may include two apertures whereas the body 102 includes two corresponding projections which are inserted into the two apertures of the ring member 104.

Further, the ring member 104 is movable between an idle position (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 3 and 5) and a working position (as illustrated in FIG. 2, 4 and 6). In the idle position, the ring member 104 is substantially horizontal relative to the body 102. However, in the working position, the ring member 104 is substantially vertical relative to the body 102. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 3, the body 102 includes two first indent sections 114 which are configured to releasably engage with the arm portions 108 of the ring member 104 and secure the ring member 104 in the working position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm portions 108 are angled from the attachment portions 106 to the curved portion 110 such that a distance between the arm portions 108 is lower than a distance between ends of the first indent sections 114. This enables the ring member 104 to be secured by the first indent sections 114 in the working position. Moreover, the ring member 104 may elastically deform and move past the ends of the first indent sections 114. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the body 102 includes two angled portions 116 adjacent to the first indent portions 114. The angled portions 116 moves back the ring member 104 to the working position in case the ring member 104 moves beyond the working position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the body 102 further includes two second indent sections 118 which releasably engage the arm portions 108 of the ring member 104 to secure the ring member 104 in the idle position. The indent sections 118 extend substantially horizontally to conform to the idle position of the ring member 104. Moreover, the distance between the arm portions 108 is lower than the ends of the second indent sections 118, thereby enabling the ring member 104 to be secured by the second indent sections 118 in the idle position. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the body 102 includes a third indent section 120 for manual handling of the ring member 104 to move the ring member 104 from the idle position to the working position. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 6, the body 102 includes a raised portion 122 to prevent accidental movement of the ring member 104 from the idle position to the working position.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a clamping member 124 is mounted on a bottom portion of the body 102. The clamping member 124 may be also made of metal. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the clamping member 124 includes two connecting portions 126, an end portion 128 and two intermediate portions 130. The connecting portions 126 are inserted into two apertures 132 provided on the body 102. The apertures 132 may be through apertures for ease of manufacturing. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 7, the clamping member 124 may fold out about the apertures 132 and the end portion 128, which is curved, is affixed to the body 102 via a fastening member 136. The fastening member 136 may be a screw which enters a fastening aperture (not illustrated in the figures) on the body 102.

Referring back to FIG. 7, in the assembled state the intermediate portions 130 of the clamping member 124 are biased to space apart by two first ribs 134 provided on the body 102. The first ribs 134 prevent any unintentional release of the connecting portions 126 out from the apertures 132. Further, two second ribs 138 are also provided on the body 102 to limit the movement of the connecting portions 126 further within the apertures 132. Particularly, during the tightening of the fastening member 136 to the body 102, the two second ribs 138 prevent the connecting portions 126 from a further movement into the apertures 132.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, a tool engaging portion 140 is also provided at the bottom portion of the body 102 such that the tool engaging portion 140 and the two intermediate portions 130 of the clamping member 124 form a loop 142 which is configured to attach with a tool. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the loop 142 is substantially non-circular. The non-circular shape of the loop 142 prevents any rotation and/or slipping of the apparatus 100 along a part (E.g., a handle as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10) of the tool to which the apparatus 100 is attached. Thus, the apparatus 100 may be reliably fixed to the tool with lower clamping force, as opposed to a conventional circular shape loop. This may further reduce deformation of and/or damage to various components, such as, the clamping member 124 and the tool engaging portion 140, thereby increasing their working life. The lower clamping force, as required by the apparatus 100, may also prevent damage to the part of the tool.

To attach the apparatus 100 with the tool, the fastening member 136 is removed, with the help of a small screwdriver, and the end portion 128 of the clamping member 124 is folded out about the apertures 132. The tool engaging portion 140 is mounted on a part of the tool. Subsequently, the end portion 128 is folded back to a fixing position adjacent to the fastening aperture provided on the body 102. Finally, the fastening member 136 is tightened to secure the apparatus 100 with the tool. Thus, the apparatus 100 may be easily connected to and removed from the tool with the help of an only small tool (E.g., a screwdriver). Further, as described above the first and second ribs 134 and 138 helps to hold the clamping member 124 in the fixing position while tightening the fastening member 136.

Since the ring member 104 is reliably secured in the idle position, the ring member 104 does not interfere with an operation of the tool. Moreover, the ring member 104 also reliably supports the tool from a support structure since a relative position between the ring member 104 and the body 102 does not change in the working position. Additionally, the first indent sections 114 and the second indent sections 118 are integral parts of the body 102. Thus, no additional part (E.g. a spring) may be required for securing the ring member 104 in the working position or the idle position. This may simplify the design and manufacture of the apparatus 100, thereby reducing cost and improving reliability. Further, the third indent section 120, which is also an integral part of the body 102, also improves manual handling of the ring member 104. In addition, the ring member 104 and the clamping member 124 may be easily attached to the body 102, simplifying the assembly of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 also includes only four separate components, namely, the body 102, the ring member 104, the clamping member 124 and the fastening member 136. This may further reduce the cost and simplify the design of the apparatus 100.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the apparatus 100 attached to a handle 202 of a tool. The handle 202 may be a rear handle of the tool. The ring member 104 is in the idle position in FIG. 8, whereas the ring member 104 is in the working position in FIG. 9. The ring member 104 may be attachable with any type of support structure, for example, but not limited to, a belt or a harness of a user. Thus, the apparatus 100 may securely fasten the tool to any part of clothing worn by the user, thereby improving portability of the tool. The apparatus 100 may also aid in storage of the tool by engaging with a storage structure, for example, a wall mounted hook. Further, the apparatus 100 may also used to hold the tool at a desired height on a tree and also easily move the tool to various positions by fastening the ring member 104 to a rope or any suitable support mechanism.

Various other possible embodiments of the apparatus 100 are possible by selecting a suitable type of ring member. FIGS. 11 - 13 illustrates few exemplary embodiments of the ring member which can be used with the apparatus 100 and provide addition hook shaped portions (144) to facilitate a quick hanging of the tool with a support structure. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, the curved portion 110 of the ring member 104 is extended to a hook portion (144) in a lateral plane. Moreover, as illustrated in the FIG. 12, the hook portion (144) is coplanar with the ring member 104. Based on the requirements and application of the apparatus 100 various other modifications to the shape of the ring member 104 are possible.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

An apparatus (100) for supporting a tool from a support structure, the apparatus (100) comprising;

a body (102);

a clamping member (124) for releasably securing the body (102) to the tool; and

a ring member (104) pivotably connected to the body (102) and movable between an idle position and a working position, the ring member (104) being adapted to engage with the support structure in the working position; characterized in that,

the ring member (104) is secured in the idle position.

An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , the ring member (104) is secured in the working position.

An apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the body (102) comprises two first indent sections (114), the two first indent sections (114) releasably engaging with the ring member (104) to secure the ring member (104) in the working position.

An apparatus (100) according to claims 1 or 3, wherein the body (102) further comprises two second indent sections (118), the two second indent sections (118) releasably engaging with the ring member (104) to secure the ring member (104) in the idle position.

An apparatus (100) according to claim 3, wherein the body (102) further comprises two angled portions (116) adjacent to the first indent sections (114) to move back the ring member (104) to the working position.

6. An apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the body (102) further comprises a third indent section (120) for manual handling of the ring member (104) to move the ring member (104) to the working position.

7. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , the body (102) comprises a raised portion (122) to prevent accidental movement of the ring member (104) from the idle position.

8. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the ring member (104) comprises at least one attachment portion (106), the at least one attachment portion (106) being attached to the body (102).

9. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the ring member (104) is substantially horizontal in the idle position and substantially vertical in the working position relative to the body (102).

10. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the ring member (104) is mounted on a top portion of the body (102).

1 1 . An apparatus (100) according to claim 10, wherein the clamping member (124) is mounted on the bottom portion of the body (102).

12. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the body (102) further comprises a tool engaging portion (140).

13. An apparatus (100) according to claim 12, the tool engaging portion (140) is located at a bottom portion of the body (102).

14. An apparatus (100) according to claim 12, wherein the tool engaging portion (140) and the clamping member (124) form a loop (142) attachable to the tool.

15. An apparatus (100) according to claim 14, wherein the loop (142) formed by the tool engaging portion (140) and the clamping member (124) is substantially non-circular.

1 6. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping member (124) comprises two connecting portions (126) and two intermediate portions (130), the two connecting portions (126) being inserted into two apertures (132) on the body (102).

17. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 6, wherein the body (102) further comprises two first ribs (134) to bias the intermediate portions (130) of the clamping member (124) apart from each other.

18. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 6, wherein clamping member (124) further comprises an end portion (128), the end portion (128) of the clamping member (124) being fixed to the body (102) via a fastening member (136).

19. An apparatus (100) according to claim 18, wherein the body (102) further comprises two second ribs (138) to limit the movement of the connecting portions (126) further within the apertures (132) during tightening of the fastening member (136).

20. An apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure comprises a belt or a harness of a user.

21 . An apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (100) is removably attached to a handle (202) of the tool.

22. An apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool is a chainsaw.

23. An apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring member (104) comprises a hook portion (144).