WO2018177627A1

WO2018177627A1 - Eccentric mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2018177627A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/052593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Sauter; Gabriele SCHERER; Benjamin Asal
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-02-02
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-30
Also published as: FI3600785T3; EP3600785B1; TW201836790A; EP3600785A1; TWI742258B; CN110167717A; PL3600785T3; CN110167717B

Abstract

An eccentric mechanism (106) for coupling a tool handle (104) with a tool head (102) is provided. The eccentric mechanism (106) includes a first pin member (200) which extends through an opening in the tool handle (104). The eccentric mechanism (106) includes a second pin member (202) coupled to the first pin member (200). The second pin member (202) is oriented at an angle to the first pin member (200). The eccentric mechanism (106) further includes a lever (204) rotatably coupled to the second pin member (202). The lever (204) is adapted to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The lever (204) includes at least one arcuate portion (206) which presses against the tool head (102) in the closed position. The eccentric mechanism (106) is characterized in that the eccentric mechanism (106) further includes a tilt-avoiding mechanism (208) associated with the lever (204).

Description

ECCENTRIC MECHANISM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an eccentric mechanism for coupling a tool head with a tool handle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the eccentric mechanism having a tilt-avoiding mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning devices such as a broom are used in various application areas such as gardening, household etc. for cleaning purposes. Such cleaning devices may generally include a handle coupled with a broom head. The handle may be coupled to the broom head through various coupling mechanisms known in the art. One of the examples of such a coupling mechanism is an eccentric mechanism.

An eccentric mechanism may use a lever to provide a pressing force between two parts such that the two parts may be held together. In this case, the eccentric mechanism may hold the handle and the broom head together. The eccentric mechanism provides efficient means to couple the broom head with the handle. The lever may be operated by a user to switch between an open and a closed position. However, the lever of the eccentric mechanism may tilt sideways while the lever is switched between the closed position and the open position. Such tilting motion may adversely affect the coupling action of the eccentric mechanism. Further, unwanted tilting may damage the parts of the broom head and the handle as well.

Thus, there is a need for an improved eccentric mechanism to overcome the problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by an eccentric mechanism for coupling a tool handle with a tool head. The eccentric mechanism includes a first pin member extending through an opening in the tool handle. The eccentric mechanism includes a second pin member coupled to the first pin member. The second pin member is angularly oriented at an angle to the first pin member. The eccentric mechanism further includes a lever rotatably coupled to the second pin member. The lever rotates between an open position and a closed position. The lever includes at least one arcuate portion which presses against the tool head in the closed position. The eccentric mechanism is characterized in that the eccentric mechanism further includes a tilt-avoiding mechanism associated with the lever. The tilt-avoiding mechanism provides a stable configuration for the eccentric mechanism when the lever is in the open position. The tilt-avoiding mechanism prevents the lever from tilting sideways in the open position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tilt-avoiding mechanism includes at least one protrusion next to the at least one arcuate portion of the lever. The tilt-avoiding mechanism further includes at least one slit provided on the tool head. The at least one slit is located below the at least one protrusion. The at least one slit receives the at least one protrusion in the open position of the lever. As the slit receive the protrusion in the open position of the lever, sideways movement of the lever is restricted which prevents the lever from tilting. Also, the sideways movement of the lever is restricted in the closed position. Thus, the tilting of the lever is prevented and provides stability to the tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lever includes two protrusions. Two protrusions provide further balance to the lever. Subsequently, the eccentric mechanism couples the tool head and the tool handle more efficiently.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tool head includes two slits. The two slits receive the two protrusions on the lever and provide further balance to the lever. Subsequently, the eccentric mechanism couples the tool head and the tool handle more efficiently.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lever includes two arcuate portions adapted to press against the tool head in the closed position. The two arcuate portions provide more balance to the eccentric mechanism and provide additional pressing force on the tool head by the lever.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion has a semi-circular shape. The semi-circular shape of the protrusions ensures that the protrusions are always engaged in the slits in both open position and the closed position of the lever. Thus, the tilting of the lever is prevented which provides stability to the eccentric mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tilt-avoiding mechanism includes at least one protrusion provided on the tool head, such that the protrusion prevents the lever from tilting in the open positon of the lever. The protrusion provides stability to the eccentric mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tilt-avoiding mechanism includes two protrusions. The two protrusions provide further balance to the lever, and subsequently to the eccentric mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion extends on the tool head, and around the lever in the closed position of the lever. The protrusion provides balance to the lever, and subsequently to the eccentric mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the eccentric mechanism further includes an adjusting mechanism coupled to the first pin member. The adjusting mechanism adjusts a pressing force applied by the lever on the tool head. The adjusting mechanism facilitates the use of eccentric mechanism in various application requirements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism is a screw. The screw provides an easy and efficient way of adjusting the pressing force applied by the lever on the tool head.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the screw includes a knurled portion. The knurled portion provides a better grip on the screw while adjusting the eccentric mechanism. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the angle between the first pin member and the second pin member is 90 degrees.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lever rotates in an angular range of 90 degrees between the open position and the closed position. The lever may rotate in an angular range of 180 degrees as well as per application requirements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tool head is at least one of a broom head, a gutter cleaner head, or a fruit picker. The eccentric mechanism may be used on various products.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 shows a tool illustrated as a broom head having an eccentric mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the tool in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the tool in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a tool having the eccentric mechanism, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the tool illustrated as a fruit picker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows the tool illustrated as a gutter cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment of the 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 structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a tool 100 having a tool head 102 coupled to a tool handle 104. The tool head 102 is illustrated as a broom head. It should be contemplated that the tool head 102 may be any other type of a tool head as well based on application requirements. The present disclosure is not limited by the type of tool head 102 in any manner. The tool handle 104 provides means to hold the tool 100 while the tool 100 is being used. The tool handle 104 may include a grip or a cover portion (not shown) as per the need of the application for which the tool 100 is being used. The tool 100 is coupled to the tool head 102 through an eccentric mechanism 106. The eccentric mechanism 106 provides means to efficiently couple the tool head 102 with the tool handle 104. A sectional plane A-A' passes through the tool 100 such that the plane A-A' is perpendicular to the tool head 102 as well as the tool handle 104. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the tool 100 taken along the plane A-A'. The eccentric mechanism 106 includes a first pin member 200 which extends through an opening (not shown) in the tool handle 104. Although, the first pin member 200 is illustrated as a longitudinal member having a cylindrical cross-section, the first pin member 200 may have any other cross-sectional shape as well.

The eccentric mechanism 106 includes a second pin member 202 coupled to the first pin member 200. The second pin member 202 may be coupled to the first pin member 200 by any suitable coupling mechanism as per application requirements. Although, the second pin member 202 is illustrated as a longitudinal member having a cylindrical cross-section, the second pin member 202 may have any other cross-sectional shape as well. The second pin member 202 is oriented at an angle to the first pin member 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle between the first pin member 200 and the second pin member 202 is 90 degrees. It should be contemplated that the angle between the first pin member 200 and the second pin member 202 may vary as per application requirements.

The eccentric mechanism 106 includes a lever 204 coupled to the second pin member 202 such that the lever 204 may rotate about the second pin member 202. The lever 204 may rotate about the second pin member 202 in an angular range which may be defined based on the application requirements or the type of the tool head 102 which is being used. The angular range may be 90 degrees or 180 degrees based on the application requirements. The lever 204 rotates about the second pin member 202 between a closed position and an open position. The lever 204 may be rotated about the second pin member 202 by a user to change the position of the lever 204 between the closed position and the open position. The lever 204 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 2. A sectional plane B- B' is shown such that the plane B-B' is perpendicular to the tool head 102 and divides the tool 100 into two symmetrical parts.

FIG. 3 shows the sectional view of the tool 100 along the plane B-B' as seen from a side of the tool 100. The lever 204 is illustrated in the open position. The lever 204 includes at least one arcuate portion 206 which presses against the tool head 102 while the lever 204 is in the closed position. The arcuate portion 206 facilitates locking action of the eccentric mechanism 106. The arcuate portion 206 may be of any suitable shape based on the shape of the tool head 102 as well as application requirements. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 204 has two arcuate portions 206 provided in a symmetrical manner about the plane B-B' on the lever 204.

With combined reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the eccentric mechanism 106 further includes a tilt-avoiding mechanism 208 to prevent tilting of the lever 204 sideways while the lever 204 is in the open position or the lever 206 is being switched from the closed position to the open position. The tilt-avoiding mechanism 208 ensures that the tool head 102 is coupled to the tool handle 104 at all times.

The tilt-avoiding mechanism 208 includes at least one protrusion 210 provided on the lever 204. In the illustrated embodiment, two protrusions 210 are provided on the lever 204. The protrusions 210 are illustrated as having a semicircular shape. However, the protrusions 210 may have any other shape as well which may suit the need of the present disclosure. The tilt-avoiding mechanism 208 further includes at least one slit 212 provided on the tool head 102. In the illustrated embodiment, two slits 212 are provided on the tool head 102. The slits 212 are located below the protrusions 210 such that the slits 212 receive the protrusions 210 while the lever 204 is in the open position. The slits 212 may have any suitable shape which may allow the slits 212 to receive the protrusions 210 accordingly.

The eccentric mechanism 106 further includes an adjusting mechanism 214 coupled to the first pin member 200. The adjusting mechanism 214 may be used to adjust the pressing force applied by the arcuate portion 206 of the lever 204 on the tool head 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting mechanism 214 is a screw. The screw may include a knurled portion to provide a better grip while adjusting the eccentric mechanism 106. The adjusting mechanism 214 may be any other type of adjusting mechanism as well which may be suitable as per application requirements.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure. The tilt- avoiding mechanism 208 includes at least one protrusion 400 on the tool head 102 such that the protrusion 400 prevents the lever 204 from tilting in the open position of the lever 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the tilt-avoiding mechanism 208 includes two protrusions 400 on each side of the lever 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 400 extends on the tool head 102, and around the lever 204 in the closed position of the lever 204. It should be contemplated that the protrusion 400 may take any other shape and size as well based on the shape of the lever 204 as well as application requirements.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure. The tool 100 is illustrated as a fruit picker. The fruit picker may be used to pick fruits from a tree etc. The tool handle 104 may be attached to an extendable handle mechanism (not shown) to enable a user to extend the tool 100 to pick a fruit etc. from a tree. The fruit picker is coupled to the tool handle 104 by the eccentric mechanism 106.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the tool head 102 is illustrated as a gutter cleaner which may be used for cleaning purposes in a gutter etc. inside a house. The gutter cleaner includes cleaning attachments 600 on two sides. The gutter cleaner is coupled with the tool handle 104 by the eccentric mechanism 106.

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 of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Tool

102 Tool head

104 Tool handle

106 Eccentric mechanism

200 First pin member

202 Second pin member

204 Lever

206 Arcuate portion

208 Tilt-avoiding mechanism

210 Protrusion

212 Slit

214 Adjusting mechanism

400 Protrusion

600 Cleaning attachment

A-A' Plane

B-B' Plane

Claims

1. An eccentric mechanism (106) for coupling a tool handle (104) with a tool head (102), the eccentric mechanism (106) comprising: a first pin member (200) extending through an opening in the tool handle (104); a second pin member (202) coupled to the first pin member (200), the second pin member (202) oriented at an angle to the first pin member (200); and a lever (204) rotatably coupled to the second pin member (202), and adapted to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever (204) includes at least one arcuate portion (206) adapted to press against the tool head (102) in the closed position; characterized in that: the eccentric mechanism (106) further includes a tilt-avoiding mechanism (208) associated with the lever (204).

2. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 1, wherein the tilt-avoiding mechanism (208) includes: at least one protrusion (210) next to the at least one arcuate portion (206) of the lever (204); and at least one slit (212) provided on the tool head (102), wherein the at least one slit (212) is disposed below the at least one protrusion (210); wherein the at least one slit (212) is adapted to receive the at least one protrusion (210) in the open position of the lever (106).

3. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 2, wherein the lever (204) includes two protrusions (210).

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4. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 2 and 3, wherein the tool head (102) includes two slits (212).

5. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-4, wherein the lever (204) includes two arcuate portions (206) adapted to press against the tool head (102) in the closed position.

6. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-5, wherein the protrusion (210) has a semi-circular shape.

7. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 1, wherein the tilt-avoiding mechanism (208) includes: at least one protrusion (400) provided on the tool head (102), such that the protrusion (400) prevents the lever (204) from tilting in the open positon of the lever (204).

8. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 7, wherein the tilt-avoiding mechanism (208) includes two protrusions (400).

9. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 7, wherein the protrusion (400) extends on the tool head (102), and around the lever (204) in the closed position of the lever (204).

10. The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-9, further comprising: an adjusting mechanism (214) coupled to the first pin member (200), wherein the adjusting mechanism (214) is adapted to adjust a pressing force applied by the lever (204) on the tool head (102).

2 The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 10, wherein the adjusting mechanism (214) is a screw.

The eccentric mechanism (106) of claim 11, wherein the screw includes knurled portion.

The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-12, wherein the ang between the first pin member (200) and the second pin member (202) 90 degrees.

The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-13, wherein the lever (204) rotates in an angular range of 90 degrees between the open position and the closed position.

The eccentric mechanism (106) of claims 1-14, wherein the tool head (102) is at least one of a broom head, a gutter cleaner head, or a fruit picker.

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