AU635408B2

AU635408B2 - A garden tool

Info

Publication number: AU635408B2
Application number: AU74279/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Frank Rejman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-16
Filing date: 1991-04-10
Publication date: 1993-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-10
Also published as: AU7427991A

Description

Our Ref: 321262 5 540 §1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: 0* Priority: Related Art: Applicant(s):

S

S S o 0 5505

S

Frank Rejman Lot 2, Kalang Road EDENSOR PARK NSW 2176

AUSTRALIA

ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Address for Service: Complete specification for the invention entitled "A garden tool".

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- S021048 10/04/91 5020 0702k/lfg 1 A GARDEN TOOL This invention relates to garden tools and in particular to lawn edgers and grass and weed cutters.

Lawn edging machines and weed cutters are sold as separate devices, each with its own drive motor, either electric or internal combustion. This results in duplication of items, for instance the motor, even through such items are almost always used concurrently, and also an increase in storage volume for such machines.

The present invention aims to provide a single machine which can perform lawn edging, the cutting of grass and weeds and even small shrubs and trees, and thereby reduce storage requirements and total capital cost of such machines by reducing duplication.

To achieve the above objective, the invention, in one broad form, provides a lawn edging and trimming machine comprising; a main frame supported by ground engaging wheels for travel in a longitudinal direction; a sub-frame pivotably mounted on the main frame about a longitudinal axis for rotary movement only between first and second positions; the main frame comprising a first pair of generally parallel longitudinally extending transversely spaced beams, adjacent each end of which a wheel is rotatably mounted, and two transversely extending second pair of beams connecting said first pair of beams intermediate their ends, the second pair of beams rotatably supporting the sub-frame, one of said second pair of beams having an arcuate surface having two indents therein, the sub-frame including a locating means biased against the arcuate surface, the locating means engaging said indents to locate the sub-frame at one of said positions; and a cutting unit, comprising a drive means and a rotatable cutting blade, rigidly mounted on said sub-frame said cutting blade being in a substantially vertical plane when said sub-frame is in said first position and being in a substantially horizontal plane when said sub-frame is in 0702k/lfg 2 said second position; said cutting unit detachable from said sub-frame and adapted for hand held use when detached from said sub-frame.

Preferably the sub-frame may be positioned intermediate the first and second positions.

The invention also provides an accessory for an angle grinder having a rotatable blade, to facilitate the angle grinder to carry out lawn edging and trimming functions comprising; a main frame supported by ground engaging wheels for travel in a longitudinal direction; a sub-frame pivotably mounted on the main frame about a longitudinal axis for rotary movement only between first and second positions; the main frame comprising a first pair of generally parallel longitudinally extending transversely spaced beams, adjacent each end of which a wheel is rotatably mounted, and two transversely extending second pair of beams connecting said first pair of beams intermediate their ends, the second pair of beams rotatably supporting the sub-frame, one of said second pair of beams having an arcuate surface having .:two indents therein, the sub-frame including a locating means biased against the arcuate surface, the locating means engaging said indents to locate the sub-frame at one of said positions; and said sub-frame adapted to receive the angle grinder such that said cutting blade is in a substantially vertical plane when said sub-frame is in said first position and said cutting blade is in a substantially horizontal plane when said sub-frame is in said second position.

'Preferably the wheels define first and second parallel longitudinally extending side edges and preferably in the first position the cutting blade lies generally parallel and outside of a first side edge and in the second position extends partially outside of the second side edge.

Preferably the sub-frame includes guard means comprising a first portion generally parallel to the cutting blade and when in the first position transversely inwardly

J

0702k/lfg 3 of the cutting blade.

Preferably the guard means comprises a second portion generally perpendicular to the first portion to define a longitudinally extending angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective of an embodiment of the invention in a lawn edging mode.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of figure 1 in a weed cutter mode.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of figure 1 with the motor removed for clarity.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the embodiment of figure 1; again with the motor removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION S: Referring to the drawings there is shown the combined lawn edger/weed cutter 1 hereinafter referred to as the device. The device 1 has a frame 2 comprised of two arched beams 3, joined at adjacent ends 4 and 5 by tubes 6 and 7 •me• respectively. Pivotably connected to the ends of the tubes 6 and 7 are trailing arms 8, the free ends of which have short stub axles 9 (not shown) extending perpendicularly S. therefrom upon which are mounted wheels 10. Trailing arms at the front and rear of the frame are rigidly joined together by a rod (not shown) passing through respective tube 6 or 7, such that rotation of one arm about the tubular axis will cause rotation of the other.

The trailing arms 8 on one side of the frame each have a control arm 11 extending at about 900 from themselves.

The free ends 12 of the control arms 11 have a bushing 13 and a link rod 14 connects with the bushing to join the two arms 11 together such that all four trailing arms 8 can be rotated equally about respective tubes. Rotation of the arms 8 raises or lowers the frame beams 3 relative to the wheels 10. A position handle 15 is connected to a rear control arm and engages a position segment 37 rigidly iiJ 0702k/lfg -4attached to the frame beam 3. The position segment 37 has a number of cutouts 16 such that one of a plurality of relative positions between wheels 10 and frame 2 may be set.

Intermediate the ends of the beams at the top of the arched section are two cross members 17 and 18. Cross member 17 is a simple plate welded to beams 3. Cross piece 18 is also a plate welded to beams 3 but its upper surface 19 describes an arc of a circle 22.

Cross members 17 and 18 have a hole 20 passing therethrough, in which an axle 21 is rotatably received. The centre of the circle arc 22 and the centre of the holes 21 are the same. Rigidly attached to the axle 20 are two motor mounting plates 23, 24 which extend parallel to each other, transversely of the axle to one side of the device i. The lower, outer portions of the two plates 23, 24 are joined by a further motor mounting plate 25 and together form a sub-frame 40. The plates 23, 24 and 25 are sized so as to receive an angle grinder but obviously in alternate forms of the invention the motor can pivot directly on axle 21, rather than requiring mounting plates 23, 24 and 25. The mounting plates 23 and 24 have two cut-outs 40 at their upper edge. The motor 50 has two threaded bores into each of which a lock bolt 41 screws to sandwich the mounting plates 23 and 24 against the motor and bolt 41, thereby S"securing the motor. By loosening these bolts 41 the angle grinder may be removed from the plates and carriage and used as a hand held cutting device in places where it can not otherwise reach.

Also attached rigidly to either the axle 21 or mounting plate 24 is a position handle 26 which is spring loaded against arcuate surface 22. The arcuate surface 22 has two slots 27, 28 into which the handle engages. The two slots 27, 28 are 900 apart such that the axle and hence motor may be secured at either of two positions, 90 degrees apart.

These positions correspond to the cutter blade 30 being perpendicular and parallel to the ground. Furthermore the arcuate surface 22 may have further slots intermediate slots 27, 28 to provide a multitude of operating positions.

0702k/lfg When handle 26 engages slot 28 the motor is positioned vertically, with its output shaft 29 horizontal as in figure 2. When the handle 26 engages slot 27, the motor is positioned horizontally with its output shaft 29 vertical.

An appropriate cutting blade 30 is attached to the output shaft 29 and thus can move from a position generally perpendicular to the ground, where lawn edging can be performed, to a horizontal position, where weed and/or grass cutting can be performed. It is best to change blades for the two different functions for best results, but not essential.

The sub-frame 40 is provided with a guard 41 which is comprised of the mounting plate 25. The guard 41 is positioned to lie inwardly of the blade when the blade is in the vertical position, as shown in figure 1 and has a vertical portion 42 and a horizontal portion 43 which together form a 900 angle. This angle may be used to guide the machine along the edge of a concrete path.

The cutting height is adjusted until the horizontal portion 43 lies upon the horizontal path surface while the vertical portion 43 may be guided along the vertical edge of the path. The front edge 44 of the vertical portion 42 is curved upwardly to be an aid in moving forward along the edge to be trimmed.

•.When the sub-frame 40 is rotated so the cutting blade 30 lies generally horizontal it will be noted that the guard 41 lies above the blade 30 and thus shields the blade from the user.

As will be apparent from Figure i, when the cutting blade 30 is arranged vertically, its plane of cut lies outside of the wheels 10. Thus when cutting alongside a path or the edge of a garden bed, all four wheels may stay on the path or lawn.

Although not shown in the drawings, but readily ascertained by measurement, when the cutting blade 30 is arranged horizontally it extends outside of the wheels 10 on the other side of the frame 2. Thus the device may be run along side a fence or wall and all vegetation growing up to 0702k/lfg 6 the fence or wall will be cut by cutter The device 1 is provided with a handle 31 attached to the device by means of a transverse bar 32. The handle 31 has an attachment bracket 35 having holes 33 through which the bar 32 passes. Rigidly attached to the bracket is a segment of a circle 34 having its centre on the axis of bar 32. A third spring loaded handle 36 is attached to rear cross tube and is sprung against the segment 34. The segment 34 has a plurality of slots in its outer edge into which the handle engages. By selecting an appropriate slot the angle of the handle to the frame may be adjusted to suit the user.

Although the device has been described with reference to an electrically powered tool, it will be appreciated that any power source, such as a small internal combustion engine, may be used instead.

Similarly, while the invention has been described with reference to an embodiment having the motor and drive shaft as one rigid unit, it will be appreciated that, through use of appropriate gears or belts, the motor can be rigidly fixed to the frame of the device, and only the output shaft would move to provide the two positions.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lawn edging and trimming machine comprising; a main frame supported by ground engaging wheels for travel in a longitudinal direction; a sub-frame pivotably mounted on the main frame about a longitudinal axis for rotary movement only betw:en first and second positions; the main frame comprising a first pair of generally parallel longitudinally extending transversely spaced beams, adjacent each end of which a wheel is rotatably mounted, and two transversely extending second pair of beams connecting said first pair of beams intermpFiate their ends, the second pair of beams rotatably supporting the sub-frame, one of said second pair of beams having an arcuate sur 7 :e having two indents therein, the sub-frame including a locating means biased against the arcuate surface, the locating means engaging said indents to locate the sub-frame at one of said positions; and a cutting unit, comprising a drive means and a rotatable cutting blade, rigidly mounted on said sub-frame said cutting blade being in a substantially vertical plane :i when said sub-frame is in said first position and being in a .substantially horizontal plane when said sub-frame is in said second position; said cutting unit detachable from said sub-frame and adapted for hand held use when detached from said sub-frame.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the first pair of beams are arch-shaped and the sub-frame extends beneath and outwardly from the first pair of beams in said first and second positions.

3. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wheels define first and second parallel longitudinally extending side edges and wherein in said first position said cutting blade lies generally parallel and outside of the first side edge.

4. The machine of claim 3 .;herein in said second position said cutting blade extends partially outside of the second side edge. 0702k/lfg 8 The machine of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a guard generally parallel to the cutting blade and in said first position said guard is located transversely inwardly of the cutting blade and in said second position said guard is located above the cutting blade.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein when the ground engaging -wheels engage a generally horizontal ground surface the guard may be positioned to extend below the ground surface.

7. The machine of claims 5 or claim 6 wherein the guard includes on a side remote from the cutting blade a guide for engaging a longitudinally extending side edge of the ground surface and for preventing the machine from deviating from the longitudinal direction.

8. An accessory for an angle grinder having a rotatable blade, to facilitate the angle grinder to carry out lawn edging and trimming functions comprising; a main frame supported by gLound engaging wheels for travel in a longitudinal direction; a sub-frame pivotably mounted on the main frame about a longitudinal axis for rotary movement only between first and second positions; the main frame comprising a first pair of generally parallel longitudinally extending transversely spaued beams, S. adjacent each end of which a wheel is rotatably mounted, and two transversely extending second pair of beams connecting said first pair of beams intermediate their ends, the second pair of beams rotatably supporting the sub-frame, one of said second pair of beams having an arcuate surface having two indents therein, the sub-frame including a locating means biased against the arcuate surface, the locating means engaging said indents to locate the sub-frame at one of said positions; and said sub-frame adapted to receive the angle grinder such that said cutting blade is in a substantially vertical plane when said sub-frame is in said first position and said cutting blade is in a substantially horizontal plane when said sub-frame is in said second position; 0702k/lfg 9

9. The machine of claim 1 wherein the first pair of beams are arch-shaped and the sub-frame extends beneath and outwardly from the first pair of beams in said first and second positions. The machine of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the wheels define first and second parallel longitudinally extending side edges and wherein in said first position said cutting blade lies genetally parallel and outside of a first side edge.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein in said second position said cutting b7ade extends partially outside of the second side edge.

12. The machine of any one of claims 8 to 11 further comprising a guard generally parallel to the cutting blade and in said first position said guard is located transversely inwardly of the cutting blade and in said second position said guard is located above the cutting blade.

13. Th- machine of claim 12 wherein when the ground engaging wheels engage a generally horizontal ground surface the guard may be positioned to extend below the ground surface.

14. The machine of claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the guard includes on a side remote from the cutting blade a guide for S' engaging a longitudinally extending side edge of the ground surface and for preventing the machine from deviating from the longitudinal direction. A lawn edging and trimming machine or an accessory for an angle grinder, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. FATED this 9th day of September, 1992. FRANK REJMAN By His Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE