GB2294424A

GB2294424A - Cutting apparatus with debris collecting means

Info

Publication number: GB2294424A
Application number: GB9503279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonard Smith; Margaret Helen Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-26
Filing date: 1995-02-20
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Also published as: GB9503279D0; GB9421547D0

Abstract

A cutting apparatus 10 comprises cutting means 12, 18 and debris collecting means 36. The cutting means may comprise first and second blades 12, 18 which are pivoted about a bolt (32, Fig. 2). The debris collecting means may be integral with a first blade 12 or it may be detachable. Handles 14, 20 extend away from the two blades and may be long enough to cut lawn edges by operation of the handles at waist height. The device may be a hedge trimmer (214, Figs. 8, 9) with first and second reciprocating blades (218, 220 Fig. 8). In this instance the collecting means comprises a tray (212 Figs. 8 - 10) extending adjacent to the blades and attaching to a housing (217 Fig. 9) of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

Cutting Apparatus The present invention relates to cutting apparatus and the collection of debris formed by cutting. The apparatus to be described may be used, in particular, but not exclusively, during the cutting and trimming of a hedge or the excess grass at the edge of a lawn.

The cutting of lawn edges or a hedge is conventionally a two stage process requiring the gardener to cut with shears and then to return to collect the cuttings left behind. This can be time consuming and may be difficult for a gardener who does not have the ability to bend down to collect the cuttings.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided cutting apparatus comprising cutting means and further comprising debris collecting means so located as to collect debris created by operation of the cutting means.

Preferably the cutting means comprise shears means or reciprocating cutter means, and may be powered.

Preferably the collecting means is carried by the cutting means.

Preferably the cutting means comprise first and second blades, pivotal relative to each other, preferably about a generally horizontal axis.

The pivotal axis maybe provided about a bolt and cooperating nut arrangment acting within through apertures formed in the first and second blades of the cutting means. The apparatus may comprise handles operable to maniupulate the cutting means. Preferably the handles are sufficiently long to allow the cutting means to be operated at a user's feet by manipulation of handles from a standing position.

Preferably the collecting means are carried by a blade member of the cutting means. The collecting means may be integrally formed with or permanently attached to the blade means. Alternatively, the collecting means may be detachably carried by the cutting apparatus. The collecting means may comprise hook means acting to locate the collecting means on the cutting apparatus and may comprise a through aperture positioned to cooperate with the pivot arrangement to retain the collecting means.

Alternatively, the cutting means may comprise hedge trimmers which may be electrically powered and preferably the collecting means is carried by the cutting means.

The cutting means may comprise first and second sets of cutting blades which cooperate to effect a cutting action, preferably by a relative reciprocating action. The cutting means may comprise a handle to allow the cutting means to be held and operated by a user and may provide housing means for a drive means operable to cause the reciprocating action as aforesaid.

Preferably the collecting means may be carried by the housing means. The collecting means may be integrally formed with or permanently attached to the housing means or alternatively may be detachably carried by the housing means.

The collecting means may comprise attachment means positioned to cooperate with the housing means to retain the collecting means, for example a plurality of cooperating through aperatures in the collecting means and the housing means for receiving a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies.

The collecting means may be arranged to be located below the cutting position of the cutting means, to collect debris falling from the cutting means. The collecting means may comprise a receptacle, preferably open-topped, for debris. The collecting means may extend along substantially the whole length of the cutting means or the blades thereof. The collecting means may comprise a surface which is generally horizontal in use, and is bounded by at least one wall, to form a receptacle. The surface may comprise a lip which slopes upwardly in the region of one end of the cutting means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is an end elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the apparatus; Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the third embodiment and; Fig. 10 is an end elevation view of the debris collection tray of the third embodiment.

The apparatus 10 of a first embodiment, as shown in Figs 1 to 3, comprises a pair of long-handled garden shears with a debris collection tray 36 attached. The shears comprise a first blade 12 which may be manipulated by a first handle 14. The first handle 14 is at a first angle 16 to the first blade 12. A second blade 18 may be manipulated by a second handle 20 which is at a second angle 22 to the second blade 18. In use, the handles are opened and closed in order to open and close the blades 12, 18, to effect a shearing action on material located therebetween. The blades are normally used substantially vertically, i.e. they are moved generally up and down relative to each other.

The first handle 14 and the second handle 20 are of equal length and are much longer than the blades 12, 18. This provides a mechanical advantage to the user in cutting with the apparatus, and allows the user to operate the shears from a standing position to cut grass at the feet of the user.

The first and second blades 12 and 18 each have a sharpened cutting edge 24, 26 which move past each other as the blades move relative to one another, to provide a shearing action.

The first and second blades 12, 18 are of substantially equal length and each have an aperture 28 and 30 located at the elbow where the handles 14 and 20 extend from their respective blades 12 and 18. The apertures 28, 30 allow bolt 32 and nut 34 assembly to secure the blades together and provide a pivot point about which the blades 12, 18 may turn relative to each other.

The first and second angles 16 and 22 may be chosen to be different such that the handles never meet, even when the blades 12, 18 are fully closed.

The debris collection tray 36 of the apparatus 10 includes a base 38 which is permanently attached to or formed as an integral part of the first blade 12. The base 38 is generally perpendicular to the plane of the first blade 12, so as to be generally horizontal in use, and extends below and beyond the second blade 18. The second edge of the base member carries a generally upright retaining wall 40.

The base 38 and the retaining wall 40 should preferably be of substantially the same length as the blades 12 and 18.

At the rear end of the base 38 there is a short end wall 42 between the retaining wall 40, the base 38 and the second blade 18. The end wall 42 is attached to the base 38 and retaining wall 40 but abuts the second blade 18 without being attached, so that the blade 18 is not prevented from moving relative to the first blade.

The base 38 and walls 40 and 42 together form a rectangular shaped debris collection tray 36 extending generally parallel to the first and second blades 12, 18 and below the cutting edges.

In use, the blades 12, 18 can be opened by manipulation of the handles 14, 20. The shears can then be offered to material to be cut, such as grass at a lawn edge. The handles 14, 20 are then used to close the blades 12, 18, which shear off the grass located between them. The cuttings fall into the tray 36.

As the blades are advanced during trimming, further cuttings will be produced, which fall into the trays and tend to collect toward the rear of the tray, where they are retained by the end wall 42. It has been found that a flat-bottomed tray tends to hold a greater volume of clippings, but other profiles could be used.

As the tray fills with clippings, the shears can be picked up to empty the tray in a collecting bag or container, as desired, but substantially no cuttings will need to be picked up from the ground if the shears are used with normal dexterity.

It can be seen from the drawings that the tray 36 has a front lip 44 which slopes up from the main level of the base 38. This has been found to provide two advantages. Clippings are more easily retained in the tray, and the tray is less inclined to dig into the earth.

A second embodiment of the apparatus 110, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7, is a debris collection tray 136 similar to the first embodiment which has been described above, except that the tray 136 forms a detachable accessory, for instance for attachment to a pair of existing shears. The shears have been omitted from the drawings for clarity, but relevant features are described with reference to the shears of Figs. 1 to 3, and using the corresponding numerals.

As with the first embodiment the tray 136 comprises a base 138 which is adapted to extend generally perpendicular to the plane of the cutting blades 12,18 of the shears (when attached as will be described), so as to be generally horizontal when in use.

The base 138 does not form an integral part of the first blade 12 in this embodiment but rather extends below and beyond both the first and second blades 12,18.

From the edge opposite to that of the retaining wall 140 there extends upwardly an inclined attachment portion 146 which is adapted for attachment to an existing pair of shears.

The base 138, retaining wall 140 and attachment portion 146 should preferably all be substantially the same length as the blades of the shears with which the tray is intended to be used.

At the rear end of the base 138 there is a short end wall 142 which extends between the retaining wall 140, the base 138 and the second blade 18 when shears are attached. The end wall 142 is attached to the base 138 and retaining wall 140 but there is a gap between the wall 142 and the attachment portion 146 for receiving the blades of the shears.

The attachment portion 146 has a through aperture 148 situated so as to cooperate with a nut and bolt assembly, usually used to provide the pivot axis about which the blades 12 and 18 of the shears pivot, such that when the bolt is inserted through the aperture 148 and the apertures 28 and 30 of the blades 12 and 18 and a cooperating nut is threaded on the end portion of the bolt a positive connection is effected between the shears and the tray 136.

Further stability for the tray 136 can be provided by a stabilising hook 150 which extends upwardly from the attachment portion and is adapted to attach, possibly resiliently, to the first handle 14 at a position just above the elbow where the handle 14 extends from the first blade 12.

The second embodiment when in use with shears functions in the manner indicated above in the first embodiment, and can be sold as an accessory for use with shears which are sold separately or are already owned.

A third embodiment of the apparatus 210, as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, displays a debris collection tray 212 similar to that which has been described above with reference to the first and second embodiments except that the tray 212 is modified for use with powered hedge trimmers 214.

The hedge trimmers 214 comprise first and second sets of cutting blades 218, 220. The first set of blades 218 remain stationary and a second set of blades 220 move in a reciprocal motion with respect to the first set of blades 218. A handle 215 allows the trimmer 214 to be held and operated by a user and further provides a housing 217 for a drive mechanism, such as a motor or engine, which powers the second set of blades 220.

In this embodiment the tray 212 comprises a base 216 which is adapted to extend generally perpendicular to the plane of the first and second set of cutting blades 218, 220.

The base 216 does not form an integral part of the hedge trimmers 214 but rather extends below and beyond the first and second set of cutting blades 218, 220.

The base 216 has attached along each of its two longer edges retaining walls 222, 224 which extend substantially at right angles to the base 216 such that when viewed in cross section the base 216 and the retaining walls 222, 224 form a substantially square U-shape. It should be understood that the retaining walls 222, 224 should be positioned with the first and second sets of blades 218, 220 therebetween and to avoid interference with the sets of blades when in operation.

The base 216 and retaining walls 222, 224 should all be substantially the same length as the first and second sets of cutting blades 218, 220.

At the front and rear ends of the base 216 there are short end walls 226, 228 respectively, which close the ends of the retaining walls 222, 224 and base 216 to form a tray 212.

The rear end wall 228, more clearly illustrated in Fig. 10 (from which the hedge trimmers 214 have been omitted), is cut away to allow the first and second sets of cutting blades 218, 220 to pass through the wall 228 into the tray 212 and provides a point of attachment for the tray 212 to the housing 217 of the hedge trimmers 214. It will be appreciated that the wall 228 is shaped so as not to interfere with the operation of the hedge trimmers 214.

Attachment is achieved by a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies acting within cooperating through aperatures 230 formed in the rear end wall 228 and housing 217.

In use, the second set of blades 220 are driven in a reciprocal motion relative to the first blades 218 such that when the trimmers 214 are offered to the material to be cut, for example a hedge, the part of the hedge located between the cutting edges 232 of the first and second sets of cutting blades, 218, 220 are cut off.

The cuttings fall into the tray 212.

As the blades are advanced during trimming, further cuttings will be produced, which fall into and fill the tray 212. When the tray has filled with cuttings, the apparatus 210 can be manipulated to empty the tray 212 into a collecting bag or container, as desired, and substantially no cuttings will need to be picked up from the ground if the apparatus 210 is used with normal dexterity.

It will be appreciated that the tray 212 has an additional retaining wall in comparison with the first two embodiments because, in these embodiments, one blade of the shears provides the function of a retaining wall.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the tray could be appropriately adapted for use with shears or hedge trimmers or similar devices used at other orientations, and could be replaced by a receptacle of another shape. The tray as described in the third embodiment could form an integral part of the hedge timmers. The devices described could be adapted for use with other forms of cutting apparatus.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Cutting apparatus comprising cutting means and further comprising debris collecting means so located as to collect debris created by operation of the cutting means.

2. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the cutting means comprise shears means.

3. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the cutting means comprise reciprocating cutter means.

4. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cutting means is powered.

5. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means is carried by the cutting means.

6. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cutting means comprise first and second blade members, pivotal relative to each other.

7. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the pivotal axis is provided about a bolt and cooperating nut arrangment acting through apertures formed in the first and second blade members of the cutting means.

8. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the apparatus comprises handles operable to manipulate the cutting means.

9. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the handles are sufficiently long to allow the cutting means to be operated at a user's feet by manipulation of handles from a standing position.

10. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, in which the collecting means is carried by a blade member of the cutting means.

11. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the collecting means is integrally formed with or permanently attached to the blade member.

12. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means is detachably carried by the cutting means.

13. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, in which the collecting means comprises hook means acting to locate the collecting means on the cutting means.

14. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the collecting means comprises a through aperture positioned to cooperate with the pivot arrangement to retain the collecting means.

15. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the cutting means comprises first and second sets of cutting blades which cooperate to effect a cutting action by a relative reciprocating action.

16. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the cutting means comprises a handle to allow the cutting means to be held and operated by a user.

17. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, in which a housing is provided for drive means operable to cause the reciprocating action as aforesaid.

18. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 17, in which the collecting means is carried by the housing means.

19. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which the collecting means is integrally formed with or permanently attached to the housing means.

20. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which the collecting means is detachably carried by the housing means.

21. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the collecting means comprises attachment means arranged to cooperate with the housing means to retain the collecting means in position.

22. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the attachment means comprises a plurality of cooperable through-apertures in the collecting means and the housing means for receiving a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies.

23. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means is arranged to be located below the cutting position of the cutting means to collect debris falling from the cutting means.

24. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means comprises a receptacle for debris.

25. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 24, in which the receptacle is open-topped to receive debris falling from the cutting means.

26. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means extends along substantially the whole length of the cutting means.

27. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 26, in which the collecting means extends along substantially the whole length of the blade(s) of the cutting means.

28. Cutting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the collecting means comprises a surface which is generally horizontal in use, and is bounded by at least one wall, to form a receptacle.

29. Cutting apparatus as claimed in claim 28, in which the surface comprises a lip which slopes upwardly in the region of one end of the cutting means.

30. Collecting means for use with cutting means as aforesaid, and as defined in any of the preceding claims.

31. Cutting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

32. Collecting means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.