EP4606527A1

EP4606527A1 - Tool adapter

Info

Publication number: EP4606527A1
Application number: EP24159553.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick MISSEL; Wolfgang KLEY
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2024-02-26
Filing date: 2024-02-26
Publication date: 2025-08-27
Also published as: CN120533644A

Abstract

A tool adapter (100) for attaching a tool (102) to a pole (104) comprises a main body (106) and a clamping body (108) wherein the tool (102) is attachable to the main body (106) and the clamping body (108) is hinged to the main body (106). Further, a fastening element (112) is hinged to the main body (106). The clamping body (108) and the fastening element (112) are configured such that the pole (104) is clampable between the main body (106) and the clamping body (108). The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) is characterized in that the tool adapter (100) further comprises at least one securing arrangement (116) formed on the clamping body (108) and/or the main body (106), wherein the at least one securing arrangement (116) is configured to functionally interact with the fastening element (112) such that an unintended dropping off of the tool adapter (100) from the pole (104) is inhibited by inhibiting a disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a tool adapter, particularly for attaching a tool to a pole.

BACKGROUND

A tool adapter is used for extending the reach of a user while working with a tool. For this purpose, the user uses special tools with special poles fitting to each other. The tool adapter includes a body that may be coupled to the tool on one side and to the pole on another side, wherein the user may hold the pole while working. The tools which may be coupled to the tool adapter may include but may not be limited to hedge trimmer, saw, pruner, etc. The tool adapter may include a locking mechanism for keeping both the tool and the pole in place while working. However, using the tool adapter for increasing the reach of the user involves a risk of the tool adapter or the pole getting dropped unintentionally. The tool adapter or the pole may drop off to a floor surface due to the locking mechanism getting loose.
An example of a tool adapter is provided in United States Patent US 8,167,259 B2 (hereinafter referred to as '259 reference). The '259 reference provides a rapid attach and release clamp with a medical device system. A system includes the rapid attach and release clamp, a support base, a medical device, and a support pole. The rapid attach and release clamp enables the medical device to be easily clamped and unclamped to the support pole, allowing the device to be moved up and down as necessary. The rapid attach and release clamp also allows the medical device to be rotated about the support pole and clamped at a desired radial position relative to the support pole. Furthermore, the rapid attach and release clamp includes a knob, a rod, and an arm that is attached to the rod. The rod is constructed and arranged to be inserted into a passageway of the knob. The rod includes a threaded portion having a plurality of male threads that releasably interlock with the one or more female threads of a threaded portion of a lock. The threaded portion can extend through top of the knob as the knob is rotated clockwise, causing an inward translational advancement of the knob along the threaded portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 a tool adapter for attaching a tool to a pole.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the tool adapter for attaching the tool to the pole comprises a main body and a clamping body, wherein the tool is attachable to the main body and the clamping body is hinged to the main body, and wherein the clamping body is rotatable relative to the main body about a first axis. Further, a fastening element is hinged to the main body, wherein the fastening element is rotatable relative to the main body about a second axis, and wherein the second axis is parallel to the first axis and perpendicular to an extension of the fastening element. Further, the clamping body and the fastening element are configured such that the pole is clampable, particularly immovably clampable, between the main body and the clamping body. The tool adapter for attaching the tool to the pole is characterized in that the tool adapter further comprises at least one securing arrangement formed on the clamping body and/or the main body, wherein the at least one securing arrangement is configured to functionally interact with the fastening element such that an unintended dropping off of the tool adapter from the pole is inhibited by inhibiting a disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body.
Thus, the present disclosure advantageously provides an improved tool adapter that provides a safe and secure coupling between the tool and the pole configured to extended reach of a user of the tool adapter, and/or the tool. The tool adapter comprises the fastening element to bind the main body and the clamping body of the tool adapter and the pole in a fixed position and to further avoid an inadvertent disengagement between the tool adapter and the pole due to a too large respectively extended pivotal movement between the clamping body and the main body of the tool adapter. In other words, the fastening element is configured to prevent the clamping body from pivoting relative to the main body such that the pole may be firmly gripped between the clamping body and the main body of the tool adapter. The tool adapter further comprises at least one securing arrangement configured to inhibit the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body and consequently reduce the probability of unintended dropping off respectively entire disengagement of the tool adapter from the pole, or vice-versa.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fastening element is a screw, particularly a knurled screw, comprising a head portion and a threaded shaft portion, and wherein the shaft portion is configured to be screwable in an internal thread of a hinge element of the main body. The screw may be engaged with the tool adapter in a removable and tool-less manner to prevent movement of the clamping body away from the main body, and thereby preventing the unintended dropping off of the tool adapter from the pole, or vice-versa.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one securing arrangement formed on the clamping body comprises a first snapping element and a second snapping element, in particular wherein the first snapping element and/or the second snapping element are configured to interact with, particularly contact, a shaft portion of the fastening element such that a rotation of the fastening element relative to the main body in a direction around the second axis is inhibited. The first snapping element and the second snapping element may be configured to prevent or delay the tipping over of the fastening element around the second axis. Thereby the pivotal motion of the fastening element relative to the main body is prevented such that the pivotal motion of the clamping body around the first axis is also inhibited. Hence, the unintended dropping off of the tool adapter from the pole is inhibited.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the clamping body comprises an elongated aperture, particularly a U-shaped aperture, configured to allow rotating of the fastening element relative to the main body within and out of the aperture, and wherein the aperture is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis. In particular, the aperture extends from a side of the clamping body distanced furthest from the first axis, towards the first axis, and wherein the first snapping element and the second snapping element are formed in the aperture. The elongated aperture comprises at least one securing arrangement to at least partially engage with the fastening element and prevent or delay the tipping over or rotational movement of the fastening element in a direction around the second axis, in order to prevent inadvertent accidents that may be caused due to unintended falling off of the tool adapter.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first snapping element and the second snapping element are formed parallel to each other in the aperture, particularly on two opposite sides of the aperture, and/or the first snapping element and the second snapping element extend parallel to the extension of the fastening element, when the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited, and/or the first snapping element and the second snapping element are configured to interact with the shaft portion at similar positions along the extension of the shaft portion, and/or the first snapping element and the second snapping element have substantially the same length along the extension of the shaft portion. The first snapping element and the second snapping element may employ equal and opposite forces on the fastening element to keep the fastening element in a stable and erect position to the extent possible and thereby inhibit the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first snapping element and/or the second snapping element have a length substantially equal to a thickness of the clamping body at a position adjacent to the aperture, wherein the thickness is seen in a direction parallel to an extension of the fastening element when the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited, and/ or the aperture has an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the first snapping element and/or the second snapping element extends from the upper end to the lower end. The first snapping element and the second snapping element may advantageously span along the thickness of the clamping body to provide enhanced support to the fastening element and inhibit the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one securing arrangement formed on the main body comprises a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, in particular wherein the first inclined surface and/or the second inclined surface are configured to limit a rotation of the fastening element relative to the main body in a direction around the second axis to a pre-defined angular range being between 0° and 90°, preferably between 0° and 60°, and more preferably between 0° and 45°. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be configured to prevent or delay the tipping over of the fastening element from the clamping body and thereby prevent the pivotal or rotating motion of the clamping body relative to the main body such that the unintended dropping off of the tool adapter from the pole is inhibited.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises an opening extending through the main body between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end faces the clamping body. Further, a hinge element is mounted to the opening such that the hinge element is rotatable around the second axis, and wherein the hinge element is configured such that the fastening element is screwable into the hinge element. The rotational mounting of the hinge element to the main body allows removable and tool-less coupling between the fastening element and the tool adapter.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first inclined surface is formed at the first end and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening towards the clamping body, and/or the second inclined surface is formed at the second end and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening. In particular, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are substantially parallel to each other. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be configured to engage with the fastening element such that a rotational movement of the fastening element around the second axis is limited such that a complete rolling over of the fastening element may be prevented. Thereby, a disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body of the tool adapter and hence a loosening of the grip between the tool adapter and the pole may be decreased, particularly inhibited.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first inclined surface extends at an angle of 45° relative to an inner surface of the opening and the second inclined surface extends at an angle of 45° relative to the inner surface of the opening, and wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed on opposite sides of the inner surface of the opening relative to the fastening element, when the fastening element is screwed into the hinge element. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may employ equal and opposite forces on the fastening element to prevent or inhibit the fastening element from complete roll over or disengagement from the clamping body.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are configured to contact a shaft portion of the fastening element along substantially similar lengths along the extension of the shaft portion, when the fastening element is rotated around the hinge element of the main body. When the fastening element contacts the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, the fastening element may be inhibited from subsequent rotation around the second axis. Thereby, a disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body of the tool adapter may be inhibited such that the pole may remain firmly gripped with the tool adapter and the tool may be efficiently used for desired application.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one securing arrangement formed on the clamping body is a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to interact at least partially with a head portion of the fastening element such that a rotation of the fastening element relative to the main body in a direction around the second axis is inhibited, when the pole is clamped, particularly immovably clamped, between the main body and the clamping body. Thereby, the screw has to be screwed out of the hinge element up to a certain and pre-defined amount for allowing the head portion to rotate over the protrusion and allowing a rotation of the clamping element relative to the main body in a direction around the first axis. Hence, the tool adapter may be securely clamped to the pole.
The at least one securing arrangement may comprise a combination of the protrusion and the first snapping element and the second snapping element or a combination of the protrusion and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. Alternatively, the securing arrangement may comprise the combination of the protrusion and the first snapping element, the second snapping element, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. The exact embodiment of the securing arrangement may be dependent on the requirement, whereby it is intended to limit the rotation of the fastening element relative to the main body and/ or the clamping body such that an unintentional falling off of the tool adapter from the pole may be substantially inhibited.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the clamping body comprises an elongated aperture, particularly a U-shaped aperture, configured to allow rotating of the fastening element relative to the main body within and out of the aperture, wherein the aperture is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis. In particular, wherein the aperture extends from a side of the clamping body distanced furthest from the first axis, towards the first axis. Further, the aperture has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the protrusion extends away from the upper end, and substantially parallel to the extension of the fastening element, when the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited. The protrusion may be embodied as at least one protrusion extending away from the upper end of the aperture such as to support the head portion of the fastening element and inhibit the rotation of the fastening element around the second axis. Therefore, a disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the protrusion is formed at a peripheral edge of the clamping body, wherein the peripheral edge is disposed at an opposite side of the fastening element with respect to the first axis, when the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited. The protrusion may prevent loosening or rolling over of the fastening element such that the pole may be properly gripped between the clamping body and the main body of the tool adapter. Hence, any inadvertent falling of the pole, e.g., from heights, may be avoided for safety and protection of the suer.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the clamping body comprises an elongated aperture, particularly a U-shaped aperture, configured to allow rotating of the fastening element relative to the main body within and out of the aperture, wherein the aperture is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis. Further, the main body comprises an opening extending through the main body between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end faces the clamping body, and wherein the aperture aligns with the opening, when the disengagement of the fastening element from the clamping body is inhibited. The aperture and/or the opening may comprise at least one securing arrangement to prevent or delay the rotation of the fastening element. Thereby, a disengagement between the clamping body and the fastening element may be prevented or delayed.
Before discussing the invention with the help of the drawings, the invention will be briefly discussed in general. A tool adapter may be provided for attaching a tool to a pole by a clamping body, wherein the clamping body pivots onto a main body of the tool adapter. The tool adapter may use a fastening element for fixing the clamping body on the main body. The fastening element may be selected for allowing attachment without any play. The pole of any size or diameter may be used for extending a reach of the tool. An unintended and unnoticed loosening and dropping off of the tool adapter from the pole may be prevented by at least one, particularly three, mechanical details. When the fastening element may be tightened completely, there may be no risk of the tool adapter dropping off of the pole. However, in some cases the fastening element may not be tightened enough by a user, or the fastening element may get loose by contacting any item (a wooden branch) in a working area (vicinity).
Further, the tool adapter may allow to increase a play of the tool adapter against the pole. The play may be of a defined amount, and the user may be able to notice the loosening of the tool adapter before it falls off from the pole. A first mechanical detail may comprise a snap function whereas the snap function may avoid pivoting of the fastening element to an open position. A second mechanical detail may comprise a length and a limitation of a pivoting angle of the fastening element. The length and the limitation of the pivoting angle of the fastening element may be combined and adapted to each other in such a way that the fastening element may be untightened more turns before it may be possible for the clamping element (hinge) to open completely. Furthermore, a third mechanical detail may comprise creating a different height level for the head portion of the fastening element versus a protrusion from a surface of the clamping element around the head of the fastening element.
The tool adapter according to the present invention may provide safety and protection from injury by dropping parts from height.
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 illustrates a perspective view of a tool adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a tool adapter with a head portion of a fastening element removed in accordance with an exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a tool adapter in accordance with an exemplary second embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a tool adapter in accordance with an exemplary third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 illustrates a half-open position of a tool adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 6 illustrates an open position of a tool adapter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 may 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 illustrates a perspective view of a tool adapter 100 for attaching a tool 102 to a pole 104. The tool adapter 100 comprises a main body 106 and a clamping body 108, wherein the clamping body 108 is hinged to the main body 106. The clamping body 108 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 in a direction around a first axis 110. The tool adapter 100 further comprises a fastening element 112 rotatable to the main body 106, wherein the fastening element 112 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 in a direction around a second axis 114. The second axis 114 is parallel to the first axis 110 and perpendicular to an extension of the fastening element 112. The fastening element 112 is a knurled screw comprising a head portion 111 and a threaded shaft portion 113. The shaft portion 113 is configured to be screwable in a hinge element 126 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the main body 106. The clamping body 108 and the fastening element 112 are configured such that the pole 104 is substantially immovably clamped between the main body 106 and the clamping body 108.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the tool adapter 100 with the head portion 111 of the fastening element 112 removed in accordance with an exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure. The tool adapter 100 comprises the main body 106 and the clamping body 108. The clamping body 108 comprises a U-shaped aperture 118 configured to allow rotating of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 within and out of the aperture 118. The aperture 118 is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis 114. The aperture 118 extends from a side 115 of the clamping body 108 distanced furthest from the first axis 110, towards the first axis 110. Further, the aperture 118 has an upper end 117 and a lower end 119 that are separated from each other by a thickness T of the clamping body 108. In other words, the clamping body 108 has the thickness T at a position adjacent to the aperture 118. The thickness T is seen in a direction parallel to an extension of the fastening element 112 when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited.
Further, the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the clamping body 108 comprises a first snapping element 202 and a second snapping element 204. The first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 are formed in the aperture 118 of the clamping body 108.
The first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 are formed parallel to each other and on two opposite sides of the aperture 118. The first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 extend parallel to the extension of the fastening element 112, when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited (as shown in FIG. 2 ). The first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 have substantially a same length L along the extension of the shaft portion 113 of the fastening element 112. Further, the first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 are configured to interact with the shaft portion 113 at similar positions along the extension of the shaft portion 113. Each of the first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 extends from the upper end 117 to the lower end 119 of the aperture 118. In other words, the first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element 204 have the length L substantially equal to the thickness T of the clamping body 108 at the position adjacent to the aperture 118.
The first snapping element 202 and the second snapping element contact the shaft portion 113 of the fastening element 112 such that a rotation of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 is inhibited.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the tool adapter 100 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present disclosure. The tool adapter 100 comprises the main body 106 and the clamping body 108, wherein the clamping body 108 is hinged to the main body 106. The clamping body 108 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 around the first axis 110. The tool adapter 100 further comprises the fastening element 112 hingably mounted to the main body 106, wherein the fastening element 112 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 around the second axis 114. The second axis 114 extends parallel to the first axis 110 and perpendicular to the extension of the fastening element 112. The fastening element 112 is the knurled screw comprising the head portion 111 and the threaded shaft portion 113. The shaft portion 113 is configured to be screwable in an internal thread of the hinge element 126 of the main body 106. In other words, the hinge element 126 is configured such that the fastening element 112 is screwable into the hinge element 126. Further, the pole 104 is immovably clamped between the main body 106 and the clamping body 108.
Further, the clamping body 108 comprises the elongated U-shaped aperture 118 configured to allow rotating of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 within and out of the aperture 118. The aperture 118 is formed along the plane perpendicular to the second axis 114. In particular, the aperture 118 extends from the side 115 of the clamping body 108 distanced furthest from the first axis 110, towards the first axis 110. The aperture 118 has the upper end 117 and the lower end 119 that are separated from each other by the thickness T of the clamping body 108. In other words, the clamping body 108 has the thickness T at the position adjacent to the aperture 118. The thickness T is seen in a direction parallel to an extension of the fastening element 112 when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited (as shown in FIG. 3 ).
Further, the main body 106 comprises an opening 120 extending through the main body 106 between a first end 122 and a second end 124 opposite the first end 122, wherein the first end 122 faces the clamping body 108. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the aperture 118 aligns with the opening 120, when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited. Further, the hinge element 126 is mounted to the opening 120 and is rotatable around the second axis 114.
With continuous reference to FIG. 3 , the tool adapter 100 further comprises the at least one securing arrangement 116 comprising a first inclined surface 302 and a second inclined surface 304. The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are substantially parallel to each other. The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are formed on opposite sides of the inner surface of the opening 120 relative to the fastening element 112, when the fastening element 112 is screwed into the hinge element 126. The first inclined surface 302 is formed at the first end 122 and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening 120 towards the clamping body 108. The first inclined surface 302 extends at an angle of 45° relative to an inner surface of the opening 120. Further, the second inclined surface 304 is formed at the second end 124 and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening 120. The second inclined surface 304 extends at an angle of 45° relative to the inner surface of the opening 120.
The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are configured to contact the shaft portion 113 of the fastening element 112 along substantially similar lengths along the extension of the shaft portion 113, when the fastening element 112 is rotated around the hinge element 126 of the main body 106. The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are configured to limit a rotation of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 to a pre-defined angular range being between 0° and 90°, preferably between 0° and 60°, and more preferably between 0° and 45°.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the tool adapter 100 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present disclosure. The tool adapter 100 comprises the main body 106 and the clamping body 108, wherein the tool 102 is substantially immovably clamped between the main body 106 and the clamping body 108. The clamping body 108 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 in a direction around the first axis 110. The tool adapter 100 further comprises the fastening element 112 hingably mounted to the main body 106, wherein the fastening element 112 is rotatable relative to the main body 106 around the second axis 114. The second axis 114 is parallel to the first axis 110 and perpendicular to the extension of the fastening element 112. The fastening element 112 is the knurled screw comprising the head portion 111 and the threaded shaft portion 113. The shaft portion 113 is screwed in an internal thread of the hinge element 126 of the main body 106.
Further, the clamping body 108 comprises the elongated U-shaped aperture 118 configured to allow rotating of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 within and out of the aperture 118. The aperture 118 is formed along the plane perpendicular to the second axis 114. In particular, the aperture 118 extends from the side 115 of the clamping body 108 distanced furthest from the first axis 110, towards the first axis 110. The aperture 118 has the upper end 117 and the lower end 119 that are separated from each other by the thickness T of the clamping body 108. In other words, the clamping body 108 has the thickness T at the position adjacent to the aperture 118. The thickness T is seen in a direction parallel to an extension of the fastening element 112 when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited (as shown in FIG. 4 ).
Further, the main body 106 comprises the opening 120 extending through the main body 106 between the first end 122 and the second end 124 opposite the first end 122, wherein the first end 122 faces the clamping body 108. The aperture 118 aligns with the opening 120, when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited. Further, the hinge element 126 is mounted to the opening 120 such that the hinge element 126 is rotatable around the second axis 114.
With continuous reference to FIG. 4 , the tool adapter 100 comprises the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the main body 106 and the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the clamping body 108. The at least one securing arrangement 116 wherein the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the main body 106 comprises the first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304, and the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the clamping body 106 comprises a protrusion 400.
The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 extend substantially parallel to each other. The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are formed on opposite sides of the inner surface of the opening 120 relative to the fastening element 112, when the fastening element 112 is screwed into the hinge element 126. The first inclined surface 302 is formed at the first end 122 and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening 120 towards the clamping body 108. The first inclined surface 302 extends at an angle of 45° relative to an inner surface of the opening 120. Further, the second inclined surface 304 is formed at the second end 124 and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening 120. The second inclined surface 304 extends at an angle of 45° relative to the inner surface of the opening 120.
The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are configured to contact the shaft portion 113 of the fastening element 112 along substantially similar lengths along the extension of the shaft portion 113, when the fastening element 112 is rotated around the hinge element 126 of the main body 106 (not shown in FIG 4 ). The first inclined surface 302 and the second inclined surface 304 are configured to limit a rotation of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 to a pre-defined angular range being between 0° and 90°, preferably between 0° and 60°, and more preferably between 0° and 45°.
Further, the protrusion 400 is formed at a peripheral edge 107 of the clamping body 108. The peripheral edge 107 is disposed at an opposite side of the fastening element 112 with respect to the first axis 110, when the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108 is inhibited (as shown in FIG. 4 ). The protrusion 400 extends away from the upper end 117 and substantially parallel to the extension of the fastening element 112.
The protrusion 400 is configured to interact at least partially with the head portion 111 of the fastening element 112 such that the rotation of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 is limited.
FIG. 5 illustrates a half-open position of the tool adapter 100. When the fastening element 112 is not tightened enough or the fastening element 112 has come loose before or during usage of the tool 102, the fastening element 112 slowly and gradually disengages from the clamping body 108. This disengaging results in a rotation of the fastening element 112 relative to the main body 106 around the second axis 114. Thereby, enough time is given to the user to notice a loosening of the clamping and consequently a movement of the tool adapter 100 relative to the pole 104. Hence, a potential accident caused by a separation of the tool adapter 100 from the pole 104 may be prevented. The delay in separation of the tool adapter 100 from the pole 104 is caused by the at least one securing arrangement 116 formed on the clamping body 108 and/or the main body 106. The at least one securing arrangement interacts with the fastening element 112 such that a substantially entire disengagement of the clamping body 108 and the fastening element 112 is inhibited. Hence, the unintended dropping off of the tool adapter 100 from the pole 104 is inhibited by inhibiting the disengagement of the fastening element 112 from the clamping body 108.
In the half-open position, the fastening element 112 rotates slightly relative to the main body 106 around the second axis 114 such that the head portion 111 of the fastening element 112 is distant from the first end 122 of the opening 120 by a first distance X. The first distance X is greater than the distance between the head portion 111, particularly a lower side of the head portion 111 facing the clamping body 108, and the first end 122 of the opening 120 when the pole 104 is clamped between the clamping body 104 and the main body 106 in a clamping position respectively completely closed position (shown, e.g., in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ). Further, this causes, in the half-open position, that the clamping body 108 has rotated slightly relative to the main body 106 around the first axis 110. Hence, the tool adapter 100 is noticeable loose but still not separated from the pole 104.
FIG. 6 illustrates a fully open position of the tool adapter 100. In comparison to the half-open position as illustrated in FIG. 5, the fastening element 112 has turned out of the internal thread of the hinge element 126 of the main body 106 by more turns. In the fully open position of the tool adapter 100, the tool adapter 100 drops off from the pole 104 as the fastening element 112 no longer inhibits the rotational separation of the clamping body 108 from the main body 106. In the fully open position of the tool adapter 100, the head portion 111 of the fastening element 112 is distant from the first end 122 of the opening 120 by a second distance Y, wherein the second distance Y is greater than the first distance X. Additionally, the second distance Y is greater than the distance between the head portion 111 particularly a lower side of the head portion 111 facing the clamping body 108, and the first end 122 of the opening 120 when the pole 104 is clamped between the clamping body 104 and the main body 106 in a clamping position respectively completely closed position (shown, e.g., in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ).
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary 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 Adapter
102: Tool
104: Pole
106: Main Body
107: Peripheral Edge
108: Clamping Body
110: First Axis
111: Head Portion
112: Fastening Element
113: Shaft Portion
114: Second Axis
115: Side
116: Securing Arrangement
117: Upper End
118: Aperture
119: Lower End
120: Opening
122: First End
124: Second End
126: Hinge Element
202: First Snapping Element
204: Second Snapping Element
302: First Inclined Surface
304: Second Inclined Surface
400: Protrusion
T: Thickness
L: Length
X: First Distance
Y: Second Distance

Claims

A tool adapter (100) for attaching a tool (102) to a pole (104), comprising:
a main body (106) to which the tool (102) is attachable,

a clamping body (108) hinged to the main body (106), wherein the clamping body (108) is rotatable relative to the main body (106) about a first axis (110),

a fastening element (112) hinged to the main body (106), wherein the fastening element (112) is rotatable relative to the main body (106) about a second axis (114), wherein the second axis (114) is parallel to the first axis (110) and perpendicular to an extension of the fastening element (112), and

wherein the clamping body (108) and the fastening element (112) are configured such that the pole (104) is clampable, particularly immovably clampable, between the main body (106) and the clamping body (108),

characterized in that:
the tool adapter (100) further comprises:
at least one securing arrangement (116) formed on the clamping body (108) and/or the main body (106),

wherein the at least one securing arrangement (116) is configured to functionally interact with the fastening element (112) such that an unintended dropping off of the tool adapter (100) from the pole (104) is inhibited by inhibiting a disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 1,
wherein the fastening element (112) is a screw, particularly a knurled screw, comprising a head portion (111) and a threaded shaft portion (113), and

wherein the shaft portion (113) is configured to be screwable in an internal thread of a hinge element (126) of the main body (106).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the at least one securing arrangement (116) formed on the clamping body (108) comprises a first snapping element (202) and a second snapping element (204),

in particular wherein the first snapping element (202) and/or the second snapping element (204) are configured to interact with, particularly contact, a shaft portion (113) of the fastening element (112) such that a rotation of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) in a direction around the second axis (114) is inhibited.
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 3,
wherein the clamping body (108) comprises an elongated aperture (118), particularly a U-shaped aperture (118), configured to allow rotating of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) within and out of the aperture (118),

wherein the aperture (118) is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis (114),

in particular wherein the aperture (118) extends from a side (115) of the clamping body (108) distanced furthest from the first axis (110), towards the first axis (110), and

wherein the first snapping element (202) and the second snapping element (204) are formed in the aperture (118).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 3 or claim 4,
wherein the first snapping element (202) and the second snapping element (204) are formed parallel to each other in the aperture (118), particularly on two opposite sides of the aperture (118), and/or

wherein the first snapping element (202) and the second snapping element (204) extend parallel to the extension of the fastening element (112), when the disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108) is inhibited, and/or

wherein the first snapping element (202) and the second snapping element (204) are configured to interact with the shaft portion (113) at similar positions along the extension of the shaft portion (113), and/or

wherein the first snapping element (202) and the second snapping element (204) have substantially the same length (L) along the extension of the shaft portion (113).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 4 or claim 5,
wherein the first snapping element (202) and/or the second snapping element (204) have the length (L) substantially equal to a thickness (T) of the clamping body (108) at a position adjacent to the aperture (118), wherein the thickness (T) is seen in a direction parallel to an extension of the fastening element (112) when the disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108) is inhibited, and/ or

wherein the aperture (118) has an upper end (117) and a lower end (119), and wherein the first snapping element (202) and/or the second snapping element (204) extends from the upper end (117) to the lower end (119).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one securing arrangement (116) formed on the main body (106) comprises a first inclined surface (302) and a second inclined surface (304), in particular wherein the first inclined surface (302) and/or the second inclined surface (304) are configured to limit a rotation of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) in a direction around the second axis to a pre-defined angular range being between 0° and 90°, preferably between 0° and 60°, and more preferably between 0° and 45°.
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 7,
wherein the main body (106) comprises an opening (120) extending through the main body (106) between a first end (122) and a second end (124) opposite the first end (122), wherein the first end (122) faces the clamping body (108),

wherein a hinge element (126) is mounted to the opening (120) such that the hinge element (126) is rotatably around the second axis (114), and

wherein the hinge element (126) is configured such that the fastening element (112) is screwable into the hinge element (126).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 8,
wherein the first inclined surface (302) is formed at the first end (122) and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening (120) towards the clamping body (108), and/or

wherein the second inclined surface (304) is formed at the second end (124) and extends away from and at an angle to an inner surface of the opening (120),

in particular wherein the first inclined surface (302) and the second inclined surface (304) extend substantially parallel to each other.
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to any one of the claims 7 to 9,
wherein the first inclined surface (302) extends at an angle of substantially 45° relative to an inner surface of the opening (120) and the second inclined surface (304) extends at an angle of substantially 45° relative to the inner surface of the opening (120), and

wherein the first inclined surface (302) and the second inclined surface (304) are formed on opposite sides of the inner surface of the opening (120) relative to the fastening element (112), when the fastening element (112) is screwed into the hinge element (126).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to any one of the claims 7 to 10,
wherein the first inclined surface (302) and the second inclined surface (304) are configured to contact a shaft portion (113) of the fastening element (112) along substantially similar lengths seen along the extension of the shaft portion (113), when the fastening element (112) is rotated around the hinge element (126) of the main body (106).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one securing arrangement (116) formed on the clamping body (108) is a protrusion (400),

wherein the protrusion (400) is configured to interact at least partially with a head portion (111) of the fastening element (112) such that a rotation of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) in a direction around the second axis is inhibited, when the pole (104) is clamped, particularly immovably clamped, between the main body (106) and the clamping body (108).
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 12,
wherein the clamping body (108) comprises an elongated aperture (118), particularly a U-shaped aperture (118), configured to allow rotating of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) within and out of the aperture (118),

wherein the aperture (118) is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis (114),

in particular wherein the aperture (118) extends from a side (115) of the clamping body (108) distanced furthest from the first axis (110), towards the first axis (110),

wherein the aperture (118) has an upper end (117) and a lower end (119), wherein the protrusion (400) extends away from the upper end (117), and substantially parallel to the extension of the fastening element (112), when the disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108) is inhibited.
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to claim 12 or claim 13,
wherein the protrusion (400) is formed at a peripheral edge (107) of the clamping body (108),

wherein the peripheral edge (107) is disposed at an opposite side of the fastening element (112) with respect to the first axis (110), when the disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108) is inhibited.
The tool adapter (100) for attaching the tool (102) to the pole (104) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the clamping body (108) comprises an elongated aperture (118), particularly a U-shaped aperture (118), configured to allow rotating of the fastening element (112) relative to the main body (106) within and out of the aperture (118),

wherein the aperture (118) is formed along a plane perpendicular to the second axis (114),

wherein the main body (106) comprises an opening (120) extending through the main body (106) between a first end (122) and a second end (124) opposite the first end (122), wherein the first end (122) faces the clamping body (108), and wherein the aperture (118) aligns with the opening (120), when the disengagement of the fastening element (112) from the clamping body (108) is inhibited.