FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
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The present disclosure relates to a height adjustable power tool and, in particular, with a power tool having a storage mode to protect a working component.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
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Many power tools include a working component arranged to work at or even below ground level. For example, such tools may include a handle on an elongate shaft to allow working while standing upright. In many cases it is beneficial to adjust a working height of the working component, e.g. in order to adjust to a working depth of the tool below ground level.
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It is also beneficial to withdraw the working component to a point above ground level in some instances, e.g. for storage or transit. In this way, unintended contact can be prevented between the working component and the ground, avoiding wear or damage to the working component in storage or transit.
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It is an object of the present disclosure to address or at least partially ameliorate some of the above problems of the current approaches.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
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Features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a height adjustable power tool, comprising a housing; a working component rotatably mounted to the housing with at least a portion of the working component exposed outside the housing; a fixed support wheel adjacent to the working component on a first side of the working component; and an adjustable support wheel adjacent to the working component on a second side of the working component and configured to move through a fixed arc of rotation around the rotation axis of the working component between at least a first position and a second position.
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In the first position the fixed support wheel and adjustable support wheel are separated by a first angle, such that when both support wheels are placed on a flat surface a distance between the rotation axis of the working component and the flat surface is greater than an outer radius of the working component.
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In the second position the angle between the fixed support wheel and adjustable support wheel is greater than the first angle, such that the distance between the rotation axis of the working component and the ground when both support wheels are placed on the ground is less than or equal to the outer radius of the working component.
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The adjustable support wheel may be biased towards the first position.
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The height adjustable power tool may include an adjustable support arm extending parallel to the rotation plane of the working component, having a first end configured to support the adjustable support wheel and a second end formed with at least one radial protrusion arranged to engage with a limiting element on the housing when the adjustable support wheel is in the first position.
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The housing may be formed with one or more stops corresponding to at least the second position.
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The radial protrusion may be user actuable to move laterally in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the adjustable support arm between a position of engagement with the stops and a position of disengagement from the stops.
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The radial protrusion may rotate around the rotation axis of the support arm in the position of disengagement.
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The height adjustable power tool may include a locking element formed with one or more stops corresponding to at least the second position, and pivotally mounted to rotate between a position of engagement with the radial protrusion and position of disengagement with the radial protrusion.
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The locking element may be biased towards the position of engagement.
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The height adjustable power tool may include a pedal lever configured to move the locking element to the position of disengagement.
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The height adjustable power tool may include a splash guard pivotally connected with the housing at a first end and comprising at least one trailing wheel at a second end distal from the housing.
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The splash guard may include an attachment point arranged adjacent to the trailing wheel.
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The housing may include a corresponding attachment point configured to hold the attachment point of the splash guard when the splash guard is pivoted against the housing.
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The attachment point and corresponding attachment point may be formed by magnets.
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The height adjustable power tool may include a stopper preventing rotation of the splash guard beyond a certain angle away from the working component.
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The height adjustable power tool may include a stand pivotally connected with the housing at a first end and comprising a supporting foot at a second end distal from the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended Figures. Understanding that these Figures depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying Figures.
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Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in further detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool in use.
- Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustable support arm of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustable support arm of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a pedal lever of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a stand of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard of a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
- Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
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Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a height adjustable power tool 10, comprising a housing 100; a working component 200; a motor (not shown); a fixed support wheel 300; and an adjustable support wheel 400.
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The housing 100 may be formed to surround one or more components of the height adjustable power tool 10, to protect those components from the elements. The housing 100 may include one or more wheels 110 for moving the height adjustable power tool 10 along the ground.
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The working component 200 is rotatably mounted to the housing 100 with at least a portion of the working component 200 exposed outside the housing 100. The working component 200 may be mounted onto an outer face of the housing 100, or within an opening formed on the housing 100. The working component 200 may be circular in form. The working component 200 may be aligned to rotate in a vertical plane. The working component 200 may include a circular brush e.g for cleaning cracks in an outdoor patio. The working component 200 may include a blade e.g. for trimming lawn edges or opening holes in tarmac. The working component 200 may include any other tool for working on or near to the ground.
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The motor is configured to rotate the working component 200. The motor may be an AC or DC motor. The motor may be brushed or brushless. The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a power supply 11 to power the motor e.g. one or more battery packs mounted on or within the housing 100, or a connection to a mains power supply. The rotation of the working component 200 may define a rotation axis of the working component 200.
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The fixed support wheel 300 is adjacent to the working component 200 on a first side of the working component 200. The fixed support wheel 300 may have a fixed position with respect to the housing 100 of the height adjustable power tool 10. The fixed support wheel 300 may be arranged at a fixed angular position with respect to the rotation axis of the working component 200. The fixed support wheel 300 may be arranged in or adjacent to a plane of rotation of the working component 200. An outer radius of the fixed support wheel 300 may be less than an outer radius of the working component 200. An outer radius of the fixed support wheel 300 may be less than half of the outer radius of the working component 200.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a fixed support arm 310 to hold the fixed support wheel 300 in position. The fixed support arm 310 may be attached to or formed as part of the housing 100.
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The adjustable support wheel 400 is adjacent to the working component 200 on a second side of the working component 200. The adjustable support wheel 400 may be arranged in or adjacent to a plane of rotation of the working component 200. The adjustable support wheel 400 is configured to move through a fixed arc of rotation around the rotation axis of the working component 200 between at least a first position and a second position. An outer radius of the adjustable support wheel 400 may be less than an outer radius of the working component 200. An outer radius of the adjustable support wheel 400 may be less than half of the outer radius of the working component 200. The size of the adjustable support wheel 400 may be the same or different to the size of the fixed support wheel 300.
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In the first position the fixed support wheel 300 and adjustable support wheel 400 are separated by a first angle. That is, a first angle may be formed between a radial line from the rotation axis of the working component 200 to the fixed support wheel 300 and a radial line from the rotation axis of the working component 200 to the adjustable support wheel 400.
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In the first position, when both support wheels are placed on a flat surface, a distance between the rotation axis of the working component 200 and the flat surface is greater than an outer radius of the working component 200. That is, a straight line that is tangent to the outer circumference of the fixed support wheel 300 and tangent to the outer circumference of the adjustable support wheel 400 may not intersect with the working component 200. In this way, when both support wheels are placed on a flat ground surface, the working component 200 may be supported above the ground.
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Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment. The first position of the adjustable support wheel 400 is indicated by the label "A". As shown, there may be a clear vertical space between the working component 200 and a flat ground plane defined by the support wheels.
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In the second position the angle between the fixed support wheel 300 and adjustable support wheel 400 is greater than the first angle. The second position of the adjustable support wheel 400 is indicated by the label "B". As shown, the adjustable support wheel 400 may be rotated to a higher position, while the position of the fixed support wheel 300 remains unchanged. In this way, the angle between the fixed support wheel 300 and adjustable support wheel 400 may be increased.
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Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 in use. The adjustable support wheel 400 of the height adjustable power tool 10 is shown in a plurality of different positions, labelled "A" to "E". Position A may correspond to the first position described above. Any of the remaining positions "B" to "E" may correspond to the second position.
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In the second position the distance between the rotation axis of the working component 200 and the ground when both support wheels are placed on the ground is less than or equal to the outer radius of the working component 200. That is, a straight line that is tangent to the outer circumference of the fixed support wheel 300 and tangent to the outer circumference of the adjustable support wheel 400 may intersect with the working component 200. In this way, when both support wheels are placed on a flat ground surface, the working component 200 may contact the ground and/or extend below ground level. As shown, height of the working tool above and/or below the flat ground level may be altered, depending on the position of the adjustable support wheel 400.
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In this way, the working height of the working component 200 can be adjusted to below ground level. For example, a patio cleaning brush for cleaning cracks in an outdoor patio can be adjusted to match the depth of the cracks. Moreover, the adjustable support wheel 400 of the height adjustable power tool 10 can be returned to the first position to raise the working component 200 above ground level. For example, to store or transit the power tool 10, the working component 200 can be supported above ground level by the fixed support wheel 300 and the adjustable support wheel 400 in the first position. This can protect the working component 200 when the height adjustable power tool 10 is not in use.
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Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustable support arm 410 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The adjustable support wheel 400 may be biased towards the first position. In this way, the adjustable support wheel 400 may default to a storage position where the working component 200 is not exposed to the ground and so not exposed to undue wear.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include an adjustable support arm 410 extending parallel to the rotation plane of the working component 200. The adjustable support arm 410 may extend alongside the working component 200. A first end of the adjustable support arm 410 may be configured to support the adjustable support wheel 400. As shown, a second end of the adjustable support arm 410 may be rotatably mounted to the housing 100 at the rotation axis of the working component 200. The adjustable support arm 410 may include an opening. The adjustable support arm 410 may be mounted with the rotation axis passing through the opening of the adjustable support arm 410
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The adjustable support arm 410 may be biased towards the first position of the adjustable support wheel 400. The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a resilient member 420 arranged to urge the adjustable support arm 410 towards the first position. The resilient member 420 may be fixed between a protrusion on the adjustable support arm 410 and a protrusion on the housing 100, or a protrusion on the fixed support arm 310. For example, the resilient member 420 may be a spring, e.g. coil spring, leaf spring, or torsion spring. Moving the adjustable support arm 410 away from the first position may put the resilient member 420 under compression or under tension.
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Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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A second end of the adjustable support arm 410 may be formed with at least one radial protrusion 430. The radial protrusion 430 may be arranged to engage with a limiting element 120 on the housing 100 when the adjustable support wheel 400 is in the first position. The radial protrusion 430 may have a square profile. The limiting element 120 may extend laterally in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the working component 200 into the plane of the adjustable support arm 410. The limiting element 120 may be positioned within a radial extent of the radial protrusion 430, such that rotation of the radial protrusion 430 around the rotation axis of the working component 200 may cause the radial protrusion 430 to contact the limiting element 120. In some examples, the radial protrusion 430 may be arranged to extend outwards through an opening in the housing 100. The limiting element 120 may be formed by a lateral protrusion into the opening, or by one edge of the opening.
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The housing 100 may be formed with one or more stops 130 corresponding to at least the second position. As shown, each of the stops 130 may be formed by a laterally extending protrusion similar to the limiting element 120. Each stop may be smaller than the limiting element 120, e.g. extending laterally by a lesser extent. Each stop may be square in profile, or may be sloped on one or both sides to ease passage of the radial protrusion 430. The one or more stops 130 may be equally spaced, or distributed according to the requirements of the tool.
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Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The radial protrusion 430 may be user actuable to move laterally in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the adjustable support arm 410 between a position of engagement with the stops 130 and a position of disengagement from the stops 130. The radial protrusion 430 may be formed with a degree of flexibility to allow for a lateral deflection to the position of disengagement. The adjustable support arm 410 may be mounted with a degree of lateral movement relative to the housing 100, to allow for a lateral movement of the radial protrusion 430 to the position of disengagement.
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The radial protrusion 430 may rotate around the rotation axis of the support arm in the position of disengagement. In this way, the radial protrusion 430 can be moved between stops 130 and the adjustable support arm 410 can be moved between positions.
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A portion of the adjustable support arm 410 may be visible outside the housing 100, that is, visible to the user. For example, the radial protrusion 430 may be visible to the user. The housing 100 may include one or more indicia 140 adjacent to the adjustable support arm 410 to visually indicate the position of the adjustable support arm 410.
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Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustable support arm 410 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment. The radial protrusion 430 may be formed as one or more teeth. The set of teeth may extend around a portion of an outer of the adjustable support arm 410. As shown, the first tooth at an end of the set of teeth may be arranged to make contact with the limiting element 120 in the first position.
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In some examples, the adjustable support arm 410 may include one or more indicia 440 to indicate a position of the adjustable support arm 410.
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Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a locking element 500 formed with one or more stops 510 corresponding to at least the second position. The locking element 500 may be pivotally mounted to rotate between a position of engagement with the radial protrusion 430 and position of disengagement with the radial protrusion 430. The stops 510 of the locking element 500 may be formed as one or more teeth projecting radially inwards. The teeth of the locking element 500 may be configured to correspond to the teeth of the adjustable support arm 410.
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The locking element 500 may be biased towards the position of engagement. In this way, the adjustable support arm 410 may be generally fixed in position, unless the locking element 500 is moved to the position of disengagement.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a pedal lever 520 configured to move the locking element 500 to the position of disengagement. In this way, the user may disengage the locking element 500 from a standing position. The user may press the pedal lever 520 with a foot to disengage the locking element 500, and then push down on the housing 100 to adjust the height of the working component 200. When the desired height is reached, the adjustable support wheel 400 can be locked in place by releasing the pedal lever 520. To reset the height of the working component 200 by returning the adjustable support wheel 400 to the first position, the user can press the pedal lever 520 and allow the resilient member 420 to push the housing 100 upwards.
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Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a pedal lever 520 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a resilient member 530 arrange to urge the pedal lever 520 towards the position of engagement. The resilient member 530 may be fixed between the pedal lever 520 and the housing 100, or between the pedal lever 520 and the fixed support arm 310. For example, the resilient member 530 may be a spring, e.g. coil spring, leaf spring, or torsion spring. Moving the pedal lever 520 away from the position of engagement may put the resilient member 530 under compression or under tension.
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Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a splash guard 600. The splash guard 600 may be configured to at least partially surround the working component 200 to protect the user from water and/or debris which may be ejected by the working component 200. The splash guard 600 may be formed as part of the housing 100, or as a separate component fixed to the housing 100. In some examples, the splash guard 600 may be integrated with the fixed support arm 310.
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Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard 600 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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In some examples, the fixed support arm 310 may be free to rotate around the rotation axis of the working component 200 with respect to the housing 100. In this way, the housing 100 may be rotated while the fixed support wheel 300 remains in position on the ground, and a handle of the height adjustable power tool 10 may be moved away from a vertical position to a more comfortable working position.
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A blocking element on the housing 100 may contact the fixed support arm 310 and prevent relative rotation of the fixed support arm 310 and housing 100 in a rest configuration. When the adjustable support arm 410 is in the first position, i.e. the storage position, the housing 100 may extend in a substantially vertical direction in the rest configuration. A handle of the housing 100 may extend in a substantially vertical direction in the rest configuration.
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A resilient member 320 may be arranged to bias the fixed support arm 310 and housing 100 towards the rest configuration. The resilient member 320 may be fixed between the fixed support arm 310 and the housing 100. For example, the resilient member 320 may be a spring, e.g. coil spring, leaf spring, or torsion spring. Moving the housing 100 and fixed support arm 310 away from the rest configuration may put the resilient member 320 under compression or under tension. The resilient member 320 may be sufficiently strong to maintain the housing 100 in a vertical direction against the weight of the housing 100. In this way, the height adjustable power tool 10 can be self-standing in the rest configuration.
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The adjustable support arm 410 and locking element 500 may be configured to rotate with respect to the fixed support arm 310. That is, the resilient member 420 for each of the adjustable support arm 410 and locking element 500 may be arranged respectively between the adjustable support arm 410 and the locking element 500 and the fixed support arm 310. In this way, a desired angle may be maintained between the adjustable support arm 410 and fixed support arm 310, irrespective of the position of the housing 100 relative to the fixed support arm 310. In this way, the height of the working component 200 may be unchanged by the position of the housing 100 relative to the fixed support arm 310.
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Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard 600 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The splash guard 600 may be pivotally connected with the housing 100 at a first end. The splash guard 600 may comprise at least one trailing wheel 610 at a second end distal from the housing 100. In this way, the splash guard 600 can provide a barrier between the housing 100 and the floor to prevent water and/or debris from reaching the user.
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Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a splash guard 600 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment. The splash guard 600 may include an attachment point 620 arranged adjacent to the trailing wheel 610. The housing 100 may include a corresponding attachment point 150. The corresponding attachment point 150 of the housing 100 may be configured to hold the attachment point 620 of the splash guard 600 when the splash guard 600 is pivoted against the housing 100. The attachment point 620 and corresponding attachment point 150 may be formed by magnets.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a stopper 630 preventing rotation of the splash guard 600 beyond a certain angle away from the working component 200. In this way, the splash guard 600 may additionally function as a stand to support the housing 100 in a working position. The stopper 630 may include a release catch to allow rotation of the splash guard 600 to a greater angle. The splash guard 600 may be pivoted against the housing 100 when the release catch is released.
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Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a stand 700 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment.
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The height adjustable power tool 10 may include a stand 700 pivotally connected with the housing 100 at a first end and comprising a supporting foot 710 at a second end distal from the housing 100. A stopper may contact the stand 700 and prevent rotation of the stand 700 in at least a direction away from the working component 200 at a certain angle. As shown, the stand 700 may be mounted to extend from the housing 100 on the user-side of the height adjustable power tool 10, e.g. on the same side as the splash guard 600. In this way, the stand 700 can support the housing 100 in a working position.
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Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a stand 700 of a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment. As shown, the stand 700 may be mounted to extend from the housing 100 away from the user-side of the height adjustable power tool 10, e.g. on the opposite side to the splash guard 600. In this way, the stand 700 can support the housing 100 in a storage position.
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The stand 700 may be formed as a solid shaft. The stand 700 may be terminated with a foot 710, e.g. angled to the shaft to increase grip in the standing position. Alternatively, the stand 700 may be formed as a rigid wire loop.
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Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a height adjustable power tool 10 according to an embodiment. As shown, the housing 100 may include a shaft 160 extending in a vertical direction, to allow a standing user to work at floor level. The shaft 160 may be extendable or foldable to improve ergonomics and/or storage. The housing 100 may include a handle 12 at the opposite end of the housing 100 to the working component 200. A power pack 11 may be mounted on or within the housing 100 at the handle 12 end. A second support handle 13 or strap may be mounted at a mid-point of the shaft.
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The working component 200 may include a circular brush e.g for cleaning cracks in an outdoor patio. The working component 200 may include a blade e.g. for trimming lawn edges or opening holes in tarmac. The working component 200 may include any other tool for working on or near to the ground.
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The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
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Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements in such examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use these examples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further and although some subject matter may have been described in language specific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. For example, such functionality can be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. Rather, the described features and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.