FR2654898A1 - Plant cutter with swinging arm - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance capable of pruning and cutting plants which grow as curtains (screens), shrubs, hedges, bowers, etc., in various cutting planes. It consists of a locomotive element (1) assisted by a stabilising element (11), of a pole (16) set into the locomotive element at (9 or 10) supporting a pivot (27) on which the swinging arm (20) is articulated, at the end of the latter three cutting discs (24) are driven by an electric motor (21) and a belt-type transmission (22). Depending on the combination of circumstances for the work to be carried out, the swinging arm also allows the use of existing cutting tools. This multi-function appliance has very good performance, is robust and easy to handle. Use thereof is compatible for professional people or private individuals.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of multiple functions for pruning and pruning plants of different natures which grow into curtains, hedges, bushes, arbors, brush, etc.

It is designed to perform these various functions from the ground without the need for any means of access, in all cutting configurations: horizontal, vertical, oblique, vaulted, etc.

This device is implemented simply, its installation is carried out without tools, all the assembly components being provided with screws of the appropriate type. Completely removable, its storage is easy.

Compared to existing means, the device is much more efficient. In principle, all work is carried out with less fatigue, the cutting tools being self-supporting.

The performance is optimized with the maximum safety required since the cutting tools are no longer close at hand during use and the operator performs all the work from the ground.

The design of the device is characterized by four main elements: the locomotor - the stabilizer - the pivot support mast - the cutting elements.

Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective the mobility and lift elements according to the invention.

The locomotor element is a tubular reinforced metal frame with square section, preferably, it comprises
- at the base, on a horizontal plane, a cross member (1) fitted with a wheel at each end. The front wheel (2) can be free or drive. The rear wheel (3) is steerable and, on request, fixed or steerable, it is fitted with a parking brake (4).

 - in the central part, a frame, including a cross-member (5) for structural connection on which are installed: a safety switch (6) - a support for storing the electric motor power cable (7) - an awakening slide ( 8) to avoid accidental tearing of the power supply cable from the network or a generator.

 - on the vertical plane, two possible mast recesses. A first (9) from the front for low cuts up to medium heights. A second (10) behind the first for cuts of greater heights.

The stabilizing element includes two reinforced metal tubes. The first horizontal (11) fits on the embedding tube (10) by means of a sliding sleeve (12) adjustable in height. The second (13) fixed perpendicular to the first is also equipped with a sleeve (14) allowing its vertical or lateral movement. It is fitted at the base with a support wheel (15) with the same stop brake as item (4).

The purpose of the stabilizer is to maintain the balance and the verticality of the whole. It can be fitted with a spirit level and ballast for this purpose.

The pivot support mast (16) is a metal tube installed vertically in one of the recesses (9 and 10). Its size is determined to obtain a maximum cutting height. It supports the pivot (27), via fittings (18) oriented at different angles, at the chosen cutting height. The pivot located at the end of a section of tube can be of the axial or ball type .

Cutting elements. The above-described device, object of this invention, makes it possible to install a very complete range of existing cutting tools (including chainsaws). The choice being made with regard to the difficulties represented by the work to be carried out.

Figures 3 and 4 show in perspective the cutting tool according to the invention as well as the adaptation principle of figure (5) of existing cutting tools.

It consists of a metal section with rectangular section (20) on which is installed an electric motor (21) driving by belts and pulleys (22) three cutting discs with teeth (24).

Limitation to one or two discs is possible depending on the nature of the work to be performed. These discs are juxtaposed and rotate on ball bearings.

A casing protects (25) the transmission assembly. A straight sleeve (26), adjustable in distance between the motor and the internal disc, ensures the coupling of the profile on the pivot (27) in different orientations.

This sleeve is also adjustable in incidence to allow the angle of attack of the discs to be refined.

The profile (20) on which the various cutting tools can be installed is called "pendulum" as being statically balanced in order to annihilate the tilting force around the pivot.

In all cases where the cutting height is such that the pendulum is out of grip, we add an operating lever (28) which the operator can easily use with the handle (29 ), the connector (30) provides the lever / balance link.

FIG. 5 represents the balance (20) equipped, on the one hand, with its universal adapter (30) on which a hedge trimmer (31) is fixed, on the other hand, with a weighted sector ensuring balancing ( 32).

The assembly of the component parts of the apparatus is rapid.

It is produced by fittings of the screw sleeve type which slide on the profiles for which they provide coupling.

The stabilizer (11) adapts on the central embedding profile (10) to 900 relative to the axis of movement of the locomotor element on the right or left side depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed or by necessity of conjuncture.

The mast (16) can be vertically built-in according to two possible locations (9 and 10), a stop allows it to be located at the chosen level of embedding.

The pivot (27) is fixed to the mast by means of coupling sleeves making it possible to orient and define the appropriate positions of the balance.

The balance (20) equipped with the selected cutting tool fits on the pivot (27) by an angularly adjustable sleeve.

Regarding its mode of use, the present invention was intended to be very close to the entirely manual mode of use of current tools, while preserving at best the gestural aspect of the operator.

The balanced balance on its axis of rotation validly fulfills this role.

This multifunction device is very efficient, robust, easy to handle, making its use compatible for professionals or individuals.

Claims (8)

 Claims 1? Apparatus capable of multiple functions for pruning and pruning plants that grow into curtains, shrubs, hedges, arbors, brush, bushes, etc. These functions are achievable in all cutting configurations: horizontal, vertical, oblique, arched, etc. The device is characterized in that a set of three cutting discs (24) driven by an electric motor (21) and a transmission of belts and pulleys (22) are installed on a pendulum (20) articulated on a pivot (27) fixed on a mast (16) engaged in one or other of the recesses (9 and 10) of the 'locomotor element (1). 2) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the functions are performed from the ground, without the contribution of any means of access, the basic element entering locomotor (1), movable manually or electrically (19 ) The power supply from the network or from a generator is switchable by a safety switch (6) 3) Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the balance (20) comprises a universal adapter (30) for installing all existing electric cutting tools of the hedge trimmer type (31) or chainsaws. 4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the work is carried out without effort, the balance (20) being statically balanced, and with maximum safety, the cutting tools being no longer within reach of hands during labor. 5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting operations can be carried out at significant heights, a stabilizing element (11) being installed on the locomotor element (I) and being able to be ballasted in order to ensure a perfect stability to the whole device. 6) Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the operator has an operating lever (28) permrnettant to reach the pendulum (20) when the cuts are made to irnportantes heights. 7) Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that its implementation is simple and rapid because all the assembly components, of the sleeve type, are provided with screws of the appropriate type, entirely removable its storage is easy. 8) Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the design of the balance perrnet balancing of the selected cutting tools According to the invention the cutting tool consists of three discs can be used with two or a single disc depending on the nature of the work to be performed.