US1600391A - Pole pruning device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 21 1926.

L. J. BARRETT POLE PRUNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1925 AIL ,fioenza-f .2202: 7. Barre Z2 Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

LEON J. BARRETT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS..

r oLE rnunme DEVICE.

Application filed February 27, 1925. Serial No. 12,168. I

This invention relatesto a pruning device intended to be attached to the top of a pole for use up in trees at points that would otherwise be inaccessible from the ground.

The principal object of the invention is to provide the swinging blade of the pruner ,with an actuating lever arrangement which will give a great leverage and permit the cutting off of a limb of comparatively large size without undue effort, and also to provide one which is fully insulatedso that it can be used inany place where insulation is required. a I

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to ing drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side view of the top of a primer constructed in accordance with this invention, showing two positions of the blade;

Fig. 2' is an edge view of the same; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view onlthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

I have shown the device as mounted on a long wooden pole 10 by means of two plates 11 and 12. These plates are bolted to the pole and extend up above its top- There is no metal on the pole below these plates so that it constitutes an insulating handle. At the upper ends these two plates support a pivot stud 13 on which is provided a coil spring 14 fixed at one end to the plate 12 and having the other end fixed to a cutter 'blade 15, on which the stud is located, so that the spring will open the blade automatically and forcibly. .This blade is provided with a straight cutting edge 16 and with an integral arm 17 having a bolt 18 extending through it and secured to it and provided with a roll or guide 19 centered on it.

Extending from the plate 11 is an integral stationary blade 20 having a notch 21 preferably constructed as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,507,225 granted September 2, 1924. This blade is in the form of a hook and the swinging blade 15 has a flat side engaging it and adapted to swing along its flat surface in contact therewith. The blade 20 has a notch 30 at the end of its cutting edge.

Pivoted to this blade on a stud or bolt 22 is a lever 23 having a slot 24 radially located with respect to the stud 22. Through this slot 24 passes the roll 19 which is of such size as to fit the slot and bear on it so as to be had tothe' accompanyturn easily in it and slide along it without presenting "undue friction. The lever 23 has a long arm extending outtothe rear. with which a hook 25 is connected which may extend down far enough to be operated by the user or may be connected with a cable which is operated at the bottom directly or through a lever in any of the ordinary ways. I

Fig. 2 shows in full lines thepositionthe parts assume after the hookfor, cable 25 has been pulled downa short distance: This action through the operation offthe lever 23 and roll 19 swings the cutting blade 15 upwardly toward the stationary blade 20 and-commences to cut into'thelimb if it is large enough to receivethe cut atthat point.

A further pull on the hook orcable 25 swings the lever 23 over to the extreme position shown in dotted lines. It'will be seen that the roll 19 which, of course, is at a constant distance from the pivot 13, but at varying distance fromthe pivot 22, will.

move along the slot and reduce the length of the arm of the lever 23 through which power is applied to the swinging knife blade. In other words, the force applied in the operation of cutting'increases the farther in the blade goes. Therefore the easier it is to out after the cut is started. The centers 13, 22, and 19 come into substantial alignment in this position. This is an important feature in a pruning hook and one that greatly enhances its value. The parts shown in dotted lines are in a position in which a limb has been entirely severed. WVhen this is accomplished, the operator lets go of the cable and the spring 14 carries the parts back to a position beyond that shown in full lines in Fig. 1

This constitutes a very simple and eflicient pruning device and one in which the power that is tobe applied to secure the desired result is reduced to a minimum. It cuts off maple limbs an inch or more in diameter with great facility. It is so constructed that it can be forced up into a. tree among the limbs and contains few parts that are likely to become entangled therein. It

also presents many of the advantages of my prior patent above mentioned. The parts are all made of steel, the knives being drop forged and cold rolled and being easily interchangeable. The spring is made powerlow ful so that the parts will be returned to open position even if the parts have become wedged in operation which is very'unlikely. The contacting sides of the two blades are perfectly fiat so as to provide a very close out. It contains no parts that" are likely to injure the bark and does not necessitate the leaving of a projecting portion of the limb after the cut is made. I

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention, I am aware of the. fact'that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art. Without departing fromthe scope of the invention asexpressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is:

1. In a' pruning shear, the combination with a support and a stationary blade carried thereby,.of a" U-shaped lever pivoted on said support having a cooperating blade on one end and the other end parallel therewith and having a stud, an operating lever pivoted. on the stationary blade and having a guide slot for receiving the stud and operating the pivoted blade, said slot being substantially parallel with the movable blade when open and substantially perpendicular to the cutting line when the blades are closed;

21. In; a pruning shear, the combination with a support and a stationary blade carried thereby, of a. U-shaped lever pivoted on said support having a cooperating blade on one end and the other end parallel therewith. and having a stud, an operating lever pivoted on the stationary blade above said pivot and having a guide slot movable up wardly to close the shears, said slot receiving said stud to'operate the-blade.

3. In pruning shears, the combination with a supporting handle, of two plates" secured to opposite sides thereof and projecting; beyond the ends, a pivot stud carried between said plates, a: blade pivotally mounted on the stud just inside one of said plates," a spring on the pivot stud between the plates for opening said blade, and astationary blade carried by the other plate.

In testimony whereof I" have hereunto" affixed my signature.

EoN J; BARRETT.

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