WO2019158256A1

WO2019158256A1 - Digging tool

Info

Publication number: WO2019158256A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/084946
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ottmar Locher
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2018-02-14
Filing date: 2018-12-14
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-14

Abstract

A digging tool (100) includes a handle portion (102) and a blade portion (104) coupled to the handle portion (102). The blade portion (104) includes a first side (106), a second side (108), a first edge (110), and a second edge (112). The blade portion (104) also includes a cutting edge (114) extending between the first side (106) and the second side (108), and between the first edge (110) and the second edge (112). The digging tool (100) further includes at least one structural profile (116) provided on at least one of the first side (106), the second side (108), the first edge (110), and the second edge (112) of the blade portion (104). The structural profile (116) defines a free punch portion (120) extending in a direction away from the cutting edge (114) and adjacent to the structural profile (116). An area of the blade portion (104) at the free punch portion (120) is less than an area of the blade portion (104) at the structural profile (116).

Description

DIGGING TOOL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a digging tool, and more particularly to a structural profile of the digging tool.

BACKGROUND

Existing digging tools, such as a spade, a shovel, and the like, may include one or more linear part lines provided along a cutting edge of a blade portion thereof. In many situations, the liner part lines may extend sideward on the blade portion. An overall geometry of the blade portion may be configured to effectively transfer a user’s manual power to the ground during a digging operation in order to efficiently perform the digging operation. The power required for the digging operation may directly correspond to various parameters of the ground, such as, hardness, digging depth, moisture content, and the like.

During the digging operation, as the blade portion of the digging tool may dig into the ground, resistance may be offered by the ground to the blade portion. In a situation, when the moisture content in the ground may be relatively high, relatively higher resistance may be offered by the ground to the blade portion. This may result in inefficient digging operation, increased user effort, increased fatigue, increased blade friction, reduced blade durability, and so on. Hence, there is a need for an improved configuration of the digging tool.

SUMMARY

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 digging tool, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digging tool includes a handle portion and a blade portion coupled to the handle portion. The blade portion includes a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side. The blade portion includes a first edge extending between the first side and the second side. The blade portion includes a second edge extending between the first side and the second side. The second edge is disposed opposite the first edge. The blade portion includes a cutting edge extending between the first side and the second side, and between the first edge and the second edge. The digging tool also includes at least one structural profile provided on at least one of the first side, the second side, the first edge, and the second edge of the blade portion. The structural profile defines a free punch portion extending in a direction away from the cutting edge and adjacent to the structural profile. An area of the blade portion at the free punch portion is less than an area of the blade portion at the structural profile. The structural profile and the free punch portion provides to reduce a contact surface between the blade portion and a digging material, in turn, reducing friction between the blade portion and the digging material during a digging operation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one structural profile includes an embossed portion provided on at least one of the first side and the second side of the blade portion. The embossed portion is disposed spaced apart with respect to the cutting edge. The embossed portion provides to redirect the digging material away from the free punch portion during the digging operation in order to reduce the contact surface and friction between the blade portion and the digging material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the embossed portion is a weld bead. As such, the embossed portion may be easily provided on the blade portion with a simple welding procedure, in turn, reducing machining and fabrication cost and duration.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural profile extends at least partially between the first edge and the second edge. As such, the position of the structural profile defines the beginning of the free punch portion extending away from the cutting edge. Also, an extension of the structural profile between the first edge and the second edge may be varied in order to vary an area of the structural profile.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the structural profile is substantially parallel with respect to the cutting edge. As such, the structural profile defines the free punch portion extending away from the cutting edge and adjacent to the structural profile. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the digging tool further includes a recessed portion provided in the free punch portion on at least one of the first edge and the second edge of the blade portion. The recessed portion reduces an area of the blade portion at the free punch portion with respect to the area of the blade portion at the structural profile. The reduced area of the free punch portion, in turn, reduces the contact surface and friction between the blade portion and the digging material during the digging operation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the recessed portion includes a substantially curved configuration. As such, the curved configuration provides to gradually reduce the area of blade portion at the free punch portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting edge of the blade portion defines an angle with respect to the first side of the blade portion. The angled configuration of the cutting edge enables the cutting edge to cut into the digging material with reduced resistance, in turn, providing improved durability and digging performance of the blade portion during the digging operation.

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 shows a partial front view of a digging tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a partial side cross sectional view of the digging tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows another partial side cross sectional view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows another partial side cross sectional view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 shows another partial front view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows another partial front view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows another partial front view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows another partial side cross sectional view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows another partial front view of the digging tool, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

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 can 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”, “parallel”, “inclined”, “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.

Referring to FIG. 1, a partial front view of a digging tool 100 is illustrated. The digging tool 100 includes a handle portion 102. The handle portion 102 is adapted to hold the digging tool 100 during a digging operation. The handle portion 102 may include any configuration, such as cylindrical, elliptical, a combination thereof, and the like. Also, the handle portion 102 may be made of any material, such as wood, metal, polymer, a combination thereof, and the like.

The digging tool 100 also includes a blade portion 104. The blade portion 104 is coupled to the handle portion 102 via a coupler 103. In other embodiments, the handle portion 102 may be directly coupled to the blade portion 104 such that the coupler 103 may be integral with the handle portion 102. The blade portion 104 is adapted to dig into a digging material, such as soil, sand, mud, and the like, during the digging operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade portion 104 includes a substantially rectangular configuration. In other embodiments, the blade portion 104 may include any other configuration, such as triangular, circular, and the like, based on application requirements. The blade portion 104 may be made of any material, such as metal.

The blade portion 104 includes a first side 106 or a front side. The blade portion 104 also includes a second side 108 or a rear side. The second side 108 is disposed opposite the first side 106. The blade portion 104 includes a first edge 110 or a right edge. The first edge 110 extends between each of the first side 106 and the second side 108. The blade portion 104 includes a second edge 112 or a left edge. The second edge 112 extends between each of the first side 106 and the second side 108. Also, the second edge 112 is disposed opposite the first edge 110. The blade portion 104 also includes a cutting edge 114. The cutting edge 114 extends between the first side 106 and the second side 108. The cutting edge 114 also extends between the first edge 110 and the second edge 112. Referring to FIG. 2, a partial side cross sectional view of the digging tool 100 along a section A-A (shown in FIG. 1) is illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blade portion 104 further includes at least one structural profile 116 provided thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the structural profile 116 is provided on the first side 106 of the blade portion 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the structural profile 116 is an embossed portion 118 provided on the first side 106 of the blade portion 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the embossed portion 118 is formed by depositing a weld bead on the first side 106. In other embodiments, the embossed portion 118 may be an additional protrusion element (not shown) coupled to the blade portion 104 using any fastening method, such as bolting, riveting, welding, and the like.

The structural profile 116 or the embossed portion 118 defines a free punch portion 120 on the blade portion 104. More specifically, the free punch portion 120 is disposed adjacent to the structural profile 116 or the embossed portion 118, and extends away from the cutting edge 114. The structural profile 116 or the embossed portion 118 is adapted to redirect the digging material away from the blade portion 104 during the digging operation. Accordingly, the free punch portion 120 in association with the structural profile 116 or the embossed portion 118 is adapted to reduce contact surface and friction between the digging material and the blade portion 104 during the digging operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the embossed portion 118 is disposed on the first side 106 extending from the first edge 110 up to the second edge 112 of the blade portion 104. Also, the embossed portion 118 is disposed spaced apart with respect to the cutting edge 114 defining a distance“D”. An actual value of the distance “D” may vary based on application requirements. Also, the embossed portion 118 is disposed substantially parallel with respect to the cutting edge 114.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, different configurations of the structural profile 116 provided on the blade portion 104 are illustrated. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the structural profile 116 may be alternatively provided on the second side 108 of the blade portion 104. In such a situation, the structural profile 116 on the first side 106 of the blade portion 104 may be omitted. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the structural profile 116 may be provided on each of the first side 106 and the second side 108 of the blade portion 104.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the structural profile 116 provided on the first side 106, or additionally or alternatively on the second side 108 (not shown), of the blade portion 104 may be inclined at an angle“B” with respect to the cutting edge 114. In another embodiment (not shown), the structural profile 116 provided on the first side 106, or additionally or alternatively on the second side 108, of the blade portion 104 may have a substantially curved configuration. In another embodiment (not shown), the structural profile 116 provided on the first side 106, or additionally or alternatively on the second side 108, of the blade portion 104 may have a substantially serpentine configuration. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the structural profile 116 provided on the first side 106, or additionally or alternatively on the second side 108 (not shown), of the blade portion 104 may extend non-continuously between the first edge 110 and the second edge 112 of the blade portion 104.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, multiple structural profiles 702, 704 may be provided on the first side 106, or additionally or alternatively on the second side 108 (not shown), of the blade portion 104. In such a situation, each of the multiple structural profiles 702, 704 may be disposed adjacent and spaced apart with respect to one another. In some embodiments (not shown), the structural profile 116 or the multiple structural profiles 702, 704 may extend over the first edge 110 and/or the second edge 112 of the blade portion 104. It should be noted that the configuration, orientation, alignment, dimension, and/or layout of the structural profile 116 and/or the multiple structural profiles 702, 704 described herein is merely exemplary and may vary and/or may include any other combination not described herein based on application requirements.

Referring to FIG. 8, a partial side cross sectional view of another embodiment of the digging tool 100 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting edge 114 is inclined at an angle“A” with respect to the first side 106 of the blade portion 104. An actual value of the angle“A” may vary based on application requirements. The angle“A” of the cutting edge 114 defines the free punch portion 120 on the blade portion 104. More specifically, the free punch portion 120 is disposed adjacent to the cutting edge 114, and extends away from the cutting edge 114. The angle“A” of the cutting edge 114 is adapted to redirect the digging material away from the blade portion 104 during the digging operation. Accordingly, the free punch portion 120 in association with the angle “A” of the cutting edge 114 is adapted to reduce contact surface and friction between the digging material and the blade portion 104 during the digging operation.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, the blade portion 104 includes one or more recessed portions 902, 904 provided on the free punch portion 120. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the recessed portion 902 is provided on the first edge 110 of the blade portion 104, and the recessed portion 904 is provided on the second edge 112 of the blade portion 104. In other embodiments, the recessed portions 902, 904 may be provided on any one of the first edge 110 or the second edge 112 of the blade portion 104 respectively. Accordingly, an area of the blade portion 104 at the free punch portion 120 is less than an area of the blade portion 104 at the cutting edge 114.

More specifically, a width“Wl” of the blade portion 104 at the free punch portion 120 is less than a width“W2” of the blade portion 104 at the cutting edge 114. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the recessed portions 902, 904 include a substantially curved configuration. In other embodiments, each of the recessed portions 902, 904 may include a sharply angled configuration, based on application requirements. Each of the recessed portions 902, 904 is adapted to reduce the contact surface and, thus, friction, between the free punch portion 120 and the digging material during the digging operation.

Each of the recessed portions 902, 904 defines the free punch portion 120 on the blade portion 104. More specifically, the free punch portion 120 is disposed adjacent to each of the recessed portions 902, 904, and extends away from each of the recessed portions 902, 904. Each of the recessed portions 902, 904 is adapted to reduce contact surface and friction between the digging material and the blade portion 104 during the digging operation.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred 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 Digging Tool

102 Handle Portion

103 Coupler

104 Blade Portion

106 First Side

108 Second Side

110 First Edge

112 Second Edge

114 Cutting Edge

116 Structural Profile

118 Embossed Portion

120 Free Punch Portion

702 Multiple Structural Profile

704 Multiple Structural Profile

902 Recessed Portion

904 Recessed Portion

A Angle

B Angle

D Distance

YY 1 Width W2 Width

A-A Section

Claims

1. A digging tool (100) comprising:

a handle portion (102), and

a blade portion (104) coupled to the handle portion (102), the blade portion (104) including:

a first side (106),

a second side (108) disposed opposite the first side (106), a first edge (110) extending between the first side (106) and the second side (108),

a second edge (112) extending between the first side (106) and the second side (108), the second edge (112) disposed opposite the first edge (110), and

a cutting edge (114) extending between the first side (106) and the second side (108), and between the first edge (110) and the second edge (112),

characterized in that:

the digging tool (100) includes at least one structural profile (116) provided on at least one of the first side (106), the second side (108), the first edge (110), and the second edge (112) of the blade portion (104) such that the structural profile (116) defines a free punch portion (120) extending in a direction away from the cutting edge (114), and adjacent to the structural profile (116),

wherein an area of the blade portion (104) at the free punch portion (120) is less than an area of the blade portion (104) at the structural profile (116).

2. The digging tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one structural profile (116) includes an embossed portion (118) provided on at least one of the first side (106) and the second side (108) of the blade portion (104), the embossed portion (118) disposed spaced apart with respect to the cutting edge (114).

1

3. The digging tool (100) of claim 2, wherein the embossed portion (118) is a weld bead.

4. The digging tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the structural profile (116) extends at least partially between the first edge (110) and the second edge

(112).

5. The digging tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the structural profile (116) is substantially parallel with respect to the cutting edge (114).

6. The digging tool (100) of claim 1 further includes a recessed portion (902, 904) provided in the free punch portion (120) on at least one of the first edge (110) and the second edge (112) of the blade portion (104).

7. The digging tool (100) of claim 6, wherein the recessed portion (902, 904) includes a substantially curved configuration.

8. The digging tool (100) of claim 1, wherein the cutting edge (114) of the blade portion (104) defines an angle (A) with respect to the first side (106) of the blade portion (104).

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