Air assisted tools

Abstract

An air-assisted tool includes a handle, a tool head (such as a rake or shovel, and a blower assembly. The tool is used to quickly and easily move debris (such as grass, rocks, leaves, snow, branches, dirt, etc.) by lifting and dislodging the debris from a surface in the traditional manner. The blower assembly produces an airflow that is directed towards the tool head and is used to propel the debris, thus reducing the labor necessary to move the debris. The blower assembly includes a motor coupled to a blower and a manifold in fluid communication with the blower. The manifold is preferably disposed proximate the tool head. The motor and blower may be disposed on the handle or as a separate unit such as a backpack or hand-held or wheelable unit. The tool may include an air-biasing device to adjust the direction of the airflow across the tool head.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to landscaping tools and more particularly, relates to blower-assisted landscaping type tools.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] The state of the art in common lawn rakes has changed very little in many decades. While there have been advances in handle design and the use of synthetic materials such as plastics and the like, the basic structure of a lawn rake has changed very little.

[0003] Most rakes use tines, lined up in a row, connected to a long handle. The rake is operated by dragging it across a semi-hard surface, where the tines collect the loose refuse and move it a distance proportional to the force exerted on the rake handle and the length of the stroke. While there are many designs of tines, they are generally designed to be bendable such that as a user drags the tines across the surface, the tines have a “springing” effect thereby propelling the refuse a small distance and reducing the amount of energy needed to rake an area. The deformability of the tines also enables the tines to adapt to the contours of the surface and enables the tines to get underneath and dislodge any refuse that is stuck to the surface.

[0004] Traditional rakes, however, suffer from several problems. Because the “springing” effect of the tines is very limited, traditional rakes are still a very labor-intensive means of removing refuse from an area. Even with the “springing” effect of the tines, traditional rakes only move the refuse a very limited distance.

[0005] Moreover, as the amount of refuse being moved increases, damage can occur to the deformable tines if the amount of refuse becomes too large and moving a “heavy” pile of debris unassisted becomes almost impossible. Consequently, users must often “break-down” the pile being raked into smaller piles in order to avoid breaking the tines and to be able to move the debris. While this is generally effective at preventing damage to the rake, it substantially increases the labor needed to clean an area because the user often ends up having to rake over areas that were previously raked.

[0006] A rather recent development in the art has been the lawn blowers or leaf blowers. Lawn blowers utilize a motor (generally either electrical or gasoline powered) to power a blower that produces a relatively low airflow (in the order of 300 CFM) at relatively high velocity (in the order of 150 mph). The airflow is concentrated and directed in a specific direction (generally with the use of a nozzle), to blow loose debris in the direction of the airflow. Blowers are most effective on hard, dry, open surfaces without obsbructions and, under certain circumstances, are capable of quickly and easily moving large amounts of refuse.

[0007] The effectiveness of the blower, however, is substantially decreased on wet or damp surfaces, surfaces with long turf or intervening obstructions such as bushes, plants, walls, and the like, or when the refuse is heavy. Moreover, the dynamics of the high-speed airflow propelling refuse with unpredictable shapes substantially limits the user's control of the refuse movement. Additionally, a user's ability to control the direction of the refuse substantially decreases the further away from the nozzle the refuse is. Since the velocity of the airflow degrades very quickly once it leaves the nozzle, only a fraction of the wind energy actually is used in moving of refuse while the majority is lost to dispersion and friction. Natural wind, or even a strong breeze, can render a blower completely ineffective.

[0008] The state of the art in snow shovels is similar to traditional rakes and has changed very little in many decades. While there have been advances in handle design and the use of synthetic materials such as plastics and the like, the basic structure of snow shovel has changed very little. Snow shovels generally utilize a surface that is forced under the snow, then shifted or pushed forward and finally lifted to move the snow in front of the pushing action. The action of filling and then tossing the contents of the shovel takes significant amounts of energy on the part of the operator and is the cause of numerous injuries and even deaths from exertion each year.

[0009] Accordingly, what is needed is a device that reduces the amount of labor required to accomplish a task. The device should be capable of moving large amounts of refuse while at the same time providing a user with greater control. Additionally, the device should be capable of effectively operating even on wet or damp surfaces, surfaces with long turf or intervening obstructions such as bushes, plants, walls, and the like.

SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention features a tool having a handle, a tool head adapted to be disposed proximate a first end of the handle, and a blower assembly. The blower assembly includes a motor powering a blower that produces an airflow and a manifold in fluid communication with the blower. The manifold includes at least one aperture adapted to direct the airflow in a predetermined direction relative to the tool head. The manifold may be secured to the tool head. Alternatively, the manifold may be disposed within a portion of the tool head.

[0011] The tool preferably includes a user adjustable air-biasing device. The user adjustable air-biasing device allows a user to adjust the direction of at least a portion of the airflow about the tool head. The user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever or at least one rotatable aperture.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the blower may be disposed proximate the first end of the handle. The motor may be disposed proximate the first or the second end of the handle. The handle may contain a drive mechanism coupling the motor to the blower. Alternatively, the motor may be a separate unit from the tool. The motor is preferably disposed on a backpack and is preferably coupled to the blower with a flexible shaft. Alternatively, the motor and the blower are separate units from the tool and may be disposed on a backpack. The blower is in fluid communication with the manifold through a flexible tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of various tools according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tool shown in FIG. 1 as a rake having the blower and motor disposed proximate the rake;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C are partial views of one embodiment of the tool shown in FIG. 1 having a user adjustable air-bias device shown in different positions;

[0017] FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention having the motor and blower disposed in a separate unit;

[0018] FIGS. 6-9 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention having the blower disposed proximate the tool head and the motor disposed as a separate unit;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tool shown in FIG. 1 as a shovel having the blower and motor disposed proximate the shovel;

[0020] FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention having the blower disposed proximate the tool head and the motor disposed proximate a second end of the handle; and

[0021] FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention having louvers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A tool 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention, can be used to quickly land easily clean up and/or remove debris (such as, but not limited to, grass, rocks, leaves, snow, branches, dirt, and the like) on a surface (such as, but not limited to, a lawn, driveway, sideway, field, etc.). In use, the tool 10 lifts and dislodges the debris from the surface in the traditional manner and produces an airflow 22 that is then used to propel the debris as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. As a result, the labor required to clean up and/or remove the debris from the surface is significantly reduced.

[0023] The tool 10 includes a handle 12 and a tool head 14. The handle 12 is preferably constructed from wood, metal, of synthetic materials such as, but not limited to, plastic, composites (for example fiberglass, Kevlar, etc.), and the like. The specific shape of the handle 12 is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention, and may include any handle design 12 known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, traditional straight “pole” style handles 12a or orthopedic handle designs 12b.

[0024] According to a first embodiment, the tool head 14 includes a rake 24. The rake 24 may include any design known to those skilled in the art, but preferably includes one or more tines 26. The tines 26 may be either rigid, fixed tines 26a as commonly found on thatching, bow, and landscaping rakes 24, or flexible tines 26b attached to the handle 12 as commonly found on traditional leaf rakes 24. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the design of the rake 24 will depend on the intended use of the rake 24.

[0025] According to a second embodiment, the tool head 14 includes a shovel 28. The shovel 28 may include any design known to those skilled in the art, but preferably includes a support surface 30 having an edge 32 designed to be to placed underneath the debris. The support surface 30 may be either curved 30a or flat 30b, and may optionally include sides 30c. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the design of the shovel 28 will depend on the intended use of the shovel 28.

[0026] The tool 10, FIG. 2, also includes a blower assembly 16 having a manifold 38 in fluid communication with a blower or turbine 34 that generates an airflow 22. The location of the blower assembly 16 will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. For the sake of brevity, the blower assembly 16 will be described wherein the tool head 14 is a rake 24, though one skilled in the art will be able to readily determine any modifications necessary to incorporate the blower assembly 16 to be used with a shovel 28.

[0027] The manifold 38 is disposed proximate the tool head 14 and includes one or more air tubes 44 each having one or more apertures or nozzles 46 that direct the airflow 22 across the tool head 14. The manifold 38 and air tubes 44 may be arranged relative to the tool head 14 in any manner such that the airflow 22 is capable of moving the debris. In the exemplary embodiment wherein the tool head 14 includes a rake 24, the air tubes 44 are preferably substantially parallel to the tines 26. In the exemplary embodiment wherein the tool head 14 includes a shovel 28, the air tubes 44 are preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the support surface 30. Alternatively, the air tubes 44, FIGS. 13-14, may include louvers 59 disposed either perpendicular (as shown in FIG. 13) or parallel (as shown in FIG. 14) to the support surface 30. The louvers 59 may be opened and closed such that the direction of the airflow 22 may be adjusted relative to the shovel 28.

[0028] The manifold 38 may be secured to the tool head 14 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-12. Alternatively, the manifold 38 may be disposed within a portion of the tool head 14 as shown in FIGS. 3A-C and the air tubes 44 are preferably disposed within the tines 26 of the rake 24 and include the apertures or nozzles 46.

[0029] The manifold 38 optionally includes an air-biasing device 48 that allows the user to adjust the airflow 22 across the tool head 14. The air-biasing device 48 preferably includes a controller (not shown) disposed on the handle 12 that allows the user to adjust the air-biasing device 48. According to one embodiment, the air-biasing device 48 includes a lever 50, FIGS. 3A-C, disposed within the manifold 38. The user may rotate or move the lever thus directing some portion of the airflow 22 in a particular direction. FIGS. 3A-C show the lever 50 in different positions. Alternatively, or in addition to, the nozzles or apertures 46 may be rotatably disposed on the air tubes 44 thus allowing the user to direct at least a portion of the airflow 22 as well as change the velocity of the airflow 22.

[0030] The blower 34, FIG. 2, is powered by the motor 36, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, and may include any air pump capable of generating the requisite airflow 22, for example about 300 CFM at about 150 mph. In the preferred embodiment, the blower 34 includes a centrifugal blower. The motor 36 includes any device capable of powering the blower 34 such as, but not limited to, a combustion engine such as a gasoline or diesel engine, an A/C or D/C electric motor, axial compressors and micro compressors, combustors, burners & micro burners, radial inflow turbines, axial turbines and micro turbines, and turbo fans and turbo shafts. The tool 10 optionally includes a power or fuel source 60 such as a fuel tank or batteries disposed within the handle 12 (as shown in FIG. 2) or in a separate unit (not shown). Alternatively, the tool 10 may include a receptacle or cord (not shown) to connect the tool 10 to a power source. In the preferred embodiment, the flow rate and velocity of the airflow 22 may be adjusted depending on the needs of the user by altering the motor 36 speed or the manifold 38 using a throttle or lever (not shown).

[0031] According to one embodiment, the FIGS. 4 and 5, the blower 34 and motor 36 are in fluid communication with the manifold 38 using a flexible air hose 40. According to this embodiment, the blower 34 and motor 36 are intended to be disposed on a backpack (not shown) or in an easily moveable unit such as a hand-held unit or a wheelable unit. The flexible air hose 40 has a diameter large enough for the requisite airflow 22 without producing any significant backpressure, but small enough to allow the air hose 40 to be flexible and maintain the necessary velocity. The air hose 40 may include corrugated hoses, rubber hoses, or plastic hoses. According to the preferred embodiment, the air hose 40 is stretchable or extendable such that the length of the air hose 40 may be extended and retracted.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the blower 34, FIGS. 6-9, is disposed proximate the tool head 14 and is in communication with the motor 36 using a flexible drive shaft 42. In the preferred embodiment, the motor 36 is adapted to be disposed in a backpack (not shown), though it may also be disposed in an easily moveable unit such as a hand-held unit or a wheelable unit. The flexible drive shaft 42 preferably includes a coiled-shaft similar to those commonly found on lawn tools such as line trimmers or edgers, but may include any flexible shaft known to those skilled in the art. The flexible shaft 42 may be connected directly to the blower 34 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or alternatively it may be partially pass through a cavity disposed within the handle 12 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the blower 34 and motor 36, FIGS. 2 and 10-12, are disposed on the handle 12. The blower 34 is preferably disposed proximate the tool head 14. The motor 36 may be proximate the blower 34 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, or alternatively may be disposed a spaced distance away from the blower 34, for example the opposite end of the handle 12 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. According to the later, the motor 36 is in communication with the blower 34 using a shaft 55 disposed within a cavity in the handle 12.

[0034] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A tool comprising:

a handle having a tool head disposed proximate a first end of said handle;

an airflow source; and

a manifold in fluid communication with said airflow source and disposed proximate said tool head, said manifold having at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermined direction relative to said tool head.

2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said airflow source includes a motor powered by a power source and a blower, coupled to said motor, said blower generating said airflow.

3. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said tool head.

4. The tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever.

5. The tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes at least one rotatable aperture.

6. The tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said blower is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

8. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor is disposed proximate a second end of said handle.

9. The tool as claimed in claim 8 wherein said handle contains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.

10. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor is a separate unit from said tool wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with a flexible shaft.

11. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein said motor is disposed on a backpack.

12. The tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said motor and said blower are separate units from said tool wherein said blower is in fluid communication with said manifold through a flexible tube.

13. The tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said motor and said blower are disposed on a backpack.

14. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool head includes a rake having a plurality of tines.

15. The tool as claimed in claim 14 wherein said manifold is disposed within said rake.

16. The tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said manifold further includes at least a portion of said tines and wherein at least one of said tines includes said at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow relative to said rake.

17. The tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said rake.

18. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool head includes a shovel.

19. The tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein said manifold is disposed within said shovel and wherein said shovel includes said at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow relative to said shovel.

20. The tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said shovel.

21. A rake comprising:

a handle having a first and a second end;

a plurality of tines disposed from said first end of said handle;

a blower, coupled with a motor, said blower generating an airflow; and

a manifold in fluid communication with said blower and disposed proximate said plurality of tines, said manifold having at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermined direction relative to said rake.

22. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein said rake further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said rake.

23. The rake as claimed in claim 22 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever.

24. The rake as claimed in claim 22 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes at least one rotatably aperture.

25. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein said manifold is disposed within said plurality of tines and wherein at least one of said tines includes said at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow.

26. The rake as claimed in claim 25 wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said rake.

27. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein said blower is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

28. The rake as claimed in claim 27 wherein said motor is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

29. The rake as claimed in claim 27 wherein said motor is disposed proximate a second end of said handle and said handle contains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.

30. The rake as claimed in claim 27 wherein said motor is a separate unit from said rake wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with a flexible shaft.

31. The rake as claimed in claim 30 wherein said motor is disposed on a backpack.

32. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein said motor and said blower are a separate unit from said rake wherein said blower is in fluid communication with said manifold through a flexible tube.

33. The rake as claimed in claim 32 wherein said motor and said blower are disposed on a backpack.

34. A shovel comprising:

a handle having a first and a second end;

a shovel head disposed proximate said first end of said handle;

a blower, coupled to a motor, said blower generating an airflow; and

a manifold in fluid communication with said blower and disposed proximate said shovel head, said manifold having at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermined direction relative to said shovel.

35. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said shovel further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said shovel.

36. The shovel as claimed in claim 35 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever.

37. The rake as claimed in claim 35 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes at least one rotatably aperture.

38. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said manifold is disposed within said shovel head, wherein said shovel head includes said at least one aperture adapted to direct said airflow.

39. The shovel as claimed in claim 38 wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said shovel head.

40. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said blower is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

41. The shovel as claimed in claim 40 wherein said motor is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.

42. The shovel as claimed in claim 40 wherein said motor is disposed proximate a second end of said handle and said handle contains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.

43. The shovel as claimed in claim 40 wherein said motor is a separate unit from said shovel wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with a flexible shaft.

44. The shovel as claim 43 wherein said motor is disposed on a backpack.

45. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said motor and said blower are seperate units from said shovel, wherein said blower is in fluid communication with said manifold through a flexible tube.

46. The shovel as claimed in claim 45 wherein said motor and said blower are disposed on a backpack.