U.S. patent application number 10/544267 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for handle arrangement for a blower.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aktiebolaget Electroiux. Invention is credited to Thomas Hakansson, Anders Jakobsson, Lotta Norinder.
Application Number | 20060130273 10/544267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20290396 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060130273 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norinder; Lotta ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Handle arrangement for a blower
Abstract
Handle (20) or handles for a blower (10) carried in the back of
an operator. The handle (20) or handles are placed on a stiff
section (15) of a blower tube (13) extending from the blower (10).
A longitudinal axil of the handle (20) or handles is placed outside
the circumference of the stiff section (15) of the blower tube (13)
when seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axle of the
stiff section (15) of the blower tube (13). The projection of the
longitudinal axle of the handle (20) in said plane is parallel to a
straight line extending through the geometrical center of the cross
section (15) of the blower tube (13).
Inventors: |
Norinder; Lotta; (Jonkoping,
SE) ; Jakobsson; Anders; (Hjo, SE) ;
Hakansson; Thomas; (Huskvarna, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET
SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Assignee: |
Aktiebolaget Electroiux
Stockholm
SE
105 45
|
Family ID: |
20290396 |
Appl. No.: |
10/544267 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE04/00157 |
371 Date: |
February 2, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/14 20130101; A47L
9/32 20130101; A01G 20/47 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/405 |
International
Class: |
E01H 1/08 20060101
E01H001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2003 |
SE |
0300389-4 |
Claims
1. Handle (20) or handles for a blower (10) carried on the back of
an operator, said handle (10) or handles are placed on a stiff
section (15) of a blower tube (13) extending from the blower (10),
characterised in that a longitudinal axle (A) of the handle (20) or
handles is places outside the circumference of the stiff section
(15) of the blower tube (13) when seen in a plane perpendicular to
the longitudinal axle of the stiff section(15) of the blower tube
(13), and that the projection of the longitudinal axle (A) of the
handle (20) in said plane is parallel to a straight line (L)
extending through the geometrical centre of the cross section of
the stiff section(15) of the blower tube (13).
2. Handle (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the
cross section of the stiff section (15) to the blower tube (13) is
a circle.
3. Handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the
handle (20) or handles are placed so that the distance from the
outer side of the blower tube (13) to a surface (25) on the handle
where the operators hand is placed during normal use of the tool
not exceeds 100 millimeters.
4. Handle according to claim 3, characterised in that the distance
is between 15 to 60 millimeters.
5. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle
(20) or handles is movable around the circumference of the blower
tube (13).
6. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the position
of the handle (20) or handles in axial direction along the tube
(13) is adjustable.
7. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the blower
tube (13) is provided with one handle (20) or handle bar comprising
two handles.
8. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle
(20) or handles are placed on a curved arm (21) so that the
position of the handle (20) or handles are closer to the operator
than the position where the curved arm (21) is secured to the
blower tube (13).
9. Handle according to claim 8, characterised in that curved arm
(21) is secured to the blower tube (13) by a loop (22) surrounding
the blower tube (13).
10. Handle according to claim 9, characterised in that the loop
(22) is secured to the blower tube (13) by a screw (24) activated
by a wheel (23).
11. Handle according to claim 10, characterised in that the curved
arm (21) and the handle (20) is turnable when the screw (24) is
released so that the angle between the longitudinal axle (A) of the
handle (20) in relation to the longitudinal axle of the blower tube
(13) is changed.
Description
[0001] The claimed invention relates to a handle or handles for a
blower carried on the back of an operator, said handle or handles
are placed on a stiff section of a blower tube extending from the
blower.
[0002] Engine powered blowers are frequently used for different
kinds of outdoor work. The number of areas where blowers are used
is increasing. In many areas are blowers replacing traditional
brooms since a blower is an efficient and time saving tool for
cleaning large areas such as parking places, pavements and lawns.
The cleaning of, for example, a parking area with conventional
equipment is difficult and time consuming because of parked cars
and other obstacles on the parking place. If a blower is used is it
possible to blow the rubbish from underneath or behind parked cars
or obstacles, which increases efficiency and saves time as well as
improves the final result.
[0003] Even though the blower is an efficient tool that facilitates
the work of cleaning large areas, the operator normally works long
shifts with the blower. There are two different types of blower,
smaller ones that are hand held and larger models that are carried
on the back of the operator in order to improve working conditions
for the operator.
[0004] A blower carried on the back of the operator is supported by
straps that extend over the shoulders of the operator. The blower
is provided with a blower tube consisting of two sections, a first
soft section secured to the fan outlet on the blower body on the
back of the operator, and a second section that is a stiff pipe.
The first soft section makes it possible to move the position of
the stiff pipe. The blower tube extends from the fan outlet placed
on one side of the blower on the back of the operator and forward
to a position in front of the operator. On the blower tube is a
handle secured to the tube so that the operator can control and
steer the position of the end of the blower tube to in order to
perform the work intended. The handle on blowers already existing
on the market is placed on top of the blower tube somewhere along
the blower tube and extending in a radial direction from the
topside of the circumference of the blower tube. Even though a
blower facilitates work for the operator, his arms and hands are
subjected to heavy loads due to the design of the handle. These
loads must be reduced to improve working conditions for an operator
who is working long shifts with the tool. The claimed invention
aims to reduce this problem.
[0005] The major part of the load that the operator is subjected to
originates from a reaction force generated by the airflow in the
blower tube. The air passing through the tube generates a reaction
force acting in the opposite direction to the flow of the air.
[0006] Handles, which currently exist, are placed on top of the
blower tube. This position results in a long distance between the
centre of the handle and the centre of the tube. The long distance
in combination with the reaction force from the airflow generates a
turning movement in the handle. The reaction force and the turning
movement in the blower tube will affect the operator's hands in
such a way that the operator will have to use a considerable force
to compensate for the turning movement and the reaction force in
order to control the blower tube.
[0007] The claimed invention reduces the problem defined by placing
the handle so that a longitudinal axle of the handle or handles is
placed outside the circumference of the blower tube when seen in a
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axle of the blower tube.
The projection of the longitudinal axle of the handle in said plane
is also parallel to a straight line extending through the
geometrical centre of the cross section of the blower tube.
[0008] This means that one side of the surface that is surrounding
the handle will be placed towards the circumference of the stiff
section of the blower tube. The handle is preferably placed as
close to the blower tube as possible but there must be enough space
for the fingers on the operator's hand between the surface of the
handle and the blower tube.
[0009] This position of the handle reduces the distance between the
centre of the blower tube and the centre of the handle. A shorter
distance between the centre of the handle and the centre of the
blower tube reduces the turning movement in the handle, and
consequently the loads that the operator is subjected to. The
distance between the surface of the handle where the operator holds
his hand and the outer circumference of the blower tube is
preferably between 15 to 60 millimetres. The distance is measured
between the point at the circumference of the blower tube and the
surface of the handle that are placed at the shortest distance from
each other. If the distance is bigger the reduction of the turning
movement in the handle that the operator is subjected to will be
reduced.
[0010] The blower tube is either provided with one single handle or
a handle bar comprising two handles. If a handle bar is used, one
handle is placed on one side of the blower tube and the other on
the opposite side according to the claimed invention.
[0011] The handle or handles are movable around, and also along,
the stiff section of the blower tube so that the operator is
allowed to select a position of the handle or handles that is
suitable for the operator, no matter of the physical dimensions of
the operator. This improves working conditions for the operator
considerably.
[0012] The handle or handle bar is attached to a curved arm secured
to the blower tube by a loop surrounding the blower tube. The arm
first extends in a perpendicular direction from the blower tub and
is then curved towards the operator in order to reduce the distance
from the operator to the handle or handle bar. The curved arm makes
it possible to have a blower tube with a long flexible section
without ending up with a handle or handle bar placed to far away
from the operator's body. This improves the manoeuvrability of the
blower tube.
[0013] The curved arm is allowed to turn in relation to the blower
tube. This makes it possible to change the angle between the
longitudinal axle of the handle and the longitudinal axle of the
blower tube so that the operator can select the most comfortable
position of the handle.
[0014] The handle or handles comprises one or more buttons or power
regulating devices in order to regulate the power or the tool.
[0015] The cross section of the blower tub is normally a circle but
other cross sections will also work. The handle is then placed so
that the longitudinal axle is parallel to a straight line that
extends through the geometrical centre of the cross section in
use.
[0016] One embodiment of the claimed invention is illustrated in
the drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1. Illustrates a perspective view of a blower carried
on the back of the operator.
[0018] FIG. 2. Illustrates a perspective view of a handle and a
section of the blower tube.
[0019] FIG. 3. Illustrates a top view of the handle and blower tub
section in FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 4. Illustrates a cross section of the blower tube and
the handle in FIG. 2.
[0021] In FIG. 1 is a blower 10 illustrated. The blower 10
comprises a blower body 11 containing for example an engine, a fan
and related components. The blower body 11 is provided with two
straps 12 that are placed around the shoulders of the operator to
make it possible for the operator to carry the blower 10 on his
back.
[0022] A blower tube 13 is extending from a fan outlet 16 on the
right side of the blower body 11. The blower tube 13 consist of two
different sections, a first flexible section 14 that makes it
possible to move the blower tube 13 between different positions and
a second stiff section 15. A handle 20 is secured to the blower
tube to make it possible for the operator to manoeuvre the blower
tube 13. The handle 20 is designed with a surface 25 for the hand
of the operator surrounding the middle section of the handle 20. In
the top section of the handle are a throttle 26 and a stop button
27 placed to make it possible for the operator to control the
blower 10.
[0023] In FIG. 2 is a part of the blower tube 13 and the handle 20
illustrated. The handle 20 is secured to the stiff section 15 of
the blower tube 13 and used for control and manoeuvring of the
blower tube 13. The handle 20 is attached to a curved arm 21
secured to the blower tube 13 by a loop 22 surrounding the blower
tube 13.
[0024] The loop 22 is fastened to the blower tube 13 by a screw 24
that is controlled by a wheel 23. When the screw 24 is released is
the loop 22 released from the blower tube 13 so that the position
of the loop 22 and the handle 20 in accordance to the blower tube
13 could be changed. The position of the handle 20 and the loop 22
is then selected somewhere around the circumference of the blower
tube 13. The handle 20 and the loop 22 are also movable along the
stiff section 15 of the blower tube 13. The position of the handle
20 is selected by the operator to be comfortable and ergonomic.
[0025] When the screw 24 is released is the curved arm 21 allowed
to turn in relation to the loop 22 and the longitudinal axle of the
blower tube 13. This makes it possible to change the angle of the
handle 20 in relation to the longitudinal axle of the blower tube
13 so that the operator can select the most comfortable angle of
the handle 20.
[0026] In FIG. 3 is a topside view of the handle 20, the curved arm
21 and the blower tube illustrated. The curved arm 21 extends in
transverse direction from the blower tube and the loop 22 while the
outer end of the curved arm 21 is pointing in the opposite
direction as the blower tube 13. The curved arm 21 makes it
possible to have a longer flexible section 14 of the blower tube 13
without risking that the handle 20 will be positioned to far away
from the operator.
[0027] In FIG. 4 is a cross section of the blower tub 13
illustrated. The longitudinal axle A of the handle 20 is
substantially parallel to a straight line L extending through the
geometrical centre of the cross section of the stiff section 15 of
the blower tube 13. If the handle 20 is moved around the
circumference of the blower tub 13 will the longitudinal axle A of
the handle 20 still be parallel to a straight line L in the blower
tube 13.
[0028] The handle 20 is placed on the side of the blower tube 13
with the surface 25 for the hand of the operator close to the
circumference of the stiff section 15. The distance between the
surface 25 on the handle 20 and the circumference of the blower
tube 13 is kept as short as possible but there must be space enough
for the fingers of the operator. The distance is normally between
15 to 60 millimetres.
* * * * *