Improved structure for handling a tool

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a structure for handling a tool, for example for household or industrial use, or for agricultural use.

In particular, the present invention relates an elongated handle, for example a rod, to operate an harvesting or a cutting tool at a desired height above the head of a user.

Background of the invention

Rods for handling a tool of the above mentioned type are known of many kinds. They differ from each other in the way for which they are arranged to increase or reduce their length and in the way for which they are locked/released at a desired length.

They can be used for handling a tool at a desired height above the head of a user, such as tools for harvesting fruit from trees, for cutting tree branches, for painting or brushing ceiling or side walls, for collecting objects from high shelves or closets, or for hanging objects at a desired height, etc.

For this reason, these rods can be very long and the tools can be heavy. This means that the center of gravity is far from the point at which an user grips the rod, and he must take an extra effort to win the moment produced by the weight of the tool in order to keep the rod straight. This problem causes, by the user, a loss of maneuverability and precision in the use of the tool, and moreover it causes a significant fatigue of the user, which can not continue to work for long periods of time.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a tool structure for handling a tool at a desired height above the head of a user that balances the moment produced by the weight of the tool respect the user's grip, in such a way that he doesn't tire too much and can continue to work for a long period.

It is, furthermore, a feature of the present invention to provide such tool structure that is easy to maneuver during the handling of the tool.

It is, furthermore, a feature of the present invention to provide such tool structure that allow a high precision in pointing the tool.

It is, furthermore, a feature of the present invention to provide such tool structure that eliminates the problem of the placement of a battery.

It is, furthermore, a feature of the present invention to provide such tool structure that allows to vary automatically the length of the rod.

It is, furthermore, a feature of the present invention to provide such tool structure that automatically balances the moment produced by the weight of the tool respect the user's grip, also when the length of the rod is varied.

These and other objects are achieved by a tool structure comprising:

• a rod having a first end and a second end;
• a working head, having mass m₁, engaged at the first end of the rod;

that provides furthermore a stiff elongated element integral to the rod at the second end.

Advantageously, a balancing body is provided having mass m₂ and constrained to the stiff elongated element at a predetermined position H, in such a way that moments M₁ and M₂ oppose each others, the moments M₁ and M₂ being produced by, respectively, the masses m₁ and m₂ with respect to a pivot point P located at a predetermined distance x from the first end of the rod and at a predetermined distance y from the predetermined position H.

In particular, the smaller the difference between the moments M₁ and M₂, the smaller is the moment M_u the user has to generate with his hand, and, in consequence, the smaller is the effort the user has to make to keep the rod straight.

Advantageously, the balancing body comprises a power supply arranged to feed the working head. In this way, in addition to provide an easy handling of the rod, the tool structure allows to solve the problem of the battery placement, that is often present in the prior art's devices.

In particular, the pivot point is integral to the user by a support arranged to rest on at least one shoulder of the user in order to sustain, at least partially, the weight of the embodiment.

Advantageously, the support is substantially hook-shaped, in order to lie down on the, or each, shoulder of the user.

Furthermore, the hook-shaped support can engage behind the user's back, for example to a belt, in order not to rotate on the user's shoulder.

In particular, the support is made of flexible material, in order to be arranged to the size and to the shape of the shoulder of the user.

Advantageously, the support comprises a resilient element arranged to permit a variation of the relative position between the user and the rod. In this way, the user has more freedom to move and direct the rod. Moreover, vibrations and loads on the rod are damped by the resilient element in order not to transfer them to the user's body.

Advantageously, the rod is configured in such a way that it is possible to vary the predetermined distance x.

In particular, the variation of the predetermined distance x is automated, so that it is possible to vary the predetermined distance x during the use of the tool structure.

Advantageously, the rod has a telescopic structure comprising at least a first part, integral to the first end, and a second part, integral to the second end, in such a way to vary the predetermined distance x. In this way it is possible to vary the distance x depending on the user's needs.

Advantageously, the stiff elongated element is configured in such a way that it is possible to vary the predetermined distance y. In this way it is possible to vary the moment M₂ in consequence to a variation of moment M₁.

In particular, the variation of the predetermined distance y is automated, so that it is possible to vary the predetermined distance y during the use of the tool structure.

In particular, a control unit is provided arranged to control that the variation of the predetermined distance y is proportional to the variation of the predetermined distance x.

Advantageously, the balancing body is slidingly mounted to the stiff elongated element.

Alternatively, the balancing body, or part of it, is constrained in a removable way to the stiff elongated element.

In particular, the working head is an harvesting device for small fruits, in particular a shaking device for olives harvesting.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be now shown with the description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tool structure as provided in the prior art;
• Fig. 1A is a frontal view of the user, showing the loads acting on his body in case shown in fig. 1;
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tool structure as provided by the invention;
• Fig. 2A is a frontal view of the user, showing the loads acting on his body in case shown in fig. 2;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool structure as provided by the invention;
• Fig. 3A is a frontal view of the user, showing the loads acting on his body in case shown in fig. 3;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the tool structure as provided by the invention;
• Fig. 4A is a frontal view of the user, showing the loads acting on his body in case shown in fig. 4.

Description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to figure 1, a tool structure 100 as provided in the prior art comprises a rod 110 and a working head 120 having a mass m₁. The rod 110 has a first end 111, at which the working head 120 is engaged, and a second end 112. In figure 1, the working head 120 is a shaking device for olives harvesting.

Considering a pivot point P located at the left hand of the user, mass m₁ produces a moment M₁ that has to be opposed by a moment M_u produced by the user applying a force F₁ with the right hand. Furthermore, the user has to apply a force F₂ with the left hand in order to balance both weight force of the mass m₁ and force F₁.

As shown in figure 1A, to apply forces F₁ and F₂ user receives two reactions equal and opposite to F₁ and F₂ on his shoulder's articulations. This produces an elevated torque with consequent contraction of the muscles, fatigue, and involvement of the spine.

In particular, considering that pivot point P is located at a distance a from said mass m₁ and at a distance b from the application point of F₁, and defining a' and b' as horizontal projections, respectively, of the distances a and b, the moments produced by masses m₁ and force F₁ are given by the following relations: M₁ = m₁*a' , M_u = F₁*b'.

Considering the pivot point P equidistant between user's hands, and considering, as numerical example, m₁=3kg, a'=160cm and b'=40cm, will be: F₁=12kg and F₂=15kg. Understandably, this produces great fatigue and muscular problems to a user who uses the tool structure 100 for many hours a day.

With reference to figure 2, in a preferred embodiment the tool structure 100, as provided by the invention, comprises a stiff elongated element 130, that is integral to the rod 110 at the second end 112, and a balancing body 140, having mass m₂ and being constrained to the stiff elongated element 130 at a predetermined position H.

In this way, considering a pivot point P located at a predetermined distance x from the first end 111 of said rod 120 and at a predetermined distance y from said predetermined position H, the moments M₁ and M₂ produced, respectively, by masses m₁ and m₂ respect to the pivot point P oppose each others, so that a user can move and direct easily the tool structure 100.

In particular, defining x' and y' as horizontal projections, respectively, of the distances x and y, the moments produced by masses m₁ and m₂ are given by the following relations: M₁ = m₁*x' , M₂ = m₂*y'.

As known, the smaller the difference between the moments M₁ and M₂, the smaller is the moment M_u the user has to generate with his hand, and, in consequence, the smaller is the effort he has to make to keep the rod straight.

Considering the same numerical example of figure 1, if m₁=3kg, m₂=5,4kg, x'=180cm and y'=100cm, we have: F₁=4,2kg and F₂=4,2kg, much less than the previous case. Furthermore, with reference to figure 2A, the reactions on the user's shoulders are both in the same sense, so that they don't produce a torque.

Advantageously, the balancing body 140 can comprise a power supply 141 arranged to feed the working head 120. In this way, in addition to provide an easy handling of the rod 110, the tool structure 100 as provided by the present invention allows to solve the problem of the battery placement, that is often present in the prior art's devices.

The embodiment in figure 2 provides, furthermore, that the rod 110 has a telescopic structure comprising a first part 115, integral to the first end 111, and a second part 116, integral to the second end 112. In this way it is possible to vary the distance x depending on the user's needs.

The variation of the predetermined distance x can be also automated, for example by a motor controlled by a control unit, in order to vary the distance x during the use of the tool structure 100.

Since the distance x changes, the tool structure 100 provides that also the distance y can vary proportionally.

In particular, the balancing body 140 can be constrained in a removable way, or slidingly mounted, to the stiff elongated element 130. In this way an user can change the position H of the balancing body 140 along the stiff elongated element 130, varying the distance y and, in consequence, the moment M₂.

Alternatively, to automate the y variation, a control unit can be provided arranged to check the instant value of moment M₁, in order to command the displacement of the balancing body 140 and ensure the desired balance between the moments M₁ and M₂.

In particular, if the balancing body 140 is slidingly mounted to the stiff elongated element 130, a motor can slide the balancing body 140 along the stiff elongated element 130 until the correct position H is found.

The control unit can check the instant value of M₁, for example, trough position sensors placed on the rod 110 and arranged to measure the x variation, or trough inertial sensors arranged to measure the angular acceleration of the rod 110.

Alternatively, if the x variation is automated, the control unit can controls both the extension of the rod 110 and the displacement of the balancing body 140, so that the control unit doesn't need to receive data about the value of M₁ by external devices to know how much vary the distance y.

Also mass m₂ may vary to change the moment M₂ and balance M₁, but this variation is not fast and easy for obvious practical reasons. So it is preferred to set the value of the mass m₁ when mass m₂ of the working head 120 is set and then only modify the distances x and y. An example of the sizing of the mass m₂ is given by the following formula: $${\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{2}}={\mathrm{m}}_{\mathrm{1}}*\left({\mathrm{xʹ}}_{\max }/{\mathrm{yʹ}}_{\max }\right)$$

where x'_max and y'_max are the maximum values of, respectively, x' and y'. In this way also when the y'= y'_max, M₂ can balance completely M₁.

With reference to figure 3, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the pivot point P is integral to the user by a support 150 arranged to rest on his shoulder in order to sustain, at least partially, the weight of the embodiment. In particular, the support 150 is hook-shaped in order to lie down on the right, or left, shoulder of the user and allow the user to move around with hands free. Furthermore, the hook-shaped support 150 engages behind the user's back, for example to a belt, in order not to rotate on the user's shoulder.

As shown in figure 3A, the reaction on the user's shoulders is equal and opposite to F₃ that is given by the sum of F₁ and F₂. The force F₃ is, furthermore, distributed on a large surface on the user's shoulder, so that it doesn't produce a muscular problem to the user.

With reference to figures 4 and 4A, in an alternative embodiment of the figure 3, the support 150 is arranged to rest on both the shoulders of the user, so that the effort is even more distributed and less fatiguing for the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the support 150 comprises a resilient element 155 arranged to permit a variation of the relative position between the rod 110 and the shoulder, or other body part, of said user. In this way, the user has more freedom to move and direct the rod 110. Moreover, vibrations and loads on the rod 110 are damped by the resilient element 155 in order not to transfer them to the user's body.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, then it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology the is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.