Leaf collector device
The leaf collecting device addresses the issue of leaf collectors reopening when stored upside down by incorporating a sliding ring, connecting rod, and locking mechanism, ensuring the collectors remain closed and preventing interference.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023012710
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-23
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing leaf collecting devices with multiple leaf collectors tend to reopen and interfere with each other when stored upside down, leading to tangling or damage.
A leaf collecting device with a handle carrying two rotatably mounted leaf collectors, a sliding ring with a connecting rod, and an operable locking mechanism to prevent the leaf collectors from reopening when stored upside down.
The locking mechanism effectively keeps the leaf collectors in the closed position during storage, preventing them from reopening and reducing the risk of tangling or damage.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST 
Figure 00000000_0001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Leaf collecting device
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of gardening devices, in particular leaf collecting devices.
[0002] In this field, we know rakes and leaf collectors for gathering dead leaves. Once the dead leaves are piled up, it is necessary to use two leaf collectors with their poles against each other to be able to throw the dead leaves into the trash.
[0003] Application FR3103675 proposes a leaf collecting device comprising two leaf collectors mounted to rotate on a handle with a ring to be actuated to open or close the leaf collectors.
[0004] When storing this type of device by professionals in a box or van, in order to save space, the leaf collector device is stored in the opposite position to the position of use, i.e. with the leaf collector facing upwards.
[0005] In this case, the weight of the leaf collectors pulls them towards the handle so that they open and interfere with each other. They are likely to become tangled or even damage each other.
[0006] Thus, the objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to propose a solution limiting the reopening of devices with several leaf collectors when they are stored upside down.
[0007] To achieve this objective, the invention provides a leaf collecting device having a high side and a low side, the leaf collecting device comprising: - a handle carrying a first leaf collector and a second leaf collector at a lower end of the handle, the first leaf collector and the second leaf collector being rotatably mounted relative to each other between a closed position in which the leaf collectors are arranged against each other so as to grip an object, and an open position in which the leaf collectors are spaced apart from each other; - a ring arranged around the handle, sliding relative to the handle; - a connecting rod fixed to the ring on the high side of the connecting rod, and to one of the leaf collectors on the low side of the connecting rod so that by sliding the ring upwards, the connecting rod pulls said leaf collector upwards towards the open position, and by sliding the ring downwards, the connecting rod pushes said leaf collector downwards towards the closed position, characterized by - an operable locking means for locking the sliding of the ring relative to the handle.
[0008] By "leaf collecting device" is meant any toothed tool with an elongated handle, such as a rake or the like, allowing at least one leaf to be collected. By "leaf collector" is meant a lower end of a leaf collecting device without the handle.
[0009] Advantageously, the locking means makes it possible to lock the leaf collectors in the closed position so that they do not reopen when the leaf collector device is stored upside down.
[0010] According to a variant, the ring comprises the locking means.
[0011] This makes it possible to simplify locking by blocking the movement of the ring.
[0012] According to one variant, the locking means comprises a lever equipped with a locking cam.
[0013] This allows mechanical locking to be achieved by forcefully locking the cam on the handle.
[0014] According to a variant, the locking means is arranged on the upper side of the ring.
[0015] This allows space on the low side of the ring to secure the connecting rod.
[0016] According to a variant, the connecting rod comprises fixing eyelets for fixing the ring and said leaf collector, at several longitudinal spacings.
[0017] This allows the gap between the leaf collectors and the ring to be adapted to suit several user sizes.
[0018] According to a variant, the connecting rod comprises breakable sections each comprising a fixing eyelet.
[0019] This allows excess connecting rod to be cut off when a small connecting rod size corresponds to the user's height.
[0020] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a user using a sheet collection device according to the prior art; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a front view of a ring of a leaf collection device according to a preferred variant of the invention, in two actuation positions of the locking means; and - [Fig.3] represents a front view of a connecting rod of a leaf collection device according to a preferred variant.
[0021] With reference to these figures, the leaf collector device described in an orientation having a high side and a low side along the longitudinal axis of said device.
[0022] The leaf collector device comprises a handle 3 carrying a first leaf collector 19 and a second leaf collector 17 at a lower end of the handle 3.
[0023] The first leaf collector 19 and the second leaf collector 17 are rotatably mounted relative to each other. They are movable relative to each other between a closed position and an open position.
[0024] In the closed position, the leaf collectors 17, 19 are arranged against each other so as to grip objects 2, such as leaves, garbage or any other objects. In the open position, the leaf collectors 17, 19 are spaced apart from each other.
[0025] Preferably, the first leaf collector 19 is attached to the handle 3, and the second leaf collector 17 is rotatably mounted on the first leaf collector 19.
[0026] The leaf collecting device further comprises a ring 5 arranged around the handle 3, sliding relative to the handle 3. This ring 5 forms a grip for the leaf collecting device.
[0027] The leaf collector device further comprises a connecting rod 15 fixed to the ring 5 on the upper side of the connecting rod 15, and to one of the leaf collectors, in particular the second leaf collector 17, on the lower side of the connecting rod 15.
[0028] By sliding the ring 5 upwards, the connecting rod 15 pulls said leaf collector 17 upwards towards the open position, and by sliding the ring 5 downwards, the connecting rod 15 pushes said leaf collector 17 downwards towards the closed position.
[0029] According to the invention, the leaf collector device further comprises a locking means 5a operable to lock the sliding of the ring 5 relative to the handle 3. In particular, the locking means 5a is arranged on the ring as illustrated in [Fig.2].
[0030] In the preferred variant, the locking means 5a comprises a lever L equipped with a locking cam C. When the lever L is pivoted, the cam C comes to bear against the handle 3 and blocks the sliding of the ring 5 relative to the handle 3.
[0031] Preferably, the locking means 5a is arranged on the upper side of the ring 5.
[0032] Furthermore, according to the invention, the connecting rod 15 comprises fixing eyelets OF for fixing the ring 5 and said leaf collector 17, at several longitudinal spacings along the length of the connecting rod 15. Preferably, the connecting rod 15 comprises breakable sections S arranged longitudinally, each comprising a fixing eyelet OF. The breakable sections S may comprise pre-cutouts to facilitate cutting.
Claims
Claims
1. Leaf collecting device having a high side and a low side, the leaf collecting device comprising: - a handle (3) carrying a first leaf collector (19) and a second leaf collector (17) at a lower end of the handle (3), the first leaf collector (19) and the second leaf collector (17) being rotatably mounted relative to each other between a closed position in which the leaf collectors (17, 19) are arranged against each other so as to grip an object (2), and an open position in which the leaf collectors (17, 19) are spaced apart from each other; - a ring (5) arranged around the handle (3), sliding relative to the handle (3);- a connecting rod (15) fixed to the ring (5) on the upper side of the connecting rod (15), and to one of the leaf collectors (17) on the lower side of the connecting rod (15) so that by sliding the ring (5) upwards, the connecting rod (15) pulls said leaf collector (17) upwards towards the open position, and by sliding the ring (5) downwards, the connecting rod (15) pushes said leaf collector (17) downwards towards the closed position, characterized by - a locking means (5a) operable to lock the sliding of the ring (5) relative to the handle (3).;
2. Leaf collecting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ring (5) comprises the locking means (5a).
3. Leaf collecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (5a) comprises a lever (L) equipped with a locking cam (C).
4. Leaf collecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (5a) is arranged on the upper side of the ring (5).
5. Leaf collector device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting rod (15) comprises fixing eyelets (OF) for fixing the ring (5) and said leaf collector (17), at several longitudinal spacings.
6. Leaf collecting device according to the preceding claim, in which the connecting rod (15) comprises breakable sections (S) each comprising a fixing eyelet (OF).