Adjustable Garden Implement Coupling for Interchangeable Toolheads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garden tools are unitary in nature, lacking customization to fit individual gardening styles, and do not allow for interchangeable toolheads that can adapt to different functions.
Innovation Solution
A garden implement with a handle divided into segments and interchangeable toolheads, featuring a fixing member with a boss and flanges that allow for adjustable angles and interchangeable toolheads, enabling multiple tool functions through a durable sprocket-like coupling structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If garden tools are made unitary and fixed in orientation, then manufacturing is simplified and mass production is efficient, but customization and adaptability to different gardening styles are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The garden tool is divided into separate modular components: a handle and interchangeable toolheads. The toolhead can be detached and replaced to change functionality, allowing one handle to serve multiple gardening purposes. This segmentation enables both simplified mass production of standardized components and customization through component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed with a universal coupling mechanism that accepts multiple types of toolheads with different functions (e.g., digging, weeding, cultivating). This allows a single handle to perform multiple gardening tasks by simply changing the toolhead, achieving versatility without complicating the handle's manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If the toolhead orientation is fixed relative to the handle, then the structure is simpler and more stable, but the ability to adjust to different working angles and positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the handle and toolhead allows for dynamic adjustment of the toolhead's orientation relative to the handle. Users can change the angle and position of the toolhead to suit different gardening tasks and personal preferences, then lock it in place. This dynamic adjustability maintains operational simplicity while enabling versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple toolheads are made interchangeable, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
A universal coupling mechanism is designed that accommodates multiple toolhead types with different functions. The handle includes a standardized interface that can receive various toolheads, reducing the need for multiple specialized handles. This universality achieves interchangeability while minimizing the total number of components needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple toolhead options are combined with a single handle through the universal coupling mechanism. Instead of having separate handles for each function, the design merges the commonality into one handle that can be paired with different toolheads, reducing redundancy and simplifying the overall component set.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a garden implement that includes a handle, at least one tool member having a pair of flanges extending therefrom, each flange includes a flange bore and a pinion segment that share a common center, the pair of flanges have opposing parallel surfaces that each include the pinion segment, the opposing parallel flange surfaces are spaced apart by a first distance. Also included is at least a first fixing member coupled between the pair of flanges and the handle. The first fixing member includes a boss projecting along a longitudinal axis, the boss has parallel surfaces spaced apart by the first distance, a boss bore, and a curved rack segment projecting from the boss and configured to mesh with at least a portion of the pinion segment. Also included is a fixing shaft insertably received in at least one flange bore and the boss bore.