Resilient elastomeric single piece biasing connector for joining two lawn rakes
OwnerStephen V Farlandinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The single piece connector is made from a tear resistant, and relatively high durometer elastomer, such as polyurethane. The connector has two adjacent bores separated by a common wall in which the shafts of two rakes can be firmly received. The connector's dimensions combined with the stiffness of the constituent material provide a significant restoritive biasing force when the rakes are pivoted relative to the connector that helps hold a load of scooped leaves between the associated rake heads as the head are maneuvered to a desired container for deposit.
Claims15
A connector for joining the elongated shafts of two lawn and garden tools, the connector consisting essentially of a single piece of elastomeric material having a durometer of about 70 A-80 A and a die C tear strength of at least 255, wherein the connector comprises i) generally planar top and bottom surfaces spaced apart about 0.625″, (ii) two adjacent bores extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the bores being separated by a common wall having a minimum thickness of 0.35″, each bore including three or more ridges with each ridge protruding inwardly from an inside diameter surface of the respective bore substantially 0.05-0.10″, the connector being configured to resiliently deform in use to permit the two lawn and garden tools to pivot relative to each other and exert a restorative biasing force.
A connector for joining the elongated shafts of two lawn and garden tools, the connector consisting of a single piece of polyurethane material having a durometer of about 75 A, wherein the connector comprises (i) generally planar top and bottom surfaces spaced apart about 0.625″, (ii) adjacent first and second bores with respective diameters of substantially 1.08″ separated by a common wall with each bore further encircled by uncommon walls, (iii) the common wall and uncommon walls have a minimum thickness of substantially 0.35″, (iv) each of the first and second bores includes three or more axially-extending ridges that protrude inwardly from an inside diameter surface of the respective bore 0.05″ to −0.10″, the connector being configured to resiliently deform in use to permit the two lawn and garden tools to pivot relative to each other and exert a restorative biasing force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.