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CN-115443800-B - Quick release blade assembly and method for a power tool

CN115443800BCN 115443800 BCN115443800 BCN 115443800BCN-115443800-B

Abstract

A quick release blade assembly for a power tool is provided. The mower includes a base including an engagement interface, a retainer having a locking feature, a blade disposed between the base and the retainer, and an actuatable member including an engagement member selectively displaceable relative to the engagement interface between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration when the actuatable member translates in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the engagement member is configured to interface with the locking feature to selectively couple the blade to the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the locked configuration.

Inventors

  • R.J. HOFFMAN
  • L. Ekard

Assignees

  • 创科无线普通合伙

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220608
Priority Date
20210609

Claims (10)

  1. 1. A quick release blade assembly operatively coupled to a drive shaft of a lawn mower, the drive shaft defining an axis of rotation, the quick release blade assembly comprising: A base including an engagement interface; A retainer having a locking member configured to interface with the engagement interface; a blade disposed between the base and the retainer, and An actuatable member comprising an engagement member that is selectively displaceable relative to the engagement interface between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration when the actuatable member translates in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the engagement member is disposed in the engagement interface when the engagement member is in the locked configuration and is disposed outside the engagement interface when the engagement member is in the unlocked configuration; wherein the engagement member is configured to interface with the locking component to selectively couple the blade to the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the locked configuration.
  2. 2. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a post extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and wherein the locking member comprises a cutout in a surface of the post.
  3. 3. The quick release blade assembly of claim 2, wherein the blade comprises an opening configured to receive a post of the retainer, and wherein the opening is displaced from a central position of the blade.
  4. 4. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a receiving area configured to receive a locking component of the retainer, wherein the engagement interface comprises a slot extending into the receiving area, and wherein the slot is angularly offset relative to the axis of rotation.
  5. 5. The quick release blade assembly of claim 4, wherein the engagement member is disposed in the slot when the engagement member is in the locked configuration, and wherein the engagement member is disposed outside the slot when the engagement member is in the unlocked configuration.
  6. 6. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuatable member comprises a plate defining an opening, wherein the engagement member comprises a pin disposed at least partially in the opening, and wherein the pin is displaceable between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
  7. 7. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuatable member is in a first position when the engagement member is in the locked configuration, wherein the actuatable member is in a second position when the engagement member is in the unlocked configuration, and wherein the actuatable member is disposed closer to a motor of the mower when disposed in the first position.
  8. 8. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer and the blade are removable from the mower when the engagement member is in the unlocked configuration, and wherein the base and the actuatable member remain engaged with the mower when the engagement member is in the unlocked configuration.
  9. 9. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuatable member is biased in a direction along the axis of rotation in a direction that maintains the engagement member in the locked configuration.
  10. 10. The quick release blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the quick release blade assembly is configured to release the blade without the use of a tool.

Description

Quick release blade assembly and method for a power tool Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to power tools having quick release blade assemblies, and more particularly to a lawn mower having a quick release blade assembly. Background Mowers typically utilize one or more rotating blades with sharp cutting edges to cut grass. As the edge of the blade becomes dulled over time, it may be desirable to remove the blade from the mower for sharpening or replacement. Mower blades are typically coupled to the mower by a drive shaft using threaded fasteners. For example, the drive shaft may include a threaded interface configured to receive a nut. After positioning the blade along the drive shaft, a nut may be secured to the threaded interface to secure the blade to the drive shaft. To avoid the blade becoming loose, the nut is tightened to a high torque load and the operator may use a screw lock. In addition, prolonged use may further tighten the threaded interface. As a result, considerable effort is required to remove the blade and the operator may be physically injured. For example, when a wrench is used to loosen a nut, an operator may slip and be cut by a blade or other sharp object. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved blade release systems. In particular, a quick release blade system that allows an operator to safely remove the blade would be advantageous. Disclosure of Invention Various aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology. According to one embodiment, a lawn mower is provided. The mower includes a mower deck, a power source coupled to the mower deck, a motor selectively powered by the power source, a drive shaft coupled to the motor and defining an axis of rotation, and a quick release blade assembly operatively coupled to the drive shaft, the quick release blade assembly including a base including an engagement interface, a retainer having a locking feature, a blade disposed between the base and the retainer, and an actuatable member including an engagement member selectively displaceable relative to the engagement interface between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration when the actuatable member translates in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the engagement member is configured to interface with the locking feature to selectively couple the blade to the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the locked configuration. According to another embodiment, a quick release blade assembly for a lawn mower is provided. The quick release blade assembly includes a base including an engagement interface, a retainer having a locking feature, a blade disposed between the base and the retainer, and an actuatable member including an engagement member selectively displaceable relative to the engagement interface between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration when the actuatable member translates in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, wherein the engagement member is configured to interface with the locking feature to selectively couple the blade to the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the locked configuration. According to another embodiment, a method of releasing or attaching a blade relative to a quick release blade assembly of a lawn mower, wherein the lawn mower includes a drive shaft coupled with a motor and configured to rotatably drive the blade. The method includes translating an actuatable member including an engagement member in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the drive shaft, wherein translating the actuatable member is performed such that the engagement member translates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis, wherein translating the engagement member in a first direction couples the engagement member with a locking component of a retainer of the quick release blade assembly, and wherein translating the engagement member in a second direction decouples the engagement member from the locking component. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology. Drawings A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes and uses the present system and method, reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mower according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a quick