Pole assembly for vegetation cutting tool

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a small hand-held garden tool, for example a hedgetrimmer, having an electrically powered powerhead, and a detachable pole assembly. The powerhead can be used alone to cut nearby vegetation or in combination with a pole assembly to reach vegetation farther away. The powerhead has a separate handle and motor chamber, with the pole assembly being secured to the motor chamber. Actuation of the powerhead is controlled by a trigger on the handle. However, when connected to the pole assembly, actuation of the powerhead is controlled by a second trigger on the pole assembly.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An AC powered garden tool comprising:
 a powerhead having a motor, a handle, a first trigger for actuating the motor, and a power cord for plugging into an electrical outlet;   a detachable extension pole for connecting to the powerhead, the pole having a second trigger, wherein then the pole is electrically attached to the powerhead, actuation of the motor is controlled by the second trigger regardless of the state of the first trigger.   
     
     
         17 . The powered garden tool of  claim 16 , wherein the power cord has at least three electrical contacts. 
     
     
         18 . The powered garden tool of  claim 17 , further including an adapter that is connected to the power cord that allows the powerhead to be plugged into the electrical outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The powered garden tool of  claim 16 , wherein the second trigger can actuate the motor when the first trigger is in an off position. 
     
     
         20 . A powered garden tool comprising:
 a powerhead having a housing with a first handle, an electric motor located in said housing, and a first power cord to supply power to the motor, the first handle having a first trigger to actuate the motor;   a blade assembly extending out from a front portion of the housing and operatively connected to the motor;   a pole assembly adapted to be connected to the powerhead housing to extend the reach of the blade assembly, the pole assembly having an electrical connector on a first end, and second handle and a second power cord on a second end, the second handle having a second trigger, the electrical connector being electrically connected to the second power cord; and   wherein when the pole assembly is not attached to the powerhead, actuation of the motor is controlled by the first trigger, and when the pole assembly is attached to the powerhead and the first power cord is connected to the electrical connector of the pole assembly, actuation of the motor is controlled by the second trigger irrespective of the state of the first trigger.   
     
     
         21 . The powered garden tool of  claim 20 , wherein the first power cord having three electrical contacts. 
     
     
         22 . The powered garden tool of  claim 21 , further comprising an adapter cord capable of connecting the first power cord to an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         23 . The powered garden tool of  claim 20 , wherein when the pole assembly is attached to the powerhead, the first trigger is in an off position. 
     
     
         24 . The powered garden tool of  claim 23 , wherein the powerhead is pivotable relative to the pole assembly assembly. 
     
     
         25 . A method of attaching a pole assembly to a garden tool powerhead, comprising the steps of:
 providing a powerhead having a housing with a first handle, an electric motor located in said housing and a first power cord to supply power to the motor, the first handle having a first trigger to actuate the motor, a blade assembly extending out from a front portion of the housing and operatively connected to the motor;   attaching a pole assembly to the housing, the pole assembly having an electrical connector on a first end, and second handle and a second power cord on a second end, the second handle having a second trigger, the electrical connector being electrically connected to the second power cord;   connecting the electrical connector to the first power cord; and   wherein when the pole assembly is attached to the powerhead, actuation of the motor is controlled by the second trigger and the first trigger is in an off position.   
     
     
         26 . The method of attaching a pole assembly to a garden tool powerhead of  claim 25 , wherein the first power cord has three electrical contacts.