A safety cutting tool includes an electrically conductive cutting member, an electric motor for actuating the cutting member, a gripping handle electrically insulated from the cutting tool, a cutting trigger control that can be actuated by the hand of the user gripping the gripping handle, the cutting trigger control being electrically insulated from the cutting tool, an emergency stop device sensitive to a user coming into contact with the cutting member. The emergency stop device is controlled by a comparator comparing an impedance of a first electric circuit comprising the cutting tool and a second electric circuit used as a reference, the first and second circuits having manual contact electrodes provided on at least one of the gripping handle of the tool and the cutting trigger control. A method for controlling such a tool is also disclosed. The tool and method are is-applicable to electric secateurs and shears.

A safety cutting tool includes an electrically conductive cutting member, an electric motor for actuating the cutting member, a gripping handle electrically insulated from the cutting tool, a cutting trigger control that can be actuated by the hand of the user gripping the gripping handle, the cutting trigger control being electrically insulated from the cutting tool, an emergency stop device sensitive to a user coming into contact with the cutting member. The emergency stop device is controlled by a comparator comparing an impedance of a first electric circuit comprising the cutting tool and a second electric circuit used as a reference, the first and second circuits having manual contact electrodes provided on at least one of the gripping handle of the tool and the cutting trigger control. A method for controlling such a tool is also disclosed. The tool and method are is-applicable to electric secateurs and shears.

The invention provides a tool, device comprising such a tool and a method using such a device for the automated separation of a branch of a plant. The tool comprises a frame, a first separating body, a first displacement unit for moving the first separating body to and fro with respect to the frame between a start position and an end position, and which first separating body is configured for producing a separation in the branch during the move from the start position to the end position. The tool furthermore comprises a pushing element and a second displacement unit for moving the first separating body and the pushing element towards each other and away from each other between an approaching position and a separating position, in which the pushing element and the first separating body are configured for causing a first elongate part of the plant to extend therebetween in the approaching position and for the pushing element to push the first elongate part of the plant in the direction of the separation plane belonging to the first separation body against a side of the first elongate part of the plant facing away from the branch of the plant during displacement of the pushing element in a pushing direction from the approaching position to the separating position.

The invention provides a tool, device comprising such a tool and a method using such a device for the automated separation of a branch of a plant. The tool comprises a frame, a first separating body, a first displacement unit for moving the first separating body to and fro with respect to the frame between a start position and an end position, and which first separating body is configured for producing a separation in the branch during the move from the start position to the end position. The tool furthermore comprises a pushing element and a second displacement unit for moving the first separating body and the pushing element towards each other and away from each other between an approaching position and a separating position, in which the pushing element and the first separating body are configured for causing a first elongate part of the plant to extend therebetween in the approaching position and for the pushing element to push the first elongate part of the plant in the direction of the separation plane belonging to the first separation body against a side of the first elongate part of the plant facing away from the branch of the plant during displacement of the pushing element in a pushing direction from the approaching position to the separating position.

Electric pruning shears include: a first blade including a first blade portion that cuts an object to be cut and a first support base portion extended in a direction different from the first blade portion as viewed from the pivot portion; and the second blade including a second blade portion that cuts the object to be cut by sandwiching the object to be cut together with the first blade portion and a second support base portion extended in a direction different from the second blade portion as viewed from the pivot portion. The first blade portion is a convex curved blade with an intermediate portion from the pivot portion side to a distal end convexed, and the second blade portion is a concave curved blade with an intermediate portion from the pivot portion side to a distal end concaved. A bevel angle of the second blade portion gradually becomes obtuse from the pivot portion side to the distal end. At least one of the first support base portion and the second support base portion is connected to a power transmitter that transmits power from a drive source that is electrically driven. With this configuration, electric pruning shears capable of satisfactorily performing cutting without blade slippage even when the object to be cut is a thick branch, thereby making it possible to improve user’s satisfaction.

An electric pole pruner having a spring returned cutting head and equipped with a drive unit having an electric motor coupled to a drum via an epicyclic gear assembly is configured to reduce rotation speed and to increase torque. A string element is coupled to the drum of the drive unit, and to the cutting head so as to actuate the cutting head. The pole pruner further includes a locking arrangement to selectively lock or release a ring gear of the gear assembly so as to convert rotation of the electric motor into rotation of the drum when the ring gear is locked, and to convert rotation of the drum into rotation of the ring gear when the ring gear is released.

An electric pole pruner having a spring returned cutting head and equipped with a drive unit having an electric motor coupled to a drum via an epicyclic gear assembly is configured to reduce rotation speed and to increase torque. A string element is coupled to the drum of the drive unit, and to the cutting head so as to actuate the cutting head. The pole pruner further includes a locking arrangement to selectively lock or release a ring gear of the gear assembly so as to convert rotation of the electric motor into rotation of the drum when the ring gear is locked, and to convert rotation of the drum into rotation of the ring gear when the ring gear is released.

The invention relates to an end-effector device and automated selective thinning system. The system includes vision acquisition hardware, kinematic targeting and heuristic programming, a robotic arm, and a pomologically designed end-effector. The system is utilized to improve efficiency for the fruit-thinning process in a tree orchard, such as peach thinning. By automating the mechanical process of fruit thinning, selective fruit-thinners can eliminate manual labor inputs and further enhance favorable blossom removal. Automation used in conjunction with a heuristic approach provides improvements to the system. The system may also be configured as a robotic arm or as a handheld system by including a battery and switching microcontroller with handle or wrist straps. Handheld thinning devices that are mechanical in nature may also be part of the system.

The invention relates to an end-effector device and automated selective thinning system. The system includes vision acquisition hardware, kinematic targeting and heuristic programming, a robotic arm, and a pomologically designed end-effector. The system is utilized to improve efficiency for the fruit-thinning process in a tree orchard, such as peach thinning. By automating the mechanical process of fruit thinning, selective fruit-thinners can eliminate manual labor inputs and further enhance favorable blossom removal. Automation used in conjunction with a heuristic approach provides improvements to the system. The system may also be configured as a robotic arm or as a handheld system by including a battery and switching microcontroller with handle or wrist straps. Handheld thinning devices that are mechanical in nature may also be part of the system.

A cutting apparatus for trimming an article, the apparatus has a manually grasped power element with a reciprocating arm having a removably engagable rotatable couple including a selectable rotational index position lock. Also included is a cutting head assembly that is removable and rotationally indexable relative to the power element, the cutting head having a pair of cutting blades for trimming the article. Wherein operationally, the reciprocating arm drives the cutting blades that have scissor movement with the cutting head selectably rotatable to the power element, user wrist fatigue is reduced, also with the cutting head being removable from the power element, the cutting head assembly is easier to clean.