Blower with Speed Lockout

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/663,433, filed on Jun. 24, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to blowers, and more particularly to blowers having a speed lockout feature.

Blowers are generally used to produce and output a stream of air to be directed by the user. Blowers are frequently utilized in outdoor applications, such as to blow leaves and other debris. Homeowners frequently utilized such blowers to clean their yards and outdoor spaces. The types of blowers can vary between backpack-style blowers and handheld blowers, as well as between gas-powered and electric blowers. Electric blowers can be corded and plugged into electrical outlets, or can be cordless and battery powered.

An operator of a blower may desire to prevent operation of the motor of the blower at various speeds. Accordingly, blowers having a speed lockout feature are desirable and would be advantageous.

Aspects and advantages of the present disclosure 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.

In accordance with one embodiment, a blower is provided. The blower includes a main body; an air duct extending between an air inlet and an air outlet opposite the air inlet, the air duct including an air duct body; a motor for driving a fan disposed in the air duct body between the air inlet and the air outlet; a speed selector in communication with the motor for controlling a motor speed, the speed selector including two or more speed settings for the motor speed; an indicator configured to indicate a locked state of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector; and a controller operably coupled to the motor, the speed selector, and the indicator. The controller is configured to receive a speed lockout signal including a locked speed, receive a desired speed setting from the speed selector, determine the desired speed is locked based on the desired speed being equal to the locked speed, activate the indicator based on the desired speed being locked, and prevent operation of the blower based on the desired speed being locked. The locked speed corresponds to at least one or the two or more speed settings of the speed selector.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of operating a blower is provided. The method of operating a blower includes receiving a speed lockout signal including a locked speed, receiving a desired speed setting from the speed selector, determining the desired speed is locked based on the desired speed being equal to the locked speed, activating an indicator disposed on the blower based on the desired speed being locked, and preventing operation of the blower based on the desired speed being locked. The locked speed corresponds to one or more of two or more speed settings of a speed selector for controlling a motor speed of the blower.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure 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.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation, rather than limitation of, the technology. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present technology without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed technology. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising.” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive- or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

Terms of approximation, such as “about,” “generally,” “approximately,” or “substantially,” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems are described below with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.

In general, an operator of a blower may desire to prevent operation of the motor of the blower at various speeds. More particularly, the owner of the blower may desire to prevent users other than the owner from operating the motor of the blower are various speeds. Such speed lockout may be done wirelessly via an external device and/or via a wired connection with the blower. Accordingly, a speed lockout feature for blowers that allow an owner of the blower to prevent operation at various motor speeds is desirable.

Referring now to the drawings,illustrates a blower toolhaving a main bodyand a blower unit. While the blower toolillustrated inis a backpack blower configured to be worn on a user's back, e.g., with backpack supports, the features of the present invention may be implemented for a handheld blower (not illustrated), e.g., a handheld axial fan blower or a centrifugal fan blower. A motor (not shown) may be disposed within the main bodyor the blower unit. Additionally, a power sourcemay be removably coupled to the blower tooland configured to supply power to the motor. For example, the power sourcemay include one or more batteries removably coupled to a portion of the blower tool. In other example embodiments, the blower toolmay include a corded electric power source and/or a gas power source.

In at least one example embodiment, the blower unitincludes an air ductextending from an air inletto an air outlet. The air ductmay be formed by an air duct bodyand a blower tube. For example, the air duct bodymay define the air inletat one end thereof. The air duct bodymay be coupled, directly or indirectly, with the blower tubeat an opposite end relative to the air inlet. For example, an elbow tubemay be provided between the air duct bodyand the blower tubeas shown in. Alternatively, e.g., in a handheld blower (not shown), the air duct bodymay be directly coupled to the blower tube. In some example embodiments, a bellowsmay be provided between the air duct bodyand the blower tube, e.g., to enable the blower tubeto pivotably move and/or rotate relative to the air duct body.

As shown in, the blower unitmay also include a handle. The handlemay be coupled to the blower tubesuch that a user may grip the handleto move and/or rotate the blower tuberelative to the air duct body. The handlemay be coupled to the blower tubeadjacent the air outlet. For example, the handlemay be positioned between the bellowsand the air outletof the blower tube. Additionally, the handlemay include a base portionextending from the blower tubeand an end portioncoupled to the base portionopposite the blower tube. A user may grip the handleduring operation of the blower toolat the base portionand/or the end portion.

Additionally, the handlemay include a speed selectorand an indicator. For example, the speed selectorand the indicatormay be disposed on the base portionof the handle. In other example embodiments, one or both of the speed selectorand the indicatormay be disposed on the end portionof the handle.

The speed selectoris in communication with the motor of the blower toolfor controlling a motor speed. For example, the speed selectorincludes two or more speed settings for the motor of the blower tool. In at least one example embodiment, the speed selector may include a rotary knob, one or more buttons, or any other actuator for selecting two or more speed settings for the motor of the blower tool.

Moreover, the indicatoris configured to indicate a locked state and/or an unlocked state of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector. For example, the indicatormay include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for visually communicating a locked state of one or more of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorto the operator. In other example embodiments, the indicatormay include one or more incandescent lamps and/or a display, such as an LCD.

Additionally, the speed selectorand the indicatormay be in electrical communication with a controller. The controllermay be disposed in the blower unit, as shown in, and configured to control operation of the blower tool, as will be discussed with respect to.

is a schematic view of a control systemin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

In at least one example embodiment, the controllermay be configured as part of the control system. The control systemcan include one or more computing device(s). Notably, the controllermay be one of the one or more computing device(s)of the exemplary control systemdepicted in. The computing device(s)may be configured to execute one or more methods in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present disclosure (such as methoddescribed below with reference to). The computing device(s)can include one or more processor(s)and one or more memory device(s). The one or more processor(s)can include any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, logic device, or other suitable processing device. The one or more memory device(s)can include one or more computer-readable media, including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable media, RAM, ROM, hard drives, flash drives, or other memory devices.

The one or more memory device(s)can store information accessible by the one or more processor(s), including computer-readable instructionsthat can be executed by the one or more processor(s). The instructionscan be any set of instructions that when executed by the one or more processor(s), cause the one or more processor(s)to perform operations. The instructionscan be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. In some example embodiments, the instructionscan be executed by the one or more processor(s)to cause the one or more processor(s)to perform operations, such as the operations for regulating fuel flow, as described herein, and/or any other operations or functions of the one or more computing device(s). Additionally, and/or alternatively, the instructionscan be executed in logically and/or virtually separate threads on processor. The memory device(s)can further store datathat can be accessed by the processors.

The computing device(s)can also include a communications interfaceused to communicate, for example, with the components of blower tool, such as the speed selector, the indicator, the motor, and/or other computing device(s). The communications interfacecan include any suitable components for interfacing with these components or one or more communications network(s), including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, wired communication buses, or other suitable components. For example, the communication interfacemay be in communication with an external device via a wired or wireless connection. The external device may include a mobile phone, computer, laptop, tablet, or other device. The control systemmay also be in communication (e.g., via communications interface) with various sensors and may selectively operate the motor of the blower toolin response to user input and feedback from these sensors.

The technology discussed herein makes reference to computer-based systems and actions taken by and information sent to and from computer-based systems. It should be appreciated that the inherent flexibility of computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possible configurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionality between and among components. For instance, processes discussed herein can be implemented using a single computing device or multiple computing devices working in combination. Databases, memory, instructions, and applications can be implemented on a single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributed components can operate sequentially or in parallel.

is a flow chart of a methodof operating a blower in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

In at least one example embodiment, the methodincludes receiving a speed lockout signal at. The speed lockout signal includes a locked speed corresponding to at least one or the two or more speed settings of the speed selector. For example, the two or more speeds of the speed selectormay include a first speed setting, a second speed, setting, and a third speed setting, and the locked speed may be equal to one or more of the first speed setting, the second speed, setting, and the third speed setting. Moreover, the speed lockout signal may be received by the communications interfaceof the controller system. For example, receiving the speed locket signal atmay include receiving the speed lockout signal from an external device via the communications interface, as discussed above with respect to. Additionally, the controlleris configured to save the locked speed until a new locked speed is received via the speed lockout signal at.

In other example embodiments, receiving the speed lockout signal atmay include receiving the speed lockout signal from a lock speed actuator. For example, the lock speed actuator may be disposed on the handle, the main body, or the blower unitof the blower tool. The lock speed actuator may be electrically coupled to the controllerfor communicating the locked speed to the controller. The lock speed actuator may be a button, rotary knob, or other actuator or user interface for selecting one or more of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorto be in the locked state.

If no speeds are locked or no speed lockout signal is received at, such that the two or more speed settings are unlocked, the methodproceeds to receiving a desired speed setting at. Receiving the desired speed setting atmay include receiving the desired speed setting from the speed selector. The desired speed setting includes one of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector. For example, the operator of the blower toolmay actuate the speed selectorto the desired speed setting. Accordingly, the motor of the blower toolis operated at the desired speed setting at.

If the speed lockout signal received atincludes a locked speed, the methodproceeds to determining which of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorcorrespond to the locked speed at. For example, the locked speed may include one of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector, such as the first speed setting, the second speed setting, or the third speed setting, at. Alternatively, the locked speed may include two or more of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorat.

The methodproceeds to activating an indicator at. Activating the indicator atincludes activating the indicatorassociated with each of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorcorresponding to the locked speed. For example, the indicatormay include a first indicator associated with the first speed of the speed selector, a second indicator associated with the second speed of the speed selector, and a third indicator associated with the third speed of the speed selector. If the locked speed is the first speed at, the first indicator of the indicatoris activated. Additionally, or alternatively, if the locked speed includes two or more of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorat, such as the second speed setting and the third speed setting, the second indicator and the third indicator of the indicatormay both be activated at.

The methodincludes receiving the desired speed setting at. Receiving the desired speed setting atmay include receiving the desired speed setting from the speed selector. The desired speed setting includes one of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector. For example, the operator of the blower toolmay actuate the speed selectorto the desired speed setting. If the desired speed setting is unlocked, such as not equal to the locked speed, at, the motor of the blower toolis operated at the desired speed at. The motor of the blower toolmay continued to be operated at the desired speed until the operator selects a new desired speed via the speed selector. Accordingly, the methodmay return to receiving the desired speed setting at.

If the desired speed setting is locked at, operation of the blower toolis prevented. For example, the motor of the blower toolis unable to operate at the desired speed because the desired speed is equal to the locked speed. The methodproceeds to activating the indicator at. Activating the indicator atmay include activating the indicator associated with the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorthat corresponds to the locked speed. For example, if the locked speed includes the first speed and the desired speed setting is the first speed, the indicatorassociated with the first speed of the speed selectormay be activated at. Moreover, the indicatormay be an LED, and activating the indicator atmay include flashing the LED.

After activating the indicator at, the methodreturns to receiving the desired speed setting at. In some example embodiments, the operator of the blower toolselects or changes the desired speed setting via the speed selectorto one of the two or more speed settings that is unlocked, or not equal to the locked speed. In some additional example embodiments, the controllermay automatically adjust the desired speed setting atto one of the two or more speed settings of the speed selectorthat is unlocked.

Further aspects of the disclosure are provided by one or more of the following embodiments:

A blower includes a main body; an air duct extending between an air inlet and an air outlet opposite the air inlet, the air duct including an air duct body; a motor for driving a fan disposed in the air duct body between the air inlet and the air outlet; a speed selector in communication with the motor for controlling a motor speed, the speed selector including two or more speed settings for the motor speed; an indicator configured to indicate a locked state of the two or more speed settings of the speed selector; and a controller operably coupled to the motor, the speed selector, and the indicator. The controller is configured to receive a speed lockout signal including a locked speed, receive a desired speed setting from the speed selector, determine the desired speed is locked based on the desired speed being equal to the locked speed, activate the indicator based on the desired speed being locked, and prevent operation of the blower based on the desired speed being locked. The locked speed corresponds to at least one or the two or more speed settings of the speed selector.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the desired speed is unlocked based on the desired speed being different than the locked speed; and operate the motor of the blower at the desired speed based on the desired speed being unlocked.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the two or more speed settings include a first speed setting, a second speed setting, and a third speed setting; the indicator includes a first indicator associated with the first speed setting, a second indicator associated with the second speed setting, and a third indicator associated with the third speed setting; the locked speed corresponds to one or more of the first speed setting, the second speed setting, and the third speed setting; and the controller is further configured to activate one or more of the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator corresponding to the locked speed in response to receiving the speed lockout signal.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the indicator comprises at least one indicator for each of the two or more speed settings.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein activating the indicator includes activating the indicator of one or more of the two or more speed settings that corresponds to the locked speed.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the controller is further configured to activate the indicator in response to receiving the speed lockout signal.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the indicator includes a light-emitting diode (LED); and activating the indicator in response to receiving the speed lockout signal includes flashing the LED.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the controller includes a communications interface; and receiving the speed lockout signal includes receiving the speed lockout signal from an external device via the communications interface.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the desired speed setting to an unlocked speed of the two or more speed settings; and operate the motor of the blower at the unlocked speed.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, further including a lock speed actuator, wherein the controller is configured to receive the speed lockout signal from the lock speed actuator; and a handle coupled to the air duct, the speed selector and the indicator disposed on the handle.

The blower of any one or more of the embodiments, further including a handle coupled to the air duct, the speed selector and the indicator disposed on the handle.

A method of operating a blower includes receiving a speed lockout signal including a locked speed, receiving a desired speed setting from the speed selector, determining the desired speed is locked based on the desired speed being equal to the locked speed, activating an indicator disposed on the blower based on the desired speed being locked, and preventing operation of the blower based on the desired speed being locked. The locked speed corresponds to one or more of two or more speed settings of a speed selector for controlling a motor speed of the blower.

The method of any one or more of the embodiments, further including determining the desired speed is unlocked based on the desired speed being different than the locked speed; and operating the blower at the desired speed based on the desired speed being unlocked.

The method of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the two or more speed settings include a first speed setting, a second speed setting, and a third speed setting; the indicator includes a first indicator associated with the first speed setting, a second indicator associated with the second speed setting, and a third indicator associated with the third speed setting; the locked speed corresponds to one or more of the first speed setting, the second speed setting, and the third speed setting; and the method further includes activating one or more of the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator corresponding to the locked speed in response to receiving the speed lockout signal.

The method of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the indicator includes at least one indicator for each of the two or more speed settings; and activating the indicator includes activating the indicator of one or more of the two or more speed settings that corresponds to the locked speed.