Multifunctional mobile appliance
First Claim
1. A vegetation cutting device comprisingcutting means, filtration means for preventing contact between said cutting means and objects whose three dimensions are each substantially equal to the diameter of a human finger where said contact prevention exists substantially independent of the three dimensional direction from which said objects approach said cutting means, and means for rotating said cutting means about an axis of rotation which constrains all points on said cutting means to travel on a path defining a plane that intersects at most one space through which objects may traverse said filtration means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit 1 would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters. In the instance of a mowing application, the cutting blades are surrounded by a cage that allows grass to enter, but excludes sticks, stones, fingers or toes. The mowing blade assembly can trim over the top of yard edging. The battery-powered device can recharge itself and a wireless link enables the appliance to communicate with its user and a user support network via the World Wide Web.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vegetation cutting device comprising
cutting means, filtration means for preventing contact between said cutting means and objects whose three dimensions are each substantially equal to the diameter of a human finger where said contact prevention exists substantially independent of the three dimensional direction from which said objects approach said cutting means, and means for rotating said cutting means about an axis of rotation which constrains all points on said cutting means to travel on a path defining a plane that intersects at most one space through which objects may traverse said filtration means.
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18. A method of cutting vegetation comprising the steps of
blocking contact between a cutting element and objects whose three dimensions are each substantially equal to the diameter of a human finger where the contact blocking exists substantially independent of the three dimensional direction from which the objects approach the cutting element, and rotating the cutting element about an axis of rotation which constrains all points on the cutting element to travel on a path defining a plane that intersects at most one space through which objects may contact the cutting element.
Specification