SE2050045A1 - Portable shaft system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a portable shaft system with means for attaching and operating various types of equipment. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400), comprises a stem (110; 210; 310; 410) having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; a first joint (120a, 220a, 320a; 420a) and a second joint (120b; 220b; 320b; 420b), each joint connected to a respective longitudinal end of the stem and moveably coupled to each other; a coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) connected to the second joint (120b; 220b; 320b; 420b), a handle (130; 230; 330; 430) connected to the first joint (120a; 220a; 320a; 420a), so that a movement of the handle (130; 230; 330; 430) about the first joint (120a; 220a; 320a; 420a) actuates a movement of the coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) about the second joint (120b; 220b; 320b; 420b); a tool or an equipment (150; 250; 350; 450), and wherein the coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) comprises coupling means adapted to enable the coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) to detachably couple to said tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 450).

Description

PORTABLE SHAFT SYSTEM Technical FieldThe inventive concept relates to a portable shaft system, and in particular to aportable shaft system with means for coupling to and operating various tools and equipment.

Backgroundln many fields, it is desirable to have equipment that allows for a higher freedom of movement and versatility. By having such equipment, most types of workcan be performed more efficiently. For instance, cleaning can be made moreeffective by using folding ladders which facilitates cleaning surfaces that are hard toreach, such as top shelf surfaces and curtain rods. However, ladders are not veryversatile as they only provide a greater elevation for a user and does not allow for anincreased range in a horizontal direction to the sides of the ladder. To remedy therange issue in a horizontal direction, cleaning personnel generally use equipmenthaving elongated handles. However, due to such elongated handles, the size of theequipment is increased, thereby making them more difficult to store effectively,especially a collection of such equipment. Similar issues exist in many fields of work,and there is thus a great need for a better and easier way of achieving high freedom of movement while also providing a solution that is versatile.

Some solutions today provide an improved freedom of movement, for instancepatent publication GB 2 415 683 which discloses a carrier device to which “recordingmeans” may be mounted. However, such carrier device lacks in freedom ofmovement, and in particularly lacks in versatility as it is intended for use for recodingmeans specifically. SE 201750531 A1 also discloses a device that offers animproved freedom of movement, however, there is room for improvement in aspects of freedom of movement and versatility.

Hence, there is a need for an invention that improves upon the versatility andthe mobility of existing solutions, which is easy to handle and to manufacture.

Summarylt is an object to provide an improved solution that alleviates the mentioned drawbacks with present solutions. The invention is defined by the appendedindependent ciaims, with embodiments being set forth in the appended dependentclaims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a portable shaft system with meansfor coupling to and operating various tools and equipment is provided. The portableshaft system may comprise a stem having a first longitudinal end and a secondlongitudinal end. The portable shaft system may comprise a first joint. The firstjointmay be connected to the first longitudinal end of the stem. The portable shaft systemmay comprise a second joint. The second joint may be connected to the secondlongitudinal end of the stem. Each of the first joint and the second joint may beconnected to a respective longitudinal end of the stem. The first joint and the secondjoint may be moveably coupled to each other. The portable shaft system maycomprise a coupling unit. The coupling unit may be connected to the second joint.The portable shaft system may comprise a handle. The handle may be connected tothe first joint such that a movement of the handle about the firstjoint actuates amovement of the coupling unit about the second joint. The portable shaft system maycomprise a tool or an equipment. The coupling unit may comprise coupling means adapted to enable the coupling unit to detachably couple to said tool or equipment.

By this, a single portable shaft system may advantageously be reconfiguredwith different tools and equipment for use in various applications. Moreover, thereach of a coupled tool or equipment may be improved. Moreover, the freedom of movement of a coupled tool or equipment may be improved.

The coupling means may be a threaded-hole in which a threaded componentof said tool or equipment may engage. The coupling means may be a clamp adaptedto securely engage with said tool or equipment. The coupling means may be a rodadapted to engage with a slot of the tool or equipment. The coupling means may bea permanent magnet. The coupling means may be an electromagnet operativelycontrolled between an ON state, in which it produces a magnetic field, and an OFFstate in which no magnetic field is produced. By means of magnetism, the couplingunit may couple to the tool or equipment. The coupling means may be a coupling adapter. The coupling adapter may facilitate a selected tool or equipment to becoupled to the coupling unit. The coupling adapter may be provided with one portionadapted to be coupled to the coupling unit. The coupling adapter may also beprovided with one portion adapted to be coupled to a specific type of tool orequipment. Depending on which tool or equipment the portable shaft system is to beequipped with, the appropriate coupling adapter may be mounted to the couplingunit. The selected tool or equipment may then be coupled to the coupling unit whenmounted to the coupling adapter. The coupling adapter may be produced as a solidcomponent, for instance by 3D printing.

According to some embodiments, the tool or equipment may be selected from agroup consisting of: tools and equipment for cleaning; tools and equipment forpainting; tools and equipment for aiding persons with temporal or permanentdisability; tools and equipment for life-saving, fire-fighting, protective and safe-keeping purposes; tools and equipment for the construction, repairing, inspection,and maintenance of vehicles, construction works, industrial works; tools andequipment for gardening, forest keeping; tools and equipment for agriculture; toolsand equipment for leisure activities; tools and equipment for military purposes; toolsand equipment for scientific, medical, photographic, optical and surveillancepurposes. By this, a versatile portable system is provided. The same portable shaftsystem may be reconfigured for different uses. The reach and freedom of movement when using each tool or equipment is improved.

Tools and equipment for cleaning may for instance be a squeegee, a spraycleaner, a sponge, a mop, a cleaning cloth, a scrub brush. lt may also be a vacuumhead of a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum head may be coupled to the motor of thevacuum cleaner. The portable shaft system may comprise attachment means forattaching a hose connecting the vacuum head to the motor to the stem. By this, theportable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related to this areaof application.

Tools and equipment for painting may for instance be a roller, a paint spray, apad painter, a sealant tool, a caulking tool, a scraper. The portable shaft system maycomprise attachment means for attaching a hose connecting a paint outlet (e.g. thepaint spray or pad painter) to a paint reservoir. The portable shaft system may comprise a pump adapted to move the paint from the paint reservoir to the paintoutlet. By this, the portable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related to this area of application.

Tools and equipment for aiding persons with temporal or permanent disabilitymay for instance be a gripping device or a pick-up tool. The gripping device may be aclaw which can be operated to open and to close from the handle. The pick-up toolmay be an air-suction device. Such a pick-up tool may allow a user to pick uplightweight objects, for instance a letter, a paper, a brochure, trash, etc. The pick-uptool permanent magnet or an electromagnet. Such a pick-up tool may allow a user topick up metal objects such as coins, pins, needles, etc. By this, the portable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related to this area of application.

Tools and equipment for life-saving, fire-fighting, protective and safe-keepingpurposes. For instance, such a tool may be a heat sensor. The heat sensor may beconfigured to send heat sensing information to a processing unit. The processing unitmay be communicatively coupled to a display unit. Heat sensing information sensedby the heat sensor may be displayed on the display unit. The heat sensinginformation may be represented as a temperature. The display unit may be awearable device. The display unit may be a head-mounted device. The display unitmay be an optical head-mounted device designed in the shape of a pair ofeyeglasses. By equipping the portable shaft system with a heat sensor from whichheat sensing information is visualized in some form on the wearable display device, auser wearing the wearable device may perform a search and rescue operation in aconfined space filled with smoke and be provided with information where thetemperature exceeds a limit of which the user may withstand, even if wearing heartprotective clothing. Moreover, the user may be less exposed to heating radiation. Thetools and equipment for fire-fighting may be a fire extinguisher head. The fireextinguisher head may be fluidly coupled to a fluid reservoir. By this, the reach of afire extinguishing operation is increased. Moreover, the direction of fire extinguishingmay be adjusted by operating the handle. This may facilitate extinguishing firelocated in hard to reach spaces such as corners or confined spaces. By this, theportable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related to these areas of application.

Tools and equipment for the construction, repairing, inspection, andmaintenance of vehicles, construction works, industrial works. Vehicles may forinstance be road vehicles, trains, marine vehicles, air vehicles, space vehicles or thelike. Construction works may for instance be buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, roads,monuments, etc. Industrial works may be power plants, pipelines, mining shafts etc.By this, the portable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related to these areas of application.

Tools and equipment for gardening, forest keeping, agriculture may be a rake, apruning saw, a shovel, hedge shears, gardening fork, garden trowel, a watering can,a seeding unit, a fertilizing unit, a garden hose head fluidly coupled to a waterreservoir by means of a hose, an axe, a pickaxe, a trimmer, a scythe, a rake, etc. Bythis, the portable shaft system may be configured with tools or equipment related tothese areas of application.

Tools and equipment for leisure activities may for instance be a paint-ball gun, laser dome tools and equipment, a hunting rifle, binoculars etc.

Tools and equipment for military purposes may be a projectile weapon, such asa firearm or an automatic rifle. The portable shaft system may comprise imagingmeans adapted to provide an image in the direction of aim of the projectile weapon.By this, a user may fire on a target from behind cover, either around a corner of thecover or from above or below a cover. Moreover, the tools and equipment for militarypurposes may comprise an image recording device for enabling infrared vision, nightvision. Moreover, the tools and equipment for military purposes may comprise a mine detection device.

Tools and equipment for scientific, medical, photographic, optical andsurveillance purposes may also be coupled to the portable shaft system. Forinstance, tools and equipment for scientific purposes may be an accelerometer, anammeter, a voltmeter, an ohmmeter, a bolometer, a caliper, a declinometer, adensimeter, a densitometer, a fathometer, a Geiger counter, a radiometer, a lux meter, a magnetometer, a manometer, a pH-meter, or a wind vane.

According to some embodiments, the tool or equipment configured may beselected from a group consisting of: a gripping device, a holding device, a cutting tool, a nozzle, a Cleaning article, a vacuum cleaner, an image recording device, asound recording device, a radar unit, a light emitting and/or receiving unit, a wirelessnetwork detection device, a vacuum pick-up tool, a paint sprayer, a projectile propulsion device.

According to some embodiments, the handle may be detachably coupled to thefirstjoint. The handle may be selected from a group of handles consisting of handlesadapted to work in tandem with the group of tools and equipment. By this, theportable shaft system may enable operative control of a tool or equipment coupled tothe coupling unit.

According to some embodiments, the first and second joints may be movablycoupled to each other by a plurality of wires. By this, a simple and reliable means forcoupling the two joints together is provided.

According to some embodiments, the portable shaft system comprises anactuator configured to operatively control the tool or equipment. The actuator may bea separate device configured to be attached to the handle. The actuator may be anintegral part of the handle. The actuator may allow a user of the portable shaft system with a way of easily and efficiently operating the tool or equipment.

According to some embodiments, the portable shaft system comprisesconnective means providing mechanic, fluidic, pneumatic, electric, or wirelessconnectivity between the actuator and the tool or equipment. By this, the portableshaft system is suitable for an increased number of applications, which are discussedin more detail in the detailed description.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the two joints is a single balljoint. ln some embodiments, the two or more joints are all single ball joints.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the two joints is a double balljoint. ln some embodiments, the two or more joints are all double ball joints.

According to some embodiments, the stem of the portable shaft system is telescopic. By this, the reach of the portable shaft system may be increased.

According to some embodiments, the portable shaft system comprises a wirecoil to which at least one wire is attached, which wire coil is configured to be spunabout its coil axis to tighten or loosen the at least one wire. By this, the functionalityof the portable shaft system with respect to the joints is maintained irrespective of thetelescopic configuration of the stem.

The portable shaft system may incorporate more than two joints. For instance,the portable shaft system may comprise two stems and three joints, wherein twojoints are connected to one respective end of each of the two stems, and one jointconnects the two stems together. By this, the reach of the portable shaft system maybe increased.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs The inventive concept, some non-limiting embodiments and furtheradvantages of the inventive concept will in the following be further described withreference to the enclosed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates the portable shaft system according to one embodiment of theinventive concept; Fig. 2 illustrates the portable shaft system according to one embodiment of theinventive concept; Figs. 3A to 3J illustrate schematically various types of tools or equipment of aportable shaft system according to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B illustrate the portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the portable shaft system accordingto one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 6 illustrates a joint portion of the portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B illustrate some components of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 7C illustrates some components of the portable shaft system whenassembled according to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a component of the portable shaft system according to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate a component of the portable shaft system accordingto one embodiment of the inventive concept; Figs. 10A and 10B illustrate a component of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Figs. 11A and 11B illustrate a component of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 12A illustrates a joint portion of the portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 12B illustrates a joint portion of the portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 12C and Fig. 12D illustrate a joint portion of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B illustrate a component of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B illustrate a component of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B illustrate a component of the portable shaft systemaccording to one embodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B illustrate a portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B illustrate a portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept; Fig. 18A and Fig. 18B illustrate a portable shaft system according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept, Fig. 19 illustrates a portable shaft system according to one embodiment of the inventive concept.

Description of Embodiments The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which preferred and non-limiting embodiments of theinventive concept are shown. The inventive concept may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the presentinventive concept will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. ln the drawings, like numbers refer tolike elements.

Shortly described, the inventive concept relates to a portable shaft system,and in particular to a portable shaft system with means for attaching and operating various types of tools or equipment.

Fig. 1 illustrates a portable shaft system 100 according to one embodiment ofthe inventive concept. The portable shaft system 100, as illustrated in Fig. 1,comprises a stem 110. The stem 110 is provided with a first longitudinal end and asecond longitudinal end. The portable shaft system 100 comprises two joints 120a,120b, i.e. a first joint 120a and a second joint 120b. Each joint 120a, 120b isconnected to a respective longitudinal end of the stem 110. The firstjoint 120a andthe second joint 120b of the portable shaft system 100 are moveably coupled to eachother. ln this case, by moveably coupled, it is meant that a pivoting motion of the firstjoint 120a causes a pivoting motion of the second joint 120b. ln some embodiments,the first joint 120a and the second joint 120b are coupled to each other by means ofone or more wires housed in the stem 110. The first and second joint may be single-ball joints 120a, 120b. The first and second joint may be double-ball joints 220a,220b. The portable shaft system 100 may incorporate alternative types of joints known in the state of the art.

Generally, a joint 120, 220, 320a, 320b of the present disclosure comprises atleast two parts moveably coupled to each other. Each respective joint part is adaptedto be connected to a handle or a stem, or a coupling unit or the stem, respectively,depending on the location of the joint. When the handle and the stem, or the couplingunit and the stem, respectively, are attached to a joint, the two joint parts may beoriented relative each other so as to align the handle with the stem, or the couplingunit with the stem, or at least arrange these respective components in parallel withone another, i.e. the angle between axes defined by each of the two joint parts are180 degrees. Such an orientation of a joint is in the following referenced to as analigned state.

Moreover, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 may in some embodimentscomprise two joints, wherein only one of the joints is able to be oriented in an aligned state. Moreover, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 may in some embodimentscomprise two joints, wherein the two joints are able to be oriented in an aligned state, but not simultaneously. ln some embodiments, the portable shaft system 100 comprises a couplingunit 140. The coupling unit 140 may be connected to the second joint 120b. ln someembodiments, the portable shaft system 100 comprises a handle 130. The handle130 may be connected to the firstjoint 120a. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 -2, 4a, 4b comprise a handle 130 and a coupling unit 140 and arranged as previouslystated. Each joint 120a, 120b enables the handle 130 and the coupling unit 140,respectively, to be moved relative the stem 110. A movement of the handle 130about the first joint 120a actuates a movement of the coupling unit 140 about thesecond joint 120b. The joints 120a, 120b may be so configured so that the handle130 and the coupling unit 140 may be pivoted relative the stem between -90 and 90degrees. Moreover, the first joint 120a may be configured so that the second joint120b mirrors the pivoting motion of the firstjoint 120a. Alternatively, the firstjoint120a may be configured so that the second joint 120b follows the pivoting motion ofthe first joint 120a. These two modes wherein the second joint 120b mirrors orfollows the firstjoint 120a are referred to as S-mode and C-mode respectively, due tothe overall shape of the portable shaft system 100 achieved when moving the firstand second joints 120a, 120b. The portable shaft system 100 may be configured tobe able to switch between the S-mode and the C-mode.

Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the coupling unit 140 may be configured tocouple to various tools or equipment 150. ln the case of cleaning, the coupling unit140 may be configured to couple to a tool or equipment, such as tools and cleaningarticles, for instance mops, sponges, cleaning cloth (disposable and/or reusable).The portable shaft system 100 may thus advantageously extend the range of a toolor equipment, and in particular allow a tool or equipment to reach areas that are difficult to reach otherwise.

The tool or equipment which may be coupled to the coupling unit may beselected from a group consisting of:a gripping device, a holding device, a cutting tool, a nozzle, a cleaning article, a vacuum cleaner, an image recording device, a sound recording device, a radar 11 unit, a light emitting and/or receiving unit, a wireless network detection device, avacuum pick-up tool, a paint sprayer, a projectile propulsion device. The portableshaft system 100 equipped with any of these tools or equipment is discussed in moredetail in reference to Figs. 3A to 3J. lt is to be understood that the portable shaftsystem may be adapted to couple to other types of tools or equipment in variousfields as well. For instance, tools and equipment for painting; for aiding persons withtemporal or permanent disability; for life-saving, fire-fighting, protective and safe-keeping purposes; for the construction, repairing, inspection, and maintenance ofvehicles, construction works, industrial works; for gardening, forest keeping,agriculture; for leisure activities; for military purposes; for scientific, medical, photographic, optical and surveillance purposes. ln some embodiments, the portable shaft system 100 comprises an actuator160 configured to operatively control the tool or equipment 150. The actuator 160may be a separate unit configured to attach to the handle 130. The actuator 160 maybe an integral unit of the handle 130. ln some embodiments, the portable shaftsystem 100 comprises connective means 110x providing operative connectivity withbetween the actuator 160 and the tool or equipment 150. The operative connectivitybetween the actuator 160 and the tool or equipment 150 may be mechanic, fluidic,pneumatic, or electric connectivity. ln the case of mechanic connectivity, theconnective means 110x may be a bar, a rod, one or more wires, or the like. ln thecase of fluidic or pneumatic connectivity, the connective means 110x may be one ormore tubes, or the like. ln the case of electric connectivity, the connective means100x one or more electrical cables or wires or the like. The connective means 110xmay be arranged in the stem 110. The connective means 110x may be arranged toextend through the portable shaft system 100 between the actuator 160 and the toolor equipment 150. One end of the connective means 110x may exit the portable shaftsystem 100 at a suitable location for allowing operative connectivity to the too orequipment. Said one end of the connective means 110x may exit the portable shaftsystem 100 at the handle 130, the stem 110, the coupling unit 140, either the firstand/or second joints 120a, 120b. The connective means 110x may extend throughthe first joint 120a and the second joint 120b. To establish operative connectivitybetween the actuator 160 and the tool or equipment 150, the connective means 110xmay optionally extend through at least one of the first and second joints 120a, 120b. 12 ln such a case, the first and second joints 120a, 120b may be sized in shape andform so as not to be limited in movement by the connective means 110x extendingthrough each joint 120a, 120b. For instance, the connective means 110x may haveflexible portions that allow for a wide range of movement of the first and secondjoints. Moreover, the first and second joints may be provided with cavities intended tohouse portions of the connective means 110x. ln Fig. 2, the portable shaft system 100 is configured in S-mode, in which thesecond joint portion 120b mirrors the first joint portion 120a. The coupling unit 140 isangled relative the stem 110 at an angle of 90 degrees, as measured from the jointsaligned state. The coupling unit 140 may also be angled 90 degrees in the oppositedirection as measured from the joints aligned state. The portable shaft system 100may also be rotated axially by a user about a longitudinal axis Z of the stem 110.Thus, a tool or equipment 150 attached to the coupling unit 140 may be moved aboutin a hemisphere with a center in the second joint 120b, as illustrated in Fig. 2.Naturally, the portable shaft system 100 may be moved by a user in a longitudinaldirection Z of the stem 110, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2 next to the couplingunit 140 and the handle 130. When in a desired position, the actuator 160 may beoperated so as to operatively control the tool or equipment 150.

Figs. 3A to 3J illustrate schematically various types of tools or equipment thatmay be coupled to the portable shaft system according to any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 may be equipped withvarious tools or equipment. For instance, an image recording device (Fig. 3A), awireless transmitting/receiving unit (Fig. 3B), a cleaning device (Fig. 3C), a nozzle(Fig. 3D), a clamping tool (Fig. 3E), a radar device (Fig. 3F), a hedge trimmer (Fig.3G), a leaf blower (Fig. 3H), a vacuum cleaner (Fig. 3l) or a projectile weapon (Fig.3J). The actuator 160, 260, 360 may be configured to operatively control a tool orequipment when arranged to the coupling unit 140, 240, 340 while operatively connected to the actuator by the connective means 110x, 210x, 310x. ln some embodiment, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 comprises acoupling adapter for facilitating a selected tool or equipment to be coupled to thecoupling unit 140, 240, 340. The coupling adapter is provided with one portion whichis adapted to be coupled to the coupling unit. The coupling adapter is also provided 13 with one portion adapted to be coupled to a specific type of tool or equipment.Depending on which tool or equipment the portable shaft system is to be equippedwith, the appropriate coupling adapter is mounted to the coupling unit 140, 240, 340.The selected tool or equipment may then be coupled to the coupling unit 140, 240,340 when mounted to the coupling adapter. The coupling adapter may be producedas a solid component, for instance by 3D printing.

The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 advantageously offers greatversatility as it can be configured for various fields of use.

The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 may be configured with a wide rangeof tools and equipment. A tool or equipment may be angled with respect to the stem, thereby advantageously increasing its reach and freedom of movement.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe used to clean hard-to-reach surfaces, for instance those of a room divider. Such aroom divider may for instance be 2 by 2 meters in height and width and 30 cm indepth, and in the room divider, a plurality of shelves may be arranged. This presentsa multitude of surfaces that need to be cleaned, which may take considerable timeusing standard tools or equipment. However, the portable shaft system allows for amore efficient cleaning, since the equipped tool or equipment may be angled to adesirable angle for each level of surfaces. Thereby, surfaces located at a higher levelmay be just as easily cleaned as surfaces located at a lower level. Moreover, theportable shaft system 100, 200, 300 also enables cleaning back surfaces whenfacing a front surface of an object to be cleaned, when the tool or equipment isangled 90 degrees with respect to the stem 110, 210, 310.

The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 may be configured with a nozzle 150.

The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 could also be adapted with connectivemeans 110x, 210x, 310x that allows for fluidic/pneumatic connectivity between theactuator 160, 260, 360 and the nozzle 150. Moreover, the portable shaft system 100,200, 300 may comprise a reservoir containing fluid or gas, for instance paint, oil,grease, steam, water, cleaning chemicals or pesticide. Alternatively, the portableshaft system 100, 200, 300 may be configured to be connected to such a reservoir.The portable shaft system 100, 200, 300, when connected to a reservoir, can then 14 spray fluid or gas continuously to a target area. Moreover, since the portable shaftsystem 100, 200, 300 allows for the nozzle 150 to be angled to a desirable angle withrespect to the stem 110, 210, 310, the nozzle spray can be advantageously angled toa suitable angle for spraying said fluid or gas onto the target area.

According to one exemplary use, a portable shaft system 100, 200, 300configured with a nozzle may, for instance, be used for fighting fires; for spraypainting objects, such as houses, cars or the like; for washing cars or the like; forsteam cleaning surfaces; for washing dishes; for removing graffiti.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe configured with a gardening tool or equipment. The tool or equipment 150 may bea trimmer and the portable shaft system may be used for trimming hedges, trees,bushes. The tool or equipment 150 may be a cutter and the portable shaft systemmay be used for cutting grass. The tool or equipment may be a rake and the portableshaft system may be used for raking grass, twigs, leaves or the like. A garden may thus be more efficiently tidied up, using the portable shaft system.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system may be configuredwith an image recording device, or other types of measurement tools or equipment,for inspection, for instance for inspecting buildings, trucks, cars, aero planes, power plants, roads, climbing routes etc.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe used for picking up objects. The tool or equipment 150 may be a clamping deviceor an air suction device, and the shaft system 100, 200, 300 may be used for pickingup paper, misplaced objects, cigarettes, trash cans, various junk or garbage, or thelike. The environment may thus be advantageously more easily cleaned up.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe configured with a measurement device, and may be used for performingmeasurements. The measurement device may be selected from a group ofmeasurement devices consisting of an accelerometer, an ammeter, a voltmeter, anohmmeter, a bolometer, a caliper, a declinometer, a densimeter, a densitometer, afathometer, a Geiger counter, a radiometer, a lux meter, a magnetometer, a manometer, a pH-meter, or a wind vane.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe used for leisure activity, for instance paint ball or laser dome. The portable shaftsystem may be configured with an image and/or sound recording device and/or aradar, and it may be used, alone or in conjunction with other portable shaft systems,to measure the environment. Based on these measurements, a computing devicemay process these measurements and construct a virtual environment, in whichadvantageous positions and enemy locations are detected. A team leader can thenrelay information extracted from the virtual environment and inform team mates in theform of instructions how to move throughout the environment to avoid dangerouspositions where they are exposed for enemy fire, and advantageous positions wherethey can attack or ambush enemies. Alternatively, or complementary, the selectedinformation from the virtual environment may be fed to the team leader and team players as an overlay on which selected information may be inspected in real-time.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maysimilarly be used for military purposes. Moreover, the portable shaft system 100, 200,300 may be equipped with projectile weapons 150 so as to allow firing around corners, or above or below cover.

According to one exemplary use, the portable shaft system 100, 200, 300 maybe used to gather measurements of existing buildings, which are used to constructvirtual environments. Police force may then use these virtual environments to prepare and practice for fighting hostage situations or terrorist attacks.

Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B illustrate the portable shaft system 100 more clearly whenconfigured in S-mode and C-mode respectively. ln Fig. 4A, the portable shaft system100 is configured into the S-mode, while in Fig. 4B, the portable shaft system 100 isconfigured into a C-mode. ln some embodiments, the portable shaft system 100 isadapted to be able to switch between S-mode and C-mode. ln one embodiment, thisfunctionality of switching between S-mode and C-mode is provided by a stem 110having two stem parts, coaxially arranged and adapted to be axially rotated relativeeach other. ln a further embodiment, the portable shaft system comprises wiresconnecting the two joints 120a, 120b. By rotating the two stem parts relative eachother, the wires extending through the stem may be crossed or uncrossed,depending on whether the portable shaft system 100 is switched from C-mode to S- 16 mode or from S-mode to C-mode. ln one embodiment, the wires run in parallel in thestem 210 when the portable shaft system 100 is in S-mode, and are crossed when the portable shaft system 100 is in C-mode.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the portable shaft system accordingto one embodiment of the inventive concept. On each longitudinal end of the stem110, a joint 120a, 120b is arranged. ln the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, each joint120a, 120b is a single ball joint. Each joint 120a, 120b has a bearing 121 and aconnecting part 122. The bearing 121 is connected to one longitudinal end of thestem 110, and to a connecting part 122 on its opposite side. The connecting part 122is connected to an attachment portion 124. The attachment portion 124 comprises aplurality of notches housed within the attachment portion 124 for holding wires. Thehandle 130 and the coupling unit 140 is connected to the attachment portion 124. lnone embodiment, the wiring of the portable shaft system 100 is attached at one endin the handle 130 and at the other end in the coupling unit 140, drawn through thestem 110 and housed in the notches of the connecting parts and in correspondingholes of the bearing parts. The wiring enables the handle 130 and the coupling unit140 to be moved according to the S-mode or C-mode respectively.

Fig. 6 illustrates a joint of the portable shaft system according to the presentdisclosure. Here, thejoint 120 is illustrated when in a non-aligned state. Theconnecting part 122 comprising a ball-shaped portion is inserted into the attachmentportion 124. These are angled relative the bearing part 121 with an angle of 90degrees. When the joint 120 is bent, one of the wires, the first wire 125a, runs alonga larger circumferential length of the ball 123 than a second wire 125b. At the otherjoint, the opposite occurs: the first wire 125a runs along a shorter circumferentiallength of the ball than the second wire 125b.

Fig. 7A illustrates a bearing part 121 of a joint of the present disclosure. Thebearing part 121 comprises a plurality of holes 1212 for housing wires. ln someembodiments, the bearing part 121 s adapted to house four wires, in someembodiments it is adapted to house six wires, and in some embodiments it isadapted to house eight wires or more. The holes 1212 are preferably evenly spacedout around a circumference of the bearing part 121, i.e. circumferentially equidistant,as can be seen in Fig. 7A which illustrates the bearing part 121 embodied with four 17 holes. The bearing part 121 further comprises a receiving portion 1211 for receivingthe ball-shaped portion of the connecting part 122 of the joint 120. Further, thebearing part 121 comprises an attachment part 1213 for connection to a stem whichis intended to house wires and which interconnect two joints operatively controlled using wires.

The bearing part 121 further comprises a recess 1214 which may comprise aresi|ient element, such as a ball, for holding the bearing part in place relative to astem. ln a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 1213 of the bearing part 121is inserted into a stem 110. The stem 110 in turn comprises a recess correspondingto the recess 1214, such that the resi|ient element may be inserted into the stem 110and the connecting part 1213, thereby locking the bearing part 121 relative the stem110. When the resi|ient element is pressed, it may be pressed below the level of thestem, such that the bearing part becomes rotatable relative the stem. As will beunderstood, the bearing part 121 is connected to the connecting part 122 of the joint,which is in turn is connected to the attachment portion 124 adapted to connect to ahandle 130, which entails that the bearing part 121, connecting part, attachmentportion and the handle to all be rotated relative the stem 110. The resi|ient elementmay be pressed in order to enable rotating the bearing relative to the stem in case auser wants to switch between a S-mode and a C-mode of the portable shaft systemcomprising two joint portions of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7B shows the structure of a connecting part 122 of a single ball joint 120according to the present disclosure. The connecting part 122 comprises a ball portion1221 and a connecting portion 1222. The ball portion 1221 and the connectingportion 1222 are connected to each other by a neck portion. The ball portion 1221 isto be connected to the bearing part. The connecting portion 1222 is to be connectedto the attachment portion and via that to the handle 130 or the coupling unit 140. ln apreferred embodiment, the ball portion 1221 and the connecting portion 1222 areintegrally formed. The connecting portion 1222 comprises a plurality of notches 1223for housing wires. ln some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Fig. 6B, theconnecting portion 1222 comprises four notches. ln an alternative embodiment, theconnecting portion 1222 may comprise six notches, eight notches or more. ln each notch 1223, there is preferably disposed a wire latch for holding the wires in place. ln 18 some embodiments, there may be notches which are intended to house other type ofwiring than wires for achieving the mechanical properties of the joint and the portable shaft system, such as electrical wiring.

Fig. 7C illustrates a joint 120 of the portable shaft system when assembledaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The joint 120 comprises aconnecting part 122, a bearing 121, an attachment portion 124 and four wires,wherein two of these, wires 125a, 125b, are visible in Fig. 6C. As can be seen in thefigure, the ball part 1221 of the connecting part 122 is received within the receivingportion of the bearing 121. The wires are attached at one end within the bearing part121, and on the other end within the connecting portion of the connecting part 122.The wires are intended to control the way the connecting part moves relative to thebearing, and to interconnect two joints with each other, attached at opposite ends ofthe stem of the portable shaft system. By having the wires drawn and positionedcertain ways, it is possible to mirror the movement of one joint 120a in the otherjoint120b, or for one joint 120a to move the same way as anotherjoint 120b of theportable shaft system 100, in S-mode or C-mode respectively.

Figs. 8A and 9A illustrate an attachment portion 124' and a ball part 1221'respectively according to one embodiment of the inventive concept, while Figs. 8Band 9B illustrate cross sectional views of the attachment portion 124' and the ballpart 1221' respectively. The attachment part 124' comprises a cylindrical body with athrough-hole extending along its center-longitudinal axis. The hole threads mayextend a portion along the hole, and may approximately extend half-way into thethrough-hole. The attachment portion 124' may also comprise slots for receiving aplurality of wires. The slots may be arranged equidistantly about along the cylindricalsurface of the attachment portion. By being arranged equidistantly, the wires may beheld separated from each other. The ball part 1221' comprises an elongatedconnecting part extending out from the ball part, which connecting part is adapted forengaging with the threads in the through hole of the attachment part 124'. The ballpart 1221' comprises a cavity extending into the ball part from a side opposite of theconnecting part. The walls surrounding the cavity may be a cylindrical wall. By this,the weight of a joint part may be reduced. 19 Figs. 10A and 11A illustrate a receiving portion 1211' for receiving the ball part1221' and a connecting portion 122' for connecting the receiving portion 1211' to astem 120. The receiving portion 1211' may comprise a plurality of apertures forreceiving wires for controlling the operation of the portable shaft system. The pluralityof apertures may correspond to the plurality of slots on the attachment portion.

According to one embodiment, the number of apertures for receiving wiresmay be six in total, and the number of slots on the attachment portion may be thesame number. The number of apertures for receiving wires and the number of slotson the attachment portion may be such so that a total number of four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more wires may be received.

Fig. 12A illustrates a double ball joint 220 which may be incorporated into theportable shaft system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.Generally, the double ball joint 220 has two ball portions, as seen in Fig. 12A, andcomprises two inner parts, a middle part and two outer parts. The middle partconnects to the two inner parts. The outer parts are arranged to enclose eachrespective inner part, at least partly. Also, the double ball joint 220 may compriseligaments 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d. Now focusing on one ligament, 224a, it is at oneend attached to one side of the double ball joint 220. The ligament 224a extendsacross a first ball portion toward a neck portion between the two ball portions. Fromthere, the ligament 224a extends around the neck portion to an opposite side of thefirst ball portion. From there, the ligament 224a extends across the second ballportion on an opposite side of the double ball joint towards an opposite end of the double ball joint.

Fig. 12B illustrates an end view B-B of the double ball joint illustrated in Fig.12A. As is illustrated in Fig. 12B, the ligaments 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d are attachedto a base next to the ball. The ligaments 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d may be attached tothe base equidistant from neighboring ligaments, as shown in Fig. 12A. The oppositeends of the ligaments 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d may be similarly attached to a basenext to the other ball, arranged on the opposite side of the joint portion 220.

Fig. 12C illustrates a sectional view A-A of the double ball joint 220 illustratedin Figs. 12A and 12B. Two inner parts 221x, 221y are arranged in receiving end portions of the middle part 223. Two outer parts 222x, 222y are arranged to enclose,at least partly, each respective inner part 221x, 221y when arranged to the middlepart 223. The middle part 223 is the center of the joint 220, and on each side of thejoint, the inner part 221x, 221y are housed. The middle part 223 and the outer parts222x, 222y are moveable relative one another. The movement of one outer part222x, 222y is related to the movement of the other outer part 222x, 222y, i.e. the twosides of the joint portion move with dependence on one another such that if one outerpart 222x, 222y on one side of the middle part 223 is moved, the other outer part222x, 222y on the other side of the middle part 223 is also moved. The movement ofthe outer parts 222x, 222y typically has a pre-determined relationship, and the mostcommon embodiments are to either mirror the movement of one outer part 222x,222y in the other outer part 222x, 222y, or to perform the same correspondingmovement in one outer part 222x, 222y when the other outer part 222x, 222y is moved.

The outer parts 222x, 222y are interconnected by the ligaments 224a, 224b,224c, 224d as shown in Fig. 12A. The ligaments are typically guided through andfastened by brackets 2222 located on the outer parts, as shown in Figs. 14A and14B. The brackets may be seen as guides and/or fixing points for the ligaments224a, 224b, 224c, 224d. Typically there are four brackets for receiving an attachmentpoint of four corresponding ligaments. The opposite attachment point of the fourcorresponding ligaments are attached to brackets on the other outer part. Thus, theligaments connect each pair of the outer parts 222x, 222y. The ligaments 224a,224b, 224c, 224d are fastened on opposing sides of the outer parts 222x, 222y suchthat if a ligament is fastened on a top part of one outer part 222x, 222y, the sameligament is fastened on a bottom part of the other outer part 222x, 222y, as shown inthe figures. Likewise, a ligament 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d fastened on the right side ofone outer part 222x, 222y is fastened on the left side of the other outer part 222x,222y. This entails that the ligaments 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d are twisted in a helicalfashion. The reason for this is that the ligaments fixate the movements of the outerparts 222x, 222y relative one another, which avoids damaging the joint portion bypreventing movement which may harm the joint portion, and also enables movementin one part of a joint portion to be mirrored or the same in the other part of the joint.The reason for fixing the ligaments as described, in a helical fashion from one side of 21 one outer part 222x, 222y to the other side of the other outer part 222x, 222y, is thatthe distances from opposing brackets of outer parts in a joint will always have thesame distance in between them, provided a uniform movement. Typically, in order toaccomplish the fixing, the Iigaments are made from a grid material which is notelastic, such as plastic. The Iigaments may also be made from relatively thin steel,which optionally may be covered in Teflon. The Iigaments are typically less rigid than the middle and outer parts, which may also be made of plastic.

Fig. 12D illustrate the double ball joint shown in Figs. 12A - 12C. The anglewhich may be achieved according to the present disclosure typically ranges from +90to -90 as measured from an axis as defined when the outer parts of a joint are coaxially aligned.

Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B illustrate an inner part 221 of the double ball joint. Theinner part 221 comprises a ball-shaped portion 2211 having a scooped out portion2215 and a longitudinal through-hole 2216 there-trough. The size of the ball-shapedportion 2211 may be varied in order to achieve different kinds of movements,especially in devices incorporating at least two joints of the present disclosure. Thesize of the scooped out portion 2215 depends on the size of the whole joint andespecially on the size of the inner part. The ball-shaped portion 2211 is surroundedby four petal-like portions 2212, which may be seen as protrusions from the ball-shaped portion 2211 since the ball-shaped portion 2211 and the petal-like parts aretypically integrally formed. Typically, the protrusions 2212 only protrude a fewmillimeters or parts of a millimeter from the ball shaped portion 2211. Furthermore,there are recesses 2213 between adjacent petals 2212. The recesses 2213 areadapted for guiding wires, which may be incorporated into a device using jointscomprising an inner part 221 such as shown in Fig. 13A. The petals 2212 aretypically of the same length as the diameter of the ball shaped portion 2211.

The inner part 221 further comprises a tap 2216, preferably integrally formedwith the ball-shaped portion 2211, and the petal-like portions 2212, the tap 2216being adapted to fit into an outer part of the joint. The cross-sectional shape of thetap 2216 is typically non-circular in order to limit or entirely prevent movement of theinner part 221 relative to an outer part 222, when attached in an outer part, which isdescribed in more detail later in this disclosure. ln some embodiments, the through- 22 hole 2216 may be larger in diameter at the bottom part of the inner part 221, buttypically the hole 2216 ends right where the scooped-out portion 2215 begins, andthe hole 2216 has the same diameter throughout the tap 2214 and the ball-shapedportion 2211, while the scooped out portion 2215 has a bigger diameter than the hole2216.

Fig. 114A illustrates an outer part 222 of a joint according to the presentdisclosure. The outer part 222 comprises a hollow semi-sphere 2221, connected to abottom portion 2223, the semi-sphere and the bottom portion typically being integrallyformed. The bottom portion 2223 may be seen as a hollow tap, which may beadapted to exactly house a corresponding tap of an inner part. The outer part 222 isadapted to house generally half of a middle part 223. The outer part 222 furthercomprises brackets 2222 for the mounting of ligaments, the ligaments providingstability of the joint and preventing movement that may damage the functionality ofthe joint. The purpose of the ligaments is elaborated on later in this disclosure.

Fig. 14B shows a top view of an outer part 222. The brackets 2222 aretypically provided mounted with the same circumferential distance between them,and there are typically four brackets mounted on each outer part, i.e. the anglebetween two brackets is 90 degrees. Inside the semi-sphere 2221 there is alongitudinal through-hole 2225, which extends into the bottom part 2223 of the outerpart 222, for receiving the tap 2214 of an inner part. Further, there may be four holes340 in the semi-sphere 2221 angularly disposed similarly to the brackets 2222, theholes 2224 being adapted for having a wire there-through. The outer part may, likethe middle part, also preferably be made out of a sturdy and moldable material, forinstance plastic.

Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B illustrate a middle part 223 of the double ball jointaccording to the present disclosure. The middle part 223 is adapted to house twoinner parts 221x, 221y, one on each side. The middle part 223 generally has anhourglass shape, with two opposing hollow semi-spheres 2231, 2233 interconnectedat their bottom parts by a cylindrical portion 2232. The cylindrical portion may also beseen as a passage between the two opposing semi-spheres 2231, 2233. The entiremiddle part 223 is preferably integrally formed. 23 The middle part 223 is adapted to act as a sliding layer between an inner part 221 and an outer part 223. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 2232 is relevant forthe maneuverability of the joint, if the diameter is too large then the joint may beprevented from achieving a 90-degree angle, because of the cylindrical portion 2232abutting an outer part 222 of the joint. The middle part may preferably be made of asturdy and moldable material such as plastic. Another possible material for the middle part is aluminum, preferably with a high surface finish.

Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B illustrate a portable shaft system 200 according to oneembodiment in which it comprises two double ball joints 220a, 220b according to thepresent disclosure. The portable shaft system 200 comprises a stem 210 having ajoint 220a, 220b at each end. A handle 230 is attached to one 220a of the two joints.A coupling unit 240 is attached to one 220b of the two joints. The stem 210 and thehandle 230 are each attached to the bottom portion of the corresponding outer part ofthe two outer parts of the joint 220a. Similarly, the stem 210 and the coupling unit240 are each attached to the bottom portion of the corresponding outer part of thetwo outer parts of the joint 220b. By having the joints as described herein, it ispossible to achieve a 90-degree angle between a handle 230 and the stem 210,and/or between the coupling unit 240 and the stem 210, i.e. the joint may achieve an angle between -90 and 90 degrees as measured from each respective joint axis. ln some embodiments, there may be wiring inside the stem 210 which connects a joint on one end of the stem 210 with a joint on the opposite end of thestem. This wiring may be drawn through the holes 2224 in the outer parts 222, shownin Fig. 14B, and may be adapted to control the movement of the joints relative oneanother. ln some embodiments, movement in one joint may be mirrored in the otherjoints, i.e. be configured in a S-mode, as shown in Fig. 16A, while in otherembodiments movement in one joint may entail the same movement in the otherjoint, i.e. being configured in a C-mode, as shown in Fig. 16B. This means that bymoving the handle 230, which in turn affects the joints 220a, the coupling unit 240 onthe opposite end of the stem 210, and its corresponding joint 220b, is also moved. lnsome embodiments, one of the joints, preferably the joint connected to the handle, isadapted to be rotated axially relative the stem 210, thereby allowing the portable shaft system 210 to be switched between S-mode and C-mode. When switching 24 between S-mode and C-mode, the wires inside the stem may be crossed on uncrossed.

Typically, there are four wires in the portable shaft system 200 comprising thedouble ball joints. The wires are typically placed with a mutual circumferentialdistance between them, like the brackets of the outer parts. The wiring may befastened on brackets acting as fixing points, located on either the joints 220a, 220band/or the handle 230 and the coupling unit 240. The brackets may further comprisemeans for tightening and loosening the wiring, which may be used to affect therelative movement of the coupling unit 240 when the handle 230 of the stem ismanipulated. Typically, the wiring is used to achieve a relative movement betweenthe handle 230 and the coupling unit 240.

A portable shaft system 200 comprising double ball joints 220a, 220b mayachieve a great degree of freedom of movement also, and it is to be understood thatsuch a portable shaft system 200 may achieve a degree of freedom of movement as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B illustrate a portable shaft system 300 according to oneembodiment of the inventive concept, wherein the stem of the portable shaft system300 is adapted with telescopic functionality. The stem 310 comprises an outer stempart 3101 and an inner stem part 3102. The outer stem part 3101 and the inner stempart 3102 are coaxially arranged. The inner stem part 3102 is adapted to slide axiallyin the outer stem part 3101 between a retracted position and an extended position,wherein the inner stem part resides more wholly in the outer stem part when being ina retracted position. ln some embodiments, the portable shaft system 300 comprisesa spring-biased ball 3103 arranged to the inner stem part 3103. The spring-biasedball 3103 is configured to engage in holes/grooves 3104 in the outer stem part 3104.By pushing the spring-biased ball 3103 below the level of the outer stem part 3101,the outer stem 3101 may be pushed axially away from the joint 320a, into a desiredposition where the spring-biased ball 3103 engages with one of the holes/grooves3104. When the stem 310 is provided with telescopic functionality, the length of theguide wires 325 need to be able to be adjusted for each telescopic configuration, sothat the joints remain moveably coupled to each other. ln some embodiments, theportable shaft system 300 comprises a wire coil 370 to which one or more wires are attached. The wire coil 370 is adapted to be rotated so as to roll up or partiallyrelease the wire, so as to adjust the length of the wires running through the stem 310.Although, only one guide wire 325 is illustrated in Figs. 13A and 13B, the portableshaft system 300 may be adapted to implement a plurality of guide wires, for instance4, 6, 8 or more. ln some embodiments, each wire of the portable shaft system isattached to its own wire coil 370. This may allow length adjustment of each wirepresent in the portable shaft system. ln some embodiments, each wire of the portableshaft system is attached to the same wire coil. This may make more efficient use ofthe space available in the handle.

Moreover, like other embodiments previously disclosed, the portable shaftsystem 300 comprises a tool or an equipment 350 which can be coupled to thecoupling unit 340. The portable shaft system 300 may in some embodimentscomprise an actuator 360. The actuator 360 and the tool or equipment 350 areoperatively connected to each other, wherein the operative connectivity between thetwo is established by connective means 310x as described in in this disclosure inreference to Fig. 1. The connective means 310x may in some embodiments extendoutside the telescopic stem 310. The connective means 310x may be adapted toextend through parts of the telescopic stem 310.

Figs. 18A and 18B illustrate a telescopic portable shaft system according tosome embodiments in terms of interior components in an extended position and aretracted position, respectively. The portable shaft system may comprise an outerstem part 3101 and an inner stem part 3102. Moreover, the portable shaft systemmay comprise brackets 3105, 3106 which are arranged inside the outer stem part3101 and the inner stem part 3102 respectively. The brackets 3105, 3106 may begear racks, and may be configured to interact with a first rotatable member 3107. Thefirst rotatable member 3107 may be rotatably arranged to the inner stem part 3102 orthe outer stem part 3101. ln Figs. 18A and 18B, the first rotatable member 3107 isrotatably arranged to the inner stem part 3102. The portable shaft system maycomprise a second rotatable member 3108. The second rotatable member maycomprise cogs for engaging with the gear racks 3105, 3106. The second rotatablemember 3108 may be freely moving relative the outer stem part 3101 and the inner 26 stem part 3102. By this, the outer stem part 3101 and the inner stem part 3102 mayslide relative each other so as to provide the telescopic function.

The telescopic stem may have a fully extended length d1 and a fully retractedlength d1' as shown in Figs. 18A and 18B. By this configuration, the fully extendedlength d1 may be increased relative the fully retracted length of about 20% to 50%,and in one embodiment about 45%. According to some embodiments, the fullyretracted length d1' may be between 100 cm to 300 cm or more, preferably 150 cmto 250 cm. Hence, assuming an extension ratio of about 45% between the fullyextended length d1 and the fully retracted length d1', the fully extended length d1may be between 145 cm to 435 cm or more, preferably 217,5 cm to 362,5 cm. lnone exemplary embodiment, the fully retracted length d1' is about 180 cm, in whichcase the fully extended length d1 is 261 cm.

According to some embodiments, one or more wires 325 may be arranged toextend around the first rotatable member 3107 and the second rotatable member3108. A wire 325 may extend a first distance d3 from an end of the inner stem part3102 to the first rotatable member 3107. Then said wire 3105 may encircle the firstrotatable member 3107 and extend a second distance d2, d2' toward and encirclethe second rotatable member 3108. Then said wire 325 may extend a third distanced3 from the second rotatable member 3108 to an end of the outer stem part 3101.Thus, the one or more wires 325 may be stretched automatically when adjusting thelength of the telescopic portable shaft system. The length of a wire 325 in thetelescopic stem may be the sum of the first distance d3, the second distance d2, d2',and the third distance d4. Assuming a fully extended length of 261 cm and anextension ratio of about 45%, the first length d3 equals to about 168,1 cm, thesecond distance d2 equals to about 76,2 cm, and the third distance d4 equals toabout 168,5 cm, hence, the total wire length in the telescopic stem equals to about412,9 cm. Assuming a fully retracted length of 180 cm with the same wire length of412,9 cm and an extension ratio of about 45%, the second distance d2' equals to about 116,2 cm and the third distance d4 equals to about 128,5 cm. ln Fig. 19, a further embodiment of the portable shaft system is shown. Theportable shaft system 400 may comprise a stem 410, a firstjoint 420a located at afirst end of the stem 410. The portable shaft system 400 may comprise a second joint 27 420b located at a second end of the stem 410, said second end different from thefirst end. The portable shaft system 400 may comprise a handle 430. The handle 430may be coupled to the stem via the firstjoint 420a. The portable shaft system 400may comprise a coupling unit 440 adapted to couple to a tool or equipment 450. Thecoupling unit 440 may be coupled to the stem 410 via the second joint 420b. Thehandle 430 and the coupling unit 440 may be moveable coupled to each other by means of a plurality of wires 425.

The handle 430 of the portable shaft system 400 may incorporate an actuatorunit 460. The actuator 460 may comprise a lever 4601 adapted to control mechanicsof the tool or equipment by means of a wire 410x1 .The lever 4601 may be pivotablycoupled to a main body of the actuator 460. The lever 4601 may be spring-biased soas to force it away from the main body of the actuator 460. For instance, if the tool orequipment is a grip, by pressing the lever toward a main body of the actuator 460,the grip may be closed.

Moreover, the portable shaft system 400 may comprise a battery 480. Thebattery 480 may be configured to supply power to a power-driven tool or equipment450 attached to the portable shaft system 400. The power from the battery may besupplied by means of a wire 410x2. The battery 480 may be adapted to bedetachably mounted to the handle 430, the actuator 460 specifically or the stem 410.ln Fig. 19, the battery 480 is mounted on the stem 410. Further, the actuator unit 460may comprise a button 4602 which is electrically coupled to the battery 480 so as tocontrol the power supply to said power-driven tool or equipment.

The handle, the battery and the tool or equipment may all be adapted to bedetachably mounted. By this, each of the handle, battery and tool or equipment maybe released from the portable shaft system. ln the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferredembodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms areemployed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for thepurpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. A portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400), comprising a stem (110; 210; 310; 410) having a first Iongitudinal end and a secondIongitudinal end; a first joint (120a, 220a, 320a; 420a) and a second joint (120b; 220b; 320b;420b), each joint connected to a respective longitudinal end of the stem andmoveabiy coupled to each other; a coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) connected to the second joint (120b;220b; 320b; 420b), a handle (130; 230; 330; 430) connected to the firstjoint (120a; 220a;320a; 420a), so that a movement of the handle (130; 230; 330; 430) about thefirstjoint (120a; 220a; 320a; 420a) actuates a movement of the coupling unit(140; 240; 340; 440) about the second joint (120b; 220b; 320b; 420b); a tool or an equipment (150; 250; 350; 450), and wherein the coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) comprises coupling meansadapted to enable the coupling unit (140; 240; 340; 440) to detachably couple tosaid tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 450).

2. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 1,wherein the tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 450) is selected from a groupconsisting of: tools and equipment for cleaning; tools and equipment for painting; tools and equipment for aiding persons with temporal or permanentdisability; tools and equipment for life-saving, fire-fighting, protective and safe-keeping purposes; tools and equipment for the construction, repairing, inspection, andmaintenance of vehicles, construction works, industrial works; tools and equipment for gardening, forest keeping, agriculture; tools and equipment for leisure activities; tools and equipment for military purposes; tools and equipment for scientific, medical, photographic, optical and surveillance purposes. 29

3. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, wherein the tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 450) is selectedfrom a group consisting of: a gripping device, a holding device, a cutting tool, a nozzle, a cleaningarticle, a vacuum cleaner, an image recording device, a sound recording device,a radar unit, a light emitting and/or receiving unit, a wireless network detection device, a vacuum pick-up tool, a paint sprayer, a projectile propulsion device.

4. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, wherein the handle (130; 230; 330; 430) is detachably coupledto the first joint (120a; 220a; 320a; 420a), and wherein the handle (130; 230; 330;430) is selected from a group of handles consisting of handles (130; 230; 330;430) adapted to work in tandem with the tool or equipment.

5. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, wherein the first and second joints (120a, 120b; 220a, 220b;320a, 320b; 420a, 420b) are movably coupled to each other by a plurality ofwires (125; 225; 325; 425).

6. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, comprising an actuator (160; 260; 360; 460) configured tooperatively control the tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 450).

7. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 6,comprising connective means (110x; 210x; 310x; 410x1, 410x2) providingmechanic, fluidic, pneumatic, electric, or wireless connectivity between theactuator (160; 260; 360; 460) and the tool or equipment (150; 250; 350; 460).

8. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, wherein at least one of the two joints (120a, 120b; 220a, 220b;320a, 320b; 420a, 420b) is a single ball joint or a double ball joint.

9. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, wherein the stem (110; 210; 310; 410) of the portable shaftsystem (100; 200; 300; 400) is telescopic.

10. The portable shaft system (100; 200; 300; 400) according to anypreceding claims, comprising a wire coil (370) to which at least one wire (325) isattached, which wire coil is configured to be spun about its coil axis to tighten orIoosen the at least one wire.