CA1199800A - Apparatus for cutting vegetation - Google Patents
Apparatus for cutting vegetationInfo
- Publication number
- CA1199800A CA1199800A CA000303314A CA303314A CA1199800A CA 1199800 A CA1199800 A CA 1199800A CA 000303314 A CA000303314 A CA 000303314A CA 303314 A CA303314 A CA 303314A CA 1199800 A CA1199800 A CA 1199800A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- spool
- line
- head
- rotation
- head member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/416—Flexible line cutters
- A01D34/4161—Means for feeding cutter line
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An apparatus, such as an edger, trimmer or lawnmower, for cutting vegetation using a flexible non-metallic line member extending into a cutting plane from a rotating head (e.g., U.S. 3,708,967, 3,826,068, 3,859,776). At the user's signal during cutting, the line member is fed to a certain discrete length (2 inches) from the rotating head under direct mechanical control (no free wheeling). Then the line member is automatically relocked within the head.
An apparatus, such as an edger, trimmer or lawnmower, for cutting vegetation using a flexible non-metallic line member extending into a cutting plane from a rotating head (e.g., U.S. 3,708,967, 3,826,068, 3,859,776). At the user's signal during cutting, the line member is fed to a certain discrete length (2 inches) from the rotating head under direct mechanical control (no free wheeling). Then the line member is automatically relocked within the head.
Description
~99800 APPARATUS FOR Cu~ G VEGETATION
RAC~RoUND OF THE ~Nv~NllON
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the cutting of vegetation and more particularly, it relates to an apparatus for cutting vegetation using a flexible non-metallic line member.
RAC~RoUND OF THE ~Nv~NllON
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the cutting of vegetation and more particularly, it relates to an apparatus for cutting vegetation using a flexible non-metallic line member.
2. Description of the Prior Art Prior to the Industrial Revolution, mankind was cutting vegetation employing various tools containing cutting edges such as sickles, scythes, scissors and like knife-edged tools. After the Industrial Revolution, the householder established a home having a lawn, garden and like vegetation.
After the mid-ninteenth century, the homeowner used lawn care machines which followed basically the concepts of (1) ~
1~L99~
mechanized farming tools such as the reel mower, reaper and side bar cutters. In general, these devices were man-powered. Various types of manually-powered metal knife-edged trimmers and edgers were also available to the home-owner. In the early part of the twentieth century, internal combustion and electrical powered machines became available to the large estate and commercial lawn care artisans.
Smaller types of powered lawnmowers and edgers becamé
available after 1940. Then, the inexpensive gasoline and electric-powered rotary blade lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers became available to both homeowners and commercial workers.
In these devices, a metal blade was mounted upon a shaft rotated at several thousand r-evolutions per minute in a cutting plane. The ends of the blade were sharpened into a knife-like cutting edge. These rotary blade devices cut with a shredding or impact action in contrast with the scissor-like clipping action of the reel lawnmower. However, the economies of manufacture made the rotary-bladed motor-powered lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers readily available at low cost to the public.
The rotary-blade type lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers have one serious defect. This defect resides in the cutting action provided by the heavy metal blade whose cutting edges are traveling at velocities approaching 10,000 feet per minute. The cutting blade has a mass of several pounds, so that the kinetic energy present at the blade's cutting edge is tremendous. The rotating metal blades strike solid objects such as rocks, metal, toys, etc., with great force.
(2) As a result, these objects are propelled from the cutting blade at high velocities to cause serious injuries to a human being in their path. Also, direct contact of a foot or other part of a human structure with ~he rotating blade will cause dismemberment or great mutilation. In the United States within the last few years, ~here has been anually over 70,000 reported accidents relating to rotary metal-bladed lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers.
Extensive and expensive engineering and experimentation have been performed upon the various types of rotary metal cutting devices to reduce the inheeent serious hazard.
For example, specially-designed shrouds and dead man controls have been proposed by Industry and governmental agencies in an attempt to reduce the large numbers of serious and disabling injuries. Considerable time has been expended in experimentation to replace the rotary metal blade with a flexible cutting element in rotary ~awnmowers, edgers and trimmers. The direct substitution of a resilient rotary blade, such as manufactured of laminated rubber, for rotary metal blades had not been universally successful.
In the early 1960's, a trimmer-edger used a flexible non-metallic line carried on a head rotated within a cutting plane in cutting vegetation. In this device, a relatively low-powered motor rotated a head at relatively high angular speeds and carried a very thin, flexible line of a plastic polymeric material. The device did not succeed operation-~ise even in limited trimmer-edger applications because of frequent line breakage, ineffective cutting properties
After the mid-ninteenth century, the homeowner used lawn care machines which followed basically the concepts of (1) ~
1~L99~
mechanized farming tools such as the reel mower, reaper and side bar cutters. In general, these devices were man-powered. Various types of manually-powered metal knife-edged trimmers and edgers were also available to the home-owner. In the early part of the twentieth century, internal combustion and electrical powered machines became available to the large estate and commercial lawn care artisans.
Smaller types of powered lawnmowers and edgers becamé
available after 1940. Then, the inexpensive gasoline and electric-powered rotary blade lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers became available to both homeowners and commercial workers.
In these devices, a metal blade was mounted upon a shaft rotated at several thousand r-evolutions per minute in a cutting plane. The ends of the blade were sharpened into a knife-like cutting edge. These rotary blade devices cut with a shredding or impact action in contrast with the scissor-like clipping action of the reel lawnmower. However, the economies of manufacture made the rotary-bladed motor-powered lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers readily available at low cost to the public.
The rotary-blade type lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers have one serious defect. This defect resides in the cutting action provided by the heavy metal blade whose cutting edges are traveling at velocities approaching 10,000 feet per minute. The cutting blade has a mass of several pounds, so that the kinetic energy present at the blade's cutting edge is tremendous. The rotating metal blades strike solid objects such as rocks, metal, toys, etc., with great force.
(2) As a result, these objects are propelled from the cutting blade at high velocities to cause serious injuries to a human being in their path. Also, direct contact of a foot or other part of a human structure with ~he rotating blade will cause dismemberment or great mutilation. In the United States within the last few years, ~here has been anually over 70,000 reported accidents relating to rotary metal-bladed lawnmowers, edgers and trimmers.
Extensive and expensive engineering and experimentation have been performed upon the various types of rotary metal cutting devices to reduce the inheeent serious hazard.
For example, specially-designed shrouds and dead man controls have been proposed by Industry and governmental agencies in an attempt to reduce the large numbers of serious and disabling injuries. Considerable time has been expended in experimentation to replace the rotary metal blade with a flexible cutting element in rotary ~awnmowers, edgers and trimmers. The direct substitution of a resilient rotary blade, such as manufactured of laminated rubber, for rotary metal blades had not been universally successful.
In the early 1960's, a trimmer-edger used a flexible non-metallic line carried on a head rotated within a cutting plane in cutting vegetation. In this device, a relatively low-powered motor rotated a head at relatively high angular speeds and carried a very thin, flexible line of a plastic polymeric material. The device did not succeed operation-~ise even in limited trimmer-edger applications because of frequent line breakage, ineffective cutting properties
(3) ~i~9l~300 and awkward structures. As a result, these devices found no consumer acceptance as a safe substitute for metal-edge rotary cutting devices.
The utility and structural problems of prior art flexible non-metallic line devices for cutting vegetation were over-come by the inventions which are embodied in U.S. patents 3,708,967; 3,a26,068; and 3,859,77~. These patents describe apparatus for cutting, trimming and edging vegetation wherein a flexible non-metallic line member of proper leng~h is mounted in a proper head structure to prevent line breakage during operation. The line member has a certain cross-sectional size and a given relationship of peripheral velo-city. These features provide-a proper, useful and user acceptable device for cutting vegetation. Also, these novel devices provide the most acceptable replacement to rotary metal-blade cutting devices. The cutting devices described in these patents have provided the homeowner and commercial user with vegetation-cutting apparatus using a flexible non-metallic cutting line operated in complete safety to the user and with an optimized cutting efficiency approaching the hazardous metal blade cutting devices.
These patents show devices provided with structural features which allow the flexible non-metallic line to be selectively extended by manual operation of the user. In example, the user stops operation of the device and manually pulls the line member to a desired extended length. In larger vegetation-cutting apparatus, such as gasoline-powered edgers and trimmers, line extension can be a hindrance to
The utility and structural problems of prior art flexible non-metallic line devices for cutting vegetation were over-come by the inventions which are embodied in U.S. patents 3,708,967; 3,a26,068; and 3,859,77~. These patents describe apparatus for cutting, trimming and edging vegetation wherein a flexible non-metallic line member of proper leng~h is mounted in a proper head structure to prevent line breakage during operation. The line member has a certain cross-sectional size and a given relationship of peripheral velo-city. These features provide-a proper, useful and user acceptable device for cutting vegetation. Also, these novel devices provide the most acceptable replacement to rotary metal-blade cutting devices. The cutting devices described in these patents have provided the homeowner and commercial user with vegetation-cutting apparatus using a flexible non-metallic cutting line operated in complete safety to the user and with an optimized cutting efficiency approaching the hazardous metal blade cutting devices.
These patents show devices provided with structural features which allow the flexible non-metallic line to be selectively extended by manual operation of the user. In example, the user stops operation of the device and manually pulls the line member to a desired extended length. In larger vegetation-cutting apparatus, such as gasoline-powered edgers and trimmers, line extension can be a hindrance to
(4) ;
91~00 most efficient cutting operation. Frequent line extensions result when the flexible non-metallic line members contact .netal or concrete structures which causes fraying and breakage of the line members.
There are a number of prior art devices which are capable of providing the extension of the line member from the vegetation cutter employing flexible non-metallic lines.
~owever, no device of the prior art has the capability of being actuated by the operator during the operation to feed a certain discrete length of line from the rotating head member under direct mechanical control. Then, the line is re-locked automatically within the head member. Exces-sive amounts of line member cannot be discharged from the rotating head at any time. Other features and results of the present invention in an apparatus for cutting vegetation using a rotating flexible non-metallic line will be apparent from the following discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with thi~ invention, there is provided an apparatus for cutting vegetation which comprises a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpen-dicuLar with a cutting plane. The head member is rotated by suitable driving means. Line storage means provide a supply of flexible non-metallic line member to the head member. The head member has at least one line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation. Feed means are present for feeding the line
91~00 most efficient cutting operation. Frequent line extensions result when the flexible non-metallic line members contact .netal or concrete structures which causes fraying and breakage of the line members.
There are a number of prior art devices which are capable of providing the extension of the line member from the vegetation cutter employing flexible non-metallic lines.
~owever, no device of the prior art has the capability of being actuated by the operator during the operation to feed a certain discrete length of line from the rotating head member under direct mechanical control. Then, the line is re-locked automatically within the head member. Exces-sive amounts of line member cannot be discharged from the rotating head at any time. Other features and results of the present invention in an apparatus for cutting vegetation using a rotating flexible non-metallic line will be apparent from the following discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with thi~ invention, there is provided an apparatus for cutting vegetation which comprises a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpen-dicuLar with a cutting plane. The head member is rotated by suitable driving means. Line storage means provide a supply of flexible non-metallic line member to the head member. The head member has at least one line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation. Feed means are present for feeding the line
(5) ~l99~loo member from the line storage means outwardly from the line member exit into the cutting plane. The feeding of the line member is assisted by the centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the head member. Actuating means for selec-tively changing the feed means from a line member non-feeding condition into a line member feeding condition are provided the user. The feed means is returned by a restoring means into the line member non-feeding condition upon a substan-tially certain discrete length of the line member being 1~ extended from the line member exit.
In specific embodiments of this apparatus, one or more line members ma~ be carried upon the head member and extended in unison to the certain discrete length from the line member exits.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an operator employing one embodiment of an apparatus for cutting vegetation arranged in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged pictorial view of the lower end of the apparatus shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 3 i5 a side view of one line member exit shown on the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken through the apparatus generally shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of the actuating lever carried upon the apparatus of FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, appearing with Figs. 1 and 2;
In specific embodiments of this apparatus, one or more line members ma~ be carried upon the head member and extended in unison to the certain discrete length from the line member exits.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an operator employing one embodiment of an apparatus for cutting vegetation arranged in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged pictorial view of the lower end of the apparatus shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 3 i5 a side view of one line member exit shown on the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken through the apparatus generally shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of the actuating lever carried upon the apparatus of FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, appearing with Figs. 1 and 2;
(6) ~91980~
FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 are partial vertical sections taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 9, 12 and 15 are top plan views taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIGS. 10, 13 and 16 are pictorial representations of ratchet teeth carried upon the spool's lower extremity shown in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show the spool of FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 advanced about 60 degrees in angular rotation from its initial non-rotating position; and FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the spool of FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 having traversed the full angular displacement and re-locked into non-rotating position.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an operator 21 using an apparatus 22 of the present invention to cut grass or vegetation 23 growing along a walkway border.
Although the aPparatus ma~ be a lawnmower a~ edger embodiment, it will be described herein as the "trimmer 22". However, the trimmer 22 includes elements common to lawnmower and edger devices.
The trimmer 22 includes a source of operating power which can be an internal combustion engine 26 carried at one end of a drive tube 27 which extends downwardly to a rotating head 28. The rotatin~ head carries one or more flexible non-metallic line members 29, such as of a polymeric
FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 are partial vertical sections taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 9, 12 and 15 are top plan views taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIGS. 10, 13 and 16 are pictorial representations of ratchet teeth carried upon the spool's lower extremity shown in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show the spool of FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 advanced about 60 degrees in angular rotation from its initial non-rotating position; and FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the spool of FIGS. 8, 11 and 14 having traversed the full angular displacement and re-locked into non-rotating position.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown an operator 21 using an apparatus 22 of the present invention to cut grass or vegetation 23 growing along a walkway border.
Although the aPparatus ma~ be a lawnmower a~ edger embodiment, it will be described herein as the "trimmer 22". However, the trimmer 22 includes elements common to lawnmower and edger devices.
The trimmer 22 includes a source of operating power which can be an internal combustion engine 26 carried at one end of a drive tube 27 which extends downwardly to a rotating head 28. The rotatin~ head carries one or more flexible non-metallic line members 29, such as of a polymeric
(7) , . .
~9B~O
material (Nylon~). The motor 26 rotates the head at a suitable angular velocity sufficient to extend the lines 29 from the axis of rotation into a cutting plane which intersects the vegetation 23. The head 28 is preferably rotated at a velocity optimi7ed with the weight of the lines 29 and their radial extension from the head 28. For example, lines 29 have a diameter between 0.035 inches to 0.1~0 inches extending radially 5 to 9 inches from the head 28, and the head is revolved at between 2500 to 4000 rpm to provide optimum results in cutting the vegetation 23.
The dri~e tube 27 carries a handle 31 which the operator 21 grasps with his hands. In addition, an over-the-shoulder strap 32 is provided so that the trimmer 22 is more readily balanced by the operator 21. An actuating lever 33 is mounted upon the drive tube 27 adjacent the handle 31. Actuation of the lever 33 by the operator begins the cycle whereby the lines 29 are fed from the head until a certain discrete length of the lines have been extended, and then automatic-ally the lines 29 are re-secured to the head 28 against unintended additional extension.
The operator 21 progresses along the border ~tting the vegetation 23 at a suitable rate of advance determined by the capabilities of the motor 26. When the lines 29 become shortened~ or it is desired to extend their length from the head 28, or for other reasons, the operator moves the lever 33 towards himself to actuate the line extension cycle. Then the lever 33 is released and the line extension cycle is completed automatically in the trimmer 22.
~9B~O
material (Nylon~). The motor 26 rotates the head at a suitable angular velocity sufficient to extend the lines 29 from the axis of rotation into a cutting plane which intersects the vegetation 23. The head 28 is preferably rotated at a velocity optimi7ed with the weight of the lines 29 and their radial extension from the head 28. For example, lines 29 have a diameter between 0.035 inches to 0.1~0 inches extending radially 5 to 9 inches from the head 28, and the head is revolved at between 2500 to 4000 rpm to provide optimum results in cutting the vegetation 23.
The dri~e tube 27 carries a handle 31 which the operator 21 grasps with his hands. In addition, an over-the-shoulder strap 32 is provided so that the trimmer 22 is more readily balanced by the operator 21. An actuating lever 33 is mounted upon the drive tube 27 adjacent the handle 31. Actuation of the lever 33 by the operator begins the cycle whereby the lines 29 are fed from the head until a certain discrete length of the lines have been extended, and then automatic-ally the lines 29 are re-secured to the head 28 against unintended additional extension.
The operator 21 progresses along the border ~tting the vegetation 23 at a suitable rate of advance determined by the capabilities of the motor 26. When the lines 29 become shortened~ or it is desired to extend their length from the head 28, or for other reasons, the operator moves the lever 33 towards himself to actuate the line extension cycle. Then the lever 33 is released and the line extension cycle is completed automatically in the trimmer 22.
(8) .
~1~98(~0 ~ eferring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged pictorial representation of the lower portion of the trimmer 22.
The drive tube 27 contains internally a flexible drive cable 34 which is interconnected with the motor 26. The lower extremity of thç cable 34 is connected with the head 28 and serves to rotate it about an axis of rotation normal to the cutting plane. For this purpose, the tube 27 carries a lower bushing assembly 36 which is secured by clampnut 37.
The bushing assembly 36 carries internal bearings to journal the head 28 for rotation about an axis prescribed by the drive tube 27 and bushing assembly 36. Each of the lInes 29 is carried upon a spool internal of the head 28. For example, the dust cover 38 is broken a~ay to expose one spool 37.
The spool 37 carries a supply of the line 29 which extends from the head 28 through a line exit 39. Referring momen-tarily to FIG. 3, the line exit 39 may include a metal insert 41 which is apertured to permit the.traverse of the line 29 from the spool 37 outwardly of the head 28. The insert 41 provides a low-friction bearing and curvilinear surface for the line 21 so that it is not injured by vibration-induced friction and abrasion.
The specific internal arrangement of the head 28 is more.apparent by referring to FIG. 4. The drive cable 34 extends downwardly in the tube 27 for connection to the upper portion of a dive shaft 42 which is journaled by ball bearing assemblies 43 and 44 within the bushing assem-bly 36. The bearing assemblies 43 and 44 may be lubricated through the mounting of a zerk 46 within the sidewall.of
~1~98(~0 ~ eferring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged pictorial representation of the lower portion of the trimmer 22.
The drive tube 27 contains internally a flexible drive cable 34 which is interconnected with the motor 26. The lower extremity of thç cable 34 is connected with the head 28 and serves to rotate it about an axis of rotation normal to the cutting plane. For this purpose, the tube 27 carries a lower bushing assembly 36 which is secured by clampnut 37.
The bushing assembly 36 carries internal bearings to journal the head 28 for rotation about an axis prescribed by the drive tube 27 and bushing assembly 36. Each of the lInes 29 is carried upon a spool internal of the head 28. For example, the dust cover 38 is broken a~ay to expose one spool 37.
The spool 37 carries a supply of the line 29 which extends from the head 28 through a line exit 39. Referring momen-tarily to FIG. 3, the line exit 39 may include a metal insert 41 which is apertured to permit the.traverse of the line 29 from the spool 37 outwardly of the head 28. The insert 41 provides a low-friction bearing and curvilinear surface for the line 21 so that it is not injured by vibration-induced friction and abrasion.
The specific internal arrangement of the head 28 is more.apparent by referring to FIG. 4. The drive cable 34 extends downwardly in the tube 27 for connection to the upper portion of a dive shaft 42 which is journaled by ball bearing assemblies 43 and 44 within the bushing assem-bly 36. The bearing assemblies 43 and 44 may be lubricated through the mounting of a zerk 46 within the sidewall.of
(9) ~98~0 .
the bushing assembly 36. The annulus 45 about the shaft 42 is filled with grease for lubrication purposes. The shaft 42 carries a snap washer 47 to limit downward movement within the ball bearing 44. The lower portion of the shaft 42 is enlaryed to provide a seating shoulder 48 upon which ~eats the topmost surface 49 of the head 28.
Preferably, the head 28 is constructed from molded plastic (Nylon~) with an upper cylindrical part 51 which carries centrally an insert 52 which is mounted upon threads 53 formed on the lower end of the shaft 42. Preferably, the insert 52 and threads 53 mate in a direction of rotation opposite to the rotation of shaft 42 so that the head 28 does not become disengaged or loosened during operation of the trimmer 22. The lower cylindrical part 54 of the head 28 nests about tapered surfaces 56 of the upper part 51. The part 51 carries shoulder 57 to limit the engagement of the lower part 54. The lower part 54 is secured to the upper part 51 by a stud which threads into the threaded insert 52. A resilient spacer 59 between the lower part 54 and the insert 52 reduces vibrations. With this arrange-ment, the lower part 54 can be removed readily from the upper part 54 for replacement or insertion of the spools into the head 28.
The head 28 carries several spools 37. The number of spools usually corresponds to the number of lines 29 which extend from the head 28. ~owever, it will be apparent that a plurality of lines 29 could be carried on an indi-vidual spool. Thus, four lines can be carried upon two (10 ) 98~0 spools, or if desired four lines could even be carried upon one spool and thread the several lines 29 through their respective exits 39 in the head 28.
The line-advancing.mechanism embodied in the present invention can be utilized~irrespective of the number of spools or lines to be employed.
As to each spool, the novel mechanism provides for locking each spool against rotation in the head except during the line feeding cycle activated by the operator movi.ng the lever 33. During the line feeding cycle, each spool is rotated through a predetermined angular displace-ment to extend the certain discrete length of line from the head. The spool rotates under direct mechanical control and relocks automatically after rotation is complete. More particularly, the spool 37 in the non-rotating condition is biased in a direction towards the upper part 51 by a spring 61 carried by the lower part 54 of the head 28.
The spring 61 does not have to have more than a few ounces of compression in moving the spool 37 towards the upper part 51. An upstanding cylindrical projection 62 is provided on the lower part 54 to engage one or more convolutions of the spring 61 so that it will be held in place when the lower part 54 is removed from the upper part 51. The upper portion of the spring 61 engages projecting shoulders 63 which are formed internally of the spool 37.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the spool 37 has a cylindrical body 66 which carries the shoulders 63. The body 66 also carries circular flanges (11) 67 and 68 which define a reel upon which the line 29 is coiled for storage purposes. Although the spool 37 may be construc~ed oE any material, it is preferably molded from a thermal plastic su~h as high~strength polystyrene polymer. The spool 37 an~ head 28 are provided with elements for locking the spool 37 to the head so that the line 29 cannot be withdrawn or extended unless the lever 33 is moved.
When the lever 33 is moved, control elements produce a pre-determined relative rotation between the spool 37 and the head 28 so that a discrete length of line 29 is extended from the head 28. In addition, these locking and control elements provide for automatically re-locking the spool 37 to the head 28 whenever the certain discrete length of line 29 has been extended from the rotating head 28. It will be apparent that many locking and control elements can be employed for these purposes. The following elements have been found to be operative in one embodiment of the trimmer 22 which has been reduced to practice. However, other elements of like function and result can be used.
The spool 37 is arranged to be rotated through a certain angular displacement which determines the certain discrete length of line 29 to be extended from the rotating head 28. For example, the head 28 may be of such diameter that a six~inch length of the line 29 provides desired optimum operation. Thus, the spool 37 can be arranged to rotate through an angular displacement permitting a one-inch length of the line 29 to be extended selectively by the operator 21 who is using the trimmer 22 without interrupting his (12) ~.9~8~0 cutting operation. For example, the spool 37 can be rotated through an angular displacement of 90 degrees relative to the head 28 to provide the certain one-inch discrete length of extension of the line 29. However, other angular displace-ments of the spool 37 in accordance with the present invention can be used where different certain discrete lengths of line 29 are desired to be extended from the head 28.
The spool 37 carries a top hemispherical surface 69 which merges into a locking surface 71 adjacent the cylindrical body ~6. The locking surface 71 engages a complementary locking surface 72 formed on the upper part 51 of the head 28. As shown in the drawings, the surface 71 has a non-circular configuration, and preferably is polygonal. For example, the surface 71 can be formed by the equal sides of a square with the complementary surfaces 72 having a corresponding opening shape. Thus, the spool 37 can be locked within the head 28 so as to prevent extension of line at 90-degree angular displacements from any given locked position.
The lower portion of the spool 37 as seen in FIG. 4 carries a control means so that the spool 37 can be angularly displaced through a predetermined rotation relative to the head 28 under direct mechanical control and only when the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are out of engagement. With this arrangement, the spool 37 rotates along the control means within the head 28 so ~hat undesired lengths of the line 39 cannot be thrown from the rotating head 28. It will be appreciated that the line 29 extending several (13) inches from the head 28 can exert a pull of several tens of pounds of tension. The control means carried upon the lower portion of the spool 37 provide for controlled angular displacement of the spool 37 within the head 2B irrespective of the tension on the line 29.
The control means can be ratchet surfaces formed on the spool 37 and the head 28. The spool 37 at its lower extremity has a plurality of teeth 73 forming a ratchet when engaged to complementary teeth 74 formed on the lower part 54 of the head 28. The ratchet formed by teeth 73 and 74 is arranged to cooperate with the locking means provided by the surfaces 71 and 72. For example, locking surfaces 71 and 72 secure the spool 37 at 90 degrees of angular displacement from any locked position in the head 28. The teeth 73 and 74 control the movement during rotation of the spool 37 so that the completion of rotation places the spool 37 in such angular position that the surfaces 71 and 72 re-engage after feeding the certain discrete length of line 29 from the head 28. Thus~ depressing the spool 37 to compress the spring 61 moves the locking surfaces 71 and 72 out of engagement and also causes the teeth 73 and 74 to physiGally engage for limiting rotation of the spool 37 to the predetermined number of degreesO For example, the locking surfaces 71 and 72 lock the spool 37 at 90 degree angular displacement from any locked position. The teeth 73 and 74 permit the spool 37 to rotate only 90 degrees in feeding the line 29 from the head 28.
Any suitable mechanism may be employed for the remote (14) 9~
actuation by the operator 21 of the spool 37 from locked, to controlled rotation in feeding out the certain discrete length of the line 29, and ~hen to re-lock automatically the spool 37 within the head 28. In the embodiment shown in FI~5. 2 and 4, the operating lever 33 actuates a mechani-cal cam for moving the spool 37 downwardly within the head ~8 to permit its rotationn For this purpose, an arcuate or circular cam ring 76 is mounted for rotation cir~umfer-entially in an enlar~ed portion 77 of the bushing assembly 36. The cam ring carries an ups~anding ear or projection 78 secured to the lower end o~ a bowden cable 79. The cam ring 76 is rotationally mounted upon the enlarged por~ion 77 in a plurality of capbolts 81 which are threaded into the bushing assembly 36O The cam ring 76 has slots cut into its side walls for receiviny the capbolts 81 and to provide limited angular movement relative to the bushing assembly 36. The cam ring 76 has a downwardly-extending circular slot through ~hich is extended an angular cam ~oot 82. The cam foot 8~ carries a sloping-walled surface 83 which engages the lower surace of ~ap bolt 81 and the upper sur~ace 84 engaging the cam ring 76. The inclined surfaces 83 and 84 cooperate with the cam ring 76 and capbolt 81 so that a~ th~ cam ring 76 is rotated relative to the bushing assembly 36, the cam foot 82 moves vertically downward into engagement with the spool 37 and displaces it sufficiently tha~ the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are moved ou~ of engage-men and the teeth 73 and 74 ar.e moved into engagement~
Stated in another manner, the movement of the cam ring 76 (15~
1~L998UO
with the lever 33 causes the cam foot 82 to move the spool from a locked into an unlocked position and the teeth 73 and 74 to advance the spool 37 a predetermined angular displacement. When the operator releases the lever 33, the cam ring 76 returns into its normal operating position responsively to the biasing of the helical spring 86.
Referring momentarily to FIG. 5, the upper end of the bowden cable 79 extends from its sheath 87 adjacent a cable clamp 88 to the lever 33. The lever 33 is movably mounted upon the tube 27 by a clamp 89 with a securing bolt 91.
The lever 33 is shown in its position where the helical spring 86 has returned the cam ring 76 into its normal operating position. Moving the lever 33 towards the operator 21 rotates the cam ring 76 about a bushing assembly 36 and causes the cam foot 82 to travel downwardly until the locking surfaces 71 and 72 move out of engagement while the teeth 73 and 74 of the ratchet means are moved into engagement so as to control angular displacement of the spool 37 within the head 28.
Returning to FIG. 4, the cam foot 82 in normal oper-ating position should not rest upon the topmost surface 69 of the spool 37. In addition, the downward displacement of the cam foot 82 towards the lowermost length of travel should be just sufficient so that the teeth 73 and 74 are fully engaged. The enlargement 77 on the bushing assembly 36 may carry a bottom cover 92 to retain a bearing follower 93 and dust cover 94 in contact with the lower extremity of the shaft 42. The upper portion of the enlargement 77 ~16) -~
.
1~9800 is preferably enclosed by the dust cover 38 which can be secured by cap bol~s 96 to the bearing assembly 36.
The arrangement of the cam ring 76 and cam foot 82 carried at the bottom of the bushing assembly 36 may be seen in more detail in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 7, the lower connectiGn of the cable 79 to the cam ring 76 can be seen in greater detail. The sheath 87 enclosing the cable 79 is secured by a clamp 97 beneath one of the cap bolts 96 holding the dust co~er 38 to the bushing assembly 36. The end of the cable 79 is secured within the projection 78 so that reciprocation of the cable 79 within the sheath 87 by operation of the lever 33 causes angular movement of the cam ring 76 relative to the bushing assembly 36.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 thru 16, a description will be given of the sequencing from a non-rotating condition to control ro~ation and return to non-rotating condition of the spool 37 whereby only a discrete length of the line 29 is extended from the head 28 for each operation o the lever 33 by the operator 21 in use of the trimmer 22. In FIGS. 8-10, the spool 37 is shown in a partially downwardly-displaced position where locking surfaces 71 and 72 are coming out of engagement while the teeth 73 and 74 are beginning to engage. As can be seen in FIG. 9 r a small amount of clearance exists between complimentary locking surfaces 71 and 72 with the indexing of the spool 37 indi-cated by an arrow 101 relative to the upper part 51 of the head 28. In FIG. 10, there is a pictorial representation (17) ., 98~J0 at the same moment as the teeth 73 and 74 have just begun to engage a sufficient distance that the spool 37 could not freely rotate within the head 28 whenever the locking surfaces 71 and 72 come out of engagement. Also, the teeth 73 and 74 are positioned,to begin rotation of the spool 37 . An indicating arrow 102 is shown on the portion of the spool 37 carrying the teeth 73 for indexing re~erence.
In FIG. 11, the same elements previously described are shown when the cam foot 82 has moved the sE~ 7 down, ward to the limit of its travel with the teeth 73 and 74 fully engaged. At this time, the spool 37 has moved a substantial portion of its intended angular displacement relative to the head 28. In reference to FIG. 12, the indexing arrow 101 indicates this position where the surfaces 71 and 72 are completely out of engagement and the spool 37 has been rotated about 60 degrees in the head 28. In FIG. 13, the teeth 73 and 74 are fully meshed with the reference mark arrow 102 having moved a corresponding like angular displacement.
Referring to FIG. 14, the cam foot 82 is shown as it is moving upwardly responsive to the action of the spring 86 returning the cam ring 76 towards its original operating position. At this time the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are moving into a position where they are at engagement~ As can be seen in FIG. 15, the reference arrow 101 has moved the remainder of its angular displacement to the next locked position of the spool 37 relative to the head 28. However, as can be seen in FIG. 16, the locking surfaces 71 and 72 ~18) ~980~
have just begun to engage, and the teeth 73 and 74 are slightly disengaged so that the spool 37 cannot spin freely within the head 28. Thus, the teeth limit anguLar displace-ment to that particular position where the spool 37 moves upwardly to place the locking surfaces 71 and 72 into a locked position.
As can be seen by reference to the FIGS. 8 thru 14, the sequence timing between the engagement and disengagement of the locking surfaces 71 and 72 and the disenyagement and engagement of teeth 73 and 74 are such that at no time when the spool 37 has been unlocked from the rotating head 28 can the spool 37 spin freely within the head 28.
The spool 37 carries the ratchet means formed by the teeth 73 and 74 so arranged that complimentary surfaces between the teeth have leading and trailing surfaces 103 and 104, respectively, arranged in a toothed configuration for positive mechanical control of the spool member 37 while rotating relative to the head 28 when the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are out of engagement. Preferably, the leading surface 1~3 has an inclined surface less steep than the trailing surface 104. With this arrangement, the initial angular rotation of the spool 37 within the head 28 occurs at a greater angular velocity over the first portion of its angular displacement than during the second portion of its angular displacement. This is preferred since it is desired that the spool 37 not be moving at a high angular velocity whenever the locking surfaces 71 and 72 begin to come into engagement in the arrangement of elements shown (19 ) ~ 1 in FXGS. 15 and 16.
Although only one spool 37 has been described in con~
struction and function within the head 28, the drawings show that four spools can be accomodated in the head 28.
All spools can be arrange~ in the same manner and construc-tion with identical func~ioning to the spool 37 so that a plurality of lines 29 are extended simultaneollsly under the selective actuation by the operator 21 in use of the trimmer 22.
From the foregoing descriptionr it will be apparent that ~h~e h~s been provided in a~aratus a~ ~ethod a novel apparatus uslng a rotating head with non-metallic flexible line adapted to cut vegetation. In particular, the novel apparatus includes a feed system for extending an incre-mental length o line from the rotating head into the cutting plane. However, at all other times the cutting line is secured within the head against unintended unreeling. In no event can an excessive or wasteful length of line be extended rom the head. It will be understood that certain changes or alterations of the present ~pparatus may be made without departing from the spirit o~ this invention. These changes are contemplated by and are within the scope o~
the appended claims which de~ine the invention. Additi-onally, the present description is intended to be taken as an illustration of this invention.
~20~
the bushing assembly 36. The annulus 45 about the shaft 42 is filled with grease for lubrication purposes. The shaft 42 carries a snap washer 47 to limit downward movement within the ball bearing 44. The lower portion of the shaft 42 is enlaryed to provide a seating shoulder 48 upon which ~eats the topmost surface 49 of the head 28.
Preferably, the head 28 is constructed from molded plastic (Nylon~) with an upper cylindrical part 51 which carries centrally an insert 52 which is mounted upon threads 53 formed on the lower end of the shaft 42. Preferably, the insert 52 and threads 53 mate in a direction of rotation opposite to the rotation of shaft 42 so that the head 28 does not become disengaged or loosened during operation of the trimmer 22. The lower cylindrical part 54 of the head 28 nests about tapered surfaces 56 of the upper part 51. The part 51 carries shoulder 57 to limit the engagement of the lower part 54. The lower part 54 is secured to the upper part 51 by a stud which threads into the threaded insert 52. A resilient spacer 59 between the lower part 54 and the insert 52 reduces vibrations. With this arrange-ment, the lower part 54 can be removed readily from the upper part 54 for replacement or insertion of the spools into the head 28.
The head 28 carries several spools 37. The number of spools usually corresponds to the number of lines 29 which extend from the head 28. ~owever, it will be apparent that a plurality of lines 29 could be carried on an indi-vidual spool. Thus, four lines can be carried upon two (10 ) 98~0 spools, or if desired four lines could even be carried upon one spool and thread the several lines 29 through their respective exits 39 in the head 28.
The line-advancing.mechanism embodied in the present invention can be utilized~irrespective of the number of spools or lines to be employed.
As to each spool, the novel mechanism provides for locking each spool against rotation in the head except during the line feeding cycle activated by the operator movi.ng the lever 33. During the line feeding cycle, each spool is rotated through a predetermined angular displace-ment to extend the certain discrete length of line from the head. The spool rotates under direct mechanical control and relocks automatically after rotation is complete. More particularly, the spool 37 in the non-rotating condition is biased in a direction towards the upper part 51 by a spring 61 carried by the lower part 54 of the head 28.
The spring 61 does not have to have more than a few ounces of compression in moving the spool 37 towards the upper part 51. An upstanding cylindrical projection 62 is provided on the lower part 54 to engage one or more convolutions of the spring 61 so that it will be held in place when the lower part 54 is removed from the upper part 51. The upper portion of the spring 61 engages projecting shoulders 63 which are formed internally of the spool 37.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the spool 37 has a cylindrical body 66 which carries the shoulders 63. The body 66 also carries circular flanges (11) 67 and 68 which define a reel upon which the line 29 is coiled for storage purposes. Although the spool 37 may be construc~ed oE any material, it is preferably molded from a thermal plastic su~h as high~strength polystyrene polymer. The spool 37 an~ head 28 are provided with elements for locking the spool 37 to the head so that the line 29 cannot be withdrawn or extended unless the lever 33 is moved.
When the lever 33 is moved, control elements produce a pre-determined relative rotation between the spool 37 and the head 28 so that a discrete length of line 29 is extended from the head 28. In addition, these locking and control elements provide for automatically re-locking the spool 37 to the head 28 whenever the certain discrete length of line 29 has been extended from the rotating head 28. It will be apparent that many locking and control elements can be employed for these purposes. The following elements have been found to be operative in one embodiment of the trimmer 22 which has been reduced to practice. However, other elements of like function and result can be used.
The spool 37 is arranged to be rotated through a certain angular displacement which determines the certain discrete length of line 29 to be extended from the rotating head 28. For example, the head 28 may be of such diameter that a six~inch length of the line 29 provides desired optimum operation. Thus, the spool 37 can be arranged to rotate through an angular displacement permitting a one-inch length of the line 29 to be extended selectively by the operator 21 who is using the trimmer 22 without interrupting his (12) ~.9~8~0 cutting operation. For example, the spool 37 can be rotated through an angular displacement of 90 degrees relative to the head 28 to provide the certain one-inch discrete length of extension of the line 29. However, other angular displace-ments of the spool 37 in accordance with the present invention can be used where different certain discrete lengths of line 29 are desired to be extended from the head 28.
The spool 37 carries a top hemispherical surface 69 which merges into a locking surface 71 adjacent the cylindrical body ~6. The locking surface 71 engages a complementary locking surface 72 formed on the upper part 51 of the head 28. As shown in the drawings, the surface 71 has a non-circular configuration, and preferably is polygonal. For example, the surface 71 can be formed by the equal sides of a square with the complementary surfaces 72 having a corresponding opening shape. Thus, the spool 37 can be locked within the head 28 so as to prevent extension of line at 90-degree angular displacements from any given locked position.
The lower portion of the spool 37 as seen in FIG. 4 carries a control means so that the spool 37 can be angularly displaced through a predetermined rotation relative to the head 28 under direct mechanical control and only when the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are out of engagement. With this arrangement, the spool 37 rotates along the control means within the head 28 so ~hat undesired lengths of the line 39 cannot be thrown from the rotating head 28. It will be appreciated that the line 29 extending several (13) inches from the head 28 can exert a pull of several tens of pounds of tension. The control means carried upon the lower portion of the spool 37 provide for controlled angular displacement of the spool 37 within the head 2B irrespective of the tension on the line 29.
The control means can be ratchet surfaces formed on the spool 37 and the head 28. The spool 37 at its lower extremity has a plurality of teeth 73 forming a ratchet when engaged to complementary teeth 74 formed on the lower part 54 of the head 28. The ratchet formed by teeth 73 and 74 is arranged to cooperate with the locking means provided by the surfaces 71 and 72. For example, locking surfaces 71 and 72 secure the spool 37 at 90 degrees of angular displacement from any locked position in the head 28. The teeth 73 and 74 control the movement during rotation of the spool 37 so that the completion of rotation places the spool 37 in such angular position that the surfaces 71 and 72 re-engage after feeding the certain discrete length of line 29 from the head 28. Thus~ depressing the spool 37 to compress the spring 61 moves the locking surfaces 71 and 72 out of engagement and also causes the teeth 73 and 74 to physiGally engage for limiting rotation of the spool 37 to the predetermined number of degreesO For example, the locking surfaces 71 and 72 lock the spool 37 at 90 degree angular displacement from any locked position. The teeth 73 and 74 permit the spool 37 to rotate only 90 degrees in feeding the line 29 from the head 28.
Any suitable mechanism may be employed for the remote (14) 9~
actuation by the operator 21 of the spool 37 from locked, to controlled rotation in feeding out the certain discrete length of the line 29, and ~hen to re-lock automatically the spool 37 within the head 28. In the embodiment shown in FI~5. 2 and 4, the operating lever 33 actuates a mechani-cal cam for moving the spool 37 downwardly within the head ~8 to permit its rotationn For this purpose, an arcuate or circular cam ring 76 is mounted for rotation cir~umfer-entially in an enlar~ed portion 77 of the bushing assembly 36. The cam ring carries an ups~anding ear or projection 78 secured to the lower end o~ a bowden cable 79. The cam ring 76 is rotationally mounted upon the enlarged por~ion 77 in a plurality of capbolts 81 which are threaded into the bushing assembly 36O The cam ring 76 has slots cut into its side walls for receiviny the capbolts 81 and to provide limited angular movement relative to the bushing assembly 36. The cam ring 76 has a downwardly-extending circular slot through ~hich is extended an angular cam ~oot 82. The cam foot 8~ carries a sloping-walled surface 83 which engages the lower surace of ~ap bolt 81 and the upper sur~ace 84 engaging the cam ring 76. The inclined surfaces 83 and 84 cooperate with the cam ring 76 and capbolt 81 so that a~ th~ cam ring 76 is rotated relative to the bushing assembly 36, the cam foot 82 moves vertically downward into engagement with the spool 37 and displaces it sufficiently tha~ the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are moved ou~ of engage-men and the teeth 73 and 74 ar.e moved into engagement~
Stated in another manner, the movement of the cam ring 76 (15~
1~L998UO
with the lever 33 causes the cam foot 82 to move the spool from a locked into an unlocked position and the teeth 73 and 74 to advance the spool 37 a predetermined angular displacement. When the operator releases the lever 33, the cam ring 76 returns into its normal operating position responsively to the biasing of the helical spring 86.
Referring momentarily to FIG. 5, the upper end of the bowden cable 79 extends from its sheath 87 adjacent a cable clamp 88 to the lever 33. The lever 33 is movably mounted upon the tube 27 by a clamp 89 with a securing bolt 91.
The lever 33 is shown in its position where the helical spring 86 has returned the cam ring 76 into its normal operating position. Moving the lever 33 towards the operator 21 rotates the cam ring 76 about a bushing assembly 36 and causes the cam foot 82 to travel downwardly until the locking surfaces 71 and 72 move out of engagement while the teeth 73 and 74 of the ratchet means are moved into engagement so as to control angular displacement of the spool 37 within the head 28.
Returning to FIG. 4, the cam foot 82 in normal oper-ating position should not rest upon the topmost surface 69 of the spool 37. In addition, the downward displacement of the cam foot 82 towards the lowermost length of travel should be just sufficient so that the teeth 73 and 74 are fully engaged. The enlargement 77 on the bushing assembly 36 may carry a bottom cover 92 to retain a bearing follower 93 and dust cover 94 in contact with the lower extremity of the shaft 42. The upper portion of the enlargement 77 ~16) -~
.
1~9800 is preferably enclosed by the dust cover 38 which can be secured by cap bol~s 96 to the bearing assembly 36.
The arrangement of the cam ring 76 and cam foot 82 carried at the bottom of the bushing assembly 36 may be seen in more detail in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 7, the lower connectiGn of the cable 79 to the cam ring 76 can be seen in greater detail. The sheath 87 enclosing the cable 79 is secured by a clamp 97 beneath one of the cap bolts 96 holding the dust co~er 38 to the bushing assembly 36. The end of the cable 79 is secured within the projection 78 so that reciprocation of the cable 79 within the sheath 87 by operation of the lever 33 causes angular movement of the cam ring 76 relative to the bushing assembly 36.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 thru 16, a description will be given of the sequencing from a non-rotating condition to control ro~ation and return to non-rotating condition of the spool 37 whereby only a discrete length of the line 29 is extended from the head 28 for each operation o the lever 33 by the operator 21 in use of the trimmer 22. In FIGS. 8-10, the spool 37 is shown in a partially downwardly-displaced position where locking surfaces 71 and 72 are coming out of engagement while the teeth 73 and 74 are beginning to engage. As can be seen in FIG. 9 r a small amount of clearance exists between complimentary locking surfaces 71 and 72 with the indexing of the spool 37 indi-cated by an arrow 101 relative to the upper part 51 of the head 28. In FIG. 10, there is a pictorial representation (17) ., 98~J0 at the same moment as the teeth 73 and 74 have just begun to engage a sufficient distance that the spool 37 could not freely rotate within the head 28 whenever the locking surfaces 71 and 72 come out of engagement. Also, the teeth 73 and 74 are positioned,to begin rotation of the spool 37 . An indicating arrow 102 is shown on the portion of the spool 37 carrying the teeth 73 for indexing re~erence.
In FIG. 11, the same elements previously described are shown when the cam foot 82 has moved the sE~ 7 down, ward to the limit of its travel with the teeth 73 and 74 fully engaged. At this time, the spool 37 has moved a substantial portion of its intended angular displacement relative to the head 28. In reference to FIG. 12, the indexing arrow 101 indicates this position where the surfaces 71 and 72 are completely out of engagement and the spool 37 has been rotated about 60 degrees in the head 28. In FIG. 13, the teeth 73 and 74 are fully meshed with the reference mark arrow 102 having moved a corresponding like angular displacement.
Referring to FIG. 14, the cam foot 82 is shown as it is moving upwardly responsive to the action of the spring 86 returning the cam ring 76 towards its original operating position. At this time the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are moving into a position where they are at engagement~ As can be seen in FIG. 15, the reference arrow 101 has moved the remainder of its angular displacement to the next locked position of the spool 37 relative to the head 28. However, as can be seen in FIG. 16, the locking surfaces 71 and 72 ~18) ~980~
have just begun to engage, and the teeth 73 and 74 are slightly disengaged so that the spool 37 cannot spin freely within the head 28. Thus, the teeth limit anguLar displace-ment to that particular position where the spool 37 moves upwardly to place the locking surfaces 71 and 72 into a locked position.
As can be seen by reference to the FIGS. 8 thru 14, the sequence timing between the engagement and disengagement of the locking surfaces 71 and 72 and the disenyagement and engagement of teeth 73 and 74 are such that at no time when the spool 37 has been unlocked from the rotating head 28 can the spool 37 spin freely within the head 28.
The spool 37 carries the ratchet means formed by the teeth 73 and 74 so arranged that complimentary surfaces between the teeth have leading and trailing surfaces 103 and 104, respectively, arranged in a toothed configuration for positive mechanical control of the spool member 37 while rotating relative to the head 28 when the locking surfaces 71 and 72 are out of engagement. Preferably, the leading surface 1~3 has an inclined surface less steep than the trailing surface 104. With this arrangement, the initial angular rotation of the spool 37 within the head 28 occurs at a greater angular velocity over the first portion of its angular displacement than during the second portion of its angular displacement. This is preferred since it is desired that the spool 37 not be moving at a high angular velocity whenever the locking surfaces 71 and 72 begin to come into engagement in the arrangement of elements shown (19 ) ~ 1 in FXGS. 15 and 16.
Although only one spool 37 has been described in con~
struction and function within the head 28, the drawings show that four spools can be accomodated in the head 28.
All spools can be arrange~ in the same manner and construc-tion with identical func~ioning to the spool 37 so that a plurality of lines 29 are extended simultaneollsly under the selective actuation by the operator 21 in use of the trimmer 22.
From the foregoing descriptionr it will be apparent that ~h~e h~s been provided in a~aratus a~ ~ethod a novel apparatus uslng a rotating head with non-metallic flexible line adapted to cut vegetation. In particular, the novel apparatus includes a feed system for extending an incre-mental length o line from the rotating head into the cutting plane. However, at all other times the cutting line is secured within the head against unintended unreeling. In no event can an excessive or wasteful length of line be extended rom the head. It will be understood that certain changes or alterations of the present ~pparatus may be made without departing from the spirit o~ this invention. These changes are contemplated by and are within the scope o~
the appended claims which de~ine the invention. Additi-onally, the present description is intended to be taken as an illustration of this invention.
~20~
Claims (62)
1. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like, comprising:
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(c) line storage means containing a supply of flexible non-metallic line member;
(d) said head member having a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding said line member from said line storage means outwardly from said line member exit into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line member being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) actuating means for selectively changing said feed means from a line member non-feeding condi-tion into a line member feeding condition; and (g) restoring means for returning said feed means into the line member non-feeding condition upon a substantially certain discrete length of said line member being extended from said line member exit.
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(c) line storage means containing a supply of flexible non-metallic line member;
(d) said head member having a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding said line member from said line storage means outwardly from said line member exit into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line member being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) actuating means for selectively changing said feed means from a line member non-feeding condi-tion into a line member feeding condition; and (g) restoring means for returning said feed means into the line member non-feeding condition upon a substantially certain discrete length of said line member being extended from said line member exit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a manual release mechanism for selectively changing said feed means from a non-feeding condition into a feeding condition and said restoring means functioning independently of said release mechanism to return said feed means into the line member non-feeding condition upon a substantially discrete length of said line member being extended from said line member exit.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said line storage means contains a coiled portion of said line member posi-tioned independently of rotation of said head member and an unwound portion of said line member extending within said head member and outwardly from said line member exit into the cutting plane.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said line storage means includes at least one spool member rotatably mounted within said head member and said coiled portion of said line member being carried on said spool member.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes ratchet means for changing said feed means from a non-feeding to a feeding condition.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restoring means includes a locking means for changing said feed means from a feeding to a non-feeding condition upon extension of the substantially discrete length of line member from the line member exit.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each said spool member carries ratchet surfaces and said head member carries comple-mentary ratchet surfaces whereby selective engagement of said ratchet surfaces advances said spool member from a non-feeding to a feeding condition.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said head member carries locking means for securing said spool member against rotation therein during line member non-feeding condition.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said actuating means includes a manual release mechanism for releasing said locking means and allowing said spool member to rotate in said head member during the line member feeding condi-tion.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said locking means secure said spool member against rotation in said head member upon the substantially certain discrete length of said line member being extended from said line member exit when said feed means is in the line member feeding condition.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said line storage means include a plurality of spool members carrying coiled portions of said line member, and said spool members are rotatably mounted in said head member with an unwound portion of said line member from each spool member extending within said head member and outwardly from each said line member exit into the cutting plane.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said actuating means includes means for rotating said spool members in unison in the line member feeding condition whereby said line members are extended simultaneously to the substantially certain discrete length from said head member into the cutting plane.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said line storage means include at least one spool member rotatably mounted within said head member and said spool member carrying a coiled portion of said line member with an unwound portion of said line member from each spool member extending within said head member and outwardly from each said line member exit into the cutting plane, each said spool member carrying a locking surface for engaging a complementary locking surface upon said head member for securing said spool member against rotation therein during the line member non-feeding condition and resilient means for moving said locking surfaces into engagement.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said actuating means includes a manual release mechanism for moving said locking surfaces of each said spool member and head member out of engagement, thereby releasing each said spool member for rotation in said head member during the line member feeding condition.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said locking surfaces of each said spool member and head member are arranged upon (24) being released to provide a predetermined angular movement of each spool member rotating within said head member until each said spool member is secured against rotation and the angular movement of each said spool member corresponding to feeding the certain discrete length of said line member from said line member exit into the cutting plane.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each said spool member is provided with ratchet surfaces and said head member carries complementary ratchet surfaces whereby engagement of said ratchet surfaces is timed in sequence with releasing the engagement of said locking surfaces whereby each said spool member is selectively released to rotate a predetermined angular rotation in said head member in a line member feeding condition until each said spool member is secured against rotation in the line member non-feeding condition upon extension of the substantially certain discrete length of line member from each said line member exit into the cutting plane.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said actuating means includes a manual release mechanism for moving out of engage-ment said locking surfaces on each said spool member and said head member thereby releasing for rotation each said spool member in said head member.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said head members carry said spool members at uniform angular and radial dispositions therein and said release mechanism includes annular cam means for simultaneously engaging said spool (25) means to move said locking surfaces out of engagement.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said ratchet surfaces have a toothed configuration adapted to rotate each said spool member.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said locking surfaces are provided by mating non-circular openings and shoulders upon said head member and spool member, respectively.
21. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like, comprising:
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(c) at least one spool member containing a coiled portion of a flexible non-metallic line member and each said spool member mounted for rotation within said head member;
(d) said head member having for each line member a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding an uncoiled portion of said line member from each said spool member outwardly from said line member exit into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line members being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) actuating means for selectively placing said feed means in response to an actuating signal into an operate condition to rotate each said spool member within said head member for feeding each said line member from said feed means outwardly from one of said line member exits; and (g) restoring means for returning said feed means into a locked condition for holding each said spool member against rotation, thereby securing each said line member against additional feeding from said line member exit upon a substantially certain discrete length of each said line member being extended from each said line member exit responsively to said actuating signal.
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(c) at least one spool member containing a coiled portion of a flexible non-metallic line member and each said spool member mounted for rotation within said head member;
(d) said head member having for each line member a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding an uncoiled portion of said line member from each said spool member outwardly from said line member exit into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line members being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) actuating means for selectively placing said feed means in response to an actuating signal into an operate condition to rotate each said spool member within said head member for feeding each said line member from said feed means outwardly from one of said line member exits; and (g) restoring means for returning said feed means into a locked condition for holding each said spool member against rotation, thereby securing each said line member against additional feeding from said line member exit upon a substantially certain discrete length of each said line member being extended from each said line member exit responsively to said actuating signal.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said head member carries ratchet means with complementary surfaces on said spool member and head means, and said ratchet means limiting angular displacement during rotation of said spool member when feeding each line member outwardly from each said line member exit.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said head member and spool member have cooperative control means for allowing only a predetermined angular displacement of said spool member in rotation when feeding each line member outwardly from each said line member exit.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said control means includes ratchet means for defining said predetermined angular displacement of said spool member in rotation.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said control means includes complementary inclined surfaces on said head member and said inclined surfaces define the angular displacement of said spool member in rotation within said head member.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said complementary inclined surfaces are adapted for sliding movement between said spool member and head member during initiation and termination of rotation of said spool member in timed sequence with said actuating means placing said spool means into the operate condition and said restoring means returning said feed means into the locked condition when said spool member is held against rotation within said head member.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said complementary surfaces have leading and trailing surfaces arranged in a toothed configuration.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said leading surfaces have an inclined slope less steep than said trailing surfaces in the toothed configuration relative to the cutting plane.
29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said leading surfaces in said toothed configuration are arranged to engage initially when said actuating means places said feed means into the operate condition.
30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said trailing surfaces in said toothed configuration are arranged to disengage (28) terminally when said restoring means returns said feed means into the locked condition.
31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said leading surfaces and said trailing surfaces in said toothed configuration are arranged to engage and disengage respectively, before and after said feed means is placed into the operate condition and returned to the locked condition.
32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said leading and trailing surfaces have a saw-toothed configuration.
33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said trailing surfaces have a more inclined slope than said leading surfaces relative to the cutting plane whereby said spool member rotates at a first angular velocity and then at a lesser angular velocity.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said first angular velocity governs spool member rotation over greater than one-half of its angular displacement within said head member.
35. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one pair of said leading and trailing surfaces correspond to one tooth in said toothed configuration and said tooth controls the angular displacement of spool member in rotation.
36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least four teeth comprise said toothed configuration.
37. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said head member (29) and spool member carry complementary locking surfaces when engaged for securing said spool member against rotation therein during the line member non-feeding condition, and resilient means for moving said locking surfaces into engage-ment.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said actuating means includes a manual release mechanism for moving said locking surfaces out of engagement, thereby releasing said spool member for rotation in the operate condition of said feed means.
39. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said complementary locking surfaces are non-circular in cross-section and engage into a non-rotating condition in at least one angular position.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said complementary locking surfaces are adapted to engage by angular movement to secure each said spool member against rotation within said head member.
41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said complementary locking surfaces have a polygonal configuration.
42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said polygonal confi-guration is a square.
43. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like, (30) comprising:
(a) a circular head member arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular with a cutting plane and said head member having an internal cavity formed in a first side thereof;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member from a second side.
(c) at least one spool member selectively insertable from said first side of said head member into said cavity and said spool member containing a coiled portion of a flexible non-metallic line member, and each said spool member mounted for rotation within said head member about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of said head member;
(d) said head member having for each line member a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding an uncoiled portion of said line member from each said spool member outwardly from one of said line member exits into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line members being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) control means cooperative with said head member and said spool member for allowing only a predeter-mined angular displacement of each said spool member in rotation when feeding said line members outwardly from said line member exits, and said (31) control means including complementary inclined tooth surfaces forming ratchet means to control angular movement of each said spool member within said head member;
(g) locking means to secure said spool member against rotation in said head member and said locking means on said spool member and said head member including complementary locking surfaces when engaged for securing each said spool member against rotation during the line member non-feeding condition, and resilient means for moving said locking surfaces into engagement.
(h) actuating means for selectively placing said feed means in response to an actuating signal into an operate condition to rotate each said spool member within said head member for feeding each said line member from said feed means outwardly from said line member exits, and said actuating means including a manual release mechanism for moving said locking surfaces out of engagement, thereby releasing said spool member for rotation in the operate condition of said feed means; and (i) restoring means for returning said feed means into a locked condition for holding each said spool member against rotation, thereby securing said line members against additional feeding from said line member exits upon a substantially certain discrete length of said line members being extended (32) from said line member exits responsively to said actuating signal, and said control means coopera-ting with said locking means whereby said spool members during initiation and termination of rotation are in timed sequence with said locking means so that said restoring means returns said feed means into a locked condition only when said spool members have completed the predetermined angular displacement.
(a) a circular head member arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular with a cutting plane and said head member having an internal cavity formed in a first side thereof;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member from a second side.
(c) at least one spool member selectively insertable from said first side of said head member into said cavity and said spool member containing a coiled portion of a flexible non-metallic line member, and each said spool member mounted for rotation within said head member about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of said head member;
(d) said head member having for each line member a line member exit provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(e) feed means adapted for feeding an uncoiled portion of said line member from each said spool member outwardly from one of said line member exits into the cutting plane and the feeding of said line members being assisted by centrifugal forces generated by rotating said head member;
(f) control means cooperative with said head member and said spool member for allowing only a predeter-mined angular displacement of each said spool member in rotation when feeding said line members outwardly from said line member exits, and said (31) control means including complementary inclined tooth surfaces forming ratchet means to control angular movement of each said spool member within said head member;
(g) locking means to secure said spool member against rotation in said head member and said locking means on said spool member and said head member including complementary locking surfaces when engaged for securing each said spool member against rotation during the line member non-feeding condition, and resilient means for moving said locking surfaces into engagement.
(h) actuating means for selectively placing said feed means in response to an actuating signal into an operate condition to rotate each said spool member within said head member for feeding each said line member from said feed means outwardly from said line member exits, and said actuating means including a manual release mechanism for moving said locking surfaces out of engagement, thereby releasing said spool member for rotation in the operate condition of said feed means; and (i) restoring means for returning said feed means into a locked condition for holding each said spool member against rotation, thereby securing said line members against additional feeding from said line member exits upon a substantially certain discrete length of said line members being extended (32) from said line member exits responsively to said actuating signal, and said control means coopera-ting with said locking means whereby said spool members during initiation and termination of rotation are in timed sequence with said locking means so that said restoring means returns said feed means into a locked condition only when said spool members have completed the predetermined angular displacement.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said control means provides complementary surfaces having leading and trailing surfaces arranged in a toothed configuration for positive mechanical control of said spool member during rotation.
45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said leading surfaces have an inclined surface less steep than said trailing surfaces in the toothed configuration relative to the cutting plane.
46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said leading surfaces are arranged to engage initially when said actuating means places said feed means into the operate condition.
47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said trailing surfaces are arranged to disengage terminally when said restoring means returns said feed means into the locked condition.
48. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said leading and (33) trailing surfaces in said toothed configuration are arranged to engage and disengage, respectively, before and after said feed means are placed into the operate condition and returned to the locked condition.
49. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said locking means have complementary non-circular locking surfaces adapted to engage into a non-rotating condition in at least one angular position of each said spool member in said head member.
50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said complementary locking surfaces have a polygonal configuration.
51. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein control means comprise a plurality of teeth arranged in a saw-toothed configuration and said complementary locking surfaces are arranged to engage into a non-rotating condition in timed sequence with the predetermined angular rotation of each said spool means permitted by said plurality of teeth.
(34)
(34)
52. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like, comprising:
(a) a head member having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a cutting plane and further having an aperture adjacent its perimeter, (b) driving means for rotating said head member about said axis, (c) a flexible non-metallic line member disposed at least partially within said head member, and (d) feed means to dispense selectively a predetermined increment of said line member during rotation of said head member from said aperture into said cutting plane during the cutting of vegetation.
(a) a head member having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a cutting plane and further having an aperture adjacent its perimeter, (b) driving means for rotating said head member about said axis, (c) a flexible non-metallic line member disposed at least partially within said head member, and (d) feed means to dispense selectively a predetermined increment of said line member during rotation of said head member from said aperture into said cutting plane during the cutting of vegetation.
53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said feed means controls uncoiling of said line member from a spool member carrying a coiled supply of said line member.
54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said spool member and said flexible non-metallic line member are disposed within said head member.
55. In an apparatus for cutting vegetation including a head member having an axis of rotation perpen-dicular to a cutting plane and further having an aperture adjacent its perimeter, driving means for rotating said head member about said axis, a flexible non-metallic line member in an uncoiled portion disposed at least partially within said head member and extending from said aperture into the cutting plane, the improvement comprising:
(a) storage spool means carrying a coiled portion of said line member and inter-connected with the uncoiled portion of said line member disposed in said head member, said storage spool means mounted for rotation relatively to said head member; and (b) actuator means controlling rotation of said storage spool means to uncoil selectively a portion of said line member and extend said line member from said aperture by a predetermined increment into the cutting plane during rotation of said head member.
(a) storage spool means carrying a coiled portion of said line member and inter-connected with the uncoiled portion of said line member disposed in said head member, said storage spool means mounted for rotation relatively to said head member; and (b) actuator means controlling rotation of said storage spool means to uncoil selectively a portion of said line member and extend said line member from said aperture by a predetermined increment into the cutting plane during rotation of said head member.
56. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like, comprising:
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(claim 56 cont'd) (c) said head member having an aperture provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(d) a spool member carrying a coiled supply of a flexible non-metallic line member and mounted for uncoiling said line member;
(e) said line member extending from said spool member and disposed at least partially within said head member and extending through said aperture whereby uncoiling said line member extends same from said aperture into the cutting plane;
(f) first means for securing said line member against uncoiling on said spool member;
(g) second means for controlling the uncoiling of said line member carried on said spool member to a certain amount to extend only a predetermined increment of said line member from said head member into the cutting plane and then securing said line member carried on said spool member against uncoiling; and (h) third means for actuating said second means during rotation of said head member.
(a) a head member arranged for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular with a cutting plane;
(b) driving means for rotating said head member;
(claim 56 cont'd) (c) said head member having an aperture provided therein at a location spaced from the axis of rotation;
(d) a spool member carrying a coiled supply of a flexible non-metallic line member and mounted for uncoiling said line member;
(e) said line member extending from said spool member and disposed at least partially within said head member and extending through said aperture whereby uncoiling said line member extends same from said aperture into the cutting plane;
(f) first means for securing said line member against uncoiling on said spool member;
(g) second means for controlling the uncoiling of said line member carried on said spool member to a certain amount to extend only a predetermined increment of said line member from said head member into the cutting plane and then securing said line member carried on said spool member against uncoiling; and (h) third means for actuating said second means during rotation of said head member.
57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said spool member is mounted for rotation relative to said head member in uncoiling said line member and gear means provide for securing said spool member against unintended rotation and for controlling the uncoiling of said line member during rotation of said spool member.
58. A lawn mower for mowing the vegetation growing on turf comprising:
(a) head means rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane and having a spool means movably mounted therein;
(b) drive means for rotating said head means about said axis in said cutting plane;
(c) flexible non-metallic line member having a portion carried on said spool means and further having a free end portion extending outwardly of said head means into the cutting plane;
(d) first means for securing said spool means against movement within said head means;
(e) second means for releasing said spool means for movement through an incremental length of said line member from said head means then securing said spool means against movement within said head means; and (f) third means for actuating said releasing means during rotation of said head means.
(a) head means rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane and having a spool means movably mounted therein;
(b) drive means for rotating said head means about said axis in said cutting plane;
(c) flexible non-metallic line member having a portion carried on said spool means and further having a free end portion extending outwardly of said head means into the cutting plane;
(d) first means for securing said spool means against movement within said head means;
(e) second means for releasing said spool means for movement through an incremental length of said line member from said head means then securing said spool means against movement within said head means; and (f) third means for actuating said releasing means during rotation of said head means.
59. The mower described in Claim 58 wherein said second means includes a biased disc member.
60. A method of feeding line in a lawn mowing device while mowing vegetation growing on turf comprising:
(a) rotating a head member at a predetermined speed about an axis in a cutting plane extending horizontally to form a swat in the vegetation, said head member containing a supply of flexible non-metallic line carried by a spool member movably mounted within said head member and said line having a free traveling end portion extending from said spool and outwardly of said head member into said cutting plane;
(b) moving said spool member relative to said head member an incremental distance during rotation of said head member; and (c) continuing rotation of said head member at said predetermined speed of rotation with an additional length of line extending said head member.
(a) rotating a head member at a predetermined speed about an axis in a cutting plane extending horizontally to form a swat in the vegetation, said head member containing a supply of flexible non-metallic line carried by a spool member movably mounted within said head member and said line having a free traveling end portion extending from said spool and outwardly of said head member into said cutting plane;
(b) moving said spool member relative to said head member an incremental distance during rotation of said head member; and (c) continuing rotation of said head member at said predetermined speed of rotation with an additional length of line extending said head member.
61. The method of Claim 60 wherein the movement of said spool member relative to said head member occurs responsively to manual actuation by the operator of the lawn mowing device.
62. An apparatus for cutting vegetation and the like comprising:
support means adapted to be moved about an outdoor area by an operator;
a rotary member carried by said support and mounted for rotation relative to said support;
means for driving said rotary member;
at least one flexible flail member having a storage portion and a free end portion, said free end portion extending outwardly from said rotary member and adapted to be moved in a cutting plane upon rotation of said rotary member;
means within said rotary member for containing said storage portion, said means comprising spool means carried by said rotary member; and means for permitting said spool means to be driven with and to rotate relative to said rotary member, comprising complementary, inter-engageable means interposed between said drive means and said spool means, (claim 62 cont'd) and means for selectively shifting at least one of said inter-engageable means between a first, driving position wherein said complementary means are interengaged to effect a driving interconnection between said spool means and said drive means and a second, disengagement position wherein said spool means is disconnected from said drive means.
support means adapted to be moved about an outdoor area by an operator;
a rotary member carried by said support and mounted for rotation relative to said support;
means for driving said rotary member;
at least one flexible flail member having a storage portion and a free end portion, said free end portion extending outwardly from said rotary member and adapted to be moved in a cutting plane upon rotation of said rotary member;
means within said rotary member for containing said storage portion, said means comprising spool means carried by said rotary member; and means for permitting said spool means to be driven with and to rotate relative to said rotary member, comprising complementary, inter-engageable means interposed between said drive means and said spool means, (claim 62 cont'd) and means for selectively shifting at least one of said inter-engageable means between a first, driving position wherein said complementary means are interengaged to effect a driving interconnection between said spool means and said drive means and a second, disengagement position wherein said spool means is disconnected from said drive means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US81862677A | 1977-07-25 | 1977-07-25 | |
| US818,626 | 1992-01-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1199800A true CA1199800A (en) | 1986-01-28 |
Family
ID=25225991
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000303314A Expired CA1199800A (en) | 1977-07-25 | 1978-05-15 | Apparatus for cutting vegetation |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5948602B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU504850B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1199800A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2832649C2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1604120A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA782990B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3410966A1 (en) * | 1984-03-24 | 1985-11-21 | Fa. Andreas Stihl, 7050 Waiblingen | BRUSH CUTTER |
| DE3763706D1 (en) * | 1986-02-15 | 1990-08-23 | Yamada Machinery Ind Co Ltd | PORTABLE TOOL WITH MECHANICAL DRIVE. |
| JPS62155803U (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1987-10-03 | ||
| JP3466843B2 (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 2003-11-17 | 株式会社共立 | Portable brush cutter |
| WO2001010188A1 (en) | 1999-08-11 | 2001-02-15 | Grace Albert S | Weed and grass trimmer |
| KR101868268B1 (en) * | 2017-02-01 | 2018-06-15 | 신연철 | Cutter assembly of lawn mower having four lines |
| CN111972116B (en) * | 2020-07-21 | 2021-08-03 | 浙江中力工具制造有限公司 | Weed winding preventing structure for output shaft of grass trimmer |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3826068A (en) * | 1971-12-13 | 1974-07-30 | G Ballas | Rotary cutting assembly |
| DE2558580C2 (en) * | 1975-12-27 | 1982-03-25 | Charles B. Reisterstown Pittinger jun., Md. | Thread cutter |
-
1978
- 1978-05-15 CA CA000303314A patent/CA1199800A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-05-23 GB GB21567/78A patent/GB1604120A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-05-24 ZA ZA00782990A patent/ZA782990B/en unknown
- 1978-06-16 JP JP53073139A patent/JPS5948602B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-05 AU AU37779/78A patent/AU504850B1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-25 DE DE2832649A patent/DE2832649C2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU504850B1 (en) | 1979-11-01 |
| ZA782990B (en) | 1979-05-30 |
| JPS5424719A (en) | 1979-02-24 |
| JPS5948602B2 (en) | 1984-11-28 |
| DE2832649A1 (en) | 1979-02-01 |
| DE2832649C2 (en) | 1982-08-12 |
| GB1604120A (en) | 1981-12-02 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |