CA2082995A1 - Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower - Google Patents
Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmowerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2082995A1 CA2082995A1 CA002082995A CA2082995A CA2082995A1 CA 2082995 A1 CA2082995 A1 CA 2082995A1 CA 002082995 A CA002082995 A CA 002082995A CA 2082995 A CA2082995 A CA 2082995A CA 2082995 A1 CA2082995 A1 CA 2082995A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- adapter
- prong
- channel
- trimming device
- recited
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/001—Accessories not otherwise provided for
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G3/00—Cutting implements specially adapted for horticultural purposes; Delimbing standing trees
- A01G3/06—Hand-held edge trimmers or shears for lawns
- A01G3/062—Motor-driven edge trimmers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D2101/00—Lawn-mowers
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An adapter for releasably transforming a conventional grass trimming device into a lawnmower. The adapter has a frame mounted on a set of wheels, a cutting blade rotatably mounted to the frame, a coupling adapted to transfer the rotational torque generated by the conventional trimming device to the blade and a means for fixing the conventional trimming device to the frame.
An adapter for releasably transforming a conventional grass trimming device into a lawnmower. The adapter has a frame mounted on a set of wheels, a cutting blade rotatably mounted to the frame, a coupling adapted to transfer the rotational torque generated by the conventional trimming device to the blade and a means for fixing the conventional trimming device to the frame.
Description
~ ~! V i~ J ~) TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ADAPTER FOR TRANSFORMING A ~RASS TRIMMING DEVICE INTO A LAWNMOWER
Fleld of the lnventlon The present lnventlon relates to the fleld of grass cutting apparatuses and more partlcularly to an adapter for reversibly transforming a conventional grass hedge trlmming device into a lawnmower type of apparatus.
Prior art Grass trlmmlng devices are now widely used by lawn owners in most industriallsed countries. A search amongst previous patents has located a patent, namely U.S. patent 2,660,847 issued in December 1953 to Edwln F. Brutten describlng an early version of thls type of device.
The trimming devices are especlally adapted to trim grass along the boarders of lawns, along ad~acent walls and curves, around upstanding obstacles such as monuments and other areas which are not accesslble by ordlnary lawnmower devices.
Most contemporary grass trimming device~ have a grlp adapted to be grasped by the operator fixed to an elongated handle. A
housing covering and electric motor is fixed to the lower end of the handle. The motor ls adapted to rotate a coil of substantlal1y flexible yet reslstent thread such as nylon. A
loose thread is left extendlng radially from the coil. When the motor is actlvated, the thread ls tensioned lnto a stretched out posltlon by the centrlfugal force. The rotating tensloned thread acts as a cutting means. While the trimmers are particularly suited to trim hedges and other areas less accessible to ~ ' ` ' '' ' .
~ ' ' ' . ~
h ~ ~\ 2 ~
conventlonal lawn mower devlces, they are not adapted to cut relatively large ~urfaces of lawn.
Indeed, because they are designed to be used in dlfflcultly accessible areas, they do not have wheels or other means for supportlng the cuttlng means in a flxed vertical relationship with the ground. Furthermore, because of the nature of areas in which they are supposed to be used, thelr cutting radlus 1 voluntarily kept relatively small.
Thus, lawn owners must resort to buying and maintaining in operable conditlon both a lawnmower adapted to cut relatively large surfaces of grass and an hedge trimmer for cutting the grass edge and other relatlvely dlfflcult to access areas.
The present lnventlon ls adapted to provide the user wlth an adapter for reversibly and temporarlly converting a trimming device lnto a devlce sultable for cuttlng grass surfaces conventionally cared for by lawnmower~.
The invention ls particularly destined to owners of small lawn~, typically less than 10000 square feet. It uses the power source of the trimmer for driving a blade rotatably attached to a wheel frame. The adapter embodylng the invention will brlng the cost of lawn maintenance down and wlll also be less cumbersome to store than a conventional lawnmower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus relates to an adapter for relea~ably transforming a conventlonal grass trimmlng device into a lawnmower. The adapter has a frame mounted on a set of wheels, ~ - , ~ . .. .. .
~ ~2~5 a cuttlng blade rotatably mounted on the frame, a coupllng means adapted to transfer the ~otatlonal torque ~enerated by the conventional trlmmlng device to the blade and a fixin~ means for releasably flxing the conventlonal trlmming device to the frame.
The flxlng means has a connecting structure extending substantially vertlcally and integrally from the frame. A
channel extends vertically through the connecting structure and a prong is fixed to the motor housing of the trimming device. The prong ls adapted to be inserted in the channel. A releasable fastening means prevents the prong from belng unwantingly retracted from the channel. In one embodiment of the invention, the prong and channel have a substantial T-shape. The prong is flxed to the motor houslng by a set of fixlng collars. Each one of the collars ls wrapped at one of lts end around a pln lnserted ln the prong and ls releasably flxed at its other end around to a tlghtenlng mechanlsm. The releasable fastenlng means ln one embodlment ls a locklng pin extendlng perpendlcularly lnto the channel ad~acent the top portlon of the channel. The locklng pln ls blased into the channel by a sprlng.
The conventlonal trlmmlng devlce has a conventional drivinq dlsc. The coupling means of the pre~ent invention has a drlve adapter adapted to be coupled to a conventlonal drlving dlsc of the conventional trimming device. It also has a drlve shaft adapted to be coupled to the drlve adapter, a set of gears llnklng the drive shaft to a blade shaft and a blade which ls flxed to the lower end of the blade shaft. In a preferred !~`. . . . . . .
n ~
embodlment, a drlve adaptar ls flxed to the conventional drlvlng dlsc by a bionet type of mechanlsm. The drlve adapter has a ~ubstantlally X-~haped connectlng prong on lts top surface adapted to be engaged ln a correspondlng X-shaped groove provided on the drlve shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Flgure 1 is a slde vlew of a conventlonal grass trimming device mounted on a grass cutting adapter embodyinq the invention, Flgure 2 is a top cross-sectional vlew taken along arrows 2-2 of figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 3-3 of flgure 2 and illustratlng the llklng mechanlsm between the trlmming devlce and the adapter, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional vlew taken along arrows 4-4 of flgure 2 illustrating the relationship between the trlmming device and the adapter, Figure 5 is a close-up detalled view taken along lnslde arrow 5-5 of figure 4, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional vlew of a wheel taken along arrow 6-6 of figure 4, Figure 7 i~ a bottom view of a component llnklng the drive mechanlsm and a coil of wire on a conventional trimming device, Figure 8 ls a detailed vlew taken along arrow 8-8 of figure 7, .
Flgure 9 ls a slde view of figure 8, 9 ~ ~ ~
Flgure 10 is a cross-sectlonal vlew taken a1Ong arrow 10-10 of flgure 8, Flgure 11 ls a cross-sectional vlew taken a1Ong arrow 11-11 Of ~lqure 8, Flgure 12 ls a bottom vlew of a rlng component fixing the coll to a conventlonal trlmmlng devlce mounted on the component lllustrated in flgure 7, Flgure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow 13-13 of figure 12, Flgure 14 is a perspectlve vlew of a drlve adapter part of the inventlon, and Flgure 15 ls a perspective vlew of a drive shaft part of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a user 10 pushing a conventional grass trlmming devlce 12 mounted on an adapter 14 embodying the invention. In figures 1 through 7 the conventional trlmmlng devlce 12 ls shaded with dots to help differentlate between lts structure and the structure of the adapter 14 embodying the lnventlon whlch ls shaded wlth conventlonal shadlng lines.
The conventional grass trlmmlng device 12 has a grip 16 flxed to an elongated handle 18. A motor housing 20 coverlng a motor (not shown) is fixed to the lower end of the handle 18. The motor housing 20 extends lntegrally lnto a substantlally horizontal cutter housing 22. As illustrated in flgure 7, the ,. . ., ; .
~n~
cutter houslng 22 protectlve1y surrounds a drlvln~ disc 2~ 1inked to the drlving shaÇt 26 of the motor.
On most conventional grass trlmming devices, a locking disc 28 ls used to flx the coll o~ cuttlng thread to the driving disc 24 uslng a mechanlsm l11ustrated more specifica11y in figures to 13.
The adapter 14 embodying the invention has a frame 30 mounted on a set of wheels 32, a cutting blade 34 rotatably mounted on the frame 30 for cutting the grass, a coupling means 36 adapted to transfer the rotational torque of the motor of the conventional trimmlng device 12 to the blade 39 and a flxing means 38 for releasably flxlng the conventlonal trimming devlce 12 to the frame 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the frame 30 has a substantlally oval-shaped top wall 40, a downwardly and integrally extending peripheral wall 42 and a substantla11y upstandlng connectlng structure 44 extendlng lntegrally from the top wall 40.
As l11ustrated more speclflcally ln flgures 2, 3 and 4, the connecting structure 44 ls a substantlally T-shaped channel 46.
The T-shaped channel 46 l~ adapted to slldlngly recelve a correspondlng T-shaped prong 48 flxed to the motor houslng 20 of the conventlonal grass trimming devlce 12 by a set of fixinq collars 50. Each one of the flxlng collars 50 ls wrapped at one of lts end around a pln 52 inserted ln an abutting body 54 extending integrally from the T-shaped prong 48. The other end : . ~ . - . .
`~ :. - : : - . .
?~n~
of each flx1ng collar 50 ls releasably flxed to a tightening mechanlsm 56.
The connectlng structure ~4 and the T-shaped prong ~8 cooperate together to form the fixing means 38 releasably fixing the conventlonal trlmmlng device 12 to the frame 30.
In use, once the flxlng collars S0 are secured around the motor houslng 20, the conventional trlmming device 12 can readily by fixed by sllding the T-shaped prong 48 into the T-shaped channel 46. A releasable locking pin 58 slidingly extending perpendicularly to the channel 46 into the top portion of the T-shaped channel 46 ls adapted to releasably prevent the ~-shaped prong 48 from sliding upwardly outside the channel 46. The pin 58 is blased lnwardly lnto the channel 46 by a ~prlng 60. A
loop-shaped handle 62 allows the user to pull the pin 58 out of the channel 46 as illustrated in phantom lines in figure 3 to allow the prong 48 to be pulled out of the channel 46. The arcuate polnt of the pln 58 allows the pln to retract when the pronq 48 is pushed downwardly lnto the channel 46.
The grass cutting blade 34 ls flxed to a blade shaft 64 by a bolt 66. The blade ~haft 64 ls rotatably mounted to a gear hous1ng 68 by a set of bla~ ~ha~t b~a~ln~ 70. Th~ ~lad~ ~haft 64 ls prevented from downward axlal dlsplacement by an lntegral flange 72.
The gear housing 68 ls adapted to protectively enclose a set of gears part of the coupling means 36. The housing 68 i~ fixed to the frame 30 by a set of housing fixlng bolts 74.
~ `'` " ' ,~ '.-`' .`' '', . ,~ `` i` :"~
~? n ~
~ , 3 ~ ~
A bl~de ~haft gear 76 ls flxed to the blade shaft 64 by a key 7~. The blade ~haft gear 76 1~ adapted to engage the teeth of a drlving gear 78. The driving gear 78 is fixed to a segmented driving gear shaft 80 lllustrated more specifically in flgure 15 by a key 82 adapted to be inserted in a key way 84.
Th~ ~rlvlng gear shaft 80 is rotatably mounted to the gear housing 68 by a thrust bearing 86 and a ball bearing 88.
As illustrated in ~igure 1~, ttle ~Ei~ q ~ h~t ~
divided into 5 segments. A first segment 90 is adapted to be surrounded by the ball bearing 88. A second segment ls provided with a set of threads 92 for threadedly receiving a bolt and counter bolt 94. A third segment 96 is provlded with the key way 84 and adapted to be surrounded by the drlvlng gear 78. A fourth segment 98 is adapted to be surrounded by the thrust bearing 86 whlle a flfth segment 100 is adapted to be abuttlnqly rested on the thrust bearing 86.
The flfth segment 100 ls provided wlth a substantially X-shaped groove 102 on its top surface. The groove 102 is adapted to recelve a corresponding substantlally X-shaped prong 104 extendlng lntegrally from the top surface of the drlve adapter 106 lllustrated more specifically in figure 14.
The drlve adapter 106 is adapted to be flxed to the drlving dlsc 24 of the conventional trimming device ln~tead of the rlng 28, lllustrated ln flgure 12, which ls used on a conventional trimming device to flx the coil of cuttlng wlre to the drlvlng dlsc 24.
. .
- .: . . , ~ .
.: - .. ::. .. ;. . .
. . : . : . :.- .. -~ S ~9~
Flgures 7 through 13 ll1ustrate the lnterrelatlonship between the drlvlng dlsc 24 and the ring 28 of the conventional trlmmlng devlce. As lllu~trated ln flgure ~ through 10, the drlvlng dlsc 24 has a set of tongues 108 extendlng integrally from lts perlphery.
As ll1ustrated ln flgures 12 and 13, the rlng 28 is provided wlth a set of alternatlng reces~ 110 and abuttlng shou1der~ 112.
In use, the ring 28 is adapted to be positioned over the driving dlsc 24 and rotated untll the set of tongues 108 abut against a corresponding set of shoulders 112 as l11ustrated ln flgure 13, thus releasably locklng the rlng 28 to the disc 24.
To further secure the locking of the ring 28 to the disc 24, the latter is also provlded wlth a locklng tongue 114 mounted ,integrally to a resilient arm 116.
iAs stated previously, the adapter 106 is adapted to be fixed to the driving dlsc 29 of the conventlonal trlmmlng device. The system for fixing the adapter 106 to the dlsc 24 has thus been developed to allow the adapter 106 to be fixed in substantially the same manner as the ring 28 was fixed to the disc 24 on a ~conventional fixing device.
5The adapter 106 is thus provided wlth a palr of shoulders 118 slmllar to ~he shoulders 112 adapted to serve as locklng ?abuttlnq means for the tongue 108 of the dlsc 24. In u~e, when the user wlshes to connect the conventlonal trlmmlng devlce to the adapter 14, he merely needs to remove the ring 28 and the coll of cutting wire and replace lt with the adapter 106. once `" ' ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~ j the adapter ls In place, the user merely needs to lower the T-~haped prong 48 ~nto the T-shaped channel 46. The rotation of the dl~c 24 wlll be transmitted to the adapter 106 which will transmit it to the driving gear shaft 80.
The letter A' ln figure 2 refers to the arrow printed on the top surface of the cutter houslng 22 of the conventional grass trimming device to indicate the dlrectlon of rotation of the wire. The letter A refers to an indication which i~ printed on the top surface 40 of the frame 30 to indicate the direction of rotatlon of the blade 34.
As illustrated more specifically in flgure 6, the wheels 32 are mounted by an axle bolt 124 to a correspondlng set of substantially L-shaped extension 122 extending lntegrally from the frame 30.
- The phantom line 34' in figure 2 lllustrates the tra~ectory described by the ends of the blade 34.
, . . . -
ADAPTER FOR TRANSFORMING A ~RASS TRIMMING DEVICE INTO A LAWNMOWER
Fleld of the lnventlon The present lnventlon relates to the fleld of grass cutting apparatuses and more partlcularly to an adapter for reversibly transforming a conventional grass hedge trlmming device into a lawnmower type of apparatus.
Prior art Grass trlmmlng devices are now widely used by lawn owners in most industriallsed countries. A search amongst previous patents has located a patent, namely U.S. patent 2,660,847 issued in December 1953 to Edwln F. Brutten describlng an early version of thls type of device.
The trimming devices are especlally adapted to trim grass along the boarders of lawns, along ad~acent walls and curves, around upstanding obstacles such as monuments and other areas which are not accesslble by ordlnary lawnmower devices.
Most contemporary grass trimming device~ have a grlp adapted to be grasped by the operator fixed to an elongated handle. A
housing covering and electric motor is fixed to the lower end of the handle. The motor ls adapted to rotate a coil of substantlal1y flexible yet reslstent thread such as nylon. A
loose thread is left extendlng radially from the coil. When the motor is actlvated, the thread ls tensioned lnto a stretched out posltlon by the centrlfugal force. The rotating tensloned thread acts as a cutting means. While the trimmers are particularly suited to trim hedges and other areas less accessible to ~ ' ` ' '' ' .
~ ' ' ' . ~
h ~ ~\ 2 ~
conventlonal lawn mower devlces, they are not adapted to cut relatively large ~urfaces of lawn.
Indeed, because they are designed to be used in dlfflcultly accessible areas, they do not have wheels or other means for supportlng the cuttlng means in a flxed vertical relationship with the ground. Furthermore, because of the nature of areas in which they are supposed to be used, thelr cutting radlus 1 voluntarily kept relatively small.
Thus, lawn owners must resort to buying and maintaining in operable conditlon both a lawnmower adapted to cut relatively large surfaces of grass and an hedge trimmer for cutting the grass edge and other relatlvely dlfflcult to access areas.
The present lnventlon ls adapted to provide the user wlth an adapter for reversibly and temporarlly converting a trimming device lnto a devlce sultable for cuttlng grass surfaces conventionally cared for by lawnmower~.
The invention ls particularly destined to owners of small lawn~, typically less than 10000 square feet. It uses the power source of the trimmer for driving a blade rotatably attached to a wheel frame. The adapter embodylng the invention will brlng the cost of lawn maintenance down and wlll also be less cumbersome to store than a conventional lawnmower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus relates to an adapter for relea~ably transforming a conventlonal grass trimmlng device into a lawnmower. The adapter has a frame mounted on a set of wheels, ~ - , ~ . .. .. .
~ ~2~5 a cuttlng blade rotatably mounted on the frame, a coupllng means adapted to transfer the ~otatlonal torque ~enerated by the conventional trlmmlng device to the blade and a fixin~ means for releasably flxing the conventlonal trlmming device to the frame.
The flxlng means has a connecting structure extending substantially vertlcally and integrally from the frame. A
channel extends vertically through the connecting structure and a prong is fixed to the motor housing of the trimming device. The prong ls adapted to be inserted in the channel. A releasable fastening means prevents the prong from belng unwantingly retracted from the channel. In one embodiment of the invention, the prong and channel have a substantial T-shape. The prong is flxed to the motor houslng by a set of fixlng collars. Each one of the collars ls wrapped at one of lts end around a pln lnserted ln the prong and ls releasably flxed at its other end around to a tlghtenlng mechanlsm. The releasable fastenlng means ln one embodlment ls a locklng pin extendlng perpendlcularly lnto the channel ad~acent the top portlon of the channel. The locklng pln ls blased into the channel by a sprlng.
The conventlonal trlmmlng devlce has a conventional drivinq dlsc. The coupling means of the pre~ent invention has a drlve adapter adapted to be coupled to a conventlonal drlving dlsc of the conventional trimming device. It also has a drlve shaft adapted to be coupled to the drlve adapter, a set of gears llnklng the drive shaft to a blade shaft and a blade which ls flxed to the lower end of the blade shaft. In a preferred !~`. . . . . . .
n ~
embodlment, a drlve adaptar ls flxed to the conventional drlvlng dlsc by a bionet type of mechanlsm. The drlve adapter has a ~ubstantlally X-~haped connectlng prong on lts top surface adapted to be engaged ln a correspondlng X-shaped groove provided on the drlve shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Flgure 1 is a slde vlew of a conventlonal grass trimming device mounted on a grass cutting adapter embodyinq the invention, Flgure 2 is a top cross-sectional vlew taken along arrows 2-2 of figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 3-3 of flgure 2 and illustratlng the llklng mechanlsm between the trlmming devlce and the adapter, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional vlew taken along arrows 4-4 of flgure 2 illustrating the relationship between the trlmming device and the adapter, Figure 5 is a close-up detalled view taken along lnslde arrow 5-5 of figure 4, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional vlew of a wheel taken along arrow 6-6 of figure 4, Figure 7 i~ a bottom view of a component llnklng the drive mechanlsm and a coil of wire on a conventional trimming device, Figure 8 ls a detailed vlew taken along arrow 8-8 of figure 7, .
Flgure 9 ls a slde view of figure 8, 9 ~ ~ ~
Flgure 10 is a cross-sectlonal vlew taken a1Ong arrow 10-10 of flgure 8, Flgure 11 ls a cross-sectional vlew taken a1Ong arrow 11-11 Of ~lqure 8, Flgure 12 ls a bottom vlew of a rlng component fixing the coll to a conventlonal trlmmlng devlce mounted on the component lllustrated in flgure 7, Flgure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow 13-13 of figure 12, Flgure 14 is a perspectlve vlew of a drlve adapter part of the inventlon, and Flgure 15 ls a perspective vlew of a drive shaft part of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT
Referring to figure 1, there is shown a user 10 pushing a conventional grass trlmming devlce 12 mounted on an adapter 14 embodying the invention. In figures 1 through 7 the conventional trlmmlng devlce 12 ls shaded with dots to help differentlate between lts structure and the structure of the adapter 14 embodying the lnventlon whlch ls shaded wlth conventlonal shadlng lines.
The conventional grass trlmmlng device 12 has a grip 16 flxed to an elongated handle 18. A motor housing 20 coverlng a motor (not shown) is fixed to the lower end of the handle 18. The motor housing 20 extends lntegrally lnto a substantlally horizontal cutter housing 22. As illustrated in flgure 7, the ,. . ., ; .
~n~
cutter houslng 22 protectlve1y surrounds a drlvln~ disc 2~ 1inked to the drlving shaÇt 26 of the motor.
On most conventional grass trlmming devices, a locking disc 28 ls used to flx the coll o~ cuttlng thread to the driving disc 24 uslng a mechanlsm l11ustrated more specifica11y in figures to 13.
The adapter 14 embodying the invention has a frame 30 mounted on a set of wheels 32, a cutting blade 34 rotatably mounted on the frame 30 for cutting the grass, a coupling means 36 adapted to transfer the rotational torque of the motor of the conventional trimmlng device 12 to the blade 39 and a flxing means 38 for releasably flxlng the conventlonal trimming devlce 12 to the frame 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the frame 30 has a substantlally oval-shaped top wall 40, a downwardly and integrally extending peripheral wall 42 and a substantla11y upstandlng connectlng structure 44 extendlng lntegrally from the top wall 40.
As l11ustrated more speclflcally ln flgures 2, 3 and 4, the connecting structure 44 ls a substantlally T-shaped channel 46.
The T-shaped channel 46 l~ adapted to slldlngly recelve a correspondlng T-shaped prong 48 flxed to the motor houslng 20 of the conventlonal grass trimming devlce 12 by a set of fixinq collars 50. Each one of the flxlng collars 50 ls wrapped at one of lts end around a pln 52 inserted ln an abutting body 54 extending integrally from the T-shaped prong 48. The other end : . ~ . - . .
`~ :. - : : - . .
?~n~
of each flx1ng collar 50 ls releasably flxed to a tightening mechanlsm 56.
The connectlng structure ~4 and the T-shaped prong ~8 cooperate together to form the fixing means 38 releasably fixing the conventlonal trlmmlng device 12 to the frame 30.
In use, once the flxlng collars S0 are secured around the motor houslng 20, the conventional trlmming device 12 can readily by fixed by sllding the T-shaped prong 48 into the T-shaped channel 46. A releasable locking pin 58 slidingly extending perpendicularly to the channel 46 into the top portion of the T-shaped channel 46 ls adapted to releasably prevent the ~-shaped prong 48 from sliding upwardly outside the channel 46. The pin 58 is blased lnwardly lnto the channel 46 by a ~prlng 60. A
loop-shaped handle 62 allows the user to pull the pin 58 out of the channel 46 as illustrated in phantom lines in figure 3 to allow the prong 48 to be pulled out of the channel 46. The arcuate polnt of the pln 58 allows the pln to retract when the pronq 48 is pushed downwardly lnto the channel 46.
The grass cutting blade 34 ls flxed to a blade shaft 64 by a bolt 66. The blade ~haft 64 ls rotatably mounted to a gear hous1ng 68 by a set of bla~ ~ha~t b~a~ln~ 70. Th~ ~lad~ ~haft 64 ls prevented from downward axlal dlsplacement by an lntegral flange 72.
The gear housing 68 ls adapted to protectively enclose a set of gears part of the coupling means 36. The housing 68 i~ fixed to the frame 30 by a set of housing fixlng bolts 74.
~ `'` " ' ,~ '.-`' .`' '', . ,~ `` i` :"~
~? n ~
~ , 3 ~ ~
A bl~de ~haft gear 76 ls flxed to the blade shaft 64 by a key 7~. The blade ~haft gear 76 1~ adapted to engage the teeth of a drlving gear 78. The driving gear 78 is fixed to a segmented driving gear shaft 80 lllustrated more specifically in flgure 15 by a key 82 adapted to be inserted in a key way 84.
Th~ ~rlvlng gear shaft 80 is rotatably mounted to the gear housing 68 by a thrust bearing 86 and a ball bearing 88.
As illustrated in ~igure 1~, ttle ~Ei~ q ~ h~t ~
divided into 5 segments. A first segment 90 is adapted to be surrounded by the ball bearing 88. A second segment ls provided with a set of threads 92 for threadedly receiving a bolt and counter bolt 94. A third segment 96 is provlded with the key way 84 and adapted to be surrounded by the drlvlng gear 78. A fourth segment 98 is adapted to be surrounded by the thrust bearing 86 whlle a flfth segment 100 is adapted to be abuttlnqly rested on the thrust bearing 86.
The flfth segment 100 ls provided wlth a substantially X-shaped groove 102 on its top surface. The groove 102 is adapted to recelve a corresponding substantlally X-shaped prong 104 extendlng lntegrally from the top surface of the drlve adapter 106 lllustrated more specifically in figure 14.
The drlve adapter 106 is adapted to be flxed to the drlving dlsc 24 of the conventional trimming device ln~tead of the rlng 28, lllustrated ln flgure 12, which ls used on a conventional trimming device to flx the coil of cuttlng wlre to the drlvlng dlsc 24.
. .
- .: . . , ~ .
.: - .. ::. .. ;. . .
. . : . : . :.- .. -~ S ~9~
Flgures 7 through 13 ll1ustrate the lnterrelatlonship between the drlvlng dlsc 24 and the ring 28 of the conventional trlmmlng devlce. As lllu~trated ln flgure ~ through 10, the drlvlng dlsc 24 has a set of tongues 108 extendlng integrally from lts perlphery.
As ll1ustrated ln flgures 12 and 13, the rlng 28 is provided wlth a set of alternatlng reces~ 110 and abuttlng shou1der~ 112.
In use, the ring 28 is adapted to be positioned over the driving dlsc 24 and rotated untll the set of tongues 108 abut against a corresponding set of shoulders 112 as l11ustrated ln flgure 13, thus releasably locklng the rlng 28 to the disc 24.
To further secure the locking of the ring 28 to the disc 24, the latter is also provlded wlth a locklng tongue 114 mounted ,integrally to a resilient arm 116.
iAs stated previously, the adapter 106 is adapted to be fixed to the driving dlsc 29 of the conventlonal trlmmlng device. The system for fixing the adapter 106 to the dlsc 24 has thus been developed to allow the adapter 106 to be fixed in substantially the same manner as the ring 28 was fixed to the disc 24 on a ~conventional fixing device.
5The adapter 106 is thus provided wlth a palr of shoulders 118 slmllar to ~he shoulders 112 adapted to serve as locklng ?abuttlnq means for the tongue 108 of the dlsc 24. In u~e, when the user wlshes to connect the conventlonal trlmmlng devlce to the adapter 14, he merely needs to remove the ring 28 and the coll of cutting wire and replace lt with the adapter 106. once `" ' ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~ j the adapter ls In place, the user merely needs to lower the T-~haped prong 48 ~nto the T-shaped channel 46. The rotation of the dl~c 24 wlll be transmitted to the adapter 106 which will transmit it to the driving gear shaft 80.
The letter A' ln figure 2 refers to the arrow printed on the top surface of the cutter houslng 22 of the conventional grass trimming device to indicate the dlrectlon of rotation of the wire. The letter A refers to an indication which i~ printed on the top surface 40 of the frame 30 to indicate the direction of rotatlon of the blade 34.
As illustrated more specifically in flgure 6, the wheels 32 are mounted by an axle bolt 124 to a correspondlng set of substantially L-shaped extension 122 extending lntegrally from the frame 30.
- The phantom line 34' in figure 2 lllustrates the tra~ectory described by the ends of the blade 34.
, . . . -
Claims (8)
1-. An adapter for reversibly transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower, said adapter comprising - a frame mounted on a set of wheels, - a gutting blade rotatably mounted to said frame, - a coupling means adapted to transfer a rotational torque generated by said conventional trimming device to said blade, - a fixing means for releasably fixing said conventional trimming device to said frame.
2-. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprises a connecting structure extending integrally and substantially vertically from said frame, a channel extending vertically through said connecting structure, a prong adapted to be fixed to a motor housing of said trimming device, said prong being adapted to be inserted in said channel, a releasable fastening means for preventing said prong from being unwantingly retracted from said channel.
3-. An adapter as recited in claim 2, wherein said prong and said channel have a substantially T-shape.
4-. An adapter as recited in claim 2, wherein said prong is fixed to said motor housing by a set of fixing collars, each one of said fixing collars being wrapped at one of its end by a pin inserted in said prong and releasably fixed at its other end by a tightening mechanism.
5-. An adapter as recited in claim 2, wherein said releasable fastening means is a locking pin extending perpendicularly into said channel adjacent a top portion of said channel, said pin being biased into said channel by a spring.
6-. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said conventional trimming device has a conventional driving disc and said coupling means has a drive adapter adapted to be coupled to said conventional driving disc, a driving shaft adapted to be coupled to said drive adapter, a set of gears for mechanically linking said driving shaft to a blade shaft, a blade fixed to the lower end of said blade shaft.
7-. An adapter as recited in claim 6, wherein said drive adapter is fixed to said driving disc by a bayonet type of mechanism.
8-. An adapter as recited in claim 6, wherein said drive adapter has a linking prong on its top surface and said drive shaft has a corresponding linking channel adapted to receive said linking prong.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002082995A CA2082995A1 (en) | 1992-11-16 | 1992-11-16 | Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002082995A CA2082995A1 (en) | 1992-11-16 | 1992-11-16 | Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2082995A1 true CA2082995A1 (en) | 1994-05-17 |
Family
ID=4150694
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002082995A Abandoned CA2082995A1 (en) | 1992-11-16 | 1992-11-16 | Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2082995A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1260131A1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-11-27 | Robert Lawrence Fowler | Grass-cutting machines |
| EP1364571A3 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2004-03-10 | Black & Decker Inc. | Combination string and blade trimmer with auxiliary blower function |
| EP4079136A1 (en) * | 2021-04-19 | 2022-10-26 | Techtronic Cordless GP | Assembled grass cutting device |
-
1992
- 1992-11-16 CA CA002082995A patent/CA2082995A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1364571A3 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2004-03-10 | Black & Decker Inc. | Combination string and blade trimmer with auxiliary blower function |
| EP1260131A1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-11-27 | Robert Lawrence Fowler | Grass-cutting machines |
| EP4079136A1 (en) * | 2021-04-19 | 2022-10-26 | Techtronic Cordless GP | Assembled grass cutting device |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4183138A (en) | Apparatus for cutting vegetation | |
| US4161820A (en) | Apparatus for cutting vegetation | |
| US6460319B2 (en) | Vegetation trimming and edging device with adjustable head orientation | |
| US4389836A (en) | Carriage for a grass trimming device | |
| US4190954A (en) | Cutting heads | |
| US4188719A (en) | Lawn trimmer chain saw attachment | |
| US4189833A (en) | Apparatus for cutting vegetation | |
| US6901667B2 (en) | Trimmer head for use in flexible line rotary trimmers | |
| US5107665A (en) | Spatial guide for attachment to a line trimmer | |
| US5274987A (en) | Manual powered lawn mower | |
| EP3213619B1 (en) | Winding mechanism for a string trimmer head | |
| US5287683A (en) | Sweep cut trimmer mower and converting platform | |
| US6370854B1 (en) | Guard and dolly for line trimming apparatus | |
| CA2043237A1 (en) | Trimmer shield and mounting | |
| US4137694A (en) | Filament cutter attachment | |
| CA1272885A (en) | Auxiliary power apparatus | |
| CA2082995A1 (en) | Adapter for transforming a grass trimming device into a lawnmower | |
| US10939612B2 (en) | Weed wacker | |
| US20070084612A1 (en) | Rotary cultivator | |
| US5524425A (en) | Dethatching machine | |
| US5426852A (en) | Power hoe | |
| US4450672A (en) | Pulley mounting means for power lawn rake | |
| US4362074A (en) | Method for cutting vegetation | |
| US6662878B2 (en) | Transmission for trimmer/mower | |
| US6179059B1 (en) | Cutting blades |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |