GB2221602A

GB2221602A - Improvements in and relating to shields for grass cutting equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2221602A
Application number: GB8819080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond John Somerset
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-11
Filing date: 1988-08-11
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Also published as: GB8819080D0

Abstract

A shield 1 for a strimmer device is adapted to be supported from the shaft 2 of the strimmer at a position generally above the strimmer head 3. The dimensions of the shield are such that it extends outwardly from the shaft to overlie at least the major part of the circular path travelled by the strimmer blade 5 in use thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements In And Relating To Shields For Grass Cutting Equipment This invention relates to shields for grass cutting equipment known as strimmers in which the metal blades of conventional grass cutters are replaced by one or more lengths of plastics thread wound onto a rotable spool driven by an electric motor. The free end of the or each plastics thread travels at high speed within a circular path to cut grass and debris in its path.

It has been found that in use the strimmer thread causes stones and other objects to be propelled off from the gound at high speeds and in random directions to the obvious discomfort of persons operating the strimmer.

Stones and the like can, of course cause damage to objects in their path. Particularly where strimmers are used to cut grass in areas used by the general public, debris likely to be disturbed by the cutting blade of the strimmer can include such unpleasant items as dog excrement. Because of this and other debris likely to be disturbed, strimmer operators are often supplied with goggles and protective clothing.

The present invention sets out to provide a shield for strimmers which prevents, or at least alleviates, the problems occasioned by debris and other articles being disturbed and projected by the strimmer blade.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shield for a strimmer device which is adapted to be supported from the shaft of the strimmer at a position generally above the strimmer head, the shield being inclined with respect to the shaft such that in use it lies in a plane which is generally horizontal to the ground or is inclined thereto, and the dimensions of the shield being such that itextends outwardly from the shaft to overlie at least the major part of the circular part travelled by the strimmer blade in use thereof.

Preferably the shield includes a bracket by which it can selectively be connected to the shaft of the strimmer and is provided with an aperture through which the strimmer shaft can pass. In a preferred construction, the aperture is offset from the shield centre.

The shield may include a guard or skirt depending from its end which in use lies rearwardly of the strimmer blade. Alternatively or additionally a metallic guard maybe provided which depends from the under surface of the shield and is supported from the aforesaid bracket. A flexible sleeve may be provided to seal off the aperture through which the strimmer shaft projects.

Preferably the shield is produced from a plastics or rubber based material.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1 is a side vie a shield in accordance with the invention when mounted on a strimmer device; and Figure 2 is a plan view from above the shield illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a shield 1 in accordance with the invention mounted on the shaft 2 of a conventional strimmer. The strimmer includes a head comprising a housing 3 for a motor which drives a spool 4 of plastics thread 5 which in use defines the cutting blade of the strimmer. The shield is connected to the shaft 2 of the strimmer by a bracket 6 which also serves to support a metal guard 7 which depends from the under surface of the shield.

As will be seen more clearly from Figure 2, the shield 1 is formed with an opening 8 through which the strimmer head can pass, this opening being positioned slightly off centre of the shield. Thus in Figure 2, the aperture is shown closer to that side of the shield which overlies the cutting area of the strimmer. The aperture is closed by a flexible sleeve 9 which extends between the upper surface of the shield 1 and the shaft 2 of the strimmer. The sleeve may be secured to the shaft by an elasticated band.

A skirt or guard 10 is provided to the rear of the shield. The guard 10 may be formed integrally with the shield or may be dismountable therefrom.

In use of the shield, stones and other debris disturbed by the rotating cutting blade 5 of the strimmer are prevented by the shield from leaving the immediate cutting region of the strimmer blade, such debris being deflected downwardly towards the ground by the shield.

Thus, damage and discomfort to objects and persons which may be in the path of disturbed debris is alleviated.

The shield is preferably manufactured from a plastics or a rubber based compound possibly strengthened by one or more metallic inserts.

It will be appreciated that the strimmer shield described above is merely exemplary of shields in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true sccope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shield for a strimmer device which is adapted to be supported from the shaft of the strimmer at a position generally above the strimmer head, the shield being inclined with respect to the shaft such that in use it lies in a plane which is generally horizontal to the ground or is inclined thereto, and the dimensions of the shield being such that it extends outwardly from the shaft to overlie at least the major part of the circular path travelled by the strimmer blade in use thereof.

2. A shield as claimed in Claim 1 further including a bracket by which it can selectively be connected to the shaft of the strimmer and is provided with an aperture through which the strimmer shaft can pass.

3. A shield as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the aperture is offset from the shield centre.

4. A shield as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3 further including a guard or skirt depending from its end which in use lies rearwardly of the strimmer blade.

5. A shield as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3 including a metallic guard which depends from the under surface of the shield and is supported from the aforesaid bracket.

6. A shield as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims wherein a flexible sleeve is provided to seal off the aperture through which the strimmer shaft projects.

7. A shield as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims which is produced from a plastics or rubber based material.

8. A shield for a strimmer device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.