JP2016538857A - Line through feed type plant trimmer equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

This trimmer head can be used for both clockwise and counterclockwise trimmer heads, and consists of a bi-directional distribution spool. The various positions of the passage through the trimmer head and spool are shown along with the various positions of the components of the ratchet mechanism and distributed during the winding of the trimmer line around the trimmer head and the “bumping” of the trimmer head knob to the ground. Allow limit of line amount. Due to the thorough arrangement of the components, the trimmer head winds the line in a single direction of the spool and distributes the line regardless of the direction in which the trimmer head rotates with increasing or decreasing speed of the spool relative to the trimmer head housing. The line is distributed independently of the direction of rotation of the trimmer drive shaft for rotating the trimmer head.

Description

  In general, the present invention relates to a string trimmer and its rotating head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism in the string trimmer head that winds, holds and dispenses new lengths of trimmer lines when needed.

  String trimmer devices have been commercially available for a quarter century. During this time, there were many variations in the design of the string trimmer device, especially the trimmer head.

  The trimmer head is a part of a string trimmer device that is rotated by a drive shaft of the trimmer device. The trimmer head maintains the length of the trimmer line that rotates with the trimmer head. The rotating trimmer line cuts in contact with the plant while rotating.

  Depending on the structure, type and manufacturer of the string trimmer device, the trimmer head rotates clockwise or counterclockwise during operation. The trimmer head is fastened with bolts or nuts to the starting point of the string trimmer drive shaft which includes some extension on the string trimmer device. The threading direction of the bolt or nut is determined by the direction of rotation of the drive shaft so that the trimmer head does not come out of the string trimmer during operation. The current retail market share is roughly equally divided between clockwise and counterclockwise string trimmer devices.

  There are various trimmer heads on the market. The most common types of conventional trimmer heads are the bump feed trimmer head and the automatic feed trimmer head. Both types of trimmer heads have an internal spool that stores the wound trimmer line. As the trimmer line wears, it is replaced from the internal spool. In a bump-feed trimmer head, a short length of line is released from the spool when the bottom of the trimmer head contacts or “collides” with a hard surface. In an automatic feed trimmer head, the short length line is released from the spool without the operator manually hitting or colliding the bottom of the trimmer head against the ground. There are various mechanisms in the prior art that coordinate the release of the wound trimmer line from the internal spool of the trimmer head. A bump activated trimmer head is illustrated in US Pat. No. 5,881,464 in the name of Collins' “Line Head for Flexible Line Trimmer”. Automatic feed trimmer heads are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,384 in the name of Evertz's "Automatic Head for Line Trimmer", in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,607 in the name of Evertz's "Automatic Line Trimmer Head", and Mutou. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,189 in the name of the invention “Filament type brush cutter”.

  The biggest problem with conventional trimmer heads is one of reuptake. In order to refill and re-incorporate a new trimmer line, generally the trimmer head must be disassembled and the internal spool must be removed. This procedure is too difficult for many inhabitants and often cannot be completed successfully or attempted uniformly.

  Another common problem that often occurs with bump-feed trimmer heads is the problem of string twisting on the spool. Most bump-feed trimmer heads have two lengths of trimmer lines extending from both sides of the trimmer head. The bump / feed trimmer head pulls the trimmer line from the spool by centrifugal force. If the trimmer line is tangled, twisted, buried in subsequent windings, or fused with heat, the trimmer line will not be properly distributed. Furthermore, the trimmer head must be disassembled, and for the trimmer head to operate again as set, the trimmer string must be unwound and properly wrapped again. Also, whenever the trimmer string supply is depleted, the trimmer head must be manually disassembled. The spool is removed and wound again with a new supply of trimmer line. Furthermore, the spool is assembled back to the trimmer head. This procedure is difficult, hard work and very time consuming.

  Another problem with conventional automatic feed trimmer heads is the complexity and reliability of the release mechanism that pulls the trimmer line from the spool when needed. As many inhabitants testify, string trimmer devices initially fail to move the trimmer line release mechanism.

  Another disadvantage of some prior art trimmer heads is that they are designed to rotate in only one direction, i.e. the trimmer head is only mounted on a clockwise or counterclockwise trimmer. Designed and not designed to be mounted on both. Thus, a trimmer head designed for a clockwise trimmer may not work on a counterclockwise trimmer. Also, some parts of the clockwise trimmer head cannot be exchanged for some parts of the counterclockwise trimmer head. As a result, trimmer head manufacturers are required to create two sets of manufacturing tools for clockwise trimmer heads and counterclockwise heads. Therefore, the cost for manufacturing the trimmer head is considerably increased. In addition, each trimmer head design will have two different models for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

  Thus, there is a need for string trimmers that provide a trimmer line when needed and are a less expensive but reliable mechanism. There is also a need for a string trimmer that provides a trimmer line so that the trimmer line is not tangled, twisted or tied. Furthermore, there is a need for a trimmer head that does not have to be decomposed to add new strings. Finally, there is a need for a trimmer head that can be manufactured inexpensively with a few manipulating parts and that the trimmer device can operate either as a bidirectional trimmer head.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,464 US Pat. No. 5,060,384 US Pat. No. 5,109,607 U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,189

  The present invention relates to a trimmer head assembly and a method of forming a trimmer head assembly. The trimmer head assembly is attached to a string trimmer device. The trimmer head assembly has a trimmer line that is long enough to cut the vegetation when the trimmer head assembly rotates and contacts the vegetation.

  The trimmer head assembly includes a housing associated with the string trimmer device. The spool is provided inside the housing. The spool rotates around the rotation axis. The spool is movable longitudinally along the axis of rotation at least between the first position and the second position. The ratchet mechanism and the index mechanism are provided between the trimmer head housing and the spool. When the spool is in the first position, the ratchet mechanism allows the spool to rotate continuously or discontinuously about the axis of rotation in the opposite direction to the trimmer head assembly spinning. The ratchet mechanism also prevents the spool from rotating in either direction within the housing when not intended, and only rotates in the trimmer line winding direction when sufficient torque is applied.

  When the ratchet mechanism is used, a new trimmer line can be wound around the spool simply by fixing the trimmer line to the spool and manually rotating the spool. There is no need for disassembly. Preferably, the string / line is fed straight from one eyelet to the other eyelet ("penetrating") before winding the line around the trimmer core.

  During operation, an activation mechanism is provided to instantaneously move the spool from a first position within the housing to a second position. The activation mechanism may be automatic or the bumps may be activated. Once in the second position, the index mechanism rotates the spool so that a small length of trimmer line is unwound from the spool.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved component and its arrangement in an apparatus that is inexpensive, reliable and sufficiently effective to achieve the objective.

  For the purposes of this application, a “bidirectionally operable trimmer head” is assembled with a line wound around the trimmer head spool (after or ahead) and attached to either a clockwise or counterclockwise trimmer device. The trimmer head rotates either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction because the spool rotates in a direction independent of the trimmer head and distributes a certain length of line outward. When activated regardless of whether it is, the trimmer head distributes the line outward. In a bump-activated trimmer head, the centrifugal force of the line is superior to the rotational force of the spool, even if the direction of rotation of the spool is opposite to the direction of rotation of the trimmer head during line distribution, and both are rotating in the same direction Sometimes, even if the rotation speed of the spool is faster than the rotation speed of the trimmer head, it can be rotated in the direction to release a certain amount of the trimmer line. A “winding trimmer head” is defined as a trimmer head with a trimmer line wound around a spool.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a bi-directionally operable trimmer head for mounting a trimmer head of the same assembly winding for a clockwise or counterclockwise trimmer head.

  These and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. These objects of the invention are not exhaustive and should not be construed as limiting the claimed invention. In addition, it should be understood that any embodiment of the present invention need not include all of the above objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or all of the above purposes. Accordingly, these objectives should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a trimmer head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of several components of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trimmer head spool of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a view of a trimmer head according to a third embodiment with a central flange. FIG. 7 shows a view of a trimmer head according to a third embodiment with a central flange. FIG. 8 shows a view of a trimmer head according to a third embodiment with a central flange. FIG. 9 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a spool without flanges. FIG. 10 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a spool without flanges. FIG. 11 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a spool without flanges. FIG. 12 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a spool without flanges. FIG. 13 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a passage in the bottom flange of the spool. FIG. 14 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a passage in the bottom flange of the spool. FIG. 15 illustrates another spool with multiple passages for use with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a non-circular spool. FIG. 17 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a non-circular spool. FIG. 18 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a non-circular spool. FIG. 19 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a non-circular spool. FIG. 20 shows a view of a trimmer head according to another embodiment comprising a non-circular spool. FIG. 21 illustrates another spool with spokes instead of a central flange for use with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 illustrates another spool with multiple passages for use with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23A shows another spool with multiple passages for use with at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 23B illustrates another spool with multiple passages for use with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 shows a trimmer head according to another embodiment of the present invention comprising an assembly unit passage through the center of the spool. FIG. 25A shows another assembly unit with various passages for use with at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 25B shows another assembly unit with various passages for use with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25C shows another assembly unit with various passages for use with at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 25D shows another assembly unit with various passages for use with at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 25E shows another assembly unit with various passages for use with at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 26A shows each part of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 26B shows each part of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 27 shows each part of the trimmer head of FIG. FIG. 28A shows another spool arrangement with a passage through the bottom flange for use in at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 28B shows another spool arrangement with a passage through the bottom flange for use in at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 29 illustrates another spool arrangement that does not include a passage through the flange of the spool used in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

  Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are consistently assigned to corresponding configurations.

  The present invention relates to a through feed trimmer for a stringline trimmer.

  1-4 show cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of a trimmer head 10 for use with a string trimmer device (not shown). The trimmer head is fixed to the string trimmer device drive shaft arbor (including extension) (not shown) by bolts, nuts or other fasteners 12 as necessary in the form or specification, and is fitted to each arbor as needed. doing. In general, the threading direction of the fastener is selected such that the fastener is more likely to tighten during normal rotation of the drive shaft than it loosens from the arbor. The fastener 12 rotates the trimmer head 10 integrally with the drive shaft to drive the trimmer headline 14 radially outward from the trimmer head. Trimmer headlines 14 are well known in the art and are made of plastic or other material, rotate at high speed to cut grass, weeds, or brushes in contact with the line, and are available in many line diameters it can. US Pat. No. 8,025,249 issued September 27, 2011 by Georgia Alice shows one such shape and action of a string trimmer head, the patent being woven by reference.

  Upper housing 21 comprises a non-circular “key” chamber 23 (FIG. 4) that receives (or acts as) fastener 12 and prevents the fastener from rotating relative to the housing. The chamber 23 is shown as octagonal, but the shape may be chosen to accommodate the fasteners used to connect the housing to the arbor. The fastener is generally a bolt or a nut and is a forward and reverse threading.

  The core 16 is provided in the trimmer head 10 and receives the trimmer line when the trimmer line is wound around the trimmer head. The core can be selectively rotated with respect to the housing. The pair of eyelets 18 is provided in the outer housing 20 and allows the trimmer line to be inserted into the housing. The eyelets are preferably 180 degrees apart from each other, but in some cases, they may be 180 degrees or more, or the number of eyelets may be increased or decreased. The eyelet may include a metal guard or other sleeve that resists abrasion, as the line 14 within the eyelet is moved around or through the eyelet.

  The core preferably comprises a central hole or chamber delimited by the inner wall 22. The trimmer core 16 preferably includes a guide passage (“channel”) 24 extending through the center. The passage 24 is selectively aligned with (or relatively positioned with) one of the pair of eyelets 18 of the housing to supply a trimmer line, and the first opening is a first opening. It is preferred to have a second pair of eyelets 18 and a second channel opening in line with the eyelets. Due to the arrangement of the channel and eyelet, when the trimmer line is fed to the trimmer head, the trimmer line is fed from the first eyelet through the first channel opening, through the channel, the second opening and the second Sent through eyelet. An indicator 31 (FIG. 4) visible from the outside of the trimmer head may be provided so that the user will be aware when the core 16 and housing are ready to receive a line in line. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator is on the knob and is visible from below the trimmer head.

  FIG. 2 shows a preferred shape of the core of the trimmer head. A ratchet mechanism and an index mechanism are provided for winding and releasing the trimmer line on the trimmer head. The ratchet mechanism includes a first mechanism that winds up the trimmer line. The drawing shows a trimmer line 14 and a trimmer head core 16 therethrough. A knob 30 that engages and rotates with the core 16 is shown below the core. A lower housing 32 forming part of the outer housing 20 is shown below the knob. The knob 30 includes a number of preferably non-circular arms / splines 34 that are received within the mating receiver of the core 16 to ensure that the knob and core are rotated together when needed. The lower housing 32 is a part of the knob 30 that penetrates the opening 33 of the lower housing in cooperation with the upper half of the housing 20 and firmly fixes the inner knob and the core. The upper housing 23 and the lower housing 32 may be connected by a number of methods or mechanisms, but are preferably connected by a quick release system such as a flexible arm / finger 25 and a cooperating hole 27 that fit together.

  Further, the core and the upper and lower housings cooperate to form an index mechanism and a ratchet mechanism for supplying and controlling the trimmer line. In the position shown in FIG. 1, the eyelet 18 and the channel 24 are in a row, and a single trimmer line 14 is fed from the core through the outer housing and removed to the opposite side. The knob 30 is rotated to wind the line around the core 16. The core includes an upper disk 36 and a lower disk 38 that form a boundary between the upper side and the lower side of the lower chamber 57 for the trimmer line wound around the core. The upper chamber 59 is formed by the upper disk 36 and a shelf 61 of the housing described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 40 of the supply channel 24 opens to the side where the line faces the core. As the core rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, the line resists rotation due to friction, inertia and other forces acting on the outer line of the housing 20. The core leaves the trimmer line inlet and the inner wall 42 begins to pull the trimmer line as the core continues to rotate. The line then begins to be drawn into the housing, wrapping the inner wall 42 of the core 16. As the user continues to rotate the core with the knob 30, the teeth on the lower disk 38 rotate. Many lamps 46 are located in the lower housing and prevent rotation of the teeth within the housing during normal operation of the string trimmer device. The spring 50 is provided on the core and biases the core downward, but the core (and attached knob) may be moved in the axial direction with a preselected force.

  One effect of the hindrance is that the core cannot “free rotate” when the housing is rotated by the string trimmer. It is desired that the core and housing rotate together during normal operation so that the trimmer line is maintained at a constant length. If the core is allowed to rotate, the trimmer line will unintentionally wind or unwind when the housing rotates relative to the core.

  In order to continue wrapping the line around the core, the user gives the knob enough torque to cause the core teeth 44 to exceed the ramp 46. The lamp is in the appropriate direction (eg, clockwise, but those skilled in the art will have the lamp only clockwise or only counterclockwise depending on whether it is equipped with one lamp or two opposing lamps back to back. , Or know that it can be arranged to rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions), the rotation is oriented to cause the teeth to rise over the ramp. When rotating in the opposite direction (relative to the ramp shape in one direction), the teeth hit the vertical wall of the ramp (or other similar obstacle) and the torque does not facilitate further rotation of the knob and teeth. As the teeth go up the ramp, the core 16 moves the compression spring 50 axially upward. As the tooth goes over the ramp, the spring pushes the core downward in the axial direction with the teeth axially aligned with the next ramp. The ratchet mechanism also adjusts the winding direction and adjusts to release only a certain amount of lines. A one-way ratchet has the advantage that the line only wraps around the core in one direction, ensuring that the line is not “entangled” by rotating the core in the “wrong” direction.

  During winding, the trimmer line is pushed into one of the two chambers 57,59. The side port opening 41 of the passage determines whether the individual ends of the line are wrapped in the lower chamber 57 or the upper chamber 59. As shown in the front of FIG. 3, the front port 41 introduces a line into the lower chamber 59 constrained by the upper flange 36 and the lower flange 38 (FIG. 3). The rear port 41 (FIG. 2) introduces the line 14 into the upper chamber. The upper chamber of this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is connected at the lower end of the upper flange 36 and at the upper end of the surface of the housing 20 / the shelf 61. The shelf 61 is preferably smooth to reduce trimmer line traction and friction on the shelf as the spool rotates relative to the housing. The inner wall of the chamber is preferably provided by a flange core that rotates about a circular wall 65. Similarly, the lower edge of the spool may rotate while being supported for rotation by the lower circular wall 67 of the housing surrounding the spool or both the spool and knob (“active mechanism”).

  As is known in the prior art, the user taps a string trimmer head against the ground to release a certain amount of string. In the present invention, this is done by pushing the knob into the housing (“axially upward”) that moves the core 16 upward relative to the bias of the string 50. The on-axis movement is sufficient to raise the teeth 44 of the core 16 onto the ramp 46. This releases the core 16 and allows the housing 32 to spin freely in either direction. The direction of spin (relative to the housing) is adjusted not by the direction of the trimmer head but by the direction in which the force or line associated with the trimmer line 14 is wound around the core. The result is a bi-directionally operable trimmer head that can be provided on a clockwise or counterclockwise trimmer head, regardless of the direction of the line wrapped around the trimmer head. Regardless of whether the trimmer head is spinning clockwise or counterclockwise, the force applied to the trimmer line will pull the line outward when the centrifugal force applied to the line pulls the line outward. Operates as follows. The outward force operates to pull the line in the proper direction to rewind the line and rotate the core to rewind the line. Since the teeth are temporarily upward in the axial direction of the ramp 46, the core spins freely in either direction (relative to the housing) and moves in the appropriate direction, winding the line regardless of the direction of rotation of the trimmer head. return.

  Another function of the trimmer head is to adjust the amount of rotation during free spin when feeding the line outward. It is desirable to remove only a small amount of lines to replace lines that are worn or cut while trimming grass or weeds. If more lines are needed, the user can “bump” the knob again and repeat the above process. The line adjustment index function in the illustrated embodiment is performed by a number of upward protrusions 52 (“square teeth”) provided at the top of the core. The amount of string / line 14 released in one bump is adjusted by the gap between the stop bars 54 in the upper part 21 of the housing 20. The core 16 may rotate in a free spin mode at best until the protrusion hits one of the stop bars that stops the rotation of the core. As soon as the pressure applied to the knob is released, the core returns to the original axial position by the bias of the spring 50 and falls. The core may then rotate until the teeth 44 collide with the disturbing ramp. Centrifugal force on the line prevents teeth from climbing the ramp further and placing the trimmer line on the spool. The teeth rotating in the opposite direction impinge on the vertical wall of the ramp and are thereby prevented from rotating further. Thus, when the knob is bumped, the core spins freely with respect to the housing, but the amount of free spin (bidirectional) is adjusted by the teeth 52 and the stop bar, and the spring returns the core to its original axial position. . This is the position where the lamp is prevented from rotating past the lamp in the core due to the interaction of the lamp and teeth. Even if the teeth do not hit the stop, the bias of the spring returns to the position where the teeth and the lamp act as a safety device, preventing an unintended amount of line from being released with a single bump.

  Bi-directional supply. Due to the characteristic configuration of the trimmer head, once the line is wound around the trimmer head, the trimmer head can properly supply the line regardless of which direction the trimmer head rotates. Generally, the trimmer line is wrapped around the trimmer head to delay the spool relative to the housing when a knob / bump hits the ground. Thus, the housing rotates to unwind the line from the spool when the eyelet in contact with the trimmer line unwinds the length of the line from the spool. Current trimmer heads are in separate mode and can also speed up the trimmer head housing as the spool "pushes" the line outward. In fact, it is the frictional contact between the line with grass, weeds, other tools and the line that pulls the line to the spool that generates tension in the trimmer line, and the centrifugal force applied to the line from a certain length of line outside the housing. The trimmer head formed according to at least one concept of the present invention allows the spool to “freely rotate” with respect to the housing at short intervals. At this interval, the line can pull the spool faster than the housing to actually release a certain amount of line. It is preferable to prevent one of the stops from releasing an inappropriate amount of lines at a time. Ability to release the line by feeding the trimmer line regardless of the direction of rotation of the trimmer head while the speed is increased or slowed down with respect to the housing while supplying the line from the spool to the outside. Is defined as "bidirectional supply" or "bidirectional line supply" in the subject of this application. Trimmer heads that can supply in both directions are “operable in both directions”. The winding direction of the line around the trimmer head is defined as the direction in which the line is wound around the spool to release / supply the trimmer line when the spool is slow compared to the trimmer housing, i.e. the trimmer line on the spool. Winding clockwise allows the trimmer head to rotate counterclockwise to feed the line from the spool when the knob is "bumped" to the ground and allowed to delay the spool relative to the housing. The bump causes the housing to rotate counterclockwise faster than the spool, allowing the housing to unwind its length trimmer line and feed a fixed length line through the housing eyelet. To do.

  FIG. 5 shows another configuration of the first embodiment. In this configuration, the bottom ratchet of the lower disk 38 is formed by teeth or gears, and the ramp 62 of the lower housing 32 moves inward to adjust the position of the gear 60. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the teachings of the present invention that the ratchet functional parts (stop bars, teeth / gears, and ramps) can be placed on any face of the core as required, deviating from the scope of the present invention. Instead, it will be appreciated that it provides a take-up ratchet function and a line control function.

  FIG. 24 shows another version of the invention according to a further embodiment. The spool 2416 is splined to the knob 2430 by a slot or groove cooperating on the spline 2434 and the knob 2430 so that the spool and knob rotate together. The module is in line with the spool passage 2440 to provide / adjust the trimmer line route within the core of the spool from one flange passage to the other flange passage. 26A and 26B show the combined spool, knob 2433, and ramp and tooth profile. The ramps, stops, and teeth are each provided to allow the spool to wind in a particular direction and to adjustably index the amount of line dispensed. In FIG. 24, a configuration that can be used with any of the other embodiments is a module 2470 that is mounted within the spool 2416. The module may include keys, teeth, splines, grooves, or other devices that are properly aligned with the spool. Modules can be reversed and rotated to change the orientation, path, or placement of the module in the spool. The module is preferably switchable with other modules to coordinate the path through the core that sends the lines in the various paths. The module may, for example, around a drive shaft, bolt or other similar device (if any) to provide a curved path 2472 (FIGS. 25A and 25B) or to penetrate the center 2470 (FIG. 24). Provides flexibility like routing. Additional paths may be used depending on the shape of the path through the flange (or wing). FIG. 25C shows a path 2474 that is only bent one that is introduced through a corresponding spool flange (not shown). FIG. 25D shows a spiral path through the center of module 2476 leading to a corresponding spool flange with a spiral non-radial path (not shown) therethrough. FIG. 25E shows a module 2478 with many passages that selectively use 1-2 trimmer lines through cooperating flanges with passages (not shown) corresponding to each of the two module channels. FIG. 27 shows the module 2470 mounted in the spool 2416.

  28A and 28B illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but the channel 2840 is provided in the lower flange instead of the upper flange 40. FIG. One skilled in the art will recognize that the eyelet of the housing 2818 is in line with the lower flange in this embodiment instead of the upper flange. Preferably the teeth 2844 are also replaced from the bottom flange to the top flange.

  6-8 show another embodiment of the present invention comprising examples of various arrangements of ratchet components and comprising a central flange that divides the trimmer line into upper and lower chambers. In FIG. 6, the central core 116 of the trimmer head 110 includes a number of teeth 152 on the upper disk 138 that cooperate with a number of stops 154 (FIG. 7) provided on the top 121 of the housing. The follower 144 on the core 116 and the ramp 146 on the lower housing 132 cooperate to form a trimmer line take-up ratchet. The spring 150 biases the core 116 to the appropriate axial position described above. In this embodiment, knob 132 is preferably formed as an integral part of core 116.

  The core 116 has another configuration that accepts a fixed amount of trimmer line in the core 116 in two separate chambers. By separating the trimmer lines, the separate chambers are fed through the left and right eyelets 118 so that the lines are not tangled and the lines can be avoided from being “fused”. Trimmer lines can be thicker and harder than “fishing lines”, for example, so that the lines can be tensioned when used straight (non-spool) in the trimmer head. These cycles also cause the line to wrap around itself and to join / fuse with frictional heat. Dividing the lines can reduce the chance of these problems and increase the ease and reliability of taking out the lines during operation. To facilitate winding of the lines into the two chambers (instead of feeding all the lines onto the chambers), the openings 140 on either side of the central flange 137 are open on different sides of the flange. One opening includes a port 141 that opens onto the flange 137 and takes the line into a chamber formed between the upper disk 136 and the flange 137. The opposite opening 40 is a mirror image of the mouth opening towards the bottom of the flange 137 and takes the line into the chamber formed by the flange 137 and the disk 138.

  In operation, the knob 130 rotates causing the follower 144 to move over the ramp 146 and cause the core 116 to rotate relative to the housing 121, 132. With the rotation of the core, the line fed through the housing eyelet 118 through the trimmer headline supply channel opening 40 and taken out to the opposite eyelet is wound around the core 116. Due to the various orientations of the mouth of the opening 140, another part of the line is rolled into individual chambers formed above and below the flange 137. When a trimmer line is sent out and required to increase the length of the active blade of the line, it is used by hitting a knob on the ground on the other side ("bump"). The bumper causes the follower 144 to rise above the ramp 146, and the trimmer line centrifugal force pulls the line against the core and is required to feed the line outward regardless of the overall direction of rotation of the trimmer head. The core is rotated in a different direction (relative to the housing). The rotation of the core relative to the housing is constrained by the teeth 152 hitting the stop 154 and adjusts the amount of line supplied during a single “bump” of the knob 130.

  FIGS. 9-12 show another embodiment with a flangeless core and distributing several ratchet components to a knob separated from the core. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the trimmer head 210. The core 216 is pivotally connected by an arm / spline 233 engaged with a corresponding slot 235 that causes the knob 230 to co-rotate tightly with the knob 230. The knob, core, and bias spring 250 are disposed and biased between the lower housing 232 and the upper housing 221. A number of square teeth 252 are removed during “bumping” of the trimmer head knob 230 in cooperation with corresponding stops on the upper housing 221 to form a feed adjustment (“index”) mechanism as described above. Limit the amount of lines.

  The upper housing 221 includes a guide wall 253 (FIG. 12) that receives the outer wall of the core. Guide walls do a lot of work. First, the core 216 is positioned at the center in the housing. With the knob 230 in the center of the lower housing 232 and the core in the upper housing 221, the core and knob are guided to rotate reliably about a fixed axis within the housing. Further, the square teeth 252 are aligned with the stop bar 254 as described above by the guide wall. The stop and teeth limit the amount of free rotation of the core during “bumping” and distribute the limit amount of the line to each bump. The wall 249 of the upper housing 221 is provided in the core so that the core can rotate close to the wall 249 (see, for example, FIG. 1). This causes the line to wrap around the top of the core instead of around the upper housing wall 249 to reduce line friction when the core rotates independently of the housing 221.

  The lower housing consists of a number of followers 244 that cooperate with a ramp 246 (FIG. 11) to provide a ratchet function and wraps a trimmer line around the core 216 while preventing unintentional rotation of the core relative to the housing. In operation, the spring 250 biases the core downward. The core 216 presses the knob and axially arranges the ramp 246 and the follower 244. The rotation of the core rotates the knob until the lamp engages the follower. If the torque applied to the knob increases, the knob 230 is manually turned to antagonize the bias of the spring 250 and raise the ramp. When sufficient torque is applied, the ramp passes past the follower 244 and the spring pushes back to match the follower in a ratcheting action. Rotating the lamp past the follower allows the core to rotate relative to the housing to wrap additional lines around the core. The ratchet mechanism shaft spacing may be such that the height that the knob moves when the ramp crosses the follower is insufficient to engage the square teeth 252 with the stop bar 254, so that the stop When the line is wound around the core, it will not interfere with the core rotation.

  The core 216 itself is flangeless. There is no need for an upper or lower disk or center flange to wrap the line around the core. The core includes a number of arms that extend the length of the trimmer line supply channel 224 from one eyelet 218 to the other. The channel ends with an opposite opening 40. One opening of the channel includes an opening 41 that opens upward, and the other opening includes an opening that opens downward. The line supplied upwards enters the housing area connected by the arm 217 and the upper housing 221. The guide wall 253 prevents the line from interfering with or tangling the core or the square tooth 252 rotating at the upper end of the core. The line supplied downwards enters the area of the housing connected by the arm 217 and by the lower housing 232. The additional lines that enter when the core rotates again past the eyelet will continue to wrap around the appropriate area above and below the arm 217, as the line will raise and lower the eyelet by the length of the line already in the housing. . The distance that the channel opening wall 249 extends over the arm is, for example, that part of the line is already biased in the direction of pulling the line over the arm (lowering if necessary), so that the further line is also armed To help ensure that it is introduced beyond. In this way, the core does not require a top, bottom or center flange to coordinate the in-order storage and retention of lines within the trimmer head housing.

  FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the present invention with an upper flange and a lower flange without a central flange. The spool 2116 includes an upper flange 2136 and a lower flange 2138. This is used, for example, instead of the spool of FIG. Appropriate teeth, ramps and / or stops may be provided to mate with the ramps, teeth or stops of the housing, if desired. The bump knob (not shown) may be provided so as to engage with the bottom of the spool, or may be provided integrally with the spool. In operation, the line fed through opening 2140 is fed through the other side to the housing opening (118, FIG. 6).

  As the spool rotates, the line enters from the side openings 2141 of the spokes or wings 2117 and wraps around the central wall 2111 of the spool. Depending on whether the channel opening 2141 opens at the top or bottom of the wing 2117, the spokes operate to divide the line into the top or bottom opening, so no flange is necessary. In fact, during the next rotation, the line in the top chamber is guided and allocated space on the top 2119 of the spoke 2117. The spokes are flared (radially expanded) to help the line wrap in the proper direction. This operates to draw the next line on the wing to wrap around the top chamber. The line in the bottom chamber is similarly wrapped around the bottom chamber. The top and bottom flanges act to hold the line on the spool. Ancillary spokes and wings are provided near the spool core. These auxiliary spokes and wings have passages through which additional trimmer lines can be used or used as alternative passages when the first passage through the spool is blocked, such as by disconnection Can do. Auxiliary spokes are also provided without a through passage (not shown) to help keep the line wrapped around the appropriate channel as a line adjustment spoke. The spool operates in other respects similar to that of FIG.

  Figures 13-14 illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a trimmer head 310 that utilizes a core 316 that does not include a bottom flange. As seen in FIG. 14, the core 316 includes a central flange 317 with a through-line feed channel 324. Upper disk 336 (FIG. 14) carries teeth 352 cooperating with stop 354 to upper housing 321 to form a trimmer line distribution adjustment mechanism. Channel 324 ends with a pair of opposing openings 340. One opening biases the trimmer line into a chamber formed between the upper disk 336 and the central flange 317. The opposite opening is provided with a mouth that biases the trimmer line piece downwards toward the knob 330 and the housing region formed between the flange 317 and the interior of the lower housing 332. The knob includes an upper surface (“shelf”) 339 to prevent the accumulated line from spreading into unintended areas during rotation and to define the lower chamber that receives the line. A lower cylindrical portion 374 of the core 316 may be provided so as to reach the knob, the core is fixed to the knob, and the rotation of the core around the center axis of the trimmer head may be promoted. Since the core 316 and knob are secured together in the core extension 374 by slots 370 and grooves 372, the line is supported on the top surface as the knob and core rotate together. To release the trimmer line, the ramp 346 on the knob cooperates with the lower housing follower (see FIG. 9, 244) to wrap the trimmer line around the core 316 as described above.

  FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a trimmer head comprising two or more trimmer head supply channels 424 (“passages”). Core 416 provides a number of supply channels 424. The channels may be connected to opposite or adjacent channels by passages 420 in the central module 422 of the core 416 such that a line fed through one channel 417 exits the second channel of the core 416. Good. See figure. The number of lines that can be supplied simultaneously is adjusted to one line by the number of eyelets in the outer housing (see, for example, FIG. 1), and generally only one line. However, it may be desirable to provide additional channels in the core 416 for various reasons, such as when one channel is blocked by a break or fragment. In addition, channels can be provided to accept different types / diameters of trimmer lines or for other purposes. The channels can intersect in the middle to communicate with each other, or one or more channels can each be slightly bent so that they cross each other. Depending on the demands of the core 416, the opening of each channel can have all the lines in one chamber or can be split on both sides of the channel. The channels can be formed in the same or different shapes as desired. Multiple channels can be provided in the central flange, top or bottom disk or unflangeed core. FIG. 22 shows a similar four channel spool 2216 with four channels / passages 2217 in the central flange. Preferably, the channel opening at the opposite end of the passage divides the winding of the two trimmer lines through the same chamber.

  FIGS. 23A and 23B show a spool 2316 with passages 2317 in the top flange and bottom flange, respectively. The spool and trimmer housing are formed with passages in both the top and bottom flanges at the same time and can be provided for multiple trimmer line accessories when one passage is blocked, or instead of trimmer lines Or provide a mounting location. The center flange may be provided such that both ends of the trimmer line from the top flange are stored in the top chamber and both ends of the trimmer line from the bottom flange are stored in the bottom chamber.

  FIG. 29 shows another version of the spool 2916. In this embodiment, there are no paths / channels / passages through the central flange. Instead, there are two passages through the spool so that the two trimmer lines are each extended through the spool by 90 degrees from each other. Each passage includes a termination opening / hole 2940 at each end of the passage. The spool core opening 2940 determines whether the line is involved in the upper chamber or the lower chamber. Preferably, the holes at the opposite ends of the passage enter the same chamber and separate the windings of the two trimmer lines. The obstacle to this design is that the line needs artificial help to pass through the eyelet and through the spool. This can be accomplished by several methods, including the use of straws or other devices, or by disassembling the trimmer head and can be passed through the line appropriately. For these reasons, this design is less preferred than other designs, but may be achieved, for example, at a lower cost.

  Figures 16 to 20 show additional embodiments according to at least one concept of the invention consisting of a non-tubular core. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the trimmer head 510. The trimmer head 510 includes an upper housing 521 (FIG. 19) with a core 516 (FIG. 16), a lower housing 532 (FIG. 20), a spring 550 therein, and a knob 530 (FIG. 17).

  The upper housing 521 includes a key chamber that supports the fasteners and connects the trimmer head 510 to the arbor of the string trimmer device. The interior of the housing is made through a number of spacers 519 around the wall and supports the outer diameter of the flange 517 so that the core 516 rotates about the central axis within the housing. That is, the core can rotate without excessive wobble. The housing includes a number of eyelets 518 made of metal or plastic guards or sleeves to prevent wear of the housing when the trimmer line 514 is added to or removed from the housing. The upper housing 521 is appropriately connected to the lower housing.

  FIG. 20 shows the lower housing with a flexible collet-like finger 525 that secures within an opening 527 in the upper housing to provide a quick release connector between the upper and lower housings. When the finger 525 is pushed inward, the finger disengages from the opening 527 so that the housing is divided into upper and lower housing portions. Similarly, the knob 530 may be secured to the core 516 with fingers 76 cooperating within the core opening 576, or with other fasteners or screws. The wall of the knob key 578 is made to fit into the opening in the bottom of the core 516. The opening is preferably the same shape and size as the inner wall 578 of the core to securely support the knob so that it does not rotate relative to the core. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented as long as they cooperate with each other, regardless of the shape selected for the knob key or the corresponding opening in the core.

  The core includes a central flange 517 that divides the incoming half of the trimmer line 514 into a lower chamber formed between the disk 538 and the flange 517. The trimmer line above the flange 517 is held in the space between the flange 517 and the upper housing 521. The trimmer line is supplied from the eyelet 518 through the channel 524 from the outside of the housing, and is sent out from the other eyelet. The line is then fed into the core by turning the knob and the core 516 is rotated to wrap the line around the core. The cooperating ramp 546 and follower 544 adjust the unintended rotation of the core relative to the housing, and at the same time the preferred rotation of the knob with sufficient torque causes the ramp to move the follower according to the preferred amount of movement.

  This embodiment preferably does not include an indexing scheme with stops and teeth or square teeth. Stops are utilized in some embodiments to adjust the amount of line delivered through the eyelet for each “bump” of the knob. It has been found that the amount of line taken out in the “bump” can be adjusted sufficiently with only the lamp and follower. When the knob is bumped or pressed against the ground with the trimmer head quick tap, there may be a slight time lag before the core actually begins to turn. If the repulsive force of the spring 550 is properly specified and the number and position of the lamps are incorporated into the trimmer head, the return time required to push the core back into place and place the lamp on or between the followers will be It is sufficient to slightly rotate the core before stopping the rotation of the core relative to the housing. Thus, the use of only the ratchet lamp and the follower part is sufficient to perform both the winding and adjusting functions of the trimmer line head.

  The embodiments of the present invention shown and described are merely representative and it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various variations to these embodiments. For example, the number of tooth protrusions, ramp protrusions and stop protrusions can be varied while keeping the number of these components equal. Similarly, the shape of the bump knob, the shape of the housing, and the shape of the spool can be changed to various shapes not shown. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims. Any embodiment need not include some or all of the features of the present invention.

  Although the present invention has been described as a preferred design, it inherits the general subject matter of the present invention, becomes known or customary in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, and applies to the central features described above, the scope of the invention and the additional claims. Modifications, uses and / or adaptations of the invention including deviations from the specification which fall within the scope of the section limitations are considered possible. Thus, the present invention is not limited to only the above embodiments, but is intended to encompass any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (16)

A trimmer device having a clockwise driving direction device and a trimmer device having a counterclockwise driving direction are selectively attached,
A trimmer head comprising a spool rotatably mounted in the trimmer head housing; and at least one chamber through which the spool passes through the spool and winds the trimmer line around the spool in the first winding direction;
The trimmer head includes a pair of eyelets that receive an end of a trimmer line that penetrates from the spool to a region outside the housing;
A track knob slidably coupled to the trimmer head housing for moving the spool from a first axial position relative to the housing to a second axial position relative to the housing;
The trimmer head manually rotates the orbit knob so that the trimmer head winds the trimmer line from the outside of the housing onto the spool in the first winding direction, but in the direction opposite to the first winding direction. A ratchet mechanism that is selectively switchable between a first winding mode when in the first axial position so as to prevent rotation, and wherein the trimmer head has a fixed length through a pair of eyelets A bi-directionally operable trimmer head comprising a second bi-directional line distribution mode when in a second axial position for distributing the trimmer line.   When the ratchet mechanism is in the second bidirectional line delivery mode, the spool decelerates relative to the trimmer housing when the trimmer line is wound in a direction opposite to the rotation of the trimmer device driving direction. When the trimmer line is wound in the same direction as the rotation of the trimmer device drive direction, the spool is accelerated with respect to the trimmer housing and distributes the trimmer line from the eyelet. The bidirectionally operable trimmer head according to claim 1.   When the spool is in it, when the first module is in the spool, it passes through the spool in a radial direction to feed the trimmer line, and when the second module is in the spool, the non-radial direction The bidirectionally operable trimmer head according to claim 1, further comprising an exchangeable module for sending the trimmer line by a spool route.   4. The bidirectionally operable trimmer head according to claim 3, wherein the module is detachably attached to the spool by a quick connection mechanism.   4. The spool of claim 3, wherein the spool comprises a top flange and a bottom flange that define a spool storage range, and the trimmer line passes through the spool in a passage in the top flange of the spool. Trimmer head capable of bidirectional operation.   4. The spool according to claim 3, wherein the spool comprises a top flange and a bottom flange that define a spool storage range, and the trimmer line passes through the spool in a passage in the bottom flange of the spool. Trimmer head capable of bidirectional operation.   4. The spool according to claim 3, wherein the spool comprises a top flange and a bottom flange that define a spool storage range, and the trimmer line passes through the spool in a passage in the central flange of the spool. Trimmer head capable of bidirectional operation.   2. The bidirectionally operable trimmer head according to claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is connected to the spool so as not to rotate by a spline cooperating with the spool and a ridge in the activation mechanism.   2. The bidirectionally operable trimmer head according to claim 1, wherein an activation mechanism is connected to the spool by a spline cooperating with the activation mechanism and a ridge in the spool so as not to rotate.   The bi-directionally operable trimmer head of claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber is defined by a first flange of the spool at its lower end and by a wall of the trimmer head housing at its upper end.   11. A bi-directionally operable trimmer head according to claim 10, wherein the spool comprises a second chamber defined by a first flange of the spool at the upper end and by a wall of the trimmer head housing at the lower end.   The bi-directionally operable trimmer head of claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber is defined by a first flange of the spool at its upper end and by a wall of the trimmer head housing at its lower end.   The bi-directionally operable trimmer head of claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber is defined by a first flange of the spool at its upper end and by a shelf of an activation knob at its lower end. The spool is in at least one chamber closed between an upper flange and a lower flange and comprises a spoke extending from the spool to the chamber;
2. The bi-directionally operable trimmer head of claim 1, wherein the trimmer line passes through a passage in the spoke, the passage leading to at least one chamber. A bidirectionally operable trimmer head is provided with a spool rotatably mounted in the trimmer head housing, the spool passing through the spool and having at least one chamber for winding the trimmer line around the spool in the first winding direction. Shall be prepared,
A trimmer head operable in both directions is attached to a trimmer device having a driving direction device in the same direction as the first winding direction,
The trimmer head is provided with a pair of eyelets that receive the end of the trimmer line that penetrates from the spool to the outer region of the housing;
A trimmer line is routed through one path of the eyelet through the trimmer head, and delivered to a pair of second eyelets;
A trajectory knob slidably coupled to the trimmer head housing for moving the spool from a first axial position relative to the housing to a second axial position relative to the housing;
The trimmer head manually rotates the orbital knob so that the trimmer head winds the trimmer line from the outside of the housing onto the spool in the first winding direction, but in the direction opposite to the first winding direction. A ratchet mechanism that is selectively switchable between the first winding mode when in the first axial position and prevents the rotation of the trimmer head through a pair of eyelets to a certain length A second bi-directional line distribution mode when in a second axial position for distributing the trimmer line of
Winding the trimmer line around at least one chamber of the spool by moving the activation knob in the first winding direction;
Operate the trimmer device to rotate the trimmer head housing in the first winding direction;
Activate the activation knob at least once to switch the ratchet mechanism to the second bi-directional line distribution mode, decelerate the trimmer head housing relative to the spool, and activate the line wound around the spool from a pair of eyelets during each activation of the activation knob A method of dispensing trimmer lines from a bi-directionally operable trimmer head characterized by dispensing.   A method of dispensing a trimmer line from a bi-directionally operable trimmer head, wherein the actuating knob slowly activates the spool and trimmer head and then the spool accelerates faster than the housing due to the pulling force on the trimmer line pulling on the spool.

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