Abstract: A string trimmer head and head assembly include a plurality of arms which connect the head to a hub member. One or more flails are captured between the head and the hub member and extend outwardly into a cutting plane.

Abstract: A retainer for an electric cord on an electric power device or the like includes a handle with a slot or passageway through the handle. The handle is loop shaped and has a hook inside the loop spaced from the slot or passageway. The slot or passageway is oriented vertically, as are the hook and the handle itself. A cord may be passed through the vertical passageway and around the vertically extending hook such that the cord is twisted ninety degrees between the passageway and the hook.

Abstract: A string trimmer includes a wire guard assembly which retains a wire guard and debris shield on a motor housing. The wire guard is retained in a pair of grooves in the motor housing to capture the debris shield between the wire guard and an upper portion of the motor housing. The wire guard is locked in place by locking members on the bottom of the shield, thereby substantially permanently connecting the shield to the motor housing without the necessity of additional parts.

Abstract: A lawn and garden tool, such as a string trimmer, includes a lower housing, an upper housing having one or more axial channels interconnected with one or more circumferential channels disposed on an interior surface thereof and a shaft connected between the upper housing and the lower housing. A boss is located on an exterior surface of the shaft and is disposed within the channels such that the boss is capable of traveling back and forth between the interconnected axial and circumferential channels. Movement of the boss within one of the axial channels telescopes the shaft while movement of the boss within one of the circumferential channels rotates the shaft and, thereby, rotates the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The shaft may be moved from a locked position upon actuation of a push-button mechanism located on the upper housing of the string trimmer.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a first member relative to a second member comprises a button with two sets of teeth and movable between first and second positions. When in the first position, both sets of teeth engage sets of teeth carried by the first and second members to prevent relative movement of the first and second members. When in the second position, one of the sets of teeth carried by the button disengages one of the sets of teeth carried by one of the first and second members to allow relative movement thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an impeller for use in a centrifugal fan that also includes a housing and a drive shaft. The impeller is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith within the housing. The impeller further includes a disk-shaped back plate and an axis of rotation extending through the center of the circular back plate. A plurality of circumferentially spaced fins or blades extend generally radially of the axis of rotation, selected blades including mulching parts and the remainder of the blades being devoid of the mulching parts. The mulching parts are adjacent the radially inner portions of the selected blades and the mulching parts extend substantially axially of the impeller and into an air intake opening of the housing. The selected blades having the mulching parts are circumferentially spaced and are separated by at least one remaining blade which is devoid of a mulching part.

Abstract: A four-stroke engine comprising an engine frame including a block and a head, the block forming at least one cylinder and a crankcase. A piston is mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder, and a crank and connecting rod are mounted in the crankcase and connected to the piston. The crankcase includes a fuel inlet port and an outlet port, and a duct connects the outlet port to an intake passage in the head. The inlet port is connected to a supply of a combustible mixture comprising fuel, lubricating oil and air. During engine operation, the mixture flows through the crankcase, the duct, and the air intake passage to the cylinder. Valves and valve actuating mechanisms control the flow of the mixture to the cylinder and the flow of exhaust from the cylinder. The oil in the mixture lubricates the engine parts in the crankcase, the valves and the valve actuating mechanisms. The duct preferably forms a plenum or surge tank containing the mixture under pressure.

Abstract: A hedge trimmer having a hedge trimmer housing, a motor disposed in the hedge trimmer housing and a drive assembly associated with the motor. The drive assembly includes a first housing, a first gear connected to the rotatable drive shaft of the motor, a second housing, a second gear associated with the second housing, the second gear being in contact with the first gear so that the second gear rotates when the first gear rotates, and a support connector for causing the first and second housings to maintain a fixed positional relationship to ensure that the first and second gears remain in contact. The hedge trimmer also includes a first cutting blade operatively coupled to the second gear so that the first cutting blade reciprocates when the second gear rotates and a second cutting blade movable relative to the first cutting blade. The hedge trimmer may also include a gear-travel limit member to prevent any substantial misalignment of the second gear with respect to the first gear.