Abstract: A motorized implement having a housing containing a motor mounted therein the motor having a rotary shaft with an output end. The motorized implement further has a drive shaft with an input end pivotably supported relative to the housing and co-axially aligned with the rotary shaft. Moreover, the implement has a connector interposed between the motor and the drive shaft, which includes a pair of co-axial apertures, one to cooperate with the input end of the drive shaft to form a first connection. The other of the pair of apertures to cooperate with the output end of the rotary shaft to form a second connection. One of the first and second connections is securely fixed to its associated shaft end, and the other forms a pivotal universal joint. The aperture and associated shaft end which form the universal joint have corresponding non-circular cross-sections for enabling a slip-fit connection. The universal joint facilitates slight misalignment between the rotary shaft and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A motor housing for a string trimmer having a vibration damper disposed between the housing member and the motor. The motor housing has transverse motor support ribs fixedly supporting the motor. A damper chamber is formed in the housing between and end face and an adjacent transverse motor support rib. Stiffner ribs disposed between the end face and the adjacent transverse motor support rib form radial seats on diametrically opposite sides of the motor. A resilient linear vibration damper member is compressively received in each of the damper chambers between the electric motor and the radial seats.

Abstract: A hand held power tool is disclosed comprising an internal combustion engine, a workpiece driven by the engine, a boom extending between the engine and the workpiece, a clutch housing, a starter module, and an isolator. The clutch housing, the starter module and the isolator are disposed in a rearward section of the power tool housing the boom. The isolator is preferably formed of thermoplastic rubber, and is disposed between the clutch housing and the starter module. The clutch housing and the starter module are connected by fasteners extending therebetween, but the fasteners do not penetrate the isolator. Because the isolator is soft mounted, the isolator effectively dampens engine vibration forces to the operator and avoids local stresses which might otherwise lead to premature failure.

Abstract: A chain saw having a resilient deflectable rear handle. The rear handle is connected to a housing of the chain saw at a first end and has a second end that is cantilevered. A portion of the housing is suitably sized, shaped and positioned relative to the rear handle second end to form a deflection overload constraint to prevent the rear handle from deflecting too much. The cantilevered configuration of the rear handle and its deflectability allow vibrations generated during operation of the chain saw to be reduced at an operator's grasping location on the rear handle.

Abstract: A flywheel magnet rotor assembly. The assembly comprises a core, a magnet, two pole shoes and a molded resin disk. The core is comprised of metallic nonferromagnetic material forming a general can shape with apertures through a first wall. The magnet is sandwiched between the pole shoes inside the can shape and portions of the pole shoes extend out the apertures. The molded resin disk substantially surrounds the core.

Abstract: A carburetor and chain oiling assembly and method of manufacturing the same for use in a chain saw. The assembly generally comprises a carburetor section, an oil pump section and a cover connecting the two sections. The cover can connect the oil pump section to the carburetor section forming a cover for a carburetor fuel diaphragm and a working chamber with an oil pump diaphragm. The cover has a gas conduit between the carburetor housing and the working chamber such that gas pulses from an engine crankcase can be supplied to the working chamber to operably move the oil pump diaphragm to provide a continuous and automatic metered flow of oil to a saw chain.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self regulating rotor for a centrifugal clutch. The rotor is designed to reduce the clearance between the rotor and the the drum by being stressed above its elastic limit as speeds above the normal engagement speed whereby any enlargement of the rotor diameter that occurs above the eleastic limit results in a permanent set.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rotor for a centrifugal clutch of the type where the rotor resides inside a drum and engages the drum above a predetermined speed. The rotor comprises a plurality of randomly oriented similar rotor elements each capable of expanding ourwardly independently of one another to engage the drum. The rotor elements are preferably stamped from sheet metal.