Lawn Edger Patents (Class 172/13)
  • Patent number: 10569406
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomically excellent work tool while maintaining high manufacturing efficiency. A representative work tool is provided which performs a prescribed operation on a workpiece by driving a tool accessory. The work tool has an inner housing that houses a motor and a spindle, an outer housing and an elastic member. A first inner housing element and a second inner housing element are assembled while being opposed to each other in a transverse direction, and a first outer housing element and a second outer housing element are assembled while being opposed to each other in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yonosuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 10244686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rigid, blade-shaped landscaping tool for defining and maintaining a well-defined boundary between a garden or soil bed and an adjacent natural or man-made ground surface. The tool generally comprising a vertical cutter, a horizontal cultivator, a grader flange and a handle mount disposed on the top edge of the blade. In particular, the landscaping function of the tool can be accomplished by physically drawing the tool along the adjacent natural or man-made ground surface whereby the vertical cutter and an associated horizontal cultivator sever plant growth and/or dislodge soil which are then physically graded away from the plane of the vertical cutter and away from the adjacent ground surface toward the soil bed to create the desired, well-defined edge and/or boundary between the soil bed and the adjacent ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Wilson T. Svedin
  • Patent number: 9750182
    Abstract: A body unit of a grass cutter incorporates a deceleration mechanism unit. The deceleration mechanism unit has a ring gear-side member, a sun gear-side member, a retainer board member, and a small gear. Eleven rollers mounted on the retainer board member are each provided in a gap between a ring gear-side guide and a sun gear-side guide, and engagement portions of the rollers are in contact with both the ring gear-side guide and the sun gear-side guide. The small gear engages with both a ring gear and a sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Idech Corporation
    Inventors: Junya Itoh, Kazuyuki Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 9689137
    Abstract: The trenching shovel is narrow at its digging end so that a lot less dirt is required to be removed. The trenching shovel has a three sided blade and the shovel point has a concave, sharp edge which partially wraps around a root to permit cutting of the root without the blade slipping off. The three sides are also angled slightly outward to help prevent dirt from sticking to the channel of the shovel and to compact the side edges of the trench to prevent collapse of the sidewalls into the formed trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Lee Matson
  • Publication number: 20130081832
    Abstract: A tool for removing undesired growth between adjacent surfaces includes a pair of flanges of generally equal width and length symmetrically located about a central axis and having a front end and a back end. The flanges are shaped to form a generally curved V-shaped opening at their front end whose width decreases gradually in a curved manner to form a narrow region terminating at an end point along the central axis. The flanges Kaye inner facing surfaces which are disposed with respect to each other to define an interior angle which may vary over a wide range. A handle is attached via a bracket to the flanges for enabling the front end of the flanges to be urged under undesirable growth, and wedging the undesirable growth within the narrow region for enabling the removal of the undesirable growth with its roots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: SAMUEL SPECTOR
  • Patent number: 8201639
    Abstract: A cutting attachment for rotary edgers having a planar base and a plurality of cutting fins or evacuating blades that extend outward from an outboard side of the base. A plurality of teeth are formed along a peripheral edge of the base and are defined in part by leading edges which face a direction of rotation. The cutting fins extend outwardly from the base at an acute angle so that distal ends thereof are angled in a direction opposite of the direction of rotation. The cutting fins are also spaced apart from the leading edges of the teeth of the base. The cutting fins are further attached along bases thereof at acute angles with respect to the leading edges of the teeth of the base so that radially outermost ends of the bases of the cutting fins are spaced further from the leading edges of the teeth than inner most ends of the bases of the cutting fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: John Szurpicki
  • Patent number: 8066080
    Abstract: A shovel device having a base region and a transverse blade, the transverse blade having a longitudinally positioned forward blade edge that is operatively configured to cut the earth and trim a portion thereof. The shovel device is adapted to create an edge portion and further has a rearward wall so as to more easily allow the repositioning of removed earth from the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Hans Keith William Hanson
  • Patent number: 7814738
    Abstract: A device for cultivating a crop, such as a tree or plant, includes a rotary body which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. At least one cutting member is provided, which is fastened to the rotary body in such a way that the cutting member, during the rotation of the rotary body, defines a substantially circular path. The cutting member is configured in such a way that a crop located radially within the path can be cultivated along said the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Vastgoedmaatschappij Gebr. Ezendam B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Pontianus Ezendam, Nicodemus Assisius Ezendam
  • Patent number: 7748470
    Abstract: Apparatus for trimming grass around sprinkler heads or tending a small garden area includes a tubular member having a plurality of serrations formed on one end for cutting grass around such sprinkler heads. A housing member partially disposed for reciprocal movement within the tubular member. A plate disposed for closing one end of housing member and having an outer periphery engageable with an inner surface of such tubular member for guiding during reciprocal movement. A second guide disposed around outer periphery of such housing member intermediate each end thereof. Another elongated rod like member engages an end of such first elongated rod like member. A caged biasing means is disposed over the second rod like member for absorbing shock during use of apparatus and a mechanism for manipulating the apparatus while trimming such grass around such sprinkler head or tending such small garden area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: George A. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7743845
    Abstract: Apparatus for trimming grass around sprinkler heads or tending a small garden area includes a first housing member having a plurality of serrations formed on one end for cutting grass around such sprinkler heads. A second housing member partially disposed for reciprocal movement within the first housing member. A first elongated rod like member is passed through the center apertures in each housing member and the another elongated rod like member engages an end of such first elongated rod like member. A caged biasing spring is disposed over the second rod like member for aiding in reciprocal movement of the second housing member. A resilient elastomeric member is provided for absorbing shock during use of apparatus for tending such small garden area and a mechanism for manipulating the apparatus while trimming such grass around such sprinkler head or tending such small garden area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: George A. Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20080066935
    Abstract: Rolling basket structure facilitating movement of the rolling device to and from a field-working position includes arm structure pivotally connected to the aft end of tine support members fixed to the rear of the implement frame. Hydraulic cylinders connected between the support members and the arm structure provides quick on-the-go disengagement of the rolling basket with the ground, for example, when wet or sticky ground conditions or the like are encountered. A cylinder lost motion connection facilitates movement of the baskets over ground irregularities and obstacles without operation of the cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Shawn Jeremy Becker, Ryan Anthony Hackert
  • Patent number: 7314096
    Abstract: A handle having an adjustable shaft wherein the overall length of the shaft and/or the angular relationship of portions of the shaft can be varied by a user of an associated tool. In one embodiment, the handle includes a first tube, a second tube connected to a working unit of a portable tool, and wherein a portion of the second tube is telescopically received into the first tube. A coupling is provided to receive a portion of the first tube and the second tube. The coupling has a pin stop which engages a pin connected to one of the tubes and defines a limit of a range of relative rotational motion between the first tube and the second tube. In one embodiment, the upper tubular portion of the handle and a control grip are capable of being rotated relative to a working unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, John O. Hurst
  • Patent number: 7140112
    Abstract: A head cover trimming system for trimming around a ground level head cover includes a head cap and a grass trimmer assembly. The head cap is provided on the head cover and includes a centering member. The grass trimmer assembly includes a head member having a peripheral edge portion along which is mounted a cutting element. The grass trimmer assembly is driven through a drive shaft connected to a rotary tool at one end. Arranged within the head member is a retractable centering shaft. When the head member is placed over the head cover, the centering shaft is received by the centering member to center the grass trimmer about the head cover. The centering shaft retracts into the head member to allow the rotating cutting element to trim the area around the head cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: JEG, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward McNulty
  • Patent number: 7059107
    Abstract: An edger assembly for use with a mechanized vehicle includes a mechanized vehicle, laterally adjustable shafts extending laterally outwardly on both sides of the vehicle, and dual elongated arms attached at each end of the shafts each generally perpendicular to the shafts. The edger assembly also includes an edging assembly attached to each arm wherein the edging assembly has a blade. Further, the edger assembly includes a protecting arm connected to the edger and slidably positioned to engage an object prior to blade contact and a mechanical linkage. The mechanical linkage can be constructed and arranged to move in response to protecting arm movement, where movement of the mechanical linkage moves the blade from an edging position to a non-edging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent Pulvirenti
  • Patent number: 6938699
    Abstract: A walk-behind power unit is configured to detachably mount a variety of work implements to perform a corresponding variety of operations from a single power unit. The power unit includes an implement mounting mechanism that is pivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis corresponding to the power output shaft of the engine on the power unit. An attached work implement can be moved laterally to change the operating characteristics through pivoting the implement to either side of a normal direction of travel. An landscape edger implement can be mounted so that the width of cut of the cutting disk is varied as the edger implement is pivoted. A mower implement can be attached so that the cutting path of the mower blade is offset laterally as the implement is pivoted, thus permitting the mower to mow around obstacles offset to the side of the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Turf Teq, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Templeton, Randy A. Saylor
  • Patent number: 6932162
    Abstract: A pneumatic processing machine includes a pneumatic motor, a circuit for connecting the motor to a source of compressed air, a tool holder spindle, and a drive mechanism. The mechanism includes a selection element which can be moved to select a first method of driving the spindle and a second method of driving the spindle. A device for controlling the operation of the machine controls the carrying-out of a driving cycle which includes at least one phase for driving the spindle according to the first driving method, then a phase for driving the spindle according to the second driving method, then the stopping of the supply of air to the motor. A supply valve of the circuit is controlled mechanically by the selection element to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the motor at the end of the driving cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Recoules S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Bureller, Sebastien Pereira Santo
  • Patent number: 6886642
    Abstract: A weeding apparatus includes a body having a bottom and a blade angularly positioned within the body. The blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the blade protrudes at an angle past the bottom of the body. A plunger is used to move the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Tudor Enache
  • Patent number: 6883616
    Abstract: A walk-behind trenching implement has a side mounted rotary trenching tool for creating a profiled trench into the surface of the earth, which can also be used as an implement to edge landscape beds. The trenching implement is powered by an engine that delivers rotational power in an unbalanced manner to the wheel adjacent to the rotatable trenching tool. The wheel opposite to the trenching tool is can be non-powered to freely rotate as the implement is moved across the surface of the ground, or braked to unbalance power delivery through a differential. This unbalanced propulsion drive induces a skewing action into the operation of the implement that counterbalances the opposite skewing action resulting from the operation of the trenching tool to provide a more smoothly operating implement. A trenching tool having a configuration conducive to profile modification allows flexibility in the desired shape of the trench being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Turf Teq, LLC
    Inventor: David J. Templeton
  • Patent number: 6857480
    Abstract: A head edger apparatus for producing a centered, uniform, repeatable cut around sprinkler heads (or similar objects), without marring or damaging the sprinkler heads includes a body, a plurality of cutting members releasably and adjustably attached to the body, a non-slip boot rotatably mounted to the center of the body. The body may be securely engaged to a rotatable shaft of a motorized trimmer. Rotation of a trimmer shaft causes the body to rotate. Cutting portions of the cutting members travel in a circular orbit having a determined radius, cutting a circular path as they travel around the sprinkler head. The boot is positioned on the top center of the sprinkler head, protecting the sprinkler head and providing a stable support around which the cutting members travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Barry E. Thompson, Sr., Joe M. Frost, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6854524
    Abstract: Tools for trimming excess vegetation from growing plants include inner and outer coaxially positioned, relatively rotatable cutter blade assemblies which establish an interior volume for receiving a plant to be trimmed. Excess vegetation from the plant which extends outwardly of the interior volume established by the cutter blades will therefore be severed upon relative rotation being effected therebetween. Most preferably, the inner cutter assembly includes sets of elongate cutter blade members whose having tined ends which may be partially embedded in the soil surrounding the growing plant to be trimmed. The outer cutter assembly is mounted for free movement both rotationally and longitudinally regarding the inner cutter assembly, and is most preferably connected to a motorized source of power (e.g., a conventional hand-held electric drill).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Rudolph C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040238187
    Abstract: A weed cutting apparatus removes top growth of undesirable plants penetrating cracks, crevices and surface interfaces relative to a ground surface. The apparatus has an elongate linear handle for pulling it along while standing or walking. A pair of spaced apart wheels are mounted at one end of the handle and fixedly mounted between the wheels is a cutting tool. The cutting tool is oriented relative to the handle such that with the wheels in contact with the ground surface, the cutting tool is positionable at a selected cutting angle relative to the ground surface with a cutting edge of the cutting tool thus positioned above, below or in the plane of the ground surface depending on the angle at which one holds the handle relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Ruppert
  • Publication number: 20040216904
    Abstract: A portable handheld edge cutter (1) has a cutterhead (2) fixed to a guide tube (4). Two wheels (6, 7) are attached to the cutterhead (2). The cutterhead (2) includes a gear unit mounted in a gear housing (8). A first wheel (7) is rotatably journalled on a first end (27) of the gear housing (8). On the opposite-lying end (28) of the gear housing (8), a cutting knife (9) is mounted and is rotatably driven by the output shaft (18) of the gear unit. In order to achieve a simple assembly of the edge cutter (1) and to protect the gear housing (8) against wear, the second wheel (6) is mounted between the gear housing (8) and the cutting knife (9) and that the two wheels (6, 7) are journalled coaxially to the output shaft (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Maximilian Eberhardt, Sven Keller, Georg Becker
  • Patent number: 6810967
    Abstract: A grass and soil trimming system comprises a motor driven yard tool. The tool has a housing in a generally cylindrical configuration with a periphery and a female threaded interior and an interior locking screw. The female threaded interior of the mounting screw is adapted to screwably couple to a male thread of a drive shaft on the tool. A first pair of metal cutting blades is coupled to the periphery. The blades are adapted to cut and dig soil. The blades have a generally triangular configuration. A second pair of metal cutting blades is coupled to the periphery. The blades are adapted to cut grass. Each blade has a generally triangular configuration. The second cutting blades have a generally 90 degree bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Danny L. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20030155137
    Abstract: A rotary head for dethatching machine includes a plurality of channels which are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the rotary head for receiving flexible dethatching filaments. The dethatching filaments are elongated with a plurality of barb-like protrusions on one end thereof for engagement in the channels of the housings. Once a filament is inserted into a channel, it cannot be pulled out due to the protrusions engaging the interior and exterior walls of the channel of the rotary head. A plurality of rotary heads are mounted on a shaft of a machine. During rotation of the shaft and the rotary heads, the flexible filaments contact the accumulated dethatch with sufficient force to dislodge thatch for later retrieval and clean up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Fernando R. Iacona
  • Patent number: 6547689
    Abstract: The angular motion translator is a device with direct mechanical coupling which allows a user to reliably and durably change the angular relationship between two elements in a rotating frame (i.e. two output shafts) by changing the angular relationship between two elements in a static reference frame, whereby the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the rotating frame is proportional to the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the static reference frame. Essentially, the angular motion translator is comprised of two linked identical planetary gear sets facing one another as mirror images. Matching elements in the two planetary gear sets are held static, although one of the static elements may be rotated with respect to the other, matching elements are rigidly attached together so that they rotate as a single unit, and the remaining matching elements are attached to either the input shaft and the inner output shaft or the outer output shaft respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: George Paul Baker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030047329
    Abstract: An edger attachment apparatus is provided for attaching to a drive-shaft-to-attachment coupling of a string trimmer device after the string trimmer head has been detached from the drive-shaft-to-attachment coupling. A relatively small diameter, power transmission driving gear is driven by an edger driven shaft. A relatively large diameter, power receiver gear is driven by the relatively small diameter, power transmission driving gear. A blade assembly drive shaft is connected to the relatively large diameter, power receiver gear. An edger blade assembly is driven by the blade assembly drive shaft. A wheel assembly support is attached to the gear housing, and a wheel assembly is connected to the wheel assembly support. In one embodiment, a height adjustment assembly is provided. In another embodiment, a tilt adjustment assembly is provided. In another embodiment, both a height adjustment assembly and a tilt adjustment assembly are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 6460319
    Abstract: A vegetation trimming and edging device has an adjustable head that permits selective positioning between trimming and edging orientations. A shaft extends between the head and a handle. The head receives one end of the shaft. A coupling mechanism couples the head and shaft, and locks the head against rotational movement about the shaft. In particular, the coupling mechanism includes a locking structure and a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism urges the locking structure into engagement to prevent rotational movement of the head. Downward pressure applied to the head overcomes the bias, however, and disengages the locking mechanism for rotation of the head between trimming and edging modes. When the downward pressure is released, the locking mechanism is again engaged to lock the head in position for the desired operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Michael Milligan, Iulian Bejan
  • Patent number: 6412568
    Abstract: The sprinkler head edging device has a cutting assembly attached to a handle or other device such as a powered rotational device. The cutting assembly has cutting blades attached which are oriented to cut and remove grass, weeds, dirt and other materials from around the periphery of a sprinkler head. The cutting assembly housing is generally a hollow cylindrical shape and may have a different diameter at each end of the housing for ease in changing the cutting head to accomodated varying size sprinkler heads. In the instance of the variable shaped housing the cutting assembly is rotatably attached to the handle or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Robert W. Thede
  • Patent number: 6311782
    Abstract: An edging and trimming apparatus for a lawn sprinkler head includes an elongate rotary shaft carrying an annular rotary blade at a lower end thereof. The opposite upper end of the shaft is releasably interconnected to a rotary auger motor. The motor drives the shaft axially and rotates the blade to perform edging and trimming of the grass surrounding a standard sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald A. Plasek, Daniel J. Toolan
  • Patent number: 6301866
    Abstract: A vegetation trimming and edging device has an adjustable head that permits selective positioning between trimming and edging orientations. A shaft extends between the head and a handle. The head receives one end of the shaft. A coupling mechanism couples the head and shaft, and locks the head against rotational movement about the shaft. In particular, the coupling mechanism includes a locking structure and a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism urges the locking structure into engagement to prevent rotational movement of the head. Downward pressure applied to the head overcomes the bias, however, and disengages the locking mechanism for rotation of the head between trimming and edging modes. When the downward pressure is released, the locking mechanism is again engaged to lock the head in position for the desired operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Michael Milligan, Iulian Bejan
  • Patent number: 6240644
    Abstract: An improvement for trimmers of the type that include an elongated main handle member with a motor assembly on one end and a cutting head at the other end. A secondary retractable handle member is pivotally mounted at one end to a point on the main handle member that is adjacent to the cutting head so that maximum control can be exerted on the positioning of the latter. The retractable handle member is preferably made to conform to the shape of the main handle member when brought next to it. A securing latch assembly releasably keeps both of them attached to each other when desired by a user, typically, to operate on horizontal cutting planes. The retractable handle member is not separated when a user desires to make vertical cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6134789
    Abstract: This invention relates to the cutting or trimming of grass directly over the top of the pop-up sprinkle head's shaft. In the past the grass and roots would cross over the path of the sprinkle's pop-up shaft restricting or stopping the upward movement of the shaft and deflecting or stopping the water spray pattern of the sprinkle. This invention will cut a very narrow cylindrical shaped hole down to the top of the pop-up head of the sprinkler eliminating the unsightly bowl shape cut in the grass of the prior patents and leaving a clean unrestricted small opening in the grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Frederick Wayne Strickland
  • Patent number: 6067718
    Abstract: The trimmer is adapted to trim the grass on the vertical or near vertical edges of a lawn bordering a garden. The trimmer incorporates conventional motor driven rotating blade or filament cutting element(s) at the lower end of an elongated handle assembly. There is a shroud around the cutting element(s). The handle assembly is configured such that the open side of the shroud faces the lawn and user when the trimmer is in use, allowing the user to stand and move on the lawn. The lower portion of the shroud contacts the surface of the garden and the edge of the shroud contacts the edge of the lawn to facilitate proper positioning of the trimmer in use. The handle assembly may be configured such that the handle itself is on the opposite side of the plane of the cutting element(s) from the lower end of the shank of the handle at its attachment to the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Robert E. Vik
  • Patent number: 6052976
    Abstract: A grass trimmer with a trimmer shield that can be manually assembled to the housing without the use of tools is disclosed. The trimmer shield can also preferably be disassembled from the housing by a consumer to allow for replacement of the trimmer shield. One preferred trimmer shield includes at least one retaining member that prevents translational movement of the trimmer shield and at least one retaining member that prevents deflection of the trimmer shield in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Cellini, Jeffrey E. Zander
  • Patent number: 6038774
    Abstract: Apparatus for trimming grass around a sprinkler head. The apparatus comprises a body rotatable about a vertical axis and having a bore for fitting over a sprinkler head during rotation thereof and a peripheral portion surrounding the bore. At least one cutter attached to the peripheral portion and comprising a wire having an end portion defining a cutting blade and preferably an intermediate portion formed into a coil defining a spring which allows protective movement of the cutting blade when an obstacle is encountered. The cutting blade extends downwardly at an angle relative to the rotational axis, preferably radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Boekeloo, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry F. Boekeloo, James A. Swick
  • Patent number: 6032442
    Abstract: An attachment for a landscaping trimmer for use in precise trimming and edging of landscaped areas. The attachment has bores through an elongated body member which are adjacent to the free end of the body member and perpendicular to its axis. Pre-cut pieces of trimming line are secured through the bores by at least one screw positioned against the portions of the pre-cut pieces which are centrally located within the body member. Integral with the body member and on Its free end, the present invention may have a spacer for lawn cutting, or pointed bits with various surface configurations to perform functions including, but not limited to, "drilling out" weeds and unwanted grass in and around planters, flower pots and flower boxes, as well as tearing out unwanted roots near the surface of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: David A. Paolo
  • Patent number: 5964299
    Abstract: A hand held grass edging tool includes a substantially flat blade having a top edge, an opposite generally inwardly disposed, v-shaped bottom edge and a pair of opposite side edges extending therebetween, each of the side edges including a generally inwardly disposed, v-shaped portion recessed substantially horizontally into the blade to open laterally out of the blade and having an upper side edge segment with an upper side edge segment lower end and extending upwardly and outwardly for moving strands of grass against the ground and bearing against and severing the strands of grass as the blade advances into the ground, and having a lower side edge segment intersecting the upper side edge segment lower end and extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper side edge segment lower end; the bottom edge and the v-shaped portion of the side edges including a beveled cutting edge; and a handle having a lower end secured to the top edge of the blade and an opposite top gripping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Edwin Padgett
  • Patent number: 5950317
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: McCulloch Corporation
    Inventors: Jan B. Yates, Michael Krull, James Lind, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 5924494
    Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger has an arbor which allows the cutting blade to extend outwardly from the lawn edger, yet still be rigid and stable. The arbor is located at an angle .alpha. with respect to a longitudinal axis running perpendicular to the rear axle and lying within the same plane. The angle .alpha. is preferably 5.degree. or less. The arbor is mounted to a frame of the lawn edger by a bracket and screws. A pivoting assembly enables the arbor to pivot thereby increasing or decreasing the angle .alpha..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: David M Martinez
  • Patent number: 5833009
    Abstract: The lawn edger is made up of a number of interconnected flat plates. One plate lies horizontally in use and has a forward cutting edge. A second plate is vertical in use and depends downwardly from one side edge of the horizontal plate. A third plate lies beside the horizontal plate and is disposed at an oblique angle to the vertical plate. That plate has a forward cutting edge. A fourth plate lies adjacent to the rear of the edger. The angle of that plate is such that it directs material which collects on the horizontal plate to move to the side thereof opposite the lateral plate. An electric motor having an eccentric cam bay be mounted on the edger for causing the edger to vibrate or to reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Walter Rebot
  • Patent number: 5829236
    Abstract: A new grass trimmer wheeled carrier for supporting a grass trimmer with an grass cutting rotating head at the end of its elongate shaft portion. The inventive device includes a support frame having ground engaging wheels, a handle member coupled to the support frame to allow a user to maneuver the rotating head of a mowing device over the ground, and a pair of mounting members adapted for holding a mowing device are also coupled to the support frame. One of the mounting member is adapted for holding the rotating head of a mowing device in a fixed position in relation to the support frame. A trigger member is pivotally mounted on the handle member and is attached to the switch means of a grass trimmer to allow a user to engage the switch means to selectively rotate the rotating head of the mounted grass trimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Ballard, Sally L. Ballard
  • Patent number: 5819856
    Abstract: A lawn edging tool comprises a first post which is hollow and having an open lower end to which a cutting blade is secured. A second post is fitted through the open lower end of and slideably held in the hollow first post The second post has a lower end provided with a ground plate below the first post. A spring is trapped between the upper end of the second post and a spring stop provided within the first post. This spring is compressed by pushing the first post downwardly over the second post with the ground plate in a ground engaging position to move the cutting blade on the first post downwardly from a storage to a cutting position. The spring, after being compressed, then provides a bias to raise the first post relative to the second post and to return the cutting blade to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: George Meyer
  • Patent number: 5815928
    Abstract: A trimmer (10) has a power source (12) and a tabular drive shaft housing (32) for coupling the power source (12) to a rotating working element. The drive shaft housing (32) is rotatable with respect to the power source (12) and a handle (26) which is fixed to the power source, such that rotation of the drive shaft (32) allows the plane of the working element to be re-oriented. Rotation of the drive shaft housing is fixed by a coupling latch (38) disposed within the handle. An external trigger (46) located on the handle is provided for manually decoupling the coupling latch for allowing rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: WCI Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Cline
  • Patent number: 5692572
    Abstract: This invention relates to a grass cutting apparatus using a generally disk-shaped cutter which is bias against the edge against which it is cutting while allowing some vertical and lateral movement of the cutting disk. The preferred embodiments relate to such a cutting disk provided as an attachment to such additional apparatus such as a motor mower and seeks to decrease the accuracy with which an operator must attempt to keep the mower from the border between the grass and the concrete or similar such material forming a border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignees: B. S. Johnston, R. J. Johnston, W. H. Johnston, D. R. Johnston
    Inventors: John Edward Cloney, Brian Steven Johnston
  • Patent number: 5662428
    Abstract: A shaft assembly a tool comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part and is adapted to be arranged between a handle and a working head of the tool. The first shaft part is slideable and/or rotatable within the second shaft part, and a pin is trapped within the first shaft part is adapted to engage with a co-operating receiving device in the second shaft part. A clamp is provided to secure the second shaft part relative to the first shaft part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 5584348
    Abstract: The present invention provides an arcuate ring guard for a conventional lawn trimmer having a string-type cutting blade, which rotates in a planar cutting circle, and an arcuate housing covering the rearward region of the cutting circle but having an open front potion. The ring guard is fastened at each end to opposite sides of the trimmer housing, forwardly of and outside the periphery of the blade's cutting circle, so that the trimmer housing and the ring guard together extend 360 degrees around the periphery of the cutting circle. In the preferred embodiment, the ring guard occupies a uniform arc about the cutting blade's axis of rotation, coplanar with the blade's cutting circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Butler
  • Patent number: 5464067
    Abstract: A golf marker cleaner having a housing with a central bore with a set of individually retractable soil-engaging arms, each having one end pivotally connected to the housing and a second end with a soil-engaging tine to prevent movement of the soil-engaging arm, with a rotatable shaft extending through the bore in said housing and rotatably journaled therein to permit rotation of the shaft about the central axis, and a resilient pad attached to the shaft, with the resilient pad having a surface for rotatingly engaging a top surface of a marker on a golf course without marring the surface of the marker and to limit the axial displacement of soil-cutting blades connected to the shaft, with the soil cutting blade having U-shaped cutting blades located thereon to permit an operator to rotate the soil-cutting blade to cut free an annular portion of soil and grass located around the golf course marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph O. Dulak
  • Patent number: 5350021
    Abstract: An implement for cleaning spaces between adjacent slabs of paving materials, the implement including a pilot member proportioned to fit into the spaces between the adjacent slabs of paving materials, a pair of flange members forming a V-shape having an apex, the pilot member and the pair of flange members being joined such that the pilot member extends away from the exterior of the apex of the V-shape, a handle that extends away from the interior of the apex of the V-shape, and a pivot apparatus for providing a pivoting movement between the pair of flange members and the pilot member and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Stafford B. Walker
  • Patent number: 5165485
    Abstract: An edger having a main frame, at least one front wheel fastened in the front portion of the main frame, two rear wheels fastened in the rear portion of the main frame, a rotary blade disposed in the front portion of either side of the main frame and capable of conducting edging, an engine mounted on the main frame and a driving device for operating the rotary blade with the engine, the edger comprising: a resin cover fastened to a circular flange on the rotary-blade supporting shaft for covering a portion of the rotary blade. A structure for fitting the rotary blade cover includes a thin metal plate having an outer diameter larger than the flange, and fastening members for clamping the inner portion of the cover between the flange and the thin metal plate. Bolt assemblies are provided for fastening the thin metal plate and the cover together at a position outside the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuzo Fujikawa, Makizo Hirata, Shigeharu Ohama, Michio Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5156218
    Abstract: A landscape edging machine detachably mounted to the frame of a commercial mower and connection to the power-takeoff shaft to provide rotational power through a drive mechanism to a rotatable cupped disc is disclosed wherein the edging machine is provided with a cupped disc having a serrated edge and being positionally angled with respect to the direction of travel of the machine to facilitate the digging of the soil out of a trench to form a line of demarcation between the grassed lawn area and the adjacent mulched plant bed. The rotatable disc is positioned proximate to the front wheels to permit the disc to easily track along with the mower around curved mulch bed lines. A gauge wheel forms a limit to the depth at which the disc will penetrate the ground. The attachment is pivotally moveable to an inoperative position above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventors: Dennis E. Metzler, John W. Herr