With Or Convertible To Non-earth Working Implement Patents (Class 172/14)
  • Patent number: 10470368
    Abstract: A multi-functional garden implement comprises an underframe connected with a supporting shaft. A pushing handle is fixedly connected to the underframe, and wheels are connected with the supporting shaft. The multi-functional garden implement further comprises a rotating bracket, which is connected to a power source. A working head is connected to the power source. The rotating bracket is rotatably connected to the underframe and capable of driving the working head to swing to both sides back and forth. Between the underframe and the rotating bracket, there is also a locating mechanism which can secure the rotating bracket onto the underframe. The multi-functional garden implement is capable of adjusting the position of the working head, so as to meet various requirements for the working conditions of gardening work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Wenling Jennfeng Industry Inc.
    Inventors: Weijun Li, Genfa Mao, Shijun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9826675
    Abstract: A hinge for a gauge wheel arm for movably swinging the gauge wheel away from the agricultural equipment, such as an agricultural planter, is disclosed. The hinge is located along the length of the gauge wheel arm for rotating the gauge wheel away from the agricultural equipment to expose an inner surface of the gauge wheel and an interior portion of the agricultural equipment. The gauge wheel arm rotates about an angle of rotation formed by the hinge and permitting rotation between 0 and 180 degrees. The gauge wheel arm may also include a lock bolt for preventing rotation of the gauge wheel when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Joshua J. Roszman
  • Patent number: 7739800
    Abstract: An engine is connected to the upper end of a drive shaft housing and a work head with a string trimmer or blower or both is operatively connected to the lower end of the drive shaft housing and is rotatably driven by an engine rotating a drive shaft inside the drive shaft housing and connected to the working head. The drive shaft housing is rigidly connected to the working head and may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the engine in any desired amount of rotation, but the preferred degree of rotation is 135° to move the working head from a trimming position with the rotating trimmer string in a horizontal position to an edging position with the rotating trimmer string in a vertical position and with the working head being displaced to the operator's right side for better viewing and control and operator comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Edward P. Hurley, Steven M. Harrington, Douglas Gaylord, Ryan R. Butrym, Bruce K. Bridges
  • Patent number: 7644779
    Abstract: A walk-behind power unit is configured to detachably mount a counter-rotating powered drum work implement on a centrally pivoted implement carrier. The pivoting of the implement carrier from a central position to either side causes the discharge of the powered drum to be located on a desired side of the work implement. The work implement can also be positioned to discharge forwardly from the powered drum member. A lift apparatus is provided to be cooperable with an associated set of support wheels to affect the positioning of the powered drum member between a lowered operative position and a raised transport position. The powered, counter-rotating drum member can be either a rotatable broom or a power rake. In the broom configuration, the lift apparatus can move the lid member, after first unlatching the lid member from the frame of the work implement, to fix the lid in an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Turf Teq, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Templeton, Kenneth R. Underhill
  • Publication number: 20090260841
    Abstract: The novel vehicle mounted edging device provides a safe and efficient means for edging grass and soil adjacent to improved surfaces. The device is attached to the remotely actuated bed of a utility vehicle and utilizes the lifting capabilities of the bed for its operation. When the disc is in the cutting position, the operator of the utility vehicle positions the vehicle near the edge of the surface to be maintained and lowers the remotely actuated bed of the utility vehicle to place the disc adjacent to the surface to be maintained. The operator then drives the vehicle parallely to the edge of the path and remove the unwanted grass. The novel vehicle mounted edging device effectively guides the utility vehicle along the edge of the path so that minimal steering is required and is oriented to enable the operator to easily monitor the edging operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce Lee Baker
  • Publication number: 20090188354
    Abstract: A dual handled, single throttle trigger trimmer comprising rotating handles and a rotating trimmer head. The rotating handles allow the use of the trimmer in a trimming mode and an edging mode. The device may be readily converted between the two modes and the lawn care worker must not remove either hand from the device while doing so. The conversion is accomplished by rotating the trimmer upper handle about an axis perpendicular to the trimmer driveshaft while simultaneously rotating the trimmer middle handle about an axis parallel to the trimmer driveshaft. The middle handle has a slide fit around the trimmer driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: David Harris
  • Publication number: 20080230240
    Abstract: A front suspension for a yard tool mounted on a bracket to a boom, the bracket having to support a drive shaft, a cutting disk, a shield and one or more front suspensions to dampen power transfer, the front suspension having a frame preferably connected to a wheel at a distal end and coupled to the bracket at a proximal end, the front suspension operated in parallel single orthogonal fold frameworks with height and width adjustments substantially below the yard tool center of mass, the front suspension having to support the yard tool in equilibrium in all operative and inoperative positions to save power, to guide the cutting disk with a longer and straighter cut, to dampen the cutting disk resistance adjacent to hard surfaces, and to fold away for the shield and cutting disk to perform soft yard grounds work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Patrick Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080217033
    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: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: George A. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7266893
    Abstract: A filament trimmer includes a rotatable trimmer head having an outwardly extending filament. The trimmer has an upper handle that the operator can grip to operate the trimmer in either a trim mode or an edge mode. In the trim mode, the filament extending outwardly from the trimmer head is positioned in a generally horizontal cutting plane, while in the edge mode the trimmer is reoriented such that the filament is positioned in a generally vertical cutting plane. The upper handle of the trimmer includes dual triggers for selectively starting and stopping rotation of the trimmer head. One trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the trim mode and the other trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the edge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Bart T. Ellson, John O. Hurst, Chadwick A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7131499
    Abstract: An improved line trimmer and edging unit for lawn and garden use provides a multi-position accessory handle, a roller edge guide having a flange concentrically located about the motor shaft and being of sufficient diameter to maintain a consistent distance between the cutting plane and the object being edged around, symmetrically disposed safety switches, and a battery located symmetrically in-line with the center of the shaft of the unit. The combination lawn trimmer and edger unit may be used in a first, horizontal cutting plane position for lawn and weed trimming, and may be further used in a second, vertical cutting plane position for edging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Original Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Breneman, John P. Leffler, James F. Hutfles
  • Patent number: 6997268
    Abstract: A trimmer comprises a cutting head (1) housing a cutter (5), and a shaft (2) for supporting the cutting head. A large diameter wheel (8) is rotatably mounted with respect to the cutting head (1), and a motor is provided for driving the cutter (5) via an output shaft (7). The cutting head (1) is connected to the shaft (2) by a joint (3) permitting the cutting head (1) to be positioned with its cutter (5) either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. The wheel (8) is sized to contact the ground when the cutter (5) is substantially vertical and to circumscribed the axis of the output shaft (7). The arrangement is such that the cutter (5) extends beyond the circumference of the wheel (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Electrolux Outdoor Products Limited
    Inventor: Ian Zetterstrom Smith
  • Patent number: 6973728
    Abstract: A filament trimmer includes a rotatable trimmer head having an outwardly extending filament. The trimmer has an upper handle that the operator can grip to operate the trimmer in either a trim mode or an edge mode. In the trim mode, the filament extending outwardly from the trimmer head is positioned in a generally horizontal cutting plane, while in the edge mode the trimmer is reoriented such that the filament is positioned in a generally vertical cutting plane. The upper handle of the trimmer includes dual triggers for selectively starting and stopping rotation of the trimmer head. One trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the trim mode and the other trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the edge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Bart T. Ellson, John O. Hurst, Chadwick A. Shaffer
  • 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: 6769494
    Abstract: An improved vegetation trimmer and edging unit for lawn and garden use provides a multi-position front handle, an integral roller edging guide having a flange concentrically located about the motor shaft and being of sufficient diameter to maintain a consistent distance between the cutting plane and the object being edged around, activation switches equally convenient to either operating position, and a power source mounted in a location equally balanced in either operating position. The combination vegetation trimmer and edger unit may be used in a first, horizontal cutting plane position for lawn trimming, and may be further used in a second, vertical cutting plane position for edging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: PowerQwest, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Breneman, John P. Leffler, James F. Hutfles
  • Patent number: 6691792
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 6662878
    Abstract: A transmission for a trimmer/mower can be easily mounted onto a bearing housing of a trimmer/mower. The trimmer/mower has a vertically extending drive shaft and the transmission has a worm gear drive assembly that is drivingly connected to the drive shaft to provide an output shaft extending substantially horizontally. The worm gear drive assembly enables speed reduction and torque conversion that increases the speed of rotation and torque of the output shaft as compared with that of the input shaft. Attachments to be used on the trimmer/mower that operate in a substantially vertical plane can be mounted on the output shaft. Further, existing trimmer/mower can be retrofit with a bearing housing to which the transmission can be quickly and easily mounted. The mounting of the transmission onto the bearing housing can be accomplished without the need for tools by providing a twist-on mounting arrangement with a rotation prevention lock having a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Country Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen O. Kreissle, Ned Van Woert, Paul McMahon
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030037933
    Abstract: An improved line trimmer and edging unit for lawn and garden use provides a multi-position accessory handle, a roller edge guide having a flange concentrically located about the motor shaft and being of sufficient diameter to maintain a consistent distance between the cutting plane and the object being edged around, symmetrically disposed safety switches, and a battery located symmetrically in-line with the center of the shaft of the unit. The combination lawn trimmer and edger unit may be used in a first, horizontal cutting plane position for lawn and weed trimming, and may be further used in a second, vertical cutting plane position for edging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew R. Breneman, John P. Leffler, James F. Hutfles
  • Patent number: 6439088
    Abstract: Vegetation trimmers and methods for reconfiguring a trimmer are provided. A coupling mechanism permits reconfiguration of the trimmer between a first, e.g., trimming, configuration and a second, e.g., edging, configuration. The coupling mechanism may, in one embodiment, be used to couple a handle assembly with an extension tube. By rotating the handle assembly relative to the extension tube, the trimmer is moved between the trimming and edging configurations. In one embodiment, the mechanism may apply a biasing force to the handle assembly relative to the extension tube. The biasing force tends to bias the trimmer towards and retain the trimmer in the desired configuration. To switch the trimmer between configurations, the operator may impart a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube where the twisting force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force. Optionally, a longitudinal force may also be applied before or during the application of the twisting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gregory B. Eytchison, John Mark Buber, Robert C. Johnson, Jeffrey E. Zander
  • Patent number: 6434920
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable suitably is attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 6116349
    Abstract: A device for trimming the edge of a lawn device comprises a rotary cutter which, in use, rotates about an axis which is substantially horizontal with respect to the ground. The device further comprises a guide which is mounted to extend, in use, in a substantially vertical downward direction to a depth greater than or substantially equal to the depth to which the rotary cutter extends. The guide is preferably mounted to extend, in use, in a substantially vertical downward direction to a depth greater than or substantially equal to the depth to which the rotary cutter extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 6085507
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is suitably attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 5857315
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 5842331
    Abstract: A weed remover includes a pivoting arm connected to a wheeled chassis, and a rotary wire brush attached to the forward end of the pivoting arm. A belt is positioned to encircle a wire brush pulley coaxial with the wire brush, and a drive pulley driven by a motor. The wire brush can be raised off the ground or lowered to engage it by moving a lever connected to the pivoting arm. When the wire brush is in the raised position, the pulleys are close together and the belt is relaxed, so that the belt is disengaged from the pulleys, and the wire brush is deactivated. When the wire brush is in the lowered position, the pulleys are moved apart, and the drive belt is pulled taut therebetween, so that drive is transferred to the wire brush. The wire brush is spun at high speed to remove weeds growing from cracks on a hard ground surface, such as a sidewalk or driveway. The wire brush is stiff enough to remove the weeds flush to the ground surface, but compliant enough to not harm the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Edward F. Klee
  • Patent number: 5651418
    Abstract: A garden cleaning implement (10/10A) for weeds and the like comprising a cutting mechanism (14) and an adjustable guard mechanism (28) carried on, for example, an extended pole handle (22/122). The cutting mechanism includes an associated spool line shroud (16); an intermediate, rotatable shaft (18); and a rotatable, blade, cutting member (20/120/220). The guard mechanism includes a ring-shaped guard providing a protected area of a size sufficient to cover and protectively encircle over the rotating blade member; and slotted, attachment legs (32) for adjustably attaching the cutting mechanism and handle to the ring guard structure. The relatively rigid, cutting blade member is located under the adjustable, protective guard ring, allowing for protective cutting of, for example, weeds immediately adjacent to, for example, desirable vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Orlando Jerez
  • Patent number: 5594990
    Abstract: A powered lawn and garden tool for trimming and edging lawns is specially adapted for shipping and storing in collapsed state for reduced package sizes includes a single length of tube that is received within an extended neck portion of a motor housing. During final assembly, the tube is extended and locked into position in a single motion. The housing is further adapted to be rotated one hundred eighty degrees on the tube when it is extended and includes a button-operated mechanism for releasing the tube for rotation and locking it in either of two positions, one hundred eighty degrees apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: WCI Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Brant, Michael S. Houge
  • Patent number: 5560189
    Abstract: A mower assembly for cutting, trimming, and edging a lawn. The inventive device includes a mower assembly having a blade rotating within a horizontal plane for cutting grass. A trimmer assembly extends laterally of the mower assembly for trimming grass. An edger assembly similarly projects laterally of the mower assembly and includes an edging blade rotating in a vertical plane for cutting grass adjacent a solid object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventors: Justin P. Devillier, Gwen H. Payne
  • Patent number: 5491963
    Abstract: A garden cleaning implement (10) for weeds and the like comprising a cutting mechanism (14) and a retractable guard mechanism (28), generally free to "float" up and down about the cutter mechanism, carried on, for example, an extended pole handle (22). The cutting mechanism includes--an associated rotational power source (16/116); an intermediate, rotatable shaft (18) connected thereto; and a rotatable, rectangular blade, cutting member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Orlando Jerez
  • Patent number: 4971161
    Abstract: An ice auger conversion kit is mounted to a conventional grass-timming apparatus that includes an engine mounted rearwardly of a drive shaft housing with a drive shaft mounted therethrough. The forward end of the drive shaft is of a square drive configuration and is received within a square bore of a rotatable boss coaxially mounted through an adapter head, wherein a forwardmost end of the adapter head includes an axially extending threaded second boss for mounting the ice auger cutting head. The adapter head includes a series of gears to effect a gear reduction therethrough to enhance torque and effect appropriate speed of the ice auger head in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Richard P. Godell
  • Patent number: 4936886
    Abstract: A wheel mounted string trimmer having a wheel support with a pair of wheels mounted on opposite sides thereof and handle bars extending rearwardly from the support. An elongated tube housing a drive shaft, is adjustably fastened to the wheel support to extend forwardly to a string trimmer head which is coupled to the drive shaft by a gear transmission whose housing is rotatably mounted on the front end of the tube. The trimmer head has a shield fixed to the transmission housing to be adjustable therewith about the tube housing. A yoke bracket is fixed to the shield while being mounted about the tube housing to be adjustable about the axis of the latter to orient the shield and head in the desired position for trimming. A gasoline engine, mounted to the rear of the tube housing, drives the head through the drive shaft and transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Snapper Power Equipment Division of Fuqua Indistries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph D. Quillen
  • Patent number: 4852658
    Abstract: A circular edging disk is mounted on the axle assembly of a lawn mower for adjustment between a raised, stowed position and a deployed turf edging position. Adjustment of the mower with respect to the mower wheels does not affect the disposition of the edging disk relative to the turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventors: Lloyd E. Wessel, Edward O. Wessel
  • Patent number: 4752256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter for converting a conventional apparatus used for cutting and trimming vegetation into a device for propelling a boat. The adapter includes a screw propeller mounted to a centrifugal clutch which is driven by the motor of the apparatus for cutting and trimming vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Florence Courcy Durand
    Inventor: Guy Dorion
  • Patent number: 4501332
    Abstract: A hand carried portable weeder/cultivator apparatus for weeding and cultivating small areas such as flower and vegetable gardens having a uniquely shaped weeder/cultivator element of inverted dish-shape which is designed for converting conventional above ground, string-type weeders into a below ground weeder/cultivator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Evolution Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Straayer
  • Patent number: 4479302
    Abstract: A cup-shaped grass cutting implement which is removably attached to existing rotary cutting heads of powered edgers of the type that can orient the cutting head to rotate about a vertically displaced axis. A quick disconnect feature which allows the cup-like attachment to be retained by the flat blade of such a powered rotary cutting head without interfering with the already assembled blade. The invention provides for a quickly administered pair of retainment fingers which surround the flat cutting blade at points slightly apart from the shaft arrangement for rotating such flat blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Inventor: Werner H. Richter
  • Patent number: 4278133
    Abstract: A motor powered lawn edger is converted to a lawn cultivator, a snow blower, or an ice chipper by removal of the lawn edging blade and its housing, and substitution therefor of a cultivating, blowing or chipping blade and an appropriate housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Roland de Marcellus
  • Patent number: 4200155
    Abstract: A lawn edger attachment for power driven vehicles consisting of a rolling coulter blade carried for rotation on a horizontal axis transverse to the line of travel of the vehicle at one end of an arm pivoted at its opposite end to the vehicle on a parallel axis. Power means are provided for pivoting the arm. The blade is cup-shaped in order that earth pressure thereagainst will force it to follow the edge of a paved surface. The blade may be reversed so that the vehicle may operate either on the grass or on the pavement. The arm may be extended either forwardly or rearwardly from its pivot, for convenience in various situations. The arm is a horizontal parallelogram linkage, so that the blade can follow the pavement edge even if the vehicle is not steered precisely parallel to this edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Mullet, Raymond J. Rilling, Elmer D. Voth
  • Patent number: 4175622
    Abstract: In combination with a lawn edger device which is used to cut vegetation along the edge of a sidewalk or other similar hard surface, the edger having a housing which has mounted thereon a motor, the housing and motor being mounted on a wheel assembly for movement along the sidewalk or lawn, the motor causing rotation of a cutting blade, the improvement comprising the including of a fan device located adjacent to the cutting blade for the purpose of blowing shredded vegetation created by the cutting blades, the fan device to be rotatably driven by means of the motor, the fan device comprising a series of fan blades which are flexibly attached to a fan hub, the fan device comprising a series of fan blades which are flexibly attached to a fan hub, the fan hub being mounted on a driving shaft and capable of being moved in respect thereto, whereby because of the flexible mounting of the fan blades and the non-rigid connection between the fan hub and the fan driving shaft the fan is not capable of causing injury to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Conrad G. Summerfelt
  • Patent number: 4046200
    Abstract: A lawn edger attachment for moving vehicles consisting of a rolling coulter blade carried for rotation on a horizontal axis at the rearward end of a trailing arm pivoted at its forward end to the vehicle on a generally vertical axis. Mechanism is provided for pivoting the arm vertically to raise or lower the blade, and also to cause the arm to trail normally at different lateral spacings from the vehicle, although said arm may also be pivoted laterally by manual force. A broom or scraper is also provided, in trailing relation to the blade, for sweeping the cuttings of the blade either to the pavement, or to the grass, adjacent the juncture line between the pavement and the grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Mullet, Raymond J. Rilling, Elmer D. Voth
  • Patent number: 4037667
    Abstract: A blower apparatus for a plant cutter including a hollow member affixed to conduct exhaust gases from the cutter. The hollow member conducts exhaust gases from the plant cutter to a connected rotatable hollow member and through a terminal opening in the rotatable hollow member. The rotatable hollow member adjusts the distance between the terminal opening and the cut vegetable resulting from the cutting mechanism of the lawn cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventors: Michael Gonsalves, Constante C. Sarmiento