Convertible Patents (Class 30/122)
  • Patent number: 11559878
    Abstract: A tool includes a handle and a blade. The handle extends from a handle first end to a handle second end. The blade has a first surface and an opposed second surface and defines a cutting edge between the first surface and the second surface. The blade extends from a blade first end to a blade second end. The blade and the handle are rotatably coupled at the blade first end and the handle first end about an axis extending from the first surface of the blade to the second surface of the blade. The blade is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The blade is lockable in the first position. When in the first position, the blade extends out from the handle second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MIW Associates LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Weinberger, Adam Michael Hecht
  • Patent number: 11312033
    Abstract: A rotary electric shaver has a new structure which compatibly achieves both a function of the rotary electric shaver allowing a user to have less tingling feel on the skin and a function of a reciprocating electric shaver enabling easy deep shaving of hair, by replacing a first head. A rotary electric shaver includes a main body having a drive shaft and a connection part, a first head having a built-in first transmission drive system connected to the drive shaft to rotate a first inner blade, and detachably connected to the connection part, and a second head detachably connected to the connection part from which the first head is removed. The second head has a built-in second transmission drive system connected to the drive shaft to cause the second inner blade to reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: MAXELL IZUMI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ohara, Tomio Kozu
  • Patent number: 11234826
    Abstract: A glenoid component for coupling to a scapula of a subject includes a body. The body includes an articulation surface adapted to articulate with a humeral component, and the body further includes a distal surface adapted to face the glenoid of the scapula. The distal surface includes a base surface portion adapted to face a first portion of the glenoid. The distal surface further includes an augmented surface portion adapted to face a second portion of the glenoid. The base surface portion and the augmented surface portion define an obtuse angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Brian C. Hodorek, Pierric Deransart, Bradley Grant Emerick, Alexandre Terrier, Alain Jean-Pierre Farron, Robert Courtney, Jr., Travis James Geels
  • Patent number: 11185020
    Abstract: A hand cropping tool includes arm members that have handle portions and jaw portions. The jaw portions include curved surfaces that are at least partially covered by deformable materials. The hand cropping tool is configured to be moved from an open configuration in which the first and second jaw members are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration in which at least a portion of the first jaw member is in contact with at least a portion of the second jaw member. In the closed configuration, the first and second deformable materials collectively define at least one first plant-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Henry, Marie Henry
  • Patent number: 11072052
    Abstract: A guard assembly for an abrasive accessory of a power tool is provided, including a guard shell being associated with a first surface of the abrasive accessory and secured to the power tool around an output spindle of the power tool; and a guard cover being associated with a second surface of the abrasive accessory opposite the first surface and attached to the guard shell at a pivot point having an axis that is at a distance from an axis of the spindle, the guard cover being rotatably movable with respect to the guard shell around the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua J. Aiken, Qingyang Li, Peter Chaikowsky, Sean M. Kelly, Yaping Yang
  • Patent number: 10918232
    Abstract: A food utensil including a handle and a utility portion. An attachment is removably attachable to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Filomena Petrella
  • Patent number: 10889024
    Abstract: An interchangeable concrete cutting chainsaw cutting assembly adapted for installation upon a drive assembly in exchange for a removed, different type cutting head assembly. The chainsaw cutting assembly includes a housing that has fasteners that releasably attach the housing to a drive assembly in an installed configuration. A ration transmission has a plurality of interconnected rotation member, each rotatable member having a mounting shaft positioned at a fixed location on the housing by a bearing assembly. The driven member has a receiver that interconnects with a driveshaft of the driver assembly in the installed configuration whereby the driven member is rotated by the drive assembly. The cutting chain drive member operatively interconnected with a drive sprocket whereby rotation of the cutting chain drive member rotates the drive sprocket. The chainsaw cutting assembly is pivotable relative to the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Anthony Baratta, Peter Zetterlind, Andreas Jönsson
  • Patent number: 10842507
    Abstract: A power tool for removing an intervertebral disc and preparing vertebral endplates is described. The power tool may include a cutting element, and the height of the cutting element may be adjustable. The cutting element may be a braided cable and may include one or more beads to enhance the effectiveness of the cable. The cutting element may have a minimum height requirement, which may not be satisfied in patients with a collapsed disc due to degenerative disc disorder. For these patients, also described are bone tamps for increasing the intervertebral distance and providing access to tissues distal to the tamp. One type of bone tamp features an inflatable balloon with an inner lumen. Another type of bone tamp includes an expanding distal end and an inner cannula. Also described is a manual expander scraper tool that is compatible with both types of bone tamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Yoon, Sean Suh, Robert Leonard
  • Patent number: 10758252
    Abstract: A retro guidewire reamer includes a cutting member, and a mechanism for moving the cutting member from a closed position to a deployed position in a single manual motion. Once a desired size of a bone tunnel is established, a surgeon uses the reamer to create a primary bone tunnel over a guidewire from the outside in. The surgeon retracts the guidewire, and activates the mechanism to deploy the cutting member within the bone joint to conform to the size of a tendon graft. The surgeon uses the deployed cutting member to create a counter bore through the bone in a retrograde manner. Once the counter bore is drilled, the surgeon activates the mechanism to close the cutting member, allowing the reamer to be withdrawn through the primary tunnel. The retro guidewire reamer can be used to provide more accurate bone tunnel placement during ligament reconstruction surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan, Michael C. Ferragamo
  • Patent number: 10632551
    Abstract: A shoe for a band saw, the shoe having a body including a generally C-shaped member defined by a substantially planar portion for engaging a workpiece and a pair of rails extending transversely therefrom and wrapping such that the body includes a generally T-shaped receptacle for slidably receiving a correspondingly-shaped member. The substantially planar portion includes apertures aligned linearly. A biased detent feature has a holding force with a magnitude sufficient to hold the body when the detent feature is seated in one of the apertures. The body is moveable linearly, relative to the detent feature, in the direction of alignment of the apertures between engaged and non-engaged positions. The body is moveable out of the engaged position in the direction by application of a disengaging force in the direction acting to move the body with respect to the detent feature and acting to overcome the holding force in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew T. Bertsch, Steven F. Thiel, William A. Elger, Melissa M. Marineau
  • Patent number: 10471582
    Abstract: A handheld power tool includes a main body that contains a driving unit having a driving shaft that passes through a connecting seat and a connector and is connected to a workpiece. The connector has a ball seat swingably received in a ball socket of the connecting seat. A clamp mounted around the connecting seat serves to limit retaining balls arranged between the ball seat and the connecting seat. The connecting seat has an end cap. After the connector is angled as desired, the adjusting member constricts the clamp, and radially presses the retaining balls against the ball seat through the spring leaf, thereby fastening the connector firmly and preventing the workpiece from jigging during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Storm Pneumatic Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung Yung Sun
  • Patent number: 10434586
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has a motor unit, a tool unit and an outrigger having a carrier part. The outrigger connects the motor unit to the tool unit. The carrier part has a base plate having an inner side and an outer side. A drive shaft and a driven shaft are arranged transversely to the base plate. The carrier part has a first stiffening structure, which rises from the inner side of the base plate toward a space diagonal. On the outer side of the base plate, a second stiffening structure rises toward the same space diagonal, wherein the first stiffening structure and the second stiffening structure conjointly form a spatially diagonally running stiffening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ludwig Geromiller
  • Patent number: 10369640
    Abstract: A powered saw including a saw blade configured to cut a workpiece and driven by a drive train having a narrow profile. The powered saw includes a miter saw having a chain drive disposed in a housing having a narrow profile. The powered saw includes a blade support assembly configured to reduce or eliminate interference between a workpiece and the powered saw. The miter saw enables a user to make right angle cuts, left angle cuts, and zero cuts of tall and atypically sized workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Plamen V. Marinov
  • Patent number: 10105150
    Abstract: A retro guidewire reamer includes a cutting member, and a mechanism for moving the cutting member from a closed position to a deployed position in a single manual motion. Once a desired size of a bone tunnel is established, a surgeon uses the reamer to create a primary bone tunnel over a guidewire from the outside in. The surgeon retracts the guidewire, and activates the mechanism to deploy the cutting member within the bone joint to conform to the size of a tendon graft. The surgeon uses the deployed cutting member to create a counter bore through the bone in a retrograde manner. Once the counter bore is drilled, the surgeon activates the mechanism to close the cutting member, allowing the reamer to be withdrawn through the primary tunnel. The retro guidewire reamer can be used to provide more accurate bone tunnel placement during ligament reconstruction surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Smith & Newphew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Bourque, David J. Callaghan, Michael C. Ferragamo
  • Patent number: 10036610
    Abstract: A tool. A firearm, a blade and an ancillary device are disposed within or on the tool. The firearm comprises a barrel through which a bullet passes to exit the firearm, a firing pin moveable to a firing position by operation of a firing pin control, a firing pin lock retaining the firing pin in the firing position when in the locked position, a biasing member for applying a force to the firing pin with the firing pin restrained against the force by the locked position of the firing pin lock. A trigger releases the firing pin lock from the locked position, such that the force causes the firing pin to strike the charge proximate the bullet. The bullet then exits the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: John Rivera
  • Patent number: 10028838
    Abstract: A glenoid component for coupling to a scapula of a subject includes a body. The body includes an articulation surface adapted to articulate with a humeral component, and the body further includes a distal surface adapted to face the glenoid of the scapula. The distal surface includes a base surface portion adapted to face a first portion of the glenoid. The distal surface further includes an augmented surface portion adapted to face a second portion of the glenoid. The base surface portion and the augmented surface portion define an obtuse angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tornier, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Hodorek, Pierric Deransart, Bradley Grant Emerick, Alexandre Terrier, Alain Jean-Pierre Farron, Robert Courtney, Jr., Travis James Geels
  • Patent number: 9992926
    Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ryan R. Raetzman, Brian J. Anderson, Johnathon R. Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 9950776
    Abstract: Weed-trimmer outboard motor attachment has a lower shaft housing with a proximal coupling to correspondingly mate and engage a distal mid-shaft coupling of an upper part of a motorized weed-trimming device having a motor and a shaft that rotate a number of rotations per minute when operating; a distal termination thereto, which includes a propeller; and a rotation speed reduction unit to reduce a number of rotations of the propeller in relation to the number of rotations of the motor of the motorized weed-trimming device. The attachment can be assembled with the weed-trimming device to provide an outboard motor. A mount for mounting the weed-trimmer outboard motor to a boat can be provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Aqua Marine Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John Raymond Sacker, Denis R. Dompierre
  • Patent number: 9873206
    Abstract: Improvements in an interchangeable shaver that accepts a variety of different disposable razors. To retain a disposable razor with a handle the interchangeable shaver has a cavity where the handle of the disposable razor slides into the holder to grip the handle and prevents the disposable razor from rotating as the shaver is drawn up, down and along the back, legs or other area of a person. The adapter angles the disposable razor to provide an optimal shaving angle for maximum hair removal and the closest shave to reduce the frequency of repeat shaving. A further improvement is an adapter that connects the interchangeable shaver to a disposable head. The adapter is configured to accommodate different disposable heads with a single adapter. The shaver has an extendable handle configured to prevent the razor from rotating on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Karl O. Gulledge
  • Patent number: 9848890
    Abstract: A power tool for removing an intervertebral disc and preparing vertebral endplates is described. The power tool may include a cutting element, and the height of the cutting element may be adjustable. The cutting element may be a braided cable and may include one or more beads to enhance the effectiveness of the cable. The cutting element may have a minimum height requirement, which may not be satisfied in patients with a collapsed disc due to degenerative disc disorder. For these patients, also described are bone tamps for increasing the intervertebral distance and providing access to tissues distal to the tamp. One type of bone tamp features an inflatable balloon with an inner lumen. Another type of bone tamp includes an expanding distal end and an inner cannula. Also described is a manual expander scraper tool that is compatible with both types of bone tamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel Yoon, Sean Suh, Robert Leonard
  • Patent number: 9757868
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a housing and a pair of cutting blades at least partially extending from the housing. At least a first of the cutting blades is movable. The cutting tool also includes a drive mechanism including a cam and a ratchet mechanism. At least a portion of the ratchet mechanism is drivably coupled to the first cutting blade. The cutting tool further includes a motor for providing torque to the cam to actuate the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a follower that is translatable in a direction transverse to a rotational axis of the cam in response to rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 9744679
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multifunctional tool, wherein one blade carrier can be folded and stored in one handle, so that the multifunctional tool can be used as scissors and can be used as a utility knife as well. The blade of a blade carrier can be removed, a blade cartridge is mounted on the multifunctional tool, and spare blades can be stored in the blade cartridge. The blade can be replaced by saw blade, so that it can be used as a saw when it is in the form of the utility knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: HANGZHOU GREAT STAR TOOLS CO., LTD., HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Weiyi Wang
  • Patent number: 9744606
    Abstract: A power cutting tool includes at least one cutting strand, and at least one guide unit that is configured to guide the cutting strand. The power cutting tool further includes at least one coding unit which has at least one coding element that is configured to encode at least one coupling interface of the guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Engelfried, Petr Grulich, Thomas Duerr
  • Patent number: 9656406
    Abstract: An arrangement to capture passively a broken saw chain of a chain saw with a guide bar that is arranged such that it can pivot, including a stationary screen that forms part of a sawing box and that covers a rear part of the saw. In order to achieve an inexpensive and efficient protection there is arranged between an end surface of the screen and the guide bar an energy-absorbing brake member that is sufficiently elastic or flexible to receive the kinetic energy from a broken saw chain, to direct kinetic energy away from the chain and to regain its normal form after it has suffered an impact from and been deformed by the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU FOREST AB
    Inventor: Karl Lundgren
  • Patent number: 9457489
    Abstract: A machine tool system comprises at least one machine tool separating device, which has at least one cutting strand and at least one guide unit for guiding the cutting strand, which together form a self-contained system, and at least one portable machine tool, which comprises a machine tool housing and at least one coupling device for coupling the machine tool separating device. The portable machine tool comprises at least one pad unit to be placed on a workpiece, wherein the pad unit and the machine tool housing are mounted such that they can be moved relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9427880
    Abstract: A personal grooming apparatus includes a handle defining a central longitudinal axis, first and second blade sets mountable relative to the handle with each blade set including a stationary blade member and a movable blade member, and a drive mechanism disposed within the handle and operatively coupled to the movable blade members of the first and second blade sets. The drive mechanism is operable to cause corresponding reciprocating movement of the movable blade members relative to the stationary blade members of each of the first and second blade sets. The second blade set may be releasably mountable to said first blade set. The first and second blade set each may include a housing for at least partially accommodating respective stationary and movable blade members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vito Carlucci, Sergio Lopes Fernandes da Costa
  • Patent number: 9221111
    Abstract: A hand-guided power tool has a support arm and a tool member supported on the support arm. A drive motor is provided and a drive belt is rotatably driven by the drive motor and drives in turn the tool member. The support arm has a belt chamber in which the drive belt is arranged. The belt chamber is closed off relative to the environment and sealed off relative to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Elfner, Tobias Deigendesch, Florian Hoche
  • Patent number: 9174360
    Abstract: An interchangeable concrete cutting chain-saw cutting assembly (500) adapted for installation upon a drive assembly (112) in exchange for a removed, different type cutting head assembly. The chainsaw cutting assembly (500) includes a housing (703) that has fasteners that releasably attach the housing (703) to a drive assembly (112) in an installed configuration. A ratio transmission (525) has a plurality of interconnected rotatable members (533, 535), each rotatable member (533, 535) having a mounting shaft (641, 643) positioned at a fixed location on the housing (703) by a bearing assembly (640, 642). The driven member (533) has a receiver that interconnects with a driveshaft (372) of the drive assembly (112) in the installed configuration whereby the driven member (533) is rotated by the drive assembly (112). The cutting chain drive member (535) operatively interconnected with a drive sprocket (707) whereby rotation of the cutting chain drive member (535) rotates the drive sprocket (707).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Anthony Baratta, Andreas Jonsson, Peter Zetterlind
  • Patent number: 9107351
    Abstract: Disclosed are shears are used for trimming bushes, trees, and brush. The loppers have the cutting blade which performs the cutting action and a counter edge for the cutting blade to work in conjunction. These loppers also have the addition of clamping jaws which will hold the severed limb. A user amputates a tree limb and the severed or orphaned limb falls helplessly to the ground, but these loppers clamp onto that limb when the cutting operation is performed. After the cut is made, the user can move the limb to a specific location, then decompresses the loppers and drop the limb as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Seloff, Brian Scates, Joe Williams
  • Publication number: 20150135539
    Abstract: A food preparation tool includes a single loop of flexible material having a generally ovoid shape with a first end joined to a second end by two sides. The sides and ends form a continuous single loop having a continuous, uninterrupted outer surface and a continuous, uninterrupted inner surface. The tool further includes a. cutting surface formed on each end. The first end has a generally semicircular shape with a first radius and a first arc length. The second end has a generally semicircular shape with a second radius that is less than the first radius and a second arc length that is less than the first are length, when the tool is in a non-flexed state. A user may grip the tool at either end, causing the two sides adjacent the gripped end to flex and change the radius of that end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: E. Mark Harris, Roland Sudmalis
  • Patent number: 8973274
    Abstract: A trimmer head for use with a plurality of lengths of flexible cutting line in a flexible line rotary trimmer having a plurality of line holders rotatably mounted thereon. Each line holder defines a pair of laterally spaced apertures in an upper surface thereof, a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, terminating in an extended end thereof and communicating with the laterally spaced apertures. An interior guide surface extends along a curvilinear path from the spaced apertures to the passageway and a web extends between the apertures whereby end portions of lengths of cutting line can be extended into and through the spaced openings, along the guide surfaces into and through the passageway and outwardly therefrom, whereupon lengths of line extend about and are held against the web with portions of the line projecting from the passageways in the line holders for the cutting of vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Proulx
  • Publication number: 20140304993
    Abstract: A dual safety utility knife having a safety guard positioned next to the cutting blade preventing accidental injuries when the tip of the knife accidentally contacts human bodies. A spring keeps pushing out the safety guard to cover the side of the cutting blade at all times. The safety guard moves back inside the knife shell only when the tip of the knife pressed against hard objects for cutting. The safe guard doesn't move back inside the knife shell when the knife tip pressed against soft objects such as skins and mussels. Additional safety feature keeps locking the safety guard from movements at all times for extra safety protection. The safety guard is released only when the safe release button manually pushed in. A box cutting guide allows cutting the top of the boxes with an even straight line. A blade folder is provided for fast blade change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Eddie Rafii
  • Publication number: 20140283388
    Abstract: The present invention describes a string trimmer support attachment. The device includes a base on which the shaft of a string trimmer can be secured. The present invention further includes a pair of legs that are pivotally attached to the base. The legs can be folded so as to be aligned against the string trimmer shaft when not in use. Alternatively, the legs can be folded outward so that the legs are roughly perpendicular to the string trimmer shaft in order to support the head of a string trimmer in an upright and angled orientation that is convenient for changing the trimmer line. Further, in the unfolded configuration the legs are disposed at an angle relative to one another to provide a stable support for the string trimmer, wherein the string trimmer proximal end acts as a third portion a tripod when the legs are deployed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mark L. Dedmon
  • Patent number: 8832943
    Abstract: Retractable scissors include a holder and a scissor piece mounted on the holder. The scissor piece is rotational with respect to the holder among a closed position, at which the scissor piece is retracted in the holder, a first open position, at which the scissor piece is open with respect to the holder at an acute angle, and a second open position, at which the scissor piece is open with respect to the holder wider than at the first open position. The scissor piece includes a first edge, and the holder includes a second edge that intersects and contacts the first edge. When the scissor piece is rotated with respect to the holder from the first open position toward the closed position, the scissor piece and the holder cooperate to function as a pair of scissors that cuts an object between the first and second edges. When the scissor piece is located at the second open position, the scissor piece functions as a blade of a knife, and the holder functions as a handle of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gerber Sakai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimiyuki Sakai
  • Publication number: 20140237825
    Abstract: A wearable dining utensil comprises a rigid function portion for engaging food, a holder for holding the dining utensil, a shapeable connector having a third linking part and a fourth linking part for fixing a bendable portion, and a fifth linking part having an outlet for linking with the fourth linking part. One end of the rigid function portion also serves as a male linker and the opposite end has a first linking part. One end of the holder serves as a female linker for linking with the male linker, and the opposite end has a second linking part. When the female linker is linked with the male linker, the dining utensil forms a loop, and when the outlet is linked with the fourth linking part, the dining utensil forms a regular utensil. According to various connecting profiles, the dining utensils can form a bracelet, necklace or an ornament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Chiuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8769831
    Abstract: A trimmer head for cutting vegetation is adaptable to operate in blade trimming mode and in monofilament trimming mode, and requires minimal time and effort to change between the two modes. The device comprises a bottom plate and a top plate. The top and bottom plate are urged together, thereby locking the blades in place. When the top and bottom plate are separated and rotated relative to one another, a blade may be inserted or removed from the blade posts by a gap formed between the top of the blade post and the top plate. The top plate includes a surface having a plurality of trimmer blade posts adaptable to pivotally mount at least one trimmer blade. The top plate further comprises a plurality of monofilament holes for receiving a monofilament line therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Randy A. Duvall
  • Patent number: 8739894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handheld work apparatus having a handle. A throttle trigger and a throttle trigger lock are arranged on the handle. An operating-mode selector having an off position, an operating position and a starting position is provided. The selector, trigger lock and the trigger are pivotally mounted. A first latching element is provided on the selector and a second latching element is provided on the trigger element, which coact in the starting position of the selector and the starting position of the trigger and hold the trigger in its starting position. To ensure that the starting position of the selector can only be engaged when the trigger is actuated, the second latching element lies outside of the pivot path of the first latching element in the non-actuated position of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Schlauch, Roland Adam, Heiko Stöcker
  • Patent number: 8707542
    Abstract: A power tool for trimming soft materials has a power driver with a drive train engaged with a cylindrical cutter body wherein the power driver rotates the cutter body about its longitudinal axis. A plurality of mutually spaced apart cutter teeth are fixed to an exterior surface of the cutter body. The cutter teeth each have a top surface and a sidewall surface, the sidewall surface extensive between the top surface and an exterior surface of the cutter body. The top surface of each of the cutter teeth is a four-sided convex polygon and the sidewall surface includes four mutually discrete surfaces corresponding to the sides of the polygon, with each of said discrete surfaces extending between the top surface and the cutter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schmidt & Dirks Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Dean Dirks, Preston Wayne Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130340258
    Abstract: Retractable scissors include a holder and a scissor piece mounted on the holder. The scissor piece is rotational with respect to the holder among a closed position, at which the scissor piece is retracted in the holder, a first open position, at which the scissor piece is open with respect to the holder at an acute angle, and a second open position, at which the scissor piece is open with respect to the holder wider than at the first open position. The scissor piece includes a first edge, and the holder includes a second edge that intersects and contacts the first edge. When the scissor piece is rotated with respect to the holder from the first open position toward the closed position, the scissor piece and the holder cooperate to function as a pair of scissors that cuts an object between the first and second edges. When the scissor piece is located at the second open position, the scissor piece functions as a blade of a knife, and the holder functions as a handle of the knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GERBER SAKAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kimiyuki SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20130305539
    Abstract: A cutter apparatus includes a housing with a blade carrier configured for holding a blade, and a handle coupled to the housing via an engagement interface configured to allow a user of the cutter apparatus to selectively interfit together the housing and the handle in multiple different cutter apparatus configurations, wherein the engagement interface includes a coupler configured to permit the housing and the handle to be repositioned further apart in a housing/handle reconfiguring mode in which the coupler permits the handle to be rotatably repositioned in relation to the housing or vice versa while substantially limiting longitudinal movement of the housing relative to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: PACIFIC HANDY CUTTER, INC.
    Inventor: Pacific Handy Cutter, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8561300
    Abstract: A combination shaving and trimming device includes a handle having an upper end and lower end, a powered trimmer disposed adjacent the upper end, a wet-shaving razor attachment adapted for mounting over the trimmer onto the upper end of the handle. The combination shaving and trimming device includes alignment guides providing one way attachment of the wet-shaving razor attachment to the trimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stefan Rehbein, Cirilo Javier Perez Lopez, Nicolas Salomez, Gerrit Roenneberg
  • Publication number: 20130255084
    Abstract: The optical fiber cutter 1 comprises a cutter base 3 and a cutter lid 4 attached openably and closably to the cutter base 3. A slider 8 having a blade member for incising an optical fiber is attached to the cutter base 3 so as to be movable widthwise. A switching plate 15 is attached to a rear end part of the cutter base 3, while a switcher 16 is provided on the outer surface side of the switching plate 15. When the switcher 16 is at a first position, the cutter lid 4 engages a stopper, thereby attaining an opening angle of 35°. When the switcher 16 is at a second position, the engagement between the cutter lid 4 and the stopper is released, whereby the cutter lid 4 attains an opening angle of 70°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi Tada, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 8510956
    Abstract: A combination shaving and trimming device includes a handle having an upper end and lower end, a powered trimmer disposed adjacent the upper end, a wet-shaving razor attachment adapted for mounting over the trimmer onto the upper end of the handle. The wet-shaving razor attachment is removably connected to the trimmer via a releasable locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stefan Rehbein, Cirilo Javier Perez Lopez, Gerrit Roenneberg, Michael Maichel
  • Publication number: 20130205596
    Abstract: A multifunctional rotary cutting head is provided for cutting devices as well as portable devices equipped with such a cutting head. The cutting head comprises a rotary housing that has at least a top part and a bottom part and accommodates a support for one or more cutting elements or tools. The support is penetrated by an axial drive shaft on which the support is mounted. The support for the cutting element(s)or tool(s) has two leads to selectively mounting the cutting element(s) or tool(s), i.e. a first level designed to mount strands of cutting wire and a second level designed to mount an interchangeable cutting blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: PELLENC (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Roger Pellenc
  • Publication number: 20120066910
    Abstract: A multi-use knife scraper has a handle portion which pivotally retains a blade holder at one end. A single-edged blade is held therein and can be positioned between a knife position which is generally parallel to the handle and a scraper position which is generally perpendicular to the handle. In one embodiment, the blade can be rotated to fit within the handle to secure the blade safely. One embodiment uses single-edged razor blades and another embodiment utilizes utility blades. The knife position allows the knife to be used as a box cutter and general purpose knife while the scraper position allows scraping and other uses where the orientation of the blade needs to be perpendicular to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Totada R. Shantha
  • Publication number: 20110167643
    Abstract: A versatile survival knife includes a handle internally provided with a blade receiving slot; and a blade having a pointed tip and a flat tip separately provided at two opposite ends thereof. The blade is removably connected to the handle by selectively inserting the pointed-tipped end or the flat-tipped end into the blade receiving slot to provide a survival knife with a flat-tipped blade or a pointed-tipped blade, respectively. The blade is further lengthwise provided on a body thereof with a straight row of spaced length-adjusting holes. The blade can be connected at different length-adjusting holes to the handle to adjust a length of the blade that is projected from the handle, so as to provide a long-blade or a short-blade survival knife according to different functions to be performed with the survival knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Chien-Rung CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100287779
    Abstract: A knife system may comprise a blade, the blade defining a number of voids, and a number of features configured to be removably coupled to the blade, wherein the blade is configured to house the features in the voids defined by the blade. The feature may be coupled to the blade through any means which will allow it to be easily removed, interchanged, and/or replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Brady B. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100281695
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power tool having a main body portion and at least one interchangeable cutting tool carrier. A motor and a transmission mechanism are mounted in the main body portion and the cutting tool carrier includes a cutting tool assembly which includes a connection mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a driving device which is mounted on the driving shaft and may be coupled with the connection mechanism. The transmission mechanism also has a stationary element and a movable element, each having a magnet mounted on a surface. Due to the magnetic force, the moving element and the driving device are able to move relative to the stationary element to allow for automatic alignment of the driving device and the connection mechanism of the cutting tool elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Fangjie Nie
  • Patent number: 7814663
    Abstract: A modular power tool incorporates a modular drive system and modular handle set that is reversible for use with both a left hand and right hand configuration. The modular drive system and handle set of the modular power tool of this invention reduces the need for derivative circular saw designs by introducing common components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Keith Moore, Weston J. Van Wambeke
  • Patent number: 7805841
    Abstract: A modular power tool incorporates a modular drive system and modular handle set that is reversible for use with both a left hand and right hand configuration. The modular drive system and handle set of the modular power tool of this invention reduces the need for derivative circular saw designs by introducing common components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Keith Moore, Weston J. Van Wambeke