Rotary Blade Patents (Class 30/276)
  • Patent number: 7536792
    Abstract: An improved head for a flexible line trimmer apparatus is provided. The improved head includes a metal tubing that extends through the head and surrounds a cutting line of selected length. The tubing is provided with a flared exit portal increasing the efficiency of the head. The contact surface eliminates the possibility of the cutting line fusing to plastic surfaces due to heating caused by friction. The head is surrounded with an interior perimeter counterweight to store kinetic energy on each end having a parabolic surface of revolution concentric with the axis of the tubing. A replaceable cartridge is provided to increase the ease of maintenance and the useful life of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Mark R. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090113724
    Abstract: A portable handheld work apparatus has a housing (2) which has at least one intake opening (20). A drive motor (4) is mounted in the housing (2) and this drive motor drives a fan wheel (9). The fan wheel (9) inducts a cooling airflow (26) into the housing (2) through the intake opening (20). The cooling airflow (26) is moved to the drive motor (4) by the fan wheel (9). A driven drive element rotating about the rotational axis (35) is provided. To prevent a wrapping of long-fibrous material onto the rotating drive element, it is provided that the drive element is surrounded at least partially by a wrap protector (19, 39) fixed to the housing. The wrap protector has a radially outwardly directed flange (28) referred to the rotational axis (35). The flange (28) is at a distance (a) to an adjacent, rotatably driven component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Gunter Wied, Uwe Gaese
  • Patent number: 7527696
    Abstract: A debris removal tool is generally provided with a head unit having a base plate, at least one cutting tooth and a drive unit for rotating the base plate. A flex plate may be provided for biasing the base plate with respect to an axis of rotation. The cutting teeth may be removably and pivotably coupled with the base plate. An elongated handle may be provided for use with the head unit and may be pivotably secured there too. Rechargeable and disposable power sources may be used with the drive unit. Various embodiments that incorporate functional grips and brushes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: CMK Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Alvin A. Aus
  • Publication number: 20090100815
    Abstract: A ground surface slide guide attached to a grass cutter is of light weight and has a large diameter and superior durability, enabling comfortable grass cutting work. The ground surface slide guide has a resin body made of synthetic resin, and a metal hub integrally coupled thereto to rotate together. The resin body is composed of a tubular body and a flange extending upward to the outside from the entire periphery of the lower end of the tubular body and covering the lower surface of the rotary blade. A blade retaining ring pressed against the lower surface of the rotary blade is formed on the outer periphery of the hub, and the blade retaining ring is exposed to the upper end surface of the tubular body. The hub is attached to a drive shaft by a fastener, and the rotary blade is clamped between a blade rest and a blade retaining ring. The lower end of the tubular body serves as a ground contact surface. The metal hub is integrally coupled to the resin body to rotate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KITAMURA SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7520061
    Abstract: A manually guided brushcutter or other trimmer having a guide tube that accommodates a transmission shaft, with a drive motor that drives the transmission shaft and a housing that secures the drive motor to the guide tube. The housing is embodied as a closed engine housing that surrounds the drive motor. The drive motor and the closed engine housing are interconnected at two spaced-apart securement points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Herzog, Markus Hüsges, Thomas Sonnenkalb, Jürgen Steinmaier, Kai-Ulrich Machens
  • Patent number: 7520060
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a trimming device with a motor-driven cutting tool that is rotatable about a shaft and with a shell-like reel protector (100), wherein said trimming device can be operated with different cutting tools. In order to achieve a simple adaptation of the reel protector to the respective tool used, the invention proposes that the reel protector (100) includes a first shell (10) that is rigidly connected to the trimming device and a second shell (11) that can be displaced relative to the first shell (10) in the direction (A) of the shaft of the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: DOLMAR GmbH
    Inventor: Mark Jesse
  • Publication number: 20090094841
    Abstract: A bush cutter for performing weed-cutting operations while suspended from the shoulders of an operator. The bush cutter is provided with an operating rod and an operating handle, which is provided midway along the operating rod in the longitudinal direction. The rearward rod-half of the operating rod between the operating handle and a motor has a curved part that curves laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi NAKAYA, Hiromi Yuzuriha
  • Patent number: 7513046
    Abstract: A trimmer head for use in a flexible line rotary trimmer including a housing adapted to be operatively connected to the trimmer to effect rotation of the head and a spool operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith. The spool defines at least one inwardly extending line receptor channel, preferably formed by a plurality of inwardly tapered walls so as to be polygonal in cross-section. So configured, the channel walls will securely grip the cutting line upon the line being inserted in the channel and wound about the spool. To provide uniform winding of the line, a plurality of cam, cam abutment and sliding surfaces are operatively connected to the housing and spool such that when the spool is manually rotated relative to the housing in the drive direction, the spool is caused to reciprocate axially within the housing evenly distributing the line about the body of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Proulx
  • Patent number: 7493696
    Abstract: A bush cutting machine comprises a main body, a driven shaft rotatably supported in the main body and having two opposite ends, a cutter member operatively provided to one end of the main body, a power source operatively connected to the other end of the main body for generating a drive power to be transmitted to the cutter member through the driven shaft, and joint member for detachably and selectively connecting the main body and the power source. The power source is selective from an engine and an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suzuki, Kenichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7493697
    Abstract: A lawn mower comprises an operation arm, a driven shaft rotatably supported inside the operation arm and having two opposite ends, a cutter operatively connected to one end of the driven shaft, a power source operatively connected to the other end of the driven shaft for generating a drive power to be transmitted to the cutter through the driven shaft, wherein said power source is selective from an engine and an electric motor, an arm side joint case provided on the end of the operation arm, a power source side joint case provided on a housing of the power source and detachably and selectively connected to the arm side joint case, and a centrifugal clutch incorporated in the arm side joint case and having a first member connected to the driven shaft, a second member detachably and selectively connected to the power source and a third member provided to engage the first member and the second member according to the centrifugal force applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20090038163
    Abstract: A weed trimmer apparatus having a head defining at least one side wall, the side wall forming one or more apertures therethrough, and one or more line retention members for retaining one or more trimmer lines. The line retention members are operatively connected to the head, wherein each line retention member is sized and configured to extend through a loop of at least one trimmer line during operation of the weed trimmer apparatus and wherein each line retention member is dynamically connected to the head to allow for installation and removal of the loop of trimmer line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Orlando Jerez, Orlando Jerez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090031567
    Abstract: A head for string trimmer machines uses fixed length segments of line including at least two line segments. The head includes a generally cylindrically shaped main housing member with at least two sets of first and second line entry holes on the housing member intermediate the first and second ends. At least two sets of first and second line exit openings also are found on the main housing member intermediate the first and second ends and spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the first and second line entry holes. Arcuate guide channels are located between the respective entry holes and exit openings where the corresponding entry openings and exit openings of corresponding sets are located at different distances measured axially on the main housing member from the first end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: John R. Fogle
  • Patent number: 7480998
    Abstract: A cutter is coupled to a tip of a driven shaft rotatably attached in an operating arm as a main body of a bush cutter, and the other end thereof is provided to a driven side coupling portion selectively coupled with any one of a driving side coupling portion of an engine output shaft and a driving side coupling portion of a motor output shaft. To a driven side joint provided in the other end of the operating arm, any one of an engine output side joint of an engine and an engine output side joint of an electric motor is selectively detachably attached. An engine revolution regulator is connected to the engine through a cable, a motor revolution regulator is connected to the electric motor through an electric cord, and these regulators are detachably attached to a handle of the operating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suzuki, Kenichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7467470
    Abstract: An improved line trimmer (10) for weed or grass cutting is provided which includes a operating head (16) having a rotatable housing (44) with cutting line outlet openings (68). A replaceable line cartridge (18) having a supply (118) of line (107) is mounted exteriorly of housing (44), and the free ends (120) of the line pass from the cartridge (18), through housing (44), and out the opening (68). Preferably, the cartridge (18) is mounted on an upright tubular drive shaft (42) coupled with housing (44), so that the line (107) may be threaded through the drive shaft (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph M. Robison
  • Publication number: 20080301954
    Abstract: SHINGLESAW™ is a pneumatically powered miniaturized circular saw designed especially for roofing applications. A planetary gear set is provided to reduce the RPMs of the saw an increase torque, allowing the saw to cut though heavy and sticky roofing materials even when used with a low CFM roofer's compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Garrett
  • Patent number: 7458161
    Abstract: A horticultural or agricultural cutting device is disclosed which comprises a body (4), a rotor (20) rotatably coupled to the body, at least one cutter (54), (56) which rotates along with the rotor and extends radially to the axis of rotation, and a powered drive (eg. an electric motor (40)) which drives the rotor and cutter. The rotor provides a collection surface (58). (60) which follows the cutter as it rotates and so serves to collect cut material. The rotor is formed such as to expel the cut material centrifugally and the body provides a roughly tangential collection channel away from the rotor along which the collected material is thereby propelled. The collection channel is led to a waste receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Graton Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Graham John Wilson
  • Patent number: 7458162
    Abstract: The claimed invention relates to an engine powered portable tool comprising a working tool placed on a working tool carrier clamped to a tool casing (10). In order to increase the strength in the section where the working tool carrier is clamped to the tool casing (10) is the working tool carrier clamped to a protruding part (20) of the crankcase (12) provided with a component (16) embedded in the crankcase (12) wall when the crankcase (12) is casted. The component (16) is made of a material with higher E-module than the material in the rest of the crankcase (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Mattias Ossiansson, Peter Bjorkman, Mikael Ganhammar, Erik Stegemyr
  • Publication number: 20080282553
    Abstract: A blade for a hedge trimmer, including: a front portion with an edge; a rear portion in contact with the front portion and bent at an angle with respect to the front portion; and a first concavely shaped cutting surface along at least a segment of the edge. In a first embodiment, the front and rear portions include a distally disposed edge and the blade includes a second concavely shaped cutting surface along at least a segment of the distally disposed edge. In a second embodiment, the first and second concavely shaped cutting surfaces are continuous one with the other. In a third embodiment, the rear portion is bent at an angle of between 10 degrees and 30 degrees with respect to the front portion. In a fourth embodiment, the rear portion is bent at an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the front portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: JRB Machine-Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Woody, Matthew S. Bartochowski
  • Publication number: 20080282554
    Abstract: A weed and grass trimmer has a cutting line which is fed as the weed trimmer is in use. The weed trimmer's cutting head includes a spool for cutting line, and a housing. The spool has flanges around its circumference, which may engage a corresponding upper or lower set of flanges in the housing. Actuation of a control located near the handle operates either a cable or a solenoid, causing the spool to reciprocate between the upper and lower flanges. The difference in centrifugal force and angular velocity during this reciprocation causes additional cutting line to be fed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Albert S. Grace
  • Publication number: 20080282659
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cutting head for bush cutter, hedge cutter or the like comprising a channel for a cutting wire and a mobile element for locking the wire. The invention is characterized in that the locking element comprises a slide adapted to move linearly in a guide which intersects the wire channel and is subjected to a force, le slide and the wire passage proximate the guide having working surfaces adapted to lock the wire by shearing effect. Thus the wire is better retained and the locking efficiency is substantially independent of the wire section (both in terms of shape and size).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Emmanuel Legrand
  • Publication number: 20080282552
    Abstract: The grass-cutting head (101) has a body (103) forming a housing for at least one spool of cutting line (F1; F2), provided with at least one outlet hole (111) of an end of the cutting line wound on said spool positioned inside the head. For each outlet hole, a guide channel for the cutting line is also provided, extending from the inside of the housing towards the hole and having an inclined trend, gradually moving away from said axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Fabrizio Arnetoli
  • Patent number: 7451832
    Abstract: A weed remover tool attachment for efficiently removing undesirable plants. The weed remover tool attachment includes a connecting member including a connecting aperture, wherein the connecting aperture is formed to receive a shaft of a weed trimmer, a first blade extending from the connecting member and a second blade extending from the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas W. Delvo
  • Publication number: 20080271325
    Abstract: A yard tool or unit having the motor barrier bracket upright when the tool barrier bracket and the control barrier bracket are rotated. The tool barrier bracket having flared operator and tool nozzle shields, a front suspension, one or more line filament or bladed tools, uniform air intake open to a fan to discharge debris and hold lubricants in a chamber. The front suspension fixed or to dial into tool heights and balance the unit. The tool output combines for no more than 200 rpm variance of motor input. The control barrier bracket having to mount a handlebar near the unit fixed point with a neighboring tool control grip, power control grip and transmission. The neighboring control grip to rotate the line filament or bladed tool in the right or left single fold operating framework free of collapsing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Patrick Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080263874
    Abstract: A rotary cutter for a mower for mowing grass and the like with a cord of a desired length extending in a radial direction of a cutting head from the cutting head driven for rotation through a drive shaft is described. The rotary cutter includes at least one fastening element for fixing one end of the cord to a cutting head main body. An inner end portion of the cord inserted from a sidewall of the head main body is fastened by the fastening element. The cord is removed and replaced with a new cord when the cord is worn out. The cord fastening element is disposed near a drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion in the cutting head main body. A cord outlet for removing the cord is provided to the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion side. The inner end portion of the cord extends outside from the cord outlet and along a sidewall of the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion of the cutting head main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroki Kato
  • Publication number: 20080250653
    Abstract: The mower head (1) includes a body (3) with at least one exit hole (9A) for one end of a cutting cord (F) and includes, adjacent to the exit hole of the cutting cord and on at least one side of said hole, a radial projection (11) to protect the cutting cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Fabrizio Arnetoli
  • Publication number: 20080244914
    Abstract: The current invention provides a cable actuated string trimmer head compressor, adaptable to bump-n-feed type string trimmers. A handle operated by remotely actuates a lever that in turn exerts force on a first half of a string trimmer head, compressing the first half of the trimmer head relative to a second half of the trimmer head. The string trimmer head compresses as if it had been pressed to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: David Harris, Charles Paddock
  • Publication number: 20080235958
    Abstract: A lawn mower comprises an operation arm, a driven shaft rotatably supported inside the operation arm and having two opposite ends, a cutter operatively connected to one end of the driven shaft, a power source operatively connected to the other end of the driven shaft for generating a drive power to be transmitted to the cutter through the driven shaft, wherein said power source is selective from an engine and an electric motor, an arm side joint case provided on the end of the operation arm, a power source side joint case provided on a housing of the power source and detachably and selectively connected to the arm side joint case, and a centrifugal clutch incorporated in the arm side joint case and having a first member connected to the driven shaft, a second member detachably and selectively connected to the power source and a third member provided to engage the first member and the second member according to the centrifugal force applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20080235957
    Abstract: An electric bush cutter includes an electric motor, which rotates a cutting edge through a centrifugal clutch, and an operating unit capable of adjusting rotational speed of the electric motor in accordance with an operation amount of the operating unit. A starting region including a rotational speed range from a stopped state of the electric motor to fastening of the centrifugal clutch, a common-use region corresponding to a rotational speed range suitable for bush-cutting by the electric bush cutter, and a transition region corresponding to a rotational speed range of the electric motor from the starting region to the common-use region are set. A rate of change in the rotational speed of the electric motor with respect to the operation of the operating unit in the transition region is greater than those in the starting region and common-use region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Kenichi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20080236124
    Abstract: A shaft system for a portable, manually-guided implement, including an upper connector and a lower connector for connection to adjoining components. The shaft system has a guide tube portion and a drive shaft portion supported in the guide tube portion by at least one support bushing. The guide tube portion is made of carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material. In at least one region of the periphery of the support bushing a first spacing is formed between the support bushing and the guide tube portion, wherein the first spacing is up to approximately 15% of the inner diameter of the guide tube portion. The shaft system can be utilized with a portable, manually-guided implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: George Heinzelmann
  • 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: 20080202088
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a vegetation cutting device. The cutting device includes a cutting head, a handle attached to the cutting head, and a power unit attached to the handle and supplying power to the cutting head. The apparatus comprises a clamp member having disposed therein the device handle, and wherein the clamp member including a cylinder member. The apparatus further comprises a pole support operatively associated with the cylinder member, a knob and stem for selectively attaching the clamp member to the pole support, and an angle adjustment plate operatively attached to the pole support. The apparatus further comprises a caster, operatively attached to the pole support, for rotatably moving the cutting head, apertures for orienting the angle adjustment plate to a proper orientation with respect to the wheel member, and a tab operatively attached to the pole support for rotating the pole support to align with the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Clinton J. Angelle
  • Publication number: 20080196254
    Abstract: A rotary cutter head assembly for attachment to a head of a rotary cutter comprises an elongate band for attachment around an outer diameter of a rotary cutter head, the band having first and second end regions, an attachment arrangement for securing the first end region to the second end region, and a cutting element holder secured to the band for releasably receiving a filamentary cutting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Henry Bessinger
  • Publication number: 20080196255
    Abstract: A cutting head attached to a powered rotary weed cutting machine has a generally cylindrical structure containing a plurality of cutting blades, wherein the upper and lower portions of said structure may be rotated with respect to one another without the use of tools and without requiring the structure to be disassembled, to expose each entire cutting blade for replacement when required. The lower portion of the cutting head may be anchored to cutting machine shaft, for example, and the upper portion may be rotated, against spring bias, relative to the temporarily-stationary lower portion. A lock may be included to ensure that the upper portion does not open until desired, for example, by including a rigid plate or arm that, in a first position, extends through portions of both the upper portion and the lower portion. The lock plate or arm may extend into the cutting head from the top or the side, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: GORDON STRADER
  • Patent number: 7412768
    Abstract: A vegetation trimmer comprising an elongate main handle to which is connected a motor that rotatably drives a trimmer head located at a distal end of the handle. The trimmer head defines a rotational axis and includes a housing and a spool rotatably received in the housing for carrying at least one coil of flexible trimmer line. The trimmer head further includes structure for enabling trimmer line to be wound through housing and onto the spool in a user-selected clockwise or counterclockwise direction without removing the spool from the housing such that trimmer line is dischargeable from the trimmer head in an appropriate clockwise or counterclockwise direction dictated by the direction of rotation of the vegetation trimmer drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: George E. Alliss
  • Patent number: 7406771
    Abstract: A protective shield (2) is provided for a free-cutting tool (1). The free-cutting tool has a cutterhead (4) rotatable about a rotational axis (3) and carries a cutting filament (5). For a rotating cutterhead (4), the cutting filament (5) rotates in a rotational direction (10), aligns itself approximately radially to the rotational axis (3) and defines a cutting circle (6) having a constructively pregiven nominal radius (R). The cutting radius (6) is at least partially covered by the protective shield (2). A cut-to-length knife (7) having a cutting edge (8) for cutting the cutting filament (5) to length is mounted on the protective shield (2) in the peripheral region thereof. The cut-to-length knife (7) is mounted on the protective shield (2) to be moveable back and forth between a cutting position (11) and a rest position (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Zimmermann, Roland Schierling, Johannes Menzel, Kai-Ulrich Machens
  • Publication number: 20080172888
    Abstract: A blade support structure for a rotary knife blade includes a lower blade-engaging ring and an upper mounting section, the lower blade-engaging ring including a circumferential blade support channel operative to releasably rotatably secure and support a toroidal rotary knife therein. The blade support channel is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate when the upper blade holder engagement section of the toroidal rotary knife is constructed of metal, and the blade support channel is constructed of metal when the upper blade holder engagement section of a toroidal rotary knife is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: John W. Long, Dale R. Ross
  • Publication number: 20080168667
    Abstract: The invention concerns a portable cutting device for cutting different sized objects. It includes a frame, a circular blade and a guiding guard mounted to the frame and around the blade. The guiding guard includes first and second projections extending beyond the periphery of the blade. Each projection has an edge being spaced-apart from and facing the other edge, and defining there-between a cutting area having a peripheral entrance. This enables an insertable object to be cut as it is guided into the blade along the edge facing the rotation direction, and a partially insertable object to be partially cut as it abuts against borders of the peripheral entrance. It also includes a protector removably mounted around the peripheral entrance to removably cover it. The invention also concerns a guard with adjustment elements movably mounted thereto to adjust the dimensions of the cutting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: David Spinato
  • Publication number: 20080168664
    Abstract: An improved feedout mechanism for the cutting head of a rotary trimmer includes curved surfaces on the top of the lower row of the cam tangs which replace the original flat surfaces of the lower row of cam tangs in the prior art cutting head. Also, the lower surface of each follower tang also has a curved surface which is changed from the original flat design in the prior art. The curved surfaces of the follower tangs and the cam tangs facilitate the line advancement operation and prevents the follower tangs from being hung up with the cam tangs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Kwik Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Fernando R. Iacona
  • Publication number: 20080163496
    Abstract: A method and system of feeding line on a line trimmer. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are line trimmers comprising a motor, a cutting head coupled to the motor (the cutting head having a line inlet along an axis of rotation of the cutting head, and a line outlet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the line inlet, wherein trimmer line extends through the line inlet and then out the line outlet), an elongated shaft that supports the cutting head on a distal end, and a line feed system coupled to the elongated shaft. The line feed system has a first configuration that prevents feeding of the trimmer line toward the line inlet, and a second configuration that allows substantially unimpeded movement of the trimmer line toward the line inlet, the movement caused by centrifugal force on the trimmer line extending from the line outlet of the cutting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory Mark Huseman
  • Patent number: 7395601
    Abstract: A rotary flail feeding device for trimming vegetation includes a head for storing flail line and a unitary, removable subassembly comprising a winding post and a line guide ring rotatably mounted on the post. The subassembly is removed from the head to facilitate loading flail line into the cavity and to assure that dual flail lines are properly positioned when the subassembly is repositioned on the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Publication number: 20080155837
    Abstract: An improved head for a flexible line trimmer apparatus is provided. The improved head includes a metal tubing that extends through the head and surrounds a cutting line of selected length. The tubing is provided with a flared exit portal increasing the efficiency of the head. The contact surface eliminates the possibility of the cutting line fusing to plastic surfaces due to heating caused by friction. The head is surrounded with an interior perimeter counterweight to store kinetic energy on each end having a parabolic surface of revolution concentric with the axis of the tubing. A replaceable cartridge is provided to increase the ease of maintenance and the useful life of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Mark R. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080141541
    Abstract: A yard tool having a motor connected to a string trimmer for light lawn grooming purposes or other auxiliary yard tool attachments, each yard tool attachment having a separate shaft and handle that attach to the motor by a rotation and translation locks, the translation lock further having a three-way bayonet lock for one or more shaft button stops to lock into, the yard tool attachments having a series of longitudinal, lateral and vertical working planes that can be orientated along identical transport routes, a power control handle having an aperture for an index finger to compress the button stops to release the motor from the yard tool attachments, the power control handle having ribs that are slightly compressed onto the shaft and tracks for the button locks to glide through, the rotation lock maintains the string trimmer and tool attachments in a fixed orthogonal isometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Patrick Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080134522
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance tool sends power to a grounds trimming or lawn edging orthogonal isometry from about an identical transport route, the tool orthogonal isometry is orientated by an upright power control handle and a three-way lateral control handle that is sometimes used as a bar arm, the power control handle provides a rear arm rest that also contains shaft stops and a power control trigger with one or more speeds to keep an index finger in about identical tool operating frameworks, the longitudinal power control handle, lateral control handle and the auxiliary shoulder harness creating a congruent orthogonal isometry on the shaft center of rotational symmetry, the cutting disk bringing the string line filament inner and outer spool out in radius to obey elasticity laws, the cutter stabilizes quickly, the guard side walls are folded to wing ends, the three main skids are stabilizers and the arm rest is a wand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Edward P. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080127496
    Abstract: A trimmer head for use with a length of flexible cutting line in a rotary trimmer comprising a housing operatively connected to the trimmer to effect rotation of the head and a spool for carrying the cutting line thereon. The spool is operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith and defines a line receptor channel having opposed open ends and traversing the spool. The channel is formed by line guide inserts held within the spool body preferably utilizing the shrinkage of the molded spool material about the inserts. The channel can be aligned with the eyelets in the housing skirt such that cutting line can be inserted therethrough and wrapped about the spool upon relative rotation of the spool and housing without having to interrupt the operative connection therebetween. A central portion of the channel is exposed to provide access to the line so that the line can be pulled from the head without having to interrupt the operative connection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Proulx
  • Patent number: 7382104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to portable powered devices or tools for residential, commercial, or industrial applications, in which the power source may be carried on the back of the individual user, power is transferred via a flexible drive shaft, and the powered devices or tools may be quickly connected to or disconnected from the power source via a quick-connect power take-off and power take-on to allow the user to quickly, safely and ergonomically accomplish a variety of tasks, each requiring a different device or tool. Among residential, commercial, or industrial applications, the invention relates to power sources which are light-weight internal combustion engines or AC or DC powered electric motors and to portable powered tools for landscaping, maintenance and repair; such as, without limitation, string-trimmers, edge-trimmers, hedge cutters, brush saws, blowers, drills, buffers, grinders, sanders, drainer cleaners, or sump pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Bradley A. Jacobson, David E. Milton
  • Publication number: 20080120847
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a spool for a trimmer head has a structure for guiding the trimmer line around a region for a driveshaft. In an embodiment, a component (e.g., a turn knob or a stop) is attached to the spool so that after determining the orientation in which to install the spool, the user is unlikely to install the spool in another orientation, even though the spool is invertible. In an embodiment, the turn knob also includes a structure that allows the turn knob to be used as a tool (e.g., as a wrench or screw driver) that facilitates disassembling the trimmer head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: George E. Alliss
  • Patent number: 7370424
    Abstract: A plant or vegetation cutting device which comprises a rotary cutting head and at least one cutting filament or string extending radially from the head, such that upon rotation of the head, the string is extended by centrifugal force and cuts through the plants or vegetation. The string is profiled in a generally uniform manner along its length and it comprises a main body whose width/height ratio is between about 1.2 and 2. A co-extruded cutting appendage may be joined along the leading edge and/or the trailing edge of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Speed France
    Inventor: Emmanuel Legrand
  • Publication number: 20080098606
    Abstract: A rotary flail feeding device for trimming vegetation includes a head for storing flail line and a unitary, removable subassembly comprising a winding post and a line guide ring rotatably mounted on the post. The subassembly is removed from the head to facilitate loading flail line into the cavity and to assure that dual flail lines are properly positioned when the subassembly is repositioned on the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Publication number: 20080098605
    Abstract: A split blade housing adapted to support an annular knife blade for rotation in a power operated rotary knife. The blade housing includes a mounting section and a body section extending from the mounting section and forming a ring. The mounting section of the split blade housing is adapted to be mounted to a handle assembly of the rotary knife and includes a recess providing clearance for a pinion gear that extends from the handle assembly to engage and drive the knife blade. The split blade housing includes an annular groove for rotatably supporting the knife blade, the groove defining a rotational plane of the knife blade. The split blade housing includes a split defining first and second end portions adjacent the split to facilitate removal of the knife blade from the housing. The housing split is peripherally offset from the mounting section recess and the split is transverse with respect to a center vertical axis of the blade housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Richard P. Bozzi
  • Publication number: 20080092398
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: HEOW, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Hurley, Steven M. Harrington, Douglas Gaylord, Ryan R. Butrym, Bruce K. Bridges