Fixed Comb Patents (Class 56/127)
  • Patent number: 10462973
    Abstract: A paddle for a grain elevator of a combine harvester includes a plate and a leg. The plate is configured to be coupled to a chain at a first location on the chain. The plate has a top side for carrying grain, a bottom side opposite the top side, and a lip that extends along a perimeter of the top side of the plate for retaining the grain on the top side. The leg extends from a bottom side of the plate for releasably contacting the chain at a second location that is spaced from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dilts, Denver Romayne Yoder, Reuben Dise
  • Patent number: 6381937
    Abstract: A broadcast cotton harvester header assembly containing two or more header units wherein each header unit includes (1) a paddle chain frame unit having a length and a width and operatively attached to a (2) stripper bar unit having an upper surface to harvest crops, and (3) a height sensing unit which senses and maintains the distance of the stripper bar unit relative to the ground. The broadcast cotton harvester header assembly unit includes two parallel frame members having a front and rear end. The rear end of the frame members have rotatably mounted thereon two drive sprockets. The front end of the frame members have mounted thereon two idler sprockets. The drive sprockets and idler sprockets have wrapped around them conveyor chains which rotate around the front and rear sprockets. The conveyor chains have attached to them, evenly spaced apart, two or more paddles, the paddles are attached to chain links by hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Joe D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6163964
    Abstract: The head comprises two covers (3, 5) connected together and an intermediate ring (7), these defining a volume for containing at least one cutting cord (F). The intermediate ring (7) comprises spring means (7A, 7B, 7C) that lock said intermediate ring (7) angularly to at least one of said covers in such a way as to prevent relative rotation between the intermediate ring and the cover in the direction in which the ring tends to be rotated by the resistive force (F.sub.t) acting on the portions of cutting cord projecting from the head (1) during the rotation of the latter; at the same time the spring means permit relative rotation in the opposite direction by torsionally releasing the intermediate ring from said cover, by the action of the traction exerted on said projecting ends of the cutting cords (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Arnetoli Motor di Fabrizio
    Inventor: Maria Rosa Calcinai
  • Patent number: 6158202
    Abstract: A dethatching device comprising a dethatching shaft assembly. The dethatching shaft assembly comprises at least one shaft and a plurality of flexible, non-metallic dethatching lines. Each of the plurality of flexible, non-metallic dethatching lines extend from the shaft and rotate with the shaft to engage the ground and loosen and remove any thatch on the ground and in the lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Koock Elan Jung
  • Patent number: 6141879
    Abstract: The cord-type grass-cutting head includes a container (3, 4) having arranged inside it at least one reel (5) of cutting cord (F), the ends of which emerge from holes in the container, and an operating mechanism for controlled unwinding of the cord from the reel, which mechanism comprise a sliding actuating member (17, 19) projecting from the container, a slit being defined between the sliding member and the container. A flexible protective membrane (33) covers the slit between the sliding member (17, 19) and the container (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Arnetoli Motor di Arnetoli Fabrizio
    Inventor: Fabrizio Arnetoli
  • Patent number: 6124034
    Abstract: A process for forming flexible cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers of the type having two or more monofilament lines mounted on a common spool. The line produced by the process of the present invention defines two monofilament strands joined together in a side-by-side relationship by a severable bond. Each strand defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced and outwardly projecting vegetation cutting edges thereon, two of the edges on one of the strands being in parallel contact with two of the edges on the other strand so as to define a pair of parallel readily severable welds bonding the strands together in a side-by-side disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, Paul T. Conlon
  • Patent number: 6119350
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotatable cutting head for a powered trimmer comprising top and bottom cover members, the bottom member is adapted to be operably associated with the drive shaft of a trimmer and includes at least one pivot member for receiving a pivoting cutting element, a latch mechanism is provided on the top cover for engaging the pivot member when the top and bottom cover members are mated, the latch member is secured against the pivot member by centrifugal forces acting on the latch during operation of the trimmer. The cutting elements comprise blades or molded lines that are readily adapted to be interchanged within the cutting head without the need for tools or complex disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Trim-A-Lawn Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Sutliff, Dallas W. Jones
  • 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: 6112416
    Abstract: A vegetation trimmer attachment head includes a main body, a plurality of elongated blades extending radially outward therefrom, and pins to pivotably attach the blades to the main body. A single pin cover mates with the main body to retain the pins in place. The pin cover is held in place by being interposed between the main body and the vegetation cutting device. The attachment head is simple and can be quickly disassembled and reassembled without tools because it has few parts, none of which are threaded or snap together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Roy Bridges, David Harris, Karl Hymmen
  • Patent number: 6094823
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a string trimmer head assembly is disclosed. The head assembly includes a head and one or more flails. Each flail includes at least one deformed portion and at least one undeformed portion and the head includes a flail holding portion adapted to mate with the deformed portion for securing the flail to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Jenn Feng Industrial Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trever S. Brown, Darrel E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6094898
    Abstract: A flexible insert for a cotton stripper finger assembly adapted for stripping cotton bolls from cotton plants planted in narrow row or broadcast configuration. The insert comprises a flexible plastic strip sandwiched between a conventional metal stripping finger and a metal hold-down member. The insert has edges extending outwardly from the metal stripping finger edges to reduce the effective width of the gap between fingers to more efficiently strip cotton bolls from cotton plants having relatively thin stalks. The portions of the insert which project beyond the metal stripping finger are sufficiently flexible to permit efficient stripping of cotton plants with thicker stalks. Since the effective gap width can change with changing plant conditions, the need to change gap-adjusting inserts is eliminated. The plastic material, which preferably is polyurethane having a durometer of approximately 93, resists sap build-up and improves cotton flow over the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kevin Jacob Goering, Timothy Arthur Deutsch, David Carl Winter
  • Patent number: 6085503
    Abstract: A trimming device carriage system for allowing a user to conveniently utilize a conventional trimming device without requiring significant effort by the user. The inventive device includes a support structure secured to a second base, a pair of handles secured to a first base, and a pair of brackets attached to each of the first base and the second base for removably engaging a trimmer shaft of a conventional trimmer. The support structure comprises a pair of upper legs secured to the second base and slidably positioned within a corresponding pair of lower legs. A plurality of adjustment apertures within the upper legs catchably receive a detent springably attached to the pair of lower legs. The upper legs are pivotally attached to the second base by a pair of second wing fasteners. The pair of handles are pivotally attached to the first base by a pair of first wing fasteners thereby allowing adjustment of the angle of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: James C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6065214
    Abstract: A braking device of a portable trimmer according the present invention comprises a cylindrical brake drum portion provided around a cutter blade retainer, an anti-rotation device, and a brake shoe provided inwardly of the brake drum portion and supported by a support shaft. The brake shoe extends along an inner surface of the brake drum portion so that the distance between the support shaft and the line tangent to the middle portion of the brake shoe exceeds the radius of the inner wall surface of the brake drum portion. An anti-rotation device is installed in a vacant space within a gear case and inwardly of the brake drum portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6065275
    Abstract: A weed trimmer transportation system is provided including an upper portion having a rigid substantially linear tube including a top end adapted for being coupled to a post of a weed trimmer. Also included is an intermediate portion having a pair of legs each having an inboard end coupled to a bottom end of the upper portion for defining a generally inverted V-shaped configuration. Next provided is a lower portion including an axle coupled to bottom ends of the legs of the intermediate portion and having a pair of wheels mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Stella S. Pope
  • Patent number: 6055798
    Abstract: A cutter blade is pivotally attached to a blade carrier so that it may operate as a flail. The blade carrier itself rotates about a drive shaft spaced from the pivot axis. A pivot pin is received in respective bores of the cutter blade and the blade carrier; a distal, protruding portion of the pivot pin is threaded. A pair of clamping collar halves each have a threaded surface which threadedly engage the threaded portion of the pivot pin shaft. After the correct amount of axial play between the cutter blade and the carrier is adjusted by rotating the collar halves on the shaft threads, the collar halves are clamped together on the pivot shaft using fasteners so as to affix the clamping collar halves to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: WEC Company
    Inventors: Timothy K. Fulmer, Robert Kenneth Byrd
  • Patent number: 6052977
    Abstract: A stripping finger insert is attached with a single bolt for easy adjustment of the gap between fingers on an ultra narrow row cotton stripper. The point of the insert wedges underneath a rearwardly angled edge of an upright planar fin member located at the front and center of the finger. The single bolt secures the insert near the center of the finger where cotton snagging is less likely to occur, and a clip allows the bolt to be placed through the center of the angle iron, rather than in the legs of the angle, to eliminate an obstruction for the cotton between the fingers. The clip fits precisely into the profile of the insert and has a flat surface on top for clamping the bolt with gently sloping front and rear surfaces for smooth cotton can flow. Two insert sizes provide five different gap adjustments to optimize productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kevin Jacob Goering
  • Patent number: 6052976
    Abstract: A grass trimmer with a trimmer shield that can be manually assembled to the housing without the use of tools is disclosed. The trimmer shield can also preferably be disassembled from the housing by a consumer to allow for replacement of the trimmer shield. One preferred trimmer shield includes at least one retaining member that prevents translational movement of the trimmer shield and at least one retaining member that prevents deflection of the trimmer shield in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Cellini, Jeffrey E. Zander
  • Patent number: 6052974
    Abstract: An adjustable height cutting head for a string trimmer machine provides for the positive locking in place of the cutting string or line holder portion of the device, relative to a cylindrical central core which secures conventionally to the machine. The central core includes a series of adjustment holes of different heights through the wall thereof, with the collar of the line holder having a series of holes corresponding to any one of the heights of the adjustment holes in the central core. The height of the line holder disc is quickly and easily positively locked in place at the desired height relative to the central core, by securing a few bolts in the desired position. The present system precludes slippage of the line holder portion relative to the core, and moreover distributes the cutting lines evenly about the periphery of the line holder disc for proper balance of the assembly to preclude vibration and fatigue of the machine and operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Mitchell A. Harb
  • Patent number: 6052907
    Abstract: A durable one-piece vegetation trimmer head molded from a polymeric material provides ease in attachment and removal from standard vegetation trimmers. The trimmer head is fitted with three rotatable, rigid blades which extend during use. The trimmer head has a spool-like shape and includes a central channel having a conically-shaped opening along the bottom surface to assist the operator in attachment and removal of the trimmer head from the trimmer drive shaft. The preferred embodiment provides for threaded attachment to the trimmer drive shaft and in one alternate embodiment the trimmer head includes a pair of opposing spring grooves. In another alternate embodiment, various flexible trimmer line configurations can be fitted into a two-piece trimmer head which is threadably joined. A rigid trimmer blade is also disclosed which is formed from stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sufix USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Te Wang
  • Patent number: 6035618
    Abstract: A fixed line trimmer head for string trimmer machines is made to accommodate trimmer lines of a range of line sizes, from a relatively small diameter line to a maximum diameter line, typically from 0.080" to 0.160". To accomplish this, the trimmer head consists of a generally cylindrically-shaped hollow main housing member having a central axis through it. Exit openings for the line are formed on diametrically opposite sides of the main housing member in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the housing member. A first set of string entry holes is formed through the housing member in a plane which is offset from the plane of the exit openings; and these holes are located on opposite sides of a line which is perpendicular to the projection of a line passing through the exit openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Robert L. Phillips
    Inventor: John R. Fogle
  • Patent number: 6032442
    Abstract: An attachment for a landscaping trimmer for use in precise trimming and edging of landscaped areas. The attachment has bores through an elongated body member which are adjacent to the free end of the body member and perpendicular to its axis. Pre-cut pieces of trimming line are secured through the bores by at least one screw positioned against the portions of the pre-cut pieces which are centrally located within the body member. Integral with the body member and on Its free end, the present invention may have a spacer for lawn cutting, or pointed bits with various surface configurations to perform functions including, but not limited to, "drilling out" weeds and unwanted grass in and around planters, flower pots and flower boxes, as well as tearing out unwanted roots near the surface of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: David A. Paolo
  • Patent number: 6032369
    Abstract: A portable trimmer has a supporting tube with a forward end on which is mounted a cutting device. The cutting device has a case with a first hole for receiving a stick, and also contains a rotatable shaft with a threaded end. A seating member that is rotatable with the shaft has a second hole that can be aligned with the case's first hole. A rotatable cutter is removably mounted on the rotatable shaft, fixed to against the seating member by a nut that engages the shaft's threads. The stick is inserted into the first hole in the case and the second hole in the rotatable seating member, to prevent rotation of the seating member during assembly and disassembly. The cutting device retains the stick in the first and second holes even when the cutting device is upside down. This retention is accomplished, either by a biasing member that biases the stick in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first hole, or by an elastic member that frictionally engages the stick in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Tada, Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6032370
    Abstract: A portable trimmer for cutting weeds comprises a cutter, a driving device for rotationally driving the cutter, a control lever for controlling power of the driving device, a braking device for stopping rotation of the cutter, and an interlocking device operatively connected with the control lever and the braking device. The braking device has a wedge shaped brake shoe that is connected with the interlocking device and has an inclined upper surface inclined downwardly from a rotationally retarded side toward a rotationally advanced side of the cutter, a housing enclosing the brake shoe and having an inclined guide surface opposite to the inclined upper surface of the brake shoe, and a pressing device provided between the brake shoe and the housing and for causing an initial movement of the brake shoe toward a cutter surface of the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nagashima, Osamu Tada
  • Patent number: 6023847
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation that includes a fixed gearhead from which a rotating driveshaft extends. A spool, including a spool housing and a spool element, are located below the gearhead and are coupled to the drive shaft to rotate in unison with the drive shaft. A cylindrically shaped deflecting ring extends between the top of the spool housing and the adjacent rotating protective disk. The deflecting ring prevents cut vegetation from winding around the portion of the driveshaft that extends between the gearhead and the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hans Niedl
  • Patent number: 6014812
    Abstract: A hand held battery powered vegetation trimmer includes a battery pack that powers an electric motor to generate a rotary output and a cutting line adapted to be rotatably driven by a line support structure. By introducing a reduction gear stage between the motor output and the line support structure, the speed at which the line is rotated is reduced which substantially reduces the power consumption of the trimmer without reducing the cutting performance of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Webster
  • Patent number: 6009694
    Abstract: A wheeled carriage assembly for supporting a grass trimmer. The wheeled carriage assembly includes a pair of frames each having elongate front, top, and bottom portions. The top and bottom portions of each frame are spaced apart from one another with the front portion of each frame connecting associated top and bottom portions of the respective frame. The front portions of the frames are coupled together. The frames each have an elongate rear fork extending between the associated top and bottom portions of the respective frame. A ground engaging rear wheel is positioned between the bottom portions of the frame and is rotatably mounted to the rear forks of the frames. A generally J-shaped front fork is coupled to the frames between the front portions of the frames. A pair of adjacent ground engaging front wheels are pivotally mounted to the front fork. The frames each has a handle portion adjacent the associated top portion of the respective frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Larry Moore, Becky Davis
  • Patent number: 5996234
    Abstract: An improved string trimmer guard for attachment to string trimmers having an elongated shaft with a lower section and a rotary cutting head mounted at the lower end of the shaft to carry a string along a circular pathway, the guard adapted to be mounted on the shaft adjacent the cutting head, and including a barrier at the front of the trimmer, a pair of parallel support arms extending rearwardly from the barrier on opposite sides of the shaft, a first clamp attached along the support arms, and a shaft clamp attached to the shaft, the first clamp and shaft clamp being attached to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Plant Guard, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Lee Fowler, Nicholas T. Fokakis, Lloyd B. Young
  • Patent number: 5987756
    Abstract: A string trimmer head and head assembly include a plurality of arms which connect the head to a hub member. One or more flails are captured between the head and the hub member and extend outwardly into a cutting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: McCulloch Corporation
    Inventors: Jan B. Yates, Gregory A. Trees, James Lind, John F. Searle, Michael Krull, Gregory S. Kramer, Roger W. Smith, Glenn K. Redding
  • Patent number: 5970693
    Abstract: A filament employing lawnmower blade apparatus includes a support disc which includes a central transverse lawnmower connection channel and a plurality of peripheral transverse fastener reception channels. A plurality of filament reception fasteners are provided each of which includes a fastener head, a filament reception channel located adjacent to the fastener head, a threaded shaft located adjacent to the fastener head, and a threaded nut screwed onto the shaft. A plurality of filaments are received in the respective filament reception channels of the filament reception fasteners. For each of the filament reception fasteners, the fastener head and the shaft are arrayed along a fastener longitudinal axis, and the filament reception channel extends perpendicular to the fastener longitudinal axis. Washers are located on the shafts of the filament reception fasteners between the nuts and the support disc. The filament reception channel includes exterior walls which are arrayed in a polygonal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Walter M. Ciaglo
  • Patent number: 5970692
    Abstract: A clearing apparatus which includes a clearing device for use in clearing operations, and a carriage for supporting a clearing device during use. The clearing device is a clearing device of any conventional type and includes an elongated support member, a power unit at one end of the support member and a clearing head at the other end of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas E. Foster
  • Patent number: 5966914
    Abstract: A lawn mower-mounted weed trimmer is provided including a lawn mower with a weed trimmer assembly hingably coupled about a horizontal axis to one of the side faces of the mower portion of the lawn mower adjacent to a front face thereof. The horizontal axis is in line with movement of the lawn mower. The weed trimmer assembly has a flexible line dispenser for trimming weeds adjacent to the lawn mower when rotated. Next provided is a driving mechanism for selectively rotating the flexible line dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas R. Reents
  • Patent number: 5940973
    Abstract: A guide is provided for a string trimmer that permits it to be positioned closely adjacent to or in a variety of positions further from borders and similar objects. The guide is attachable to the guard of the trimmer and is composed of two slideably adjustable members that permit its length to be varied to provide different spacings from borders and objects. The guide includes an obtuse angle formed in its length to permit it to be used vertically as an edger and vary the spacings from borders when it is used as a horizontal trimmer. An elliptical head is provided on the outer end of the plastic guide to facilitate fine spacing adjustments and enable sliding movement along a variety of surfaces such as pavements, stones and gravel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Robert Earl Kitz
  • Patent number: 5931736
    Abstract: A liner for a flexible rotative drive shaft has a single tube with a multiplicity of spaced-apart, flared sections disposed along its elongated length. The flared sections serve many purposes, but primarily center the liner within an external aluminum tube that houses the flexible shaft and liner assembly. The flared sections also reduce non-uniform lubricant distribution along the drive shaft, longitudinal and radial vibration, and shock. Due to the use of flared sections, the overall weight of the liner is reduced, compared to conventional liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: B.W. Elliot Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Scherer, Thomas P. Dunn, Robert L. Douglass
  • Patent number: 5907947
    Abstract: A safety lawn mower blade is provided including a central portion removably coupled to a conventional lawn mower. Also included is a plurality of replaceable blades removably coupled to a periphery of the central portion and extended radially therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: James Terry Poole, Robert C. Burrow
  • Patent number: 5896666
    Abstract: A cutting head for a string trimmer is provided which accommodates any string gauge thickness and may be easily and quickly re-threaded upon failure of a string previously disposed therein. Clamping members are provided to clamp the strings within the cutter head, with the clamping force being provided by springs and centrifugally generated moments. The clamping members are capable of generating two degrees of clamping force. The lesser degree of clamping force can be overcome by a string forcibly inserted into the cutting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventors: Fernando R. Iacona, Ignazio M. Iacona
  • Patent number: 5890352
    Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly to be attached to a rotary shaft of a weed trimming device for cutting vegetation. The rotary cutting assembly includes a cutting member constructed of a hub and a plurality of cable ties secured to the hub such that a spoke pattern is formed. Due to the cable ties' relatively heavy mass and ability to resist a wide range of dynamic stresses that may be placed thereon during normal operation of the weed trimming device, the cutting member of the present invention can be used to cut through thick and dense vegetation. The cutting member is encased between a top cover and a bottom casing. The bottom casing is defined in part by a semi-dome shaped portion which is sized to engage the outer periphery of the top cover to encapsulate the cutting member to ensure that the hub and the head portion of the cable ties remain protected and insulated from the environmental elements typically encountered by weed trimming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Luis Molina
  • Patent number: 5887348
    Abstract: A cutting head for a string trimmer is provided which accommodates any string gauge thickness and may be easily and quickly re-threaded upon failure of a string previously disposed therein. Clamping members are provided to clamp the strings within the cutter head, with the clamping force being provided by springs and centrifugally generated moments. The clamping members are capable of generating two degrees of clamping force. The lesser degree of clamping force can be overcome by a string forcibly inserted into the cutting head. Alternatively, the clamping members can be formed to pinch the string, with a constant degree of pinching force being applied to the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventors: Fernando R. Iacona, Ignazio M. Iacona
  • Patent number: 5884462
    Abstract: A wheeled support for controlled movement of lawn maintenance equipment. The wheeled support has a fixed upper support member and a telescoping lower support member each of which are attached to a main support so that the wheeled support is adaptable for supporting different types lawn maintenance equipment. A clamping device attached to the distal end of the telescoping lower support member and a strap-like member attached to the upper support member secure the piece of lawn maintenance equipment to the wheeled support during use. The wheeled support may have a remote throttle control, and may also have a muffler guard and an exhaust deflector. The wheeled support may be used with any electrical or gasoline-powered piece of equipment which is attached to a straight or bent shaft. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use with line trimmers, cultivators, brush cutters, edgers, blowers, and vacuums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Edward Henry Gerber
    Inventor: Edward H. Gerber
  • Patent number: 5881465
    Abstract: A "bump-feed" type line head (108) and replaceable spool (116) for a flexible line trimmer are specially adapted for removing and mounting the spool in a single manual movement to the line head to facilitate spool and line replacement. A U-shaped retention spring (118) is snap-fitted without separate fasteners within a hub in the line head on which the spool is journalled. The spring includes knob-shaped sections (122) protruding through the hub, beneath the spool, for retaining the spool on the hub without interfering with a bump-feed indexing mechanism. Pulling the spool from or pushing the spool onto the hub tends to deflect the knobs inwardly, allowing removal of the spool from the hub. The spool includes an integrally formed reel (116) and an integrally formed button (130) connected in a single movement to the bottom of the reel using undercut surfaces (136)(138), forming a cavity having a radius sufficient to accommodate extension of the knobs beneath the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: WCI Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Brant, Michael S. Houge, Lloyd H. Tuggle
  • Patent number: 5881464
    Abstract: A "bump-feed" type line head (108) and replaceable spool (116) for a flexible line trimmer are specially adapted for removing and mounting the spool in a single manual movement to the line head to facilitate spool and line replacement. The line head includes a "U" shaped retention spring (118) mounted within a hub in the line head on with the spool is journalled. The spring includes knob-shaped sections (122) protruding through the hub, beneath the spool, for retaining the spool on the hub without interfering with a bump-feed indexing means. Pulling the spool from or pushing the spool onto the hub tends to deflect the knobs inwardly, allowing axially movement of the spool on the hub. The compression force of the spring is set to be sufficient to retain the spool on the hub during normal operation but not to withstand force manually applied in an axial direction to the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: WCI Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Imack Collins, Robert T. Cline, Lloyd H. Tuggle
  • Patent number: 5878556
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a lawn trimmer and an associated shield. The shield, in the preferred embodiment, is entirely formed from an impact resistant plastic. Additionally, the shield is defined by both an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region. An annular raised ring serves to define the boundary between these inner and outer regions. This shield is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft of a lawn trimmer. The interconnection between the drive shaft and shield is such that the shield can be rotated independent of the drive shaft. Such independent rotation of the shield allows the trimmer to be easily guided along either horizontal or vertical surfaces. Lastly, a spool of cutting filament is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft. The construction of the present invention allows for the removal and replacement of both the filament spool and the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Franz
  • Patent number: 5865155
    Abstract: A hand lever device is disclosed which allows movable members such as a main lever to be retained appropriately in case members even in a time when a case is dismounted or separated from a handle. In the hand lever device, the case has a ternary structure composed of one side case member (21), an intermediate case member (22) and the other side case member (23). The case (20) is dismounted from the handle (7) by detaching the other case member (23) from the one side case member (21) and the intermediate case member (22). The main lever (30) for drawing a cable (17) connected to a driven member (CV) is retained between the one side case member (21) and the intermediate case member (22) even in a time when said case (20) is dismounted or separated from the handle (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5862655
    Abstract: An adjustable mowing and trimming apparatus is presented which employs a unique wheel adjust mechanism and trimming assembly. The apparatus includes a frame to which at least two wheels are rotatably mounted at opposite sides of an adjustable linkage which is loosely coupled to the frame through a moveable pivot assembly. A mechanism is provided for manually adjusting the moveable pivot assembly to actuate the adjustable linkage and thereby reorient the wheels on either side of the frame. The trimming assembly is mounted at a front portion of the frame and includes a spindle head fixedly mounted to a spindle depending from the frame so as to rotate with the spindle. The spindle head substantially covers the spindle and is sized such that a distal end thereof rests proximate to ground when the trimming apparatus is operational. A trimmer head is adjustably clamped about the spindle head so as to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Garden Way Incorporated
    Inventors: Rolando Altamirano, James M. D'Aleo, Charles R. Elder, Mathieu J. Grumberg, Bruce Roberts
  • Patent number: 5855069
    Abstract: A disengagement-preventing mechanism for a vibration isolator is interposed between an attachment sleeve portion of prime mover and an operating rod in a bush cutter. The disengagement-preventing mechanism includes an attachment sleeve portion, an attachment member which is to be inserted in and engaged with the attachment sleeve portion, and a C-shaped disengagement-preventing clip. The attachment sleeve portion is provided, at a peripheral wall thereof, with a clip-introducing slit extending in a circumferential direction of the attachment sleeve portion and with a clip-holding slit located so as to face the clip-introducing slit. The disengagement-preventing clip is adapted to be introduced from outside into the clip-introducing slit and brought into contact with an external end face of the attachment member. The clip is also adapted to be engaged, by way of the distal end portion thereof, with the clip-holding slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Matsubayashi, Osamu Tada, Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5852876
    Abstract: A durable one-piece vegetation trimmer head molded from a polymeric material provides ease in attachment and removal from standard vegetation trimmers. The trimmer head is fitted with three rotatable, rigid blades which extend during use. The trimmer head has a spool-like shape and includes a central channel having a conically-shaped opening along the bottom surface to assist the operator in attachment and removal of the trimmer head from the trimmer drive shaft. The preferred embodiment provides for threaded attachment to the trimmer drive shaft and in one alternate embodiment the trimmer head includes a pair of opposing spring grooves. In another alternate embodiment, various flexible trimmer line configurations can be fitted into a two-piece trimmer head which is threadably joined. A rigid trimmer blade is also disclosed which is formed from stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Sufix USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Te Wang
  • Patent number: 5845405
    Abstract: A cutting tool for use with a brush cutter, trimmer or like device (1) for cutting thicket, grass and like vegetation, wherein the device includes a rotary shaft (3) for receiving a cutting tool which includes a rotatable center disc (6) which can be fitted to the tool and which includes cutting blades (9) having a cutting edge (10) along the front side of the blade as seen in the direction of rotation, wherein each individual cutting blade (9) is bent down through a first angle (v) such that the rear edge of the cutting blade (9) will be located closer to the ground than the edge-provided front side (10) of the blade when the center disc is held parallel with the ground, so that as the centre disc (6) rotates air will be pressed down towards the ground and therewith causes the tool to hover or lift slightly above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Swing Cut AB
    Inventor: Hans Rosdahl
  • Patent number: 5839262
    Abstract: A wheeled weed trimmer support system is provided including a pair of wheel assemblies each having a frame with at least two wheels rotatably mounted thereon. Next provided is a support assembly mounted between the wheel assemblies and further adapted to support a wheel trimmer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Richard S. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5829236
    Abstract: A new grass trimmer wheeled carrier for supporting a grass trimmer with an grass cutting rotating head at the end of its elongate shaft portion. The inventive device includes a support frame having ground engaging wheels, a handle member coupled to the support frame to allow a user to maneuver the rotating head of a mowing device over the ground, and a pair of mounting members adapted for holding a mowing device are also coupled to the support frame. One of the mounting member is adapted for holding the rotating head of a mowing device in a fixed position in relation to the support frame. A trigger member is pivotally mounted on the handle member and is attached to the switch means of a grass trimmer to allow a user to engage the switch means to selectively rotate the rotating head of the mounted grass trimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Ballard, Sally L. Ballard
  • Patent number: 5802824
    Abstract: A portable, powered grass whip and a novel free-moving bracket for mounting the same to riding equipment such as a lawn mower. Also, a combination of a new and novel grass whip in combination with a portable power pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Keyboard Comfort, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven H. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 5791054
    Abstract: A rotary cutter head assembly comprises a cutting element including a substantially spherical enlarged retaining portion, a filamentary flexible elongate cutting portion, and a substantially cylindrical intermediate strengthening portion, which is integral with and between the retaining portion and the filamentary portion and is of smaller cross-sectional area than that of the retaining portion, and a head including a first flange which is substantially planar, a second flange which is substantially planar and which extends substantially parallel to and is spaced from the first flange so as to define a channel between the first and second flanges, in which channel the retaining portion of the cutting element is releasably and pivotally retain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Easytrim Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry John Bessinger