Abstract: A lawn mower rotor assembly comprising a rotor body, filament cutting members, and a shear pin coupler, the rotor body being a flat star-shaped disk having five equally spaced arms projecting outwardly from the center of the rotor, each of the arms including near its outer periphery a lug for gripping one end of a short length of filament, the coupler being a disk fitting into a central counterbore in the rotary body having two cylindrical members projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the disk symmetrically positioned diametrically opposite from each other and mating with two recesses in the counterbore.

Abstract: A coupling for the handle shaft of a power driven implement which permits angular adjustment of a drive head. The coupling clamps two parts of the handle shaft together, preventing rotation of one part and permits the selectable rotation of the other. The coupling comprises a split clamp joining and securely holding the handle parts in abutment with one part of the handle shaft telescopically interconnecting with the split clamp, and the other part of the handle shaft rotatably interconnecting with the split clamp in any one of a plurality of alignments. A releasable fastener permits loosening of the split clamp to allow rotational adjustment of the parts and their retention at a selected orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. Additional line is extended from a supply line coil within the head into the cutting plane without independent operator action. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line whenever the free end of the cutting line is reduced to less than a predetermined maximum length in the cutting plane. The cutting line length is always extended to this predetermined maximum length at all operational rotational speeds, without adjustment, and in a positive step-by-step mode of segmental line advancement. The line feeder mechanism, has an escapement cam with an off center pivotal mounting that senses both centrifugal forces on the cutting line and changes in rotary speed of the head.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for a string trimmer, wherein a spool holding a length of flexible line is located on and driven by a motor drive shaft, and a housing over the spool is located on the drive shaft and driven by the shaft through the spool, this arrangement reducing the vibration experienced as the string trimmer is operated. The housing is attached to the drive shaft independently of the spool, allowing the spool to be quickly and easily changed, without the need for special tools, by unlocking and removing a hub portion of the housing, slipping the old spool from the drive shaft, slipping on a new spool, and reinstalling the hub.

Abstract: A multiple rotor mower having a plurality of substantially side-by-side vertically disposed rotors each having a horizontally disposed disc at their lower ends and mowing blades beneath the discs, the discs being segmented into readily detachable and replaceable disc portions for easy replacement of any disc portions damaged by contact with rocks. Closed ground engaging skids are provided beneath discs, the ground engaging skids being formed from two dish-shaped portions having a fastening flange extending outwardly from their adjacent open ends so that the bottom portion of each disc is readily detachable and replaceable providing replacement of the bottom portion of the ground engaging skid when damaged or to obtain different height adjustments of the mower rotor assemblies. The mower rotor assembly is spring suspended from an overhead support arm from the mower frame reducing the force of the ground engaging skids upon the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head carrying a flexible, non-metallic cutting line extended radially into a cutting plane. An additional length of line is extended into the cutting plane by stopping and starting rotation of the head. A laterally displaced cam within the head moves outwardly for releasing a spool carrying coiled cutting line to rotate a predetermined angular displacement within the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the spool is secured automatically against further rotation within the head.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for rotary mowers and trimmers for vegetation, having major components that are interchangeable and reversible, comprises a pair of housing members having cylindrical side portions and radially extending portions. The housing members are coaxial and enclose a pair of coaxial flail spools, each spool having at least one flail and preferably a pair of flails, wound thereon. Flail may be extended from both spools to provide four cutting flails or from only one spool to provide two cutting flails. The spools are stressed apart axially toward confronting inner surfaces of the housing members by a compressed spring therebetween, thus to cause ribs on the spools and stop lugs on the inner surfaces of the housing members to cooperate in providing ratchet arrangements to allow portions of flails to be fed through the housing member cylindrical side portion upon release of a manual knob.

Abstract: The subject invention is a lawn mower blade hub member adapted for interconnecting a plurality of flexible blades, all affixed and disposed in a radial fashion from the centrally disposed hub member, which hub member is then mounted for concentric rotation on the lawn mower engine drive shaft; and wherein each such blade mounted to the hub member is comprised of a flexible, non-rigid, material. The hub member is a circular, plate-like member which has a plurality of insert openings which are adapted to receive and securely hold the radially inner ends of the respective flexible blade members. Disposed laterally adjacent to and just radially outwardly of the respective insert openings are vertically extending bosses, which bosses are disposed between the respective insert openings, thereby forming between adjacent bosses a channel area to securely hold a portion of the radially inner end of the flexible blade member in a radially outwardly rigid position.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for connecting a drive unit to a rotary tool is disclosed. The drive shaft assembly is especially well suited for use in combination with a rotary tool having an axis of rotation at an angle with respect to the axis of the drive unit. The rotary tool and drive unit are supported on an elongated tubular support housing having substantially straight end sections inclined with respect to each other and an intermediate section forming a curved transition from one straight end to the other. A continuous length of tubular liner received within the housing produces a cylindrical bearing surface through at least the curved transition section. The liner provides a yieldable bearing surface having a coefficient of friction substantially less than that of the housing surface. A flexible drive shaft extends through the liner and support housing and is received in rotary sockets coupled to the rotary tool and drive unit, respectively.

Abstract: A lawn which includes a mower housing carrying a motor and including plural shafts carrying donut-like members with cutters attached thereto. The deck includes a forward portion have a protective skirt, a portion of which extends at approximately 45.degree. to the ground.

Abstract: A trimmer supported on a dolly, each of which has a handle. The operator holds the dolly handle in one hand and the trimmer handle in the other hand. The trimmer is pivotally connected to the dolly whereby movement of the handle of the trimmer relative to the dolly handle changes the approach angle of the trimmer relative to the movement of the dolly. The pivotal connection is forward of the dolly wheels whereby raising and lowering the dolly handle effects lowering and raising of the trimmer and the corresponding depth of cut. The connection includes adjustment means to adjust the positions of the trimmer relative to the dolly.

Abstract: A line metering apparatus (20) for use on a vegetation cutting device (22) includes a driving portion (40) and a driven portion (42). A pivotable pawl (58) selectively couples the driving and driven portions (40) and (42). Whenever the motor (28) is de-energized by turning it off, the driven portion (42) overruns the driving portion (40) causing the pawl (58) to disengage and allow filament line indexing to occur.

Abstract: A bump-feed monofilament string trimmer has a sleeve-like escapement member (52) axially slidable on a drive member (42) and nested in a spool member (66) which holds a coil (71) of cutting filament. Axially downwardly extending fingers (84) of the escapement member (52) engage in window-like slots (92) in a downwardly extending dome-like protrusion (16) of the spool member (66) to prevent relative rotation between the two members (52,66). The fingers (84) have external screw threaded portions (86) which extend through the slots (92) and are engaged by a nut (18) which releasably secures the spool member (66) to the escapement member (52). The driving member has teeth (88) which normally drivingly engage with an upper series of internal clutch teeth (58) of the escapement member, and temporarily engage with a lower series of clutch teeth (102, 104) when the dome-like protrusion (16) is "bumped" on the ground, whereby discrete lengths of cutting filament are let out from the spool member (66).

Abstract: An indexing mechanism (10) for a filament line vegetation cutting device (12) comprises a spool (34) fixed to a drive shaft (22). Enclosure (62) surrounds spool (34) and has a grommet (82) for guiding a filament line (2) contained on spool (34). A spider (64) has upstanding members (68) and is contained in enclosure (62) for rotation therewith. Upstanding members (68) are selectively engaged with teeth (54) on spool (34) for driving enclosure (62) synchronously with spool (34). Members (68) disengage teeth (54) to allow a line indexing action to occur by virtue of radially inward movement of members (68) in response to bumping enclosure (62) on the ground.

Abstract: A spoolless string trimmer head having a housing formed by a cover and a base which contains a coiled supply of trimming line. The lower housing member has a central opening and a radial passage for the trimming line so that the trimming line can be fed from the storage coil through the central opening and the radial passage to project radially-outwardly from the head. Several types of convenient clamping arrangements are disclosed which clamp the trimming line during operation of the trimmer and release the trimming line for feeding of replacement portions of the trimming line.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage frame has a platform provided with an aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; the platform has a releasable clamping arm for holding the motor housing in position on the platform; the platform is slidably mounted on the wheeled frame between the front and rear of the frame and gripping devices are provided for holding the platform in a desired position on the frame; the lateral width of the front and rear wheels of the frame are adjustable, as well as the height of the frame, relative to the ground by adjustable axles.

Abstract: A cutting head, especially grass cutting head for a free-cutting device having a main body which essentially comprises two discs spaced axially from each other and rigidly connected with each other; between and approximately parallel to the discs are arranged at least two pivotally mounted, blade-like cutting tools which, during rotation of the cutting head, project beyond the peripheral edge of the discs and, because of the arising centrifugal force, align themselves radially outwardly. A pivot pin is rigidly connected with the cutting tool; the pivot pin extends upwardly and downwardly beyond the cutting plane, and is held approximately parallel to the axis of rotation and is partially surrounded by bearing seats of the discs; these bearing seats are located axially across from each other and are open approximately toward the axis of rotation of the cutting head.

Abstract: A wheeled platform is provided with a centrally located aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; coupling members are provided on the platform around the aperture and on the trimming device or on a flange member which is attachably connected to the grass trimming device such that the coupling members on the platform portion are offset at a predetermined angular distance from those on, for example, the flange member; the coupling members can be interengaged by orienting the trimming device or the flange member equal to the offset predetermined angular distance and rotated to align with the central longitudinal axis of the platform.

Abstract: A brushing machine for grapevines is disclosed made up of rotating brushes supported on a frame that is supported on a tractor. Each brushing mechanism has several brushes with radially extending bristles rotatably supported on a vertically and horizontally adjustable frame. The brushes are individually driven and pass along both sides of a grape trellis. The frame supporting the axles of the brushes may be swung to adjust the angle of the brushes to the ground for any particular tractor speed, so that as the tractor moves forward and the brushes rotate, the resultant motion relative to the trellis of the tips of the brush straws is in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A rotary-type lawnmower having unique non-metallic cutting elements carried on a rotating disc-like head with a smooth rim and lower exposed surface without significant projections or recesses capable of inflicting injury to human parts. The lawnmower produces a smooth and even cut equal to rotary metal-blade machines. The cutting elements are tapered pins extruded from flexible polymeric material such as Nylon.RTM. polymer. Each cutting pin has a first portion providing supporting surfaces and an enlargement for securing the pin into the head. The cutting pins extend from the head in a tapered free-traveling end portion to a cutting end located at a cutting plane adjacent the ground's surface. The cutting pins are slidably inserted and removed from the disc.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a plurality of rotors with whip rotary blades arranged under a housing around a shaft, each having a guard over it adapted to be pulled up so that the whip blade can trim edges around trees and next to buildings.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower (2) has a rigid cutting blade (6) rotatable in a housing (4). A filament holder (12) is releasably attached to blade (6) through aperture (16) by mounting means consisting of tab (22), neck (24), and collar (26). Filament holder (12) releasably contains a filament (14) which extends beyond housing (4) and provides a trimming function outside housing (4).

Abstract: A filament vegetation trimmer of the type wherein a stationary supply of filament is stored above the slinger head and fed out through a longitudinal feed passage for radial rotation with the slinger head is provided with an improved feed mechanism for selectively releasing incremental amounts of fresh filament from the storage site. The feed mechanism comprises a storage spool and indexer for permitting controlled quantities of the filament to be drawn from the spool under the centrifugal force exerted on the filament during operation. In the preferred embodiment, the feed control is deployed in an auxiliary handle and is configured to permit actuation by thumb pressure to enable an operator to release fresh filament without interruption of the trimming process.

Abstract: A filament type vegetation trimmer having a rotating hollow output shaft through which monofilament line projects beyond the gyrator trimming end providing cutting means to trim grass and weeds. A gyrator head is attached to the trimming end of the shaft and is provided with a bell-shaped opening therein off-center from the central axis of the gyrator head creating a fulcrum point to cause the filament to extend transversely and lie within a groove in the head to form a rotary whip for trimming. An alternate embodiment of the gyrator head includes a bell-shaped opening in the head coaxial with the shaft and having a filament directing means, such as a conical plug or screw, extending into the opening coaxial with the shaft to cause the filament to extend outward forming a rotary whip for trimming.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. A supply line coil is carried within the head. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line from the coil to constantly maintain a predetermined maximum length in the cutting plane. The cutting line length is extended immediately when any length of cutting line is lost to wear or breakage. The line-feeder mechanism feeds replacement cutting line at a rate proportional to the length of replacement cutting line.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. Additional line is extended from a supply line coil within the head into the cutting plane without independent operator action. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line whenever the free end of the cutting line is reduced to less than a predetermined length in the cutting plane. The mechanism is initiated when the cutting line length is less than this predetermined length. After initiation, the mechanism is self completing in a positive step-by-step mode of segmental line advancement.

Abstract: A bagging filament line lawn mower (2) has a filament line cutting element (8). A fan (60) located in a cutting chamber (26) in the housing (4) of mower (2) is shielded by an outer shroud wall (68). Shroud wall (68) and fan (60) are configured to create an airflow in the cutting chamber (26) over that portion of the grass traversed by the free end portion (47) of the cutting element (8). This airflow has both vertical and circumferential components to both lift the grass for more efficient cutting by the cutting element (8) and to transport the cut grass particles through the lawn mower housing (4) to a discharge outlet (34). Shroud wall (68) is sufficiently high and is spaced so that an operator during normal operation of mower (2) cannot interpose a body member into the fan path.

Abstract: A cotton stripper of the finger type in which attachments (26, 26') are releasably secured to selected fingers (12, 12') to provide reduced spacing (b) when the attachments (26, 26') are mounted on alternate fingers (12, 21') and further reduced spacing (c) when the attachments (26, 26') are mounted on every finger (26, 26').

Abstract: A machine for cutting grass and the like having a flexible strip-like cutting member supported by a disc within a housing. The strip-like member is mounted vertically and the housing has a slope such that the strip-like member is rotated to have a horizontal leading cutting edge extending beyond the housing and an inclined trailing edge which creates a vortex effect within the housing when the strip is driven by a motor to cause grass to assume a more vertical position for cutting thereof. If the cutting edge of the strip strikes an obstacle, it will be deflected into a recess in the housing rather than propelling the obstacle which might have resulted if the blade were rigid. A bottom cover plate is removably secured to the housing to permit the disc carrying the cutting member to store the same therein. Indexing of the cutting member permits measured amounts thereof to be fed from storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. Additional line is extended from a supply line coil within the head into the cutting plane without independent operator action. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line whenever the free end of the cutting line is reduced to less than a predetermined maximum length in the cutting plane. The cutting line length is always extended to this predetermined maximum length at all operational rotational speeds, without adjustment, and in a positive step-by-step mode of segmental line advancement. The line feeder mechanism, has an escapement lever with a triggering toggle that also can be actuated at the operator command.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head carrying a flexible, non-metallic cutting line extended radially into a cutting plane. An additional length of line is extended into the cutting plane automatically during rotation of the head as its speed increases from a first magnitude to a second magnitude. A laterally displaced cam within the head moves outwardly for releasing a spool carrying coiled cutting line to advance a first angular displacement within the head. The spool rotates a second angular displacement to return the cam to its original position by the drag of the cutting line during vegetation cutting but not by free air travel. After the cutting line length extension is completed, the spool is secured by the cam at its initial position automatically against further rotation within the head.

Abstract: A filament type vegetation trimmer having slinger head for rotating a portion of the filament in a radial plane is provided with a filament support tube for supporting the filament in the radial plane, the filament support tube being provided with apparatus which coact with apparatus provided in the slinger head for cooling the filament supported therewithin.

Abstract: A lawn trimmer has a tubular shaft assembly which structurally and drivingly connects an upper power head to a lower rotary tool head in a lawn-trimming tool. The assembly includes a bent portion to dispose its opposite ends at an angle to each other, and comprises an outer frame shaft of relatively large diameter and structural strength and an inner sheath tube of relatively smaller diameter formed of rigid but bendable tubing extending coaxially of the frame tube. The sheath tube is supported over the bent length of the assembly by a continuous semirigid bushing, and its lower end is held coaxial with the lower end of the frame tube by a substantially rigid bushing. The lower end of the frame tube, beyond such rigid bushing, is expanded to form a sleeve of enlarged diameter and predetermined length, and an arbor assembly is mounted in such sleeve and consists of a pair of ball bearings mounted by their inner races on the arbor and having their outer races supportingly received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A string trimmer having a handle, frame, motor and head. The head includes a housing formed by a cover and a base which contains a coiled supply of trimming line. The lower housing member has a central opening and a radial passage for the trimming line so that the trimming line can be fed from the storage coil through the central opening and the radial passage to project radially-outwardly from the head. Several types of convenient clamping arrangements are disclosed which clamp the trimming line during operation of the trimmer and release the trimming line for feeding of replacement portions of the trimming line.

Abstract: A filament-type vegetation trimmer has an electric motor, a head rotatable by the motor, and a supply of a filament in the head, with the filament extending from the head, whereby on rotation of the head by the motor the extending filament section can cut vegetation. The trimmer further comprises a circuit for detecting the current consumption of the motor and for generating an actual-value output corresponding thereto, an actual-value generator for generating a set-point output corresponding to the current consumption of the motor when the filament is extending from the head by less than a predetermined distance, and a comparator for comparing these outputs and generating a signal when the actual-value output is less than the set-point output.

Abstract: Lawn mower (2) includes a housing (4) having at least one cutting chamber (22 or 24) in which a flexible line cutting element (8) is rotated by a motor (76). Sails (80) located on cutting element (8) are configured to generate an air flow in the cutting chamber (20 or 22). This air flow is directed to a discharge outlet (38) in the housing (4) which causes the cut grass particles to be deposited in a grass collector (14). Grass collector (14) includes air discharge outlets (94) which evacuate the air flow from the grass collector (14) to ensure proper deposition of the grass particles therein. Sails (80) are preferably flexible so as to be incapable of severing a body member accidentally placed into contact therewith. An improved sail (240) radially outboard of a support disc (224) overlies flexible lines (226 and 228) to give better agitation of the vegetation in yet another embodiment.

Abstract: A grapevine suckering tool uses a rotor 10 having sucker flails 11 to remove suckers from the bases of a row of grapevines 12. The axis of rotor 10 is arranged within acute vertical and horizontal angles from the direction of the grapevine row. Sucker flails 11 are flexible straps each mounted on rotor 10 to have an outward extending length and a width oriented axially of rotor 10. As rotor 10 spins near the base of the grapevine row, flail straps 11 slap downward toward the vine base and drag over the ground knocking down, damaging, and breaking the suckers at the base of vine 12. Cylindrical sweeper brushes 32 can also be mounted on rotor 10 in place of flails 11 to sweep debris on the vineyard floor.

Abstract: A device for storing and automatically metering monofilament line for a filament weed cutter comprising a spool having a hub and opposing flanges for holding a supply coil of the filament; and a support member having a top flange, a core for receiving the spool, and retaining members disposed radially outwardly from the spool flanges for retaining the filament on the spool and for metering by fatiguing engaged segments of the line. A clearance is provided between the retaining members and the spool to make the filament on the spool manually accessible.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation wherein at least one line member protrudes exteriorly of the sidewall of a housing which is rotatable about a rotating axis. The line member is a tape and is wound upon a spool, which is mounted within the housing so that the width, which is greater than the thickness, is perpendicular to the plane of the spool. The flat tape line member is formed of a flexible band of material which extends exteriorly of the housing in a trailing position. Cutting apparatus are incorporated to effect cut off of the line member during rotation of the housing and dispensing apparatus are provided to extend additional line member a controlled increment of length during rotation of the housing. The cutting apparatus is provided to cut off the excess end of the worn or broken line member. A clamping device clamps the line member to the housing when it is not rotating to prevent retraction of the line member into the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a filament mower comprising a housing including a generally horizontal top deck and a depending wall extending downwardly from the top deck and including an arcuate portion and a side wall portion, which arcuate portion has a generally common radius extending from a common center, and which side wall portion is radially spaced from the common center at a distance less than the common radius. The mower also includes a filament head carried by the housing for rotation within the housing, wheel means on the housing for supporting the housing for travel on the ground, and a handle connected to the housing.

Abstract: A cutting blade for brush and weed cutting machines and the like includes a unitary body with radially extending cutting arms molded from a durable high strength plastic material consisting of approximately 5% glass fiber embodied in nylon.

Abstract: A hollow and generally closed body 10 of a safety rotor fits on the motor shaft 12 of a rotary mower and replaces a conventional mower blade. The diameter of body 10 is from 0.5 to 0.9 times the width of the swath of the mower, and several strands 11 extend far enough outward from body 10 to cut to the full width of the swath. Spools 21 or 72 contained within the body supply the strands, and a holder responsive to centrifugal force prevents strands 11 from moving outward as body 10 rotates. The strands can be automatically replenished by a strand feeder that operates when the mower slows down and speeds up.

Abstract: A balanced mower head for carrying a plurality of monofilament lines. The mower head is suitable for being mounted on the shaft of conventional rotary mower and includes certain features which particularly adapt the head for universal fit and for replacing the conventional mower blade with monofilament cutting lines thereby substantially enhancing the safety of the cutting operation. The head defines a bore extending therethrough which is proportioned for receiving the shaft which normally carries the blade of a conventional rotary mower. A plurality of line holders extend outwardly from the head body and define at their outboard end portions an opening which is proportioned for receiving a line such that the line extends outwardly from the outboard end portion of each of the line holders to perform the cutting operation upon rapid rotation of the head. Means are provided for generating air currents in a vertical direction during the cutting operation to stand the vegetation up prior to its being cut.

Abstract: A self-propelled flail blade lawn mower comprising a support frame having forward and rearward ends, a handle assembly extending upwardly and rearwardly from said rearward end and a cutter housing extending forwardly of said forward end, a rear axle and wheel assembly rotatably supported substantially in the vicinity of the rearward end of said support frame and a pair of front wheels rotatably mounted substantially in the vicinity of the forward end of said cutter housing, a cutter shaft bearing a plurality of pivotally mounted flail blades rotatably supported within said cutter housing a motor and a transmission box mounted on said support frame, said motor having an output shaft and said transmission box having input and output shafts, first drive means operatively connected between said transmission box output shaft and said rear axle and wheel assembly, second drive means connectable between said motor output shaft and said transmission box input shaft in response to the movement of a first lever mounted

Abstract: In a mowing machine having an engine for driving a rotary blade via a centrifugal clutch, a shaft and a reduction gear assembly, the outer diameter of the shaft is selected such that the torsional natural vibration frequency of the rotational system extending from the engine to the rotary blade is less than one third of a rotational frequency above which the centrifugal clutch starts transmitting the engine output torque to the shaft. As a result, the torsional natural vibration frequency of the rotational system does not equal the rotational frequency or the half or one third of the rotational frequency of the engine so that undesirable resonance phenomenon will not occur.

Abstract: "L" shaped spring wire blades for use on drum type mowers. The upper ends of the vertical leg portions of the L-shaped members are fastened to the drum near its upper end and arcuately spaced apart around its cylindrical surface. The vertical portion of each blade projects downwardly at a position closely adjacent the outer cylindrical surface of the drum and passes through an opening in the disc at the base of the drum whereafter the horizontal portion of each blade extends radially outwardly beneath the disc. A hay cutting end of each blade projects radially outwardly beyond the disc to effect cutting of hay as the drum and its unitary disc rotate. The spring wire blade can yield rearwardly about its vertical leg as an axis of torsional twist when its horizontal leg strikes an obstruction. The inherent spring nature of the L-shaped blade will cause it to automatically resume its cutting position when the obstruction is cleared.

Abstract: An attachment for the lower end of a vertical drive-shaft of a wheel-mounted power mower of the rotary lawn mower type comprises a balanced assembly of centrally-bored shaft-engaging hub together with a plurality of equi-distantly spaced radially extending arms each of which carries a boss or lateral enlargement adjacent its outer end for receiving a quickly and easily replaceable flexible cutting line which projects freely therefrom in the general direction of the arm by which it is carried. The lower end of the vertical drive-shaft of the prime mover of the rotary mower, which ordinarily receives the mid-section of a rigid metallic cutting blade that is sharpened adjacent each of its ends, is attached to the hub of the rotary assembly of the invention, suitable adapter means being provided for accommodating driveshafts of different sizes.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotatable head carrying a non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. A supply line coil is carried within the head. A mechanism in the head automatically feeds replacement line from the coil to constantly maintain a predetermined maximum length in the cutting plane. The cutting line length is extended immediately when any length of cutting line is lost to wear or breakage. The line-feeder mechanism feeds replacement cutting line at a rate proportional to the length of replacement cutting line.

Abstract: In a filament type trimmer in which a filament is wound on a storage spool rotatably mounted in a rotating housing having a rim portion, the filament in passing from the spool to an exit opening in the rim portion of the housing extends through a flexible tubular guide which wraps approximately one turn around the spool. The guide prevents the outer coils on the spool from becoming entangled and also prevents local melting and welding of the outer coils as the result of axial vibration in the string during operation of the trimmer.

Abstract: A narrow profile power handle uniquely adapted for use as a flexible line trimmer having improved handling and safety features is disclosed. The power handle is also equipped with a quick connect and disconnect coupling and is useful for driving attachments to produce hand held rotary implements and tools such as brush cutters, edgers, cultivators, drills, etc., hand held reciprocating implements and tools such as hedge clippers, saws, etc., as well as portable water pumps, air compressors, generators, etc.The crankshaft of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disposed along the longitudinal axis of a narrow profile housing which includes a rear handle having a hand grip portion disposed above and projecting rearwardly parallel to the axis of the housing. The cylinder extends upwardly from the crankcase, the carburetor is disposed below the crankcase, the flywheel, ignition system and starter to the rear, and the gas tank is disposed below the rear handle.