Abstract: A battery powered line trimmer possessing a relatively high ratio of mass moment of inertia about a vertical axis extending through its center of gravity to mass. The device comprising a motor and head assembly at the forward end and a rechargeable battery pack at the rearward end of a support shaft. Also, adjustable handles, for supporting the line trimmer, attached about either side of the center of gravity.

Abstract: A line trimmer head 10 for a vegetation cutter having an automatic line feed mechanism which replenishes the line 19 as a result of changes in centrifugal force. The line trimmer head 10 comprises a reel housing 14 which rotates with a shaft 12. A spool 18 containing a supply of line 19 is located within the housing 14. An indexer cam 16 is journaled on the shaft 12 and is axially and rotatably shiftable with respect to the shaft 12. The indexer cam 16 is periodically axially shifted and rotated by a reduction in the centrifugal force applied by the line 19 to the spool 18. A spring 20 is provided to bias the indexer cam 16 axially relative to the housing 14 away from an interlocked posiiton. In the interlocked position, the indexer cam 16 and housing 14 are interlocked together so that the spool 18, indexer cam 16, housing 14 and shaft 12 rotate together.

Abstract: A piston assembly is disclosed having a wrist pin for pivotably attaching a connecting rod to a piston for use in an internal combustion engine. The wrist pin is formed from an elongated circular cylindrical body having a pair of deformable sections formed adjacent each end and a relatively hard middle section therebetween. The wrist pin is sized for insertion along a longitudinal axis defined by a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart bores formed in diametrically opposed portions of the piston. The deformable end sections are adapted to be deformed sufficiently to engage the bores of the piston to limit the axial movement therebetween. The relatively hard middle section spans between the bores in the piston for pivotably engaging one end of the connection rod.

Abstract: An automatic line trimmer head 10 including a housing 11 containing a rotor 12 which controls rotation of a spool 16 relative to the housing in a stepwise fashion which is actuated by centrifugal force. Centrifugal force acts upon a radially expansible annular member 14 which is disposed between the housing 11 and the rotor 12. The spool 16 contains a supply of line 18 and is attached to the rotor 12 for rotation with the rotor. A shaft extends through the housing 10, rotor 12 and spool 16. The rotor 12 is biased by a helical spring 24 toward an upper plane of rotation. The radially expandable annular member 14 shifts the rotor 12 to a lower plane when centrifugal force expands the annular member 14. Teeth 54 extending radially outwardly from an outer edge 56 of a circular disk portion 50 of the rotor 12 contact an upper set of stop blocks when the circular disk portion 50 is in the upper plane. The teeth 54 contact a lower set of stop blocks 42 when the circular disk portion 50 is in the lower plane.

Abstract: A connector is provided for releaseably fastening a vacuum pipe to the body of an implement which is convertible between a blower and vacuum mode. The vacuum pipe is adapted to attach to an intake port formed in the body of the implement. The vacuum pipe is provided with a collar having a series of angularly spaced apart receptacles each having a passage therethrough provided with a locking surface extending part way along the passage and an abutment aligned with the locking surface defining a space therebetween. The body is provided with a plurality of stakes angularly spaced about the intake port aligned with the passages on the collar. Each stake is provided with a locking face disposed and arranged to overhang the locking surface in the collar and has a thickness substantially equal to the spacing between the locking surface and abutment. The collar is adapted to be angularly positioned relative to the body with the passages aligned with the stakes.

Abstract: A drum assembly for a centrifugal clutch which is rotatable about an axis of rotation is disclosed. The drum assembly has a generally cylindrical drum having an open end with a peripheral interior circular track extending concentrically around the axis. The circular track is to be engaged by throw weights of a driver when the driver reaches sufficient rotary velocity. The opposite end of the cylindrical drum has a central neck defining a passage therethrough into which an output shaft is fitted. The output shaft is brazed to and extends axially away from the neck and has a central, axially extending recess in its end away from the drum. A plurality of identical washers formed as a stack are embedded into the recess each having a central noncircular opening and a circular rim having a progression of sharp tooth-like serrations. The washers are composed of material harder than the material of the output shaft so that the serrations can be embedded in the recess.

Abstract: A brake system for a vegetation cutter. The cutter has a boom with a proximal end and a distal end. A working head is rotatably mounted to the distal end, and a power source such as a gasoline engine, is mounted at the proximal end. A clutch is interposed between the power source and a drive shaft on the boom which drives the working head. A brake surface is concurrently driven with the drive shaft. A brake is adapted to be pressed againt the brake surface to brake rotation of the drive shaft when it is applied, and to enable rotation when it is not applied.