Abstract: A follower for translating rotational motion of a cam into reciprocal motion of an intake or exhaust valve is disclosed. The follower comprises a first portion adapted to be pivotably mounted on a follower shaft and a second portion adapted to contact a cam surface. The first and second portions form a generally V shape. The first portion includes a bottom and a pair of side walls connected to the bottom. Each of the side walls has a hole therethrough, and the holes are coaxially aligned to accept the follower shaft. The second portion includes a first end connected to the first portion and a second distal end which contacts the cam surface. Also disclosed is a method of making a follower from common sheet metal.

Abstract: A resistance spool (16) for holding lines (38,40) in a line trimmer head (10) is disclosed. The spool (16) has a rotatable main body (19) having lines (38,40) wound thereon. The wound lines (38,40) have free ends (42,44) which extend radially from the main body (19). Clamp portions (32,34,36), on the main body (19), restrain the free ends (42,44) of the lines (38,40). The clamp portions (32,34,36) restrain the free ends (42,44) so that the lines (38,40) do not unwind from the spool (16) when the main body (19) is not rotating at a sufficient speed and allows the free ends (42,44) of lines (38,40) to pay out from the spool (16) when the main body (19) is rotating at a sufficient speed. Preferably, the main body (19) includes a hub (20) and axially disposed flanges (22,24,26) extending radially outwardly from the hub (20). The flanges ( 22,24,26) cooperate with one another to pinch the line (38,40) such that the line (38,40) may not unravel during installation of the spool (16) within a line trimmer head (10).

Abstract: A laminated gear and a method of forming the laminated gear are disclosed. The method comprises punching a central hole and a circular array of closely adjacent perforations in a generally planar sheet. The array defines an interior portion having the outline of the gear, and a selvedge portion disposed outboard the perforations. The central hole and the perforations are progressively stamped until they have burnished faces perpendicular to the sides of the sheet. Web portions interconnecting the interior and selvedge portions are then broken to separate the gear from the sheet. A projection and corresponding recess are then stamped on the opposite sides of the gear. A predetermined number of gears are queued and finally arranged into an assembly by frictionally nesting the projections and corresponding recesses. The central holes are thereby aligned to form a bore adapted to be press fit onto a camshaft or crankshaft. The laminated gear formed by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shipping and display container having a generally C-shaped configuration enabling vertical orientation of an elongated lawn implement such that the upper end of the lawn implement is oriented above the implement end. The container allows access to the lawn implement without destruction or manipulation of the shipping and display container. In addition, the lawn implement may be utilized as a handle for carrying both the lawn implement and container. The container has interlocking display surfaces adapted to receive point of sale display graphics while greatly increasing the viewing angle of consumers approaching the container.

Abstract: A replaceable starter assembly for a hand-held internal combustion engine of a power tool is disclosed. The replaceable starter assembly comprises a cartridge including a spool on which rope is wound and with a recoil spring for biasing the spool to rotate in one direction. The cartridge is secured to an engine housing of the power tool on the opposite side of the engine housing from the internal combustion engine. The cartridge may be detached from the engine housing of the power tool to facilitate the replacement of the starter assembly without requiring disassembly of the engine housing of the power tool. A starter housing substantially encloses the cartridge and is secured to the engine housing by removable fasteners. The starter housing may include a clutch and clutch drum which are removable with the starter housing and separable from the cartridge. The starter assembly is assembled to the power tool between the engine housing and a boom which supports the driveshaft of an implement.

Abstract: A hand held powered tool is provided which is intended to be carried by an operator during use. The power tool has a frame, including a handle to be grasped by the operator, an implement affixed to the frame having a rotary input member and a small four-cycle lightweight internal combustion engine attached to the frame for driving the implement. The four-cycle engine is made up of a lightweight aluminum engine block having a cylindrical bore and an enclosed oil reservoir formed therein. A crankshaft is journaled to the engine block for rotation about a crankshaft axis. A piston reciprocates within the bore and is connected to the crankshaft by a connecting rod having oil splasher formed thereon for intermittently engaging the oil within the enclosed oil reservoir to splash lubricate the engine. The engine is provided with a cylinder head assembly defining a compact combustion chamber having a pair of overhead intake exhaust ports cooperating intake and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A portable hand-held blower vacuum apparatus (10) having a hinged inlet cover (24) with a handle (26) disposed at one end of the cover (24). The cover (24) is moveable between a closed position where the cover spans an air inlet opening (20) and an open position to allow insertion of a vacuum tube (50) in to the inlet opening (20). The handle (26) is used to move the cover between the open and closed positions. Air flows into the inlet opening (20) through a screen (38) in the cover (24), through arcuate slots (42) in a tubular extension (44) of the inlet opening (20) and over a circumferentially extending rib (46) formed on the cover (24). In an alternative embodiment, a dedicated blower is provided in which a solid, stationary cover (54) spans the inlet opening (20).