Abstract: An arrangement that provides a semi-automatic tension adjustment of an endless cutting chain on a guide bar of a chain saw as the links of the chain wear with use. A specially designed cam biases a tensioner pin to continuously force the guide bar away from the drive sprocket on the engine chassis to tension the chain. A knob on a clutch cover assembly attached to the engine chassis can be tightened to force two high friction surfaces together to lock the guide bar in a tensioned position, or loosed to release the guide bar to seek a proper tensioned position. An override lever on the face of the clutch cover assembly moves in a channel with peripheral nomenclature that indicates when the cutting chain should be replaced. The entire arrangement is self-contained and does not require any tools to function.

Abstract: A composite cranks haft counterweight of a two-cycle internal combustion engine includes a “T” shaped counterweight surrounded by a cup-shaped retainer that holds light weight inserts against the counterweight. Together with the counterweight the inserts create a full circle that reduces the empty volume in a crankcase of a two-cycle engine.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine. The fuel delivery system includes a carburetor housing having an air passage with a throttle valve disposed therein. A choke lever is movably mounted to the carburetor housing for restricting air flow into the air passage. A fuel injection device is provided for injecting fuel into the air passage before the engine is started. Movement of the choke lever to an engaged position simultaneously opens the throttle valve, restricts air flow into the air passage and activates the fuel injection device to inject a predetermined volume of fuel into the air passage. The air-flow restriction and the predetermined volume of fuel are adjusted to compensate for changes in ambient temperature.

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.

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.

Abstract: A trimmer (10) has a power source (12) and a tabular drive shaft housing (32) for coupling the power source (12) to a rotating working element. The drive shaft housing (32) is rotatable with respect to the power source (12) and a handle (26) which is fixed to the power source, such that rotation of the drive shaft (32) allows the plane of the working element to be re-oriented. Rotation of the drive shaft housing is fixed by a coupling latch (38) disposed within the handle. An external trigger (46) located on the handle is provided for manually decoupling the coupling latch for allowing rotation of the handle.

Abstract: The invention provides for a portable apparatus for shredding yard and garden waste. Particularly shaped blades are used for better shredding and mulching performance.

Abstract: A flexible line trimmer having a rotating cutting head using a spool of flexible trimming line to form a cutting element is provided with a spare spool of cutting line, stored in various locations on the flexible line trimmer, available to replace the spool of trimming line after it is depleted.

Abstract: A portable power tool is provided which includes a chassis defining an integral rear handle, a first chamber for lubricating oil generally at a front end of the chassis, a second chamber for fuel generally at a rear end of the chassis, and a recess between the first and second chambers. An internal combustion engine is secured to the chassis within the recess and a front handle is secured to the front end of the chassis. A chain saw unit is also secured to the front end of the chassis and is operably connected to the engine. The chassis includes right and left nylon plastic chassis sections which are vibrationally welded together.

Abstract: A guide bar coding system which permits a user to easily and correctly match a saw chain to a saw guide bar. The guide bar has a laminate or multi-layer structure, and includes a recessed surface that is colored or painted to define guide bar indicia which is indicative of characteristics of the guide bar. Replacement saw chains have saw chain indicia which indicate characteristics of the saw chain. A user selects an appropriate replacement saw chain by matching the saw chain indicia to the guide bar indicia.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a lawn and garden blower provides a comparatively wide pattern of high velocity air. The nozzle includes a substantially hollow, tubular housing tapering from the upstream end to the downstream end. At the downstream end is a plurality of bores arranged side-by-side to divide the air stream into a plurality of high velocity air streams substantially parallel to one another as the plurality of air streams exit the nozzle from a plurality of apertures proximate the downstream end.

Abstract: A convertible leaf blower and vacuum apparatus includes a fan and baffle supported on one end of a cylindrical member for insertion into a collar defining an air inlet of the fan for narrowing the diameter of the air inlet when the apparatus is being connected to the collar. A vacuum tube replaces the cylindrical member when the apparatus is in a vacuum. The vacuum tube is connected to the collar in the same manner as the cylindrical member. A cover for overlaying the air inlet is attached on one side to the fan housing by a hinge and the other side by a releasable fastener.

Abstract: A flexible line trimmer for shipping and storing in a knocked down version for reduced package sizes includes a single length of tube that is received within an extended neck portion of a motor housing. During final assembly, the tube is extended and locked into position without the need for tools.

Abstract: A limitation device which limits post-adjustment rotation of an adjustment screw (10) on single adjustment screw carburetors (20). In one embodiment, the limitation device uses a limiter cap (100, 200) removably attached to the adjustment screw (10) which works in conjunction with a limiter stop (300, 400) attached to the carburetor. In a second embodiment, the limitation device uses a limiter cap (700) removably attached to the adjustment screw (10) which works in conjunction with a plate (600) attached to the carburetor. In either embodiment, the limiter cap (100, 200, 700) presents a first and second rotational stop (110, 210) which cooperates with at least one rotational stop (304, 306, 404, 406, 606) on the limiter stop (300, 400) or plate (600). A special tool and method is also disclosed for installing and removing the device from the carburetor.

Abstract: A powered lawn and garden tool for trimming and edging lawns is specially adapted for shipping and storing in collapsed state for reduced package sizes includes a single length of tube that is received within an extended neck portion of a motor housing. During final assembly, the tube is extended and locked into position in a single motion. The housing is further adapted to be rotated one hundred eighty degrees on the tube when it is extended and includes a button-operated mechanism for releasing the tube for rotation and locking it in either of two positions, one hundred eighty degrees apart.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal air cleaning system including a fan, a fan volute defined, in part, by a curved outer wall and a base wall, and a deflector wall projecting from the base wall intermediate the fan and the outer wall. An air inlet port is formed in the base wall and is located between the deflector wall and the outer wall. The deflector wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion has a curvature generally matching a curvature of the fan while the second wall portion diverges from the fan toward the outer wall. The first wall portion prevents radially projected particles from reaching the air inlet port while the second wall portion cooperates with the outer wall to define a restricted flow path downstream of the air inlet port that creates a relatively high pressure condition at the inlet port and injects substantially particle-free air into the carburetor.