Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head having a ball member portion and carrying non-metallic cutting line extended into the cutting plane by pushing the ball member against the ground while rotating the head. The ball member portion moves inwardly and a spool carrying coiled cutting line forces a predetermined length of line out of the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the head is secured automatically to the spool for further rotation with the driven spool. A cover is releasably secured to the head by a twist-lock connection to allow the spool to be removed from the head for rewinding, etc. Movement of the spool with respect to the head is regulated by uniform interlocking, straight teeth that are rugged, long wearing and provide positive control without any possibility of "free wheeling" with respect to the spool and the head.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head carrying non-metallic cutting line extended into a cutting plane. Additional line is extended into the cutting plane by pushing a ball member against the ground while rotating the head. The ball member moves inwardly for releasing a spool carrying coiled cutting line to rotate a predetermined angular displacement in the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the spool is secured automatically against further rotation within the head. A cover is releasably secured to the head by a twist-lock connection to allow the ball member and spool to remove from the head for rewinding, etc. Rotation of the spool within the head is regulated by uniform interlocking, straight teeth that are rugged, long wearing and provide positive control without any possibility of the spool "free wheeling" in the head.

Abstract: An improved cutting assembly for rotary lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers or the like, including a body member arranged for rotating about an axis normal with the cutting plane. At least two cutting lines are attached to the body member on a compound spool for rotation therewith in the cutting plane. The invention includes means for detachably securing the lines to the body member and for storing a supply of the line on the spool so that the line may be paid out as the working portions of the line become shortened through wear. The cutting lines are preferably nonmetallic so as to reduce the hazardous condition which would otherwise be present for the operator and still provide an apparatus which will cut with great efficiency and safety.

Abstract: An improved cutting assembly for rotary lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers or the like, including a body member arranged for rotating about an axis normal with the cutting plane. At least two cutting lines are attached to the body member on a compound spool for rotation therewith in the cutting plane. The invention includes means for detachably securing the lines to the body member and for storing a supply of the line on the spool so that the line may be paid out as the working portions of the line become shortened through wear. The cutting lines are preferably nonmetallic so as to reduce the hazardous condition which would otherwise be present for the operator and still provide an apparatus which will cut with great efficiency and safety.This application is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 801,536, filed May 31, 1977, which in turn is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 706,623, filed July 19, 1976, and now abandoned.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head carrying a flexible, non-metallic cutting line wound on a rotatable spool with its free end extended radially into a cutting plane. An additional length of line is extended into the cutting plane by pushing the head against the ground to move inwardly a glide ball. The ball by a spiral ratchet rotates the spool in a predetermined angular displacement in the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the spool is secured automatically against further rotation within the head. Lengths of cutting line can be extended with the head rotating or stationary.

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 pushing the head against the ground and rotating the head. A glide ball on the head moves inwardly for releasing a spool carrying coiled cutting line to rotate a predetermined angular displacement in the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the spool is secured automatically against further rotation within the head.In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the glide ball is pressed against the earth's surface with the head in a non-rotating condition. Then, the head is rotated for extending the cutting line from the head to the certain desired length. Then, the spool is secured automatically against rotation relative to the head.

Abstract: An improved cutting assembly for rotary lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers or the like, including a body member arranged for rotating about an axis normal with the cutting plane. At least two cutting lines are attached to the body member on a compound spool for rotation therewith in the cutting plane. The invention includes means for detachably securing the lines to the body member and for storing a supply of the line on the spool so that the line may be paid out as the working portions of the line become shortened through wear. The cutting lines are preferably nonmetallic so as to reduce the hazardous condition which would otherwise be present for the operator and still provide an apparatus which will cut with great efficiency and safety.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting vegetation with a rotating head carrying cutting line extended into a cutting plane. Additional line is extended into the cutting plane by pushing a ball member against the ground while rotating the head. The ball member moves inwardly for releasing a spool carrying coiled cutting line to rotate a predetermined angular displacement in the head. After the cutting line length is extended, the spool is secured automatically against further rotation within the head.A cover is releasably secured to the head by a twist-lock connection to allow the ball member and spool to be removed from the head for rewinding, etc. The ball member and spool are journaled within the head and cover for rotation about a common rotational axis with the head and each other. As a result, head balance and smooth rotation are maintained during repeated extensions of cutting line.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, trimming, and edging vegetation, and the like, is provided with a rotatable disc-like head having at least one string-like cutting member removably attached thereto and replaceably extending from its periphery for cutting adjacent vegetation and the like. Metallic bearing elements for enhancing the cutting life of cutting strings are provided, as well as drive means for increasing cutting efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, trimming, and edging vegetation, and the like, is provided with a rotatable disc-like head having at least one string-like cutting member removably attached thereto and replaceably extending from its periphery for cutting adjacent vegetation and the like. An electrical drive motor having an air cooled rectifier interconnected therewith is provided for increasing cutting efficiency.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter and method employing a revolving flexible non-metallic line as a cutting member is provided with means for mechanically feeding out additional line to replace lengths broken during operation of the cutter. A rotatable spool is provided for storing extra line in a coiled configuration, with the unwound portion being extended from the rotatable head of the cutter to an exit aperture at its periphery. A control mechanism provides for moving angularly the spool an incremental distance within the rotating head to feed out an increment of line only when desired. Means secure the spool in the head to prevent inadvertent unreeling of cutting line.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, trimming and edging vegetation, and the like, is provided with a rotatable disc-like head having at least one string-like cutting member removably attached thereto and replaceably extending from its periphery for cutting adjacent vegetation and the like. A metallic bearing element for enhancing the cutting life of cutting strings is provided, as well as improved means for releasably securing a spool containing spare cutting line within the head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, trimming, and edging vegetation, and the like, is provided with a rotatable disc-like head having at least one string-like cutting member removably attached thereto and replaceably extending from its periphery for cutting adjacent vegetation and the like. A unitary metallic bearing element for enhancing the cutting life of the cutting string is provided, as well as a keyway system for attaching a spool of cord or line to said head for rotation therewith.