Abstract: A vibration-damping control handle connectble to the shaft portion of a portable power tool, such as a flexible line trimmer or the like, has an elongated, generally tubular vibration isolation section which coaxially circumscribes the shaft. A first end portion of the vibration isolation section is clmaped to the shaft so that the balance of the section is cantilevered relative to the shaft and defines therewith an annular clearance space. The inner end of a handgrip connecting section is secured to a second end portion of the vibration isolation section, the connecting section projecting laterally outwardly from the vibration isolation section and having an operator handgrip secured to its outer end. During operation of the tool, transverse shaft vibration is absorbed by the vibration isolation section to thereby isolate the handgrip from a substantial portion of such vibration.

Abstract: A vibration-damping control handle connectable to the shaft portion of a portable power tool, such as a flexible line trimmer or the like, has an elongated, axially tapered body which coaxially circumscribes the shaft and has an operator handgrip section secured thereto. A first end portion of the body is spaced laterally outwardly from the shaft and is interlocked with a free end portion of a resilient damping member which circumscribes the shaft and is secured to a clamp member releasably locked on the shaft. The opposite end of the handle body is connected to the shaft in a slip-fit relationship therewith so that the body may be laterally pivoted or flexed relative to the shaft against the resilient resistance of the free end portion of the damping member which may be a coiled spring or an annular elastomeric element.

Abstract: The pivotally mounted throttle lever on a gasoline engine powered flexible line trimmer has a flexible arm portion which is linked to the engine's pivotally mounted carburetor throttle arm by an elongated cable structure. When the linkage structure is in a "short" portion of its lengthwise dimensional tolerance range the throttle lever stroke distance is greater than that required to move the throttle arm to its fully open, actuated limit position in which it is stopped by an abutment surface. The throttle lever, when the throttle arm has been moved to such limit position, thus still has an unused position of its total available stroke distance. When the lever is forcibly driven through this remaining stroke portion, the flexible connecting arm is resiliently bent relative to the balance of the throttle lever to thereby avoid undesirably high stress levels in the throttle lever, the linkage cable and the carburetor throttle arm.