Abstract: A bidirectional trimmer head assembly and the method of configuring the trimmer head assembly. The trimmer head assembly has a housing that attaches to a string trimmer machine. A spool is provided inside the housing. The spool rotates about an axis of rotation. The spool can move longitudinally along the axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. A ratcheting mechanism is provided between the trimmer head housing and the spool. When the spool is in one position, the ratcheting mechanism enables the spool to continuously rotate about the axis of rotation in the direction of or in the direction opposite that in which the trimmer head assembly spins to allow the spool to be fed out or dispensed regardless of the direction of rotation of the trimmer housing. The ratchet mechanism in a second postion prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing.

Abstract: A trimmer head assembly has a housing that defines an interior. A spool is provided. The spool can be inserted into the interior of the housing either in an upright configuration or in a flipped inverted orientation. A spring is provided in the housing that biases the spool into a first position within the housing. A ratcheting mechanism exists between the spool and the housing that enables the spool to rotate only in a first direction when in said first position. The direction of rotation permitted by the ratcheting mechanism depends upon the orientation of the spool within the housing. In this manner, a single trimmer head assembly can be made to operate on a clockwise trimmer or a counterclockwise trimmer merely by inverting the spool.

Abstract: A trimmer head assembly and the method of configuring the trimmer head assembly. The trimmer head assembly has a housing that attaches to a string trimmer machine. A spool is provided inside the housing. The spool rotates about an axis of rotation. The spool can move longitudinally along the axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. A ratcheting mechanism is provided between the trimmer head housing and the spool. When the spool is in its first position, the ratcheting mechanism enables the spool to continuously rotate about the axis of rotation in the direction opposite that in which the trimmer head assembly spins. The ratchet mechanism also prevents the spool from rotating within the housing in the same direction in which the trimmer head is spinning.