Abstract: A line trimmer head (10) includes a line feed configuration which facilitates reloading the head (10) with new line without requiring removal of the spool (24) from the housing. Line (18) is sequentially fed first into the housing through a peripheral opening (20) in the housing, through a guide channel (84, 86) in the spool, and then out of the housing beyond a lower flange (26) of the spool through an opening in the hub (98) of the spool. Finally, the line is fed into a small opening in a spool flange (94) to secure the line with respect to the spool. Rotation of the spool then 46 causes the line to be drawn into the housing through the peripheral opening and wrapped around the spool. The spool provides separate storage compartments (38, 40) for different lines. Additional payout of line is provided when a bump knob is bumped on the ground surface.

Abstract: Parallel tube type, gasoline powered, blower/vacuums with improved versatility are provided. In one possible feature, a flapper throttle adjacent to the housing for controlling the engine is pivotable from side-to-side with respect to an elongate handle. The elongate handle is sufficiently long to allow a plurality of gripping positions, while the flapper throttle is sufficiently long to allow the operator to access the flapper throttle from different gripping positions on the handle. In another possible feature, a pivotable lever throttle is provided at an interface of the handle forward portion and a transverse grip portion at the handle forward portion end. The lever throttle has a first end accessible to the operator when gripping the transverse grip portion, and a second end accessible to the operator when gripping the handle forward portion.

Abstract: A line trimmer head includes a line feed configuration which facilitates reloading the head with new line without requiring removal of the spool from the housing. Line is sequentially fed first into the housing through a peripheral opening in the housing, through a guide channel in the spool, and then out of the housing beyond a lower flange of the spool through an opening in the hub of spool. Finally, the line is fed into a small opening in a spool flange to secure the line with respect to the spool. Rotation of the spool inside the housing then causes line to be drawn into the housing through the peripheral opening and wrapped around the spool. The spool provides separate storage compartments for different lines. Additional payout of line is provided when a bump knob is bumped on a ground surface.

Abstract: A line trimmer head is provided including a rotatable drive shaft and a housing mounted to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The housing has an open end and at least one peripheral aperture formed through the housing. A spool subassembly is positioned at least partially within the housing adjacent the open end of the housing. The subassembly includes a spool having at least one flange extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof, a cog ring secured to the spool, and a ratchet and pawl assembly formed between the cog ring and spool. The ratchet and pawl assembly allows rotation of the spool in a first direction with respect to the cog ring for winding line around the spool while preventing spool rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to facilitate line feed bumping and line trimming operations.

Abstract: A hand held power tool is disclosed comprising an internal combustion engine, a workpiece driven by the engine, a boom extending between the engine and the workpiece, and an actuator for a kill switch of the engine. The actuator includes a collar disposed around the boom, a fingerpiece connected to the collar and movable with the collar between a first position and a second position, and an extension depending from the collar. Preferably, the fingerpiece and the kill switch are disposed on opposite sides a horizontal plane bisecting the boom. The extension engages the kill switch such that when the fingerpiece is moved to the second position, the kill switch interrupts the flow of electricity to the spark plug. Preferably, the collar, fingerpiece and extension being formed as a unitary piece.

Abstract: A trigger retainer assembly for a portable power tool such as a line trimmer has an internal combustion engine and a workpiece driven by the engine. The trigger retainer assembly includes a housing grippable by an operator, a trigger disposed at least partially in the housing, a throttle cable connected between the engine and the trigger for operating the engine, ignition wires forming at least part of an electrical circuit including the engine and a kill switch, and a molded plastic trigger retainer. The trigger retainer is fastened with a single screw to a lower half of the housing and retains the throttle cable, trigger, ignition wires and kill switch in the housing.

Abstract: A plastic plug for protecting an electric cord from damage during shipping when such cord is shipped within separated rigid tubular components of a handle, or the like, comprises two semi-cylindrical half portions of a plug which are pivotally united along axially extending side edges of the half portions. With its half portions pivoted together, the plug defines a channel for leading the electric cord out of, or into either end of its associated rigid tubular component without contact between the cord and the adjacent end edge surface of the rigid tubular component.