Abstract: A portable power drill (11) is disclosed having a chuck or drill collar (14) at one end and a substantially cylindrical (or frusto-conical) twist throttle handle (25, 125, 225) at the other end. Rotation of the handle in the direction of forward rotation of the chuck decreases the drill speed and, conversely, rotation of the handle in the direction of reverse rotation of the chuck increases the drill speed. Consequently, in the event of an auger locked in the chuck becoming jammed, the reaction forces experienced by the drill unit rotate the drill unit in a direction such that throttle decreases the drill speed. In addition, the drill unit is provided with forward (44) and reverse gears (45) and a forward/reverse selection mechanism (48, 50, 51) which is actuated by a forward force, or a withdrawing force respectively being applied to the drill unit via an operator who holds the handles (20, 25) of the drill unit.

Abstract: A handle (16) is disclosed having an elongate portion (21) and a outrigger portion (26). The elongate portion has a longitudinal axis (24) which extends between two ends (22, 23) and is shaped to be grasped by an operator in use. The outrigger portion extends away from one end of the elongate portion and has a free end (27). The three ends (22, 23, 27) are each connected to the blower or other appliance by a corresponding anti-vibration coil spring (32, 33, 37) through which a corresponding bolt (42, 43, 47) passes. The outrigger portion prevents the elongate portion rotating about its longitudinal axis. In addition, the elongate portion can be grasped by a hand of an operator in either one of two positions. A first position substantially above the blower's center of gravity provides a balanced grip while the blower is not operating. When the blower is operating, air is expelled from a tube having an exit generally coplanar with, or aligned with, the handle.

Abstract: A handle (16) is disclosed having an elongate portion (21) and a outrigger portion (26). The elongate portion has a longitudinal axis (24) which extends between two ends (22, 23) and is shaped to be grasped by an operator in use. The outrigger portion extends away from one end of the elongate portion and has a free end (27). The three ends (22, 23, 27) are each connected to the blower or other appliance by a corresponding anti-vibration coil spring (32, 33, 37) through which a corresponding bolt (42, 43, 47) passes. The outrigger portion prevents the elongate portion rotating about its longitudinal axis. In addition, the elongate portion can be grasped by a hand of an operator in either one of two positions. A first position substantially above the blower's centre of gravity provides a balanced grip whilst the blower is not operating. When the blower is operating, air is expelled from a tube having an exit generally coplanar with, or aligned with, the handle.

Abstract: A portable power drill (11) is disclosed having a chuck or drill collar (14) at one end and a substantially cylindrical (or frusto-conical) twist throttle handle (25, 125, 225) at the other end. Rotation of the handle in the direction of forward rotation of the chuck decreases the drill speed and, conversely, rotation of the handle in the direction of reverse rotation of the chuck increases the drill speed. Consequently, in the event of an auger locked in the chuck becoming jammed, the reaction forces experienced by the drill unit rotate the drill unit in a direction such that throttle decreases the drill speed. In addition, the drill unit is provided with forward (44) and reverse gears (45) and a forward/reverse selection mechanism (48, 50, 51) which is actuated by a forward force, or a withdrawing force respectively being applied to the drill unit via an operator who holds the handles (20, 25) of the drill unit.

Abstract: A portable blower, and a fan for such a blower, are disclosed in which a plurality of blades extend from one side of a generally flat fan disc. The blades are swept rearwardly relative to the intended direction of rotation of the fan disc. The blades extend from the disc and are tilted transversely and in the direction of rotation of the disc. The tilt arises either due to manufacture or rotation of the disc and constitutes an air scoop for the fan.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an agricultural tiller is disclosed. Conventionally such a transmission has a reduction in the range of 30:1 to 50:1 and is realised by a worm drive gear (4) which meshes with a large driven spur gear (6). There is a large difference in sliding surface speeds which generates substantial heat loading to lubricant failure, This problem is overcome by two cascade connected different gear train arrangements (44A and 44B) formed by two spur gears (29, 30) having a reduction ratio of from 2:1 to 6:1, preferably 4:1, and a worm gear (34) and spur gear (39) having a reduction ratio of from 25:1 to 5:1, preferably 10:1. Both cascade connected gear trains are preferably positioned within a single sealed gear box enclosure (44) to minimise lubricant requirements. The spur gears can be sintered. Helical gears instead of spur gears are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tiller with chassis, pair of handles, and tines, wherein simultaneously raising one handle and lowering the other twists the chassis to lower one tine and raise the other. The tines comprise pairs of blades, each blade having a pair of upturned tips. The height of tines is adjusted by adjusting the support for a wheel. The tiller is supported by an arm having a single ground engaging wheel, pivoting the arm and locking in position to adjust the height of the tiller. The tiller includes a third handle located along its chassis. The chassis is formed from two longitudinally split components. A blade cover for the tiller is thin and curved to lie in an arc spaced from the rotating tips of the tines. An attachment for the tiller has a V-shaped tip and shaped to form a furrow.

Abstract: A tiller with chassis, pair of handles, and tines, wherein simultaneously raising one handle and lowering the other twists the chassis to lower one tine and raise the other. The tines comprise pairs of blades, each blade having a pair of upturned tips. The height of tines is adjusted by adjusting the support for a wheel. The tiller is supported by an arm having a single ground engaging wheel, pivoting the arm and locking in position to adjust the height of the tiller. The tiller includes a third handle located along its chassis. The chassis is formed from two longitudinally split components. A blade cover for the tiller is thin and curved to lie in an arc spaced from the rotating tips of the tines. An attachment for the tiller has a V-shaped tip and shaped to form a furrow.

Abstract: A tiller with chassis, pair of handles, and tines, wherein simultaneously raising one handle and lowering the other twists the chassis to lower one tine and raise the other. The tines comprise pairs of blades, each blade having a pair of upturned tips. The height of tines is adjusted by adjusting the support for a wheel. The tiller is supported by an arm having a single ground engaging wheel, pivoting the arm and locking in position to adjust the height of the tiller. The tiller includes a third handle located along its chassis. The chassis is formed from two longitudinally split components. A blade cover for the tiller is thin and curved to lie in an arc spaced from the rotating tips of the tines. An attachment for the tiller has a V-shaped tip and shaped to form a furrow.

Abstract: A tiller with chassis, pair of handles, and tines, wherein simultaneously raising one handle and lowering the other twists the chassis to lower one tine and raise the other. The tines comprise pairs of blades, each blade having a pair of upturned tips. The height of tines is adjusted by adjusting the support for wheel means. The tiller is supported by an arm having a single ground engaging wheel means, pivoting the arm and locking in position to adjust the height of the tiller. The tiller includes a third handle located along its chassis. The chassis is formed from two longitudinally split components. A blade cover for the tiller is thin and curved to lie in an arc spaced from the rotating tips of the tines. An attachment for the tiller has a V-shaped tip and shaped to form a furrow.

Abstract: An electric motor sub-assembly with a gear train or drive train and clutch, which replaces a conventional internal combustion engine unit including its conventional clutch. The speed increase or decrease of the gear train is selected so that irrespective of whether an induction or universal electric motor is used, the speed of the clutch substantially replicates the speed of the conventional internal combustion engine clutch. As a consequence, a wide range of implement frames can accept either the internal combustion engine unit or the electric motor sub-assembly to create differently powered implements with a maximum of commonality of parts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a crankcase scavenging internal combustion engine (1) having a transfer passage (8) interconnecting the crankcase (3) and the cylinder (2) via a conventional transfer port (20). An air supply tube (16) is connected to the transfer passage (8) via a reed valve (17). The transfer passage has a volume which is an appreciable percentage of the swept volume of the cylinder. When the crankcase is depressurized, air enters via the reed valve (17) and scavenges the transfer passage (8). When the crankcase is pressurized and the transfer port opens, the air remaining in the transfer passage which is substantially free of fuel is used to scavenge the cylinder. Some of this air enters the exhaust port (7) and some remains in the cylinder to form part of the combustion gases. The fuel free air remaining in the cylinder enables the quantity of oil in the gasoline/oil fuel mixture to be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a crankcase scavenging internal combustion engine (1) having a transfer passage (8) interconnecting the crankcase (3) and the cylinder (2) via a conventional transfer port (20). An air supply tube (16) is connected to the transfer passage (8) via a reed valve (17). The transfer passage has a volume which is an appreciable percentage of the swept volume of the cylinder. When the crankcase is depressurized, air enters via the reed valve (17) and scavenges the transfer passage (8). When the crankcase is pressurized and the transfer port opens, the air remaining in the transfer passage which is substantially free of fuel is used to scavenge the cylinder. Some of this air enters the exhaust port (7) and some remains in the cylinder to form part of the combustion gases. The fuel free air remaining in the cylinder enables the quantity of oil in the gasoline/oil fuel mixture to be reduced.

Abstract: A clutch shoe (10, 31, 61, 62, 70) for a clutch assembly (1), the clutch shoe having a clutch drum engaging portion (12, 71) having a clutch drum engaging face (72); the clutch shoe including a flange (14, 75) integrally formed with an extension extends substantially at right angles from the clutch drum engaging portion about a fold line (76). The method of forming the clutch shoe comprises stamping blanks from sheet steel and bending the blanks about the fold line (76) so as to provide the integrally formed flange (14, 75) extending substantially at right angles from a clutch drum engaging face (72) of the clutch drum engaging portion (71).

Abstract: A dual blade assembly for a lawn edger, the assembly comprising first (140) and second (142) generally rectangular blades arranged in a substantially cross shaped configuration for rotation about a substantially central axis (R). Each of the first (140) and second (142) blades having a central region between two end cutting regions, at least one protuberance (144) in the central region and at least one recess (148) in the central region. The promuberance(s) (144) of one of the first (140) and second (142) blades is adapted to engage with the recess(es) (148) of the other of the first (140) and second (142) blades to counteract relative movement between the first (140) and second blades (142) about the rotational axis (R).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a powered lawn edger (1) which is steerable in the manner of a wheelbarrow. The edger has a Y or T-shaped frame (5,35,36,46) including a pair of handles (3,20,30,33,43,50). A power unit (4,40) is mounted on the frame forward of the operator between the handles and a ground engaging wheel (2). A cutting blade (17) is rotatable about an output shaft (16) of a gear box (7) which is powered from the power unit via a centrifugal clutch (57) having a brake (14). A debris deflector (15) is mounted on the wheel stub axle (10) and is not movable with height adjustment of the cutter blade (17).

Abstract: A powered lawn edger which is steerable by a walking operator in the manner of a wheelbarrow. The edger has a Y-shaped frame including a pair of handles each with handlegrips. A power unit is mounted on the frame between the handlegrips and a ground engaging wheel. A cutting blade is rotatable about an output shaft of a gear box which is powered from the power unit via a centrifugal clutch having a brake. A debris deflector is mounted on the axle of the wheel. An adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the height of the cutting blade relative to the ground. The height of the debris deflector relative to the ground remains unchanged when the height of the cutting blade is adjusted.