Abstract: An electric lawn apparatus is provided including a frame having an upper body and two side plates extending downwardly from sides of the upper body defining a cavity therein, an operator seat mounted on the upper body, two drive motors secured to the side plates away from the cavity, and a battery compartment formed within the cavity. The battery compartment receives battery packs therein along a rear-front axis of the electric lawn apparatus in a side-by-side orientation, where each battery pack has a maximum rated voltage of approximately 40V to 80V. A ratio of the cumulative energy output of the battery packs to a lateral distance between the drive motors is greater than or equal to approximately 0.23 kW/cm.

Abstract: A head for string trimmer machines uses fixed length segments of line including at least two line segments. The head includes a generally cylindrically shaped main housing member with at least two sets of first and second line entry holes on the housing member intermediate the first and second ends. At least two sets of first and second line exit openings also are found on the main housing member intermediate the first and second ends and spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the first and second line entry holes. Arcuate guide channels are located between the respective entry holes and exit openings where the corresponding entry openings and exit openings of corresponding sets are located at different distances measured axially on the main housing member from the first end thereof.

Abstract: A head for string trimmer machines uses fixed length segments of line including at least two line segments. The head includes a generally cylindrically shaped main housing member with at least two sets of first and second line entry holes on the housing member intermediate the first and second ends. At least two sets of first and second line exit openings also are found on the main housing member intermediate the first and second ends and spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the first and second line entry holes. Arcuate guide channels are located between the respective entry holes and exit openings where the corresponding entry openings and exit openings of corresponding sets are located at different distances measured axially on the main housing member from the first end thereof.

Abstract: A thin, flat package of heat sealed thermoplastic material is filled with plastic string trimmer line, with one end of the line accessible through an opening in the rear wall, and the other end of the line extending from a slot in the periphery of the package.

Abstract: A fixed line top-loading trimmer head for string trimmer machines, uses line segments of a predetermined length. The head has a central hub designed for attachment to the drive shaft of a string trimmer machine. A circular flange is attached to, and extends outwardly from, the central hub. This circular flange has one or more trimmer line exit openings on the circumference. The hub, located above the upper surface of the circular flange, is provided with either line termination apertures in the form of holes or channels which are angularly offset from the exit openings in the circular flange; or it is provided with an offset guide channel through which a trimmer line is passed between the exit openings. A line guide channel is located in the flange between the line exit openings and the line termination apertures, or the offset channel on the hub, for guiding line between the exit openings and the offset channel or termination apertures.

Abstract: A head for a string trimmer machine includes a housing member having a central axis. The housing member is adapted for attachment to a string trimmer machine and includes a serpentine guide path in the housing for a length of trimmer line, with the guide path being located in a plane including the central axis of the housing and terminating in exit openings on opposite sides of the housing.

Abstract: A trimmer head for string trimmer machines uses a fixed line segment inserted into a passageway in the trimmer head housing where the line is engaged by a trimmer line retaining tab secured in the main housing and extending into the passageway for engagement by a trimmer line segment inserted into an entry opening.

Abstract: A thin, flat package of heat sealed thermoplastic material is filled with plastic string trimmer line by inserting a mandrel into an opening in the rear wall of the package to receive the free end of a length of string trimmer line inserted through a slot in the periphery of the package to engage the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated while the package is held in a relatively fixed position to wind line onto the mandrel and, therefore, into the package, until the package is filled. The mandrel then is withdrawn, leaving the free end of the line accessible through the opening in the rear wall, and the other end of the line extends from the slot in the periphery of the package.

Abstract: A fixed line top-loading trimmer head for string trimmer machines, uses line segments of a predetermined length. The head has a central hub designed for attachment to the drive shaft of a string trimmer machine. A circular flange is attached to, and extends outwardly from, the central hub. This circular flange has one or more trimmer line exit openings on the circumference. The hub, located above the upper surface of the circular flange, is provided with either line termination apertures in the form of holes or channels which are angularly offset from the exit openings in the circular flange; or it is provided with an offset guide channel through which a trimmer line is passed between the exit openings. A line guide channel is located in the flange between the line exit openings and the line termination apertures, or the offset channel on the hub, for guiding line between the exit openings and the offset channel or termination apertures.

Abstract: A thin, flat package of heat sealed thermoplastic material is filled with plastic string trimmer line by inserting a mandrel into an opening in the rear wall of the package to receive the free end of a length of string trimmer line inserted through a slot in the periphery of the package to engage the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated while the package is held in a relatively fixed position to wind line onto the mandrel and, therefore, into the package, until the package is filled. The mandrel then is withdrawn, leaving the free end of the line accessible through the opening in the rear wall, and the other end of the line extends from the slot in the periphery of the package.

Abstract: A trimmer head for string trimmer machines using fixed length segments of line is made to accommodate trimmer line in a range of different sizes, from relatively small diameter line to relatively large diameter line. To accomplish this, the trimmer head consists of a generally cylindrically shaped hollow main housing having a central axis through it. Exit openings for the line are formed on diametrically opposite sides of the main housing; and line entry holes in two different pairs or sets are formed through the housing. An insert member is placed on the interior of the housing and the insert member has first and second guide channels aligned with and operating with the line entry holes and exit openings to guide string trimmer line inserted through a line entry hole in an arcuate path to exit from the corresponding line exit openings without separately threading the line into the line exit openings.

Abstract: A monofilament string trimmer line exhibiting reduced noise and reduced drag has a uniform oval cross section throughout its length. The monofilament line is spirally twisted about its longitudinal axis over at least a portion of its length to reduce noise production and drag.

Abstract: A fixed line top-loading trimmer head for string trimmer machines, uses line segments of a predetermined length. The head has a central hub designed for attachment to the drive shaft of a string trimmer machine. A circular flange is attached to, and extends outwardly from, the central hub. This circular flange has one or more trimmer line exit openings on the circumference. The hub, located above the upper surface of the circular flange, is provided with either line termination apertures in the form of holes or channels which are angularly offset from the exit openings in the circular flange; or it is provided with an offset guide channel through which a trimmer line is passed between the exit openings. A line guide channel is located in the flange between the line exit openings and the line termination apertures, or the offset channel on the hub, for guiding line between the exit openings and the offset channel or termination apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging coiled nylon copolymer trimmer line comprises making the package of plastic material which is capable of melt bonding, either by the application of heat and pressure, radio frequency (RF) or by ultrasonic welding. The container comprises a backing sheet and a pre-formed bubble having an opening in it, with a flange extending outwardly around the opening. The flange is placed on the backing sheet; and the two sheets are heat-melt bonded together by a suitable technique, to produce a strong, integral package which significantly resists separation of the flange from the backing sheet. After the package has been formed, nylon or nylon copolymer, or other plastic, trimmer line is wound into the package, and the bond between the flange and the backing sheet is greater than the compression spring force exerted by the wound trimmer line against the package, preventing separation of the package parts from one another.

Abstract: An improved package and method for manufacturing extruded monofilament string trimmer line incorporates preconditioning of the line to provide a high moisture content. Straight line segments are produced by feeding the extruded line through a straight guide after surface cooling or quenching and cutting the line segments as the line exits the guide. The line then is packaged in a sealed package with a removable cap to permit withdrawal of line from the package. A moisture-laden sponge may be placed within the bottom of the package to maintain a high humidity within the package. Copper chloride or cobalt chloride salts also may be coated on the line, or added to the plastic forming the line to provide a color indication of the relative moisture content of the line.

Abstract: A fixed line trimmer head for string trimmer machines is made to accommodate trimmer lines of a range of line sizes, from a relatively small diameter line to a maximum diameter line, typically from 0.080" to 0.160". To accomplish this, the trimmer head consists of a generally cylindrically-shaped hollow main housing member having a central axis through it. Exit openings for the line are formed on diametrically opposite sides of the main housing member in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the housing member. A first set of string entry holes is formed through the housing member in a plane which is offset from the plane of the exit openings; and these holes are located on opposite sides of a line which is perpendicular to the projection of a line passing through the exit openings.

Abstract: An improved package and method for manufacturing extruded monofilament string trimmer line incorporates preconditioning of the line to provide a high moisture content. The line then is packaged in a sealed package with a removable cap to permit withdrawal of line from the package. A moisture-laden sponge may be placed within the bottom of the package to maintain a high humidity within the package. Copper chloride or cobalt chloride salts also may be coated on the line, or added to the plastic forming the line to provide a color indication of the relative moisture content of the line.

Abstract: An improved package and method for manufacturing extruded monofilament string trimmer line incorporates preconditioning of the line to provide a high moisture content. The line then is packaged in a sealed package with a removable cap to permit withdrawal of line from the package. A moisture-laden sponge may be placed within the bottom of the package to maintain a high humidity within the package. Copper chloride or cobalt chloride salts also may be coated on the line, or added to the plastic forming the line to provide a color indication of the relative moisture content of the line.

Abstract: A line for a rotating trimmer has a plurality of longitudinal outwardly-extending cutting edges, spaced circumferentially about the main body portion of the line. A cross-sectional area of the main body portion is selected to be between 70 percent and 90 percent of the area of the space circumscribing the cutting edges to provide substantial bulk to the line to increase its wear, while retaining the advantages of the cutting edges for facilitating cutting of grass and the like.

Abstract: A line for a rotating trimmer has a plurality of longitudinal outwardly-extending cutting edges, spaced circumferentially about the main body portion of the line. A cross-sectional area of the main body portion is selected to be between 70 percent and 90 percent of the area of the space circumscribing the cutting edges to provide substantial bulk to the line to increase its wear, while retaining the advantages of the cutting edges for facilitating cutting of grass and the like.