Abstract: A gasoline engine driven flexible line trimmer is provided with a modularly constructed power head section which significantly facilitates the original manufacturing assembly, and subsequent service disassembly, of the power head. In a clutch drive embodiment thereof, the power head has four readily separable modules--an engine module comprising a main engine shroud to which the engine is internally secured; a fan housing module; a starter module comprising a starter housing and a recoil starter mechanism retained therein; and a coupling module comprising a clutch housing carrying therein structure for operatively interconnecting the engine's clutch to the flexible drive shaft disposed within the trimmer shaft. In a direct drive version thereof, the power head has two separable modules--the engine module and a combined fan housing, starter and coupling module defined by a single housing within which the starter and coupling structure is carried.

Abstract: A hand held portable blower/vacuum assembly includes a gasoline engine mounted on a blower housing that is interchangeably operable as a blower or vacuum unit and is symmetrically arranged for right or left hand use. A U-shaped carrying handle is secured to an upper housing enclosing the engine by means of a mounting structure that includes anti vibration elements. For eliminating the effect of both gyroscopic and centrifugal forces, the engine is arranged with the piston and crankshaft in horizontal and vertical orientations respectively, while both exhaust and cooling air are discharged from the front of the unit away from an operator so as to provide a balanced unit operable with either the right or left hand. A multi-position throttle located on the backside of the unit removed from the handle is incrementally settable for operating the unit at preselected fixed speeds.

Abstract: A fuel priming system for spark ignited internal combustion engines includes a manually actuated plunger pump for delivering liquid fuel from a tank to a reservoir chamber formed in part by a flexible diaphragm. A fuel injection passage leads from the reservoir chamber through a flow restricting orifice to an injection point formed in the engine intake air flow passage downstream of the carburetor venturi. The injection system provides for enriching the fuel-air mixture during cold starting while minimizing the chance of engine flooding. The finite fuel volume in the reservoir chamber also provides a sufficient quantity of fuel for automatic control of a rich fuel-air mixture during engine warm-up.

Abstract: A portable power operated cultivator includes a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine having a handle portion and being connected to one end of an elongated boom. A right angle gear drive mechanism is mounted on the opposite end of the boom and is driveably interconnected with the power unit by an elongated drive shaft disposed within the boom. An output shaft extends from opposite sides of the gear drive unit and is adapted to mount respective rotary cultivator blades on the ends thereof. A second handle is adjustably mounted on the boom to provide for a balanced weight distribution of the cultivator unit. The spaced apart cultivator blades are identical and include a plurality of radially projecting ground engaging tines. Adjacent tines on each blade have tip portions which are bent in the opposite direction with respect to each other along a bend line which provides for a positive angle of incidence or entry of the tine into the earth being worked by the cultivator.

Abstract: A lightweight air blower attachment for a portable power unit such as a hand held internal combustion engine. The blower attachment includes a generally tubular shaped housing adapted for close coupling of the blower to the power unit. The housing provides a shroud and a support for an axial flow impeller having a shaft which extends through a mounting boss on the housing and includes a drive tang adapted to be drivably connected to a power takeoff shaft. The blower includes an elongated nozzle having a handle portion and being rotatably mounted on the housing to provide for changing the direction of the exit air flow without rotating the entire power unit and blower attachment. The nozzle is provided with a conical portion which converges to a throat and transitions to a somewhat flat circular sector shaped air exit portion providing for an air flow pattern particularly adapted for sweeping and dusting operations.

Abstract: A hand carriable powered snow removal apparatus having an internal combustion engine power unit removably connected to one end of a tubular boom which supports an elongated drive shaft connected to the engine power takeoff shaft at and to a right angle drive gear unit mounted at the opposite end of the boom. The gear unit includes a housing mounted on the end of the boom and providing a centered drive arrangement for a pair of opposed paddle type impellers mounted on respective ends of an output shaft projecting from opposite sides of the gear housing. A shroud mounted on the gear housing includes an upwardly projecting rear wall and spaced apart lateral side walls partially enclosing the impellers and providing directional control for the snow being discharged from the impellers. A set of movable guide vanes is mounted on the forward end of the shroud and is adjustable to provide for varying the directional attitude of snow being discharged from the shroud.

Abstract: A muffler for a portable engine for a chain saw or the like including separable dish shaped members having mating peripheral edges which, when interfitted one within the other, form a hollow shell. Exhaust gas inlet and outlet openings are formed in an end wall of one of the members and a deflector member is mounted exterior of the shell and is adapted to redirect the flow of exhaust gas leaving the muffler outlet openings so that the exhaust gas flows generally in the same direction as engine cooling air flow over the engine and the muffler. A shield is mounted on the shell and has a major portion spaced from the muffler shell to form a cooling air flow passage. The separable shell members, deflector, shield and a tubular diffuser disposed within the shell are held in assembled relationship on the engine by removable threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A power operated lawn edger includes a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine having a handle portion and being connected to one end of an elongated support boom. A cutter head including a vertically disposed rotating cutter blade is mounted at the other end of the support and comprises a right angle gear drive unit which is driven by the power unit through an elongated drive shaft mounted within the support. The cutter head includes a single adjustable gauge wheel for varying the depth of cut in normal operation of the edger. The gauge wheel is mounted on a support bracket which is pivotally connected to the cutter head. The gauge wheel support bracket is releasably retained in a selected position by a manually adjustable retaining member. A laterally projecting tubular support handle is mounted on the support by a bracket member which provides for moving the handle between a folded position alongside the power unit and a working position.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which guards a curved portion of the guide bar tip of a chain saw in order to prevent kickback accidents. The guard assembly is attached on one side of the guide bar at a hole through the bar near the nose. It includes a plate which projects beyond the nose parallel with the plane of the guide bar. The plate has an internally threaded shaft projecting from it, allowing it to be bolted to the guide bar through the hole. A spacer between the plate and the guide bar holds the plate away from the cutting edge of the chain.

Abstract: A narrow profile power handle uniquely adapted for use as a flexible line trimmer having improved handling and safety features is disclosed. The power handle is also equipped with a quick connect and disconnect coupling and is useful for driving attachments to produce hand held rotary implements and tools such as brush cutters, edgers, cultivators, drills, etc., hand held reciprocating implements and tools such as hedge clippers, saws, etc., as well as portable water pumps, air compressors, generators, etc.The crankshaft of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disposed along the longitudinal axis of a narrow profile housing which includes a rear handle having a hand grip portion disposed above and projecting rearwardly parallel to the axis of the housing. The cylinder extends upwardly from the crankcase, the carburetor is disposed below the crankcase, the flywheel, ignition system and starter to the rear, and the gas tank is disposed below the rear handle.

Abstract: A power operated lawn edger includes a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine having a handle portion and being connected to one end of an elongated support boom. A cutter head including a vertically disposed rotating cutter blade is mounted at the other end of the support and comprises a right angle gear drive unit which is driven by the power unit through an elongated drive shaft mounted within the support. The cutter head includes a single adjustable gauge wheel for varying the depth of cut in normal operation of the edger. The gauge wheel is mounted on a support bracket which is pivotally connected to the cutter head. The gauge wheel support bracket is releasably retained in a selected position by a manually adjustable retaining member. A laterally projecting tubular support handle is mounted on the support by a bracket member which provides for moving the handle between a folded position alongside the power unit and a working position.