Abstract: A multi-purpose tool (10) is used as an air blower capable of delivering a high-velocity stream of air when in a blower mode of operation and as a rotating string trimmer capable of trimming vegetation when in a trimmer mode of operation. The tool has a blower housing (18) including an enclosed chamber (30), a plurality of vents (35) leading to the chamber, and a blower nozzle (32) for directing air from the chamber, wherein the impeller (20) is rotatably mounted in the chamber such that the housing defines an air pathway between the vents and the impeller. The multi-purpose tool also includes means (82) for blocking the flow of air between vents and the impeller when in the trimmer mode of operation and means (99, 124) for disengaging the trimmer head (22) from the internal drive shaft (26) when in the blower mode.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool powered by an attached power source is used as an air blower capable of delivering a high-velocity stream of air when the multi-purpose tool is in a blower mode of operation and as a rotating string trimmer capable of trimming vegetation when in a trimmer mode of operation. The tool includes a tubular shaft boom and an internal drive shaft configured to be rotated by the power source, and an impeller operatively connected to the internal drive shaft so as to be rotatable within the chamber and a trimmer head positioned below the impeller, the trimmer head operatively connected to the internal drive shaft so as to be selectively rotatable by the power source.

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.