Abstract: An improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage of the type having a backpack portion, a gas engine attached to the backpack portion, and a foliage cutting portion operatively connected to the gas engine. The improvement includes the gas engine being swively attached to the backpack portion so as to allow the gas engine to rotate from one side to the other relative to the backpack portion for allowing use by the right and left handed operators and so as to allow the foliage cutting portion to move forwards and backwards relative to the backpack portion without the right and left handed operators having to move relative to the foliage which would be required if the gas engine was rigidly attached to the backpack portion.

Abstract: An improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage of the type having a backpack portion, a gas engine attached to the backpack portion, and a foliage cutting portion operatively connected to the gas engine. The improvement includes the gas engine being swively attached to the backpack portion so as to allow the gas engine to rotate from one side to the other relative to the backpack portion for allowing use by the right and left handed operators and so as to allow the foliage cutting portion to move forwards and backwards relative to the backpack portion without the right and left handed operators having to move relative to the foliage which would be required if the gas engine was rigidly attached to the backpack portion.

Abstract: A self-powered device for cutting foliage that includes a backpack portion, a foliage cutting portion, and a coupling portion. The backpack portion includes a frame, a gas engine, and a flexible shaft. The coupling portion includes a power portion and a tool portion. The power portion includes a collar that is crimped on the sheathing of the flexible shaft of the backpack portion and a stop that extends fixedly and axially from the collar of the power portion. The tool portion includes a collar that is crimped on the casing of the flexible drive shaft of the foliage cutting portion with the end thereof having a blind bore extending axially therethrough which fixedly receives the end of the flexible shaft of the backpack portion. The collar of the tool portion has an inner periphery that fixedly receives the stop of the power portion.

Abstract: A vehicle brake wear warning system, comprising a displacement sensor, for determining the relative displacement necessary to fully actuate a brake. The displacement sensor has a piston, which operates in a shaft. The movement of the piston within the shaft is relative to the distance the brake's slack adjuster must move to fully actuate the brake. When the brakes are actuated, the location of the piston in the shaft of the displacement sensor becomes relevant in determining brake wear. The displacement sensor is sensitive to the position of the piston within the shaft. If the piston rests within a first range in the shaft, a small amount of brake wear is present, and a safe condition is indicated. If the piston rests within a second range in the shaft, a medium amount of brake wear is present, and the system will notify the driver that a brake adjustment is appropriate.