Abstract: A trimmer head for use in a flexible line rotary trimmer including a housing adapted to be operatively connected to the trimmer to effect rotation of the head and a spool operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith. The spool defines at least one inwardly extending line receptor channel defining surface irregularities therein for securely gripping the cutting line upon an end portion of the line being inserted in the channel and the spool rotated with respect to the housing. The channel is preferably tapered inwardly to hold different line sizes. To provide uniform winding of the line about the spool, the operative connection between the spool and the housing effects relative reciprocal motion therebetween when the spool is manually rotated relative to the housing.

Abstract: An assembly for use in continuously forming a plurality of lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers. The assembly includes a breaker plate having a conically shaped inner portion and a planar outer portion. A plurality of extrusion dies are disposed in the outer portion wherein each die defines a die hold configuration at its lower end for the extrusion of one or more monofilament polymer strands therethrough, and a drive assembly is provided for rotating each of the dies at a predetermined speed such that upon directing a flow of molten monofilament polymer material onto the breaker plate, the material is directed from the inclined central portion onto the planar outer portion where it is extruded through the rotating dies to create a plurality of twisted strands of polymer material that upon cooling, stretching and heating, define lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line.

Abstract: A process for forming flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers formed of at least two monofilament polymer strands bonded together in a twisted disposition or a single strand twisted about its central axis in which the strand or strands are extruded in a molten disposition through a single die that is rotated during the extruding step either to twist the two strands together about a central longitudinal axis or a single strand about its own longitudinal axis such that upon cooling, stretching and heating, a flexible noise attenuating line is created in a continuous online process.

Abstract: A trimmer head for use in a flexible line rotary trimmer including a housing adapted to be operatively connected to the trimmer to effect rotation of the head and a spool operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith. The spool defines at least one inwardly extending line receptor channel, preferably formed by a plurality of inwardly tapered walls so as to be polygonal in cross-section. So configured, the channel walls will securely grip the cutting line upon the line being inserted in the channel and wound about the spool. To provide uniform winding of the line, a plurality of cam, cam abutment and sliding surfaces are operatively connected to the housing and spool such that when the spool is manually rotated relative to the housing in the drive direction, the spool is caused to reciprocate axially within the housing evenly distributing the line about the body of the spool.

Abstract: A trimmer head for use in a flexible line rotary trimmer including a housing adapted to be operatively connected to the trimmer to effect rotation of the head and a spool operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith. The spool defines at least one line radially extending receptor channel formed by a plurality of inwardly tapered walls and is polygonal in cross-section. So configured, the channel walls will securely grip the cutting line upon the line being inserted in the channel and wound about the spool. To provide uniform winding of the line, a plurality of cam, cam abutment and sliding surfaces are operatively connected to the housing and spool such that when the spool is manually rotated relative to the housing in the drive direction, the spool is caused to reciprocate axially within the housing evenly distributing the line about the body of the spool.

Abstract: An improved flexible line rotary trimmer head of the type adapted to be bumped against the ground to effect payout of predetermined lengths of cutting line and which is secured to the trimmer by a drive bolt having a non-circular head portion and a depending shaft portion. The trimmer head housing defines a tubular portion depending axially from the upper housing surface and having a particularly configured upper portion disposed about and creating an interference fit with the head portion of said drive bolt and a lower portion particularly configured to create an interference fit with the head portion of the cam member of the line feeding assembly. A slidable push retainer is carried by the shaft portion of the drive bolt adjacent the line feeding assembly for securing the assembly to the shaft portion of the drive bolt.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system is provided including a user interface, a tilt sensor, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The user interface is receives commands to control a movement of the locomotive from a human operator and generates a control signal on the basis of the commands. The tilt sensor generates inclination information about the portable master controller. The processing unit generates a digital command signal that includes a first component derived from the control signal received from the user interface and a second component derived from the inclination information received from the tilt sensor. The second component of the digital command signal allows a slave controller to determine whether the portable master controller is in an unsafe operational condition. The transmission unit then generates a RF transmission for conveying the digital command signal to a slave controller.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system. The portable master controller has a user interface for receiving commands to control the movement of the locomotive. The user interface is responsive to operator commands to generate control signals. A processing unit receives the control signals from the user interface to generate digital command signals directing the movement of the locomotive. A transmission unit receives the digital command signals and generates a RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the slave controller. A solid-state tilt sensor in communication with the processing unit communicates inclination information to the processing unit about the portable master controller. The processing unit receives and processes the inclination information.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system. The portable master controller has a user interface for receiving commands to control the movement of the locomotive. The user interface is responsive to operator commands to generate control signals. A processing unit receives the control signals from the user interface to generate digital command signals directing the movement of the locomotive. A transmission unit receives the digital command signals and generates a RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the slave controller. A solid-state tilt sensor in communication with the processing unit communicates inclination information to the processing unit about the portable master controller. The processing unit receives and processes the inclination information.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system is provided including a user interface, a tilt sensor, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The user interface is receives commands to control a movement of the locomotive from a human operator and generates a control signal on the basis of the commands. The tilt sensor generates inclination information about the portable master controller. The processing unit generates a digital command signal that includes a first component derived from the control signal received from the user interface and a second component derived from the inclination information received from the tilt sensor. The second component of the digital command signal allows a slave controller to determine whether the portable master controller is in an unsafe operational condition. The transmission unit then generates a RF transmission for conveying the digital command signal to a slave controller.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system. The portable master controller has a user interface for receiving commands to control the movement of the locomotive. The user interface is responsive to operator commands to generate control signals. A processing unit receives the control signals from the user interface to generate digital command signals directing the movement of the locomotive. A transmission unit receives the digital command signals and generates a RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the slave controller. A solid-state tilt sensor in communication with the processing unit communicates inclination information to the processing unit about the portable master controller. The processing unit receives and processes the inclination information.