Compact Weed Trimmer Mounted Line Spooling Device

Abstract

In describing what is new art in reference to this invention we are claiming that this invention is different from prior art in the following ways. The device comprises a compact and lightweight design, uses level-winding technology and a self enclosed tensioner for uniform line re-spooling, the device is trimmer mounted for convenience and the device has storage capability of a spare reel for ease in usage. The purpose of this device is for line re-spooling of weed trimmer spools.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE FOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of lawn maintenance, and more particularly to a re-spooler device for weed trimmer devices

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a compact trimmer mounted spooling labor saving/reel device also known as the device which includes a means for spooling trimer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind device and line tensioner provide an even distribution of line onto a trimmer reel.

Re-spooling of weed trimming device lines is generally a time consuming and burdensome chore. Often the operator of a weed trimming device has to stop for extended periods of time to spool trimmer reels by hand. The result of hand spooling is often time consuming and inefficient. Problems with hand-spooling include the following. Hand spooling can cause unevenly distributed line to be placed onto reels and may result in line wastage and snags, snags occur during weed trimming when line that has been unevenly distributed onto a spool fails to exude properly from the spool. Problems with hand spooling also include a loss of control of spool line due to the elastic nature of the line. Often the operator of a weed trimming device has to re-spool the device several times due to the spring like nature of weed trimmer line and it subsequently coming unwound.

The device aims to solve this problem through means of a level wind device for uniform distribution of line and by means of the unique geometrical design of the housing, gear and lug system functioning to keep tension and control of the elastic nature of the line.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,816 to Homoky discloses a spool rewinder for fishing reel devices using ratchet connections on the crank face to engage the spool to turn it but does not include a level wind for uniform line delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,086 to Crow discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices however the shaft to the spool is not a reel type trimmer mounted for ease of access and convenience.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,632 to Chilcoat discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using threads to hold the spool to the shaft but does not implement a spring loaded retractable multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,029 to Robertson et al discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using lug keys to engage the lugs on two types of spools does not include a top loading trimmer mounted device U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,172 to Koehler et al discloses a spool winder for fishing line devices using a pressure to hold the spool to the shaft this device does not implement a spring loaded multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,839 to Burch discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament fishing line using but does not implement a level wind worm gear device for spooling line uniformly.

None of these devices satisfy the needs described above or attain the objects enumerated above Therefore the chief aim of this device is to provide a means of re-spooling weed trimmer devices and by simplifying this task will enable a user to re-spool the reel without having to turn it in the hand, loose control of the line and be able to uniformly distribute line onto spools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compact trimmer mounted spooling/reel device includes a means for spooling trimer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind apparatus provide an even distribution of line onto a trimmer reel. The device uses a rotating handle or motor and gear system which simultaneously rotates the spool on a drive shaft and drives a worm gear to function a level winding apparatus. Trimmer line is fed through the eye of the level wind apparatus (a worm gear and worm drive with a guide) and distributed on the spool evenly. The guide apparatus also comprises a system that constricts the line creating tension from the guide apparatus to the spool being wound. The housing functions to enclose the spool in an enclosed system to help provide and maintain control of the line as it is spooling and a ratchet system prevents backlash. Spools are held in place by a rotating, retractable spring-loaded multi-fit and tapered lug apparatus. When spools are loaded and the device is engaged mechanically the entire device functions to wind line onto weed trimmer line spools. The housing, housing cover and the handle are constructed from polymeric plastic, such a rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic, The drive gears are nylon or plastic construction. The mounting system comprises an adjustable clamp which will be affixed to the weed trimmer shaft. These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts through’

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises an elongated cylindrically designed compact spooling/reel type device otherwise know as the device for the purpose of spooling weed trimmer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind apparatus provide an even distribution of line onto a weed trimmer spool. The elongated cylindrically shaped housing of the device functions to enclose the spool in an enclosed system to help provide and maintain control of the line as it is spooling and for storage of a spare spool. A replaceable spool supplied by the manufacturer is loaded through the top section of the device and held in place inside the device by laterally directed pressure exerted from a retractable spring loaded, rotating and tapered multi-fit lug apparatus located on one side of the device. The tapered multi fit lug apparatus is engaged by the mechanical action of pulling a knob located on one side of the device creating an opening between the tapered multi-fit drive shaft lug and the tapered multi-fit lug apparatus on which spools are set. The shape and design of the tapered lug apparatus function to accommodate different size spools on the market today. When the handle apparatus is engaged mechanically the spool is rotated along the axis of the multi fit lugs and the multi-fit lugs rotate to accommodate the centrifugal motion of the device.

The device also comprises a handle crank or motor and gear system which rotates the replaceable spool via a drive shaft which comprises an axil attached to a crank handle mounted thru the device on one end and a tapered multi fit lug rigidly attached on the other on which the trimmer spool is set. The multi fit lug is tapered and constructed in such a way as to accommodate different size spools which are on the market today. When mechanically engaged the device through means of a gear attached to the drive shaft also engages a worm gear located on the front of the device which functions a level winding guide this system comprises a feature known as the level wind apparatus. Trimmer line is fed through the eye of the level wind apparatus and distributed onto a spool evenly by the sliding and side to side action of the level wind apparatus. The housing cover and the handle are constructed from polymeric plastic, such a rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic. The drive gears are nylon or plastic construction.
The mounting system comprises an adjustable clamp which will allow the device to be affixed to the weed trimmer shaft.

The device is described and referenced hereinafter in FIGS. 1,2,3,4 as follows: FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical elongated shaped housing (7) which can accommodate all types of commercial weed eater spools in the cavity of the device for the purpose of winding weed trimmer line. The housing comprises lateral framing (12) which cross members are rigidly attached at its ends between two disc shaped side members. Included in FIG. 1 is also a (9) (level wind worm gear device), (13) Collapsable Handle and (14) multi-fit tapered lug in which spools are engaged and functioned to rotate on an axis by hand cranking or motor drive. FIG. 1 illustrates a rotating (10) retractable spring-loaded multi-fit lug device spool holder and winding device shown engaged into a (11) replaceable spool. The combined actions of this device when engaged causes trimmer line to be loaded uniformly onto the inserted (11) replaceable spool supplied by the manufacturer.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation cutaway internal view of the device showing the (7) cylindrical elongated housing, (10) retractable spring-loaded multi-fit lug device, (11) replaceable spool, (9) (level wind worm gear device) for even distribution of line on spools, (16) Shaft Clamp for mounting the device to the weed trimmer shaft.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a (13) Collapsable Handle and (14) tapered lug in which spools are engaged and functioned to rotate on an haft by hand cranking, (9) (level wind worm gear device) for even distribution of line onto spools, (11) replaceable spool supplied by manufacturer, (16) Shaft Clamp for mounting the device to the weed trimmer shaft.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus showing the spring loaded handle, replaceable spool internal gear works, and multi-fit spring loaded lug for engaging spools

U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,816 to Homoky discloses a spool rewinder for fishing reel devices using ratchet connections on the crank face to engage the spool to turn it but does not include a level wind for uniform line delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,086 to Crow discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices however the shaft to the spool is not a reel type trimmer mounted for ease of access and convenience. U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,632 to Chilcoat discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using threads to hold the spool to the shaft but does not implement a spring loaded retractable multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,029 to Robertson et al discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using lug keys to engage the lugs on two types of spools does not include a top loading trimmer mounted device U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,172 to Koehler et al discloses a spool winder for fishing line devices using a pressure to hold the spool to the shaft this device does not implement a spring loaded multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,839 to Burch discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament fishing line using but does not implement a level wind worm gear device for spooling line uniformly.

None of these devices satisfy the needs described above or attain the objects enumerated above Therefore the chief aim of this device is to provide a means of re-spooling weed trimmer devices and by simplifying this task will enable a user to re-spool the reel without having to turn it in the hand, loose control of the line and be able to uniformly distribute line onto spools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view perspective view of an apparatus of the present invention. This figure shows the front view of the device including the handle mechanism, housing, open cavity for spool installation, level wind, worm gear and a spring loaded multi-fit lug for engaging spools

FIG. 2 is a side elevation cutaway internal view of the device showing the end cap, spring loaded multi-fit lug device and knob, spool.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a handle and an internal view of the internal gear works, level wind worm gear and spool.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus showing the spring loaded handle, replaceable spool internal gear works, and multi-fit spring loaded lug for engaging spools

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Reel Type Spool Winder Apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be constructed entirely of polymeric plastic, such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic, FIG. 1 includes a cylindrical elongated housing (7) which can accommodate all types of commercial weed eater spools for the purpose of winding weed trimmer line. The housing comprises lateral framing (12) which cross members are rigidly attached at its ends between two disc shaped side members. Included in FIG. 1 is also a (9) (level wind worm gear device), (13) Collapsable Handle and (14) multi-fit tapered lug in which spools are engaged and functioned to rotate on an axis by hand cranking or motor driven action. FIG. 1 illustrates a (10) retractable spring-loaded multi-fit lug device spool holder and winding device shown engaged into (11) replaceable spool. The combined actions of this device when engaged causes trimmer line to be loaded uniformly onto the inserted (11) replaceable spool supplied on the trimmer by the manufacturer, that is also held in place by force from the (10) rotating retractable spring-loaded multi-fit lug device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation cutaway internal view of the device showing the (7) cylindrical elongated housing, (10) retractable spring-loaded multi-fit lug device, (11) replaceable spool, (9) (level wind worm gear device) for even distribution of line on spools, (16) Shaft Clamp for mounting the device to the weed trimmer shaft.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a (13) Collapsable Handle and (14) multi-fit lug in which spools are engaged and functioned to rotate on an axis by hand cranking, (9) (level wind worm gear device) for even distribution of line onto spools, (11) replaceable spool supplied by manufacturer, (16) Shaft Clamp for mounting the device to the weed trimmer shaft.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device (13) Collapsable Handle and (14) multi-fit lug in which spools are engaged and functioned to rotate on an axis by hand cranking. (9) (level wind worm gear device) for even distribution of line onto spools, (11) replaceable spool supplied by manufacturer, (16) Shaft Clamp for mounting the device to the weed trimmer shaft.

While this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and the patent is intended to include modifications and changes that may come within and extend from the following claims.

Claims

1. The invention of claim 1: The compact trimmer mounted spooling/reel type device also known as the device includes a means for spooling trimmer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind apparatus provide an even distribution of line onto a spool. The device uses a handle crank or motor and gear system which simultaneously rotates the spool on a drive shaft and drives a worm gear which functions the level winding apparatus. Trimmer line is fed through the eye of the level wind apparatus and distributed on the spool evenly by the sliding action of a worm gear. The replaceable spool is loaded through the top of the device and held in place by pressure exerted from a retractable spring loaded rotating multi-fit lug apparatus. The housing functions to enclose the spool in an enclosed system to help provide and maintain control of the line as it is spooling. The housing cover and the handle are constructed from polymeric plastic, such a rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic. The drive gears are nylon or plastic construction. The spool is held in place by a retractable spring loaded system which causes the spool to be be affixed in place. The mounting system comprises an adjustable clamp which will allow the device to be affixed to the weed trimmer shaft.

2. The invention of claim 2 wherein the device is compact and comprises a level wind system containing a gear driven worm gear with a guide to evenly distribute line as the device is functioned is novelty for weed trimmer spoolers.

3. The invention of claim 3 comprises the novelty of loading, functioning and securing of weed trimmer spools. Wherein the gear driven worm gear and the spool lug grip function to simultaneously as the handle is turned and functioned operate the system. Wherein the spool is loaded through the topside of the device and held in place by pressure from a retractable spring loaded system.

4. The invention of claim 4 wherein the device is compact and can be mounted to the outer housing shaft of a weed trimmer to provide convenience of use and storage of a spare spool is novel.