Rotary Blade Patents (Class 30/276)
  • Patent number: 8769831
    Abstract: A trimmer head for cutting vegetation is adaptable to operate in blade trimming mode and in monofilament trimming mode, and requires minimal time and effort to change between the two modes. The device comprises a bottom plate and a top plate. The top and bottom plate are urged together, thereby locking the blades in place. When the top and bottom plate are separated and rotated relative to one another, a blade may be inserted or removed from the blade posts by a gap formed between the top of the blade post and the top plate. The top plate includes a surface having a plurality of trimmer blade posts adaptable to pivotally mount at least one trimmer blade. The top plate further comprises a plurality of monofilament holes for receiving a monofilament line therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Randy A. Duvall
  • Patent number: 8769830
    Abstract: The hand held grass cutter preferably includes an elongated handle provided with a user interface adapted to be held by a user, a motor located at the handle wherein the motor is communicatively coupled to the user interface, a cutting mechanism located at a distal end of the handle and communicatively coupled to the motor; and a disc section adjustably attached to the handle and spaced subjacent to the cutting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Olin Brown
  • Publication number: 20140182143
    Abstract: A vegetation cutter includes a frame rod assuming a pole and having a front end and a rear end; a cutter head mounted on the front end of the frame rod and including a rotary cutter and a drive motor connected to the rotary cutter; controller head mounted on the rear end of the frame rod and including a control circuit for controlling the drive motor; and a handle fixed to the frame rod to be held by hands of a user. The cutter head includes a cutter frame for enclosing the drive motor therein, rotatably supports the rotary cutter below the cutter frame and is connected to the frame rod. The cutter frame is comprised of a wall member formed with a plurality of ridgelike ribs projecting inward from a platelike member, each rib having a height between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshifumi MORITA
  • Patent number: 8764466
    Abstract: An electrical device comprising a housing for electrical circuitry, the housing defining a cavity opening to the exterior of the device. The cavity includes a first and second fixing arrangement capable of mechanically interlocking with a power connection insert to fix the power connection insert in position. The power connection insert provides a power cable or power connector that couples the electrical circuitry to an external electrical power supply for the device. The use of different power connection inserts allows a wide range of connector types to be provided using a single design of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Stephen Million
  • Patent number: 8756819
    Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Alan Whited, David Curtis Ross, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr., Geoffrey D. Rapp
  • Patent number: 8752299
    Abstract: A blade guide assembly for receiving the head assembly of a power operated rotary knife. The blade guide assembly includes: a blade guide and a cover secured to the blade guide to secure the head assembly within the blade guide. The blade guide includes a top wall, a bottom wall and an outer wall, an arcuate blade-receiving groove spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall, extending axially from the top wall and defining peripherally spaced apart ends, a head member-receiving channel extending radially inwardly from the outer wall and intersecting the arcuate groove, and a notched region intersecting the peripherally spaced apart ends of the arcuate blade-receiving groove. The cover includes a base secured to the top wall of the blade guide and overlying at least a portion of the arcuate blade-receiving groove and an outer extension defining an opening axially aligned with the notched region of the blade guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Matthew P. Haszto
  • Patent number: 8745879
    Abstract: A trimmer head assembly and the method of configuring the trimmer head assembly. The trimmer head assembly has a housing that attaches to a string trimmer machine. A spool is provided inside the housing. The spool rotates about an axis of rotation. The spool can move longitudinally along the axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. A ratcheting mechanism is provided between the trimmer head housing and the spool. When the spool is in its first position, the ratcheting mechanism enables the spool to continuously rotate about the axis of rotation in the direction opposite that in which the trimmer head assembly spins. The ratchet mechanism also prevents the spool from rotating within the housing in the same direction in which the trimmer head is spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: George E. Alliss
  • Patent number: 8745881
    Abstract: A two-part rotary knife blade (2300, 3300) for a power operated rotary knife. The knife blade (2300) includes a carrier portion (2302, 3302) and a blade portion (2350, 3350), the blade portion configured to be received in a nested relationship by the carrier portion and being releasably secured to the carrier portion by an attachment structure (2370, 3370). The attachment structure (2370, 3370) including a plurality of projections (2372, 3372) extending from one of an outer wall (2354, 3354) of the blade portion (2350, 3350) and the inner wall (2304, 3304) of the carrier portion and a plurality of sockets (2374, 3374) disposed in the other of the outer wall of the blade portion and the inner wall of the carrier portion, each of the plurality of projections being received in a respective different one of the plurality of sockets to releasably secure the blade portion to the carrier portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Thompson, Nicholas A. Mascari, Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Patent number: 8745880
    Abstract: Provided is a rotary cutter for a mower that achieves easy and rapid cord insertion and improved work efficiency. A rotary cutter for a mower includes: a cord cutting grass or the like; a reel housing the cord, a case and a cover housing the reel therein; a pressing body rotating the reel; and a resilient element elastically supporting the case and the cover, and the rotary cutter is configured such that the reel axially moved by rotation of the pressing body so as to come into contact with the pressing body, and the cord is wound around the reel while being clamped in a clearance created between the reel due to the axial movement of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Starting Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Kato
  • Publication number: 20140150267
    Abstract: A trimmer head for use with a trimmer. The trimmer head includes a housing rotatable about an axis, the housing defining a cavity for receiving a spool carrying a length of trimmer line, the housing further defining a housing mating feature. The trimmer head also includes a first cap member having a first mating feature formed as one piece with the first cap member and operable to cooperate with the housing mating feature. The trimmer head also includes a second cap member having a second mating feature formed as one piece with the second cap member and operable to cooperate with the housing mating feature. The second cap member provides a cutting feature independent from the trimmer line. The first cap member and the second cap member are releasably and interchangeably coupleable to the housing without the use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Lee E. Sowell, Robert Andrew Patrick
  • Patent number: 8739416
    Abstract: A rolling bearing strip for a power operated rotary knife providing bearing support for rotation of a rotary knife blade with respect to a blade housing. The rolling bearing strip includes: a plurality of rolling bearings disposed in spaced apart relation; and a flexible separator cage for positioning the plurality of spaced apart rolling bearings, the flexible separator cage including interlocking first and second ends, the first end of the separator cage including a wall defining a projecting member and the second end of the separator cage including a wall defining a receiving member, the first end projecting member and the second end receiving member being in opposed facing relationship and the first end projecting member extending into the second end receiving member to secure the first end to the second end and form an annular, continuous rolling bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Mascari, Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Patent number: 8726524
    Abstract: A power operated rotary knife (100) including: an annular rotary knife blade (300) including a knife blade bearing surface (319); a blade housing (400) defining a blade housing bearing surface (459); and a blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) disposed between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459). The blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) includes a rolling bearing strip (502) having a plurality of rolling bearings (506), such as ball bearings, disposed in spaced apart relation in a flexible separator cage (508). The rolling bearing strip (502) traverses through an annular passageway (504) defined between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459) to secure the knife blade (300) to the blade housing (400) and support the knife blade for rotation about a central axis (R) with respect to the blade housing (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Nicholas A. Mascari, Kevin V. Stump, Martin Patrick Tansey
  • Patent number: 8726966
    Abstract: An adhesive substance removing tool is provided with a cracking tool and a scrapping assembly which are removably coupled to a base. The cracking tool is used to crack the adhesive substance by forming breaking lines on the surface of the adhesive substance, and then the scrapping assembly is used to scrape off the adhesive substance by starting from the breaking lines. The combination of the cracking tool and the scraping assembly allows the user to remove adhesive substance easily and completely. Besides, the cutting assembly of the cracking tool is able to move freely both in straight-line or circular fashion, and the cracking tool can be prevented from rotating or disengaging once it is positioned in place on the base. Hence, convenience and safety of use can both be assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Liao
  • Patent number: 8720071
    Abstract: A weed trimmer having an accuracy shield. The accuracy shield is a generally planar, circular configuration that is attached to a weed trimmer at a location in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the rotating line and in close proximity thereto between the rotating line and the housing having a debris shield. The accuracy shield protects the line from being severed too short and also provides a convenient guide for edging wherein the cut is uniform and easy to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Wayne Galinski
  • Publication number: 20140115903
    Abstract: A vegetation cutting device comprising a housing rotatably coupled to a shaft; a cutting head comprising a rotary cutting means for cutting vegetation, the cutting head being coupled to the shaft and being arranged to move between an edging mode in which the rotary cutting means rotates in a substantially vertical plane and a trimming mode in which the rotary cutting means rotates in a substantially horizontal plane; a motor mounted in the housing, the motor being arranged to drive the rotary cutting means; and a switching means mechanically coupled between the housing and the shaft and arranged to be actuated when the shaft rotates relative to the housing thereby changing the speed of the rotary cutting means when the cutting head moves between the edging mode and trimming mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: David PROUDLOCK, Neil WALMSLEY
  • Publication number: 20140115904
    Abstract: A rotary cutting head system for a vegetation cutting device comprising; a cutting filament insert having a cutting filament and an anchor mounted thereto, the anchor having a protruding element; a cap comprising a base; a peripheral wall having at least one through hole for receiving the cutting filament; and a slot mounted on the cap for retaining the protruding element of the anchor wherein when the cutting filament insert is mounted in the cap, the protruding element of the anchor is configured to slide into the slot and to prevent lateral movement of the anchor towards the at least one through hole and to allow the anchor to slide along a path substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary cutting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brian WADGE, Neil WALMSLEY
  • Patent number: 8707567
    Abstract: A trimmer head for a rotary line trimmer including a housing operatively connected to the trimmer and a spool for carrying cutting line thereon. The spool is operatively connected to the housing for rotation therewith and defines a pair of opposed line receptor channels having opposed open ends, traversing opposed portions of the spool and defining opposed outlet openings above a lowermost end of the spool. The channels can be aligned with the eyelets in the housing skirt such that lengths of cutting line can be inserted therethrough and wrapped about the spool upon relative rotation of the spool and housing without having to interrupt the operative connection therebetween. The channel outlet openings provide access to the inner ends of the line so that the line also can be pulled from the head without having to interrupt the operative connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Proulx
  • Publication number: 20140109415
    Abstract: A rotary knife assembly includes a rotary knife with a spinning blade, a motor operable to power the rotary blade, and a flexible drive cable connected between the motor and knife to transmit rotational power to the blade. The assembly includes a safety release feature drivingly intercoupled between the motor and drive cable so as to drivingly disconnect the cable and knife from the motor when excess torque is experienced. The safety release feature is in the form of a breakaway drive lug operable to normally transmit rotational power from the motor to the knife. In the event of binding of the knife or kinking of the drive cable, excess torque serves to break the drive lug in order to disengage the motor from the knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hantover, Inc.
    Inventor: Clark A. Levsen
  • Patent number: 8695222
    Abstract: A power operated rotary knife (100) including: an annular rotary knife blade (300) including a knife blade bearing surface (319); a blade housing (400) defining a blade housing bearing surface (459); and a blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) disposed between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459). The rolling bearing strip (502) traverses through an annular passageway (504) defined between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459) to secure the knife blade (300) to the blade housing (400) and support the knife blade for rotation about a central axis (R) with respect to the blade housing (400). The blade housing further includes a cleaning port including an entry opening and an exit opening, the exit opening being in the inner wall and in fluid communication with the blade housing bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Nicholas A. Mascari
  • Patent number: 8695223
    Abstract: A bush cutter comprises an operating rod, a cutting unit, a main unit and a transfer shaft. The cutting unit is disposed at a front end of the operating rod and rotatably supports a cutting blade. The main unit is disposed at a rear end of the operating rod and houses a motor that drives the cutting blade. The transfer shaft is disposed within the operating rod and transfer output torque of the motor from the main unit to the cutting unit. An adapter is fixed to the rear end of the operating rod and the main unit is provided with a rod insertion hole configured to receive the rear end of the operating rod with the adapter fixed. This configuration may prevent the operating rod, which has versatility, from being erroneously assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ito
  • Patent number: 8689451
    Abstract: A rotating head for hedge trimmers, comprising: a support body (2, 3), predisposed to be fixed to a drive shaft of a hedge trimmer, which support body (2, 3) comprises a first half-shell (2) and a second half-shell (3), reciprocally and releasably couplable; at least a snap-fit engagement (4, 5), comprising a male connector (4) predisposed to snap-fit into an engagement seating (5); the male connector (4) is flanked to the internal side of a peripheral wall (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tecomec S.R.L.
    Inventor: Enrico Cigarini
  • Patent number: 8677632
    Abstract: A string trimmer has a blade storage mechanism wherein the blade storage mechanism has a cavity arranged on the body of the string trimmer for storing a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Toshinari Yamaoka, Fangjie Nie, Huixing Fu
  • Patent number: 8671580
    Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandable and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Patent number: 8667695
    Abstract: The present application provides a work head for a rotational brush cutter. The work head comprises an upper plate, a lower plate and a blade, the upper plate and the lower plate being fixedly coupled. The lower plate is circular and has a passage therethrough with a gear arranged in the passage. The blade has a body portion and a connection portion with the body portion able to be extended outside of the upper and lower plates. The through passage is designed so that the blade can be replaced without requiring the upper plate and lower plate to be disassembled. As a result, because the blade is not restricted by a narrow space between the upper plate and the main frame, the work head does not need to be removed from the brush cutter to replace the blade thereby saving time and effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Toshinari Yamaoka, Fangjie Nie, Chao Meng
  • Patent number: 8667648
    Abstract: A ball handle assembly for a handheld tool is provided. The handheld tool includes a powered mechanism, an actuating mechanism for actuating the powered mechanism, and an elongated boom extending between the powered mechanism and the actuating mechanism. A ball handle assembly is adjustably attached to the boom to allow a user to adjust the ball handle assembly relative to the boom to provide a comfortable and ergonomic orientation regardless of the handedness of the operator. The ball handle assembly is translatable along the length of the boom, and the ball handle assembly provides for three degrees of rotation relative to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Benjamin Edwin Vierck
  • Patent number: 8661692
    Abstract: A split blade housing adapted to support an annular knife blade for rotation in a power operated rotary knife. The blade housing includes a mounting section and a body section extending from the mounting section and forming a ring. The mounting section of the split blade housing is adapted to be mounted to a handle assembly of the rotary knife and includes a recess providing clearance for a pinion gear that extends from the handle assembly to engage and drive the knife blade. The split blade housing includes an annular groove for rotatably supporting the knife blade, the groove defining a rotational plane of the knife blade. The split blade housing includes a split defining first and second end portions adjacent the split to facilitate removal of the knife blade from the housing. The housing split is peripherally offset from the mounting section recess and the split is transverse with respect to a center vertical axis of the blade housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Richard P. Bozzi
  • Patent number: 8649954
    Abstract: A system for controlling angular position of stator blades including: a mechanism for calculating a set angular position of the blades according to one of speeds; and a module for correcting the set position including: a mechanism for determining the angular position of the blades; a mechanism for measuring fuel flow rate of the turbine engine; a memory unit in which consecutive angular positions of the blades are combined with the fuel flow rates of the turbine engine measured at the angular positions; and a mechanism for determining a correcting angle according to the difference between the fuel flow rates measured between two consecutive angular position of the blades. A method for optimizing the common angular position can utilize the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: David Julien Boyer, Cedrik Djelassi, Julien Alexis Louis Ricordeau
  • Patent number: 8640588
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical cutting head for a weed cutting machine has blades that are exposed and lifted off of the head when an upper portion is rotated, with respect to a lower portion and/or a cap, without tools and without disassembly of the structure. A lock ensures that the upper portion does not open until desired, by a rigid plate or aim extending, in the locked position, through portions of both the upper portion and the lower portion, or through portions of both the upper portion and a cap portion. The lock plate/arm may extend into the cutting head from the top, bottom, or side. When pushed inward, the lock plate or arm moves to no longer reside in both upper and lower portions, or both upper and cap portions, to free the upper portion to rotate relative to the lower portion and cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Gordon Strader
  • Patent number: 8615887
    Abstract: A head including a housing (3A, 3B) for a winding spool (7) for winding the cutting line (F), provided with projections (15, 19) cooperating with teeth (17, 21) integral with the housing. The teeth and the projections are arranged in such a way so as to allow a stepped rotation of the spool with respect to the housing, when the spool is translated alternatively in opposite directions parallel to the axis of the head. The head includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth (21A, 21) which can be used alternatively and which are suitable each to allow the rotation of the spool (7) in one direction and to prevent the rotation in the opposite direction with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Arnetoli Motor S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Arnetoli
  • Patent number: 8607461
    Abstract: Driving power is transmitted to an output shaft, via driving and driven bevel gears, to a cutter blade. A gearbox supports the output shaft via first and second bearings. The second bearing is engaged by an engaging member to be prevented from axial movement, toward the blade, relative to the gearbox and supports the output shaft near the cutter blade. The output shaft is connected to the driven bevel gear such that it is prevented from rotation relative to the driven bevel gear but allowed to move axially. When the engaged state, by the engaging member, of the second bearing is canceled, the shaft is allowed to axially move toward the cutter blade until the shaft becomes rotatable relative to the driven bevel gear, at the same time of which a retaining stopper prevents the shaft from further axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyahara, Hiroaki Uchitani
  • Publication number: 20130326886
    Abstract: A rotary knife includes a handle, a rotatable annular blade, an expandle blade housing, and a housing support. The blade housing is movable relative to the handle between a blade-securing condition, in which the blade housing securely supports the blade for rotational operation, and a relatively expanded blade-releasing condition, in which the blade housing permits removal and installation of the blade relative to the blade housing. The housing support is coupled to the handle and supports the housing in the blade-securing and blade-releasing conditions. The support and housing include interengaging surfaces that contact one another in the blade-securing condition, with at least one of the interengaging surfaces including an applied high-friction coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: HANTOVER, INC.
    Inventor: Clark A. Levsen
  • Patent number: 8590166
    Abstract: A string trimmer equipped with a knife and deflector apparatus mounted on the shroud directs cut debris laterally away from a workperson operating the string trimmer. A knife cutting edge located below the shroud cuts vegetation moved by the revolving string into cut debris. An upwardly extended radial deflector mounted on the shroud directs the cut debris laterally away from the shroud and workperson.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, Deah L. Udell
  • Publication number: 20130283623
    Abstract: A rotary cutting head uses flexible strands of cutting wire that can be placed inside said cutting head. The clamping mechanism of the cutting head comprises pinching cams that are mounted in such a way as to be pivotable on planes that are parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation of the cutting head. The support for the clamping mechanism is mounted in such a way as to be axially movable in the outer housing of the cutting head. The outer housing and the support are complementary to each other such that simultaneously applying a relative axial movement to the outer housing and the support in opposite directions enables the pinching cams to be lifted, allowing the cutting strands to be placed, unwound, or retracted, or enables the cams to be lowered in order for the cutting strands to be blocked within the cutting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: PELLENC (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Roger Pellenc
  • Patent number: 8567073
    Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head for use in flexible line rotary trimmers having an aerodynamic, generally ellipsoidal profile and a plurality of aerodynamic elements defined by the upper and lower head surfaces for directing air, during rotation of the head, off of and over the upper and lower head surfaces and preferably away from the line extending from the housing, thereby reducing the drag on the head and the line projecting from the housing. The aerodynamic elements on the upper head surface preferably are defined by a plurality of equidistantly spaced inclined troughs extending downwardly and forwardly along curvilinear paths on the upper head surface and the aerodynamic elements on the lower head surface preferably are defined by a plurality of dimples formed in an annular surface extending about the lowermost end of the spool and a plurality of rearwardly inclined troughs formed about and above the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Proulx
  • Patent number: 8567074
    Abstract: A grass-cutting head (10) including a spool (11) for winding at least one cutting line and a housing (12) for the cutting line. The housing (12) includes a first part (13) and a second part (14) coupled to each other so as to allow at least one reciprocal angular movement around the axis (X) of rotation of the grass-cutting head. The housing (12) presents at least one passage (31) towards the outside for the cutting line. On the spool (11) is defined at least one inserting portion (33) for inserting the cutting line so that to a rotation of the spool corresponds a winding or an unwinding of the line. Elements (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) are present for winding the cutting line on the spool (11) and matching elements (35, 36) for matching the angular position of the portion (33) of insertion on the spool (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Arnetoli Motor S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Arnetoli
  • Publication number: 20130276314
    Abstract: A work apparatus includes a drive motor, a tool head including a tool frame, a bearing, a tool shaft and a rotary tool, a frame tube with the proximal end connected to the drive motor and the distal end connected to the tool head, and a drive shaft rotatably inserted through the frame tube for transmitting the rotation of the drive motor to the rotary tool. The rotary tool is accommodated within the tool frame and is rotatable on the tool shaft, when driven by the drive shaft. The tool shaft is journaled by the bearing which is elastically supported by a flexible elastic member disposed coaxially around the bearing and interposed between the bearing and the connection of the tool frame or the frame tube. Undesirable vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotary tool will be effectively hindered from being transmitted to the frame tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ko FUKUNAGA, Masaki SAKURAGI, Atsushi YAMAMOTO, Minoru YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130269192
    Abstract: A rotary cutting head is provided for portable cutting devices, such as lawn trimmers, edge trimmers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, and the like which use cutting blades. The drive shaft, the blade supporting housing, and the blade of said cutting head have complementary means which, manually and without using tools, allow the blade to be placed, changed, centered, and axially positioned relative to the drive shaft and to be rotationally coupled to the blade supporting housing by performing an axial movement combined with an angular or linear movement of the blade relative to the drive shaft until the blade and the supporting housing start automatically interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: PELLENC (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Roger Pellenc
  • Patent number: 8549758
    Abstract: A coupling member can releasably couple a blade protector to a tool body of a gardening tool. The coupling member is movably and non-removably coupled to one of the tool body and the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Ryosuke Ito, Masaki Kondo, Katsumi Okouchi
  • Patent number: 8549827
    Abstract: A rotary cutter for a mower has a cord for cutting grass and the like by rotating itself; a reel for housing the cord and feeding the cord while intermittently rotating; a case for housing the reel; a cover for covering the case; and a pressing body protruding from the case. The pressing body is axially movable by being pressed, and intermittently rotating the reel. The reel and the pressing body are integrally constructed. Concave grooves for inserting the cord are provided in the reel in a radial direction and the cord is wound by fitting it to the concave grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Starting Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kato, Tetsuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130219726
    Abstract: A blade guide assembly for receiving the head assembly of a power operated rotary knife. The blade guide assembly includes: a blade guide and a cover secured to the blade guide to secure the head assembly within the blade guide. The blade guide includes a top wall, a bottom wall and an outer wall, an arcuate blade-receiving groove spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall, extending axially from the top wall and defining peripherally spaced apart ends, a head member-receiving channel extending radially inwardly from the outer wall and intersecting the arcuate groove, and a notched region intersecting the peripherally spaced apart ends of the arcuate blade-receiving groove. The cover includes a base secured to the top wall of the blade guide and overlying at least a portion of the arcuate blade-receiving groove and an outer extension defining an opening axially aligned with the notched region of the blade guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Matthew P. Haszto
  • Patent number: 8510960
    Abstract: An improved spool construction for carrying a length of cutting line in a trimmer head housing on a flexible line rotary trimmer wherein the spool comprises separately molded upper and lower sections of single piece construction that are pressed together in a snap fitment to define a cylindrical body portion, at least one flange projecting radially therefrom and a line receptor channel having a smooth interior surface that traverses the spool and communicates opposed open outer channel ends in the flange that are radially alignable with opposed line openings in a housing skirt, with an open channel portion in a lower spool surface to provide access to the channel intermediary of the open channel ends with the spool operatively connected to the housing for line loading and replacement without having to interrupt the operative connection between the spool and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Pfaltzgraff, Richard A. Proulx
  • Patent number: 8510959
    Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting a knife to a rotary disc cutterhead comprising a mounting stud having a specifically configured head disposed on the rotating cutterhead and a key hole opening on one end of the knife which permits the knife to moved into engagement with the stud and head when the knife is specifically oriented and then retained in place by the stud and head when the knife is moved into a normal operating position. A hand-operated biasing element prevents inadvertent disengagement of the knife from the stud. The key-hole opening and connection stud may also be configured to limit the angular orientation of the knife which will permit disengagement of the knife from the connection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Whitenight, Melanie W. Harkcom
  • Patent number: 8505207
    Abstract: A cutting knife, in particular for cutting food, includes a blade being disposed rotatably about a rotation axis and a drive being designed as an electric motor, which includes a rotating rotor and a stationary stator, which interact for driving the blade and which impart a rotational movement on the blade during operation of the cutting knife. Herein, the rotor is rotatable about the rotation axis, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the blade and rotates during operation of the cutting knife together with the blade about the rotation axis. In this way, a cutting knife is provided which is improved with regard to its construction such that the driving of the blade is simplified and the manageability of the cutting knife is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft für technische Produckte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Thien
  • Patent number: 8495817
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a string trimmer is disclosed. The transmission assembly comprises a liner that includes a sleeve. The sleeve includes an inner surface that defines a passageway for a rotatable core, and the sleeve further includes an outer surface. The liner further includes a plurality of legs that project from the outer surface, and a retainer projection disposed at a position axially adjacent to the plurality of legs. The transmission assembly further comprises a retainer that is held to the liner by the retainer projection. The retainer is configured to axially and radially restrain the liner relative to an outer down-tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Hause, George M. Scherer, Andrew J. Leslie
  • Publication number: 20130185944
    Abstract: A two-part rotary knife blade (2300, 3300) for a power operated rotary knife. The knife blade (2300) includes a carrier portion (2302, 3302) and a blade portion (2350, 3350), the blade portion configured to be received in a nested relationship by the carrier portion and being releasably secured to the carrier portion by an attachment structure (2370, 3370). The attachment structure (2370, 3370) including a plurality of projections (2372, 3372) extending from one of an outer wall (2354, 3354) of the blade portion (2350, 3350) and the inner wall (2304, 3304) of the carrier portion and a plurality of sockets (2374, 3374) disposed in the other of the outer wall of the blade portion and the inner wall of the carrier portion, each of the plurality of projections being received in a respective different one of the plurality of sockets to releasably secure the blade portion to the carrier portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: TERRY J. THOMPSON, Nicholas A. Mascari, Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Publication number: 20130174424
    Abstract: A flexible shaft drive transmission coupled between a drive motor and a gear train of a power operated tool. The flexible shaft drive transmission includes: an outer casing having a bushing positioned at a tool end of the casing, the bushing defining a longitudinal central opening; lubricant disposed within the outer casing; and an elongated drive transmitting shaft assembly rotatable within the outer casing including a flexible drive transmitting and a coupler fitting affixed to the tool end of the drive transmitting shaft, the coupler fitting including a cylindrical body and an enlarged head extending distally from the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body fitting within the longitudinal central opening of the bushing and the enlarged head having a diameter greater than a diameter of the longitudinal central opening of the bushing. The enlarged head defining a square drive aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the drive transmitting shaft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: JEFFREY A. WHITED, Nicholas A. Mascari
  • Patent number: 8464432
    Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a saw device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handheld centerless saw. The saw comprises a frame and a pair of driving rollers mounted to the frame for rotation. The saw also comprises an annular blade mounted between the drive rollers and functionally engaged thereby, where the blade defines frontward and backward hemispheres. At least two guide wheels are mounted to the frame, or to a cover mounted to the frame, the guide wheels being positioned in the backward hemisphere of the blade. The guide wheels are operatively engaging the inner circular edge of the blade. A drive assembly mounted to the frame is operable for urging the countersense rotation of drive rollers, thereby causing rotation of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Béchamp, Stéphane Campeau
  • Patent number: 8464431
    Abstract: A trimmer head configured for operating in a fixed line configuration and a bump-feed configuration. The trimmer head includes a base including a cup having a top wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall defining an aperture. The base also includes a collar extending axially from the top wall of the cup for coupling the trimmer head with the output shaft. A fixed line head is at least partially received within the cup when the trimmer head is in the fixed line configuration and a bump-feed spool is at least partially received within the cup of the base when the trimmer head is in the bump-feed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Marion W. Reynolds, Todd Rickey, John W. Wiggins, John Morris
  • Publication number: 20130139391
    Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting vegetation including a rotary cutting bit adapted to be advanced through the vegetation in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the bit. The rotary cutting bit can be supported by two bit supports spaced apart axially. The tool can include an extension pole which allows the rotary tool to be mounted adjacent a distal end of the pole. In this way high branches and the like can be cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: CI, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Nelson, II
  • Patent number: 8448340
    Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a large diameter, annular rotary knife blade and interfitting blade housing wherein the rotary knife blade includes notched bearing race providing for an enhanced or enlarged area of bearing contact between the blade bearing race and the corresponding blade housing bearing structure. The enhanced area of bearing contact is offset radially inwardly of and axially from a radial outer surface of a drive gear region of the blade thereby reducing wear on the radial outer surface of the blade drive gear region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited