Rolling Or Driven Cutter Patents (Class 172/15)
  • Patent number: 11619024
    Abstract: A trench cutting machine for making a cut in a surface includes a frame with at least one rear axle and at least one front axle, and a rotatable circular blade mounted the frame. The front axle is vertically adjustable relative to the frame between a first position where the circular blade is lifted clear of the surface, and a second position where the circular blade is arranged to extend downwards from the frame to cut a predetermined distance into the surface. The frame includes an auxiliary front axle located in front of the axis of rotation of the circular blade. The auxiliary front axe and the rear axle are arranged to support the frame on the surface during a cutting operation and to maintain a selected depth of cut. A shroud assembly and a debris guiding device for such a machine are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Pierre Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 11013172
    Abstract: Ergonomic gripping mechanisms of battery-operated electric cutting apparatus are provided. The electric cutting apparatus may include a cantilevered cutting head, an adjustable telescoping shaft, a rear grip portion, a pistol grip, and a forearm shaft. The adjustable telescoping shaft may be pivotally connected to the cantilevered cutting head. The rear grip portion may have a first end connected to the adjustable telescoping shaft. The pistol grip may have a first end extending at a first angle from the second end of the rear grip portion. The forearm shaft may extend from the second end of the pistol grip at a second angle. The forearm shaft may have a top side comprising a forearm pad having an exterior surface configured to receive a forearm of a user. The exterior surface of the forearm pad may be parallel to an axis defined by a longitudinal extension of the adjustable telescoping shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC
    Inventor: Ross Carl
  • Patent number: 10821571
    Abstract: A handheld, hand-guided cutting-off machine (10), which includes a rotating cutting-off wheel, a supporting housing part (36), an output shaft, which is rotatably supported around an output axis (40), a drive motor, a transmission mechanism (19), which connects the drive motor to the output shaft, a flange and a safety guard (24), which covers the cutting-off wheel over a covering area. The cutting-off wheel is rotatably fixedly mounted on the output shaft with the aid of the flange and surrounded by the safety guard (24), which is pivotable around a pivot axis. The safety guard (24), the supporting housing part (36) and the transmission mechanism (19) have maximum distances from the output axis (40) over an outcut angle (?), which are less than or equal to half the flange diameter of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Greitmann, Guenther Veik, Helmut Specht
  • Patent number: 10299437
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a frame coupled to the chassis; a cutter bar assembly connected to the frame; a plurality of linkage arms connected to the cutter bar assembly; and a plurality of sacrificial connectors each connected to a respective one of the linkage arms and the frame, each of the plurality of sacrificial connectors including at least one sacrificial region configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Benjamin Kemmerer, David M. DeChristopher, Blaine R. Noll, Bart M. A. Missotten
  • Patent number: 10064329
    Abstract: A grass and weed trimmer head is provided having a trimmer head body wherein the outside surface has a dome-like contour with the drive shaft of the trimmer centrally fixed to the top of the dome. The bottom of the body is a circular opening having an inside diameter large enough to accommodate the outside diameter of a rotatable bottom plate so as to allow sufficient clearance to permit free rotation of the bottom plate while providing insufficient clearance for debris to enter the clearance. The rotatable bottom plate is disposed in a manner so as to redirect cutting debris away from the crevasses in the trimmer. The dome-like contour encourages the redirection of the cutting debris outwards and away from the central shaft thereby significantly reducing the propensity of wrapping and clumping around the central shaft. Easy removal of the cutting strings aids disentanglement of cuttings from the trimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: August Otto Lovmark
  • Patent number: 9924634
    Abstract: A device for marking natural and artificial grass surfaces, which comprises a mowing drum linked to a chassis, wherein the mowing drum comprises a plurality of cutting elements and can rotate around a main shaft, where a perforated sheet is arranged between the mowing drum and the grass surface, with said perforated sheet comprising a plurality of holes cut to an appropriate size so as to allow blades of grass to pass through them, in addition to an opening configured to facilitate the passage blades of grass to be cut by the cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Juan Miguel Mayordomo Vicente
  • Patent number: 9510506
    Abstract: The present invention involves a multiply adjustable, obstacle responsive mower deck mounted “edge” trimmer that is easily adjustable, easily maintained and stored, low-profile, and requires no outside power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Laurence J. Castelli, David J. Sickley
  • Patent number: 9468151
    Abstract: A lawn maintenance device is provided. The lawn maintenance device has a generally planar rail system which is permanently inserted into the ground. The top portion of the rail system remains above ground while the remainder of the rail system is underground. A movable tool having a corresponding groove which aligns with the rail runs along the rail and a blade attached to the movable tool trims the lawn or vegetation. The rail provides a thin section of vegetation which can be easily cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce Webber
  • Publication number: 20150060094
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an edging trench around a landscape bed is constructed with a cutting blade that is rotated to help move the apparatus in the desired direction of travel while being operated to create an edging trench. The machine can be constructed in self-propelled, non-self-propelled or manually operated stick forms. The apparatus has a cutting blade that is configured in a cone-shaped manner with the narrow diameter located toward the center of the apparatus. The rotor is formed with a pair of thin slicing blades mounted on a spline shaft removable from the apparatus for maintenance. A first slicing blade shears the grass along the top of the trench and forms a vertical wall, while a second slicing blade forms a sloped wall. Displaced soil is discharged from the cutting blade and spread directly over the adjacent landscape bed to eliminate the need for subsequent clean-up operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Underhill
  • Publication number: 20140014378
    Abstract: Included are embodiments of a power assisted garden tool. Some embodiments include a handle and an interchangeable tool implement including a garden tool end, a connection end, and an impact platform. Similarly, some embodiments include a drive mechanism coupled to the handle, the drive mechanism including a power source, a motor that provides rotational motion to a rotary shaft, and a piston coupled to the rotary shaft, the piston exhibiting reciprocating motion from the rotational motion, the piston making contact with the interchangeable tool implement, such that the reciprocating motion of the piston causes motion of the interchangeable tool implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel D. Sedmak
  • Patent number: 8573320
    Abstract: A turf edger is attached to a traction unit in the form of a self-propelled turf grooming or working vehicle. The turf edger has a narrow U-shaped edging blade carried on an edger frame. The edging blade oscillates to cut and free a strip of material along a boundary between a turf surface and a non-turf surface. When this strip of material is brushed away, a clean edge is provided along the boundary without the need for any manual hoeing. Side walls of the edging blade at least partially nest around a ground engaging roller on the edger frame to more easily cut horizontal grass runners in the turf surface. The edger frame is selectively movable between a lowered edging position and a raised transport position by the operator. Limited ground following action is provided for the edger frame when the edger frame is in the edging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Street, Cal N. Kosieracki, Miguel A. Pizano, Daniel M. Treu, Joseph P. Thelen
  • Publication number: 20130228350
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus such as a bed redefiner or edger has a handle for guiding the work apparatus over the ground. The apparatus also includes a drive motor which drives a tool in rotation. During operation, the apparatus is moved over the ground by the operator in a direction of movement. The tool is covered at least partially by a protective hood and a sliding skid is arranged on that end of the protective hood located at the front in the direction of movement. The sliding skid has an abutment surface for a flexible spray guard fixed to the protective hood. The spray guard is fastened to the protective hood in its fastening region located at the front viewed in the direction of movement. The spray guard is movable in its protective region located at the rear viewed in the direction of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: David Guenther, Antonio Fattorusso, Juergen Haeberlein
  • Publication number: 20130228351
    Abstract: A blade for a furrow cutter has a planar fastening region which is located in a fastening plane. The blade is driven in rotation via a transmission arranged in a transmission housing. The fastening plans separates a first region of the furrow cutter from a second region of the furrow cutter. The transmission is arranged in the first region. The blade has at least one arm projecting from the fastening region and having a free end. The arm has a first segment which extends out of the fastening plane into the second region. A simple structure, a good cutting result and a high service life are achieved when the arm has a second segment in which the arm extends back in the direction of the fastening plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Stark, Juergen Haeberlein, David Guenther
  • Publication number: 20130175062
    Abstract: A turf edger is attached to a traction unit in the form of a self-propelled turf grooming or working vehicle. The turf edger has a narrow U-shaped edging blade carried on an edger frame. The edging blade oscillates to cut and free a strip of material along a boundary between a turf surface and a non-turf surface. When this strip of material is brushed away, a clean edge is provided along the boundary without the need for any manual hoeing. Side walls of the edging blade at least partially nest around a ground engaging roller on the edger frame to more easily cut horizontal grass runners in the turf surface. The edger frame is selectively movable between a lowered edging position and a raised transport position by the operator. Limited ground following action is provided for the edger frame when the edger frame is in the edging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Street, Cal N. Kosieracki, Miguel A. Pizano, Daniel M. Treu, Joseph P. Thelen
  • Patent number: 7938193
    Abstract: The vehicle mounted edging device provides a safe and efficient means for edging grass and soil adjacent to improved surfaces. The device is attached to the remotely actuated bed of a utility vehicle and utilizes the lifting capabilities of the bed for its operation. When the disc is in the cutting position, the operator of the utility vehicle positions the vehicle near the edge of the surface to be maintained and lowers the remotely actuated bed of the utility vehicle to place the disc adjacent to the surface to be maintained. The operator then drives the vehicle parallely to the edge of the path and remove the unwanted grass. The vehicle mounted edging device effectively guides the utility vehicle along the edge of the path so that minimal steering is required and is oriented to enable the operator to easily monitor the edging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Lee Baker
  • Publication number: 20110083865
    Abstract: Included are embodiments of a power assisted garden tool. Some embodiments include a handle and an interchangeable tool implement including a garden tool end, a connection end, and an impact platform. Similarly, some embodiments include a drive mechanism coupled to the handle, the drive mechanism including a power source, a motor that provides rotational motion to a rotary shaft, and a piston coupled to the rotary shaft, the piston exhibiting reciprocating motion from the rotational motion, the piston making contact with the interchangeable tool implement, such that the reciprocating motion of the piston causes motion of the interchangeable tool implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel D. Sedmak
  • Patent number: 7806196
    Abstract: An edger has a main frame that can be advanced controllably relative to a subjacent terrain, a cutting assembly on the main frame, a drive for rotating the cutting assembly around a first axis, and material repositioning structure on at least one of the main frame and cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is configured to produce a trench in underlying terrain as the cutting assembly is rotated by the drive in operation. The material repositioning structure controllably repositions material dislodged from underlying terrain by the cutting assembly to thereby avoid accumulation of dislodged material upon the edger as the edger is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Echo, Incorporated
    Inventor: Brent Peterson
  • Publication number: 20100224378
    Abstract: An edger has a main frame that can be advanced controllably relative to a subjacent terrain, a cutting assembly on the main frame, a drive for rotating the cutting assembly around a first axis, and material repositioning structure on at least one of the main frame and cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is configured to produce a trench in underlying terrain as the cutting assembly is rotated by the drive in operation. The material repositioning structure controllably repositions material dislodged from underlying terrain by the cutting assembly to thereby avoid accumulation of dislodged material upon the edger as the edger is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Brent Peterson
  • Patent number: 7743839
    Abstract: An edger having a main frame that can be advanced controllably relative to subjacent terrain, a cutting assembly on the main frame, and a drive for rotating the cutting assembly around a first axis. The cutting assembly has a plurality of cutting teeth that dig into underlying terrain as the cutting assembly is operated to thereby cooperatively produce a trench in the underlying terrain. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first cutting tooth that has an elongate configuration with a leading end and a length extending along a first line. The first cutting tooth is oriented on the cutting assembly so that the length of the first cutting tooth traces a path with a circumference that has a radial extent with respect to the first axis that is substantially less than the length of the first cutting tooth. The length of the first cutting tooth is aligned generally in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Echo, Incorporated
    Inventor: Brent Peterson
  • Publication number: 20090255695
    Abstract: A lawn edger operable to minimize storage space, have a completely removable blade guard, have a folding shaft, and have a convenient to operate edging depth adjustment, is disclosed. The removable blade guard incorporates a safety interlock that prevents operation of the motor and blade when the guard is removed. The lawn edger incorporates a pivoting, folding, shaft for compact storage, a removable blade guard for easy clean out and an easily adjustable front wheel for convenient edging depth adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ORIGINAL POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Breneman, Kirk Alan Turner
  • Patent number: 7237620
    Abstract: An electric garden tiller is disclosed. The tiller is light weight, compact and easy to use. The tiller includes a two stage speed reduction transmission and an aluminum transmission housing. Connected to the transmission housing are a main housing and electric motor, a fender, a tine shaft and four tine assemblies, a rotatable wheel assembly and a foldable handle. Connected to the handle is a safety switch mechanism requiring two simultaneous actions to activate the motor. Once activated, if an operator's hand is removed, the motor will stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Desa IP, LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. T. Abenroth, David B. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7140112
    Abstract: A head cover trimming system for trimming around a ground level head cover includes a head cap and a grass trimmer assembly. The head cap is provided on the head cover and includes a centering member. The grass trimmer assembly includes a head member having a peripheral edge portion along which is mounted a cutting element. The grass trimmer assembly is driven through a drive shaft connected to a rotary tool at one end. Arranged within the head member is a retractable centering shaft. When the head member is placed over the head cover, the centering shaft is received by the centering member to center the grass trimmer about the head cover. The centering shaft retracts into the head member to allow the rotating cutting element to trim the area around the head cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: JEG, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward McNulty
  • Patent number: 7128164
    Abstract: A support has a post. The post has a circular cross sectional configuration. The post extends upwardly from the support. An arm has a collar. The collar is rotatably received on the post. The collar is pivotably coupled to the collar with a finger. The finger has a vertical aperture there through. A wheel assembly has a drive wheel centrally and a cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is outboardly and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the drive wheel. The wheel assembly has a clevis. The clevis is inboardly and has vertical aperture and a pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas C. Boland
  • Patent number: 7096966
    Abstract: A portable handheld edge cutter (1) has a cutterhead (2) fixed to a guide tube (4). Two wheels (6, 7) are attached to the cutterhead (2). The cutterhead (2) includes a gear unit mounted in a gear housing (8). A first wheel (7) is rotatably journalled on a first end (27) of the gear housing (8). On the opposite-lying end (28) of the gear housing (8), a cutting knife (9) is mounted and is rotatably driven by the output shaft (18) of the gear unit. In order to achieve a simple assembly of the edge cutter (1) and to protect the gear housing (8) against wear, the second wheel (6) is mounted between the gear housing (8) and the cutting knife (9) and that the two wheels (6, 7) are journalled coaxially to the output shaft (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maximilian Eberhardt, Sven Keller, Georg Becker
  • Patent number: 6926090
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing, a door and a latching system. The door is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The latching system includes a latch member that is coupled to one of the housing and the door and a ramp that is coupled to the other one of the housing and the door. Contact between the ramp and the latch member when the door is being closed against the housing causes the latch member to move to an unlatched condition so as to automatically align the latch member to a latch aperture. This permits the door to be fully closed without the need to manually operate the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Jacob R. Prosper, David M. Shaver
  • Patent number: 6857481
    Abstract: A blade is formed of a vertical segment. The vertical segment has a central aperture. The vertical segment further has long parallel side edges, short parallel end edges and upturned parallel ends. Each end has a leading edge and a trailing. A horizontal cutting edge is formed into each leading edge of the upturned parallel ends. A vertical cutting edge is formed into each long edge adjacent to a horizontal cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Johnny Hayes
  • Patent number: 6701700
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is attached through suitable structure to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 6688404
    Abstract: A portable handheld lawn edger includes a cutterhead (2) at the end (16) of a guide tube (4) as well as an internal combustion engine (3) at the other end (17). The engine is connected to the cutter blade (5) via a drive shaft (20) in the guide tube (4) and in the cutterhead (2). The cutter blade is mounted for rotation about an axis (6), which lies parallel to the ground during cutting operation, and is guided along the edge. A guide wheel (27) is provided on the end of the cutterhead (2) facing toward the engine (3). The cutterhead (2) can be rolled over the ground with the aid of the guide wheel (27). The service life of the edge cutter (1) is increased and the manufacturing costs are reduced in that the cutterhead (2) is provided with a spacer (7, 9) approximately at the elevation of the drive axis (6) of the cutter blade (5). The spacer (7, 9) projects from the cutterhead and is set on the ground and prevents abrasion of the cutterhead (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus-Martin Uhl, Heiko Rosskamp, Claus Strodthoff
  • Patent number: 6659188
    Abstract: A hand-held edger capable of suppressing wear of a cover without an increase in the number of parts. The hand-held edger comprises a main rod supported by an operator's hand; a gear case supported at one end portion of the main rod; a rotating blade connected to a gear in the gear case; a power unit mounted to the other end portion of the main rod, for driving the rotating blade via the gear in the gear case; a resin-made cover attached to a flange of the gear case, for covering the rotating blade; and a wheel supported by the cover, and an outer periphery of the flange is coplanar with the periphery of at least the lowermost portion of the cover or diametrically outwardly protruded therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Takemoto, Yoshiro Yamane, Tadao Yashirodai
  • Patent number: 6612376
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing and a door that is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. When positioned in the closed position, labyrinth seal members that are formed onto the housing and the door engage one another to form a labyrinth seal that inhibits dirt and debris from being expelled from the housing assembly. The housing assembly also includes a guard for shrouding a rotating blade. The guard includes a confronting portion having a leading end and a trailing end. The confronting portion is defined by an increasing radius relative to the rotary axis of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Jacob R. Prosper, David M. Shaver
  • Publication number: 20020153145
    Abstract: A blade spacing adapter for holding a plurality of blades for use with lawn edging machines wherein the adapter specifically holds the blades in a position whereby a first blade is fixed in a relative position perpendicular to a second blade. The thickness of the edger blade spacing adapter which demountably engages edger blades determines the width of the “cut”. Grooves on both sides of the bracket are perpendicular one to the other and are of sufficient width to hold industry-standard size lawn edger blades. When the blades are appropriately fixed on the bracket and are rotated by the engine, they define two circular planes which appear parallel to one another. The bracket contains an appropriate sized mounting hole by which the bracket and multiple edger blades may be affixed to the edger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas John Holzinger
  • Patent number: 6464015
    Abstract: A cutting and mulching attachment for a lawn edger that creates a clean edge to a landscaped area. The attachment comprises a flat, circular cutting blade and two or more flat mulching blades extending laterally from the cutting blade. Each mulching blade has a toothed edge that faces in the direction of the cutting blade rotation. The plane of each mulching blade defines an acute angle with respect to the plane of the cutting blade. The teeth of one mulching blade are offset from the teeth of the other mulching blade so that, as each mulching blade sweeps through the turf, its teeth remove any ridges of turf left behind by the teeth of the other blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: J. Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 6434920
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable suitably is attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Publication number: 20020104663
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held edger capable of suppressing wear of a cover without an increase in the number of parts. The hand-held edger comprises: a main rod supported by an operator's hand; a gear case supported at one end portion of the main rod; a rotating blade connected to a gear in the gear case; a power unit mounted to the other end portion of the main rod, for driving the rotating blade via the gear in the gear case; a resin-made cover attached to a flange of the gear case, for covering the rotating blade; and a wheel supported by the cover, and an outer periphery of the flange is coplanar with the periphery of at least the lowermost portion of the cover or diametrically outwardly protruded therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Takemoto, Yoshiro Yamane, Tadao Yashirodai
  • Patent number: 6302219
    Abstract: An edger blade assembly for cutting a beveled edge using a motorized edging machine. The edger blade assembly is a structure that includes a blade element. The blade element has two opposing free ends. Between the two free ends is a flat middle section, two diverging sections that extend outwardly from the flat middle section and two converging sections that extend between the diverging sections and the two free ends, respectively. The blade element is bent at an acute angle between the flat middle section and the diverging sections. The blade element is bent at an obtuse angle between the diverging sections and the converging sections, thereby forming a beveled blade structure from a single segment of steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Pat Filippini
  • Patent number: 6293350
    Abstract: An attachment to replace existing landscaping trimmer heads and for mounting on new trimmers. The attachment includes specific structure for trimming grasses and weeds as well as structure for the removal of weeds unwanted grasses and unwanted shallow roots. The structure includes at least one pre-cut flexible trimming line that extends through the body member and a tapered bit member attached to the body member. The trimming line cuts and trims grasses and weeds and the tapered bit member has structure attached thereto for removal of weeds, unwanted grasses and unwanted shallow roots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Lawn Laser, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Paolo
  • Patent number: 6293349
    Abstract: An electrically powered lawn edger (10) having a wire wheel (26) specifically adapted for edging and trench cutting applications. The wire wheel includes pairs of twisted wire brush segments (34) which are held within a hub (32) of the wire wheel. The pairs of brush segments are spaced apart radially around a peripheral edge of the hub to produce evenly spaced gaps (36). The gaps help to prevent the edger from “loading up” with dirt and/or turf when edging or cutting a trench and possibly stalling the edger motor (21). A washer (40) having a key shaped boss (44) keys the wire wheel to an output spindle (21a) of the motor to prevent slippage of the wire wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James Marshall, Richard Rosa, Jacob R. Prosper
  • Patent number: 6263975
    Abstract: A lawn edger includes an edge guide movable between a curb-edging mode and a trench mode. A lever is connected to the edge guide and extends through an aperture of a blade guard that is positioned to cover at least a portion of the cutting blade. The lever is positionable to move the edge guide between the curb-edging mode and the trench mode. When the edge guide is in the trench mode, the lever moves from a retracted position into an extended position, thereby providing a visual directional to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Rosa, James Marshall, David Clements
  • Patent number: 6240644
    Abstract: An improvement for trimmers of the type that include an elongated main handle member with a motor assembly on one end and a cutting head at the other end. A secondary retractable handle member is pivotally mounted at one end to a point on the main handle member that is adjacent to the cutting head so that maximum control can be exerted on the positioning of the latter. The retractable handle member is preferably made to conform to the shape of the main handle member when brought next to it. A securing latch assembly releasably keeps both of them attached to each other when desired by a user, typically, to operate on horizontal cutting planes. The retractable handle member is not separated when a user desires to make vertical cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6125943
    Abstract: An edger-trencher is described for landscaping procedures. Instead of the usual jolting an operator receives when using traditional power assisted edger-trencher devices, in the instant invention a pivotable swing arm with cutting blade attached at one end pivots upwards and away from the soil containing an obstruction. The cutting blade then falls back rapidly and repeatedly under the influence of gravity, causing a series of pick like actions on the soil obstruction until it is overcome and normal edging or trenching resumes. The pivotable swing arm-cutting blade combination is suitable for mounting on stand-alone gasoline powered, belt-driven edger-trenchers. Alternatively, this stand-alone unit can be modified to have a quick connection to a similarly modified commercial or residential mower of the rider or walk behind type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Charles S. Valois
  • Patent number: 6116350
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a powered lawn edger (1) which is steerable in the manner of a wheelbarrow. The edger has a Y or T-shaped frame (5,35,36,46) including a pair of handles (3,20,30,33,43,50). A power unit (4,40) is mounted on the frame forward of the operator between the handles and a ground engaging wheel (2). A cutting blade (17) is rotatable about an output shaft (16) of a gear box (7) which is powered from the power unit via a centrifugal clutch (57) having a brake (14). A debris deflector (15) is mounted on the wheel stub axle (10) and is not movable with height adjustment of the cutter blade (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: John Arthur Notaras, Angelo Lambrinos Notaras
  • Patent number: 6092608
    Abstract: An attachment for a rotary garden tiller having edging capability for establishing perimeter of a flower bed alongside sidewalks, driveways, or fence lines which functions by cutting and separating grass from its roots at a uniform depth and width and in a controllable contoured line. The edger apparatus includes a cupped cultivation disc and a pulverizer wheel which includes chopping and digging capability. The cultivating disc shears vegetation and cultivates the soil in any contoured shape and maintains a fixed depth of three to four inches, requiring approximately one third of the time spent in edging required by other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Herbert J. Leger
  • Patent number: 6085507
    Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is suitably attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen Timothy Keane
  • Patent number: 6062318
    Abstract: The present invention is a blade which is designed and configured to be utilized with conventional edging devices. The blade of the present invention is substantially U-shaped and includes a top planar wall having opposite ends. Extending outward from each end is a rectangular shaped end portion. When in use, the outer walls of the end portions will contact the ground. This will offer the user a device which is versatile and powerful. For protecting the user, a cover is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: David C. Andrews
  • Patent number: 6032442
    Abstract: An attachment for a landscaping trimmer for use in precise trimming and edging of landscaped areas. The attachment has bores through an elongated body member which are adjacent to the free end of the body member and perpendicular to its axis. Pre-cut pieces of trimming line are secured through the bores by at least one screw positioned against the portions of the pre-cut pieces which are centrally located within the body member. Integral with the body member and on Its free end, the present invention may have a spacer for lawn cutting, or pointed bits with various surface configurations to perform functions including, but not limited to, "drilling out" weeds and unwanted grass in and around planters, flower pots and flower boxes, as well as tearing out unwanted roots near the surface of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: David A. Paolo
  • Patent number: 6003611
    Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger is disclosed having a curb support roller system. A support roller is mounted directly behind the blade of the lawn edger. A height adjustment mechanism controls the height of the front wheel and the support roller in unison. The support roller has a smaller outer diameter than the front and rear wheels. Therefore, when edging along side a curb the support roller contacts the curb thereby providing support when the front wheel is suspended above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: David M Martinez
  • Patent number: 5957214
    Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger is disclosed having a non-integral flywheel with the edger engine. This allows for the interchangeability of different flywheels for the same engine or different engines. The flywheel disclosed is preferably a combination flywheel/drive pulley. The flywheel/drive pulley is mounted directly to the drive shaft of the engine. The drive pulley is mounted to the top side or bottom side of the flywheel. Preferably, the flywheel/drive pulley in an integral piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: David M. Martinez
  • Patent number: 5924494
    Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger has an arbor which allows the cutting blade to extend outwardly from the lawn edger, yet still be rigid and stable. The arbor is located at an angle .alpha. with respect to a longitudinal axis running perpendicular to the rear axle and lying within the same plane. The angle .alpha. is preferably 5.degree. or less. The arbor is mounted to a frame of the lawn edger by a bracket and screws. A pivoting assembly enables the arbor to pivot thereby increasing or decreasing the angle .alpha..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: David M Martinez
  • Patent number: 5918683
    Abstract: A lawn edge trimmer having a supporting structure (21) and an edge trimming assembly (10; 10'). The trimming assembly includes a frame (12) supporting a rotatable cutting knife (18), and a rotatable supporting wheel (30; 30') connected to the frame (12). An axis of rotation of the knife is parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel. The wheel is supported by a lever (32; 32') rotatably attached to the frame, and may be latched relative to the frame (12). The lever (32; 32') is provided with a mudguard (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Lars .ANG.ke Abelsson, Mikael Andreasson, Gote Karlsson
  • Patent number: 5878556
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a lawn trimmer and an associated shield. The shield, in the preferred embodiment, is entirely formed from an impact resistant plastic. Additionally, the shield is defined by both an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region. An annular raised ring serves to define the boundary between these inner and outer regions. This shield is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft of a lawn trimmer. The interconnection between the drive shaft and shield is such that the shield can be rotated independent of the drive shaft. Such independent rotation of the shield allows the trimmer to be easily guided along either horizontal or vertical surfaces. Lastly, a spool of cutting filament is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft. The construction of the present invention allows for the removal and replacement of both the filament spool and the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Franz