Holding device for spare string trimmer line spools

Abstract

A device to hold a spare spool of trimmer line on a string trimmer while the trimmer is in use. The device has a clamp on its frame's lower surface (22) to attach it to the string trimmer's shaft, and elements (44A, 44B) on its frame's upper surface (20) to retain the spare spool of trimmer line. These elements use the spool's notched indexing lugs (34A, 34B) and spring (42) to retain the spare spool. The spare spool is placed into the device by compressing the spool's spring (42) and engaging the spool's notched indexing lugs (34A, 34B) onto pins (28A, 28B) located on curved slotted elements (24A, 25B) located on the upper surface of the device's frame (20).

Description

[0001] This invention relates in general to string trimmers used to cut grass and weeds. In particular, the invention relates to a holding device comprising a single member for holding a spare spool of trimmer line on the string trimmer while the string trimmer is in use.BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection holding a spare spool of trimmer line on an operating string trimmer.[0003] String trimmers are the most popular means to cut grass and weeds where larger machines such as lawn mowers cannot go, such as in ditches and along borders. String trimmers use a consumable plastic filament or line to accomplish the cutting action. Since this line is constantly abraded during the operation of the string trimmer, most string trimmers employ a spool that holds a quantity of line and dispenses it to allow continuous operation of the string trimmer.[0004] There are no means to verify the quantity of line presen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The spool is retained on the spool holder by placing the spool spring on the knob-like element and pressing downward to compress the spool spring while ensuring that the spool is rotated such that the indexing lugs are on each side of the curved slotted elements. When the indexing disc touches the upper surface of the frame, the spool is rotated so that the notched indexing lugs are under the spool holder's pins and the notches on the spool's indexing lugs are centered under the pins. The spool is then released, and the spool spring pushes the spool upward so that the notches in the indexing lugs engage the pins. The upper surface of the slots will contact the spool lower disc and keep enough compression on the spool spring to keep the spool in place on the spool holder.

[0012] An advantage of the present invention includes the ease with which a spool can be placed into or be removed from the holder, and the positive way that the spool is held. Another advantage of the present invention includes the relative ease of manufacturing the spool holder and the low costs associated therewith.

Problems solved by technology

There are no means to verify the quantity of line present on the spool without partially disassembling the spool assembly.

The size of these spare spools is large enough that they will not fit in the pockets of pants.

The combination of these factors commonly results in wasted time and effort from walking back to where the spare spools are kept.

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