Compact Weed Trimmer Mounted Line Spooling Device

Abstract

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

Description

CROSS REFERENCE FOR RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of lawn maintenance, and more particularly to a re-spooler device for weed trimmer devicesBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to a compact trimmer mounted spooling labor saving / reel device also known as the device which includes a means for spooling trimer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind device and line tensioner provide an even distribution of line onto a trimmer reel.[0004]Re-spooling of weed trimming device lines is generally a time consuming and burdensome chore. Often the operator of a weed trimming device has to stop for extended periods of time to spool trimmer reels by hand. The result of hand spooling is often time consuming and inefficient. Problems with hand-spooling include the following. Hand spooling can cause unevenly distributed line to be placed onto reels and m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]This invention comprises an elongated cylindrically designed compact spooling / reel type device otherwise know as the device for the purpose of spooling weed trimmer line in an enclosed housing while simultaneously through means of a level wind apparatus provide an even distribution of line onto a weed trimmer spool. The elongated cylindrically shaped housing of the device functions to enclose the spool in an enclosed system to help provide and maintain control of the line as it is spooling and for storage of a spare spool. A replaceable spool supplied by the manufacturer is loaded through the top section of the device and held in place inside the device by laterally directed pressure exerted from a retractable spring loaded, rotating and tapered multi-fit lug apparatus located on one side of the device. The tapered multi fit lug apparatus is engaged by the mechanical action of pulling a knob located on one side of the device creating an opening between the tapered multi-fit drive shaft lug and the tapered multi-fit lug apparatus on which spools are set. The shape and design of the tapered lug apparatus function to accommodate different size spools on the market today. When the handle apparatus is engaged mechanically the spool is rotated along the axis of the multi fit lugs and the multi-fit lugs rotate to accommodate the centrifugal motion of the device.The device also comprises a handle crank or motor and gear system which rotates the replaceable spool via a drive shaft which comprises an axil attached to a crank handle mounted thru the device on one end and a tapered multi fit lug rigidly attached on the other on which the trimmer spool is set. The multi fit lug is tapered and constructed in such a way as to accommodate different size spools which are on the market today. When mechanically engaged the device through means of a gear attached to the drive shaft also engages a worm gear located on the front of the device which functions a level winding guide this system comprises a feature known as the level wind apparatus. Trimmer line is fed through the eye of the level wind apparatus and distributed onto a spool evenly by the sliding and side to side action of the level wind apparatus. The housing cover and the handle are constructed from polymeric plastic, such a rigid polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, or preferably an engineering plastic. The drive gears are nylon or plastic construction.The mounting system comprises an adjustable clamp which will allow the device to be affixed to the weed trimmer shaft.

[0014]U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,816 to Homoky discloses a spool rewinder for fishing reel devices using ratchet connections on the crank face to engage the spool to turn it but does not include a level wind for uniform line delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,086 to Crow discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices however the shaft to the spool is not a reel type trimmer mounted for ease of access and convenience. U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,632 to Chilcoat discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using threads to hold the spool to the shaft but does not implement a spring loaded retractable multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,029 to Robertson et al discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using lug keys to engage the lugs on two types of spools does not include a top loading trimmer mounted device U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,172 to Koehler et al discloses a spool winder for fishing line devices using a pressure to hold the spool to the shaft this device does not implement a spring loaded multi-fit lug spool device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,839 to Burch discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament fishing line using but does not implement a level wind worm gear device for spooling line uniformly.

[0015]None of these devices satisfy the needs described above or attain the objects enumerated above Therefore the chief aim of this device is to provide a means of re-spooling weed trimmer devices and by simplifying this task will enable a user to re-spool the reel without having to turn it in the hand, loose control of the line and be able to uniformly distribute line onto spools.

Problems solved by technology

Re-spooling of weed trimming device lines is generally a time consuming and burdensome chore.

Often the operator of a weed trimming device has to stop for extended periods of time to spool trimmer reels by hand.

The result of hand spooling is often time consuming and inefficient.

Hand spooling can cause unevenly distributed line to be placed onto reels and may result in line wastage and snags, snags occur during weed trimming when line that has been unevenly distributed onto a spool fails to exude properly from the spool.

Problems with hand spooling also include a loss of control of spool line due to the elastic nature of the line.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,632 to Chilcoat discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using threads to hold the spool to the shaft but does not implement a spring loaded retractable multi-fit lug spool device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,029 to Robertson et al discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament lawn line trimmer devices using lug keys to engage the lugs on two types of spools does not include a top loading trimmer mounted device U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,172 to Koehler et al discloses a spool winder for fishing line devices using a pressure to hold the spool to the shaft this device does not implement a spring loaded multi-fit lug spool device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,839 to Burch discloses a spool rewinder for monofilament fishing line using but does not implement a level wind worm gear device for spooling line uniformly.

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