Ribbed flexible cutting line

Abstract

A line for a rotating trimmer has a plurality of longitudinal outwardly-extending cutting edges, spaced circumferentially about the main body portion of the line. A cross-sectional area of the main body portion is selected to be between 70 percent and 90 percent of the area of the space circumscribing the cutting edges to provide substantial bulk to the line to increase its wear, while retaining the advantages of the cutting edges for facilitating cutting of grass and the like.

Description

BACKGROUNDWeed and grass trimmers have been developed which employ a rotatable hub with a short length of flexible nylon or other plastic line extending from the hub. When the hub is rotated, the tip of the line extending from the hub provides the cutting or trimming action. Grass and weed trimmers using this principle of operation have become popular for their versatility of use and because the flexible trim line is safer to use than rigid, rotating steel blades.Various types of devices have been developed for using such trim lines. Typically, rotating line trimmers or string trimmers employ a line which generally has a circular cross section. The line, in many trimmers, is wound on a storage reel in the hub of the device, and is played out of a hole in the hub in discrete amounts as the end breaks off or wears off. In operation, the section of the line which extends outwardly from the rotating head attains a substantially straight configuration as a result of the centrifugal force...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved flexible cutting line having sharp edges extending longitudinally of the line for making cleaner cuts.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved flexible cutting line for rotating string trimmers which provides improved cutting characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

This is a result of the relatively blunt cutting edge, which strikes the grass and breaks it off.

As a result, the ragged grass tends to turn brown shortly after cutting, resulting in a less desirable appearance than if the grass is cut or broken off cleanly along a straight line.

Because the sharp edges of the Mickelson line always strike the plant first, these edges quickly wear away; and the reduced mass of the line also causes this line rapidly to wear out.

In addition, the reduced amount of material causes a reduction in the mass, and therefore the force at which the line strikes vegetation, causing the line to be of significantly reduced efficiency when plants other than grass are encountered by the line.

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