Removably fastened trimmer head

Abstract

A rotating device for attachment to a rotating shaft is provided. The rotating device comprises a mounting base and an accessory. The mounting base includes a circular plate, a receptacle centrally located at the circular plate and configured to receive the rotating shaft, and a mounting base circumferential sidewall connected to the circular plate. The circumferential sidewall includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The accessory includes an accessory circumferential sidewall having a first resilient retention clip and a second resilient retention clip. The first resilient retention clip is configured to be releasably locked into the first aperture and the second resilient retention clip is configured to be releasably locked into the second aperture to releasably secure the accessory to the mounting base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 503,634, filed May 22, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to trimmer heads, and more specifically to trimmer heads that are removably fastened. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A mower, also known as a lawnmower, rope mower, and / or weed cutter, is a tool used to cut grass, weeds, or other plant branches and leaves in areas that are difficult for a lawnmower to reach.

[0004] Figure 1 A conventional trimmer 100 is shown. The trimmer 100 may include a motor 102, a shaft 104, a cutting head 106, a protective cover 108, a handle 110, and a trigger 112. The motor 102 is the power source driving the cutting mechanism. Depending on the type of trimmer, the motor 102 may be powered by gasoline or electricity. The shaft 104 connects the motor 102 to the cutting head 106 and, depending on the model, may be straight or curved. In some cases, the shaft 104 is typically made of aluminum or steel for durability. The motor provides rotational motion, which is transmitted to the shaft 104.

[0005] As the name suggests, the cutting head 106 performs the cutting action. The cutting head 106 typically uses a flexible monofilament 114 made of nylon, which rotates at high speed to cut grass and weeds. Other types of more rigid cutting wires or blades may also be used. A guard 108 is a safety feature to prevent debris from flying and hitting the user. The guard is typically made of plastic and is located between the cutting head 106 and the handle 110. The handle 110 is where the user grips the trimmer 100. It can be ergonomically designed for comfortable use, and some models have an adjustable handle to accommodate different user heights. A trigger 112 is located on the handle 110 and controls the speed of the cutting head 106. Squeezing the trigger 112 will increase the speed of the cutting head 106, while releasing the trigger 112 will slow down the cutting head 106 or stop it completely.

[0006] Trimmer 100 is a "protruding head" trimmer. The protruding head attachment on the trimmer allows the user to quickly and easily dispense more trimming thread as the trimming thread wears during use. The protruding head typically includes a roll of trimming thread wound on a spool inside the head. During use, when the thread wears, the user can "protrude" the head to release more thread from the spool. This allows the user to continue trimming without stopping and manually adjusting the thread length.

[0007] Many conventional trimmers have interchangeable heads, which allows the use of different cutting devices. Some common cutting heads include cord trimmer heads, bush trimmer blades, hedge trimmer attachments, and trimmer attachments. Figure 2 An exemplary bush cutter blade head 200 is shown, which includes a metal bush cutting blade 202. Figure 3 A shrub cutter blade head 300 is shown, which includes a nylon shrub cutter tri-blade 302. Shrub cutter blades are heavier-duty cutting heads that use metal blades to cut dense vegetation, shrubs, and seedlings. A hedge trimmer attachment is an accessory that allows a trimmer to be used as a hedge trimmer. Hedge trimmer attachments typically have longer, toothed cutting blades to cut branches and leaves. An edging attachment is an attachment that allows a trimmer to be used as an edging machine to trim the edges of sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces. A cultivator attachment is an attachment that allows a trimmer to be used as a cultivator to loosen and till the soil in garden nurseries.

[0008] What is needed is a trimmer system that allows for easy attachment and removal of trimmer accessories. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Specific embodiments will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In some cases, the same reference numerals may be used to indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may use elements and / or components not shown in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms are used interchangeably depending on the context.

[0010] Figure 1 A conventional trimmer is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A prior art pruning machine with a steel circular saw blade attached is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A prior art trimmer with a nylon three-bladed blade is shown.

[0013] Figure 4 A trimmer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of a portion of the trimmer.

[0015] Figure 6A It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and part of the accessories of the trimmer are separated at time t0.

[0016] Figure 6B It shows Figure 4The mounting base and part of the accessories of the trimmer were separated at time t1.

[0017] Figure 6C It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and part of the accessories of the trimmer are in the attachment period at time t2.

[0018] Figure 6D It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and part of the accessories of the trimmer were attached at time t3.

[0019] Figure 7A It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and some accessories of the trimmer were disassembled at time t4.

[0020] Figure 7B It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and part of the accessories of the trimmer were being disassembled at time t5.

[0021] Figure 7C It shows Figure 4 The mounting base and some accessories of the trimmer were removed at time t6.

[0022] Figure 8 An exemplary mounting base according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Figure 9 Exemplary attachments according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure are shown.

[0024] Figure 10 Another exemplary appendix is ​​shown according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 11 Another exemplary appendix is ​​shown according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The trimmer system according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure enables easy attachment and removal of trimmer accessories, in some cases without the need to remove bolts and washers. In this way, this disclosure generally relates to a trimmer system in which multiple accessories can be detachably fastened to a mounting base, in some cases without the need for bolts and washers.

[0027] Now turn to the attached diagram. Figure 4A trimmer 400 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The trimmer 400 includes a motor 102, a shaft 104, a cutting head 402, a protective cover 108, a handle 110, and a trigger 112. The cutting head 404 includes a flexible monofilament 114 made of nylon that rotates at high speed to cut grass and weeds. The trimmer 400 is referenced above. Figure 1 The difference between the trimmer 100 and the trimmer 400 discussed is that the trimmer 400 includes a mounting base and accessories. This will combine... Figures 5 to 11 To provide a more detailed description.

[0028] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A magnified view of part 404 of the trimmer 400. (See image) Figure 5 As shown, the trimmer 400 includes an angle connector 502, a mounting base 504, and an accessory 506. The angle connector 502 can be any device or system configured to transmit rotational motion of the shaft 104 to rotation of the mounting base 504. A non-limiting example of the angle connector 503 includes a combination of bevel gears. The bevel gear has angled teeth to allow it to mesh at an angle with another bevel gear. When one bevel gear rotates, it transmits rotational motion to the other bevel gear, causing it to rotate in different planes or axes. Bevel gears can have different configurations depending on the angle of the teeth, as well as the size and shape of the gears. These bevel gears are commonly used in machinery and mechanical equipment where power needs to be transmitted between two axes that are not collinear with each other.

[0029] Mounting base 504 is configured to be mounted to shaft 104. Accessory 506 is configured to be releasably fastened to mounting base 504. Specifically, mounting base 504 includes orifices 508 and 512 on its outer circumferential sidewalls. Orifice 508 is configured to provide a shortened sidewall portion 510, and orifice 512 is configured to provide a shortened sidewall portion 510. Mounting base 506 includes: a resilient retaining clip 516 configured to be releasably locked into orifice 508; and a resilient retaining clip 518 configured to be releasably locked into orifice 512, for releasably fastening accessory 506 to mounting base 504. In this way, accessory 506 can be attached to mounting base 504 via a "quick-release" system.

[0030] During operation, the motor 102 provides rotational motion to the shaft 104. Therefore, the rotation of the shaft 104 causes the mounting base 504 to rotate together with the accessory 506.

[0031] Figure 6A It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and part 520 of the accessory 506 are separated at time t0. Figure 6AAs shown, orifice 508 includes an engagement lip 602 perpendicular to the shortened sidewall portion 510. The resilient retaining clip 516 of attachment 506 includes a straight arm portion 604 and a head portion 606. The head portion 606 includes a bevel 608 and a resting lip 610.

[0032] Figure 6B It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and a portion 510 of the accessory 506 are separated at time t1. The resilient retaining clip 516 is configured to deflect in the direction indicated by arrow 612, for example, by pressing with a user's finger. Thus, when deflected, the ramp 608 is configured to deflect outside the shortened sidewall portion 510 of the mounting base 504.

[0033] Figure 6C It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and a portion 510 of the attachment 506 are in attachment at time t2. When the ramp 608 deflects beyond the shortened sidewall portion 510 of the mounting base 504, the attachment 506 may be pushed into the mounting base 504, for example, by the user, as shown by arrow 614 in the figure. In this state, the head portion 606 of the attachment 506 can slide along the inner surface 616 of the mounting base 504.

[0034] Figure 6D It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and a portion 510 of the accessory 506 are attached at time t3. When the accessory 506 is fully pushed into the mounting base 504, the head portion 606 will extend from the orifice 508, the straight arm portion 604 will "click back" to its original position, and the resting lip 610 of the resilient retaining clip 516 of the accessory 506 will rest on the engaging lip 602 of the mounting base 504, thereby locking the resilient retaining clip 516 into the orifice 508.

[0035] return Figure 5 The elastic retaining clip 518 can be similarly locked into the orifice 512.

[0036] It should be noted that, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, attachment 506 can be easily detached from the mounting base 504. Therefore, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, attachment 506 can be detachably secured to the mounting base 504. This will now be discussed in conjunction with... Figures 7A to 7C The removal of accessory 506 from mounting base 504 is described in more detail.

[0037] Figure 7A It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and part 510 of the accessory 506 are disassembled starting at time t4. Figure 7AAs shown, the resilient retaining clip 516 is configured to deflect in the direction indicated by arrow 702, for example, by being pressed by a user's finger. In this state, the head portion 606 of the resilient retaining clip 516 can disengage from the engagement lip 602 of the mounting base 504.

[0038] Figure 7B It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and a portion 510 of the attachment 506 are in disassembly at time t5. In this state, the user can pull the attachment 506 away from the mounting base 504 in the direction indicated by arrow 704. In this way, in this state, the head portion 606 of the attachment 506 can slide along the inner surface 616 of the mounting base 504.

[0039] Figure 7C It shows Figure 4 The mounting base 504 of the trimmer 400 and a portion 510 of the accessory 506 are detached at time t6. In this state, the accessory 506 has been removed from the mounting base 504. At this time, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, another type of accessory can be detachably fastened to the mounting base 504.

[0040] Figure 8 An exemplary mounting base 800 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The mounting base 800 may be similar to the mounting base 504. In some cases, the mounting base 800 includes a circular plate 802, a receiving portion 804 centrally located at the circular plate 802, and a circumferential sidewall 806. The circumferential sidewall 806 includes an aperture 808 and an aperture 810. In this non-limiting embodiment, the aperture 808 is disposed at 180° relative to the aperture 810. That is, the aperture 808 may be diametrically opposed to the aperture 810. The aperture 808 is configured to form a shortened sidewall portion 812 in the circumferential sidewall 806. Similarly, the aperture 810 is configured to form a shortened sidewall portion 814 in the circumferential sidewall 806. The apertures 808 and 810 enable attachments to be attached as described above. Figures 6A to 7C The method discussed is similar to that discussed, in which the components are detachably attached to the mounting base 800.

[0041] In some embodiments, the receiving portion 804 is configured to attach to the angle connector 502. In this way, when the mounting base 800 is attached to the angle connector 502, it will rotate with the angle connector 502, which in turn will rotate with the shaft 104, which will be driven to rotate by rotational motion provided by the motor 102. The mounting base 800 also includes a recessed portion 816 centrally located at the receiving portion 804, which is configured to receive a convex insert of an accessory. The connection between the convex insert of the accessory and the recessed portion 816 allows the attached accessory to rotate with the mounting base 800 as the mounting base 800 rotates with the shaft 104.

[0042] In some embodiments, the accessory may have a particularly large mass. In such cases, simply securing the mounting base 800 to the mounting base 504 by the interaction of the retaining clips 516 and 518 with the corresponding shortened sidewall portions 510 and 514 may not be sufficient. Therefore, optional support for the accessory may include auxiliary accessory bolts. For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the mounting base 800 may optionally include a threaded receiving hole 818 configured to receive a threaded bolt, a threaded receiving hole 820 configured to receive a threaded bolt, and a threaded receiving hole 822 configured to receive a threaded bolt, as will be referred to below. Figure 11 Discuss these threaded receiving holes.

[0043] Figure 9 An exemplary attachment 900 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Attachment 900 includes a protrusion body portion 902, a circumferential sidewall 904, a resilient retaining clip 906, and another resilient retaining clip circumferentially opposite the resilient retaining clip 906. The protrusion body portion 902 can be any known conventional protrusion, which includes a trimming line and is configured to release part of the trimming line. The resilient retaining clip 906 is configured to [relevant to the foregoing reference] Figures 6A to 7C The elastic retaining clip 516 discussed operates in a similar manner. Therefore, Annex 900 can be referenced above. Figures 6A to 7C The discussion method can be detachably fastened to Figure 8 The mounting base is 800.

[0044] Figure 10Another exemplary attachment 1000 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Attachment 1000 includes a nylon blade body portion 1002, a circumferential sidewall 1004, a resilient retaining clip 1006, and another resilient retaining clip circumferentially opposite the resilient retaining clip 1006. The nylon blade body portion 1002 can be any known conventional nylon blade head comprising a plurality of nylon blades, one example of which is shown as nylon blade 1008. Although described as nylon, blade 1008 can be any suitable material. The resilient retaining clip 1006 is configured to [reference to the foregoing reference] Figures 6A to 7C The elastic retaining clip 516 discussed operates in a similar manner. Therefore, Annex 1000 can be referenced above. Figures 6A to 7C The discussion method can be detachably fastened to Figure 8 The mounting base 800. In some cases, the accessory 1000 may include one or more pivot posts 1010, and the trimmer line may be configured to pass through an aperture in each of the pivot posts 1010. In this way, the accessory 1000 may be configured to accommodate a fixed length of trimmer line. Thus, the accessory 1000 includes two cutting methods: blades 10008 attached to the pivot posts 1010 and / or the trimmer line.

[0045] Figure 11 Another exemplary attachment 1100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Attachment 1100 includes a blade body portion 1102, a circumferential sidewall 1104, a resilient retaining clip 1106, and another resilient retaining clip circumferentially opposite the resilient retaining clip 1106. The blade body portion 1102 can be any known conventional blade head comprising multiple metal blades (or other more robust blades), one example being shown as a metal blade 1108. The resilient retaining clip 1106 is configured to [represent something] in conjunction with the above references. Figures 6A to 7C The elastic retaining clip 516 discussed operates in a similar manner. Therefore, Annex 1100 can be referenced above. Figures 6A to 7C The discussion method can be detachably fastened to Figure 8 The mounting base is 800.

[0046] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments according to various aspects of this disclosure, additional accessory supports may be included due to the significantly greater mass of the metal blade of the blade head. For example, retaining bolts 1110, 1112, and 1114 may be inserted through the blade body portion 1102 and into the mounting base 800. Specifically, retaining bolt 1110 may be inserted through bolt hole 1116 of the blade body portion 1102, retaining bolt 1112 may be inserted through bolt hole 1118 of the blade body portion 1102, and retaining bolt 1114 may be inserted through bolt hole 1102. See also... Figure 8The retaining bolt 1110 can be screwed into the threaded receiving hole 818, the retaining bolt 1112 can be screwed into the threaded receiving hole 820, and the retaining bolt 1114 can be screwed into the threaded receiving hole 822. In this way, the retaining bolts 1110, 1112, and 1114 provide auxiliary accessories for attaching accessory 1110 to the mounting base 800, which may be necessary for the additional mass of the metal blade of accessory 1110.

[0047] For conventional trimmers, different functional heads can be attached / removed as needed. However, attaching / removing such functional heads involves a complex and tedious process of removing multiple bolts and nuts. For trimmers according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a single mounting base can communicate with the rotating shaft, and any one of multiple attachments can be removably fastened to the mounting base via a press-fit resilient retaining clip. In this way, in some cases, the cumbersome task of unscrewing bolts to replace functional attachments is eliminated.

[0048] Although specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described, many other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, any function described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Furthermore, although specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of this disclosure may relate to many other device characteristics. Moreover, although embodiments have been described using language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described. Rather, specific features and actions are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing embodiments. Conditional language (e.g., “may,” “can,” “may,” or “will,” etc.), unless specifically stated otherwise or understood in the context of use, is generally intended to convey that some embodiments may include certain features, elements, and / or steps that may not be included in other embodiments. Therefore, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that a feature, element, and / or step is necessary in any way for one or more embodiments.

Claims

1. A rotating device for attachment to a rotating shaft, the rotating device comprising: Mounting base; and appendix, The mounting base includes a circular plate, a receiving portion centrally located at the circular plate, and a circumferential sidewall of the mounting base connected to the circular plate. The circumferential sidewall of the mounting base includes a first opening and a second opening. The accessory includes a circumferential sidewall, which has a first elastic retaining clip and a second elastic retaining clip. The first resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the first orifice, and the second resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the second orifice, so as to releasably fasten the accessory to the mounting base.

2. The rotating device of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a protruding attachment having a trimming line and configured to release a portion of the trimming line.

3. The rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a blade accessory.

4. The rotating device according to claim 3, wherein the blade attachment comprises a non-metallic material.

5. The rotating device according to claim 3, wherein the blade attachment comprises metal.

6. The rotating device according to claim 5, The mounting base also includes a threaded receiving hole. The accessory includes bolt holes and bolts disposed in the bolt holes, and The attachment is configured to be releasably fastened to the mounting base, allowing the bolt to be screwed into the threaded receiving hole.

7. The rotating device according to claim 6, The mounting base further includes a second threaded receiving hole and a third threaded receiving hole. The threaded receiving hole is provided adjacent to the receiving portion. The second threaded receiving hole is located adjacent to the receiving portion. The third threaded receiving hole is provided adjacent to the receiving portion. The threaded receiving hole, the second threaded receiving hole, and the third threaded receiving hole are all radially arranged equally. The threaded receiving hole is circumferentially spaced 120° from the second threaded receiving hole and circumferentially spaced 120° from the third threaded receiving hole. The second threaded receiving hole is circumferentially spaced 120° from the third threaded receiving hole.

8. An apparatus comprising: A motor configured to provide rotational motion; A rotating shaft configured to rotate by the rotational motion provided by the motor; Mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be mounted to the rotating shaft; and appendix, The mounting base includes a circular plate, a receiving portion centrally located on the circular plate and configured to receive the rotation shaft, and a circumferential sidewall of the mounting base connected to the circular plate. The circumferential sidewall of the mounting base includes a first opening and a second opening. The accessory includes a circumferential sidewall, which has a first elastic retaining clip and a second elastic retaining clip. The first resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the first orifice, and the second resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the second orifice, so as to releasably fasten the accessory to the mounting base.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the accessory includes a protruding attachment having a trimming line and configured to release a portion of the trimming line.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the accessory includes a blade accessory.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blade attachment comprises a non-metallic material.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blade attachment comprises metal.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, The mounting base also includes a threaded receiving hole. The accessory includes bolt holes and bolts disposed in the bolt holes, and The attachment is configured to be releasably fastened to the mounting base, allowing the bolt to be screwed into the threaded receiving hole.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, The mounting base further includes a second threaded receiving hole and a third threaded receiving hole. The threaded receiving hole is provided adjacent to the receiving portion. The second threaded receiving hole is located adjacent to the receiving portion. The third threaded receiving hole is provided adjacent to the receiving portion. The threaded receiving hole, the second threaded receiving hole, and the third threaded receiving hole are all radially arranged equally. The threaded receiving hole is circumferentially spaced 120° from the second threaded receiving hole and circumferentially spaced 120° from the third threaded receiving hole. The second threaded receiving hole is circumferentially spaced 120° from the third threaded receiving hole.

15. An apparatus comprising: A motor configured to provide rotational motion; A rotating shaft configured to rotate by the rotational motion provided by the motor; Mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be mounted to the rotating shaft; and appendix, The mounting base includes a circular plate, a receiving portion centrally located on the circular plate and configured to receive the rotation shaft, and a circumferential sidewall of the mounting base connected to the circular plate. The circumferential sidewall of the mounting base includes a first opening and a second opening. The accessory includes a circumferential sidewall, which has a first elastic retaining clip and a second elastic retaining clip. The first resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the first orifice, and the second resilient retaining clip is configured to be releasably locked into the second orifice, so as to releasably fasten the accessory to the mounting base.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the accessory includes a protruding attachment having a trimming line and configured to release a portion of the trimming line.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the accessory includes a blade accessory.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the blade attachment comprises a non-metallic material.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the blade attachment comprises metal.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, The mounting base also includes a threaded receiving hole. The accessory includes bolt holes and bolts disposed in the bolt holes, and The attachment is configured to be releasably fastened to the mounting base, allowing the bolt to be screwed into the threaded receiving hole.

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