Abstract:
A trimmer head, a line holder and a method. The head may include a housing rotatable about an axis; a line holder supported by the housing, the line holder defining a first receptacle, a second receptacle separated from the first receptacle and an opening communicating with the first receptacle and the second receptacle; and a line supportable by the line holder, the line having a first end and an opposite second end, the line being folded to provide a first line section from the first end toward a folded portion and a second line section from the second end toward the folded portion, the folded portion being insertable into the opening, the first line section being received in the first receptacle, the second line section being received in the second receptacle.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to trimmers and, more particularly, to trimmer heads and line holders for string trimmers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Generally, trimmers are used to cut grass and weeds, and are often used to edge around trees, near fences and walls, and along landscape borders. Conventional string trimmers include an elongated shaft with a rotating element or gear head near the end of the elongated shaft, and a spool or string head is attached to the gear head. Typically, the string head includes a trimmer line that is rotated by the gear head for cutting and trimming along landscaped areas, fences, and walls. 
         [0003]    In one independent aspect, a trimmer head for use with a trimmer may generally include a housing rotatable about an axis; a line holder supported by the housing, the line holder defining a first receptacle, a second receptacle separated from the first receptacle and an opening communicating with the first receptacle and the second receptacle; and a line supportable by the line holder, the line having a first end and an opposite second end, the line being folded to provide a first line section from the first end toward a folded portion and a second line section from the second end toward the folded portion, the folded portion being insertable into the opening, the first line section being received in the first receptacle, the second line section being received in the second receptacle. 
         [0004]    In another independent aspect, a line holder for a trimmer head may generally include a body defining a first receptacle, a second receptacle separated from the first receptacle and an opening communicating with the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the body including a projection separating the first receptacle from the second receptacle, a line being supportable by the line holder, the line having a first end and an opposite second end, the line being folded to provide a first line section from the first end toward a folded portion and a second line section from the second end toward the folded portion, the folded portion being insertable into the opening and positionable around the projection, the first line section being received in the first receptacle, the second line section being received in the second receptacle. 
         [0005]    In yet another independent aspect, a method of assembling a trimmer head may be provided. The head may include a housing, a line holder and a line, the housing being rotatable about an axis and having an outer periphery, the line holder defining a first receptacle, a second receptacle separated from the first receptacle and an opening communicating with the first receptacle and the second receptacle, the body including a projection separating the first receptacle from the second receptacle, the line having a first end and an opposite second end. The method may generally include supporting the line holder on the housing; folding the line to provide a first line section from the first end toward a folded portion and a second line section from the second end toward the folded portion; inserting, from beyond the outer periphery, the folded portion into the opening; and thereafter, positioning the folded portion around the projection, the first line section in the first receptacle and the second line section in the second receptacle. 
         [0006]    Other independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trimmer, such as a string trimmer, for use with a trimmer head. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a trimmer head for use with the trimmer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the head shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the head shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the head of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a portion of the head of  FIG. 2  illustrating the line removed from the line holder. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7A-7B  are top perspective views of the head of  FIG. 2  illustrating insertion of the line. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8A-8B  are views of the rear face of the line holder of the head of  FIG. 2  illustrating insertion of the line. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the head of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of an enlarged portion of the head of  FIG. 2  illustrating a retainer for the line holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the housing of the head of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the housing shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of a line holder of the head of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the line holder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is an end view of the line holder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the line holder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the line holder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the line holder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of an alternative construction of a trimmer head for use with a trimmer. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view of the head of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the head of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a bottom perspective view of an enlarged portion of the head of  FIG. 19  illustrating a retainer for the line holder. 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is a bottom perspective view of an enlarged portion of the head of  FIG. 19  illustrating operation of the retainer. 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  is a top perspective view of a line holder for the head of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  is an end view of the line holder of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  is a top perspective view of an alternative construction of a line holder for a trimmer head. 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  is a bottom perspective view of the line holder of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  is an end view of the line holder of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the line holder of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  is a top view of the line holder of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the line holder of  FIG. 31 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 32  is a top perspective view of another alternative construction of a trimmer head for use with a trimmer. 
           [0039]      FIG. 33  is a top view of the head of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of a line holder for the head of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 35  is a bottom perspective view of the line holder of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 36  is an end view of the line holder of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 37  is a side view of the line holder of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 38  is a top view of the line holder of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 39  is a bottom view of the line holder of  FIG. 34 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0047]    Use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 2-9  illustrate a trimmer head  10  for use on an exemplary string trimmer T shown in  FIG. 1 . The trimmer T generally includes a shaft S with a handle H toward one end and a motor housing M enclosing an electric motor (not shown) with a motor-driven output or drive shaft (not shown) for connection to a trimmer head on the other end. Various powered trimmers (e.g., battery-powered, gas-powered, etc.) may be used with the trimmer head  10 . 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-8 , the trimmer head  10  includes a housing  14  supporting one or more line holders  18  (two in the illustrated construction). Each line holder  18  is operable to selectively retain a folded trimmer line  22  for cutting vegetation during operation of the trimmer T and rotation of the head  10 . 
         [0050]    The housing  14  includes a wall  26  extending to an outer periphery  30 . A cylindrical projection  32  is connected to the drive shaft of the trimmer T via attachment structure (not shown) to cause rotation of the trimmer head  10  about an axis A. The housing  14  defines (see  FIGS. 9-12 ) an opening  34  for each line holder  18 , and a rim  38  is provided about each opening  34 . 
         [0051]    The line holder  18  is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 13-18 . Each line holder  18  includes a body  42  and a post  46 . The body  42  includes (see  FIG. 15 ) a wall  50  and a projection  54  cooperating to define line receptacles  58   a ,  58   b  and an opening  62 . The projection  54  separates the receptacles  58   a ,  58   b , and the opening  62  communicates with the receptacles  58   a ,  58   b  through respective passages  66   a ,  66   b.    
         [0052]    The receptacles  58   a ,  58   b , the opening  62  and the projection  54  are generally arranged in an inverted V shape. The wall  50  converges from each receptacle  58   a ,  58   b  towards the opening  62 . Also, on each side, the illustrated projection  54  defines an undercut  70   a ,  70   b.    
         [0053]    As illustrated, the construction of the wall  50  and the projection  54  define each receptacle  58   a ,  58   b  to narrow into the associated passage  66   a ,  66   b  and in a direction at an angle relative to the pivot axis P. The illustrated line holder  18  is symmetrical relative to a plane defined by the page in  FIG. 15  such that either face of the line holder  18  (e.g., the face illustrated in  FIG. 15  or the opposite face (not shown)) may be oriented toward the outer periphery  30 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the post  46  is received in an associated opening  34 . In the illustrated construction, the line holder  18  is supported for pivoting movement about a pivot axis P parallel to the axis A. The illustrated line holder  18  is fully pivotable about the axis P. Centrifugal force on the line  22  supported by the line holder  18  tends to pivot the line holder  18  so that the line  22  extends outwardly during operation. 
         [0055]    A retainer  74  retains the line holder  18  on the housing  14 . In the illustrated construction, the retainer  74  includes flexible fingers  78  biased radially outwardly to releasably engage the rim  38  (as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 ) and flexing inwardly to allow the post  46  to move into and out of the opening  34 . In other constructions, the retainer  74  may include different structure to releasably retain (see  FIGS. 20-23 , described below) or to permanently retain (not shown) the line holder  18  relative to the housing  14 . 
         [0056]    Each line  22  has (see  FIG. 1 ) opposite ends  82   a ,  82   b  and (see  FIGS. 6 and 7A ) is folded at an intermediate portion  86  to provide line sections  90   a ,  90   b . As illustrated, each line  22  has a round cross-section. It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the line(s)  22  may have a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., square, flat, star, etc.). In addition, the outer surface of each line  22  is illustrated as smooth. In other constructions (not shown), the outer surface may be non-smooth (e.g., have teeth, serrations, etc.). 
         [0057]    To support the line  22  in the associated line holder  18 , the folded portion  86  may be inserted from outside of the housing  14  (from beyond the outer periphery  30 ) into the opening  62 . Thereafter, the folded portion  86  is moved downwardly around the projection  54  and the line sections  90   a ,  90   b  move through the respective passages  66   a ,  66   b  into the respective receptacles  58   a ,  58   b . To remove the line  22  from the line holder  22 , the process may be reversed. 
         [0058]    The passages  66   a ,  66   b  may be sized to allow movement of the line  22  between the opening  62  and the receptacles  58   a ,  58   b . In such constructions, the passages  66   a ,  66   b  may inhibit movement from the receptacles  58   a ,  58   b  toward the opening  62  so that the line  22  is not disengaged during use. 
         [0059]    When the passages  66   a ,  66   b  are sized/constructed to prevent movement of the portions of the line  22  between the opening  62  and the receptacles  58   a ,  58   b , structure defining the passages  66   a ,  66   b  may be movable (e.g., flexible) relative to other structure to allow such movement. For example, the projection  54  may move (e.g., flex) to one side (toward the second receptacle  58   b ) to allow the first line section  90   a  to pass through the passage  66   a  and into the receptacle  58   a  and then to the other side (toward the first receptacle  58   a ) to allow the second line section  90   b  to pass. In a similar manner (additionally or alternatively), the wall  50  may move (e.g., flex) relative to the projection  54  to allow the line sections  90   a ,  90   b  to pass. The line  22  may also be compressible to pass through the narrowed passages  66   a ,  66   b.    
         [0060]    It should be understood that the line  22  may be installed/removed in a different manner. For example, the opposite ends  82   a ,  82   b  of the line  22  can be inserted from the rear face of the line holder  18 , into and through the respective receptacles  58   a ,  58   b  until the folded portion  86  is positioned around the projection  54 . Insertion of the line  22  can be done, when the trimmer head  10  is removed from the trimmer T, from inside the housing  18  in a direction from the axis A, rather than from outside. Alternatively, this can be done from outside the housing  18 , and, after insertion of the line  22 , the line holder  18  can be pivoted so that the line sections  90   a ,  90   b  extend outwardly. 
         [0061]    As another example, one end  82   a  or  82   b  can be inserted into the opposite receptacle  58   b  or  58   a , routed around the projection  54  and through the associated receptacle  58   a  or  58   b  until the folded portion  86  is positioned around the projection  54 . If installation is done with the trimmer head  10  connected to the trimmer T, during installation, the line holder  18  can be pivoted to allow access to the end  82   a  or  82   b  being threaded and to facilitate installation. 
         [0062]    In operation of the trimmer head  10 , a user may insert the line  22  into the corresponding line holder  18  from outside of the housing  14  (from beyond the outer periphery  30 ). Accordingly, installation of the folded line  22  does not require the trimmer head  10  to be disengaged from the trimmer T for access to the interior of the line holder  18 . With the line(s)  22  installed, the user may then operate the trimmer T to cut vegetation. When necessary (e.g., when a line  22  is worn, damaged, etc.), the user may remove the line  22  as discussed above and install a replacement line  22 . 
         [0063]    If a line  22  contacts an obstruction while cutting, the line holder  18  can pivot to, for example, prevent damage to the trimmer head  10 , the line holder  18 , the line  22 , etc. In addition, the line  22  may move relative to the line holder  18  when contacting an obstruction. In such cases, the leading line section (e.g., the line section  90   a ) will be pushed into the associated undercut (e.g., the undercut  70   a ). Meanwhile, the trailing line section (e.g., the line section  90   b ) will be pushed against the wall  50  and away from the associated passage (e.g., the passage  66   b ). Such movement of the line sections  90   a ,  90   b  may inhibit the line  22  from disengaging the line holder  18 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 19-25  illustrate an alternative construction of a trimmer head  10 A and a line holder  18 A for use with a powered trimmer, such as the trimmer T. Common elements have the same reference number “A”. The description of the common elements, components and features is similar to the corresponding above description, except as contradicted below. 
         [0065]    In the illustrated alternative construction, the structure of the line holder  18 A for retaining a line  22 A is the same as described above for the line holder  18 . The line  22 A is installed and removed as described above for the line  22  and the line holder  18 . 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 20-25 , a different retainer  74 A is provided to retain the line holder  18 A on the housing  14 A. As illustrated, the retainer  74 A includes a groove  94  defined in the post  46 A and a retaining ring  98  selectively engageable in the groove  94  and against the rim  38 A of the housing  14 A. After the post  46 A is inserted into the opening  34 A, the ring  98  is engaged in the groove  90  to retain the line holder  18 A. The ring  98  is disengaged from the groove  94  to remove the line holder  18 A. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 19-25  illustrate another alternative construction of a line holder  18 B. The line holder  18 B may be used with the housing  14  or  14 A and the line  22  or  22 A, as described above, and with a powered trimmer, such as the trimmer T. Common elements have the same reference number “B”. The description of the common elements, components and features is similar to the corresponding above description, except as contradicted below. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 28 , the line holder  18 B includes a wall  50 B defining the receptacles  58 Ba,  58 Bb. Protrusions  102  define a narrowed opening  106  between the receptacles  58 Ba,  58 Bb. In the illustrated construction, the narrowed opening  106  is sized to inhibit passage of the line therethrough. 
         [0069]    In the illustrated construction, a folded line (not shown but similar to the line  22  or  22 A) is inserted into the rear face of the line holder  18 B (e.g., from inside the housing (not shown) in a direction from the axis, rather than from outside (as with the line holders  18 ,  18 A)). The opposite ends of the line are inserted into and through the respective receptacles  58 Ba,  58 Bb until the folded portion is positioned around the protrusions  102 . Alternatively, one end of the line can be inserted into the opposite receptacle  58 Bb or  58 Ba, routed around the protrusions  102  and through the associated receptacle  58 Ba or  58 Bb until the folded portion is positioned around the protrusions  102 . 
         [0070]    In other constructions, structure defining narrowed opening  106  may be movable (e.g., flexible) relative to other structure to allow such insertion but to inhibit removal during operation of the trimmer T. For example, the protrusion(s)  102  may move (e.g., flex) relative to one another to allow the folded portion of the line to pass through the opening  106 . 
         [0071]    The illustrated line holder  18 B is operable with the retainer  74 A described above and shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . However, in other constructions (not shown), the line holder  18 B may be constructed with the retainer  74  shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 32-39  illustrate another alternative construction of a trimmer head  10 C and a line holder  18 C for use with a powered trimmer, such as the trimmer T. Common elements have the same reference number “C”. The description of the common elements, components and features is similar to the corresponding above description, except as contradicted below. 
         [0073]    In the illustrated construction (see  FIGS. 32-33 ), the line holder  10 C is used with a straight line  22 C providing a single cutting line section  90 C. As shown in  FIGS. 34 and 36 , the line holder  18 C includes a wall  50 C defining a receptacle  58 C for the line  22 C. A groove  110  is defined in the lower wall portion between the inner and outer faces of the line holder  18 C. 
         [0074]    In the illustrated construction, the line  22 C is inserted into the receptacle  58 C from the rear face of the line holder  18 C (e.g., from inside the housing  14 C in a direction from the axis A, rather than from outside (as with the line holders  18 ,  18 A)). The line  22 C has an enlarged portion  114  sized to be prevented from passing through the receptacle  58 C. 
         [0075]    In other constructions, structure defining receptacle  58 C may be movable (e.g., flexible) relative to other structure to allow movement of the enlarged portion  114  through the receptacle  58 C but to inhibit removal during operation of the trimmer T. For example, an upper portion of the wall  50 C may move (e.g., flex) relative to the lower portion to allow the enlarged portion  114  to pass from the front face, through the receptacle  58 C to the rear face to, thereafter limit movement of the line  22 C out of the receptacle  58 C. 
         [0076]    The illustrated line holder  18 C is operable with the retainer  74 A described above and shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . However, in other constructions (not shown), the line holder  18 C may be constructed with the retainer  74  shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . 
         [0077]    The structure of the housings  14 ,  14 A,  14 C and the line holders  18 ,  18 A,  18 B,  18 C provide a modular arrangement for the trimmer head  10 ,  10 A,  10 C and for the trimmer T. Any of the line holders  18 ,  18 A,  18 B,  18 C may be used with any of the housings  14 ,  14 A,  14 C. One of the line holders  18 ,  18 A,  18 B,  18 C may replace or substituted for another of the line holders  18 ,  18 A,  18 B,  18 C. For example, the line holder  18  with the retainer  74  may replace the line holder  18 A with the retainer  74 A or vice versa. As another example, the line holder  18 ,  18 A,  18 B for a folded line  22 ,  22 A may replace the line holder  18 C for the straight line  22 C or vice versa. 
         [0078]    One or more independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the following claims: