Trimmer String Holder

Spare trimmer string can be stored in a trimmer string holder mounted on a trimmer pole via cooperating between a pole nest on the holder and a clamp on opposed sides of the pole. The pole nest supports a hub having spars supporting an annular channel and includes a recess that can include mechanical features to enhance mounting. The holder can be formed from two identical halves, each including respective portions of opposed spars, one respective portion having a projection and the other a recess so that the projection of one is received in the recess of the other.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to carriers or holders for replacement string or line for trimmers used in lawn care, and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to such a holder for spare or replacement string that attaches to the trimmer for which the string is intended.

While some prior art holders for spare trimmer string exist, they generally either store very short lengths of string in a tubular enclosure or are holders for extra spools of string. A holder for lengths between short lengths and full replacement spools is desirable.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein may include an annular wall having a front lip at one edge thereof and a back lip at an opposed edge thereof, together forming an annular channel. A hub within a perimeter of the annular wall can include at least one spar extending from the hub to the back lip, connecting the hub to and supporting the annular wall. The trimmer string holder can also include a pole nest on a back of the hub and a clamp, whereby when the pole nest and the clamp are on opposite sides of a trimmer pole, screws inserted through holes in the clamp and the pole nest move the clamp and the pole nest toward each other and the pole until the clamp and the pole nest squeeze the pole, thereby securing the pole nest and the trimmer string holder to the pole.

Another embodiment of the invention disclosed herein may include a a pole nest configured for mounting on a trimmer pole and a hub having a front and a back, the hub being attached to the pole nest on the back of the hub. An annular channel of the trimmer string holder can be configured to receive trimmer string, and at least one spar can extend from the hub to the annular channel, thereby supporting the annular channel. The trimmer string holder can include a clamp, and when the pole nest and the clamp are on opposite sides of a trimmer pole, screws inserted through holes in the clamp and the pole nest can move the clamp and the pole nest toward each other and the pole until the clamp and the pole nest squeeze the pole, thereby securing the pole nest and the trimmer string holder to the pole.

A method of assembling a trimmer string holder according to embodiments disclosed herein can include forming substantially identical halves, each half including respective portions of an annular wall, respective portions of a hub, and respective portions of opposed spars. The method can further include arranging the substantially identical halves so that respective edges of the halves face each other and attaching the so arranged halves to a pole nest, thereby forming the trimmer string holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a trimmer string holder that mounts on a string trimmer, such as on a pole thereof. Replacement lengths of trimmer string can be carried conveniently on the trimmer thereby. In embodiments, the replacement lengths can take the form of loops and/or coils resting in the trimmer string holder as will be described below.

More particularly, with reference toFIGS. 1-5, a trimmer string holder100according to embodiments can include an annular wall102with a front lip104at one edge of annular wall102and a back wall or back lip106at an opposed edge of annular wall102. Together, annular wall102, front lip104, and back wall/lip106can form an annular channel, such as with a U-shaped cross section, that can store spare trimmer string, such as loops or coils thereof. Neither front lip104nor back wall or back lip106need be continuous so long as together they form an annular channel that can support and/or retain spare trimmer string. Annular wall102is supported on a trimmer pole12via a hub108supported thereon and one or more spars110extending between hub108and back wall/lip106. Hub108can be attached to pole12via a pole nest120on a back of hub108and on one side of pole12, and a clamp124arranged on an opposite side of pole12. Pole nest120can be formed as part of hub108in embodiments, while in other embodiments pole nest120can be a separately formed part attached to hub108by front screws114through corresponding ones of holes112,122in hub108and pole nest120, respectively. In embodiments, pole nest120can include a recess121, which can include a surface shaped to better receive pole12. Additionally, embodiments can include mechanical features123on a surface of recess121that will engage pole12, such as teeth or ridges. Such mechanical features123can enhance attachment of holder100to pole12.

Clamp124can be connected to pole nest120by back screws128extending through holes126in clamp124, and corresponding ones of holes122in pole nest120. In embodiments, back screws128can extend into corresponding ones of holes112in hub108. Back screws128when tightened cause clamp124and pole nest120to move toward and squeeze pole12, thereby securing trimmer string holder100in place on pole12.

Another example of a trimmer string holder100according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein is shown inFIGS. 6-10. Here, trimmer string holder100can include two substantially identical halves100A,100B, which can be advantageous for manufacturing and shipping, for example. Each half100A,100B can include portions of annular wall102, front lip104, and back wall/lip106that become properly arranged and oriented when the halves100A,100B are assembled. In addition, each half100A,100B can include respective portions108A,108B of hub108, as well as respective portions110A,110B of one or more spars110. It should be noted that each half100A,100B can also include one or more complete spars110in embodiments, and each half100A,100B includes respective holes112for receiving front screws114and, in embodiments, back screws128for assembly and mounting of halves100A,100B into trimmer string holder100on pole12.

As with the first example of a trimmer string holder100according to embodiments described above, a pole nest120can hold assembled halves100A,100B on trimmer pole12. As above, in embodiments, pole nest120can include a recess121, which can include a surface shaped to better receive pole12. Additionally, embodiments can include mechanical features123on a surface of recess121that can engage pole12, such as teeth or ridges. Such mechanical features123can enhance attachment of holder100to pole12.

As seen particularly inFIG. 10, each half100A,100B of trimmer string holder100can include a projection130and a recess132. For example, half100A includes a projection130formed in one spar portion110A and a recess132formed in an opposed spar portion110A. Half100B is substantially identical to half100A, so that when edges of spar portions110A,110B face each other, a projection130of each half100A,100B will face a corresponding recess132of the other half100A,100B. By forming projection130and recess132to have corresponding and cooperating profiles, attachment of halves100A,100B to each other, to pole nest120, and to pole12can be enhanced. It should be noted that while one projection130and one recess132are shown inFIG. 5, using two or more of each is within the scope of embodiments.

A method of assembly of the second example of trimmer string holder100can include forming substantially identical halves100A,100B with features as described above, arranging the halves so that a projection130of one extends into a recess132of the other, and attaching the so arranged halves to nest120with front screws114. Assembled halves100A,100B and pole nest120can then be placed against one side of trimmer pole12, such as with trimmer pole12resting against pole nest120, while clamp124can be arranged on an opposite side of trimmer pole12. Back screws128can then be inserted through clamp124and at least pole nest120via holes126,122. Holes122can include threads such that back screws128can be tightened to move clamp124and pole nest120toward pole12and to eventually squeeze pole12, thereby securing trimmer string holder100on pole12. In embodiments in which back screws128extend into holes112of hub108, holes112can include threads in addition to or instead of holes122including threads.