Abstract:
A weed trimmer carriage is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage includes an elongated crossbar, at least one wheel carried by the crossbar and a clamp carried by the crossbar. A weed trimming apparatus is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present invention relates to weed trimmers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a weed trimmer carriage to which a weed trimmer can be attached to render the weed trimmer mobile on a surface. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Weed trimmers are commonly used to cut grass or weeds in areas of a lawn which are inaccessible to a lawnmower. A typical conventional weed trimmer includes an elongated shaft to which is attached a rotatable trimmer head. A trigger-operated motor on the shaft rotates the trimmer head, from which extends a flexible nylon trimmer line. Accordingly, during operation of the motor, the trimmer head rotates and the trimmer line cuts weeds, grass and other vegetation. The operator of the weed trimmer typically grips a handle provided on the shaft to hold the trimmer head over the weeds, grass or other vegetation being cut. This, however, results in fatigue to the operator, particularly during prolonged periods of operating the weed trimmer. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is generally directed to a weed trimmer carriage. An illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage includes an elongated crossbar, at least one wheel carried by the crossbar and a clamp carried by the crossbar. 
   The present invention is also generally directed to a weed trimming apparatus. An illustrative embodiment of the weed trimming apparatus includes a weed trimmer carriage having an elongated crossbar, at least one wheel carried by the crossbar and a clamp carried by the crossbar. A weed trimmer is carried by the clamp. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage, with a weed trimmer (partially in section) attached to the weed trimmer carriage; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage, with a weed trimmer (partially in section) attached to the weed trimmer carriage and more particularly illustrating cutting of grass using the weed trimmer in typical operation of the weed trimmer carriage. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4  of drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the weed trimmer carriage is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The weed trimmer carriage  1  includes a crossbar  2  which may have a generally elongated, curved shape. At least one wheel  7  is provided on the crossbar  2  to impart mobility to the crossbar  2 . A pair of wheels  7  may be provided on the crossbar  2  in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other and may be attached to the crossbar  2  using any of a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a pair of wheel receptacles  3 , each having a rod opening  3   a , may be provided on the crossbar  2 . A wheel rod  4  extends through the rod opening  3   a , and a wheel disk  5  is provided on the wheel rod  4 . A wheel frame  6  extends from the wheel disk  5 , and the wheel  7  is rotatably mounted in the wheel frame  6 . It is to be understood that alternative structures or techniques known to those skilled in the art may be used to attach the wheel or wheels  7  to the crossbar  2 . 
   A clamp  18 , the purpose of which will be hereinafter described, is provided on the crossbar  2  using any of a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art. For example, a pair of clamp braces  10  may extend from the crossbar  2 . The clamp braces  10  may extend toward each other in a tapered or pitched configuration. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pair of brace flanges  11  extends from the clamp braces  10 , respectively, in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. A clamp plate  14  is provided between the brace flanges  11  of the respective clamp braces  10 . A clamp adjustment fastener  16  extends through registering openings (not shown) provided in the brace flanges  11  and clamp plate  14  and may be selectively tightened and loosened to facilitate re-positioning of the clamp plate  14 , for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
   The clamp  18  includes a base clamp section  19  which is attached to the clamp plate  14  and a pivoting clamp section  19   a  which is pivotally attached to the base clamp section  19 . The base clamp section  19  and the pivoting clamp section  19   a  may each have a generally elongated, curved shape. Clamp flanges  20  typically extend from the respective base clamp section  19  and pivoting clamp section  19   a . Clamp fasteners  21  extend through respective fastener openings (not shown) provided in the clamp flanges  20  to facilitate fastening of the pivoting clamp section  19   a  to the base clamp section  19  in the closed configuration of the clamp  18 . The axial position of the clamp  18  may be adjusted, as deemed necessary, by loosening the clamp adjustment fastener  16 ; pivoting the clamp plate  14  between the brace flanges  11 ; and re-tightening the clamp adjustment fastener  16 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 2 and 5  of the drawings, in typical use, a weed trimmer  26  is attached to the weed trimmer carriage  1  to facilitate support and transport of the weed trimmer  26  on the ground  32  as the weed trimmer  26  is operated to cut grass  34 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The weed trimmer  26  may be conventional and typically includes an elongated shaft  27 . A rotating trimmer head  28  is provided on one end of the shaft  27 . A nylon trimmer line  29  is extendable from the trimmer head  28 . A trimmer guard  30  is provided on the shaft  27  and shields the trimmer head  28 . A motor (not shown) provided on the shaft  27  rotates the trimmer head  28  typically responsive to operation of a trigger (not shown) provided on the shaft  27 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the weed trimmer  26  is attached to the weed trimmer carriage  1  typically by fastening the shaft  27  of the weed trimmer  26  in the clamp  18  of the weed trimmer carriage  1 . The wheel or wheels  7  of the weed trimmer carriage  1  rest on the ground  32 . Accordingly, the clamp  18  supports the shaft  27  at a sloped angle in such a manner that the trimmer head  28  is supported just above the ground  32 . The height of the trimmer head  28  above the ground  32  can be adjusted, as deemed necessary, by pivoting the clamp  18  with respect to the brace flanges  11  of the respective clamp braces  10 . This is accomplished by loosening the clamp adjustment fastener  16  to facilitate adjustment and re-tightening the clamp adjustment fastener  16  after adjustment. Throughout operation of the weed trimmer  26 , the trimmer head  28  and trimmer line  29  are rotated to cut grass  34  as the wheel or wheels  7  of the weed trimmer carriage  1  is/are rolled along the ground  32 . This prevents fatigue of the operator since it is not necessary for the operator to hold the shaft  27  with the trimmer head  28  above the ground  32 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.