Abstract:
A device allowing a user to removably attach a weed line trimming device to a lawnmower deck, allowing a user to activate the weed trimming device or automatically engaging during the mowing of a yard to trim areas beside the mower while mowing the yard, eliminating duplicate effort and also to relieve the stress of carrying the weed trimming device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,472, filed Sep. 8, 2010. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,472 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A conventional mower is unable to cut grass and weeds immediately surrounding a fixed object, such as trees and buildings. This is because the mower blades are surrounded by the mower deck. Furthermore, the mower deck itself is encumbered by other parts, usually a cowling and wheels. These other parts of the mower create a gap between the fixed object and the cutting area. In this gap, the grass is not cut. To cut this grass a separate weed or grass line trimming device is usually employed to go back and trim the grass near the fixed objects. This second step of trimming the areas near the fixed objects can be time consuming. Although some devices have been developed to attach line trimming devices to lawnmowers, these devices can be difficult to attach to a mower, and once attached, they are not easily removed. Also, these devices generally require robust mounting hardware. Improvements are desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A removable trimming device for a lawnmower is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a trimming device head assembly including a line trimming device head rotatably mounted to a flexible bracket. The flexible bracket may have a magnetized face for removably mounting the trimming device head assembly to the lawnmower. In one embodiment, the device also includes a flexible drive shaft having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected to the line trimming device head. The device may also include an electrical power source including a mounting magnet and an electric motor connected to the second end of the flexible drive shaft. In one embodiment, the electrical power source is configured to provide rotational energy to the line trimming device head through the flexible drive shaft. In one embodiment, the mounting magnet is configured to removably mount the electrical power source to the lawnmower. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a trimming device having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure attached to a riding lawnmower. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the trimming device of  FIG. 1  attached to a push-type lawnmower. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an expanded perspective view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 2  in use as it approaches an object. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 2  in use when in contact with an object. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the trimming device of  FIG. 1  being attached to a push-type lawnmower using an adhesive insert. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is an expanded perspective view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the trimming device and lawnmower of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a schematic top view of the trimming device shown in  FIGS. 2  with an additional trimming head assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a schematic side view of a trimming head assembly of the trimming device shown in  FIG. 1  with an added guide disk. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
         [0017]    The disclosure is related to a removable trimming device attachable to a lawnmower deck. The trimming device can be activated during mowing to trim areas next to the mower. The trimming device can be activated manually or can be configured to automatically activate when contacted by a surface such as a tree or a fence. The trimming device is fastened to the lawn mower by a magnetic contact attachment. As shown, the trimming device allows the individual mowing the lawnmower to trim next to the fixed objects while mowing. This eliminates the second step of backtracking over mowed areas to trim around the fixed objects. 
         [0018]    The disclosed trimming device makes the addition of a weed line trimming device to a conventional riding or push mower very convenient. It allows the user to attach the weed line trimming device with the simple use of a magnet. The magnetic bracket holds the weed line trimming device in places on the side of the mower deck. The weed line trimming device is then easily activated either with a manual switch mounted on the lawnmower controls or with a trigger switch when the weed line trimming device approaches and object and the trigger switch touches the object, as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , a first embodiment of a trimming device  1  is shown attached to a lawnmower  16  having a mowing deck  14 . Within the mowing deck  14  is a cutting blade  16   a  that defines a cutting area  16   b . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the trimming device  1  is attached to a riding lawnmower  16  while in  FIGS. 2-7 , the trimming device  1  is shown as being attached a push-type mower  16 .  FIG. 10  shows a trimming device  1  in which multiple trimming heads are provided. As shown, trimming device  1  includes a power source  10 , a flexible drive shaft  12 , at least one trimming head assembly  18 , and a mounting bracket assembly  22 . The trimming device  1  may also be provided with a contact trigger  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , and/or a manual trigger  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . 
         [0020]    As shown, the trimming head assembly  18  includes a rotatable trimming head  18   a  to which a pair of trimming lines  18   b  spaced 180 degrees apart are attached. The trimming device  1  may have multiple trimming head assemblies  18 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Although two trimming lines  18   b  are shown for each assembly  18 , more or fewer lines are possible. For example, three trimming lines  18   b  spaced 120 degrees apart or four trimming lines  18   b  spaced 90 degrees apart could be used. Trimming lines  18   b  may be in the form of thin flexible plastic lines or wires. In operation, the trimming head  18   a  is rapidly rotated in a horizontal plane, adjacent to fixed rod  18   c , thereby causing the trimming lines  18   b  to rotate as well. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the trimming lines  18   b  are rotated perpendicular to the blades of grass or the stems of weeds, thereby cutting the weeds or grass. As shown, the lines  18   b  extend in a generally horizontal plane from the trimming head  18   a  and define a cutting area  18   e . The cutting area  18   e  may be of any desired diameter, for example from about 3 to about 7 inches, and more preferably from about 5 to about 6 inches. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown, the trimming head assembly  18  has a low profile, meaning the line trimming device is not of the type where the line uncoils from the head, but rather the head or the line its self is manually replaced and provides for a smaller more compact device. As most easily seen at  FIG. 11 , the trimming head assembly  18  may include an integral chuck  18   d  for removably connecting to the trimming head  18   a  to the trimming head assembly  18 . 
         [0023]    As most easily seen at  FIG. 11 , the trimming device  18  may also be provided with a guide disk  18   f  to protect the trimming lines  18   b  from coming into contact with the bottom edge of the lawnmower deck  14  and/or the rotating cutting blade(s)  16   a  of the lawnmower  16 . In one embodiment, the guide disk  18   f  is a solid circular or disk shaped body with a central aperture and is disposed about the rod  18   c  such that it can freely spin when in contact with the trimming head  18   a . In one embodiment, the disk is about 1 to about 4 inches in diameter, and more preferably from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. In one embodiment, the guide disk  18   f  is made from a plastic with high wear potential. It is noted that the guide disk allows the trimming head  18   a  to be mounted higher with respect to the bottom edge of the deck  14  and the lawnmower blade(s)  16   a , as the risk of interference between these components and the trimming lines  18   b  is reduced by the presence of the disk  18   f.    
         [0024]    A power source  10 , via drive shaft  12  (discussed later), provides rotational energy to the trimming head  18   a . In one embodiment, power source  10  includes a rechargeable battery  10   a  and an electric motor  10   b  in electrical communication with battery  10   a . As can be seen at  FIG. 4 , battery  10   a  and electric motor  10   b  are disposed in a weatherproof housing  10   c . However, it is noted that battery  10   a  and motor  10   b  could be located separately, for example, motor  10   b  could be mounted proximate to the trimming head  18   a  in a direct drive application wherein electrical cabling could take the place of the drive shaft  12 . The power source  10  rechargeable battery  10   a  may be of any type suitable for powering an electric motor, for example a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. With respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , the power source  10  may be provided with two output sources, for example two electrical motors  10   b  coupled to two drive shafts  12 . 
         [0025]    In other embodiments, the power source  10  may be the lawnmower engine  16   a  itself, a separate internal combustion engine, or a hydraulic system including hydraulic motors powered by the lawnmower  16  or the separate engine. Additionally, the lawnmower  16  can be configured to maintain the charge in the power source  10 , where the power source  10  is a battery. 
         [0026]    The power source  10  may be configured to be removably attachable to the lawnmower  16 . For example, power source  10  may be provided with a magnetic base mounting magnet  10   d . As shown, magnetic base  10   d  allows for the power source to be located on a variety of surfaces of a lawnmower, for example, the fender of a riding lawnmower  16  (see  FIG. 1 ) or the deck  14  of a push-type mower  16  (see  FIG. 2 ). As shown, the magnetic base  10   d  is connected to and supports the housing  10   c . In one embodiment, the magnetic base  10   d  includes a rare earth magnet formed from rare earth elements. In one embodiment, the magnetic base  10   d  is made from a flexible material. 
         [0027]    The rotatable trimming head  18   a  of the trimming device  1  may be activated in a number of ways, for example by a manual switch and/or an automatic switch. As most easily seen at  FIGS. 2 and 3 , trimming device  1  is provided with both a manual switch  24  and an automatic switch  20 . The manual switch  24  may be configured to move between an ON position and an OFF position wherein the trimming head is activated in the ON position and prevented from being activated in the OFF position. The manual switch may also have an AUTOMATIC position in which the automatic switch  20  is allowed to activate the rotatable trimming head  18   a . Alternatively, the power source can be configured with an ON/OFF switch that allows the automatic switch  20  to control power to the trimming head  18   a . Other configurations are possible. In the automatic operating mode, the rotatable trimming head  18   a  is activated when the automatic switch  20  comes into contact with an object  28 , for example a tree or building. 
         [0028]    The operation of automatic switch with respect to an object  28  is most easily seen at  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As shown, automatic switch  20  includes a helical spring that, when sufficiently bent (see  FIG. 6 ), closes the contacts of an electric circuit including the battery  10   a  and the electrical motor  10   b . As shown, when not bent, the automatic switch  20  extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the trimming head  18   a.    
         [0029]    As stated previously, a drive shaft  12  may be provided to transmit rotational power from the power source  10  to the trimming head  18   a  of the trimming head assembly  18 . In one embodiment, the drive shaft  12  includes an outer protective casing  12   a  and an internal shaft portion  12   b  (see  FIG. 11 ) that is rotatable within the casing wherein both the shaft and casing are flexible. In one embodiment, the flexible shaft portion  12   b  is a steel cable. As shown, the shaft portion  12   b  of the drive shaft  12  is mechanically coupled to the trimming head  18   a  and the outer casing is secured to or within the fixed rod  18   c . In one embodiment, the fixed rod  18   c  and the outer protective casing  12   a  are the same component while in others a connection point within the bracket  22  is provided. It is noted that in some applications, for example where the location between the power source  10  and the trimming head assembly is predetermined or fixed, that drive shaft  12  may be rigid instead of flexible. 
         [0030]    The trimming device  1  further includes a mounting bracket assembly  22 . Mounting bracket assembly  22  is for magnetically securing the trimming head assembly  18  to a part of a lawnmower  16 , for example to a lawnmower deck  14 . As configured, the trimming head  18   a  is rotatably mounted to the flexible bracket  22  such that it is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket assembly  22 . In such an embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly  22  remains stationary with respect to the lawnmower  16  when the trimming head  18   a  is activated, as can be seen most easily at  FIG. 6 . As shown, the bracket  22  has a base part  22   a , a magnetic part  22   b , and a contact face  22   c.    
         [0031]    The contact face  22   c  is that portion of the bracket  22  which is configured to come into direct contact with the lawnmower surface to which the bracket is attached. As shown, the contact face  22   c  has a rectangular shape and is formed from a portion of the base part  22   a  and a portion of the magnetic part  22   b . The base part  22   a  may be formed from a flexible material, such as a molded plastic. In one embodiment, the magnetic part  22   b  may be a rare earth magnet formed from rare earth elements and may be provided in flexible form in conjunction with a flexible base part  22   a  to allow the mounting bracket contact face  22   c  to flexibly conform to the contours of a mower deck  14 . In one embodiment, the magnetic part  22   b  may include a plurality of spaced rigid magnets secured to a flexible base part  22   a  to allow the mounting bracket contact face  22   c  to flexibly conform to the contours of a mower deck  14 . In one embodiment, the base part  22   a  is molded over the magnet part  22   b . The flexibility of the bracket  22  is beneficial as the same trimming device  1  can be used to conform to the varying surfaces of a number of different types and styles of lawnmowers for maximum securement. As such, it is anticipated that magnetically attaching the weed line trimming device  1  will allow for easy installation and removal to different mowers. 
         [0032]    It is also noted that the mounting bracket base part  22   a  is configured such that, when viewed from above, the trimming lines  18   b  extend beyond a plane  22   d  defined by the contact face  22   c  of the mounting bracket  22 . This configuration allows for the trimming lines  18   b  to extend below the deck  14  of the lawnmower  16  when so attached. This configuration also allows for the rotational axis of the trimming head  18   a  to be parallel to and proximate to the plane  22   d  defined by the contact face  22   c , which reduces the moment and normal forces exerted on the magnetized connection between the bracket  22  and the lawnmower deck  14 . As such, a more secure connection results. In one embodiment, the rotational axis of the trimming head  18   a  is less than about 2 inches from the contact face plane  22   d . Additionally, as the power source  10  is remote from the mounting bracket  22  in some embodiments, the mounting bracket  22  only needs to support the weight of the trimming head assembly  18 , which also results in a more secure connection. 
         [0033]    When the mounting bracket  22  is fastened to the side of the lawnmower deck, the weed line trimming device will be in a position horizontal to the ground and ready to trim weeds or grass. With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the mounting bracket(s)  22  may be mounted to a lawnmower deck  14  such that the cutting area  18   e  of the trimming device  1  extends beneath the deck  14  and overlaps with the cutting area  16   b  defined by the lawnmower cutting blade  16   a . With reference to  FIG. 10 , which shows a pair of trimming devices  1 , the mounting brackets  22  may be mounted to a lawnmower deck such that the cutting areas  18   e  either extends (lower device) or does not extend (upper device) past a vertical plane  14   a  defined by the knock-off portion or lateral side of the lawnmower deck  14 . It is also noted that, trimming devices  1  could be mounted on each corner, for example four corners, of a lawnmower deck, if desired. 
         [0034]    In applications where a lawnmower deck  14  is produced from a non-metallic material, such as plastic, and insert  26  may be used to allow mounting bracket  22  to be affixed to the lawnmower. Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , insert  26  is shown as having an adhesive first side  26   a  and a metallic second side  26   b , wherein the adhesive first side  26   a  is adhesively mounted to the curved side surface of the mowing deck  14  and the metallic second side  26   b  is configured to engage with the contact face  22   c  of the bracket  22 . In one embodiment insert  26  is a metallic component to which an adhesive is applied to one side. As can be seen at  FIGS. 7-9 , the insert  26  has a generally rectangular shape similar to that of the contact face  22   c  and also has a surface area A that is greater than the surface area B of the contact face  22   c  of the bracket  22 . However, it is noted that the insert  26  may be configured to have a surface area that is the same as or less than that of the contact face  22   c . Furthermore, it is noted that insert  26  may be used with a metallic lawnmower deck  14 , such as may be the case where the existing metallic lawnmower deck surface is insufficient (e.g. rusted, bent, etc.) for magnetized attachment. 
         [0035]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.