Cutlery – Cutting tools – With blade moving means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-12-04
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Cutting tools
With blade moving means
C030S277000, C030S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324765
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device which may be attached to a weed trimmer shaft to protect tree trunks, wooden fences and similar objects from being damaged by a weed trimmer line.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Weed trimmers are used to cut grass, weeds and similar unwanted vegetation around sidewalks, trees, fences and other confined areas that a lawn mower cannot reach. A conventional weed trimmer typically includes a head having a line that is rapidly rotated to cut the unwanted vegetation. However, the line must often be positioned near fences, tree trunks, flowers, shrubbery and similar fragile objects which can be severely or fatally damaged if contacted by the line. The present invention overcomes the above described problems associated with conventional weed trimmers by providing a device attachable to the weed trimmer shaft that provides a protective barrier between the cutting line and an object. Various guards and weed trimming accessories exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,542 issued to White, III et al. relates to a trimmer having an improved trimmer head including a spool having a core with ribs thereon. The design prevents contraction of the line from warping or otherwise damaging the spool.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,348 issued to Butler relates to a guard for a weed trimmer. The guard includes an arcuate ring fastened at each end to opposing sides of the trimmer housing. The ring in combination with the trimmer housing forms a completely circular horizontal guard around the periphery of the cutting circle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,627 issued to Trompler et al. relates to a support ski for mounting to a line trimmer to support the trimmer above the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,276 issued to Miller relates to an attachment for a line trimmer including a wheel that provides an edging blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,870 issued to Byrne relates to a trimmer having a guide and guard rotatably mounted inboard of the trimmer cutting head. The guide and guard provide dynamic trimmer indexing on a sidewalk edge for guiding the trimmer vertically and horizontally to form a straight turf edge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,442 issued to Everts relates to a line guard for a weed trimmer designed to protect the weed trimmer operator.
Although Butler, supra, discloses a trimmer guard designed to protect surrounding vegetation, the device has several disadvantages. The device generally provides a barrier that lies in substantially the same horizontal plane as the rotating cutting line. Accordingly, objects above and below the horizontal plane may not be protected if the line deviates therefrom. In addition, the cutting head is not movable towards and away from the guard. Furthermore, the device attaches to the trimmer head with a mounting assembly which is time consuming and cumbersome. The present invention provides a vertically oriented protector plate pivotably attached to a telescoping arm that mounts directly to the trimmer shaft. The telescoping arm is spring biased in an extended position allowing a user to press the plate against a fixed object to selectively move the cutting line closer to the protector plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a weed trimmer guard including an elongated tubular arm attachable to the trimmer shaft. The arm is formed of a plurality of telescoping sections that are spring biased in an extended position. Pivotally attached to a distal end of the arm is a transparent protector plate which is vertically oriented relative to a cutting circle. Accordingly, a weed trimmer operator can position the plate immediately adjacent tree trunks, flowers, fences and similar objects that the operator wishes to protect. The plate provides a protective barrier between the plant and the cutting line. If a user wishes to position the cutting circle closer to a fixed object, he or she simply pushes the plate there against to retract the arm. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a trimmer guard that protects tree trunks, flowers, fences and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed trimmer guard that can be selectively positioned a predetermined distance from a cutting circle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a weed trimmer guard that is angularly adjustable relative to a horizontal cutting circle.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34358 (1993-08-01), Miller
patent: 4370909 (1983-02-01), Jennings
patent: 4447953 (1984-05-01), Iombardino et al.
patent: 4467686 (1984-08-01), Pyle
patent: 4651422 (1987-03-01), Everts
patent: 4756084 (1988-07-01), Morita
patent: 5077898 (1992-01-01), Hartwig
patent: 5115870 (1992-05-01), Byrne
patent: 5228276 (1993-07-01), Miller
patent: 5371977 (1994-12-01), Liner
patent: 5402627 (1995-04-01), Trompler et al.
patent: 5423126 (1995-06-01), Byrne
patent: 5477665 (1995-12-01), Stout
patent: 5524349 (1996-06-01), Dolin
patent: 5584348 (1996-12-01), Butler
patent: 5657542 (1997-08-01), White, III et al.
patent: 5741175 (1998-04-01), Voege
patent: 5924205 (1999-07-01), Sugihara et al.
patent: 5926961 (1999-07-01), Uhl
Rachuba M.
Tolar Kenneth L
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