Weed and grass trimmer with deflection plates

Abstract

An improved guard is provided for hand-held cutting edge devices such as lawn trimmers. The guard extends beyond the cutting plane formed by the circular travel of the flexible cutting element. The extended guard protects against foreign objects being propelled by the cutting element, possibly causing damage or physical harm. A cutter may be provided inside the perimeter of the guard, extending into the plane formed by the cutting element to function as a cutter for setting the length of the cutting element being used. The guard may be formed as a single piece or as a composite which when assembled encircles the center assembly of the cutting element.

Claims

1. A guard for a flexible element cutting device having at least one cutting element traveling in a circular plane, the cutting element having a length, a center of rotation, and a distal end, the guard comprising a guard portion and a perimeter slotted edge, the perimeter slotted edge forming a continuous circular edge around the circular plane of travel of the cutting element at a radius less than the length of the cutting element.

2. A guard for a flexible element cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the radius is between 85% and 95% of the length of the cutting element.

3. A guard for a flexible element cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said perimeter edge is spaced apart from said circular plane between ⅛″ and ⅜″.

4. A guard for a flexible element cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said guard portion forms an arcuate circle of rotation.

5. A guard for a flexible element cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said guard portion has ¼″ slots in the frontal peripheral area 90 to 180 degrees to allow material entrance to the cutting element.

6. A guard for a flexible element cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cutter attached to said guard portion, said cutter being located at a radius greater than the radius of the perimeter edge and extending into the circular plane of travel of at least one cutting element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a typical powered grass trimmer.

[0006] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a typical grass trimmer guard.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the cross section of the invention with the cutting element.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the invention profile.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an illustration of typical powered grass trimmer with the new guard in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] FIG. 1 is a typical powered grass trimmer. The power is provided by the power unit 1, which may be gasoline or electric powered. An operator handle 2 is provided for use during cutting operation. The motor drive connection is connected to the trimmer head via a hollow tube 3, transferring the power unit rotation to the cutter head rotating unit. The cutter head unit has a safety shield 4, which typically provides protection for the operator and is normally between 90 and 120 degrees of rotation on the backside of the cutter head. The cutter head contains the flexible cutting line 5 which is rotating via the power provided by the power unit 1. The flexible cutting line 5 may be supplied by a mechanically released spool 6.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a typical operator safety shield 4 providing a shield of 90 to 120 degrees of shield protection from thrown objects during operation of the power trimmer. The power to the flexible cutting line is provided through the unit handle 3. The flexible cutting line 5 may be supplied by a mechanical release spool 6.

[0012] FIG. 3 provides an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The power to the rotating element is provided via the unit handle 3. The safety shield 4 in the preferred embodiment is a full 360 degree shield, providing protection from thrown objects in all directions during operation of the grass trimmer. The flexible cutting element 5 is connected to the drive element, and rotates via power from the power unit. The flexible cutting element length 8 is maintained during operation via the cutter 7.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment with the shield 4 with the slotted section visible. The rotating head, powered via the operator handle 3 is completely surrounded by the shield 4, preventing foreign objects from being propelled by the flexible cutting line 5.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment with the shield 4 with the slotted section visible. The operator handle 3, is also illustrated.