초록 ▼

A handle assembly, especially useful on power line trimmers, includes a fore arm rest or fore arm “contacting element”which retains the user\s arm, a first handle positioned directly in line with a trough in said fore arm rest, and a second handle positioned to a side of the fore arm rest and first

A handle assembly, especially useful on power line trimmers, includes a fore arm rest or fore arm “contacting element”which retains the user\s arm, a first handle positioned directly in line with a trough in said fore arm rest, and a second handle positioned to a side of the fore arm rest and first handle. In operation, the user\s first hand and fore arm act in concert to direct the power tool, while the user\s second hand acts to sweep the power tool from side to side, whereby the user\s fore arm acts as a fulcrum at the fore arm rest of the handle assembly. By providing three points of contact with the user, the handle assembly allows the user to engage in a sweeping motion that is less strenuous and more easily controlled. In addition, the handle assembly provides better balancing of the power tool, and assists in maneuvering the power tool. Ideally, the first handle will pivot to any of a number of angles along an arc in alignment with the trough of the fore arm rest in order to accommodate the ergonomic requirements of a variety of different sized individuals. In the case of a power line trimmer, it is advantageous to have wheels on the protective housing which shrouds the cutting head which can be selectively rotated into a ground engaging position, or stored out of the way in a non-contacting position at the discretion of the user. A locking mechanism connected to the pivot plates on which the wheels are mounted is used to lock the wheels to roll along lines that are offset from perpendicular to the pole connecting the handle assembly to the cutting head by equal and opposite angles, thus permitting the line trimmer to be rolled in a sweeping fashion without the wheels changing directions at the end of each sweep.

대표청구항 ▼

A cutting tool comprising: a cutting head; a shaft having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said cutting head; a handle assembly connected to said second end of said shaft; a protective shroud connected to said shaft covering at least a portion of said cutting head; at least o

A cutting tool comprising: a cutting head; a shaft having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said cutting head; a handle assembly connected to said second end of said shaft; a protective shroud connected to said shaft covering at least a portion of said cutting head; at least one wheel connected to said protective shroud; a means for pivoting said wheel between a ground engaging and a non-ground contacting position, said means for pivoting being positioned to pivot said wheel towards and away from said cutting head as said wheel pivots respectively between said ground engaging and said non-ground contacting positions; and means for locking said wheel in either said ground engaging or said non-ground contacting position.