Top loading fixed line trimmer head

Abstract

A fixed line top-loading trimmer head for string trimmer machines, uses line segments of a predetermined length. The head has a central hub designed for attachment to the drive shaft of a string trimmer machine. A circular flange is attached to, and extends outwardly from, the central hub. This circular flange has one or more trimmer line exit openings on the circumference. The hub, located above the upper surface of the circular flange, is provided with either line termination apertures in the form of holes or channels which are angularly offset from the exit openings in the circular flange; or it is provided with an offset guide channel through which a trimmer line is passed between the exit openings. A line guide channel is located in the flange between the line exit openings and the line termination apertures, or the offset channel on the hub, for guiding line between the exit openings and the offset channel or termination apertures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fixed length line trimmer head for string trimmer machines using line segments of a predetermined length including in combination: 
 a central generally cylindrical hub having an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end thereof configured for attachment to a drive shaft of a string trimmer machine;    a circular flange attached adjacent the lower end of the central hub and extending outwardly therefrom, the circular flange having at least one trimmer line exit opening on the circumference thereof;    line guide means on the circular flange between the line exit opening and an opening on a surface of the flange; and    means for effecting frictional engagement between the line guide means and one or the other of the hub and a location on the circular flange offset from the line guide means.    
     
     
         2 . A fixed length line trimmer head for string trimmer machines using line segments of predetermined length including in combination: 
 a central cylindrical hub configured for attachment to a drive shaft of a string trimmer machine;    a circular flange attached to and extending outwardly from the central hub, the flange having at least one trimmer line exit opening on the circumference thereof;    line termination apertures on one or the other of the hub and the flange offset from the trimmer line exit openings for insertion of an end of a length of trimmer line therein; and    a line guide means on the flange located between at least one line exit opening and the line termination apertures.    
     
     
         3 . The trimmer head according to  claim 2  wherein the line termination apertures comprise sets of apertures of different diameters.  
     
     
         4 . The trimmer head according to  claim 3  wherein the central hub has a circular longitudinal axis and a offset shoulder thereon, and the line termination apertures are located on the shoulder and extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central hub.  
     
     
         5 . The trimmer head according to  claim 3  wherein the at least one trimmer line exit opening includes spaced exit openings located on the circular flange, and the line termination apertures include at least two line termination apertures of different sizes associated with each of the line exit openings.  
     
     
         6 . The trimmer head according to  claim 5  wherein the hub has a longitudinal axis, further including at least two diametrically opposed longitudinal flanges on the central hub extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central hub and wherein the line termination apertures are located in the longitudinal flanges.  
     
     
         7 . The trimmer head according to  claim 6  wherein the line termination apertures extend through the longitudinal flanges.  
     
     
         8 . The trimmer head according to  claim 1  wherein the line termination apertures are formed in the circular flange at a location offset from the line exit openings in the circular flange.  
     
     
         9 . The trimmer head according to  claim 8  wherein the line termination apertures are oriented substantially parallel to the exit openings on the circumference of the circular flange.  
     
     
         10 . The trimmer head according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one trimmer line exit opening includes spaced exit openings located on the circular flange, and the line termination apertures include at least two line termination apertures of different sizes associated with each of the line exit openings.  
     
     
         11 . The trimmer head according to  claim 2  wherein the central hub has a circular longitudinal axis and a offset shoulder thereon, and the line termination apertures are located on the shoulder and extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central hub.  
     
     
         12 . The trimmer head according to  claim 2  wherein the hub has a longitudinal axis, further including at least two diametrically opposed longitudinal flanges on the central hub extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central hub and wherein the line termination apertures are located in the longitudinal flanges.  
     
     
         13 . The trimmer head according to  claim 12  wherein the line termination apertures extend through the longitudinal flanges.  
     
     
         14 . A fixed line trimmer head for string trimmer machines using line segments of a predetermined length including in combination: 
 a central cylindrical hub configured for attachment to a drive shaft of a string trimmer machine;    a circular flange attached to and extending outwardly from the central hub, the flange having trimmer line exit openings angularly spaced about the circumference thereof;    means on the central hub for guiding a string trimmer line from one of the exit openings on the circular flange to another of the exit openings over a generally U-shaped path designed to resist pulling of a line segment out of the line exit openings on the circular flange.    
     
     
         15 . The trimmer head according to  claim 14  wherein the means for guiding the line on the central hub comprises a portion of the periphery of the hub.  
     
     
         16 . The trimmer head according to  claim 15  further including at least one outwardly extending ear on the central hub with the ear having an aperture therethrough extending substantially parallel to the plane of the circular flange and located in a plane offset from the plane of the circular flange for guiding a line from an exit opening on one side of the circular flange through the opening in the ear to the exit opening on the diametrically opposite side of the circular flange to cause a line to assume a generally U-shaped bight intermediate the exit openings on the circumference of the circular flange.