Trimmer head with members for simplifying the loading of the cutting line

Abstract

The trimmer head ( 1 ) includes: an axis of rotation (A-A); a housing ( 3 ); a spool ( 13 ) insertable in the housing, configured and arranged to wind a stock of cutting line (F) therearound. The spool includes flanges ( 13 A, 13 B), between which anchoring elements ( 15 ) extend to anchor the cutting line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trimmer head comprising: a rotation axis; a housing; a spool insertable in the housing, configured and arranged for winding a stock of cutting line therearound, the spool comprising at least a first flange extending around a spool axis; at least two cutting line passage holes for the passage of the cutting line from the inside to the outside of the housing; wherein the spool comprises at least one cutting line anchoring element, extending from the first flange and spaced from the spool axis. 
     
     
         2 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein the spool axis substantially matches with the rotation axis of the trimmer head when the spool is inserted in the housing. 
     
     
         3 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one anchoring element extends approximately parallel to the spool axis. 
     
     
         4 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of cutting line anchoring elements, angularly spaced from one another, extending from the first flange and spaced from the spool axis. 
     
     
         5 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein the spool comprises a second flange, axially spaced from the first flange, and wherein said cutting line anchoring element(s) extend(s) from the first flange to the second flange. 
     
     
         6 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein the spool comprises a central wall surrounding the spool axis and extending from the first flange approximately parallel to the spool axis, and wherein the cutting line anchoring element(s) is (are) associated with said wall. 
     
     
         7 . Trimmer head according to  claim 6 , wherein the cutting line anchoring elements are integrated in the wall, said wall having openings intercalated between the cutting line anchoring elements. 
     
     
         8 . Trimmer head according to  claim 6 , wherein the anchoring elements are arranged radially outside the wall. 
     
     
         9 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein inside the housing at least one pair of perimeter guides is arranged, the guides converging towards at least one of said two cutting line passage holes. 
     
     
         10 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein inside the housing two pairs of perimeter guides are arranged, the guides of each pair converging towards a respective one of said two cutting line passage holes. 
     
     
         11 . Trimmer head according to  claim 9 , wherein each perimeter guide extends from the respective cutting line passage hole for an arch of at least about 20°, preferably of at least about 30°, more preferably of at least about 40°, and more preferably of at least about 60° around the rotation axis of the trimmer head. 
     
     
         12 . Trimmer head according to  claim 9 , wherein the perimeter guides are provided on inserts arranged in the housing of the trimmer head. 
     
     
         13 . Trimmer head according to  claim 12 , wherein each pair of perimeter guides is provided in an insert comprising a central portion forming an exit bushing for the cutting line. 
     
     
         14 . Trimmer head according to  claim 12 , wherein each insert is formed by a component separate from the housing and that can be applied inside this latter. 
     
     
         15 . Trimmer head according to  claim 14 , wherein each insert has a central body projecting radially, through which a cutting line opening extend, the central body being configured and arranged so as to be inserted in the corresponding cutting line passage hole and to be retained therein. 
     
     
         16 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said anchoring elements are formed by a pin extending substantially parallel to the spool axis. 
     
     
         17 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said anchoring elements are fin-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein the line anchoring elements are molded in a single piece with the first flange of the spool. 
     
     
         19 . Trimmer head according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring elements are provided on a component of the spool, molded separately from the flange and applied thereto. 
     
     
         20 . A method to wind a stock of cutting line in a trimmer head having an axis of rotation, a housing with at least two cutting line passage holes, and a spool housed in the housing and comprising at least a first flange and at least one anchoring element for the cutting line extending from the first flange approximately parallel to the rotation axis and spaced from the spool axis; the method comprising the following steps:
 inserting an end of the cutting line through one of said at least two cutting line passage holes,   guiding the line end between the rotation axis of the trimmer head and the anchoring element, towards the second of said two cutting line passage holes ;   inserting the cutting line end through the second cutting line passage hole and making it exit from the housing through the second cutting line passage hole;   sliding a quantity of cutting line through the housing;   winding a length of the cutting line on the spool by rotating the spool inside the housing with respect to the two cutting line passage holes, so as to form, on the spool, a series of line turns wound around said at least one anchoring element, so as to constrain the cutting line to the spool at an intermediate portion of said length of cutting line, leaving two line segments projecting outside the housing through the two cutting line passage holes.   
     
     
         21 . Method according to  claim 20 , wherein the spool comprises a central wall extending from said first flange substantially parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the cutting line is made pass between the wall and said at least one anchoring element. 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 20 , wherein the spool comprises a plurality of anchoring elements, arranged angularly distanced from one another around the rotation axis and spaced from said rotation axis.