Module for feeding trimmer line through the spool of a vegetation trimmer apparatus

Abstract

A trimmer head for use with either clockwise or counterclockwise trimmer heads, including the use of a bidirectionally dispensing spool. Various locations of passages straight through the trimmer head and spool are shown along with various locations of components of the ratcheting mechanism to allow for winding of the trimmer line on the trimmer head and for limiting the amount of line dispensed during “bumping” of the trimmer head knob on the ground. Additionally, an extended funnel into the passage can be provided to facilitate entrance of trimmer line into the funnel even when the line is not perfectly straight. Also, spokes can be used in place of the flanges of the spool to save material and cost, while still providing a guide and barrier between the line store areas.

1 . A trimmer head for use with a trimmer machine, comprising:
 a trimmer head having a housing and a spool rotatably mounted within the trimmer head housing;   said spool having a central core with an axial opening extending therein, said spool defining at least a first chamber for winding trimmer line threaded through said spool and around the spool central core;   a first spoke or a first region of at least one flange extending outwardly from the central core in a first direction and defining a first passage therein;   a second spoke or a second region of the at least one flange extending outwardly from the central core in a second direction and defining a second passage therein   a pair of eyelets defined in the trimmer head housing; wherein the pair of eyelets is alignable with the first and second passages;   a replaceable module engageable in said spool; wherein the replaceable module defines a passageway therein that connects the first passage in the spool to the second passage in the spool; and wherein a length of trimmer line is routed through the first passage, the passageway, the second passage and the pair of eyelets; and   wherein when a first replaceable module is engaged in said spool the passageway is radial and routes the trimmer line straight through the spool; and when a second replaceable module is engaged in the spool the passageway is non-radial and routes the trimmer line in a non-radial manner through the spool.   
     
     
         2 . The trimmer head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the passageway in the second replaceable module is curved. 
     
     
         3 . The trimmer head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the passageway in the second replaceable module is straight. 
     
     
         4 . A spool for use with a string trimmer head, said spool comprising:
 a central core;   at least one flange or at least one spoke extending outwardly from the central core;   a first passage defined in the at least one flange or in a first spoke;   a second passage defined in the at least one flange a distance from the first passage; or said second passage being defined in a second spoke a distance from the first spoke;   a replaceable module engageable in a bore defined by the central core; wherein the replaceable module defines a first passageway section that is alignable with the first passage; and a second passageway section that is alignable with the second passage; and wherein in a first replaceable module the first passageway section and second passageway section form a radial passageway for routing trimmer line through the spool; and wherein in a second replaceable module the first passageway section and second passageway section form a non-radial passageway for routing trimmer line through the spool.   
     
     
         5 . The spool as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first passageway section and the second passageway section intersect with each other and are adapted to receive a single length of trimmer line therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The spool as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first passageway section and the second passageway section are separated from each other; and each of the first passageway section and the second passageway section are adapted to receive a separate length of trimmer line therein. 
     
     
         7 . The spool as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first passageway section and the second passageway section are straight. 
     
     
         8 . The spool as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first passageway section and the second passageway section are curved. 
     
     
         9 . The spool as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first funnel defined in the at least one flange or the first spoke, said first funnel being in communication with the first passage; and   a second funnel defined in the at least one flange or the second spoke, said second funnel being in communication with the second passage.   
     
     
         10 . The spool as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a V-shaped or U-shaped slot defined in the at least one flange or the first spoke, wherein the slot is in communication with the first funnel; and wherein the slot extends inwardly from proximate an outer edge of the at least one flange or the first spoke and towards the central core.   
     
     
         11 . The spool as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the slot tapers from the outer edge towards an apex that is located proximate the central core. 
     
     
         12 . The spool as defined in  claim 11 , wherein a width of the anchor slot at the apex is at least from about ½ up to about ¾ of a width of the trimmer line that is adapted to be engaged around an exterior surface of the central core of the spool. 
     
     
         13 . A module for engagement in a spool of a vegetation trimmer machine; said module comprising:
 a disc-shaped body having an first surface, a second surface and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second surfaces; wherein the body is adapted to be received into a bore defined by a central core of the spool of the vegetation trimmer machine;   a first trimmer line passageway defined in the body, wherein the first trimmer line passageway originates in a first opening defined in the peripheral wall of the body and extends for a first distance into the body.   
     
     
         14 . The module defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway is radial. 
     
     
         15 . The module defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway is non-radial. 
     
     
         16 . The module defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway is straight. 
     
     
         17 . The module defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The module defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway terminates in a second opening defined in the peripheral wall of the body, where the second opening is spaced a distance circumferentially from the first opening. 
     
     
         19 . The module as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the body further comprises a central hole that extends between the first surface and the second surface; and wherein the central hole is adapted to receive a fastener or a chuck or an arbor of a driveshaft of the vegetation trimmer machine therein. 
     
     
         20 . The module as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway bypasses the central hole. 
     
     
         21 . The module as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising a second trimmer line passageway that is defined in the body, wherein the second trimmer line passageway originates in a second opening defined in the peripheral wall of the body and extends for a second distance into the body; and wherein the first trimmer line passageway is adapted to receive a first piece of trimmer line therein and the second trimmer line passageway is adapted to receive a second piece of trimmer line therein. 
     
     
         22 . The module as defined in  claim 21 , wherein each of the first trimmer line passageway and the second trimmer line passageway extends inwardly into the body from the peripheral wall and tapers in size; said first and second trimmer line passageways each being widest proximate the peripheral wall of the body and narrowest remote from the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         23 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second trimmer line passageways at its narrowest is of a smaller cross-sectional dimension than an end of a trimmer line to be received therein; and wherein the first and second trimmer line passageways are adapted to engage the end of a respective one of the first and second pieces of trimmer line therein by way of an interference fit. 
     
     
         24 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second trimmer line passageways is open at one of the first and second surfaces and is closed along the other of the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         25 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the first and second trimmer line passageways are linearly aligned and opposed to each other. 
     
     
         26 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the first and second trimmer line passageways terminate a distance away from each other. 
     
     
         27 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the body further comprises a central hole that extends between the first surface and the second surface; and wherein the first and second trimmer line passageways extend inwardly toward the central hole but terminate a distance away therefrom; and wherein the central hole is located between the first and second trimmer passageways and is adapted to receive a fastener or a chuck or an arbor of a driveshaft of the vegetation trimmer machine therein. 
     
     
         28 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first trimmer line passageway and the second trimmer line passageway is non-radial. 
     
     
         29 . The module as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first trimmer line passageway and the second trimmer line passageway is curved. 
     
     
         30 . The module as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the first trimmer line passageway and the second trimmer line passageway curve in opposite directions around a central region of the body. 
     
     
         31 . The module as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the body defines a central hole that extends from the first surface through to the second surface; and wherein the first trimmer line passageway and the second trimmer line passageway curve in opposite directions around the central hole; and wherein the central hole is adapted to receive a fastener or a chuck or an arbor of a driveshaft of the vegetation trimmer machine therein. 
     
     
         32 . A storage spool for a vegetation cutting tool coupled to a portable gas or electric-powered vegetation cutting machine comprising:
 a central core;   at least one pair of spokes extending radially outward from; a wall of the core;   at least one flange extending radially outward from the wall of the core;   at least one line storage space;   at least one unobstructed line guide channel with at least one funnel shaped opening adapted for direct alignment with at least one opening provided in at least one outer trimmer head housing for loading and dispensing of trimmer line.   
     
     
         33 . The storage spool as defined in  claim 32 , wherein the core, the at least one pair of spokes and the at least one flange are integrally formed with each other and the spool is a single unitary component. 
     
     
         34 . A storage spool for a vegetation cutting tool coupled to a portable gas or electric-powered vegetation cutting machine comprising:
 a central core;   at least one pair of spokes extending radially outward from a wall of the core;   at least one line storage space;   at least one unobstructed line guide channel with at least one funnel shaped opening adapted for direct alignment with at least one opening provided in at least one outer trimmer head housing for loading and dispensing of trimmer line.