Trimmer head

Abstract

A spool for a trimmer head has a structure for guiding a pair of separate trimmer line pieces through a core of the spool. The spool includes separate trimmer line channels formed through the core, each channel receiving one of the trimmer line pieces. A spool cover is positionable adjacent to the spool to enclose the channels. The spool cover includes a pair of cantilever springs extending therefrom for releasably securing the trimmer line pieces within the channels.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A trimmer head comprising:
 an upper housing and a lower housing removably attachable to said upper housing;   a knob partially positioned within said lower housing, wherein said knob extends outwardly from within said lower housing; and   a spool positioned between said upper housing and said lower housing, said spool releasably attachable to said knob, said spool comprising:
 a core; 
 a central flange having a first portion extending radially outward from said core and a second portion located within said core; 
 a first trimmer line channel formed into said second portion of said central flange; and 
 a second trimmer line channel formed into said second portion of said central flange; 
 wherein said first and second trimmer line channels are formed into said second portion of said central flange, and each of said first and second trimmer line channels include a curved portion and a linear portion. 
   
     
     
         18 . The trimmer head of  claim 17  further comprising a pair of pathways formed through said core, wherein one of said pathways is connected to first trimmer line channel and the other of said pathways is connected to said second trimmer line channel. 
     
     
         19 . The trimmer head of  claim 18  further comprising a pair of sidewall openings formed through said core, wherein one of said sidewall openings is connected to said first trimmer line channel and the other of said sidewall openings is connected to said second trimmer line channel. 
     
     
         20 . The trimmer head of  claim 17 , wherein a spool cover is positioned immediately adjacent to said second portion of said second portion of said central flange to enclose said first and second trimmer line channels. 
     
     
         21 . The trimmer head of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second trimmer line channels are open channels that are enclosed by a spool cover positioned immediately adjacent to a surface of said second portion of said central flange into which said open channels are formed. 
     
     
         22 . The trimmer head of  claim 17  further comprising a raised portion formed within each of said first and second trimmer line channels. 
     
     
         23 . The trimmer head of  claim 17  further comprising a spool cover positioned immediately adjacent to said first and second trimmer line channels to enclose said first and second trimmer line channels, said spool cover includes a plate and a pair of springs extending at an angle from said plate. 
     
     
         24 . The trimmer head of  claim 23 , wherein one of said springs extends into said first trimmer line channel in a cantilever manner and the other of said springs extends into said second trimmer line channel in a cantilever manner. 
     
     
         25 . The trimmer head of  claim 17  further comprising an upper channel formed adjacent to a side of said first portion of said central flange and a lower channel formed adjacent to an opposing side of said first portion of said central flange. 
     
     
         26 . The trimmer head of  claim 17  further comprising an upper flange extending radially outward from said core and a lower flange extending radially outward from said core, said upper and lower flanges positioned adjacent to opposing sides of said first portion of said central flange, wherein an upper channel is formed between said upper flange and said first portion of said central flange and a lower channel is formed between said lower flange and said first portion of said central flange. 
     
     
         27 . The trimmer head of  claim 26 , wherein a plurality of ramps extend from one of said upper flange or said lower flange, wherein said ramps are oriented circumferentially about said upper or lower flange. 
     
     
         28 . The trimmer head of  claim 26 , wherein a plurality of ramps extend from said upper flange and said lower flange, wherein said ramps are oriented circumferentially about said upper and lower flanges. 
     
     
         29 . A trimmer head comprising:
 a casing formed of an upper housing and a lower housing removably attachable to said upper housing;   a knob partially positioned within said casing, wherein said knob extends downwardly from said lower housing; and   a spool positioned within said casing, said spool releasably attachable to said knob, said spool comprising:
 a core; 
 a central flange having a first portion extending radially outward from said core and a second portion located within said core; 
 an upper flange extending radially outward from said core, said upper flange positioned axially adjacent to one side of said first portion of said central flange; 
 a lower flange extending radially outward from said core, said lower flange positioned axially adjacent to an opposing side of said first portion of said central flange opposite said upper flange; 
 a first trimmer line channel formed into an upper surface of said second portion of said central flange, said first trimmer line channel being an open channel; and 
 a second trimmer line channel formed into said upper surface of said second portion of said central flange, said second trimmer line channel being an open channel. 
   
     
     
         30 . The trimmer head of  claim 29  further comprising a spool cover positioned within said core and abutting said upper surface of said second portion of said central flange, said spool cover enclosing said first trimmer line channel and said second trimmer line channel. 
     
     
         31 . The trimmer head of  claim 30 , wherein said spool cover includes a plate and a pair of cantilever springs extending at an angle from said plate, and one of said springs extending into said first trimmer line channel and the other of said springs extending into said second trimmer line channel. 
     
     
         32 . The trimmer head of  claim 31 , wherein both of said first and second trimmer line channels includes a ramp formed within said channel that extends upwardly toward said spool cover, said springs being positioned above said ramps to form a reduced cross-section of said corresponding first or second trimmer line channel. 
     
     
         33 . The trimmer head of  claim 29 , wherein each of said first and second trimmer line channels includes a curved portion and a linear portion extending from said curved portion. 
     
     
         34 . The trimmer head of  claim 29 , wherein each of said first and second trimmer line channels includes one end having a pathway formed through said core and another end having a sidewall opening formed through said core.