CA1095268A - Vegetation cutting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An apparatus for cutting vegetation wherein at least one line member protrudes exteriorly of the sidewall of a housing which is rotatable about a rotating axis. The line member is a tape and is wound upon a spool, which is mounted within the housing so that the width, which is greater than the thickness, is perpendicular to the plane of the spool. The flat tape line member is formed of a flexible band of material which extends exteriorly of the housing in a trailing position. Cutting means are incorporated to effect cut off of the line member during rotation of the housing and dis-pensing means are provided to extend additional line member a controlled increment of length during rotation of the housing. The cutting means is provided to cut off the excess end of the worn or broken line member. A
clamping device clamps the line member to the housing when it is not rotating to prevent retraction of the line member into the housing.

Description

BACKGROU~D OF T~E I~E~TION
One field for this invention is direc-ted to a weed and grass cut-ting machine which effects the cutting action by means of a length of a flexible band or bands, and more particularly to a portable power driven device which is capable of being readily moved by a person to achieve the cutting action.
In the past, there have been devices which employ a flexible line to achieve cutting weeds and grasses. These flexible line devices have been known to take the form of a power source attached -to a shaf-t which, in -turn, is connected to a whirling or rotating line holding head or housing. Within the head or housing is at least one flexible cord that extends exteriorly of the housing. The head or housing is rotated at a speed sufficient to crea-te line rigidity. The whirling cord is to be employed to cut grass, weeds, and edge lawns. If the cord breaks, an additional length of cord is unwound.
Besides the advantage of such devices being usable in relatively inacces-sihLe areas, such devices also have the advantage that if the cord comes into contact with the operator's leg, hand or arm, the whirling cord would, àt most, cause only a small welt upon the operator's skin. Therefore, by using such devices, there is a significantly greater degree of safe-ty than `
was previously possible with rigid steel blade types of cutting devices.
One disadvantage of the prior art type of cord cutting devices is tha-t the cord has been known t;o be readily breakable. Once a cord was broken, it was necessary to stop the device, extract an additional length of cord and cut the cords -to equal length to retain satisfactory dynamic bal-ance prior to operating the device. It has not been uncommon to have many cords break in a short time under heavy cutting conditions. This means that there has been a significant amount of "down" time which is most time con-suming. This stop-start operation increases power source wear and energy . . :. :. , :
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usage.
There is a definite need for a line cutting apparatus in which the line member is of a substantially superior strength to the line members incorporated in prior line cutting apparatuses. In the event the line mem-ber does break, a cutting device may be automatically actlvated to sever all line members and then appropria-te line extending means provided to extend new por-tions of line members with each line member being of equal length. This extending of the line member and the cutting of the old line members is to be accomplished quickly and easily and in a matter of seconds without power shutdown. There is a further need for quick and easy replacemen-t of the spool incorporated within the device upon which -the line members are wound, preferably without the use of hand tools.
; SUMMARY OF TIIE INVENTION
The structure of this invention is directed -to the construction of the rotating or whirling head which is -to be a-ttached to a drive shaft which is rotatably driven. The rotating or whirling head takes the form of a housing wi-thin which is mounted a flexible line assembly mounted on a spool.
The spool assembly has one or more line storage sections and within each spool section is wound one or more lengths of flexible line member. Each of the line members extends through an opening in the housing. The spool assembly may be quickly and easily removed and replaced within -the housing without the need of hand tools.
A cutting device is mounted in the path of the line to cut the flexible line member. ~here is a separate cutter for each line member and -the cutters are interconnected together through a ring and upon the ring contac-ting a stationary surface during rotation of the device~ the ring mem-ber causes the cutters to be moved to cut the line members.
Also there is a line member clamping device which, when the head is , . .
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below operational speed, the clamping device automatically binds each line member to the housing to thereby prevent retraction of the line member within the housing. When the rotation of the housing increases to operational speed, each clamping member automatically releases its respective line mem-ber.
The line member is cons-tructed of a specially formulated high strength plastic material with the preferable type of material belng an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin. The cross-sectional configuration of the line member is to be such that the line member is grea-ter in width so that the line members will not be capable of significantly bending toward the ground during use. This prevents a whipping action (-that is common -to round cross-sectional line) toward and away from the ground which is capable of causing "scalp" spots within a lawn area.
, The device of this invention further includes dispensing means ; which includes an indexing sleeve which is capable of being activated while in motion by external ac-tivating means. Upon the dispensing means being activated, the indexing sleeve permits the line assembly -to be extended a controlled amount with respect to the housing.
; Thus, if one or more of the line members breaks or wears, the dispensing means causes segments of new line members to be extended from the housing with each segment being of the same length.
One of the primary advaNtages of this inven-tion is that -the line ; member employed is significantly stronger than heretofore used and it is actually very difficult to break during operation~
A further advantage of this invention is that if the line member does break or wear, the operator may dispense in a few seconds an equal length of line member to continue the cutting action, without stopping the operation of the device.

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A further advantage of this inven-tion is that each of the line members is greater in width to thereb~ control up and down action of the line member which, in the past, has caused poor line control.
A still further advantage of this invention is that because of the wider cutting face, the line member is signifi-cantly less inclined to wrap or "bullwhip" around any fixed object which, in the past, has caused breaking of the line member.
A still further advantage of this invention is that the line members can also be replaced in just a matter of seconds without tools.
A still further advantage of thi~ invention i5 that each line member assumes a trailing position with respect to the rotational movement of the housing and this trailing position further makes it less likely that the line member will be bro]cen.
Outside the exit point, the line curv~ to a radial position thus forming its own shock absorber with this curve.
According to the invention there is provided a housing and dispensing assembly for a cutting line member of a cutting apparatus, comprising: a housing ro~atable about an axis; a spool mounted within said housing for winding the line member therearound and for extending the line member there~rom exterior-ly of said housing to contact and cut vegetation by rapid circu-lar movement exteriorly of said housing during rotation of said housing; and means connected to said housing for locking said spool a~ainst rotation of said spool relative to said housing and for unlocking said spool during rotation of said housing to permit said relative rotation and unwinding of the line member .. . . ~ . ., . . . "

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rom said spool, s.aid locking and unlocking means including: at least one ball mounted in said housing, said ball having a locking position or locking said spool against said relative rotation and an unlocked position, and a sleeve movably mounted in said housing or determining by its position whether said ball is disposed in said locking or unlocked position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

_ Figure 1 is an elevational side view of the whirling head or housing incorporated within a portable type of line cutting apparatus;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional vi.ew taken along line

2-2 of Figure 1;
Figuxe 3 is a cross-sectional bottom view taken along line 3-3 Oe ~:

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;8 Figure l;
Figure 1l is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the indexing means in the activated position;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the cut-ting means in the activated position, Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view depicting the cutting action of a line member; and Figure 7 is an exploded isometric view of the internal components employed within the head or housing of this invention.
DESCRIPTI N OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIME~T
In Figure 1, the apparatus 10 of` the present invention includes a rotatable housing 12, with line members 100 and 102 extending exteriorly from the housing and adapted, upon rotation of the housing to effect cutting of vegetation. Cutting means are provided on a ring 122 with knife blades 148 and 150, attached, to cut off worn or broken line members 100 and ]02 (Fig-ures 3 and 6). If the operator -touches ring 122 to the ground, causing a reduction in the rotational speed of -the ring 122, cutting blades 148 and 150 cut off lines 100 and 102 equally.
In Figure 7, a dispensing means is shown including a program ring 112, having a key 114, which dispensing means can permit an unwinding rota--tion of spool 86 on which -the line members 100 and 102 are moun-ted to ex-tend both line members an equal leng-th. In Figure 6 is shown clamping means (~or line 100) including a leaf spring 154 and a clutch shoe :L52 secured -thereto which prevents retraction of the line member. In Figures 3 and 6, the line members 100 and 102 ex-tend ex-teriorly from the housing 12 in a trailing posi--tion, at an angle with respect -to a radial line of the housing 12 to reduce sharp bends in the lin_ memaers and reduce line breakage at the exit point.
The dimension of tbe line members 100 and 102 in a direction, perpendicular ;i2~

to the plane of rotation, is greater than the dimension in the plane of rotation, to prov;de greater rigidity, ease of unwinding, and better "nest-ing" of line in the container without snags.
In Figure 1 the apparatus 10 of this invention -takes the form of an exterior housing 12 which has an annular side wa]l 14, closed at one end thereof by an end wall 16. A drive shaft 20 is to be rotatably driven by a motor (not shown). The drive shaft 20 operates through unit 22 to rotate a mandril head 24. The mandril head 24 includes a member 26 which is splined to -the ro-tating shaft which is located within the unit 22. This keying is not shown.
In Figure 2 and 4, a bolt 28~ is threadably secured to the drive shaft located within the unit 22 and about the bolt 28 are located an adaptor pla-te 30 and a washer assembly 32. Upon tightening of the bolt 28, the adaptor plate 30 is tightly secured and centered between the washer assembly 32 and the rotating member 26. The adaptor pla-te 30 is designed to allow attachment of many different kinds of driving mechanism3 without major re-design. Upon rotation of the drive shaft 20, -the entire mandril head 24 is rotated which includes the bolt 28, the adaptor plate 30 and the washer assembly 32, as well as the rotating member 26, thus rot.ating the comple-te head assembly.
In Figure 2, an upper hub assembly 36 is attached by a plurali-ty of bolts 34 to -the adaptor plate 30. The upper hub assembly 36 includes an in-ternal openirlg 38 which is to accommodate the bolt 28 and the washer assem-bly 32. Opening 38 is sufficiently large to accommoda-te known drive shaft systems.
Fasterled to the upper hub assembly 36 by means of a plurality of bolts 40, is a lower hub assembly 42. The lower hub assembly 42 also in-cludes an internal opening 44. Fixedly secured and centered between the , . . ~ . , . : - .:
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upper hub assembly 36 and the lower hub assembly 42 is end plate 16 o-f the housing 12.
In Figure 2, the lower hub assembly li2 has in-tegrally secured therewith a cylindrical tubular section 1~6. Within the section 46 are locat-ed a pair of openings 40 and 50. The openings 48 and 50 are in fact, located f`airly close to one another, however, this is not mandatory but there is a necessary spacing arrangement between the openings 48 and 50 relative to ; posts 116 which will become apparent further on in the specification. Within opening 48 is located a steel ball 52. Openings 48 and 50 are staked or restricted at -their openings to re-tain the balls.
For illustrative purposes only, the location of the steel balls 52 and 511 appears to be diametrically opposite each other in Figures 2 and 1~.
However, in actual practice, these balls 52 and 54 cannot be located exac-tly diametrically opposite each other but they can be located somewhat close to diametrically opposite each other. ~owever, the balls 52 and 51~ in the ac--tual embodiment are located as in Figure 7 of the drawings, "straddling" one post 116 of programming ring 112.
Slidably mounted within tub~ar section 1~6 is sleeve 62. ~t the top end of the sleeve 62 there is located a coil spring 64. The free end of 20 the spring 64 contacts a plate 66 which is fixedly positioned by re-tainer ring 68 within the lower hub assembly 42. When in the rest position, the spring 64 forces the sleeve 62 in an outward direction with respect to -the tubular section 1~6. This position is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. In this position, the ball 52 is partially positioned within the annular recess ;~
70 formed wi-thin the outer surface of the sleeve 62. The ball 54 is in abut-ting contac-t with the outer surface of the sleeve 62, thus locking tubu-lar section 46, programming ring 112 and spool ~6 -together.
Located interiorly of the sleeve 62 is a longi-tudinal opening 72.
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Within the opening 72 is located a plunger 74. The pllmger 74 includes an annular recess 76 within its outer surface. A ba]l 58 is mounted wi-thin an opening 56 formed wi-thin the sleeve 62. The ball 58 is capable of cooperat-ing with the recess 76. ~Iowever, when the ball 58 is not cooperating with the recess 76, the ball is in contact with the shoulder 60 fo~ed within the opening 44. In the normal at rest position~ theplunger 74 is spri.ng loaded in an outward position by means of spring 78 which i.s located within cavity 80 formed within the sleeve 62. The inner end of the spring 78 rests against a shoulder of the inner end of the cavity 80 with the outer end of the spring 78 resting against a washer 82 which is fixedly mounted upon the plunger 74.
The outward movement of the plunger 74 with respect to the sleeve 62 is pre-vented by means of retaining ring 84. With the plunger 71l in its normal at rest position, spring 78 is extended with the washer 82 resting against re-taining ring 84. In this position, the recess 76 does not connect with the ball 58 and thé ball 58 rests against a portion of the outside surface of the plunger 74 which causes the ball 58 to extend slightly and come against shoulder 60 in opening 44. This prevents withdrawal movement or ou-tward movement of the sl.eeve 62 from the tubular secti.on 46 and attachi.ng parts.
This means -that the spool assembly in the form of spool 86 is held in posi-20 tion within the chamber 18. The spool 86 is held in this position by means of cuff 88. The cuff 88 is secured by ring 90 and they ro-ta-te together.
q1he rotating member 75 rotates on sleeve 62. The sleeve 62 provides a bear-ing between snap rings 92 and 94. The cuf:~ 88 is formed of a flexible mate-rial such as rubber or plastic. The spring action of the cuff 88 holds the spool 86 in position. Pressing of plunger 74 allows replacement of -the reel 86.
The spool 86 defines a first spool sec-tion 96 and a second spool section 98. ~ithin each of the spool sections 96 and 98 is wound one or more ~ 8 -: : ."

~S~8 lengths of line, with line members 100 and 102 located within spool section 96 and spare line in section 98. As the line members 100 and 102 are deplet-ed the plunger 71~ is pressed removing the sleeve 62 and the cuff 88 from the unit permitting removal of the spool 86 which may be turned o~er or replaced.
In Figure 6, the line members 100 and 102 extend exteriorly from the side wall 14 of the housing 12 180 apart from each other with the free end of the line member 100 conducted through opening 10ll and the free end of the line member 102 conducted through opening 106. The line members 100 and 102 extend exteriorly from the housing 12 at an angle with respect to a ra-dius of the housing as shown in Figures 3 and 6~ This type of extension of the lines 100 and 102 allows the lines to come out of the housing without ` sharp bends to reduce brealsage of the lines. It also allows for heat removal without a very thick side wall in the housing for a heat sink.
If, during use~ one or more of the line members breals, it is de-sirable to extend new and equal portions of line members exteriorly of the side wall 14. To achieve this extension of the line members, a dispensing means is provided which will now be described.
In Figure 7, the hub opening within the hub section of the spool ~a 86 is divided into a number of keyways 108. ~ach adjacent pair of recesses 108 are separated by a raised section 110 on which posts 116 rest~ A program ring 112 is provided which has a key 114 formed thereon which can en-ter any one of keyways 108. Also extending from the lower edge of the ring 112 are a number of spaced legs 116. There are eight in number of legs 116 bllt any number could be used depending on the amount of line desired to dispense. In actual practice, it is envisioned that the ring 112 including the legs 116 wil] be fabricated integrally within the hub section of the spool 86.
~'he program ring 112 is to be inserted within the opening within the hub of the spool 86 and the key 114 aligns with any one of the keyways ' :

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108. The program ringis held in place on tubular section 46 by retaining ring o7. With the program ring 112 so installed, each leg 116 is located upon a raised section .110. Each of the legs 116 is pointed at its inner-most end and since the legs are adapted to come into contac-t with balls 52 and 54, the pointing of the legs is to avoid any possibility of the balls 52 and 54 "hanging up" directly upon a leg 116.
In Figure 2, the sleeve 62 is in -the downward position caused by the action of spring 64 and -the spring action of the cuff 88. The ball 54 rests against a portion of the peripheral surface of -the sleeve 62 which causes the ball 54 to partially extend between any two of the legs 116. The ball 52 cooperates with recess 70 which means that the ball 52 is not in the circular path of any of the legs 116.
In Figure 4, if the end of the sleeve 62 i s broug'ht into contact with a fixed object by the machine operator the sleeve 62 is moved vertically agains-t the action of the spring 64 and t'he springing of the cuff 88 to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The cuff 88, being in contac-t wit:h the spool 86, and connected to sleeve 62, is slowed down in speed rel-ative to housing speed causing a clutching or braking ac-tion on spool 86, legs 116 and ball 54. Thus all slack is taken up and balls 52 and 54 are in a positive position for indexing (relative to legs 116). Then ball 54 re-tracts into the recess 70 which causes the ball. 54 -to be taken ou-t of con-tact with one of the legs 116. At the same time, the ball. 52 in recess 70 has been forced outwardly between two of legs 116 allowing ring 112 and spool 86 to rotate slightly which di.spenses additional lengths of line members 100 and 102.
The striking of the sleeve 62 upon the ground or other hard sur-face is only momentary and when i-t moves away from the ground, -the sleeve 62 then moVes back to its position shown in Figure 2. When such occurs, the , ~ : .. : . . . .

ball 52 becomes reassociated with recess 70 and the ball 54 becomes associat ed with the peripheral surface of -the sleeve 62. The spool 86 then pivots with respect to the housing 12 until the next leg 116 contacts ball 5~
whereupon -the spool 86 is again fixed with respect to the housing 12. The net result i5 that the spool 86 has rotated and will have extended the line members 100 and 102. Each time the sleeve 62 is struck, a new length of line member is caused to automatically extend from the housing 12. Although in the preferred embodiment the sleeve is shown moved upwardly to dispense ad-ditional line, it will be apprecia-teda from the -teaching of the present in-vention, that the dispensing mechanism may be placed at a different part of-the apparatus to enable a user to move a sleeve, shaft, pin, inclined plane or other suitable member to dispense additional line.
The line members 100 and 102 are to be cons-tructed of a very strong material. In the past, these line members have been formed of circular cross-section and are of nylon. This type of material has been fo~ld -to readily break and also, the line members have a tendency -to whip relative to the ground as the device is being used. This type of ac-tion is particularly undesirable because, at times, it is desirable to cut the vegetati:on at a par-ticular height. The result is that there are gouges or scalp areas formed on the vegetation which provides an unsightly appearance. Additionally, round line, under some conditions, will twist together above or below the housing forcing machine s;hut down.
Each of the line members 100 and 102 of this invention is con-structed in the shape of a narrow flexible tape or band wherein the width of the band, which is greater than the thickness, is perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the housing 12. The result is that the band is more inflex-ible in the direction of the width when rotating. Al-though the line member is shown having a rectangular cross sec-tion, the cross section may be any -- 1:1. --: :. .. . - .,:; i , ,:
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non-cîrcular shape provided the width dimension, whichis perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the spool 86 is greater than the thickness dimension.
The preferable type of material for each of the line members 100 and 102 would be an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin thermoplastic.
The properties of ~his material are found -to be that the material has excel-lent abrasion resistance, high-energy impact absorption, low coefficient of friction, a very low moisture absorption and is resistant to corrosion and chemicals. In use, the line members 100 and 102 are constantly striking vegetation and also possibly fixed objects, such as rocks, brickwork, pipe, lamp poles~ cement walk ways~ and so for-th. With this par-ticular material, hardness actuall~ is increased when impacted. Therefore, the material it-self, when struck, has a tendenc~ to become stronger which is most desirable in the presen-t application.
If one of the line members 100 or 102 comes into contact wi-th a sharp object or is repeatedl~ struck in the same spot against a hard object, the line member ma~ break. This breaking of the l.ine member prevents that line member from cutting and also crea-tes a dynamic imbalance if the other line member is not broken. Therefore, if a line member is broken, it is ` desirable to cut all line members the same length prior to operation of the dispensing means which releases the line members.
In Figures 3 and 6 is shown an outer ring 122 which when touched to the ground at a speed slower than operational speed, results in a reduc-tion of speed o:~ the outex ring 122 with xespect to the speed of the linemembers causing ring 122 to rotate cutti.ng b]ades 11~8 and 150 to cut off l.ines 100 and 102.
Fixedl~ mounted to the exteri.or surface of -the side wall 1~ and adjacent to (and on the trailing side) of-the opening 106 is a guide means in the form of block 118 and opposing face 119. A similar such guide block -.. ;' ~ ~ ,, ':

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120 and opposing face 121 is similarly ]ocated adjacent opening 104. The guide means cause the line members to extend exteriorly of the housing 12 at an angle with respect to a radius -to, as indicated above, reduce sharp bends and consequent breakage.
The surfaces of the guide blocks 118 and 120 and their respective associated opposing faces 119 and 121 are formed of a sui-table hea-t conduc-tive material such as any suitable metal, for providing a heat sink. During heavy cutting, the tape whips or vibrates and fric-tional heat at the exit port is removed by the metal surfaces of the guide blocks 118 and 120 and opposing faces 119 and 121.
In Figure 3, the annular ring 122 entirely surrounds the side-wall 1~. Located within the ring 122 is a series of longitudinal slots, 124, 126, 128, and 130. Each of the slots cooperates with separate pins, e.g., pins 134 and 136. Also, there are secured to the housing side wall 14, diametric-ally opposi-te each other, support blocks 137 and 138 which have secured thereto a pin 140 and 142, respec-tively, which, in turn, cooperate respec-tively wi-th a slot formed within the ring 122 with these slots being also similar to the slots 12~, 126, 128 and 130. A pair of springs 144 and 146 are in-terconnected betueen the ring 122 and the sidewall 14 of the housing 12~ These springs func-tion to exert a continuous pl~l upon the ring 122 tending to place the ring 122~in the position shown in Figure 3 of the draw-ings with the cut-ting blades retracted.
Guide block 120 provides support surface for the ring 122 which has a knife blade 148 mounted thereon adjacent the forward surface of the guide block 120. On the opposite side, a similar knife blade 150 is mounted upon the ring 122. With the housing 12 rotating, the operator only needs to cause the ring 122 to come in contact wi-th a fixed surface, such as the ground, a piece of cement, or a wall which causes the ring 122 to be momen-.. . .

tarily stopped. Since the housing 12 continues to rotate, the knife blade 150 is quickly moved against the line member 102 and simultaneously the knife blade 148 is moved against the line member lOO. Once -the ring 122 is then moved away from the fixed object, the springs 144 and 146 return the cutters 148 and 150 to retract position spaced from the line members 100 and 102, respectively. In both instances, the line members 100 and 102 are severed adjacent guide blocks 118 and 120, and both are cu-t o~f equally.
Alternatively, the knife`blades may be arranged to act agains-t anvil means or one blade can cut all live members. The cutting position of the cutters is shown in Figure 6 o* the drawings.
This cutting of the line members is usually accomplished prior to operating of the dispensing means which then is operated -the desired number of times in order to èxtend the line members the desired distance exteriorly of the housing 12.
Also located ad~acent each of the openings 104 and 106 is a clamp-ing means for each line member. When the device is at less than operating speed, it is desirable to prevent retraction of the line member to within the spool 86 in chamber 18. To prevent this from happenine, a clutch shoe 152 is located adjacent the opening 104 and is secured to a leaf spring 154.
The leaf spring 154 is secured to a moun-ting block 156 which, in turn, is fixedly secured to the side wall 14 of -the housing 12. When the device is in the at rest posi-tion (shown in Figure 3), the lea* spring 154 forces -the clutch shoe 152 in an inward direction toward -the side ~all 14 and binds the line member 100 against -the side wall 14. Once the device is at opera-ting speed, the centri:~ugal force will overcome the force of the spring 154 and the clutch shoe 152 will be moved outwardly and be spaced from the line mem-ber 100. This position is shown clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings.
A similar clu-tch shoe 158, secured by a leaf spring 160 which is ,.: : ~, ~ ' : ' ` ".................... '' . ~, ' ' - ~ .

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secured -to a mounting bloc~ 162 in turn fixedly secured to the side wall 14, is employed to connect with the line member 102.
The inner end of each of the line members 102 and 100 are fixed to the hub 160 of the spool 86 by being snapped under a small leaf spring 162 which is fixedly secured to the hub 160.
Obviously minor modifications and variations are possibl.e in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

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Claims (14)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A housing and dispensing assembly for a cutting line member of a cutting apparatus, comprising: a housing rotatable about an axis; a spool mounted within said housing for winding the line member therearound and for extending the line member therefrom exteriorly of said housing to contact and cut vegeta-tion by rapid circular movement exteriorly of said housing during rotation of said housing; and means connected to said housing for locking said spool against rotation of said spool relative to said housing and for unlocking said spool during rotation of said housing to permit said relative rotation and unwinding of the line member from said spool, said locking and unlocking means including: at least one ball mounted in said housing, said ball having a locking position for locking said spool against said relative rotation and an unlocked position, and a sleeve movably mounted in said housing for determining by its position whether said ball is disposed in said locking or unlocked position.

2. A housing and dispensing assembly for a cutting line member of a cutting apparatus comprising: a housing rotatable about an axis; a spool mounted within said housing for winding the line member therearound and for extending the line member therefrom exteriorly of said housing to contact and cut vegeta-tion by rapid circular movement exteriorly of said housing during rotation of said housing; and means connected to said housing for locking said spool against rotation of said spool relative to said housing and for unlocking said spool during rotation of said housing to permit said relative rotation and unwinding of the line member from said spool, said locking and unlocking means including: at least first and second balls mounted in said housing, each of said balls having a locking position for locking said spool against said relative rotation and an unlocked position, and a sleeve movably mounted in said housing for determining by its position whether each of said balls is disposed in said locking or unlocked position.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for locking and unlocking includes means for reestablishing said locking after a segment of said line member has been unwound.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said reestablishing means automatically reestablishes said locking.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for locking and unlocking further includes means for automatical-ly returning said sleeve to a position for disposing said ball in said locking position following movement of said sleeve for disposing said ball in said unlocked position.

6. A housing and dispensing assembly for a cutting line member of a cutting apparatus, comprising: a housing rotatable about an axis; a spool mounted within said housing for winding the line member therearound and for extending the line member therefrom exteriorly of said housing to contact and cut vegetation by rapid circular movement exteriorly of said housing during rotation of said housing; and means connected to said housing for locking said spool against rotation of said spool relative to said housing and for unlocking said spool during rotation of said housing to permit said relative rotation and unwinding of the line member from said spool, said locking and unlocking means including: at least one ball mounted in said housing, said ball having a locking position for locking said spool against said relative rotation and an unlocked position, and a sleeve disposed about said axis and movably mounted in said housing for determining by its position along said axis whether said ball is disposed in said locking or unlocked position, said sleeve having a bearing surface for forcing said ball away from said axis to said locking position and defining an annular recess therealong for permitting movement of said ball toward said axis to said unlocked position when said sleeve becomes positioned along said axis with said recess cooperating with said ball.

7. The housing and dispensing assembly of claim 6 wherein said spool is mounted in a position along said axis which is substantially fixed with respect to said housing.

8. A housing and dispensing assembly for a cutting line member of a cutting apparatus, comprising: a housing rotatable about an axis; a spool mounted within said housing for winding the line member therearound and for extending the line member therefrom exteriorly of said housing to contact and cut vegetation by rapid circular movement exteriorly of said housing during rotation of said housing; and means connected to said housing for locking said spool against rotation of said spool relative to said housing and for unlocking said spool during rotation of said housing to permit said relative rotation and unwinding of the line member from said spool, said locking and unlocking means including: at least first and second balls mounted in said housing, each of said balls having a locking position for locking said spool against said relative rotation and an unlocked position, and a sleeve disposed about such axis and movably mounted in said housing for determining by its position along said axis whether each of said balls is dis-posed in said locking or unlocked position, said sleeve having a bearing surface shaped to concurrently hold one of said balls in said locking position and permit the disposing of the other of said balls in said unlocked position during rotation of said housing, said bearing surface defining an annular recess there-along to permit said disposing of said other ball in said un-locked position when said sleeve is positioned along said axis with said recess cooperating with said ball.

9. The housing and dispensing assembly of claim 8 wherein said spool is mounted in a position along said axis which is sub-stantially fixed with respect to said housing.

10. The housing and dispensing assembly of claim 6 wherein said means for locking and unlocking includes biasing means for normally positioning said sleeve along said axis with said recess cooperating with said ball and with said ball in said unlocked position.

11. The housing and dispensing assembly of claim 10 wherein said biasing means has sufficient strength to automatically return said sleeve to said normal position upon a movement of said sleeve to a position for disposing said ball in said lock-ing position.

12. The housing and dispensin~ assembly of claim 6 wherein said means for locking and unlockirl~ includes means for re-establishing said locking after a segment of said line member has been unwound.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said re-establishing means automaticall~ reestablishes said locking.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for locking and unlocking further includes means for automatic-ally re~urning said sleeve to a position for disposing said ball in said locking position following movement of said sleeve for disposing said ball in said unlocked position.