The Toro Company

Jeffrey E Zander

Jay J Kakuk

Anthony N Pink

Robert C Johnson

Richard H Jacobs

Richard L Cellini

Gregory B Eytchison

Michael J Gergen

John Mark Buber

Kevin B Wittman

Vegetation trimmers and methods for reconfiguring a trimmer are provided. A coupling mechanism permits reconfiguration of the trimmer between a first, e.g., trimming, configuration and a second, e.g., edging, configuration. The coupling mechanism may, in one embodiment, be used to couple a handle assembly with an extension tube. By rotating the handle assembly relative to the extension tube, the trimmer is moved between the trimming and edging configurations. In one embodiment, the mechanism may apply a biasing force to the handle assembly relative to the extension tube. The biasing force tends to bias the trimmer towards and retain the trimmer in the desired configuration. To switch the trimmer between configurations, the operator may impart a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube where the twisting force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force. Optionally, a longitudinal force may also be applied before or during the application of the twisting force.

Reconfigurable vegetation trimmer and method of use

A grass trimmer with a trimmer shield that can be manually assembled to the housing without the use of tools is disclosed. The trimmer shield can also preferably be disassembled from the housing by a consumer to allow for replacement of the trimmer shield. One preferred trimmer shield includes at least one retaining member that prevents translational movement of the trimmer shield and at least one retaining member that prevents deflection of the trimmer shield in a vertical direction.

Trimmer shield for grass trimmer

A cable connector (82) including a thermal fuse (25) for use with a low voltage electrical system (1). The preferred connector (82) includes a pair of electrically and thermally conductive jumper elements (19,23) with a plurality of sharpened edges (30,33,64,67) for piercing the insulating jacket (32,35,73,74) surrounding the inner conductors (14,15,22,24) with which the jumpers (19,23) make electrical contact. The jumpers (19,23) include a plurality of conductor engaging slots (31,34,65,66,68,69) which mechanically grip the conductors. In operation, the quality of the electrical contact between the jumpers and the conductors is proportional to the amount of heat radiated at the junction between the terminals (26,27,62,63) and the conductors (14,15,22,24), the heat causing the thermal fuse (25) to break the electrical circuit when the sensed heat exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Cable connector including thermal fuse

A power box (12) for a low voltage lighting system (10). Power box (12), which connects to a 120 VAC source via 120 VAC cable (15) and a plurality of low voltage light fixtures (14) via a 12 VAC cable (16), includes a 'tortuous path' strain relief (40) including a first strain relief structure (41) in a base (19) having vertically spaced horizontal ribs (44, 46, 48) and a second strain relief structure (43) in a cover (28) having corresponding vertically spaced horizontal ribs (56, 54, 52). When base (19) and cover (28) are assembled, structures (41 and 43) align such that the ribs interdigitate or mesh to form the tortuous path strain relief (40) for the 120 VAC cable (15). Another aspect of the invention is the use of a standard spade lug connector (77) and a pair of 'double-L' spade lug connectors (78) for making the internal and external 12 VAC connections to a step down transformer (60) and the 12 VAC cable (16), respectively. Another aspect of the present invention is a power box mounting system which includes a horizontal groove (90) on the rear wall (27) of power box (12), and a vertical slot (94) extending upwardly from groove (90) and also formed in the rear wall (27). Groove (90) and slot (94) are configured to receive a power box mounting screw (92), in that order. Still another aspect of the present invention resides in the fact that the base (19) and cover (28) of power box (12) can accommodate a variety of electrical components, including either a 36 watt transformer (60') or a 72 watt transformer (60').

Method of making a power box for a low voltage lighting system

Power box for a low voltage lighting system

Compost bin

A Power box (12) for a low voltage lighting system (10). Power box (12), which connects to a 120 VAC source via 120 VAC cable (15) and a plurality of low voltage light fixtures (14) via a 12 VAC cable (16), includes a 'tortuous path' strain relief (40) including a first strain relief structure (41) in a base (19) having vertically spaced horizontal ribs (44, 46, 48) and a second strain relief structure (43) in a cover (28) having corresponding vertically spaced horizontal ribs (56, 54, 52). When base (19) and cover (28) are assembled, structures (41 and 43) align such that the ribs interdigitate or mesh to form the tortuous path strain relief (40) for the 120 VAC cable (15). Another aspect of the invention is the use of a standard spade lug connector (77) and a pair of 'double-L' spade lug connectors (78) for making the internal and external 12 VAC connections to a step down transformer (60) and the 12 VAC cable (16), respectively. Another aspect of the present invention is a power box mounting system which includes a horizontal groove (90) on the rear wall (27) of power box (12), and a vertical slot (94) extending upwardly from groove (90) and also formed in the rear wall (27). Groove (90) and slot (94) are configured to receive a power box mounting screw (92), in that order. Still another aspect of the present invention resides in the fact that the base (19) and cover (28) of power box (12) can accommodate a variety of electrical components, including either a 36 watt transformer (60') or a 72 watt transformer (60').

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Jeffrey E Zander