Snapper Power Equipment, Division of Fuqua Industries, Inc.

Fugua Industries, Inc.

Russell V Rouse

James R Powers

Frank H Hancock, Jr

A grass or vegetation cutting blade is provided, which includes multiple cutting edges, including a leading cutting edge positioned below a trailing cutting edge. An upturned foil is provided behind the leading edge, such that grass initially cut by the leading edge is directed upwardly by the foil toward the trailing edge, to be cut in midair. An inturned spur is provided, which provides inward air and clipping flow toward the rotational axis of the blade. The blade is contemplated for use in conventional side- or rear-discharging housings, as well as mulching or recycling housings. The blade is resistant to clogging, and includes power-efficient properties.

Mulching blade including multiple cutting edges

A grass or vegetation cutting blade is provided, which includes multiple cutting edges, including a leading cutting edge positioned below a trailing cutting edge. An upturned foil is provided behind the leading edge, such that grass initially cut by the leading edge is directed upwardly by the foil toward the trailing edge, to be cut in midair. An inturned spur is provided, which provides inward air and clipping flow toward the rotational axis of the blade. The blade is contemplated for use in conventional side- or rear-discharging housings, as well as mulching or recycling housings. The blade is resistant to clogging, and includes power efficient properties.

A fixed line string trimmer head includes a pair of overlying sheet steel circular plates welded together to form two or more pairs of partially circular passages between the plates opening at each end into a recess extending continuously at and between the periphery of the plates. The passages are formed by recesses formed in the plates in registry with each other while the peripheral recess is formed by outwardly flared portions of the plates. The lower plate is also formed with an integral bulbous or ball portion to guide the trimmer head on the ground during use. The upper plate is provided with a connector sleeve centered with respect to the axes of rotation of the head for attaching the head to a drive shaft. The sleeve has internal threads for this purpose and also to permit an adapter to be utilized to allow the head to be attached to various sized drive shafts. A discrete length of plain cutting line is placed into both passages by simply inserting the ends of the line into the adjacent ends of the passages and sliding the opposite end portions through the passages until they emerge from the remote ends of the passages with an intermediate portion of the line engaged against a land located between the adjacent passage ends.

String trimmer head and method

A friction drive mechanism is provided for machinery such as a lawn mower wherein a driven wheel is provided with an outer ring that slips upon initial engagement with a driving disc. The coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the ring and the driven wheel is selected such that when slippage occurs, it occurs at this interface and not between the outer surface of the ring and the driving disc. Upon initial start-up when the driven ring first engages the driving disc, the ring will slip relative to the driven wheel to avoid a sudden transmission of torque to the ground wheels. The coefficient of friction and the normal force between the inner surface of the ring and the driven wheel are selected such that gradually the relative velocity between the ring and driven wheel decreases to zero and the ring no longer slips on the driven wheel but rotates at the same speed as the driven wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Conyers, GA, United States of America

Russell V Rouse