The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2000
Dale Kenneth Wheeler, Fallston, MD (US);
Angela Marie Waldrop, Parkville, MD (US);
Colin Dyke, North Augusta, CA;
William R. Lessig, III, Monkton, MD (US);
Robert A. Meloni, Baltimore, MD (US);
Black & Decker Inc., Newark, DE (US);
Abstract
A trimming tool includes a selectable blade attachment for effecting a conversion between a string trimming mode and a blade trimming mode without requiring disassembly of the unit. The assembly includes a locking mechanism selectively engageable with a pivoting trimming blade that pivots between a retracted position and an extended position by centrifugal force. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is reciprocated between the locked position and the unlocked position based on a rotation direction of the motor. The locking mechanism itself may also be reciprocated by centrifugal force. A spool lock, which is also positioned by centrifugal force, disables automatic string feeding in the blade trimming mode. The trimming tool may also be provided with a blower function incorporating a blower attachment readily attachable as a trimming guard of the trimming tool or a blower assembly integrated into the tool components.