Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6726143
-
Patent Number
6,726,143
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, October 30, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 27, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Matecki; Kathy
- Langdon; Evan
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 242 5753
- 242 5752
- 242 5972
- 242 4869
- 242 902
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The invention is an apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, wherein the apparatus comprises: a header having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second sides; a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool; a shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof; and a rotation means for rotating the shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs, such that the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for winding line onto a spool, such as that type of spool employed in weed and grass trimmers.
The spool of a weed and grass trimmer has a mono filament (i.e. nylon) line wound thereon for cutting vegetation. After all of the line has been used, the empty spool is removable from the trimmer for reloading. New line is wound onto the spool, usually by hand, from a suitable bulk supply of line. However, the flexible but relatively stiff line tends to tangle and resists tight and compact winding upon the spool, thus making winding by hand a difficult and tedious task. The typical result is a poorly and unevenly wound spool from which line can twist and/or break during use.
Various devices have been developed for winding line onto the spool of a weed and grass trimmer. However, such devices have not been universally adaptable to the wide variety of spools on the market having different inside diameters and structural configurations. The inside diameter is the diameter of the cavity defined within the hub of the spool. One type of line winder includes a cone-shaped member engaged with the hub of the spool on one side thereof, a second member (either cone-shaped or flat) engaged with the spool on its opposite side, and a spindle extending through the hub and connecting the members to thereby clamp the spool between the members. Although the cone-shaped member accommodates spools with different inside diameters, this type of line winder is limited to use with spools of a specific structural design. The hub of the spool must define a central cavity extending completely through the spool in order to receive the spindle which connects the two members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an apparatus or winding line onto a spool which is universally adaptable for use with spools having different inside diameters as well as structural configurations.
The above object is realized by an apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, wherein the apparatus comprises: a header having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second sides; a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool; a shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof; and a rotation means for rotating the shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs, such that the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool.
Adjustment of the longitudinal separation of the prongs allows for use of the apparatus with spools having different inside diameters. The apparatus can also be used with spools of virtually any structural configuration as long as the spool has a hub defining a cavity therein that can securely receive the prongs. The prongs can be received in the cavity to securely hold the spool regardless of whether the cavity extends only partially or completely through the spool.
According to a preferred embodiment hereafter described, the above-mentioned rotation means Is a crank handle for manually rotating the shaft within a bearing means (i.e. tubular sleeve). The bearing means is affixed to a mounting mean s (i.e. resilient tubular clip) for being fixedly but removably mounted to a supporting member, such as the tubular member of a weed and grass trimmer. The preferred prong adjustment means comprises another shaft rotatably mounted within the header and having oppositely threaded portions for respectively and threadedly receiving the prongs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus as it appears in use for winding line upon a spool. The apparatus is shown as having the spool secured thereto. The apparatus is also mounted to a supporting member.
FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate different views of the apparatus as it appears when not in use. Therefore, the apparatus does not have a spool secured thereto and is not mounted to a supporting member.
FIG. 2
is a plan view showing the open side of a header and internal details.
FIG. 3
is a view showing one end of the header.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the illustrated apparatus
10
includes a header
12
that is hollow so as to define an interior therein. Header
12
has a longitudinal axis
14
, opposing sides
16
and
18
, and longitudinally opposing ends
20
and
22
. Side
16
is closed and is defined by a wall
24
longitudinally extending between ends
20
and
22
. Wall
26
transversely extends between sides
16
and
18
and longitudinally extends between ends
20
and
22
. A longitudinally extending flange
30
outwardly extends from wall
26
at side
18
. A portion of wall
26
is broken away to reveal the interior of header
12
and the interior surface of opposing wall
28
, which is similar to wall
26
and has an associated flange not visible in FIG.
1
. Walls
26
and
28
define side
18
, which is open in a manner more clearly shown in subsequent FIG.
2
.
Continuing to refer to
FIG. 1
, a threaded shaft
32
longitudinally extends through the interior of header
12
and is rotatably mounted between ends
20
and
22
. Opposing end portions of shaft
32
are rotatably received through holes in ends
20
and
22
. Lock washers
34
and
36
are received over the end portions of shaft
32
so as to abut the respective exterior surfaces of ends
20
and
22
to thereby retain shaft
32
in the illustrated longitudinal position while allowing its rotation. A knob
38
is affixed to the outermost extremity of one end portion of shaft
32
to allow manual rotation thereof. Knob
38
can, for example, be threaded upon the one end portion of shaft
32
and fixed in position upon the shaft by a lock nut
40
. As shown, shaft
32
has threaded portions
42
and
44
of opposite hand, i.e. one portion having right hand threads and the other portion having left hand threads. Threaded portion
42
threadedly receives the inner end
46
a
of a prong
46
, and threaded portion
44
threadedly receives the inner end
48
a
of a prong
48
. The respective inner ends
46
a
and
48
a
of prongs
46
and
48
are accordingly received in the interior of header
12
. Each prong extends from its inner end inside header
12
to its opposing outer end outside the header. The outer ends of prongs
46
and
48
are indicated at
46
b
and
48
b
, respectively.
FIG. 1
further shows that prongs
46
and
48
transversely and outwardly extend from side
18
of header
12
.
Portions of prongs
46
and
48
extending outwardly from side
18
are received in a central cavity
50
as defined within a spool
52
by the inner surface its hub
54
(shown in cross section). Cavity
50
extends only partially through spool
52
. As will be explained further below, prongs
46
and
48
are adjusted in their longitudinal separation to be in snug contact with the inner surface of hub
54
to thereby securely hold spool
52
. The outer edge of flange
30
(as well as the outer edge of the flange not shown in
FIG. 1
) is in contact with an outer face of spool
52
. Spool
52
can be of the type removed from a weed and grass trimmer, as previously discussed.
A shaft
56
is affixed to header
12
so as to transversely and outwardly extend from side
16
. One end of shaft
56
is affixed to side
16
, as defined by wall
24
, by means of a boss
58
integrally formed with wall
24
and having a recess (not shown) in which the end of shaft
56
is fixedly received with a suitable adhesive. The other end of shaft
56
is affixed to, and preferably integral with (as shown), a crank handle
60
.
A tubular sleeve
62
(a portion being shown in cross section) rotatably receives shaft
56
therethrough. AS shown, the opposing ends of tubular sleeve
62
are closely adjacent to boss
58
and crank handle
60
. A resilient tubular clip
64
is affixed to, and preferably integral with, tubular sleeve
62
so as to be perpendicularly oriented with respect to the tubular sleeve. Tubular clip
64
has a wall with a slot
66
. Since tubular clip
64
is comprised of a resilient material, the tubular clip is adapted to receive a tubular supporting member
68
through slot
66
and into the interior of the clip as shown. Tubular clip
64
is thereby fixedly but removably mounted to tubular supporting member
68
. Tubular supporting member
68
is most conveniently the tubular member of the weed and grass trimmer from which spool
52
was removed. A drive shaft
70
is shown as being coaxially positioned within tubular supporting member
68
. A weed and grass trimmer of the type using an internal combustion engine has such a drive shaft extending through the tubular member between the engine and trimmer head (not shown). Both tubular supporting member
68
and drive shaft
70
are illustrated in cross section.
Assuming tubular supporting member
68
is the tubular member of a weed and grass trimmer, the trimmer can be positioned by the user in any suitably comfortable position (not shown) while standing or sitting, while the user turns crank handle
60
with one hand and tightly holds replacement line from a bulk supply of line with the other hand. Turning of crank handle
60
is indicated in
FIG. 1
by the position of the crank handle, as shown in phantom lines, after 180° in rotation. Accordingly, shaft
56
is rotated within tubular sleeve
62
to thereby also rotate header
12
, prongs
46
and
48
, and spool
52
as securely held by the prongs so as to wind line
72
evenly and tightly around hub
54
of spool
52
. Rotation of header
12
is indicated by knob
38
in phantom lines after 180° of rotation (which would orient prongs
46
and
48
oppositely from that shown), and rotation of spool
52
is indicated by arrow
74
. Of course, tubular sleeve
62
, tubular clip
64
, and tubular supporting member
68
remain stationary during winding of line
72
upon spool
52
. The winding operation in accordance with the invention is performed easily and quickly, and results in a properly wound spool to thereby avoid the previously mentioned problems of twisting and/or breakage during use of the weed and grass trimmer.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, this view of apparatus
10
(without a spool secured thereto) clearly shows open side
18
as defined by walls
26
and
28
that longitudinally extend between ends
20
and
22
, as well as flange
30
and the other flange
76
respectively and outwardly extending from walls
26
and
28
at side
18
. Walls
26
and
28
have spaced interior surfaces between which inner ends
46
a
and
48
a
of prongs
46
and
48
are closely received for longitudinal movement within header
12
. Those portions of prongs
46
and
48
outwardly extending from open side
18
to their respective outer ends
46
b
and
48
b
are preferably rectangular in shape and have a smaller width than inner ends
46
a
and
48
a
. Because of oppositely threaded portions
42
and
44
of shaft
32
which respectively and threadedly receive inner ends
46
a
and
48
a
, rotation of knob
38
in one rotational direction (as indicated by solid arrow
78
) moves prongs
46
and
48
toward one another (as indicated by corresponding solid arrows within header
12
), and rotation of knob
38
in the opposite rotational direction (as indicated by broken arrow
80
) moves prongs
46
and
48
away from one another (as indicated by corresponding broken arrows within header
12
).
Accordingly, longitudinal separation of prongs
46
and
48
can be adjusted to be slightly less than the inside diameter of a spool to allow the prongs to be received inside the spool's cavity, followed by appropriate rotation of knob
38
to move prongs
46
and
48
away from one another and into snug contact with the inner surface of the hub that defines the cavity (as is shown in FIG.
1
). The spool, as thus securely held by prongs
46
and
48
, is removed from the prongs by appropriate rotation of knob
38
to move the prongs toward one another and out of contact with the above-mentioned inner surface.
Referring to
FIG. 3
, this view of apparatus
10
(without a spool secured thereto) shows the respective outer edges of flanges
30
and
76
lying in a plane, as represented by the broken line at
82
, that intersects the prongs (of which only prong
48
is visible in FIG.
2
). Plane
82
is also perpendicular to the rotational axis
84
of shaft
56
. Plane
82
preferably defines an acute angle a of about 10-20° with respect to each of flanges
30
and
76
. The outer edges of flanges
30
and
76
are, therefore, adapted to contact the face of a spool as held by the prongs. This ensures that the spool remains in a fixed relationship to header
12
during winding and does not “wobble”, even if the spool is slightly warped and its face is not absolutely flat.
FIG. 3
further shows tubular clip
64
without a tubular supporting member received therein. Slot
66
is shown as axially extending between the opposing ends of tubular clip
64
.
Some preferred dimensions for apparatus
10
will now be given for illustrative purposes, but should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner: inside (as measured between interior surfaces) dimensions of header 12—2⅜ inch long and ½ inch wide; size and threading of threaded shaft 32—¼ inch diameter and 20-28 threads per inch; rectangular dimensions of the portions of prongs
46
and
48
extending from side
18
to respective outer ends
46
b
and
48
b
−⅛×¼ inch; inside diameter of tubular clip
64
—¾ inch. The specified dimensions of the prongs and header allow the apparatus to be used with a spool having any inside diameter between about ⅜ inch about 2 ¼ inch. This range of inside diameters covers virtually all trimmer spools on the market. The specified inside diameter of tubular clip
64
allows its use with any tubular member of a weed and grass trimmer having an outside diameter of about ¾ to 1 inch. The resiliency of tubular clip
64
allows it to deform sufficiently to accommodate a tubular member having an outside diameter at the upper end of the specified range. The tubular members of virtually all trimmers on the market have an outside diameter within this range. With respect to preferred materials of construction, apparatus
10
can be made entirely of plastic materials to minimize cost of production. Header
12
, shaft
56
and crank handle
60
, as well as tubular sleeve
62
can be comprised of any suitably strong and rigid plastic. Tubular clip
64
can be comprised of any suitably resilient plastic with a good “memory”. Threaded shaft
32
, as well as prongs
46
and
48
, can be comprised of a tough and durable plastic such as nylon. Alternatively, the threaded shaft and prongs could be metallic, preferably aluminum. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the apparatus of the invention could be used with a spool other than the type from a weed and grass trimmer, and the tubular clip could be fixedly but removably mounted to a different tubular supporting member. Or, a different mounting mechanism could be substituted for the tubular clip for being mounted to any of various types of supporting members. According to another variation, the shaft affixed to the header could be rotated by a motorized device rather than manually with a crank handle. Rotation with the crank handle is preferred, however, for its simplicity and the ability to control the speed of rotation. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, said apparatus comprising:a header that is hollow and has a longitudinal axis, longitudinally opposing ends, an interior defined therein, and opposing first and second sides; a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool, the prong adjustment means including a first shaft upon which the prongs are adjustable received and which longitudinally extends from one end to the other end of the header in the interior thereof; a second shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof; and a second shaft rotation means for rotating the Second shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs, such that the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the second shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool.
- 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first side of the header is open, and each of the prongs has opposing first and second ends of which the first ends are received in the interior of the header so that such prongs are longitudinally movable toward or away from one another by the prong adjustment means, each prong extending from the first end inside the header to the second end outside the header.
- 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first shaft is rotatably mounted between the ends of the header, and has threaded portions of opposite hand of which one threaded portion threadedly receives the first end of one prong and the other portion threadedly receives the first end of the other prong, and wherein the prong adjustment means further includes a first shaft rotation means for rotating the first shaft so that rotation in one direction moves the prongs toward one another and rotation in the opposite direction moves the prongs away from one another.
- 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the ends of the header have respective holes therethrough, the first shaft has opposing end portions rotatably received through the respective holes, and the first shaft rotation means comprises a knob affixed to one end portion of the first shaft to allow manual rotation thereof.
- 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the second side of the header is closed and the header includes a wall means transversely extending between the sides of the header and longitudinally extending between the ends of the header, the wall means having spaced interior surfaces between which the first end of each prong is closely received for longitudinal movement.
- 6. An apparatus as recited in claim S wherein the wall means comprises first and second walls defining the open first side of the header, and wherein the header further includes a third wall defining the closed second side of the header and longitudinally extending between the ends of the header.
- 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the header has a longitudinally extending first flange outwardly extending from the first wall at the open first side and a longitudinally extending second flange outwardly extending from the second wall at the open first side.
- 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the second shaft has a rotational axis, and wherein the first and second flanges have respective outer edges lying in a plane that intersects the prongs and is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second shaft, the outer edges of the flanges being adapted to contact the spool when it is securely held by the prongs.
- 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said plane defines an acute angle of about 10-20° with respect to each of the first and second flanges.
- 10. An apparatus as recited In claim 1 wherein the apparatus is for use with a supporting member and further comprises: a bearing means through which the second shaft is rotatably received; and a mounting means, affixed to the bearing means, for being fixedly but removably mounted to the supporting member.
- 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the mounting means comprises a resilient tubular clip having an interior defined therein and a wall with a slot, the tubular clip being adapted to receive a tubular supporting member through the slot and into the interior of the clip.
- 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the bearing means comprises a tubular sleeve.
- 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the second shaft rotation means comprises a crank handle, and wherein the second shaft has opposing ends of which one end is affixed to the second side of the header and the other end is affixed to the crank handle.
- 14. An apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, said apparatus being for use with a tubular supporting member and comprising:a header having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second sides: a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool; a shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof; a bearing means through which the shaft is rotatably received; a resilient tubular clip affixed to the bearing means and having an interior defined therein, there being an exterior outside the tubular clip and the tubular clip further having opposing open ends and a wall with a slot extending between the open ends so as to provide communication between the interior and exterior along the length of the slot between the open ends, wherein the tubular clip is adapted to receive the tubular supporting member through the slot and into the interior of the tubular clip to thereby fixedly but removably mount the tubular clip to the tubular supporting member; and a rotation means for rotating the shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs; whereby the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool while the tubular clip is removably mounted on the tubular supporting member.
- 15. An apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, said apparatus comprising;a header that is hollow and has a longitudinal axis, longitudinally opposing ends, and interior defined therein, and opposing first and second sides; a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool, the prong adjustment means including (i) a longitudinally extending first shaft in the interior of the header and rotatably mounted between the ends of the header, the first shaft having opposing end portions rotatably received by respective ends of the header and also having a pair of integral threaded portions of opposite hand of which one threaded portion extends from one end portion to the other threaded portion and such other threaded portion extends to the other end portion, wherein one threaded portion threadedly receives one prong and the other threaded portion threadedly receives the other prong, and (ii) a first shaft rotation means for rotating the first shaft so that rotation in one direction moves the prongs toward one another and rotation in the opposite direction moves the prongs away from one another; a second shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof: and a second shaft rotation means for rotating the second shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs, such that the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the second shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool.
US Referenced Citations (14)