Flexible flail trimmer with combined guide and guard

Abstract

A flexible flail trimmer for conventional trimming of grass, weeds and the like and for edging of sidewalks has a combined guide and guard rotatably mounted inboard of the trimmer cutting head. The guide and guard provides dynamic trimmer indexing on a sidewalk edge for guiding the trimmer vertically and horizontally to deliver a uniform, aesthetically pleasing turf edge. The combined guide and guard does not inhibit trimming of grass and weeds in the conventional trimming manner, and actually enhances the user's visualization and performance of such trimming.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for trimming and edging lawns comprising: a handle having a first upper end and a second lower end,   a drive means mounted on said handle proximate the upper end,   a rotatable cutting head mounted proximate the lower end of said handle,   a rotating driveshaft operably connected to and extending from said drive means to said cutting head for driving said cutting head,   said rotating cutting head having flexible flail means,   said flexible flail means extending outwardly from said cutting head and generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said cutting head during operation, and   an integral guide and guard means rotatably supported on said apparatus inboard of said cutting head between said cutting head and said first end of said handle for guiding said cutting head and for shielding a user from debris generated by said cutting head, said integral guide and guard means being fully rotatable about said axis of rotation of said cutting head as said apparatus is moved along for trimming .Iadd.and said integral guide and guard means further including an outboard generally planar flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flexible flail means. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide and guard means comprises a truncated cone element and a circumferential lip extending radially outward from a base of said truncated cone. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide and guard means comprises a circular structure generally concavely shaped on an outboard side thereof and generally convexedly shaped on an inboard side thereof and having a circumferential lip extending radially outward from an outboard edge of said structure. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said second end of said handle comprises a tubular non-rotating housing and further including a bearing contained generally within said truncated element of said guide and guard means, said guide and guard means being rotatably mounted on said housing via said bearing, said driveshaft extending through said tubular non-rotating housing and bearing for driving said cutting head independently of said guide and guard means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said lip has an outboard face and wherein said flexible flail of said cutting head rotates in a plane generally parallel to and slightly outboard of a plane defined by said outboard face of said circumferential lip. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lip defines a radial external circumferential lip edge and wherein said flail is oriented so that an outer end thereof is disposed adjacent said edge. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said cutting head axis of rotation is perpendicular to a plane defined by the path of said flail, said apparatus being operable to edge grass along a sidewalk and the like by orienting said axis of rotation of said cutting head generally parallel to a surface of said lawn, indexing an inboard face of said circumferential lip against a vertical sidewalk surface and indexing a juncture of said circumferential lip inboard face with an outer surface of said base along an elongated corner formed by said vertical sidewalk surface and a horizontal sidewalk surface, said guide and guard means being rollable along said sidewalk as said flexible flail rotates, thereby edging said grass uniformly adjacent said sidewalk. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6, said apparatus being operable to trim grass, vegetation and the like by orienting said axis of rotation of said cutting head generally perpendicular to said lawn. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said flail tip extends radially beyond an edge of said circumferential lip. 
     
     
       10. A trimmer for edging grass along a fixed reference surface, said trimmer comprising a handle,   a rotating flexible flail means operably mounted on an outboard end of said handle for cutting grass and weeds,   driving means mounted on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer inboard of said flexible flail means for guiding said flexible flail means along said reference surface while shielding a user from debris generated by said flexible line means,   said guide and guard means being rotatably mounted on said trimmer for rotating through 360° as said trimmer is moved for edging .Iadd.and said integral guide and guard means further including an outboard generally planar flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flexible flail means. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       11. A grass and weed trimmer comprising a handle   a rotating flexible flail means mounted to said handle for cutting grass and weeds,   driving means on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer and having vertical surface referencing means and horizonal surface referencing means and being operable to index said trimmer along a sidewalk to edge grass adjacent thereto while shielding a user from debris generated by said trimmer   said guide and guard means being rotatably mounted on said trimmer so as to rotate when said trimmer is moved to cut grass and weeds .Iadd.and said integral guide and guard means further including an outboard generally planar flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flexible fall means. .Iaddend. .[.   
     
     
       12.  A combined guide and guard means for use on a flexible flail grass and weed trimmer, said combined guide and guard means formed generally in the shape of a truncated cone having a circumferential lip extending radially outward from a base of said truncated cone and said guide and guard means including means for rotatably mounting said guide and guard means on a trimmer for rotation as said trimmer is used. .]. .[.13. A combined guide and guard means for use on a flexible flail grass and weed trimmer, said combined guide and guard means formed generally in the shape of a circular structure concavely shaped on an outboard side thereof and convexedly shaped on an inboard side thereof and having a circumferential lip extending radially outward from an outboard edge of said structure and said guide and guard means including means for rotatably mounting said guide and guard means on a trimmer for rotation as said trimmer is used..]. .[.14. The combined guide and guard means of either claim 12 or claim 13 wherein said mounting means includes a bearing for rotatably mounting said combined guide and guard means to a handle of said flexible flail trimmer..]. .[.15. The combined guide and guard means of claim 14 wherein said means includes means for mounting said guide and guard means on a flexible flail trimmer inboard of a cutting head thereof..]. .[.16. The combined guide and guard means of claim 14 wherein said lip is circumferentially continuous..]. .[.17. A combined guide and guard means for use on a flexible flail trimmer with a rotatable cutting head, said means including vertical surface referencing means and horizontal surface referencing means and being operable to index said trimmer along a sidewalk to edge grass adjacent thereto while shielding a user from debris generated by said trimmer and said guide and guard means including means for rotatably mounting said guide and guard means for rotation about an axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting head as said trimmer is used..]. .[.18. A method of trimming grass or weeds by means of a flexible flail trimmer having a cutting head mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a flexible flail extending radially therefrom for circular motion to cut grass or weeds, drive means for said cutting head and a handle on which said drive means and cutting head is mounted, the method comprising the steps of: operating said trimmer to rotate said cutting head and flail;   orienting said trimmer to a position such that at least a cutting end of said flexible flail is brought into contact with grass or weeds to be trimmed;   said trimmer having a guide and guard means disposed adjacent said flail and inboard thereof with respect to said handle, said guide and guard means rotatably mounted on said trimmer for rotation about said axis of rotation; and   said method including the further step of moving said trimmer so as to cause said combined guide and guard to rotate about said axis of rotation as said trimmer is moved to cut grass or weeds..]. .[.19. A method as in claim 18 wherein said trimmer is used for edging grass along a sidewalk, curb, or driveway, including the further step of rolling said guide and guard means in contact along and with a sidewalk, curb, or driveway adjacent grass to be edged and guiding said trimmer along said grass by means of said contact to edge said grass therealong..]. .[.20. A method of edging grass along a sidewalk, curb, or driveway with a flexible flail trimmer having a rotatable guide and guard means mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:   rotating a flexible flail about said axis to cut grass;   rolling said guide and guard means along a surface adjacent grass to be edged to guide said trimmer therealong, said guide and guard means rotating about said axis; and   
     
     
       deflecting thrown debris engaging said guide and guard means..]. .Iadd.21. Apparatus for trimming and edging lawns comprising: a handle having a first upper end and a second lower end,   a drive means mounted on said handle proximate the upper end,   a rotatable cutting head mounted proximate the lower end of said handle,   a rotating drive shaft operably connected to and extending from said drive means to said cutting head for driving said cutting head,   said rotating cutting head having flexible flail means,   said flexible flail means extending outwardly from said cutting head and generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said cutting head during operation, and   a combined guide and guard means supported on said apparatus inboard of said cutting head between said cutting head and said first end of said handle for guiding said cutting head and for shielding a user from debris generated by said cutting head,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.  The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said flail means is mounted so as to extend substantially parallel to and slightly outboard said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates, such that said flail means bears against said lip during said rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said circumferential lip extends substantially continuously around said guide and guard means to provide 
     
     
        360°coverage around said cutting head. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  A trimmer for edging grass along a fixed reference surface, said trimmer comprising: a handle,   a rotating flexible flail means operably mounted on an outboard end of said handle for cutting vegetation,   driving means mounted on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer inboard of said flexible flail means for guiding said flexible flail means along said reference surface while shielding a user from debris generated by said flexible flail means,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said flail means is mounted so as to extend substantially parallel to and slightly outboard said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates, such that said flail 
     
     
        means bears against said lip during said rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said circumferential lip extends substantially continuously around said guide and guard means to provide 
     
     
        360° coverage around said cutting head. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  A grass and weed trimmer comprising: a handle,   a rotating flexible flail means mounted to said handle for cutting vegetation,   driving means on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer and having vertical surface referencing means and horizontal surface referencing means and being operable to index said trimmer along a sidewalk to edge grass adjacent thereto while shielding a user from debris generated by said trimmer,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  A grass and weed trimmer as claimed in claim 27 wherein said flail means is mounted so as to extend substantially parallel to said slightly outboard said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates, such that said flail means bears against said lip during said rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said circumferential lip extends substantially continuously around said guide and guard means to provide 360° coverage around said cutting head. 
     
     
        .Iadd.30.  Trimming and edging apparatus comprising: flexible flail means for cutting vegetation rotatably mounted on said apparatus and extending radially therefrom,   guide and guard means mounted on said trimming and edging apparatus inboard of said flexible flail means and having a circumferential lip,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  Trimming and edging apparatus as in claim 30 wherein said flail means is mounted so as to extend substantially parallel to and slightly outboard said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates, such that said flail means bears against said lip during said rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said circumferential lip extends substantially continuously around said guide and guard means to provide 360°coverage around said cutting head. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.  .  Trimming and edging apparatus comprising: flexible flail means for cutting vegetation, said flexible flail means being rotatably mounted on said apparatus and extending radially therefrom;   guide and guard structure mounted on said trimming and edging apparatus inboard of said flexible flail means said guide and guard structure having a generally planar flail stabilizing surface which lies within a path of rotation of said flail means such that said flail means contacts said generally planar flail stabilizing surface as said flail means wobbles during rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. Trimming and edging apparatus as in claim 33 wherein said generally planar flail stabilizing surface extends   
     
     
        360° around said guide and guard structure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. Trimming and edging apparatus comprising: flexible flail means for cutting vegetation, said flexible flail means being rotatably mounted on said apparatus and extending radially therefrom;   guard means mounted on said trimming and edging apparatus inboard of said flexible flail means for protecting an operator from thrown debris during a trimming operation; and   said guard means comprising an outboard surface means for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said outboard surface means being defined by a generally planar flail stabilizing surface disposed within a path of rotation of said flexible flail means.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  Trimming and edging apparatus as in claim 35 wherein said outboard surface means extends 360° around said guard means. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.37.  A trimmer for edging grass along a fixed reference surface, said trimmer comprising: a handle,   a rotating flexible flail means operably mounted on an outboard end of said handle for cutting vegetation,   driving means mounted on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer inboard of said flexible flail means for guiding said flexible flail means along said reference surface while shielding a user from debris generated by said flexible flail means,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip so as said flail means rotates, and clears a path ahead of the guide and guard means for receiving said lip as said trimmer advances. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A grass and weed trimmer comprising:   a handle,   a rotating flexible flail means mounted to said handle for cutting vegetation,   driving means on said handle for driving said flexible flail means, and   a dual function flexible flail trimmer guide and guard means mounted on said trimmer and having vertical surface referencing means and horizontal surface referencing means and being operable to index said trimmer along a sidewalk to edge grass adjacent thereto while shielding a user from debris generated by said trimmer,   said guide and guard means having an outer-circumferential edge defined by a circumferential lip extending radially outwardly therefrom, said circumferential lip having an outer periphery and a generally planar outboard flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail means as said flexible flail means rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail means,   wherein said flail means extends radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said circumferential lip as said flail means rotates, and clears a path ahead of the guide and guard means, said lip moving through said path as said trimmer is advanced. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. Trimming and edging apparatus comprising:   flexible flail means for cutting vegetation, said flexible flail means being rotatably mounted on said apparatus and extending radially therefrom;   guide and guard means mounted on said trimming and edging apparatus inboard of said flexible flail means said guide and guard means having a generally planar surface which lies within a path of rotation of said flexible flail means such that said flexible flail means contacts said planar surface as said flexible flail means rotates, said flexible flail means having a tip extending beyond said planar surface and, when said flexible flail means is driven, clearing a path in said vegetation for said planar surface.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.40.  Trimming and edging apparatus comprising: a flexible flail for cutting vegetation, said flexible flail being rotatably mounted on said apparatus and extending radially therefrom; and   guide structure mounted on said trimming and edging apparatus inboard of said flexible flail for guiding and stabilizing wobble of said flail as said flail rotates during a trimming operation, said guide structure including an outboard generally planar flail stabilizing surface for bearing said flexible flail as said flexible flail rotates, said stabilizing surface being disposed within a path of rotation of said flail. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein said flail stabilizing surface includes a radially outer edge disposed proximate an outer end of said flail during said trimming operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A method of stabilizing wobble of a rotating flexible flail on a flexible flail trimmer, the method comprising the steps of:   providing flexible flail guide structure including a generally planar flail stabilizing surface having a radially outer edge;   mounting said guide structure on said trimmer inboard of said flexible flail such that said generally planar flail stabilizing surface faces in an outboard direction and bears said flexible flail as said flexible flail rotates, said guide structure further being mounted such that said stabilizing surface is disposed within a path of rotation of said flail. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A method as claimed in claim 42 further comprising mounting said guide structure such that a radially outer edge of said stabilizing surface is disposed proximate an outer end of said flail during said trimming operation. .Iaddend.