US6158636A Weed trimmer shoulder strap assembly Google Patents. Strap for weed trimmer
US6158636A. Weed trimmer shoulder strap assembly. Google Patents
Publication number US6158636A US6158636A US09/344,053 US34405399A US6158636A US 6158636 A US6158636 A US 6158636A US 34405399 A US34405399 A US 34405399A US 6158636 A US6158636 A US 6158636A Authority US United States Prior art keywords trimmer cord strap assembly loop shoulder strap Prior art date 1999-06-25 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Expired. Fee Related Application number US09/344,053 Inventor Jerry J. Latiolais Original Assignee Latiolais; Jerry J. Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 1999-06-25 Filing date 1999-06-25 Publication date 2000-12-12 1999-06-25 Application filed by Latiolais; Jerry J. filed Critical Latiolais; Jerry J. 1999-06-25 Priority to US09/344,053 priority Critical patent/US6158636A/en 2000-12-12 Application granted granted Critical 2000-12-12 Publication of US6158636A publication Critical patent/US6158636A/en 2019-06-25 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical Status Expired. Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Links
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 54
- 210000000707 Wrist Anatomy 0.000 abstract 2
- 210000002832 Shoulder Anatomy 0.000 description 50
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 description 4
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 241000538562 Banjos Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002365 multiple layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
Images
Classifications
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45 — HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F — TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F3/00 — Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
- A45F3/14 — Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/835 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters specially adapted for particular purposes
- A01D34/90 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters specially adapted for particular purposes for carrying by the operator
- A01D34/902 — Ergonomic provisions
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45 — HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F — TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F3/00 — Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
- A45F3/14 — Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
- A45F2003/142 — Carrying-straps
Abstract
A strap assembly for a weed trimmer or similar tool designed to minimize or eliminate the strain associated with lifting and lowering the tool includes a pair of bungee cords each having two opposing ends. The first ends of the cords are coupled with a ring which is removably securable to a hook assembly mounted to the shaft of the weed trimmer. The cord is passed back and forth through a bracket and forms a loop allowing the length of each cord to be varied. Each loop is secured to an end of a shoulder pad. The design assures that the weight of the trimmer is supported by the strap assembly as opposed to the user’s arms or wrists, regardless of the position of the trimmer.
Description
The present invention relates to a weed trimmer shoulder strap assembly designed to reduce the strain on a user’s arms or shoulders.
Weed trimmers typically include an elongated shaft having a pair of handles which are grasped by a user to manipulate the trimmer. Most weed trimmers also include a strap for supporting the trimmer on the user’s shoulder. However, the trimmer must often be raised, lowered and shifted to various angles during operation. Accordingly, because the conventional shoulder strap is not stretchable, it must be adjusted so that it contains sufficient slack to allow the trimmer to be moved within a wide range. However, when the trimmer is being used in a raised position, there is substantial slack in the strap such that it no longer supports the weight load of the trimmer. Instead, most of the weight load is then shifted to the user’s arms or shoulders. Such activity can be extremely burdensome, especially for the elderly or infirm, in that most weed trimmers are typically heavy. The present invention relates to a uniquely designed weed trimmer shoulder strap assembly that continuously supports the weight of the trimmer as the trimmer is raised and lowered.
Various weed trimmers and shoulder straps exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,444 issued to Nickel relates to a cutting device with a frictional brake for selectively stopping the drive shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,121 issued to Watson relates to a quick releasing support for line trimmers including a ball and socket bracket for interconnecting the trimmer shaft to a user’s body. The ball and socket mechanism allows the shaft to rotate relative to the user and also includes a quick release mechanism for quickly detaching the trimmer from the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,307 issued to Shaulis relates to an apparatus for centering a flexible drive shaft cable within a cylindrical cable housing on a weed trimmer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,239 issued to Walters, Jr. relates to a weight support harness designed primarily to support the weight of a musical instrument including a pair of shoulder straps attachable to the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,021 issued to Hoff relates to a drive and frame shaft assembly for a lawn trimmer.
As indicated above, each of the above harness assemblies are specifically designed for musical instruments while each of the trimmers include conventional shoulder straps. The present invention relates to a uniquely configured shoulder strap assembly for a weed trimmer or similar heavy tool designed to minimize the strain associated with raising and lowering the trimmer. The device includes a shoulder pad having a pair of elastic cord assemblies attached thereto. The cords are securable to the trimmer preventing a user from having to lift and hold the trimmer for prolonged periods of time.
Hanperal Padded Shoulder Harness for Yard Trimmer
The present invention relates to a strap assembly for a weed trimmer. The device includes a pair of elongated elastic bungee cords, each having a pair of opposing ends. First ends of the cords are coupled with a ring. Each of the opposing ends is passed back and forth through an adjustment bracket to form a loop that is secured to an end of a shoulder pad. The ring is removably secured to a clamp mechanism mounted on the trimmer shaft. The uniquely designed strap assembly allows a user to adjust each cord to a desired length. If, while mounted on a user’s shoulder, the trimmer must be lowered, the user simply presses the trimmer downwardly. As pressure on the trimmer is released, the trimmer will automatically return to its original position. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap assembly that minimizes the strain associated with operating a weed trimmer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap assembly that prevents a user’s arms or shoulders from bearing the weight of the weed trimmer.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap assembly for a weed trimmer that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
FIG. 5 depicts the strap assembly attached to a conventional weed trimmer and draped over a user’s shoulder.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention relates a strap assembly for a weed trimmer 1. A conventional weed trimmer 1 typically includes an elongated shaft 2 having a cutting head 30 at one end and a motor 35 at the opposing end. The present invention relates to a strap assembly securable to the shaft of a weed trimmer of the type described above.
The device includes a pair of elastic cords 3, each having first and second ends. The first ends of the cords are joined with a conventional coupling mechanism 4 such as tape, a sleeve or a similar device. A ring 5 is attached to the coupling device for securing the joined ends to a hook mechanism on the trimmer shaft as will be described in more detail below. The opposing end of each cord is threaded back and forth through an adjustment bracket 6 and then folded onto itself to form a loop 11. The length of each cord may be therefore selectively varied using the adjustment bracket.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the adjustment bracket preferably includes four apertures. Each cord extends through a first aperture 7, loops back through a second aperture 8 and reverses direction again back through a third aperture 40. The remaining portion of the cord is formed into a loop 11 and the second end of the cord is passed through the fourth aperture 21. The cord is secured to each bracket by tying a knot at the end of the cord or attaching a retaining means thereto. Each cord will then include a straight portion 10 on one side of the bracket and the loop 11 on the other. Each adjustment bracket allows the effective length of each cord to be adjusted to fit various size users or to selectively position a weed trimmer relative to the user’s body by sliding the adjustment bracket upwardly or downwardly along the length of the cord.
The assembly also includes a shoulder pad 15 having a pair of opposing ends, each end having a grommet 16 adjacent thereto. Each loop 11 passes through one of the grommets adjacent an end of the shoulder pad to secure the shoulder pad to the cord assembly. The shoulder pad is preferably constructed with multiple layers of webbing with a foam layer therebetween.
The ring on the joined ends of the cords is secured to a hook mechanism mounted to the weed trimmer shaft. The hook assembly includes a pair of clamp members 17 each having a U-shaped indention 18 thereon for receiving a portion of the weed trimmer shaft. Each end of the clamp includes an aperture for receiving a fastener means 19. Each clamp is secured to an opposing portion of the shaft and the two clamps are coupled by inserting the fastener means through each set of apertures on the clamp. Disposed between the clamps is a J-shaped hook member 20 to which the metal ring may be attached to quickly secure the strap assembly to the weed trimmer.
The above described device is not to be limited to the exact details of construction as shown and described. Although the device has been shown and described as primarily designed for supporting a weed trimmer, the device may be used with other heavy devices which are typically supported on a user’s shoulder. As will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the size, shape and materials of construction of the above described components may be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
Claims ( 4 )
a pair of length adjustable elastic cords each having a first end, means for securing said first ends together, said first ends adapted to be removably attached to a weed trimmer shaft, each of said cords formed into a length adjustable loop, each said loop respectively attached to one of said ends of said shoulder pad whereby the size of said loop is variable to adjust the length of said cord.
A shoulder strap assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first ends of each cord include a ring secured thereto which is adapted to be removably fastened to a hook mounted on a weed trimmer shaft.
A shoulder strap assembly according to claim 2 wherein each said cord is threaded back and forth through an adjustment bracket to form said loop, said bracket slidable along said cord to vary the size of said loop and thus the length of said cord.
49290 / WLBCF310. Attaching double shoulder strap
A shoulder strap assembly according to claim 3 further comprising said hook which includes a pair of clamp members mountable to the trimmer shaft with a J-shaped hook member disposed therebetween for connection with said ring.
US09/344,053 1999-06-25 1999-06-25 Weed trimmer shoulder strap assembly Expired. Fee Related US6158636A ( en )
Family
Cited By (23)
| US6481022B1 ( en ) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-11-19 | J. D’addario Co., Inc. | Shoulder pad |
| US6491006B2 ( en ) | 1998-11-04 | 2002-12-10 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Chain saw having a two-cycle or two-stroke engine, and a hand-held power tool such as a chain saw, trimmer, or power cutter having a two-cycle or two-stroke engine, and a method for the construction thereof |
| US6523227B2 ( en ) | 2001-06-01 | 2003-02-25 | Lance Goodall | Shoulder mounted cord retaining clip |
| WO2003051100A1 ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2003-06-26 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| US6640344B2 ( en ) | 2001-09-07 | 2003-11-04 | J. D’addario Co., Inc. | Shoulder pad |
| US20060108387A1 ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Suspender for brushcutter |
| US20060179806A1 ( en ) | 2005-01-14 | 2006-08-17 | Andreas STIHL Ag Co. Kg | Carrying system for an implement and method for cutting trees |
| US20070205237A1 ( en ) | 2006-03-06 | 2007-09-06 | Andreas STIHL Ag Co. Kg | Carrying Arrangement |
| US20100000097A1 ( en ) | 2008-07-01 | 2010-01-07 | Johnson Donnie F | Weed trimming device |
| US20100107295A1 ( en ) | 2008-06-18 | 2010-05-06 | Innovative Accessory Products Inc. | Cord holding garment |
| US20100146800A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-12 | 2010-06-17 | Ron Carlson | Apparatus having a tool on an elongate pole and method of using the apparatus |
| US20100264188A1 ( en ) | 2007-06-01 | 2010-10-21 | Husqvarna Aktiebolag | Harness for power tool having a pole |
| US7945969B1 ( en ) | 2010-06-15 | 2011-05-24 | Innovative Accessory Products, Inc. | Cord holding garment |
| US8132699B2 ( en ) | 2006-12-19 | 2012-03-13 | Three Point Ventures Llc | Shoulder strap for bag |
| US20130161047A1 ( en ) | 2010-09-13 | 2013-06-27 | Husqvarna Ab | Handle arrangement for a power tool |
| US8534515B2 ( en ) | 2011-08-04 | 2013-09-17 | M Group, Inc. | Pivoting elastic shoulder support |
| USD772577S1 ( en ) | 2015-01-20 | 2016-11-29 | M Group, Inc. | Elastic shoulder support with shoulder pad and pivot |
| US10517376B2 ( en ) | 2017-04-22 | 2019-12-31 | Impax Marketing, LLC | Tool support strap |
| USD894605S1 ( en ) | 2020-03-17 | 2020-09-01 | Maoqin Liu | Strap hook |
| US10905907B1 ( en ) | 2016-11-14 | 2021-02-02 | Alexander Dold | System and method for leverage-assisted tool and harness |
| US20210177126A1 ( en ) | 2018-02-14 | 2021-06-17 | M Group, Inc. | Portable powered appliance support strap |
| US11466813B2 ( en ) | 2018-12-03 | 2022-10-11 | Globe (jiangsu) Co., Ltd. | Tool carrier |
| US11528985B2 ( en ) | 2021-04-23 | 2022-12-20 | Anthony Andre Preston | Plumbing safety device and method |
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| US5544795A ( en ) | 1993-11-03 | 1996-08-13 | Perrin; Stephen J. | Shock absorbing shoulder strap |
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Cited By (33)
| US6491006B2 ( en ) | 1998-11-04 | 2002-12-10 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Chain saw having a two-cycle or two-stroke engine, and a hand-held power tool such as a chain saw, trimmer, or power cutter having a two-cycle or two-stroke engine, and a method for the construction thereof |
| US6523227B2 ( en ) | 2001-06-01 | 2003-02-25 | Lance Goodall | Shoulder mounted cord retaining clip |
| US6640344B2 ( en ) | 2001-09-07 | 2003-11-04 | J. D’addario Co., Inc. | Shoulder pad |
| US6481022B1 ( en ) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-11-19 | J. D’addario Co., Inc. | Shoulder pad |
| US7520029B2 ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2009-04-21 | Husqvarna Ab | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| WO2003051100A1 ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2003-06-26 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| US20050109806A1 ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2005-05-26 | Tore Jonsson | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| CN100456917C ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2009-02-04 | 哈斯科瓦那股份公司 | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| US7917997B2 ( en ) | 2001-12-17 | 2011-04-05 | Husqvarna Ab | Device for attaching a tool to harness |
| US20060108387A1 ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Suspender for brushcutter |
| EP1661446A1 ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-31 | Honda MOTOR CO., Ltd. | Suspender for brushcutter |
| AU2005234669B2 ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2010-12-16 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Suspender for brushcutter |
| CN100446654C ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2008-12-31 | 本田技研工业株式会社 | Suspender for brushcutter |
| US8857682B2 ( en ) | 2004-11-24 | 2014-10-14 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Suspender for brushcutter |
| US20060179806A1 ( en ) | 2005-01-14 | 2006-08-17 | Andreas STIHL Ag Co. Kg | Carrying system for an implement and method for cutting trees |
| US20070205237A1 ( en ) | 2006-03-06 | 2007-09-06 | Andreas STIHL Ag Co. Kg | Carrying Arrangement |
| US8132699B2 ( en ) | 2006-12-19 | 2012-03-13 | Three Point Ventures Llc | Shoulder strap for bag |
| US8418898B2 ( en ) | 2007-06-01 | 2013-04-16 | Husqvarna Akitebolag | Harness for power tool having a pole |
| US20100264188A1 ( en ) | 2007-06-01 | 2010-10-21 | Husqvarna Aktiebolag | Harness for power tool having a pole |
| US7761930B2 ( en ) | 2008-06-18 | 2010-07-27 | Innovative Accessory Products Inc. | Cord holding garment |
| US20100107295A1 ( en ) | 2008-06-18 | 2010-05-06 | Innovative Accessory Products Inc. | Cord holding garment |
| US20100000097A1 ( en ) | 2008-07-01 | 2010-01-07 | Johnson Donnie F | Weed trimming device |
| US20100146800A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-12 | 2010-06-17 | Ron Carlson | Apparatus having a tool on an elongate pole and method of using the apparatus |
| US7945969B1 ( en ) | 2010-06-15 | 2011-05-24 | Innovative Accessory Products, Inc. | Cord holding garment |
| US20130161047A1 ( en ) | 2010-09-13 | 2013-06-27 | Husqvarna Ab | Handle arrangement for a power tool |
| US8534515B2 ( en ) | 2011-08-04 | 2013-09-17 | M Group, Inc. | Pivoting elastic shoulder support |
| USD772577S1 ( en ) | 2015-01-20 | 2016-11-29 | M Group, Inc. | Elastic shoulder support with shoulder pad and pivot |
| US10905907B1 ( en ) | 2016-11-14 | 2021-02-02 | Alexander Dold | System and method for leverage-assisted tool and harness |
| US10517376B2 ( en ) | 2017-04-22 | 2019-12-31 | Impax Marketing, LLC | Tool support strap |
| US20210177126A1 ( en ) | 2018-02-14 | 2021-06-17 | M Group, Inc. | Portable powered appliance support strap |
| US11466813B2 ( en ) | 2018-12-03 | 2022-10-11 | Globe (jiangsu) Co., Ltd. | Tool carrier |
| USD894605S1 ( en ) | 2020-03-17 | 2020-09-01 | Maoqin Liu | Strap hook |
| US11528985B2 ( en ) | 2021-04-23 | 2022-12-20 | Anthony Andre Preston | Plumbing safety device and method |
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Legal Events
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362
Effective date: 20041212