Line trimmer with replaceable cutting blade assembly

An apparatus for cutting vegetation, comprising in combination:

• a motor driven shaft;
• a head mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, the head having a depending wall defining a cavity;
• a plurality of upper drive lugs located in the cavity for rotation with the head, and spaced in a circular array surrounding the shaft;
• a plurality of lower drive lugs located in the cavity for rotation with the head, spaced in a circular array surrounding the shaft below and rotationally staggered from the upper drive lugs;
• at least one aperture located in the wall of the head;
• a spool adapted to be removably stored in the cavity, and being wrapped with a flexible line which has a free end adapted to extend through the aperture in the head, the spool being movable between upper and lower positions in engagement with the upper and lower drive lugs, respectively, for coupling the spool with the head for rotation and for feeding out additional line when moving between said upper and lower positions;
• a blade carrier having a central cylindrical portion and a peripheral rim, the central portion adapted to be located in the cavity while the spool is removed, the central portion having a plurality of slots which receive at least some of the drive lugs to cause the carrier to rotate with the head;
• a plurality of blades pivotally secured to the rim of the carrier for cutting vegetation;
• and
• fastener means for fastening the carrier to the shaft.

An apparatus for cutting vegetation, comprising in combination:

• a motor driven shaft;
• a head mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith, the head having a depending wall defining a cavity;
• a plurality of upper drive lugs located in the cavity for rotation with the head, and spaced in a circular array surrounding the shaft;
• a plurality of lower drive lugs located in the cavity for rotation with the head, spaced in a circular array surrounding the shaft below and rotationally staggered from the upper drive lugs;
• at least one aperture located in the wall of the head;
• a spool adapted to be removably stored in the cavity, and being wrapped with a flexible line which has a free end adapted to extend through the aperture in the head, the spool being movable between upper and lower positions in engagement with the upper and lower drive lugs, respectively, for coupling the spool with the head for rotation and for feeding out additional line when moving between said upper and lower portions;
• a blade carrier having a central cylindrical portion and peripheral rim, the central portion adapted to be located in the cavity while the spool is removed, the central portion having a plurality of slots which receive the lower drive lugs to cause the carrier to rotate with the head;
• the carrier having an annular recess on its upper side surrounding the central portion for receiving the wall of the head;
• a plurality of blades pivotally secured to the rim of the carrier for cutting vegetation;
• and
• fastener means for fastening the carrier to the shaft.