Reconfigurable vegetation trimmer and method of use

A vegetation trimmer, comprising:

• a cutting unit assembly;
• a handle assembly;
• an extension tube having a first end coupled to the handle assembly and a second end coupled to the cutting unit assembly;
• and
• a coupling mechanism operable to permit rotation of the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either a first position or a second position, the first position corresponding to a trimming configuration of the vegetation trimmer and the second position corresponding to an edging configuration of the vegetation trimmer;
• wherein the coupling mechanism is operable to rotationally bias the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either the first position or the second position when the handle assembly is at substantially any position between the first position and the second position.

A vegetation trimmer operable for use in either a trimming configuration or an edging configuration, the vegetation trimmer comprising:

• a cutting unit assembly;
• a handle assembly;
• an extension tube having a first end coupled to the handle assembly and a second end coupled to the cutting unit assembly;
• and
• a coupling mechanism for coupling the first end of the extension tube to the handle assembly, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:
• a cam member located at the first end of the extension tube, the cam member defining a cam surface, wherein the first end of the extension tube does not extend longitudinally beyond the cam surface;
• a cam follower coupled to the handle assembly;
• and
• a biasing member for biasing the cam surface against the cam follower;
• wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to allow the handle assembly to be selectively rotated relative to the extension tube by application of at least a twisting force.

A method for reconfiguring a vegetation trimmer between a trimming configuration and an edging configuration, the method comprising:

• providing a vegetation trimmer, comprising:
• a cutting unit assembly;
• a handle assembly;
• an extension tube having a first end coupled to the handle assembly and a second end coupled to the cutting unit assembly;
• and
• a coupling mechanism operable to permit rotation of the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either a first position or a second position, the first position corresponding to a trimming configuration of the vegetation trimmer and the second position corresponding to an edging configuration of the vegetation trimmer;
• wherein the coupling mechanism is operable to rotationally bias the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either the first position or the second position when the handle assembly is at substantially any position between the first position and the second position;
• and
• applying a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube whereby the handle assembly rotates about the extension tube between the first position and the second position.

A vegetation trimmer, comprising:

• a cutting unit assembly;
• a handle assembly;
• an extension tube having a first end coupled to the handle assembly and a second end coupled to the cutting unit assembly;
• a secondary handle operable to clamp to the extension tube;
• and
• a coupling mechanism operable to permit rotation of the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either a first position or a second position, the first position corresponding to a trimming configuration of the vegetation trimmer and the second position corresponding to an edging configuration of the vegetation trimmer;
• wherein the coupling mechanism is operable to rotationally bias the handle assembly relative to the cutting unit assembly toward either the first position or the second position when the handle assembly is at substantially any position between the first position and the second position.