# US 10,863,663 B2 · Aerator device

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- Number: US 10,863,663 B2
- Document ID: US10863663B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/884,024
- Filed: 2018-01-30
- Published: 2018-08-02
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-31
- Applicants: Kevin Chichester-Constable
- Inventors: Kevin Chichester-Constable
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863663B2

## CPC

- A01B 45/02: for aerating
- A01B 1/243: {for aerating}
- A01C 23/026: {Localised non-continuous injection tools, e.g. pal injectors, spike wheels}
- A01C 23/04: Distributing under pressure; Distributing mud; Adaptation of watering systems for fertilising-liquids
- A01C 5/04: Machines for making or covering holes for sowing or planting
- A01C 23/028: {Contactless injection into the soil}
- A01B: SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL (making or covering furrows or holes for sowing, planting or manuring A01C5/00; mowers convertible to soil working apparatus or capable of soil working A01D42/04; mowers combined with soil working implements A01D43/12; soil working for engineering purposes E01, E02, E21)
- A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00)

## Abstract

The aerator device includes a manifold including an interior channel, a connector aperture, and a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid stream. A cover plate is disposed on an upper side of the manifold. A first connector includes a first open end in fluid communication with the interior channel and a second end extending through a connector aperture disposed on an upper side of the cover plate. A second connector is configured to receive a hose connection to a pressurized fluid supply. A wheel including a wheel height adjustment mechanism is affixed to each side portion of the cover plate. In one embodiment, the manifold is configured to rotate when the wheels of the device rotate via a drive roller. A handle extending rearwardly from the cover plate includes a trigger mechanism configured to activate the flow of fluid from a pressurized fluid source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An aerator device, comprising:
a manifold including an interior channel, a connector aperture, and a plurality of nozzle apertures;
a cover plate disposed on an upper side of the manifold;
a first connector including a first open end in fluid communication with the interior channel of the manifold and a second end extending through a connector aperture disposed on an upper side of the cover plate;
a second connector including a first end affixed to the second end of the first connector and a second end configured to receive a hose connection to a pressurized fluid supply;
a nozzle connected to each nozzle aperture of the plurality of nozzle apertures;
the length of each nozzle being less than a distance from the nozzle aperture to a ground surface;
a wheel height adjustment mechanism affixed to a side portion of the cover plate, the wheel height adjustment mechanism including a frame with a plurality of teeth, a lever plate pivotally connected to the frame, and a wheel rotatably connected to the lever plate, wherein the lever plate is configured to adjust the height of the wheel with respect to a ground surface;
wherein the first connector, second connector, manifold interior channel, and plurality of nozzles are in fluid communication with each other;
wherein the nozzle is configured to rotatably discharge a volume of pressurized fluid in so as to form a revolving stream.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, wherein each nozzle aperture of the plurality of nozzle apertures is spaced equally from one another.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a quick-connect-style connector.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, wherein the second connector includes an angular bend in a range between forty-five and one hundred eighty degrees.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, wherein the lever plate is biased against the frame.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the cover plate, the handle extending upwardly at an angle therefrom, wherein an upper end of the handle includes a trigger mechanism, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to activate fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, further comprising:
an end cap disposed on a first end of the manifold, the end cap including an aperture configured to receive the first open end of the first connector, an interior channel in fluid communication with the interior channel of the manifold, and one or more bearings configured to facilitate rotation of the manifold with respect to the end cap;
a drive roller coupled to a second end of the manifold and disposed on the side portion of the cover plate, the driver roller disposed on the wheel height adjustment mechanism and positioned such that an outer edge of the wheel contacts an outer edge of the driver roller, wherein rotation of the wheel is configured to cause rotation of the drive roller, which in turn is configured to cause rotation of the manifold.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The aerator device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of nozzle apertures includes a first group disposed on a first pair of opposing faces of the manifold, and a second group disposed on a second pair of opposing faces of the manifold.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The aerator device of claim 7, wherein the side portion of the cover plate includes a rearwardly extended section, wherein the wheel is disposed on the rearwardly extended section and the drive roller is positioned toward a front end of the cover plate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The aerator device of claim 8, wherein the first grouping of nozzles are oriented perpendicular to the second grouping of nozzles.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The aerator device of claim 1, wherein the manifold further comprises a plurality of interior channels.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The aerator device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of interior channels is in fluid communication with a corresponding nozzle aperture, the plurality of interior channels further being in fluid communication with a main channel.
