US 5,570,746 AGranted

Turf aeration device

AssigneeSouthern Green, Inc.

InventorsJerry Jones, Harry Knight, Kinsey Estess, Ernest R. New

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A turf aeration device is provided, comprising a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein the frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off capability. Balanced chain and sprocket assemblies are used to transfer power from the power take-off to the drive shaft, and a plurality of aerator mechanisms are attached to the drive shaft and the frame. Each aerator mechanism comprises a link member which supports a pivotable tine holder having at least one tine, a stop member attached to the link member for contacting the tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; a means for adjusting the predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; an elastomeric band pivotally connected between the frame and the tine holder for urging the tine holder against the stop member; a drive link attached to the drive shaft; and a connecting rod pivotally attached between the drive link and the link member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A turf aeration device, comprising:

(a) a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein said frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off portion;
(b) power transfer means, operatively attachable between said drive shaft and said power take-off portion, for transferring power from said power take-off portion to said drive shaft;
(c) a plurality of aerator mechanisms operatively attached to said drive shaft and said frame, each said aerator mechanism comprising:
a link member, having a base end and a distal end, wherein said base end is pivotally attached to said frame, said link member further having a first connection engagement means positioned thereon and a connection member connectable with said first connection means;
a tine holder, having at least one fine, pivotally attached to said distal end of said link member;
stop member attached to said link member for contacting said tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member, said stop member further having a tine adjustment mechanism to adjust said minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member wherein said tine adjustment mechanism comprises:
(i) at least one rigid body having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said distal end of said link member, said second end for contacting said tine holder;
(ii) a second connection engagement means disposed between said first end and said second end of said rigid body;
said connection member, said first connection engagement means, and said second connection engagement means being adapted so that said second connection engagement means can be selectively aligned with said first connection engagement means, said connection member engaging said first connection engagement means and said second connection engagement means to fix said rigid body to said link member;
resilient means pivotally connected between said frame and said tine holder for urging said tine holder against said stop member;
a drive link fixedly attached to said drive shaft;
and
a connecting rod pivotally attached between said drive link and said link member.

10 more elements

A turf aeration device, comprising:

(a) a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein said frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off portion;
(b) power transfer means, operatively attachable between said drive shaft and said power take-off portion, for transferring power from said power take-off portion to said drive shaft;
(c) a plurality of aerator mechanisms operatively attached to said drive shaft and said frame, each said aerator mechanism comprising:
a link member, having a base end and a distal end, wherein said base end is
pivotally attached to said frame, said link member further having a first connection engagement means positioned thereon and a connection member connectable with said first connection means;
a tine holder, having at least one fine, pivotally attached to said distal end of said link member;
stop member attached to said link member for contacting said tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member, said stop member further having a tine adjustment mechanism to adjust said minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member wherein said tine adjustment mechanism comprises:
(i) at least one rigid body having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to said distal end of said link member, said second end for contacting said tine holder;
(ii) a second connection engagement means disposed between said first end and said second end of said rigid body;
said connection member, said first connection engagement means, and said second connection engagement means being adapted so that said second connection engagement means can be selectively aligned with said first connection engagement means, said connection member engaging said first connection engagement means and said second connection engagement means to fix said rigid body to said link member;
resilient means pivotally connected between said link member and said tine holder for urging said tine holder against said stop member;
a drive link fixedly attached to said drive shaft;
and
a connecting rod pivotally attached between said drive link and said link member.

11 more elements

A turf aeration device, comprising:

(a) a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein said frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off portion;
(b) power transfer means, operatively attachable between said drive shaft and said power take-off portion, for transferring power from said power take-off portion to said drive shaft;
(c) a plurality of aerator mechanisms operatively attached to said drive shaft and said frame, each said aerator mechanism comprising:
a link member, having a base end and a distal end, wherein said base end is pivotally attached to said frame;
a tine holder, having at least one fine, pivotally attached to said distal end of said link member;
stop member attached to said link member for contacting said tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member;
resilient means pivotally connected between said frame and said tine holder for urging said tine holder against said stop member;
a drive link fixedly attached to said drive shaft;
a connecting rod pivotally attached between said drive link and said link member;
and
a rotational stop projecting outwardly and rearwardly from said aerator mechanism.

8 more elements

A turf aeration device, comprising:

(a) a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein said frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off portion;
(b) power transfer means, operatively attachable between said drive shaft and said power take-off portion, for transferring power from said power take-off portion to said drive shaft;
(c) a plurality of aerator mechanisms operatively attached to said drive shaft and said frame, each said aerator mechanism comprising:
a link member, having a base end and a distal end, wherein said base end is pivotally attached to said frame;
a tine holder, having at least one tine, pivotally attached to said distal end of said link member;
stop member attached to said link member for contacting said tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between said tine holder and said link member;
resilient means pivotally connected between said link member and said tine holder for urging said tine holder against said stop member;
a drive link fixedly attached to said drive shaft;
a connecting rod pivotally attached between said drive link and said link member;
and
a rotational stop projecting outwardly and rearwardly from said aerator mechanism.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.