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US 7,743,840 B2Granted
Lawn aerating device
OwnerJoseph E. Hoffmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention an aerating device for attachment to a self-propelled lawnmower is provided. The device comprises a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides extending between the proximal end and the distal end. An axle is mounted to the frame and extends between the sides of the frame. At least one tine assembly is mounted to the axle for rotation about a tine axis extending longitudinally through the axle. A platform is secured to the frame and extends outwardly from one of the proximal and distal ends of the frame for supporting an operator.
Claims20
A combination of an aerating device attached to a self-propelled lawnmower, the combination comprising:
- the self-propelled lawnmower comprising:
- a receiver extending outwardly from a back end of the self-propelled lawnmower;
- and
- a pair of handles extending upwardly and rearwardly from the self-propelled lawnmower on opposing sides of the receiver for steering for the self-propelled lawnmower;
- the aerating device comprising;
- a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides extending between the proximal and distal ends;
- an axle mounted extending laterally between the sides of the frame;
- at least one tine assembly mounted for rotation about a tine axis extending longitudinally through the axle, the tine assembly having a tine diameter;
- an attachment mechanism secured to the proximal end of the frame and attached to the receiver of the self-propelled lawnmower as to permit rotation of aerating device relative to the self-propelled lawnmower about an axis that extends through the receiver and is substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower;
- and
- a platform secured to the distal end of the frame opposite the attachment mechanism for supporting an operator behind the at least one tine assembly to facilitate gripping the handles of the self-propelled lawnmower, the platform extending outwardly from the frame at an elevation that resides between vertical extents of the tine diameter, whereby weight of an operator on the platform causes rotational force of the aerating device about the axis so that tines closest to the ground transfer the weight of the operator to the ground for penetration of such closest tines into the ground for performing aeration in the direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower.
8 more elements
A combination of an aerating device attached to a self-propelled lawnmower, the combination comprising:
- the self-propelled lawnmower comprising a pair of handles extending upwardly and rearwardly from a body of the self-propelled lawnmower for steering for the self-propelled lawnmower;
- and
- the aerating device comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides extending between the proximal and distal ends;
- a plurality of tine assemblies mounted for rotation about a tine axis extending through the pair of sides of the frame, each of the plurality of tine assemblies comprising a plurality of tines configured to rotate about the tine axis through first and second spaced apart planes;
- an attachment mechanism secured to the proximal end of the frame and attached to a back end of the self-propelled lawnmower as to permit free rotation of aerating device relative to the self-propelled lawnmower about a fulcrum axis that extends laterally through the attachment mechanism between the proximal end of the frame and the self-propelled lawnmower substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower;
- and
- a platform secured to distal end of the frame opposite the attachment mechanism for supporting an operator behind the tine assemblies to facilitate gripping the handles of the self-propelled lawnmower, the platform extending outwardly from the frame at an elevation that resides in a third plane that is substantially parallel with and located between the first and second planes, wherein weight of an operator on the platform causes rotation of the aerating device about the fulcrum axis;
- a retraction device that is configured to selectively engage and disengage the tines for performing and terminating aeration, such that, when the tines are engaged, the rotation of the aerating device about the fulcrum axis causes tines closest to the ground to transfer the weight of the operator to the ground for penetration of the closest tines into the ground for performing aeration in the direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.