Lawn Aerator Or Perforator, Or Plug Remover Patents (Class 172/21)
  • Patent number: 12037766
    Abstract: An ultra high-pressure liquid jet soil processing system of an agricultural implement is provided. The ultra high-pressure liquid jet soil processing system includes a frame, an ultra high-pressure liquid pump disposed on the frame, a set of ultra high-pressure lines fluidly connected to the ultra high-pressure liquid pump, and at least a first liquid jet soil implementation head and a second liquid jet soil implementation head fluidly connected to the ultra high-pressure liquid pump via the set of ultra high-pressure lines. The first and second implementation heads are configured to condition soil for seed deposition by generating a plurality of trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Susterre Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Martel, Matthew Popper, Arion Vandergon, Cedar Vandergon, David Bunker, Kyle Wilson, Garrett Quillia
  • Patent number: 11160202
    Abstract: A handheld aeration implement comprising an elongated shaft and handle cantilevering laterally from a top end of the elongated shaft, the aeration implement comprising a base assembly having an arcuate stabilizer, baseplate, and plurality of spikes adapted to punch holes in a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Brandon Haddick
  • Patent number: 10849262
    Abstract: A turf aerator is configured with components that allow a user to set a desired turf aeration depth and then automatically adjust hydraulic pressure to produce a proper level of downward pressure into the ground in order to maintain consistent depth penetration with the tines. The turf aerator implements a depth control lever that is operatively connected to a switch that increases or decreases tine depth up or down. Since the desired tine depth is set and the hydraulic pressure is capable of puncturing the ground accordingly, portions of the ground that are relatively harder or softer are still properly penetrated due to the set level of depth. The turf aerator is also configured with a tine housing which shields drive chains from dirt and debris from the aerating, thereby increasing the life of the drive chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: George B. Kinkead, Kenneth W. Sylvester, Thomas J. Fiske, Terrance Bondeson
  • Patent number: 10736252
    Abstract: A device and method for loosening compacted soil, a plurality of tubular devices made from a resiliently compressible material having a hollow hub with a series of radially and circumferentially curving blades extending from the hub, a plurality of devices arranged in an array in soil to cause loosening of the soil as it seasonally expands and contracts and causes compression and subsequent expansion of the devices which in turn loosens the soil sufficiently to aerate the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Andrew Niemczyk
  • Patent number: 10279508
    Abstract: The present invention is an attachment that reversibly connects to a skid steer, front loader, or other heavy equipment. The attachment allows a user to quickly and efficiently core holes in concrete and asphalt. The attachment comprises a frame assembly that rests upon the surface of concrete being cored and a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly connects a drum saw to the frame assembly. The carriage assembly moves vertically up and down along the length of the frame assembly while coring a hole in concrete. The attachment includes two, three, and four-post embodiments. The three and four-post embodiments provide include a larger frame assembly that provides additional stability to the attachment while allowing the user to quickly reposition the attachment to core additional holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Lee C. Thornton
  • Patent number: 10172283
    Abstract: An improved grass-discharging-passage stirring and cutting mechanism for a rear shaft at a bottom of a lawn mower. Ultra-thin blades are adopted since a grass-discharging passage is very narrow and small while many stirring and cutting rods and blades are used. The blade is firstly placed into mixed buried soil, is subjected to thermal treatment, is scanned by variable-frequency electromagnetic field and laser, and is subjected to electromagnetic co-penetration heat treatment under platinum-rhodium catalysis; then the blade is subjected to organic post-treatment, is heated at a co-penetration turning point of 723° C., and then quenched in organic matter of horse urine; a noise-elimination inner shaft of the rear shaft of the lawn mower is hollow and has a plurality of noise-elimination wedges for facilitating noise elimination and reduction. The improved mechanism may be powered directly by a three-stage planetary retarder connected to an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NINGBO DAYE GARDEN MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ke Su, Xiaobo Ye
  • Patent number: 10045472
    Abstract: A cylindrical turf treatment rotor adapted to be driven in rotation about a horizontal axis, and provided with wear-resistant teeth extending along one or more helical tracks on the rotor, the teeth being individually attached to the rotor so as to be capable of individual removal for replacement or refurbishing or for reconfiguring the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Richard Campey Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Campey, Simon Jonathan Gumbrill, Johannes Hendricus Wilhelmus Herman De Kort
  • Patent number: 9915639
    Abstract: This agricultural device introduces an innovative approach to soil treatment that restores the fertility of depleted soils, which currently depend on chemical fertilizers to keep up with global food production needs. The new technology is based upon the concept of bioenergetics, whereby soil is conceived as the main factor that needs to be balanced in order to increase natural soil fertility, crop production, and food quality. This scientifically-based farming technology utilizes horizontal tillage—as opposed to conventional tillage—to reduce the entropy of the soil-plant-atmosphere system, helping regenerate biological memory and natural soil fertility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Heriberto Bouza Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9474196
    Abstract: Tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110). An outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted on independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are connected. A tine cover (50) removably closes an opening (40) in the top plate (28) and in which weights (70) are removably received over the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104). Transport wheels (134) are moveable by pivoting a stop plate (140) to position an upper pivot axis (150a) of an abutment bar (150) ahead of or behind the stop axis (142) and lower pivot axis (150b). A stop (146) positioned on the stop plate (140) without the use of tools adjusts the depth of the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George Kinkead, Steven Ferguson, Terrence R. Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Roger Lee Larson
  • Patent number: 9402339
    Abstract: A soil processing device for creating cavities in soil, including a machine frame that can move in the direction of travel, and at least one drive unit that is mounted in the machine frame and moves at least one pivotally mounted piercing tool up and down in a substantially vertical direction. Before piercing into the soil, the piercing tool is in a starting position at a predefined piercing angle, whereas in the soil, the same performs a pivoting movement about a first pivot axis as a result of the machine frame moving in the direction of travel, said pivoting movement being superimposed on the up-and-down movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: REDEXIM HANDEL—EN EXPLOITATIE MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelius Hermanus Maria De Bree
  • Patent number: 9357687
    Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus movable along a soil surface in a first direction during soil aerating operations comprises a frame assembly and a plurality of reciprocating arm assemblies. Each arm assembly comprises a tine holder for retaining a tine, an upper arm pivotally attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, a lower arm pivot attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, wherein the lower arm is positioned below the upper arm, and a drive arm pivotally attached between a crankshaft and the lower arm. In an embodiment the crankshaft comprises a plurality of central shaft sections and a plurality of eccentric shaft sections, wherein each eccentric shaft section moves in the first direction when each eccentric shaft section is positioned above the plurality of central shaft sections during soil aerating operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. St. Romain, Ernest Randall New
  • Publication number: 20150107863
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S.C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Timothy D. Andre, Jeremy J. Tate, Daniel W. Dorn
  • Publication number: 20150075825
    Abstract: A spiker roller having (i) a roller assembly having a plurality of roller components each having a peripheral wall and a plurality of apertures in each wall and a centrally located hub or boss surrounding an opening; (ii) a multiplicity of spikes which are each releasably retained within a respective aperture of each roller component; and (iii) a support shaft which is insertable through each of the openings of each roller component wherein in operation each of the roller components rotate independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Raymond Jeffrey Dufty
  • Patent number: 8979438
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a ground surface treatment system can include a flexible roller system having one or more of rollers arranged in a side-by-side position and include a flexible axle member extending through each row of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Maas
  • Patent number: 8967285
    Abstract: A method to collect soil cores from a green comprises the steps of providing a soil core collector, extracting soil cores from a green, allowing the cores to dry for at least fifteen minutes, and utilizing the core collector to gather the cores from the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: James E Hill
  • Patent number: 8955610
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a turf aerator includes a frame having wheels, a variable displacement pump, an engine for driving at least one of the wheels and driving the pump, a tine assembly supported by the frame and being movable between lowered and raised configurations, and a swash-plate-adjustment linkage extending from the tine assembly to the pump. The tine assembly includes: a base; a hydraulic motor in hydraulic communication with the pump; rotatable cranks powered by the hydraulic motor; a downwardly-extending arm rotatably coupled to each crank; a tine extending downwardly from each downwardly-extending arm; springs operatively anchored to the base; and a guide arm extending between each downwardly-extending arm and a respective spring. The swash-plate-adjustment linkage automatically adjusts the pump with movement of the tine assembly relative to the frame to provide output to the hydraulic motor substantially only when the tine assembly is at the lowered configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Billy Goat Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Eugene Longmeyer
  • Patent number: 8944175
    Abstract: The aerator rollers project below the frame for rolling engagement with the ground and are located in tandem relation relative to the direction of travel. Each aerator roller has teeth that penetrate the ground surface. The formations on each aerator roller are spaced apart from one another circumferentially around and longitudinally along the roller. Formations on one aerator roller are offset from those on the other roller permitting overlap of same. The aerator rollers are interconnected in drive and driven relation to rotate in a predetermined ratio. A hopper mounted on the frame dispenses seeds, fertilizer or the like. A rear depth control roller assembly using one or more rollers or wheels is pivotally mounted on the frame and can be brought into rolling engagement with the ground to control the depth of penetration of the formations of the aerator rollers into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: K. Kent Barger
  • Patent number: 8925643
    Abstract: An aerator with coring depth adjustment includes a coring depth adjust rod centrally positioned between a left side and a right side of the coring head. A portion of the coring depth adjust rod is threaded to a frame member of the coring head, and a base of the rod abuts a stop on a frame member of the aerator. The coring depth adjust rod rotates to raise and lower the coring head relative to the aerator frame to vary the coring depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Chris Michael Georgoulias, Bradley P. Aldridge, Stanley K. Hall, Shane Simon, Allen J. Takes, Randall G. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140338934
    Abstract: A manually operated aerating and dethatching device includes a housing having a frame. A plurality of tine members is rotatably connected to the frame. Each tine member includes a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface. The tine members are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis. A first wheel is rotatably connected to the housing. The first wheel has an outer rolling surface offset from an outer end of the plurality of tine members. A handle is rigidly connected to the housing extending generally outwardly and upwardly therefrom. Movement of the handle in an upward direction pivots the tine members on the wheel into engagement with the ground surface wherein a degree of engagement of the tine members with the ground surface can be controlled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Thompson
  • Patent number: 8844645
    Abstract: An aerator hole spacing control with a hydrostatic traction drive including a pump and a plurality of wheel motors, a control arm mounted on a control shaft of the pump that controls the direction and the speed of the pump, and a cam follower on the control arm that contacts a cam surface having a minimum coring speed position, a maximum coring speed position, and a transport position. The cam surface may be linked to an operator speed control that moves the cam surface to determine where the cam follower contacts the cam surface to change the speed of the pump anywhere between the minimum coring speed position and the maximum coring speed position without stopping the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Stanley K. Hall, Bradley P. Aldridge, Shane D. Simon
  • Publication number: 20140262366
    Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus movable along a soil surface in a first direction during soil aerating operations comprises a frame assembly and a plurality of reciprocating arm assemblies. Each arm assembly comprises a tine holder for retaining a tine, an upper arm pivotally attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, a lower arm pivot attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, wherein the lower arm is positioned below the upper arm, and a drive arm pivotally attached between a crankshaft and the lower arm. In an embodiment the crankshaft comprises a plurality of central shaft sections and a plurality of eccentric shaft sections, wherein each eccentric shaft section moves in the first direction when each eccentric shaft section is positioned above the plurality of central shaft sections during soil aerating operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. St. Romain, Ernest Randall New
  • Publication number: 20140262367
    Abstract: An apparatus for retaining soil aerating tines during soil aerating operations comprising a tine holding assembly having a plurality of holes therein, wherein each hole is adapted to hold a soil aerating tine therein, wherein the holes are arranged in a plurality of rows of holes, wherein a plurality of spaces separate adjacent rows of holes, wherein the holes of at least one row of holes are positioned between the holes of at least one other row of holes. The apparatus can have at least one space that is at least twice as wide as at least one other space. The apparatus can further comprise a plurality of tine holding members, wherein each tine holding member comprises at least one row of holes of the plurality of rows of holes. Tines can be inserted into the holes to form a zigzag pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. St. Romain, Ernest Randall New
  • Patent number: 8827000
    Abstract: An aerator with low fuel level control includes a low fuel level sensor, and a controller electrically connected to the low fuel level sensor and to the coring head that provides a warning to the operator and raises the coring head and/or prevents lowering the coring head into the operating position after the low fuel level sensor indicates a low fuel level in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bradley P. Aldridge, Chris Michael Georgoulias, Marquez Giovonnie Perkins
  • Patent number: 8800677
    Abstract: An aerator hole spacing control with lockout prevents operation of a coring head except if the speed control is at a limited range of preset coring speed positions between the minimum and the maximum. Electrical signals corresponding to a coring speed may be provided to a controller that allows the coring head to be lowered to an operating position only if the signals are within the limited range of preset coring speed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Chris Michael Georgoulias, Marquez Giovonnie Perkins, Bradley P. Aldridge
  • Publication number: 20140209334
    Abstract: Device for aerating a lawn, comprising a frame in which a shaft is rotatably mounted, characterized in that the shaft is provided with a plurality of mounting arms, wherein each mounting arm is provided with at least one removably mounted blade body, which blade body is provided on the mounting arm at a location such that disruptive elements in the lawn, such as moss and dead grass, are dislodged by the blade body during the rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Jo Beau Products BVBA
    Inventor: Jozef Beauprez
  • Patent number: 8662193
    Abstract: A method to collect soil cores from a green comprises the steps of providing a soil core collector, extracting soil cores from a green, allowing the cores to dry for at least fifteen minutes, and utilizing the core collector to gather the cores from the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: James E Hill
  • Patent number: 8616296
    Abstract: A mobile soil aeration device including a machine frame, a drive, at least one guide arm that can be moved up and down by the drive and that is pivotably arranged on the machine frame, at least one articulated piercing tool that is coupled to the guide arm, said piercing tool can be lowered into the soil and withdrawn therefrom, a tool holder for the piercing tool, that is mounted about a first pivotable axis in the guide arm that can be displaced up and down by the drive in order to allow the piercing tool to pivot in relation to the guide arm when engaging with the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-en Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hermanus Maria De Bree
  • Patent number: 8602120
    Abstract: A mobile soil working device, comprising a machine frame, a drive for at least one piercing tool, a guiding element, moveably guided on the machine frame, for at least one piercing tool, a tool holder for the piercing tool, which holder is mounted around a first pivot axis in the guiding element is provided. It is provided that the overall center of gravity of the tool holder and the at least one piercing tool is arranged in relation to the first pivot axis in such a way that the moment of inertia of the tool holder and the piercing tool that counteracts the restoring moment is at least partially reduced or compensated or overcompensated in such a way that the moment of inertia acting around the first pivot axis forms at least part of the restoring moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-En Exploitalie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Reincke
  • Publication number: 20130312987
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for towing over fields, for incorporating crop residues into soil, possessing a pair of juxtaposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart, rotatable shafts, comprising a first forwardly-mounted shaft and a second rearwardly-mounted shaft, each mounted on a frame transversely to a direction of travel of said implement. A plurality of protruding tine members, extending substantially radially outwardly from each of said pair of shafts and longitudinally spaced along each of said pair of shafts, each tine member adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft, a tip of each of said tine members when rotating about said respective shaft creating a circular arc, are further provided. The circular arcs of the tine members on one of said pair of shafts interdigitate with a corresponding plurality of circular arcs of said tine members on said other of said pair of shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Allan Buckrell, Wayne Graham
  • Patent number: 8561713
    Abstract: A movable soil aeration device with a machine frame, a main input shaft for connection to a drive, an output shaft, preferably a crankshaft, coupled to the main input shaft via a reduction gearing, in which the output shaft can move at least one piercing tool up and down, The piercing tool can be pushed into the soil and be pulled therefrom. Different transmission ratios can be set at the reduction gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-En Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hermanus Maria De Bree
  • Patent number: 8485272
    Abstract: A mobile soil aerating device including a machine frame, a drive, at least one penetration tool hingedly coupled with the machine frame, said penetration tool being adapted to be driven into the soil and to be pulled out again, said penetration tool being pivotable with respect to the machine frame during a penetration phase in which the penetration tool, prior to penetration, being in an initial position at a predetermined penetration angle, and wherein, at least after having pulled the penetration tool from the ground, at least one element engaging the penetration tool and coupled to the machine frame exerts a restoring moment on the penetration tool in order to pivot the penetration tool back to the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-en Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelius Hermanus Maria De Bree
  • Patent number: 8479836
    Abstract: A machine for aerating soil has a frame. A gear box is attached to the frame. A crank assembly is driven by the gear box. A parallel arm is pivotally attached to the crank assembly by a crank arm and is pivotally attached to the frame. A tine assembly arm is pivotally attached to the frame and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm at a fixed point. A rigid tine holder is pivotally attached to the tine assembly arm and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm and extends beyond the parallel arm. The connection of the tine assembly arm, parallel arm and tine holder to the crank assembly ensure that the tines are driven straight into the soil. The lack of arc ensures that the turf surface is minimally disturbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry White Jones
  • Patent number: 8479837
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for weed elimination using a manually operable weed stomping tool that is comprised of a handle, an elongated shaft, a footrest, and a weed stomping bit that has a cutting edge. When the weed stomping bit is positioned on the ground over the center of a weed and downward pressure is applied, either by pushing on the handle or stepping on the footrest, the weed stomping bit is forced into the ground while simultaneously the cutting edge of the weed stomping bit severs the weed's foliage from the stem and the weed stomping bit crushes the weed stalk and attendant root structure to a depth below grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher James Kirchmann
  • Patent number: 8459371
    Abstract: An aerating device for attachment to a self-propelled lawnmower is disclosed. 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 in front of or behind the at least one tine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8424613
    Abstract: An aerator attachment for a zero turn riding lawn mower equipment comprising a cross frame assembly pivotally connected to the mounting means at least one caster assembly, each rotatable and independently mounted onto the cross frame assembly, the caster assembly comprising a means for retaining at least one tine fork independently and rotatable thereon; and an actuating mechanism mounted such that when the tine forks are engaged the front end of the lawn equipment is lifted off of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: UTECO, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hurley
  • Patent number: 8387713
    Abstract: A soil aeration device may include a plurality of arcuate blades mounted to an assembly adapted to rotate and translate the blades proximate a ground surface, thereby forming aeration pockets in the soil. In certain embodiments, the arcuate tines penetrate and fracture the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket deposited on the top of the soil. In various embodiments, a planetary gear assembly imparts to the tine a translational and rotational movement which creates a fractured pocket in the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket and deposited on the surface of the soil. In still other embodiments, the arcuate tine may have mounted thereon a coring tube that cuts and removes a plug from the pocket formed in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Patent number: 8376062
    Abstract: A soil cultivation device drivable in a displacement direction relative to the soil and designed to break up sub-soil. The device has a chassis or frame, a row of support arms and a drive unit, respective cutting tool pivot units pivotally hinged on the support arms to pivot relative to the arms about a second pivoting axis, permitting a cutting tool fixed on the cutting tool pivot units to pierce the soil and the cutting tool pivot units to be pivoted in relation to the support arms. In addition, the device has at least one gear mechanism, which transmits the relative displacement of the cutting tool pivot unit and the support arm, which at least occurs when the cutting tool has pierced the soil and the soil cultivation device is traveling onwards in the displacement direction, to at least one unit not displaced up and down with the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Wiedenmann GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Wiedenmann
  • Publication number: 20130014965
    Abstract: The aerator rollers project below the frame for rolling engagement with the ground and are located in tandem relation relative to the direction of travel. Each aerator roller has teeth that penetrate the ground surface. The formations on each aerator roller are spaced apart from one another circumferentially around and longitudinally along the roller. Formations on one aerator roller are offset from those on the other roller permitting overlap of same. The aerator rollers are interconnected in drive and driven relation to rotate in a predetermined ratio. A hopper mounted on the frame dispenses seeds, fertilizer or the like. A rear depth control roller assembly using one or more rollers or wheels is pivotally mounted on the frame and can be brought into rolling engagement with the ground to control the depth of penetration of the formations of the aerator rollers into the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: K. Kent Barger
  • Publication number: 20120305275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for aerating soil that has a frame. A gear box is attached to the frame. A crank assembly is driven by the gear box. A parallel arm is pivotally attached to the crank assembly by a crank arm and is pivotally attached to the frame. A tine assembly arm is pivotally attached to the frame and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm at a fixed point. A rigid tine holder is pivotally attached to the tine assembly arm and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm and extends beyond the parallel arm. The connection of the tine assembly arm, parallel arm and tine holder to the crank assembly ensure that the tines are driven straight into the soil. The lack of arc ensures that the turf surface is minimally disturbed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jerry White Jones
  • Patent number: 8297034
    Abstract: A hand-operated, rolling leaf-rake that is rolled over leaves or other debris to collect the leaves or debris for disposal. It employs rolling drums with retractable spikes that puncture and collect leaves or debris as the tool is pushed along the ground. The drums are comprised of an inner assembly covered with spikes that rise and protrude through holes in the outer drum as it is rolled, and alternately retract through the holes and drop back down to rest again on the inner cylinder. As the spikes retract, the leaves/debris are left deposited on the ground and can be removed. The spikes are under control of a lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Brett Mueller
  • Patent number: 8297372
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for towing over fields, for incorporating crop residues into soil, possessing a pair of juxtaposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart, rotatable shafts, comprising a first forwardly-mounted shaft and a second rearwardly-mounted shaft, each mounted on a frame transversely to a direction of travel of said implement. A plurality of protruding tine members, extending substantially radially outwardly from each of said pair of shafts and longitudinally spaced along each of said pair of shafts, each tine member adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft, a tip of each of said tine members when rotating about said respective shaft creating a circular arc, are further provided. The circular arcs of the tine members on one of said pair of shafts interdigitate with a corresponding plurality of circular arcs of said tine members on said other of said pair of shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND Canada Limited
    Inventors: Allan Buckrell, Wayne Graham
  • Patent number: 8291992
    Abstract: In a mobile soil working device comprising a machine frame (23), a drive for at least one penetration tool (3) adapted for up and down movement, the penetration tool (3) being adapted to be driven into the soil and to be pulled out again, a guide element (4) for at least one penetration tool (3), the guide element being guided movably at the machine frame (23), a tool holder (2) for the penetration tool (3), which is supported for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis (40) in the guide element (4) movable up and down by the drive, so as to allow a pivoting of the penetration tool (3) against a spring force while the tool is in the soil, it is provided that, between the tool holder (2) and the guide element (4), a torsion element (1a, 1b, 1c) is provided coaxially with the first pivot axis (40), which torsion element, under a force effect on the at least one penetration tool (3), allows the tool holder (2) to pivot relative to the guide element (4) and, when the force effect ceases, exerts a restoring mome
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-En Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelius Hermanus Maria de Bree
  • Patent number: 8291991
    Abstract: A walk-behind soil aerator includes an engine, a differential, and left and right tine assemblies driven by the first and second output shafts of the differential, and a variable speed drive means between the engine and the differential, as well as a control means accessible by an operator walking behind the aerator which allows the operator to make tight turns by gradually reducing the speed of the drive means to a desired slow speed in order for the driven tines to drive the aerator through the turn and then gradually increasing the speed of the drive means without having to change the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: David M. Cook
  • Publication number: 20120217029
    Abstract: The patent application discloses a hollow tine for aerating turf. The hollow tine comprises an aerating portion arranged at a front end of the hollow tine for aerating soil; a soil discharging portion arranged at a middle portion of the hollow tine for discharging the soil entered into the aerating portion; and a mounting portion at a back end for connecting to a mechanical power plant. The hollow tine is manufactured by a way of rolling a material plate shaped by shearing. Two sides of the material plate are sheared to be provided with a convex-concave portion respectively. The aerating portion comprises a smooth and seamless wall formed by the convexo-concave portions of the material plate meshed with each other. The hollow tine for aerating turf is made of plate material of high wear resistance and strength, and has a seamless wall and can keep the quality of aerating turf consistent. Furthermore, a manufacture method of the hollow tine for aerating turf is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Wenlong ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8255126
    Abstract: An aerator having a flexible frame for use on sloped or undulating ground surfaces of golf courses and other turf. The aerator includes a pair of frame sections linked together at a horizontal pivot axis, one of the frame section supporting a coring head. A ground sensor is pivotably attached to one of the frame sections so that the ground sensor may pivot in response to changes in ground slope and provide output relating to the magnitude of the change. Based on the output, a flex frame actuator pivots the pair of frame sections with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Hunt, Shane D. Simon, Troy W. Harris, III, Harlin J. Trefz, Ronald L. Reichen, John L. Bocksnick, Bradley P. Aldridge
  • Publication number: 20120186214
    Abstract: A turf treatment trailer attachable to a ride-on lawnmower. The turf treatment trailer comprises a drawbar which is detachably attachable to the ride-on lawnmower, a frame connected to the drawbar, a first ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, a second ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and at least one turf treatment unit detachably attached to the frame. The turf treatment unit is positioned on the frame to trail the first ground-bearing trailer wheel so that in use when the turf treatment trailer is attached to the ride-on lawnmower which is moving forward over the ground, a substantially common area of the turf on the ground is sequentially traversed by the first ground-bearing trailer wheel and treated by the turf treatment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: David Michel
  • Patent number: 8220557
    Abstract: A soil aeration device may include a plurality of arcuate blades mounted to an assembly adapted to rotate and translate the blades proximate a ground surface, thereby forming aeration pockets in the soil. In certain embodiments, the arcuate tines penetrate and fracture the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket deposited on the top of the soil. In various embodiments, a planetary gear assembly imparts to the tine a translational and rotational movement which creates a fractured pocket in the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket and deposited on the surface of the soil. In still other embodiments, the arcuate tine may have mounted thereon a coring tube that cuts and removes a plug from the pocket formed in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Patent number: 8161720
    Abstract: A grass treatment unit for various greens grooming practices for replacement of a cutting head on a walk behind greensmower. An adapter is provided for mounting the grass treatment unit on the walk behind greensmower and another adapter is provided for connecting the grass treatment unit to the power source previously used by the cutting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: John L. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8162071
    Abstract: An implement that conditions the ground surface as it is moved there over aerating the soil and distributing fertilizer and/or seeds thereon. The implement has a pair of aerator rollers mounted on a frame that can be towed by a tractor or constructed so as to be self-propelled if so desired. The aerator rollers project below the frame for rolling engagement with the ground and are located one behind the other in tandem relation relative to the direction of travel of the implement during use thereof. Each aerator roller has a plurality of formations defining teeth that penetrate the ground surface. The formations on each aerator roller are spaced apart from one another circumferentially around and longitudinally along the roller associated therewith and such formations on one aerator roller are offset from those on the other roller permitting overlap of the same. The aerator rollers are interconnected in drive and driven relation to rotate in a predetermined ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: K. Kent Barger
  • Patent number: 8141651
    Abstract: A thatch rake comprising a handle, a body assembly comprising two side plates, a belt drive system comprising first and second rotating pulley wheels, a motor, a flexible thatching assembly comprising two thatching rods, and a guide arm situated in between the two side plates. Each thatching rod is situated between a side plate and the guide arm. A universal joint is located between each side plate and a thatching rod and between each thatching rod and the guide arm. Each thatching rod comprises a plurality of outwardly extending tines. The guide arm has two ends and is pivotally attached to the body assembly on one end and attached to a center wheel on the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Christianson International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Christianson, Daniel Sereday, Zack Connaughton, Phillip Viveiros