Lawn Aerator Or Perforator, Or Plug Remover Patents (Class 172/21)
  • Publication number: 20030136566
    Abstract: A multi-functional water jet weeder, cultivator, root waterer, and soil aerator device comprising a telescopic rod with an inclined handle grip, and having at least two inter-changeable spraying heads of different size with two rows of multiple metal spikes surrounded by water jets, combinable with a water hose having a quick disconnect unit at the opposite end of the device, and an on/off water control switch on the handle grip. A fertilizer or herbicide can be added by attaching a reservoir on the handle grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: David C. Saeger
  • Patent number: 6561282
    Abstract: An aeration machine 10 comprising a drive mechanism 16 connected to sets of tines 18 by a vibration absorbing linkage arrangement 34. The arrangement 34 enables the tines 18 to remain vertical when extending into the ground thereby avoiding elongation of the holes formed thereby. The aeration machine includes a linkage arrangement including a vibration absorbing member. The vibration absorbing member comprises a first part located at least partially within a hollow housing and is held within the hollow housing by a plurality of resilient members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Duncan Andrew Smith
  • Publication number: 20030047330
    Abstract: A soil aeration tine having a nose or apex end for soil penetration with a set of soil fracture faces carried thereon to fracture a portion of the soil in engagement with the soil aeration tine and a cutting tube positioned on the soil aeration tine with the soil cutting tube cutting a soil plug free of a further portion of the soil with the soil penetration tine having a lateral face for scooping out soil as the soil aeration tine is removed from the soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: PLANET AIR TURF PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Scott W. Bjorge
  • Publication number: 20020189825
    Abstract: A turf aerator with a reciprocating drive mechanism comprising a substantially rigid tine leg pivotally mounted at an upper end to a drive assembly arranged to reciprocate the tine leg along its longitudinal axis, the drive assembly comprising a reciprocating drive member to which the tine leg is pivotally attached at a first point along the drive member, the drive member being pivotally connected at a second point to a first eccentric and at a third point to a second eccentric, the third point being located intermediate the first and second points and the first and second eccentrics being rotated in synchronism, to reciprocate the first point on the drive member both vertically and while reducing the extent of horizontal reciprocation of the first point on the drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: David John Livingstone
  • Patent number: 6484811
    Abstract: A mulching unit for a mulching apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly or hammer having a rotatable support element and two cutting elements spaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap that allows debris to pass between the cutting elements, thereby increasing efficiency and enabling higher rotating speeds for sustained amounts of time. The cutting elements include tips that may be formed in one piece with the support element, e.g., a collar, and the tips may be covered with a protective layer of tungsten and/or carbide. Alternatively, the tips themselves can be made from tungsten and/or carbide and physically attached, e.g., by welding, to the collar to form an integral unit. The cutting elements may be mounted on support element halves that can independently rotate on a support rod of the mulching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6460624
    Abstract: Ground aeration apparatus (10) having a main frame (11) which has one or more ground contacting rollers in the form of a main drive roller (22) and a plurality of smoothing rollers (13, 14, 15) mounted to an undercarriage (12) attached to the underside of the main frame (11). There is also provided a slicing mechanism (25) which comprises spaced cutters (31, 32) mounted to a support axle (30). In use, a grass surface may be subjected to a rolling or smoothing operation as well as an aeration operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond Jeffrey Dufty
  • Patent number: 6457903
    Abstract: Rolling apparatus for rolling of turf or grass surfaces including a mobile main frame (11) and one or more undercarriages (45, 46) attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage has one or more smoothing rollers (45A, 46A) and there is further provided a control (62) pivotally attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage is pivotally attached to the control such that, in use, the or each smoothing roller closely follows ground contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond Jeffrey Dufty
  • Patent number: 6422321
    Abstract: An aerator attachment for a ground tiller for providing another useful function for a ground tiller. The aerator attachment for a ground tiller includes a pair of tubular axles each of which includes a first end and a second end and each of which is adapted to mount to a respective shaft of a ground tiller; and also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies being mounted to the tubular axles; and further includes a plurality of spikes being securely attached to the wheel assemblies and being adapted to puncture holes in a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis Dillon
  • Patent number: 6415872
    Abstract: A lawn aerator that is attachable to a piece of mechanized lawn care equipment, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, lawn tractor and the like, for aerating a lawn. The lawn aerator includes a frame having first and second opposite ends, with the frame including mounting structure connected thereto adjacent the first end to enable mounting of the frame to the piece of mechanized lawn care equipment. In addition, an aerator assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame so that the aerator assembly is pivotable relative to the frame between a ground engaging position and a disengaged position. The aerator assembly includes a plurality of caster assemblies each of which includes at least one tine head assembly including an aerator wheel connected to a pivot head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: JRCO, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Myers, James C. Doring
  • Patent number: 6412568
    Abstract: The sprinkler head edging device has a cutting assembly attached to a handle or other device such as a powered rotational device. The cutting assembly has cutting blades attached which are oriented to cut and remove grass, weeds, dirt and other materials from around the periphery of a sprinkler head. The cutting assembly housing is generally a hollow cylindrical shape and may have a different diameter at each end of the housing for ease in changing the cutting head to accomodated varying size sprinkler heads. In the instance of the variable shaped housing the cutting assembly is rotatably attached to the handle or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Robert W. Thede
  • Publication number: 20020074137
    Abstract: An aerator attachment for a ground tiller for providing another useful function for a ground tiller. The aerator attachment for a ground tiller includes a pair of tubular axles each of which includes a first end and a second end and each of which is adapted to mount to a respective shaft of a ground tiller; and also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies being mounted to the tubular axles; and further includes a plurality of spikes being securely attached to the wheel assemblies and being adapted to puncture holes in a ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis Dillon
  • Publication number: 20020074138
    Abstract: A turner for quickly, easily, and aesthetically turning over and aerating and thickening a settled or compacted layer of an aggregate landscaping mulch material, and a method for doing so, is disclosed. The present turner includes an elongate cylindrical barrel having an outer cylindrical surface having a diametrical extent of less than about 5 inches and a plurality of elongate projections extending generally radially outwardly from the cylindrical surface at spaced locations thereon. The turner includes a handle supporting the cylindrical barrel for rotation about a cylindrical axis thereof. The present method includes holding the handle to push or pull the cylindrical barrel across a region of the layer of the landscaping mulch material to rotate the barrel such that the projections will penetrate into the mulch material and lift and reorient portions thereof to thicken the layer, without substantially disturbing the underlying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Tony M. Guard, Paul Haney, Douglas Ortenzi, Joseph Stephens, James Tobergta
  • Publication number: 20020056554
    Abstract: Ground injection, e.g. aeration, apparatus adapted to be mounted on or drawn by a tractor and comprising one or more tines (12) reciprocated vertically by a crank (13) and crank shaft (13a) driven from a motor (14). Each tine (12) defines an internal passage (27) with outlet apertures (28). A piston rod (19) connected to each tine and to a cylinder (21) has a piston (20) which forces air into a reservoir (23) and via a line (25) into the passage (27). The mechanism is timed such that a pulse of air is injected into the ground through outlet apertures (28) at the position of maximum penetration of the ground by each tine (12). Instead of air, a liquid or other gaseous substance may be injected into the ground where it is penetrated by each tine. The apparatus may include two or more rows of such tines and associated injection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Jonathan William Hargreaves, Brian Hartley
  • Publication number: 20020043376
    Abstract: An aeration machine 10 comprising a drive mechanism 16 connected to sets of tines 18 by a vibration absorbing linkage arrangement 34. The arrangement 34 enables the tines 18 to remain vertical when extending into the ground thereby avoiding elongation of the holes formed thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Duncan Andrew Smith
  • Patent number: 6347593
    Abstract: A modular dethatcher and seeder includes a housing having a rear opening, a removable rear cover substantially closing the rear opening, and a plurality of tines driven by a motor to rotate about a shaft within the housing. When the device is to be used as a seeder, a seeder attachment is inserted into the rear opening of the housing in place of the rear cover. The seeder attachment can be driven by the rear wheels of the device. Alternatively, when the device is to be used as a dethatcher, a chute can be removably attached to the rear opening and a collection bag is then attached to the chute to hold debris thrown by the tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: BlueBird International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Tadashi Moran, Edward T. Biegel
  • Publication number: 20010027869
    Abstract: A soil conditioner implement designed for operation in cooperation with a supporting skid steer vehicle, the skid steer vehicle being moveable over the soil to be conditioned and having a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure for transmission to the soil conditioner implement for powering thereof and having a skid steer control system for providing a plurality of commands to the soil conditioner implement, the soil conditioner implement includes a drum member having a rotatable drum, the drum being selectively contactable with the soil to be conditioned. A bolster member is operably coupled to the drum member for supporting in part the drum member, the bolster member being shiftable between a soil engaging disposition and a flipped-up disposition, the bolster member being borne on the drum member when in the flipped-up disposition. A method of conditioning soil is further included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Michael L. Vought
  • Publication number: 20010013417
    Abstract: A lawn aerator that is attachable to a piece of mechanized lawn care equipment, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, lawn tractor and the like, for aerating a lawn. The lawn aerator includes a frame having first and second opposite ends, with the frame including mounting structure connected thereto adjacent the first end to enable mounting of the frame to the piece of mechanized lawn care equipment. In addition, an aerator assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame so that the aerator assembly is pivotable relative to the frame between a ground engaging position and a disengaged position. The aerator assembly includes a plurality of caster assemblies each of which includes at least one tine head assembly including an aerator wheel connected to a pivot head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: JRCO, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Myers, James C. Doring
  • Patent number: 6273197
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-propelled ground aerating system. The system comprises, in general, a wheeled platform that has disposed thereon a power pack, a steering mechanism, a hopper for distributing materials, and a spiked drum. The spikes disposed on the drum are selectively positioned to engage the ground at a selected angle. The depth of penetration of the spikes into the ground may also be selected. The power pack provides the required power to a drive mechanism which in turn provides power to rotate the spiked drum thus propelling the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Audie Marlow
  • Patent number: 6257342
    Abstract: A soil grader is disclosed which is mounted on the forward end of a skid-steer vehicle or to the three-point hitch of a tractor. The soil grader includes first and second side frames having a forwardly extending support secured thereto which enables the grader to be secured to the vehicle or tractor. A cross frame is secured to the first and second side frames and has a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart, elongated, rigid teeth secured thereto which extend downwardly and forwardly therefrom for engagement with the soil being graded. A horizontally disposed soil roller is rotatably secured to the first and second side frames adjacent the lower end thereof rearwardly of the teeth. Spring tooth supports are secured to the first and second frame members rearwardly of the soil roller and have a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart spring teeth secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom for engagement with the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis J. Szatko
  • Publication number: 20010004019
    Abstract: A hand held, manually operated excavation tool, which is specifically designed for single hand use to remove turf, which has been damaged by an air borne golf ball. The device has a handle, tubular shank, an internal ramp, an entry and an evacuation port, a concentric leading edge and an internal threaded portion to receive optional repair tools A threaded two-pronged aerator or culling tool may be stored in the handle portion. The principal object's shank is of sufficient length to penetrate, to an appropriate depth, turf which is commonly associated with that portion of a golf-course referred to as the “green.” The repair tool is designed to easily penetrate, core, capture and remove damaged, dying or dead turf. The efficient removal and subsequent repair of damaged portions of grass on a putting surface would improve the consistency of a putting green and the quality of play for all golfers on a given course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: James T. Wakefield
  • Patent number: 6241025
    Abstract: A lawn aerator that is attachable to a piece of mechanized lawn care equipment, such as a self-propelled lawn mower, lawn tractor and the like, for aerating a lawn. The lawn aerator includes a frame having first and second opposite ends, with the frame including mounting structure connected thereto adjacent the first end to enable mounting of the frame to the piece of mechanized lawn care equipment. In addition, an aerator assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame so that the aerator assembly is pivotable relative to the frame between a ground engaging position and a disengaged position. The aerator assembly includes a plurality of caster assemblies each of which includes at least one tine head assembly including an aerator wheel connected to a pivot head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Jrco, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Myers, James C. Doring
  • Patent number: 6199637
    Abstract: A movable implement for loosening soil below ground, in which a row of blades with blade holders are located perpendicular to a direction of motion of the implement. A supporting arm has one end articulated to each blade, and a frame is articulated to another end of the supporting arm. The supporting arm is engaged by a connecting rod of a crank device, which operates in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of motion. The supporting arm mounts a blade adjustment lever with two arms. The adjustment lever pivots coaxially with an articulating shaft. A stop is mounted on a downward-extending arm of the blade-adjustment lever, and points below the articulating shaft. A lever-adjusting device has a variable angle to the supporting arm for varying the angle of the blade to the ground. A spring forces a blade holder against the stop. The blades are forced away from the stop during movement of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Wiedenmann GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 6179061
    Abstract: A seat operated lawn treatment device adapted for connection to a powered vehicle. such as a mower or tractor has a ground mobile wheeled base frame. A first subsidiary frame having a seat thereon is pivotally secured to the wheeled base frame. A second subsidiary frame is also pivotally secured to the wheeled base frame so that at least a portion of the second subsidiary frame is disposed under and moveable directly or indirectly by at least a portion of the first subsidiary frame. The second subsidiary frame includes a pair of axially aligned spaced bearings supporting an axle borne turf treatment unit and is spring biased to a raised and inoperative transport position of the axle borne turf treating unit when no weight is placed upon the seat of the first subsidiary frame. However, when weight is placed on the seat of the first subsidiary frame the second subsidiary frame is moved to a lowered operative ground-engaging position of its interconnected the axle borne turf treating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Michael John Fiore
  • Patent number: 6102129
    Abstract: A turf aerator is provided with two separate shafts, each having a plurality of tines mounted thereon for aerating the turf. Each shaft is selectively connected to an output shaft of a motor mounted on the frame of the aerator by two separate drive trains, each having a clutch arrangement therein. A pair of control levers are mounted on a handle assembly for operating the clutches in each drive train. Thus either or both of the tine carrying shafts may be rotated to facilitate a turning operation of the aerator or facilitating the operation of the aerator while traversing a sloping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Classen Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Classen
  • Patent number: 6047651
    Abstract: A hole digger is provided including a post and a hole digging attachment mounted to the post and having a closed bottom face and a tapered periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Orson W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6041869
    Abstract: Turf aerator having a crank and crank arms which present a parallelogram for supporting the aerator assembly, including the aerating tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: D. Michael Lewis, Craig M. Schmeiser, Stanton L. Sweet
  • Patent number: 6016585
    Abstract: A rotary sludge cutter for digging up sludge to be removed by pumps on a remote controlled sludge removal apparatus. The invention includes a plurality of cutting spikes mounted on a cylindrical, rotating drum connected to a sludge removal apparatus. The spikes make rotating contact with the sludge and break and grind the sludge into small particles which can be pumped to a remote location by the sludge removal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Henry W. Allen
  • Patent number: 6003613
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aerating a ground layer including a frame movable along a ground surface and a number of substantially vertically placed aerating pins movable in and out of the ground layer. Each pin is engaged by a pivot arm mounted on the frame for pivoting, and a guide arm is connected to the frame at a distance from the position where the pivot arm engages the frame. A drive element is provided for causing reciprocal pivoting of the pivot arm during the movement of the apparatus along the ground layer. The connections of the pivot arm to the frame and the aerating pin and the connections of the guide arm to the frame and the aerating pin substantially form corners of a parallelogram in the non-loaded state of the aerating pin. At least one of the sides of this parallelogram is changeable in length such that the bottom part of the pin is displaced relative to the top part of the pin in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-en Exploitatiemaatschappij
    Inventor: Marinus Reincke
  • Patent number: 5988290
    Abstract: A cultivating machine has a structure arranged to be mounted on ground engaging wheels for movement in a line of travel. At least one tool support is mounted on the structure so as to be moveable with respect thereto, and a drive is also mounted on the structure for driving the tool support. The tool support has a body having two end portions, the first end portion being driven in use in a circular path by the drive. The second end portion is connected to the structure through a link arm pivotably attached to the tool support and to a swing arm, which in turn is pivotably attached to the structure, the swing arm being biased toward a median position and the second end of the tool support carrying at least one cultivating tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: John Stanley Banks
  • Patent number: 5934055
    Abstract: Invention relates to a lawn aeration device for attachment to the wheel of a riding mower, for example. The device, where a plurality are spaced about each driven wheel, comprises an arcuate-shaped metal plate, contoured to lie against the riding surface of the wheel's tire, where the metal plate includes plural aerating spikes extending in a generally outwardly radial direction. Adjustment means are also provided along the respective sides of the wheel to connect and apply tension to the plural devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: P. Alan Steele
  • Patent number: 5906090
    Abstract: An aerating device adapted to be retrofit to existing household lawn mowers comprising a pair of wheels each having a plurality of tines extending therefrom for penetrating a lawn and removing therefrom a section of soil, thereby aerating the lawn. The tines are offset from the center of the wheel to utilize the rotational energy of the wheel and the weight of the lawn mower to penetrate the lawn without the application of additional force by the user. In this manner, a user can simultaneously cut his/her lawn and aerate the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Morris Knudsen
  • Patent number: 5868206
    Abstract: A turf aerating device and machine including a turf aerating device comprising a base platform having a plurality of star-shaped spikes removably mounted therein in perpendicular orientation with respect to the base platform surface so that the spikes vertically penetrate a desired turf surface. The spikes produce X-shaped holes and loosen the soil beneath the turf. A plurality of turf aerating devices are mounted to a corresponding number of vertically actuating rods and vertically actuated for penetrating the turf with the spikes without causing damage to the turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Edward A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5823269
    Abstract: An aerator apparatus suitable for use with a tractor, the apparatus comprising a frame and a plurality of aerator disc assemblies. Each aerator disc assembly comprises a plurality of aerator discs and a pair of aerator disc mounting arms extending between the frame and the aerator disc axle. The mounting arms are rotatably journalled on the frame to thereby permit pivotable movement of each of the aerator disc assemblies. Interconnecting means are utilized to interconnect the aerator disc assemblies. The arrangement allows for the turning of the aerator apparatus without damage to the equipment and turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Francois Leclerc
  • Patent number: 5813471
    Abstract: A ground aerator is provided including a thin square base plate with a top surface, a bottom surface and a periphery formed therebetween. An array of posts are coupled to the bottom surface of the base plate and extend downwardly therefrom to define a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. An elongated cylindrical handle is included having a top end with an elastomeric grip formed thereon and a bottom end coupled to a center of the base plate and extending in perpendicular relationship therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Philip M. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5810092
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implement for treating soil and, in particular, to an implement used to improve the hygroscopic properties of the soil by making holes in it using one or more tools mounted on an irregular, variable, quadrilateral jointed structure pivoted to a frame and actuated by a linkage system which can modify its configuration in such a way as to drive the tool into the soil and then angle it gradually so as to widen the bottom of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Franco Selvatici
  • Patent number: 5802996
    Abstract: A soil aerator fertilizer especially adapted for the treatment of trees in an orchard-like setting includes hydraulic cylinder units mounted on opposing sides of a trailer or vehicle so that trees on either side of the trailer can be simultaneously treated while the trailer is intermittently moved through the orchard. Each of the hydraulic cylinder units includes an extensible piston having a ground penetrating probe attached thereto. The trailer or vehicle also supports a source of hydraulic fluid, a source of pressurized air or gas, a source of an aqueous fertilizer and/or nutrient mixture, and valves for selectively controlling the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder units and for selectively supplying either pressurized air or gas, or liquid fertilizer and/or nutrient mixture to the probe for distribution below the surface of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Bill J. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5803181
    Abstract: A gardening equipment for loosening the soil of a garden, including a polygonal axle having two screw rods at two opposite ends, two wheels respectively coupled to the polygonal axle, a plurality of tine bars coupled between the wheels and equiangularly spaced around the axle, a coupling device, and a handle coupled to the axle outside the wheels by the coupling device and adapted for moving the wheels over the soil by hand, causing the tines of the tine bars to loosen the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Shih-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 5787990
    Abstract: An improved lawn renovating tool for aerating, mulching, dethatching, seeding and fertilizing lawns which is lightweight and easy to use. The tool has a lightweight handle, an elongate tubular shaft with a seed or fertilizer feeding and soil breaking element attached to the bottom portion of the elongate shaft. The seed or fertilizer feeding and soil breaking element is a partially triangular tube having spike-tooth rotatable wheel-type attachments along its base and a series of holes for feeding seed or fertilizer from a feed hopper mounted on the elongate shaft. A damper and control pedal are also included, regulating the flow of seed or fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: William M. Miller
  • Patent number: 5784872
    Abstract: A trash pick-up and collection apparatus includes a rotary drum assembly with a plurality of spikes to impale and pick-up the trash along a path to be cleared. A continuous chain mechanism wrapped around the drum assembly lifts, strips and carries the trash to a collection bin. The drum assembly includes a plurality of sections in the direction of the longitudinal axis to allow ease of movement in a turn. The drum is formed of elongated plates extending in the longitudinal direction and each mounts a series of spikes. The chain mechanism preferably includes a plurality of flattened chains that lift the trash from underneath and carry it to the collection bin. An idler roller positioned adjacent the collection bin forms the delivery and return run of the chains. The entire apparatus may be lifted over obstacles and moved along paved roads by wheels that are hydraulically moved to and from an operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Sadler Inventions, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Frank Sadler
  • Patent number: 5769169
    Abstract: An irrigation and aeration device includes a drum having a plurality of probes for penetrating the ground and injecting water into the soil. The probes are made from stainless steel spring pins having an elongated slot and an open outer end. The drum includes a plurality of compartments for receiving water from a supply and a valve assembly for selectively dispensing the water to the compartments. The valve assembly can be actuated by a foot contacting the ground, a valve actuated by rotation of the drum, or a solenoid actuated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Frank J. Miksitz
  • Patent number: 5765645
    Abstract: A unique aerator wheel assembly has a hub and four equally spaced, outwardly projecting, curved tines. The tines are uniquely shaped and configured so that as one tine begins to pierce the ground, the previous tine, which is fully submerged in the ground, is lifted vertically up and out of the ground through the action of the entering tine. This unique configuration provides an aerator wheel assembly that is small and lightweight enough to be pulled behind a common lawn mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Leonard F. Postema
  • Patent number: 5709272
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Southern Green, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Jones, Harry Knight, Kinsey Estess, Ernest Randall New
  • Patent number: 5690179
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that aerates lawn or soil using a unique triangular shaped tine or spike. The spikes are arranged on drums in a pattern. The drums can be filled with a fluid such as water or a granular material such as sand to adjust the depth to which the spikes penetrate. The drums may be angled with respect to the direction of travel to impart a transverse movement to the soil. The triangular shape of the spikes and the transverse movement greatly enhances the degree of aeration and results in significantly better aeration compared to using round spikes and coring devices. The surface is not cluttered with cored debris, so the present invention can be used on playing fields or lawns where post aeration appearance is important.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Wayne Dickson
  • Patent number: 5641025
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an aerator for turf which is capable of adjusting the level of the pressing rollers relative to not only the irregularity in its travelling direction but also that in the lateral direction, thus enabling a structure in which a pair of the pressing rollers are rocked, which structure causes an increase in the total weight of the aerator, to be removed. The aerator for turf according to the present invention for injecting high pressure liquid through a plurality of nozzles disposed in its lateral direction in the ground and smoothing ground by a pressing roller after injection, includes a supporting structure for spotting the pressing roller at a frame such that the pressing roller tilts freely relative to the horizontal line in a lateral direction and moves freely vertically relative to the frame, and a biasing structure for biasing the pressing roller downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Maruyama Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kousuke Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 5632342
    Abstract: A lawn spreader composed of a cylindrical drum mounted to a user-operable handle assembly. Along the surface of a drum are a plurality of spaced-apart spike arrays with a plurality of aperture arrays interposed therebetween. A door at one end of the drum allows for deposit of granular materials, such as grass seed, within the drum. A paddle array within the drum is rotatable therein so as to open or close selected apertures of the aperture arrays. Upon drum rotation, as urged by the user on the handle assembly, the spikes first indent the earth with the grass seed then falling through the open apertures and into and between the resulting indentations in the earthen surface therebetween. The smooth surface of the drum then tamps the deposited seeds into the earthen surface. The spikes are preferably releasably attached to the cylindrical drum so that various types of spikes can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventors: Bryan N. Knoblich, Joann Valerani-Knoblich
  • Patent number: 5623996
    Abstract: A compact lawn aerator comprises a rigid frame having a hitch for releasably fastening tire frame to the back of a self-propelled mower. An elongated axle is secured to the under side of the frame and a set of aerator wheels are rotatably mounted at spaced intervals along the axle. Each of the aerator wheels has a generally disk-shaped hub from the periphery of which four spikes radiate. Each spike initially projects from the hub along a radius but curves along its length in the direction of rotation of the wheel. The spikes are tapered to a sharpened point and their curve is determined so that, as the wheel rotates, the ends of the spikes pierce the soil at substantially right angles and the shank of the spikes slip into the ground progressively through the pierce point. This greatly reduces the force needed to drive the spikes into the ground, thus reducing the weight and size of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Leonard F. Postema
  • Patent number: 5615744
    Abstract: A garden hand tool having a tubular outer member terminating at its bottom end in an elliptically shaped peripheral edge with such end being open, a plunger reciprocally mounted in the tubular member and a spring that resiliently biases the plunger upwardly in a direction away from the elliptically shaped open bottom end. The elliptically shaped peripheral edge is preferably in a plane disposed at an angle in a range of 15.degree. to 22.degree.1/2 to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member so as to be readily forced by hand into the earth to remove a weed or plant. The plunger projects upwardly beyond the upper end of the tubular outer member providing a portion that can be readily grasped to push the plunger downwardly to remove any earth associated with the plant that might be stuck in the bottom end of the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Edward G. Krafka
  • Patent number: 5613565
    Abstract: The lawn aerator assembly includes a rotatable spined drum which is mounted to a wheeled handle member in a manner to be transportable across non-lawn areas without the drum coming into contact with such non-lawn areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Robert T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5611291
    Abstract: A combined soil agitation and aerating apparatus comprises a frame which is pulled by a tractor over untilled pasture land. A cylindrical drum is rotatably supported on the frame by a co-rotatable axial shaft. A plurality of rigid prongs are provided on the cylindrical surface of the drum which penetrate, agitate and aerate the soil as a drum is rolled over the land to be seeded. A seed dispensing unit is mounted behind and parallel to the drum and is driven by a driving connection with the shaft that rotatably supports the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Pogue Seed Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Pogue
  • Patent number: 5586603
    Abstract: Spikes are described for use in apparatus useful for aerating soil, especially grass or hay ground. The elongated spikes are secured to a cylindrical drum. As the apparatus is towed across a field, the spikes penetrate the soil and loosen it as well as providing openings in the soil to improve absorption of water. The spikes are preferably secured to bands encircling the drum, and the spacing between bands is adjustable so that the spacing between spikes can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Henry J. Mattis