With Ground Support Patents (Class 56/400.14)
  • Patent number: 11439052
    Abstract: A roller assembly for smoothing an expanse of granular media such as golf bunker sand, snow, horse race track dirt, or other media. The assembly has one or more rollers having a longitudinal axis. Each roller includes wires spaced from the axis to define a roller surface. Each wire is resiliently flexible to distort inwardly in response to force of contact on, and to recover during release of force from, the granular media as the roller rotates about the axis on the granular media. A shaft extends along the axis of the roller assembly between the arms of a yoke with a handle extending therefrom. As the roller surface traverses the media, at least some of the media is flung outwardly of the roller, smoothing the expanse. The roller assembly may be manually operated or may be towed behind a towing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Momentus Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Sorenson, Steven M. Tipton
  • Patent number: 10342175
    Abstract: A vegetation cutting device comprises: a rotating cutting head and having a cutting line, the cutting line arranged to define a swath for cutting vegetation. A cutting line feeding mechanism comprises a counterweight for balancing a free end of the cutting line protruding from the cutting head, the counterweight being configured to actuate the cutting line feeding mechanism and feed more cutting line when the length of free end the cutting line is shorter than or equal to a feed length. A guide wheel is mounted on the vegetation cutting device and has an outer surface for engaging the ground. The guide wheel is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein when the guide wheel is in the retracted position, the feed length is substantially equal to a distance between the outer surface of the guide wheel engaging the ground and the cutting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Walmsley
  • Patent number: 9113604
    Abstract: A sprayer apparatus for applying treatment liquid to a landscaping material. The sprayer apparatus includes first and second spray outlets and an agitator therebetween. In use, the landscape material to be treated is first sprayed, the material is agitated (e.g., turned), and a second spray of treatment liquid is applied to the landscape material. Also described are methods for applying a treatment, such as colorant, to an installed landscaping material (such as wood chips or mulch), reducing the need to replace worn or weathered material. The methods include applying a pre-treatment to protect elements proximate the landscape material that are not to be treated, applying a treatment liquid to the landscaping material by spraying, and then rinsing any elements proximate the landscape material that may have be inadvertently and undesirably treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Alan T. Miller, Terrance P. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 8714497
    Abstract: A tool stand mountable to a tool having a relatively long handle. The handle has a tool head mounted to the second end of the handle. The tool stand has a pivot member, an axle, a rotational stop arm and a leg assembly. The pivot member is coupled to a handle between the first and second end thereof. The axle is rotatably coupled to the pivot member, with the axle rotation in an orientation that is oblique or substantially perpendicular to a handle. The rotational stop arm is fixed to the axle. The leg assembly extends toward a second end of a handle, with the rotational stop arm and the leg assembly being angled at an angle that is less than 180°. The leg assembly, the rotational stop arm and the axle are rotatable about the pivot member between a stowed orientation and an operational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Bricker
  • Publication number: 20120137548
    Abstract: A hand tool (or an add-on accessory for the hand tool) with a handle includes one or more retractable arms that, when unfolded and extended maintains the tool in an upright position while the tool is at rest; and an attachment coupling the one or more retractable arms to the handle, the one or more arms rotatably engaged to attachment and the handle and when unfolded the one or more arm maintains the handle in an upright position off the ground to make the tool visible to an operator, wherein the one or more arms are retracted and secured into a closed position against the handle when the operator desires to resume work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Kim S. Kimball
  • Publication number: 20100088906
    Abstract: A rake for leveling loose particulate matter on a ground surface is described. The rake head is constructed of a series of bars that are mounted in a mounting spar and spaced a fixed distance apart from each other. A rake handle is movably attached to the rake head. The bars may be made of round bar stock or channel stock. The surface of the bar that is in contact with the loose particulate matter that is to be leveled is a smooth continuous surface. Moving the rake head over ground that is covered with loose particulate matter will move the particulate matter around, pushing excess material into recesses and thereby leveling the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Terrence Edwards
  • Publication number: 20080060338
    Abstract: An ergonomically designed gardening tool such as a rake has an elongated handle slidably and removably mounted to the tool head. A spike or an auxiliary gardening implement is mounted at the lower end of the handle such that the spike may be operated to secure the rake at an upright free standing position on a lawn or solid ground surface. The handle is secured to tool head with a latch mechanism which is operative to secure or release the handle from the rake head selectively. The removed handle with the auxiliary implement mounted thereon may also be used for various gardening tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: William Nai-Jen Chang
  • Publication number: 20070289283
    Abstract: Raking devices are provided for switching between pull-type applications and push-type applications. The raking devices include a toothed blade having a pushing surface and a plurality of teeth with free ends. For pull-type applications, the raking device is arranged to place the free ends of the teeth in engagement with the ground. For push-type applications, the raking device is turned over to place the pushing surface in engagement with the ground. An undercarriage of the raking device may be provided with wheels or other transport members for enhanced maneuverability and control during push-type applications. Adapters and methods are also provided for retrofitting a pull-type rake for use in both pull- and push-type applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Orest J. Hanas
  • Patent number: 6308505
    Abstract: A leaf rake for mounting to the chassis of a conventional lawn tractor. Frame kits for attaching the leaf rake to either the front or rear of the tractor for various manufacturers. The lawn tractor may be equipped with hydraulic systems for raising or lowering the leaf rake unit. A spring loaded locking hinge mechanism allows the unit to be raised. Designed leaf raking tines and a forward sweeping leaf rake collect the leaves and allow them to be piled up for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: James Beckett
  • Patent number: 6199356
    Abstract: A lawnmower raking attachment comprising a plurality of flexible tines anchored to a tine head held rotatable and lockable between the side arms of a U-shaped frame near the close end. Each tine extending downwardly, having the free end bent forwardly to engage the thatch during the forward travel, having each at least one slidable and rotatable bead. A first and second frame supports with vertical slots having the upper end open to accept pivotally a shaft connecting the open end of the U-shaped frame. Latch arms are disposed pivotally on the frame supports to prevent the shaft to escape from the support slots but allowing to rotate to adopt stable operational or resting positions. Stoppers affixed to the frame supports limit the rotational travel of the U-shaped frame. A finger arm pivoted on one frame side near the shaft engages one stopper and prevents the rake frame from going to the resting position unless is manually disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Gil G. Moreno