Patent ID: 6161369
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
A raking system for raking leaves and other loose debris of a lawn comprising, in combination:a housing having opposed lateral sides and a cross panel extending between said lateral sides, said cross panel having an axis extending between said lateral sides, said cross panel having a generally C-shaped transverse cross section taken generally perpendicular to said axis;said cross panel having a generally concave inner face;each of said lateral sides having an aperture extending therethrough inwardly of said inner face of said cross panel;an elongate shaft having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending between said ends, said shaft extending through said apertures of said lateral sides of said housing, said shaft having a pair of gears coupled to said ends thereof;a pair of wheels being positioned adjacent said lateral sides of said housing, said wheels rotatably engaging said gears of said shaft such that said wheels rotate said shaft in an opposite direction as said wheels;a pair of elongate first brackets and a pair of elongate second brackets being coupled to said shaft, each of said brackets having an axis extending between opposite ends thereof;each of said brackets having a generally L-shaped transverse cross section taken perpendicular to said axis thereof, each of said brackets having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of each of said brackets being coupled to said shaft, said second portion of each of said brackets extending substantially perpendicular from said first portion;said first portion of each of said brackets having a plurality of equidistantly spaced rigid spikes extending outwardly therefrom, said spikes of said first portion of said first brackets lying on a first plane extending through said axis of said shaft, said spikes of said first portion of said second brackets lying on a second plane extending through said axis of said shaft and being oriented substantially perpendicular to said first plane;wherein said spikes are inserted in a plurality of holes extending through said first portions of the brackets;said second portion of each of said brackets being positioned towards said spikes;wherein a free end of each of said spikes is pointed;said shaft having an adjacent pair of first bores and an adjacent pair of second bores extending therethrough, said first pair of bores extending along said first plane, said second pair of bores extending along said second plane;each of said first portions of said brackets having a pair of apertures therethrough, said apertures of said first brackets being aligned with said first bores of said shaft, said apertures of said second brackets being aligned with said second bores of said shaft;a plurality of threaded fasteners for coupling said brackets to said shaft, said threaded fasteners extending through said apertures of an associated pair of said brackets and said bores of said shaft;a pair of end caps closing said ends of said shaft, each of said end caps being transparent;a height adjustment means being coupled to said housing for adjusting a height of said housing relative to said wheels;each of said lateral sides of said housing having a handle hole and a handle slot for mounting a handle thereto, said handle slot permitting pivotal adjustment of said handle;a hopper bag being detachably coupleable to said housing, said hopper bag having a bottom, a pair of opposed sidewalls, a rear wall, a curved front wall having a generally C-shaped transverse cross section taken parallel said sidewalls of said hopper bag, and an interior;said hopper bag having a pair of coupling pegs extending inwardly of said sidewalls of said hopper bag;each of said lateral sides of said housing having a mounting bar extending from an upper portion thereof, each of said mounting bars having a hooked end for engaging said coupling pegs of said hopper bag;a length of each of said spikes being defined between opposite ends thereof, wherein said length of each of said spikes is about 4 inches;a length of said shaft being defined between said ends thereof, wherein said length of said shaft is about 18 inches;a length of each of said brackets being defined along said axis thereof, wherein said length of each of said brackets is about 10 inches; andwherein a width of each of said second portions of said brackets taken perpendicular to said axes of said brackets is about 3/4 inch.