Abstract:
An apparatus suitable for using a landscape tool around an obstacle in association with a driver. The apparatus comprises: a frame adapted to operatively connect the apparatus to a transport device, a traveler, an open-centered support having a gap therein, the support being secured to the frame and being adapted to slidably engage the traveler; an engager adapted to operatively connect the traveler to a driver permitting the driver to cause the traveler to slide along the support, and a laterally adjustable tool attachment bracket secured to the traveler and adapted to receive the landscape tool. In operation, the apparatus is presented to the obstacle such that the obstacle passes through the gap into the open center of the support, whereupon the engager engages the driver and the traveler slides along the support, such that the tool moves around the obstacle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of apparatus suitable for use with a landscape tool for landscaping around an article, such as a tree, post or rock. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is frequently desired to landscape around articles, such as by tilling the ground, or mowing the grass around trees, lamp posts or the like. However, many landscape tools are affixed to large transport devices such as tractors or BOBCAT utility vehicles. These transport devices are frequently difficult to maneuver around such common obstacles, and such maneuvers can be time consuming and may involve some risk to the operator, such as by tipping of the transport device when driven on an incline. Thus, it is desirable to have a means for using a landscape tool around an obstacle in circumstances where the landscape tool is secured to a transport device. Such an apparatus would be particularly useful for the landscaping of highway shoulders and other regions where speed and efficiency are important. 
     Various methods and devices for landscaping around obstacles have been proposed in the prior art. However, none entirely overcomes the difficulties associated with the need to use a range of landscape tools in all areas around the perimeter of obstacles having varying shapes and sizes. 
     Canadian Patent No. 1,318,168 of Cameron (“Cameron”) discloses a spinning vertical pillar device adapted to mount on the belly of attractor. This device may be extended laterally from the tractor in a substantially straight line at right angles to the direction of movement of the tractor. However, this device does not provide a ready means of landscaping the area directly opposite the obstacle from the tractor. Moreover, to landscape close to the obstacle, it may be necessary to carefully adjust the tractor position on several occasions, as the tool is advanced around different regions of the obstacle perimeter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,651,249 of Morkoski (“Morkoski”) discloses a mobile orchard cultivator adapted for cultivating the ground areas to the trunks of trees. Morkoski teaches the use of a “C”-shaped broken ring of fixed internal and external diameter, with tines extending radially outwards therefrom. The apparatus is advanced until the obstacle is located within the interior of the “C” portion of the device, and the device is then rotated about the obstacle. This device does not provide for the independent drive of the landscape tool. Thus, such a system may be unsuitable for use with some landscape tools, such as mower blades which must move rapidly in order to be effective. Moreover, the ability of this device to permit landscaping close to an obstacle is limited by the fixed internal diameter of the apparatus. In particular, where an obstacle is substantially smaller than the interior diameter of the “C” rotating portion of the apparatus, the ground immediately adjacent to the obstacle may not be landscaped. In addition, where obstacles are larger than the interior diameter of the apparatus, or are not substantially circular, this apparatus may prove unsuitable for use in landscaping around them. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,302 of Barry (“Barry”) discloses a mowing apparatus adapted for use around posts and the like. This apparatus includes a substantially “C”-shaped tool carrying unit, on which independently powered mowers may be mounted. The apparatus as a whole is mounted to the side of a tractor, and initially the open side of the “C” is positioned oriented in the direction of movement of the tractor. As the tractor is advanced, an obstacle enters the interior portion of the “C”. The apparatus is then engaged as the tractor moves forward, such that the apparatus rotates approximately 180° around the obstacle while the tractor moves in a forward direction. This apparatus may prove unsuitable in many situations where it is difficult to accurately regulate the forward movement of the tractor, as the rotation of the apparatus may depend, to some extent, upon the application of force by the obstacle on the apparatus. Additionally, this apparatus may prove unsuitable for use with large obstacles the diameter of which exceeds the total interior diameter available in the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,201 of Van Vleet (“Van Vleet”) discloses an implement carrier for mounting implements such as mower blades or tiller blades including a deck which is pivotable about a pivot axis suitable for use in pivoting the implement about an obstacle. The pivotable deck of Van Vleet comprises a substantially circular solid deck, with an open wedge cut into it. The apparatus is presented to the obstacle such that the obstacle enters the wedge-shaped slot in the deck, and the deck may be rotated about the obstacle. This apparatus may suffer from many of the weaknesses previously identified in the apparatus of Morkoski and Barry. In particular, this apparatus may prove unsuitable for use with large obstacles whose diameter exceeds the diameter of the slot in the deck at the center of rotation. Additionally, this apparatus may prove unsuitable for use in landscaping immediately adjacent to irregularly shaped obstacles or obstacles of varying sizes, as the location of the implements relative to the center of rotation appear fixed. 
     It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for landscaping around obstacles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for using a landscape tool around an obstacle. The apparatus comprises a frame adapted to operatively connect the apparatus to a transport device, a traveler, an open-centered support having a gap therein, an engager, and a laterally adjustable tool attachment bracket. The open-centered support is secured to the frame and is adapted to slidably engage as a traveler. The engager is adapted to operatively connect the traveler to a driver, permitting the driver to cause the traveler to slide along a support. The laterally adjustable tool attachment bracket is secured to the traveler and is adapted to receive the landscape tool. In operation, the apparatus is presented to the obstacle such that the obstacle passes through the gap into the open-centered of the support, whereupon the engager engages the driver and the traveler slides along its support, such that the tool moves around the obstacle. 
     In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of using a landscape tool around an obstacle. The method comprises the steps of obtaining an apparatus, securing the tool to the bracket, presenting the apparatus to the obstacle, activating the driver, and operatively connecting the traveler to the driver. The apparatus obtained comprises a frame, a traveler, an open-centered support, an engager, and a laterally adjustable tool attachment bracket. The frame is adapted to operatively connect the apparatus to a transport device. The open-centered support is adapted to slidably engage the traveler. The engager is adapted to operatively connect the traveler to a driver permitting the driver to cause the traveler to slide along its support. The laterally adjustable tool attachment bracket is secured to the traveler and to the tool. The apparatus is presented to the obstacle such that the obstacle passes through the gap in the open-centered of the support and the tool is in the desired position. The traveler is operatively connected to the driver and thereby causing the traveler to slide along the support. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective in situ view of an embodiment of the apparatus attached to a transport device and positioned around an obstacle. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the tool attachment having a manual adjustment mechanism. 
     FIG. 4 b  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the tool attachment having a biased adjustment mechanism. 
     FIG. 4 c  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the tool attachment having a hydraulic control mechanism. 
     FIG. 5 a  is a view of an embodiment of the tool attachment adapted to permit lateral pivoting of a tool. 
     FIG. 5 b  is a detail view of a portion of the tool attachment of FIG. 5 a  oriented to hold the tool in a substantially horizontal position. 
     FIG. 5 c  is a detail view of the portion of the tool attachment of FIG. 5 b  oriented to hold the tool in a substantially vertical position. 
    
    
     While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. 
     FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus  2  of the present invention shown secured to a transport device  4  (shown as a BOBCAT, in phantom) and in place around an obstacle  6 , (shown as a post, in phantom). FIG. 2 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1 in greater detail. 
     The apparatus  2  comprises a frame  12 , a support  18  having a gap  20 , a traveler  16 , an engager  22 , a bracket  24 , top wheels  31  and bottom wheels  32 , legs  34  and a guard  38 . The apparatus  2  is shown in association with a tool  15  mounted on the bracket  24 . The tool  15  is powered independent oft he traveler  16 , by tool hydraulic lines  70  held above the traveler  16  by rods  72 . The bracket has a base  40 , a receiver  42  and adjustment means  44  (shown in FIG.  2 ). 
     The support may further include a gate  36  (not shown), hingedly connected to an end of the support  18 , and adapted to swing in and fill the gap  20 . The gate  36  is preferably the same length as the gap  20  and is adapted to permit free movement of the traveler  16  across the gate  36  and between the support  18  and the gate  36 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus  2  of the present invention, showing the engager  22  in greater detail. The engager  22  comprises a driven gear  30  adapted to engage points  26  on a toothed edge  46  of the traveler  16 . The engager  22  further comprises a chain  48  which engages a shaft  49  which engages the gear  30  and is operatively connected to a driver  50  (not shown). Thus, rotation of the chain  48  causes corresponding rotation of the gear  30 , which engages the edge  46  of the traveler  16 , causing rotation of the traveler  16  about an axis of rotation R of the traveler  16 . 
     FIGS. 4 a  through  4   c  depict various embodiments of the bracket  24  of the present invention. FIG. 4 a  depicts a bracket  24  having a manual adjustment mechanism  52 . The manual adjustment mechanism  52  comprises a securor, such as a peg  56  passing through the base  40  and adapted to engage one of a plurality of holes  54  in the receiver  42 . In operation, the receiver  42  slidably engages the base  40 , permitting movement of the tool  15 , also secured to the receiver  42 , laterally within the apparatus  2 , towards or away from the axis of rotation R. When the tool  15  is in the desired location, further sliding of the receiver  42  within the base  40  is prevented by depressing the peg  56  so that it enters one of the holes  54 , thereby engaging the receiver  42  and preventing its further movement. A collet pin or the like could similarly be employed to releasably lock the receiver  42  relative to the base  40 , thus securing the tool  15  in the desired position. 
     FIG. 4 b  depicts an alternate embodiment of bracket  24  for securing the tool  15  in a desired location, through the use of a biased adjustment mechanism, comprising a biasing means, such as a spring  58  and a contractor  60  operatively connected to the receiver  42  and urges the receiver  42  away from the traveler  16  and towards the axis of rotation R. In operation with this embodiment, the apparatus  2  is advanced towards an obstacle  6  until the contactor  60  engages the surface of the obstacle  6 . When this occurs, the obstacle  6  applies a force to the contactor  60  which is counter to the force applied by the spring  58 , and urges the receiver  42  towards the traveler  16  and away from the axis of rotation R. In this manner, the tool  15  is positioned closely adjacent to the obstacle  6 , as the traveler  16  moves around the perimeter  13  of the obstacle  6 . It will be appreciated that, depending on the shape of the obstacle  6  and its size, it may be desired to advance the apparatus  2  to a greater or lesser degree following contact of the contactor  60  with the obstacle  6 , so as to facilitate effective and constant contact between the contactor  60  and the obstacle  6 , as the tool  15  moves around the perimeter  13  of the obstacle  6 . Thus, the biased adjustment mechanism  62  permits rotation ot the tool  15  around the obstacle  6 . 
     FIG. 4 c  depicts a further alternate embodiment of the bracket  24  for positioning the tool  15 , through the use of a hydraulic adjustment mechanism  64  comprising a hydraulic controller, such as a hydraulic cylinder  66  and an adjuster hydraulic line  68 . In operation, the tool  15  secured to the receiver  42  may be adjusted towards or away from the axis of rotation R by a change in pressure in the hydraulic cylinder  66  communicated by way of the adjuster hydraulic line  68 . In particular, when pressure is applied to the hydraulic cylinder  66 , the cylinder expands, urging the receiver  42  towards the axis of rotation R. When pressure within the hydraulic cylinder  66  is reduced, the cylinder contracts, causing the receiver  42  to move away from the position of the tool  15  relative to the axis of rotation R, thereby facilitating use of the tool  15  closely adjacent to the perimeter  13  of the obstacle  6 , without the need for actual contact between the apparatus  2  or the tool  15  and the obstacle  6 . In addition, the position of the tool  15  may be adjusted at different times during the rotation of traveler  16  around the obstacle  6 . 
     FIG. 5 a  depicts a portion of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention including an embodiment of the bracket  24  adapted to permit pivoting of the tool  15  between horizontal and vertical orientations. FIGS. 5 b  and  5   c  depict in greater detail a portion of the embodiment of the bracket  24  shown in FIG. 5 a , adapted to permit attachment of the tool  15  to the bracket  24  in a substantially horizontal or vertical position (respectively). This embodiment of the bracket  24  includes a base  40  having a pivot point  41  and a slot  43 . The bracket  24  depicted in FIGS. 5 b  and  5   c  further include a receiver  42  having a pin  45  adapted to releasably engage the slot  43 . The receiver  42  is adapted to pivotally engage the base  40 . In operation, the receiver  42  pivots at least partially around the base  40  by rotation around the pivot point  41 . The receiver  40  may preferably be held at a desired angle relative to the base  40  through engagement of the pin  45  with the edge of the slot  43 , or other suitable means which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     In operation, the apparatus  2  is presented to the obstacle  6  such that the obstacle  6  passes through the gap  20  into the open-centered of the support  18 , and is preferably positioned at or near the axis of rotation R. The engager  22  then operatively connects the traveler  16  to the driver  50 , permitting rotation of the traveler  16  about the support  18 . As the traveler  16  slides along the support  18 , a tool  15  mounted to the bracket  24  is moved around the perimeter  13  of the obstacle  6 . 
     Preferably the engager  22  operatively engages the traveler  16  at least two points  26  (shown on FIGS. 2 and 3) two of which points are separated by a distance at least equal to the difference between the length of the support and the length of the traveler. In particular, the traveler  16  is preferably no longer than the support  18 . If it is desired for the traveler  16  to have full 360° rotational capacity, it is desirable that the traveler  16  operatively engage the engager  22  at two points which are sufficiently far apart to ensure that, regardless of the position of the traveler  16  relative to the support  18 , at least one of these points  26  will engage the traveler  16  at all times. 
     The traveler preferably includes top wheels  31  and bottom wheels  32  secured to the top and the bottom of the traveler, as depicted in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 . Wheels  32  facilitate movement of the traveler  16  along the support  18 . The support  18  preferably includes parking legs  34  which may be raised or lowered. Thus, when the apparatus  2  is in use, legs  34  could be raised or removed, but when the apparatus  2  is not in use the leg  34  could be lowered to provide independent stability to the apparatus  2  thereby facilitating storage of the apparatus  2  apart from the transport device  14 . 
     The traveler  16  is preferably formed from a durable rigid material, such as steel. However, other sufficiently strong and rigid materials are also contemplated. The support is preferably penannular, such that the obstacle  6  enters the gap  20  and may be positioned at the axis of rotation R within the penannular structure of the support  18 . However, the suport  18  may be of varying shapes, depending on the variety of obstacle  6  with which it is to be used. In general, it is preferable to have a support  18  which has a generally circular, or part-circular shape. However, where corresponding adjustments are made to the traveler  16 , non-circular shapes are also contemplated. 
     The apparatus is adapted for use with a driver  50 . The driver is preferably a power takeoff or a hydraulic supply from the transport device  4 , however other forms of driver, such as an independent electric motor, are contemplated. The tool is preferably powered independent of the rotation of the traveler. However, in some instances independent power for the tool will not be required, such as where mere scraping of the ground effected by the rotation of the tool on the traveler is desired. 
     A variety of landscape tools are contemplated, including tillers, mowers, edgers and the like. 
     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention an improved apparatus for landscaping around obstacles that fully satisfies the objections and advantages set for the above. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of invention.