Patent GB-441768-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for pricking or aerating greens, lawns, and such like
IPC: A01B1/24
Filed: 1934-07-24
Abstract: 441,768. Implements for worldng land; rollers. HARGREAVES & CO., Ltd., W., Old Road, Cheadle, and HARGREAVES, W., Glendaruel, Thorley Lane, Timperley, both in Cheshire. July 24, 1934. Nos. 21585/34, 28632/34, and 1557/35. [Class 6 (i)] Apparatus for pricking turf &c. comprises a rotatable heavy body and means for rolling it over the ground, the heavy body carrying spikes or prickers and being of such a contour, shape, or construction that its centre rises and falls alternately as it rolls along, so as to assist insertion and withdrawal of the prickers with a minimum tearing of the turf. The heavy body a, Fig. 1, may consist of two square end plates b having rounded corners and connected together by bars c<1>, c at the corners and middles of the sides, respectively. The bars c, c', are provided with spikes d and shorter spikes d', respectively. A handle frame f is fixed on an axle e. Wheels g may be placed on axle pins f<1> on the handle frame f, or on the ends of the axle e, for turning the body a about and for transporting it. The body a may be of hexagonal or elliptical shape in end view. Two such rolling bodies may be mounted side by side so as to rise and fall independently of one another, a cross sleeve on the handle frame passing through circular openings in the end plates of the bodies. In another arrangement two rolling bodies are coupled together in tandem, being geared together out of step by chain gearing. In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the rolling body a is mounted on a truck comprising side plates j, wheels or the like j<1>, and a pivoted handle frame f<5> for pulling or pushing it. Catches j<2> may be moved into such positions that projecting fingers j<4> are under the frame f<5>, so that the body a may be lifted by depressing the handles. The pivots of the handle frame f<5> are adjustably mounted, and movable stops j<5> are provided for the frame f<5> to bear on. Two rolling bodies may be mounted in tandem on larger side plates j and may be coupled together by chain gearing. The prickers may be arranged to swivel or feather. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 16, removable prickers d<2> are clamped between bars l fastened in end bosses provided with trunnions fitting into bosses 1<5> on the end plates b. Coiled springs in the bosses l<5> cause the prickers to be turned up into the position shown after leaving the ground, stops l<7>, l<8> limiting the turning movement. A fixed cam m may be employed to effect the turning movements instead of the springs. Legs n<1>, n<2> on the pricker bars engage horns m<1>, m<2> on the cam m as they are carried round. In another arrangement the pricker spikes are clamped in holes in their carrying bar by means of a plate bolted to it and having projections passing into holes in the bar and engaging the shanks of the spikes. Coiled springs are arranged between stops on trunnions on the pricker bars and stops on bosses on the end plates b. According to the first Provisional Specification balance weights may be provided and the pricker bars may be adjustable and may be backed up by springs. Also there may be more than one row of prickers for each flat side of the heavy body, and one or more spacer bars may be rollers or have wheels for transport. According to the second Provisional Specification the pricker bars may be adjustably mounted.