Patent ID: 12193346

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures generally, a turf aerator is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The turf aerator includes a tine assembly that is movable between an operating position, where tines perforate soil underneath the aerator, and a retracted position, in which the tines do not perforate the soil. To move the tine assembly between the operating position and the retracted position, an operator can use single motions, with either one hand or one foot engaging with a component of the aerator. In addition, the linkages between an operator interface and the components of the aerator are more rigid in nature, as compared to cables or other flexible linkages that may be used on conventional aerators. In this way, the operation of the aerator is simplified for the operator, and breakages of components, such as cables or other linkages, may be reduced or eliminated.

FIGS.1through8Cshow a turf aerator according to one embodiment100of the current disclosure. The aerator100includes a frame110with front and rear ends110a,110band a plurality of wheels112operatively coupled to the frame110. Two front wheels112aand two rear wheels112bare shown in the drawings, though more or fewer wheels112may be included. As is known in the art, the wheels112may be powered by an engine or motor, hydraulically, et cetera.

A retracting tine assembly120, best shown inFIGS.5through8A, is movable between an operating position120aat which tines122of the tine assembly120may be used to perforate soil with small holes and a retracted position120bat which the tines122will not intersect the ground. The tine assembly120broadly includes a tine crank121rotatably supported by the frame110, a plurality of the tines122coupled to the tine crank121, a pair of retractor plate swing arms125, a retractor plate128for positioning the tines122, a keeper bar131, a latch135, an input mechanism, such as a release handle141, release cable143, linkage151, and another input mechanism, such as a pedal159.

As known in the art, the tine crank121(FIGS.6B,7A, and8A) may be powered (i.e., rotated) by a belt and pulley or chain and sprocket powered by an engine or motor, by a hydraulic motor, battery pack(s) of a variety of different chemistries, such as lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, lead acid, nickel-metal hydride, et cetera, or otherwise as currently known or later developed. And the tines122may be any desired aerating tines, whether now know or later developed, which may be coupled to and operated by the tine crank121.

The pair of retractor plate swing arms125are rotatably supported by the frame110at pivot points126located at opposite sides of the frame110(seeFIGS.6A and6B). The retractor plate128is fixed (directly or indirectly) to the swing arms125and defines a plurality of openings129(FIG.7A) through which the tines122pass. The location of the retractor plate128determines whether the tine assembly120is at the operating position120aor the retracted position120b. More specifically, when the retractor plate128is relatively horizontal as shown inFIG.6B(the operating position120a), the retractor plate128guides the tines122to move toward and away from the ground as the tine crank121rotates; and when the retractor plate128is relatively vertical as shown inFIG.5(the retracted position120b), the retractor plate128supports the tines122such that the tines122cannot interact with the ground. The retractor plate128includes slots through which the tines122move to contact the ground when in the operating position120a. The retractor plate128can also control how fast the aerator100moves in the forward direction, while also simultaneously helping to propel the aerator100in the direction of movement. When at the operating position120a, the tines122are generally located between the rear wheels112band preferably do not extend rearwardly beyond the rear wheels112b; and when at the retracted position120b, at least some of the tines122preferably extend rearwardly of the rear wheels112b.

The keeper bar131engages with the latch135to maintain the tine assembly120at the retracted position120b. The keeper bar131is fixed relative to the swing arms125and may extend directly from one or both swing arms125or otherwise be attached to structure extending from one or both swing arms125(such as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, for example). As shown inFIGS.7A through7C, a hook portion136of the latch135interacts with the keeper bar131to maintain the retractor plate128relatively vertical.

The latch135is rotatably coupled to the frame110at pivot point137and is biased to hold the keeper bar131by a spring138(e.g., a mechanical spring, gas spring, hydraulic spring, et cetera), as shown inFIGS.7A and7B. And the input mechanism or release handle141(FIG.1) interacts with the latch135through the release cable143, as best illustrated inFIGS.7A through8C. More particularly, one end of the cable143is coupled to the handle141and another end of the cable143terminates at a striker144. A spring145biases the striker144in a direction that that does not urge the hook portion136to disengage the keeper bar131. Yet sufficient input from the release handle141to the cable143causes the striker144to overcome the force of the spring145(and the force of the spring138), rotating the latch135about the pivot point137and releasing the keeper bar131from the hook portion136. With the keeper bar131released from the hook portion136, gravity causes the retractor plate128to move to be relatively horizontal (and thus the swing arms125to rotate about the pivot points126), such that the tine assembly120is at the operating position120a. A shield149may be rotatably supported (directly or indirectly) by at least one of the swing arms125so that the shield149lowers to provide a buffer between the tines122and the operator when the tine assembly120is at the operating position120a, as shown inFIG.6B.

The linkage151is provided to move the tine assembly120from the operating position120ato the retracted position120b. One end151aof the linkage151terminates at the input mechanism or pedal159, and another end151bof the linkage151is directly or indirectly rotatably coupled to the swing arm125(in the embodiment100, the end151bis coupled to the keeper bar131and has an axis of rotation that is coaxial with the keeper bar131; this arrangement may be particularly desirable). The pedal end151amay be coupled to (e.g., through welding, bolts, or any other appropriate fastener) or form the pedal159. While the linkage151may be configured in various ways, it may be particularly desirable for the linkage151to include a driving link152associated with the pedal end151aand a driven link156operable by the driving link152. The driving link152is rotatably coupled to the frame110at pivot point153(FIG.8A), and a biasing member154(FIG.6B) biases the driving link152such that the pedal159is typically raised. A distal end of the driving link152includes a pin or other sliding element155(FIG.8A) for interacting with the driven link156, and the driven link156includes a sliding slot157which interacts with the sliding element155. The driven link156forms the link end151band is coupled to the keeper bar131about axis of rotation158(FIG.8A).

In use, the tine assembly120may start at the retracted position120b(FIGS.1through5and7A through7C), with the keeper bar131held by the latch135(FIGS.7A through7C). The aerator100may be easily transported when the tine assembly120is at the retracted position120b, as the tines122cannot interact with the ground. When the operator desires to use the tines122, the tine assembly120may be quickly moved to the operating position120aby actuating the release handle141. Actuation of the release handle141causes the cable143to move the striker144, overcoming the force of the spring145and the spring138and rotating the latch135about the pivot point137to release the keeper bar131from the hook portion136. With the keeper bar131released from the hook portion136, gravity causes the retractor plate128to move to be relatively horizontal (and the swing arms125to rotate about the pivot points126), such that the tine assembly120is at the operating position120a.

Movement of the aerator100from the retracted position120bto the operating position120aoccurs in a single motion by the operator and can be performed without starting or stopping the engine. Moving conventional aerators into an operating position may require three separate steps: (1) engaging the clutch mechanism, (2) moving a lever to lower the tines into an operating position, and (3) grabbing a forward direction control to operate the aerator in a forward direction. While performing these steps, an operator must know the sequence in which to perform the steps and must perform the steps relatively quickly. On the contrary, the aerator100described herein allows for a single, fluid motion to move the tine assembly120into an operating position120a. Accordingly, the operator does not need to know a certain sequence for performing the steps and does not need to try to perform three different movements in a quick sequence. Instead, using only one hand, the operator can actuate the release handle141to move the aerator100into the operating position120aas described above.

To return the tine assembly120to the retracted position120b, an operator steps upon the pedal159and rotates the driving link152(e.g., steel linkage) about the pivot point153. Rotation of the driving link152causes the sliding element155to move along the sliding slot157, ultimately raising the linkage end151b(and rotating the swing arm125) and positioning the keeper bar131to be held by the latch135. Rotation of the swing arm125rotates the retractor plate128, forcing the tines122to be pointed such that they cannot intersect the ground. In some embodiments, the input mechanism or pedal159can be a hand lever that is operable using a single hand.

In operation, the pedal159is operated solely through a stepping movement such that the operator does not need to use either of his or her hands to operate the pedal159to return the tine assembly120to the retracted position120b. In this way, the operator's hands are free to remain engaged with the handles of the aerator100during movement from the operating position120ato the retracted position120b. Accordingly, the operator can focus on safely and effectively maneuvering the aerator100during operation. In addition, in situations where the operator may be new to operating the aerator100, the operator does not need to worry about taking his or her hands off of the aerator100during operation and can learn to operate the hydro-static drive capabilities of the aerator100. Conventional aerators may also use a flexible cable linkage to lift a tine assembly out of operation. In contrast, the aerator100uses a solid (e.g., steel) linkage to move the tine assembly120into the retracted position120b. As such, the likelihood of a breakage in the linkage, or that the linkage may be snagged on other portions of the aerator100or by an operator, is reduced.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

Unless described differently above, the terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. It may be possible for various steps in described methods to be undertaken simultaneously or in other orders than specifically provided.