Patent ID: 7743840

Claim:
A combination of an aerating device attached to a self-propelled lawnmower, the combination comprising: the self-propelled lawnmower comprising: a receiver extending outwardly from a back end of the self-propelled lawnmower; and a pair of handles extending upwardly and rearwardly from the self-propelled lawnmower on opposing sides of the receiver for steering for the self-propelled lawnmower; the aerating device comprising; a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides extending between the proximal and distal ends; an axle mounted extending laterally between the sides of the frame; at least one tine assembly mounted for rotation about a tine axis extending longitudinally through the axle, the tine assembly having a tine diameter; an attachment mechanism secured to the proximal end of the frame and attached to the receiver of the self-propelled lawnmower as to permit rotation of aerating device relative to the self-propelled lawnmower about an axis that extends through the receiver and is substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower; and a platform secured to the distal end of the frame opposite the attachment mechanism for supporting an operator behind the at least one tine assembly to facilitate gripping the handles of the self-propelled lawnmower, the platform extending outwardly from the frame at an elevation that resides between vertical extents of the tine diameter, whereby weight of an operator on the platform causes rotational force of the aerating device about the axis so that tines closest to the ground transfer the weight of the operator to the ground for penetration of such closest tines into the ground for performing aeration in the direction of travel of the self-propelled lawnmower.