Patent Application
20110290511
The present invention relates generally to turf aeration and lawn care equipment and specifically to removably attachable turf aeration systems which may be affixed to, and rotate with, the wheels of an existing apparatus, namely a lawn mowing mechanism.
The present apparatus relates to a lawnmower attachment for aeration of the lawn surface while mowing the lawn. Aeration permits nutrients and water to penetrate the lawn surface and reach the root system. Aeration promotes lawn health, while helping to eliminate runoff. The object of the present invention is to provide an aerating device which can be easily attached to and removed from lawnmower wheels by hand, without any permanent modification to the wheels or lawnmower. Self retracting penetrating spikes allow the user to leave the device on the wheels and without adjustments, traverse hard surfaces without damaging the surface or the device itself. Prior devices in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,172 issued to Brown, would require permanently attached parts or wheel modifications along with the tools and expertise to install them. Prior devices in the art would require removal or adjustments during use to allow the lawnmower to roll over hard surfaces such as driveways, garage floor, or walkways without doing damage to these surfaces or the device itself.
In one embodiment, the present apparatus comprises a removable aerating device for lawnmowers to aerate the lawn surface while mowing the lawn. It easily attaches to wheels by hand, without the use of tools or permanent modification to the wheels or tires. Using the weight of the mower and rotation of the wheel, the spikes penetrate and aerate the lawn surface as the lawn is mowed. A compression spring on each penetrating spike of the present invention allows the spike to aerate the lawn surface and retract when contacting hard surfaces such as driveways. This enables the user to mow and aerate the lawn without interruption and without damaging hard surfaces.
Accordingly, an improved removably attachable aerating device for vehicles and accompanying enhancements and its component elements are herein described, which achieve these objectives, plus other advantages and enhancements. These improvements to the art will be apparent from the following description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein there has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the removable attachable aerating device in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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In an additional embodiment, illustrated is a turf traction and aeration system, a centrally disposed retaining mechanism comprising at least one adjustable retaining mechanism; at least one static attachment mechanism comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said at least one static attachment member is affixed to said centrally disposed retaining mechanism and wherein said distal end of said at least one static attachment member extends outwardly from said centrally disposed retaining mechanism; at least one removable slidably attachable dynamic attachment member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said at least one dynamic attachment member is in slidable communication with said centrally disposed retaining mechanism and wherein said distal end of said at least one dynamic attachment member extends outwardly from said centrally disposed retaining mechanism, and wherein at least one dynamic attachment member is in communication with said least one adjustable retaining mechanism of said centrally disposed retaining mechanism.
Additionally, the at least one first reciprocating member may comprise a substantially conical distal portion, said at least one first reciprocating member is in communication with said distal portion of at least one static attachment mechanism and may further comprise at least one second reciprocating member comprising a substantially conical distal portion, wherein said at least one second reciprocating member is in communication with said distal portion of said at least one dynamic attachment mechanism; and, wherein upon attachment of said turf traction and aeration system to an associated rotational mechanism, said at least one first reciprocating member and said at least one second reciprocating member extend and retract upon initiating physical contact with a respective malleable surfaces and unyielding surfaces.
Further, the turf traction and aeration system may be removably attachable and may comprises two static attachment mechanisms disposed at equidistant angles with respect to each other adjacent attachment mechanism so as to properly support the apparatus on a substantially circular mechanism. Additionally, the static attachment members may comprises a u-shaped fastening mechanism for initial fasting to a wheel mechanism.
Also, the dynamic attachment mechanism may comprise a slotted aperture in communication with said at least one adjustment mechanism of said centrally disposed retaining mechanism and wherein the adjustment mechanism of said centrally disposed retaining mechanism comprises an axially advancing lock screw. In addition, the first reciprocating member may comprise a spring loaded compression member and the second reciprocating member may comprise a spring loaded compression member. Furthermore, the reciprocating members may be affixed to the distal end of the static and dynamic attachment attachment mechanism by a locking pin mechanism.
Moreover, method for utilizing the turf traction and aeration system may comprise positioning said distal end of said at least one static attachment mechanism securely around a backside of said wheel; positioning the proximal end of said at least one removable slidably attachable dynamic attachment member within said centrally disposed retaining mechanism; extending said distal end of said at least one removable slidably attachable dynamic attachment member within securely around a backside of said wheel; and, finally locking said proximal end of said at least one removable slidably attachable dynamic attachment member in position with respect to said centrally disposed retaining mechanism with said least one adjustable retaining mechanism.
