US3743025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reciprocating soil aerator with flexible tool guide assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-01
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Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1990-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Soil aerator having flexible tines which pivot about a movable pivot means is disclosed. Driven ends of the tines are driven in substantially circular motions while the flexible tines are simultaneously guided and pivoted by links of chains. Penetrating ends of the tines ''''walk'''' over the surface of the soil under the guidance of the chains. In this manner, the tines are permitted to pierce the soil without kicking up debri and without undue stress on the tines so that the tines can be small and flexible. Because the aerator disclosed herein kicks up such little debri, it can be mounted on lawn mower frames and used simultaneously with both reel and rotary type lawn mowers. Two such combinations are disclosed herein.
Inventors
- 👤 R Thatcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:45
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B11/00; A01B45/00; A01B45/02; A01B45/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A soil aerator of the type used for loosening top soil at and below its surface comprising: an aerator frame which moves along the soil''s surface; an elongated tool means for penetrating the soil''s surface, said tool having a driven portion and a penetrating end; a driving means which is pivotally attached to said Driven portion for rotating said driven portion thereby reciprocating said elongated tool means; and an elongated flexible pivoting assembly having first and second ends each of which are affixed to said frame at stationary locations relative to said frame, said pivoting assembly being spaced along said elongated tool from said driven portion for pivoting said elongated tool as said driving means rotates said driven portion, said elongated flexible pivoting assembly including a movable pivoting portion intermediate said first and second ends on which said elongated tool pivots and flexible pivot mounting portions mounting said movable pivoting portion to said respective stationary locations on said aerator frame and for allowing said movable pivoting portion freedom of movement due to flexing of said mounting portions relative to said aerator frame during operation of said soil aerator to loosen top soil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A soil aerator of the type used for loosening top soil at and below its surface comprising: an aerator frame which moves along the soil''s surface; an elongated tool means for penetrating the soil''s surface, said tool having a driven portion and a penetrating end; a driving means which is pivotally attached to said Driven portion for rotating said driven portion thereby reciprocating said elongated tool means; and an elongated flexible pivoting assembly having first and second ends each of which are affixed to said frame at stationary locations relative to said frame, said pivoting assembly being spaced along said elongated tool from said driven portion for pivoting said elongated tool as said driving means rotates said driven portion, said elongated flexible pivoting assembly including a movable pivoting portion intermediate said first and second ends on which said elongated tool pivots and flexible pivot mounting portions mounting said movable pivoting portion to said respective stationary locations on said aerator frame and for allowing said movable pivoting portion freedom of movement due to flexing of said mounting portions relative to said aerator frame during operation of said soil aerator to loosen top soil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A soil aerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated flexible pivoting assembly comprises a chain which has first and second chain ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A soil aerator as claimed in claim 2 wherein are further included chain support members at said stationary locations on said aerator frame, and wherein: said chain is extended between said chain support members; and, said elongated tool means extends through said movable pivoting portion of said chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A soil aerator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said elongated tool means is a thin flexible tine and wherein said penetrating end is sharp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A soil aerator as claimed in claim 4 wherein said thin flexible tine comprises a spring portion located between said driven portion end and said penetrating end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A soil aerator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said driven portion of said flexible tine is driven by a crankshaft which comprises selectively separable cranks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
245 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower, said soil aerator being used for loosening top soil at and below its surface and said lawn mower being used for cutting grass growing in said soil, comprising: a frame; a lawn mower assembly mounted on said frame; a soil aerator assembly mounted on said frame; and, power means for simultaneously driving said lawn mower assembly and said soil aerator assembly, wherein said soil aerator assembly comprises: an elongated tool means for penetrating the soil''s surface, said tool means having a driven portion and a penetrating end; a linkage means, which is pivotally attached to said driven portion for rotating said driven portion in response to said power means, thereby reciprocating said elongated tool means; and an elongated flexible pivoting assembly having first and second ends each of which are affixed to said frame at stationary locations relative to said frame, said pivoting assembly being spaced along said elongated tool from said driven portion for pivoting said elongated tool as said driving means rotates said driven portion, said elongated flexible pivoting assembly including a movable pivoting portion intermediate said first and second ends on which said elongated tool pivots and flexible pivot mounting portions mounting said movable pivoting portion to said respective stationary locations on said frame and for allowing said movable pivoting portion freedom of movement due to flexing of said mounting portions relative to said frame during operation of said soil aerator to loosen top soil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
245 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower, said soil aerator being used for loosening top soil at and below its surface and said lawn mower being used for cutting grass growing in said soil, comprising: a frame; a lawn mower assembly mounted on said frame; a soil aerator assembly mounted on said frame; and, power means for simultaneously driving said lawn mower assembly and said soil aerator assembly, wherein said soil aerator assembly comprises: an elongated tool means for penetrating the soil''s surface, said tool means having a driven portion and a penetrating end; a linkage means, which is pivotally attached to said driven portion for rotating said driven portion in response to said power means, thereby reciprocating said elongated tool means; and an elongated flexible pivoting assembly having first and second ends each of which are affixed to said frame at stationary locations relative to said frame, said pivoting assembly being spaced along said elongated tool from said driven portion for pivoting said elongated tool as said driving means rotates said driven portion, said elongated flexible pivoting assembly including a movable pivoting portion intermediate said first and second ends on which said elongated tool pivots and flexible pivot mounting portions mounting said movable pivoting portion to said respective stationary locations on said frame and for allowing said movable pivoting portion freedom of movement due to flexing of said mounting portions relative to said frame during operation of said soil aerator to loosen top soil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lawn mower assembly includes a reel type cutting mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 8 wherein said aerator assembly is mounted on said frame in front of said reel cutting mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elongated flexible pivoting assembly comprises a chain which has first and second chain ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 10 wherein are fUrther included chain support members mounted on said frame at respective stationary locations, and wherein: said chain is extended between said chain support members; and, said pivoting portion comprises a segment of said chain through which said elongated tool extends.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 11, wherein said elongated tool means is a thin flexible tine and wherein said penetrating end is sharp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 12, wherein said thin flexible tine comprises a spring portion located between said driven portion and said penetrating end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 13 wherein said driven portion of said flexible tine is driven by a crankshaft which comprises selectively separable cranks.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination soil aerator and lawn mower as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lawn mower assembly has a rotary type cutting mechanism.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |