CA1099979A - Self-propelled aerating device - Google Patents
Self-propelled aerating deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1099979A CA1099979A CA313,264A CA313264A CA1099979A CA 1099979 A CA1099979 A CA 1099979A CA 313264 A CA313264 A CA 313264A CA 1099979 A CA1099979 A CA 1099979A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- end portion
- aerating
- ground
- rear end
- support
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed herein is a self-propelled aerating device including a chassis having a handle, aerating means for penetrating the ground, and an engine having an idle speed. The device further includes a throttle operatively connected with the engine and movable between a normally idle position for operating the engine at the idle speed and an advanced position for operating the engine at above the idle speed, aerator drive means movable between a normally disengaged position for rendering the aerating means inoperative and an engaged position for drivingly connecting the aerating means with the engine, and control means for moving the aerator drive means from the disengaged position to the engaged position before moving the throttle from the idle position to the advanced position and for moving the throttle from the advanced position to the idle position before moving the aerator drive means from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the in-vention, the chassis has a front end portion and a rear end portion. Front support means is mounted on the front end portion for rotation relative to the front end portion and supports the front end portion from the ground. The aerating means is mounted on the rear end portion for rotation relative to the rear end portion, and the handle is also attached to the rear end portion. In this embodiment, the chassis is adapted to pivot relative to the front support means when the handle is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting the aerating means off the ground. The device further includes rear support means mounted for pivotal movement relative to the rear end portion and being movable between a transport position, in which the rear support means supports the rear end portion and the aerating means from the ground, and an operational position in which the aerating means supports the rear end portion from the ground and the rear support means limits the depth of penetration of the aerating means into the ground to a predetermined depth.
Disclosed herein is a self-propelled aerating device including a chassis having a handle, aerating means for penetrating the ground, and an engine having an idle speed. The device further includes a throttle operatively connected with the engine and movable between a normally idle position for operating the engine at the idle speed and an advanced position for operating the engine at above the idle speed, aerator drive means movable between a normally disengaged position for rendering the aerating means inoperative and an engaged position for drivingly connecting the aerating means with the engine, and control means for moving the aerator drive means from the disengaged position to the engaged position before moving the throttle from the idle position to the advanced position and for moving the throttle from the advanced position to the idle position before moving the aerator drive means from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the in-vention, the chassis has a front end portion and a rear end portion. Front support means is mounted on the front end portion for rotation relative to the front end portion and supports the front end portion from the ground. The aerating means is mounted on the rear end portion for rotation relative to the rear end portion, and the handle is also attached to the rear end portion. In this embodiment, the chassis is adapted to pivot relative to the front support means when the handle is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting the aerating means off the ground. The device further includes rear support means mounted for pivotal movement relative to the rear end portion and being movable between a transport position, in which the rear support means supports the rear end portion and the aerating means from the ground, and an operational position in which the aerating means supports the rear end portion from the ground and the rear support means limits the depth of penetration of the aerating means into the ground to a predetermined depth.
Description
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TITLE:
Self-Propelled Aerating Device INVENTOR:
Loren F. Hansen BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to aerating devices, and more parti.cularly, to self-propelled aerating devices.
Aerating devices which mechanically aerate lawn and soil areas are known. Representative prior art constructions of aerating devices are disclosed in the following United States Patents:
Smith21,377 August 31, 1858 Harvey208,088 September 17, 1878 Marcy1,704,986 March 12, 1929 Stidger1,742,563 January 7, 1930 Hamshaw1,878,442 September 20, 1932 Archibald2,056,337 October 6, 1936 Krenzke2,258,061 October 7, 1941 Clark2,450,749 October 5, 1948 Howard2,545,735 March 20, 1951 De Cato2,664,683 June 5, 1954 Howard2,792,900 May 21, 1957 Hall2,816,496 December 17, 1957 Marlow2,961,055 November 22, 1960 To facilitate operation, an aerating device commonly includes a small reciprocating engine which drives the aerating assembly and propels the device over the ground. As with other powered devices, it is desirable to coordinate the operation of the engine throttle with the operation of the clutch assembly, -- I--which engages and disengages the aerating assembly, to provide smooth and reliable performance. It is also desirable to be able to control the depth of penetration of the aerating assembly into the ground and achieve overall lateral stability in the device when the aerating assembly is being operated, while facilita-ting the transportation of the device when the aerating assembly is not in operation.
None of the above patents discloses a simple yet effective means for coordinating the operation of the engine throttle and clutch assembly in a self-propelled aerator. While some of the above patents disclose means to control the depth of penetration of the aerating assembly into the ground (Stidger, Hamshaw, Archibald, and Howard), as well as means to facilitate the transportation of the device when the aerating assembly is not in operation (Marcy), none discloses a self-propelled aerating device that achieves both of these results with a minimum of operator effort.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
The invention provides an aerating device comprising a chassis having a front end portion and a rear end portion, front support means mounted on the front end portion for rotation relative to the front end portion and supporting the front end portion off the ground, aerating means for penetrating the ground and being mounted on the rear end portion for rotation relative to the rear end portion, handle means attached to the rear end portion, whereby the chassis is adapted to pivot relative to the front support ~,. .
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means when the handle means is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting the aerating means off the ground, and rear support means mounted for pivotal movement relative to the rear end portion and being movable between a transport position in which the rear support means supports the rear end portion and . the aerating means from the ground, and an operational position in which the aerating means supports the rear end portion from the ground and the rear support means limits the depth of penetration of the : aerating means into the ground to a predetermined depth.
In one embodiment of the invention, the rear support means includes a shaft having opposed ends and mounted transversely across the chassis for rotation relative to the chassis, each of which opposed ends is located outwardly of the aerating means, a pair of support frames each having an inner end and an outer end, which inner ends are respectively mounted on the opposed ends for rotation therewith, a support wheel mounted on each of the outer ends for rotation relative to each of the outer ends, which support wheels hold the rear end portion and the aerating means from the ground when the rear support means is in the transport position and limit the depth of penetration of the aerating means when the rear support means is in the operational position.
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In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the rear support means includes locking means for selectively holding the pair of support frames in either the transport position or the operational position, which locking means is movable between a normal locked position to prevent pivotal movement of the pai~ of support frames and an unlocked position to allow pivotal movement of the pair of support frames between the transport position and the operational position, and which locking means is manually operable between the locked and the unlocked positions.
Other features and advantages of the embodimentsof the invention will become apparent upon reviewing the following general description and the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side and partially diagrammatic view of a self-propelled aerating device embodying various of the features of the invention and showing the device in the operational position;
Fig. 2 is a side and partially diagrammatic view of a self propelled aerating device shown in Fig. 1, except that the device is shown in the transport position;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of ; the control handle of the device shown in the neutral position;
, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig. 3, except that the control handle has been moved to the intermediate position; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig. 3, except that the control handle has been moved to the drive position.
; Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and 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 term-inology employed herein is for the purpose of descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An aerating device 10 is shown in Fig. 1 which embodies various of the features of the invention. While the invention is applicable for use in aerating devices of various constructions, in the illustrated embodiment, the aerating device 10 includes a chassis 12 adapted for movement over the ground 11 and having a front end portion 14 and a rear end portion 16. A handle 18 is attached to the rear end portion 16 for guiding the movement. A control handle 20 is attached to the handle 18 and is adapted for forward and rearward pivotal movement relative to the handle 18.
Aerating means 22 is mounted for rotation relative to ~he rear end portion 16. The aerating means 22 includes a plurality of spikes 24, or tines, 997~
mounted about a center hub 26. The tines 24 are adapted to penetrate the ground 11 as the aerating means 22 is rotated.
A ballast wheel 28 having weight is mounted for rotation relative to the front end portion 1~
and supports the front end portion 14 from the ground 11.
Because of this construction, the chassis 12 is adapted to pivot relative to the aerating means 22 when the handle 18 is moved vertically downwardly, thereby lifting the ballast wheel 28 off the ground 11 to provide a downward thrust force upon the aerating means 22 during operation of the device. The chassis is further adapted to pivot relative to the ballast wheel 28 when the handle 18 is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting ~he aerating means off the ground 11 to facilitate steering or otherwise moving the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is not being used.
In one embodiment of the inventionJ the device 10 includes rear support means 30 movable between an operational position to control the depth of penetration of the tines 24 into the ground 11 and provide overall lateral stability to the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is in operation, and a transport position in which the rear support means 30 supports the rear end portion 16 ancL the aerating means 22 from the ground 11 to facilitate movement of the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is not in operation.
The rear support means 30 includes a shaft 38 which is mounted transversely across the underbody of the chassis 12 and is located generally between the front end portion 1~ and the rear end portion 16. The _"~
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shaft 38 is mounted to rotate relative to the chassis 12.
A pair of support frames 32 is provided, each support frame 32 having an inner end 34 and an outer end 36. While Figs. 1 and 2 show only one support frame 32, it is to be understood that the opposite side of the device 10, which is not illustrated, also includes a support ~rame corresponding to the support frame shown. The inner ends 34 are attached at opposite ends of the shaft 38 for common rotation therewith, and positioned generally outwardly of the aerating means to provide lateral support. A support wheel 40 is mounted on each outer end 36 for rotation relative to the outer end 36.
In this construction, the support frames 32 are movable between the transport position (shown in Fig. 2) in which the support wheels 40 support the rear end portion 16 and the aerating means 22 from the ground 11; and the operational position (shown in Fig. 1) in which the aerating means 22 supports the rear end portion 16 from the ground 11 thereby permitting the tines 24 to penetrate the ground 11. In the operational position, however, the support wheels 40 limit the penetration of the tines 24 into the ground 11 to a predetermined depth, as well as provide overall lateral stability to the chassis 12 during operation of the aerating means 22.
Locking means 42 is provided so that the operator may selectively lock the rear support means 30 in either the transport or operational position. The locking means 42 includes a locking quadrant 44 attached to at least one of the support frames 32. The locking _~_ 9~7~
quadrant 44 has an upper slot 46 and a lower slot 48.
The locking means 42 further includes a manually operated latch 50 which is adapted to be slidably received in either slot 46 or 48. A spring 52 biases the latch 50 in a normally locked position, engaging the latch S0 in either slot 46 or 48, and preventing pivotal movement of the support frames 32. When the latch 50 is thus engaged in the upper slot 46, the support frames 32 are securely held in the transport position;
when the latch 50 is engaged in the lower slot 48, the support frames 32 are securely held in the operational position.
The machine operator may pivotally change the position of the support frames 32 by sliding the latch 50 out of engagement with its respective slot 46 and 48 and moving the handle 18 either vertically upwardly to move the support frames 32 from the operational position to the transport position, or vertically downwardly to move the support frames 32 from the trans-port position to the operational position.
The aerating device 10 is self-propelled because a small reciprocating engine 54 is provided having a drive wheel 56 which is drivingly connected with the aerating means 22. The engine 54 includes a throttle 58 which is movable between an idle position (shown in Fig. 2) for driving the engine 54 at idle speed and an advanced position (shown in Fig. 1) for driving the engine 54 at above idle speed. A throttle control cable 60 is operatively connected to the throttle 58 and includes a throttle cable end portion 62 attached to the contro] handle 20.
Aerator drive means 64 operatively connects the drive wheel 56 with the aerating means 22. The aerator drive means 64 is movable between an engaged position for drivingly connecting the aerating means 22 with the drive wheel 56 and a disengaged position for interrupting the driving connection between the aerating means 22 and the drive wheel 56.
I~hile the aerator drive means 64 can be constructed in various manners, in the illustrated embodiment, the aerator drive means 64 includes a flywheel 66 which is drivingly connected with the aerating means 22 by a drive chain 68. A flexible drive belt 72 is carried by the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56. The drive belt 72 has a diameter such tha-t it is normally loosely-carried by the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56, so thattherotation of the drive wheel 56 will not be transmitted to the flywheel 66, as is shown in Fig. 2. This corresponds to the disengaged position of the aerator drive means 64.
The drive belt is further carried by a pulley 74 located intermediate the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56. The pulley 74 is mounted at the end of a pivotally attached lever arm 76 which is, in turn, operatively connected to an aerator control cable 78 having an aerator cable end portion 80 which is operatively attached to the control handle 20. Thus, as the control handle 20 is moved rearwardly by the operator, the aerator control cable 78 moves the lever arm 76, which causes the pulley 74 to bear against the drive belt 72. The tension in the drive belt 72 between the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56 is thereby increased, _~_ 1~9~7~
as is shown in Fig. 1, moving the drive belt 72 from the loosely-carried position to a tightly-carried position, at which time the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56 are drivingly connected. This corresponds to the engaged position of the aerator drive means 64.
As can be seen, movement of the control handle 20 between the forward and rearward positions operatively affects the positions of both the throttle 58 and the aerator drive means 64. Referring to Fig. 2, in the forward, or neutral position, the control handle 20 holds the throttle 58 in the idle position while holding the drive belt 72 in the loosely-carried position, during which the aerating means 22 is inoperative Referring now to Fig. 1, in the rearward, ; 15 or drive, position, the control handle 20 holds the throttle 58 in the advanced position while holding the drive belt 72 in the tightly-carried position, during which maximum power is transmitted from the engine 54 to the aerating means 22.
To achieve even and smooth operation and to reduce the chance of damaging the aerator drive means 64, it is desirable to further coordinate the respective positions of the throttle 58 and the aerator drive means 64 as the control handle 20 is moved between the forward and rearward positions. Thus, the invention provides control means 82 for moving the aerator drive means 64 from the disengaged position to the engaged position before mouing the throttle 58 from the idle position to the advanced position. Likewise, the control means 82 moves the throttle 58 from the advanced position to the idle position before moving the aerator -~99~
drive means 64 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
More specifically, the control handle 20 includes an intermediate position between the neutral and the drive positions. In accordance with the invention, as the control handle20 is moved from the neutral to the intermediate position, the throttle 58 is held in the idle position while the aerator drive means ~4 is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position. As the control handle 20 is thereater moved from the intermediate position to the drive position, the throttle 58 is moved from the idle position to the advanced position while the aerator drive means 64 continues to be held in the engaged position.
This operational sequence is achieved by providing an upper aperture 84 and a lower aperture 86 in the control handle 20. Referring first to Fig. 3, the upper aperture 84 is adapted to engage the aerator cable end portion 80. The aerator cable end portion 80 further includes tension means 88, such as a spring, to securely hold the aerator cable end portion 80 within the upper aperture 84 regardless of the position of the control handle 20. Therefore, as the control handle 20 is moved between the neutral and intermediate positions, the aerator drive means 64 is immediately moved by the aerator control cable 78 from a disengaged to the engaged position and continues to be held in the engaged position as the control handle 20 is further moved between the intermediate and drive positions.
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The lower aperture 86 is adapted to receive the throttle cable end portion 62. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the lower aperture 86 is adapted to slidably engage the throttle cable end portion 62 as the control handle 20 is moved between the neutral and intermediate positions. The throttle 58 is -thereby held in the idle position while the aerator drive means 64 is being moved into the engaged position by the upper aperture 84.
As can be seen in Fig. 5, the :Lower aperture 86 is adapted to securely engage the throttle cable end portion 62 and thus move the throttle control cable 60 only when the control handle 20 is moved from the intermediate position to the drive position. The throttle 58 is thus moved by the throttle control cable 60 from the idle position to the advanced position.
As previously noted, the aerator drive means 64 is already in the engaged position when this sequence occurs.
The invention further provides override means 90 for reducing the possibility that the throttle 58 will become stuck or frozen in the advanced position while the aerator drive means 64 is moved from the engaged to the disengaged position, thereby resulting in engine "run-away". At the same time, the override means 90 provides a means for quickly disengaging the aerator drive means 64 in the event that the throttle 58 does become frozen in the advanced position.
The override means 90 includes an override bracket 92 in which the lower aperture 86 is located and to which the throttle control cable 60 is operatively connected as before described. The override bracket ~L¢3~ 7~
: further includes a tab 94 which abuts the control handle 20, thereby adapting the override bracket 92 for rearward pivotal movement in response to the rearward pivotal movement of the control handle 20.
However, the forward pivotal movement of the override bracket is governed by spring means 96 attached to the override bracket, and is controlled by the tab 94 which prevents the forward progress of the spring-assisted pivotal movement of the override bracket 92 from exceeding the forward progress of the manually controlled pivotal movement o~ the control handle 20.
In accordance with the invention, as the control handle 20 is pivoted forwardly from the drive position to the neutral position, the spring biased override bracket 92 assists the return of the throttle from the advanced position to the idle position, while the tab 94 assures the desired sequence of operation. However, as is readily apparent, should the throttle control cable 60 freeze while the throttle 58 is in the advanced position in spite of the spring means 96, the control handle 20 operates independently of the override bracket 92, and can be quickly moved from the drive position to the neutral position to disengage the aerator drive means 64.
Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
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TITLE:
Self-Propelled Aerating Device INVENTOR:
Loren F. Hansen BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to aerating devices, and more parti.cularly, to self-propelled aerating devices.
Aerating devices which mechanically aerate lawn and soil areas are known. Representative prior art constructions of aerating devices are disclosed in the following United States Patents:
Smith21,377 August 31, 1858 Harvey208,088 September 17, 1878 Marcy1,704,986 March 12, 1929 Stidger1,742,563 January 7, 1930 Hamshaw1,878,442 September 20, 1932 Archibald2,056,337 October 6, 1936 Krenzke2,258,061 October 7, 1941 Clark2,450,749 October 5, 1948 Howard2,545,735 March 20, 1951 De Cato2,664,683 June 5, 1954 Howard2,792,900 May 21, 1957 Hall2,816,496 December 17, 1957 Marlow2,961,055 November 22, 1960 To facilitate operation, an aerating device commonly includes a small reciprocating engine which drives the aerating assembly and propels the device over the ground. As with other powered devices, it is desirable to coordinate the operation of the engine throttle with the operation of the clutch assembly, -- I--which engages and disengages the aerating assembly, to provide smooth and reliable performance. It is also desirable to be able to control the depth of penetration of the aerating assembly into the ground and achieve overall lateral stability in the device when the aerating assembly is being operated, while facilita-ting the transportation of the device when the aerating assembly is not in operation.
None of the above patents discloses a simple yet effective means for coordinating the operation of the engine throttle and clutch assembly in a self-propelled aerator. While some of the above patents disclose means to control the depth of penetration of the aerating assembly into the ground (Stidger, Hamshaw, Archibald, and Howard), as well as means to facilitate the transportation of the device when the aerating assembly is not in operation (Marcy), none discloses a self-propelled aerating device that achieves both of these results with a minimum of operator effort.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
The invention provides an aerating device comprising a chassis having a front end portion and a rear end portion, front support means mounted on the front end portion for rotation relative to the front end portion and supporting the front end portion off the ground, aerating means for penetrating the ground and being mounted on the rear end portion for rotation relative to the rear end portion, handle means attached to the rear end portion, whereby the chassis is adapted to pivot relative to the front support ~,. .
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means when the handle means is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting the aerating means off the ground, and rear support means mounted for pivotal movement relative to the rear end portion and being movable between a transport position in which the rear support means supports the rear end portion and . the aerating means from the ground, and an operational position in which the aerating means supports the rear end portion from the ground and the rear support means limits the depth of penetration of the : aerating means into the ground to a predetermined depth.
In one embodiment of the invention, the rear support means includes a shaft having opposed ends and mounted transversely across the chassis for rotation relative to the chassis, each of which opposed ends is located outwardly of the aerating means, a pair of support frames each having an inner end and an outer end, which inner ends are respectively mounted on the opposed ends for rotation therewith, a support wheel mounted on each of the outer ends for rotation relative to each of the outer ends, which support wheels hold the rear end portion and the aerating means from the ground when the rear support means is in the transport position and limit the depth of penetration of the aerating means when the rear support means is in the operational position.
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In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the rear support means includes locking means for selectively holding the pair of support frames in either the transport position or the operational position, which locking means is movable between a normal locked position to prevent pivotal movement of the pai~ of support frames and an unlocked position to allow pivotal movement of the pair of support frames between the transport position and the operational position, and which locking means is manually operable between the locked and the unlocked positions.
Other features and advantages of the embodimentsof the invention will become apparent upon reviewing the following general description and the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side and partially diagrammatic view of a self-propelled aerating device embodying various of the features of the invention and showing the device in the operational position;
Fig. 2 is a side and partially diagrammatic view of a self propelled aerating device shown in Fig. 1, except that the device is shown in the transport position;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of ; the control handle of the device shown in the neutral position;
, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig. 3, except that the control handle has been moved to the intermediate position; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig. 3, except that the control handle has been moved to the drive position.
; Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and 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 term-inology employed herein is for the purpose of descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An aerating device 10 is shown in Fig. 1 which embodies various of the features of the invention. While the invention is applicable for use in aerating devices of various constructions, in the illustrated embodiment, the aerating device 10 includes a chassis 12 adapted for movement over the ground 11 and having a front end portion 14 and a rear end portion 16. A handle 18 is attached to the rear end portion 16 for guiding the movement. A control handle 20 is attached to the handle 18 and is adapted for forward and rearward pivotal movement relative to the handle 18.
Aerating means 22 is mounted for rotation relative to ~he rear end portion 16. The aerating means 22 includes a plurality of spikes 24, or tines, 997~
mounted about a center hub 26. The tines 24 are adapted to penetrate the ground 11 as the aerating means 22 is rotated.
A ballast wheel 28 having weight is mounted for rotation relative to the front end portion 1~
and supports the front end portion 14 from the ground 11.
Because of this construction, the chassis 12 is adapted to pivot relative to the aerating means 22 when the handle 18 is moved vertically downwardly, thereby lifting the ballast wheel 28 off the ground 11 to provide a downward thrust force upon the aerating means 22 during operation of the device. The chassis is further adapted to pivot relative to the ballast wheel 28 when the handle 18 is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting ~he aerating means off the ground 11 to facilitate steering or otherwise moving the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is not being used.
In one embodiment of the inventionJ the device 10 includes rear support means 30 movable between an operational position to control the depth of penetration of the tines 24 into the ground 11 and provide overall lateral stability to the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is in operation, and a transport position in which the rear support means 30 supports the rear end portion 16 ancL the aerating means 22 from the ground 11 to facilitate movement of the device 10 when the aerating means 22 is not in operation.
The rear support means 30 includes a shaft 38 which is mounted transversely across the underbody of the chassis 12 and is located generally between the front end portion 1~ and the rear end portion 16. The _"~
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shaft 38 is mounted to rotate relative to the chassis 12.
A pair of support frames 32 is provided, each support frame 32 having an inner end 34 and an outer end 36. While Figs. 1 and 2 show only one support frame 32, it is to be understood that the opposite side of the device 10, which is not illustrated, also includes a support ~rame corresponding to the support frame shown. The inner ends 34 are attached at opposite ends of the shaft 38 for common rotation therewith, and positioned generally outwardly of the aerating means to provide lateral support. A support wheel 40 is mounted on each outer end 36 for rotation relative to the outer end 36.
In this construction, the support frames 32 are movable between the transport position (shown in Fig. 2) in which the support wheels 40 support the rear end portion 16 and the aerating means 22 from the ground 11; and the operational position (shown in Fig. 1) in which the aerating means 22 supports the rear end portion 16 from the ground 11 thereby permitting the tines 24 to penetrate the ground 11. In the operational position, however, the support wheels 40 limit the penetration of the tines 24 into the ground 11 to a predetermined depth, as well as provide overall lateral stability to the chassis 12 during operation of the aerating means 22.
Locking means 42 is provided so that the operator may selectively lock the rear support means 30 in either the transport or operational position. The locking means 42 includes a locking quadrant 44 attached to at least one of the support frames 32. The locking _~_ 9~7~
quadrant 44 has an upper slot 46 and a lower slot 48.
The locking means 42 further includes a manually operated latch 50 which is adapted to be slidably received in either slot 46 or 48. A spring 52 biases the latch 50 in a normally locked position, engaging the latch S0 in either slot 46 or 48, and preventing pivotal movement of the support frames 32. When the latch 50 is thus engaged in the upper slot 46, the support frames 32 are securely held in the transport position;
when the latch 50 is engaged in the lower slot 48, the support frames 32 are securely held in the operational position.
The machine operator may pivotally change the position of the support frames 32 by sliding the latch 50 out of engagement with its respective slot 46 and 48 and moving the handle 18 either vertically upwardly to move the support frames 32 from the operational position to the transport position, or vertically downwardly to move the support frames 32 from the trans-port position to the operational position.
The aerating device 10 is self-propelled because a small reciprocating engine 54 is provided having a drive wheel 56 which is drivingly connected with the aerating means 22. The engine 54 includes a throttle 58 which is movable between an idle position (shown in Fig. 2) for driving the engine 54 at idle speed and an advanced position (shown in Fig. 1) for driving the engine 54 at above idle speed. A throttle control cable 60 is operatively connected to the throttle 58 and includes a throttle cable end portion 62 attached to the contro] handle 20.
Aerator drive means 64 operatively connects the drive wheel 56 with the aerating means 22. The aerator drive means 64 is movable between an engaged position for drivingly connecting the aerating means 22 with the drive wheel 56 and a disengaged position for interrupting the driving connection between the aerating means 22 and the drive wheel 56.
I~hile the aerator drive means 64 can be constructed in various manners, in the illustrated embodiment, the aerator drive means 64 includes a flywheel 66 which is drivingly connected with the aerating means 22 by a drive chain 68. A flexible drive belt 72 is carried by the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56. The drive belt 72 has a diameter such tha-t it is normally loosely-carried by the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56, so thattherotation of the drive wheel 56 will not be transmitted to the flywheel 66, as is shown in Fig. 2. This corresponds to the disengaged position of the aerator drive means 64.
The drive belt is further carried by a pulley 74 located intermediate the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56. The pulley 74 is mounted at the end of a pivotally attached lever arm 76 which is, in turn, operatively connected to an aerator control cable 78 having an aerator cable end portion 80 which is operatively attached to the control handle 20. Thus, as the control handle 20 is moved rearwardly by the operator, the aerator control cable 78 moves the lever arm 76, which causes the pulley 74 to bear against the drive belt 72. The tension in the drive belt 72 between the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56 is thereby increased, _~_ 1~9~7~
as is shown in Fig. 1, moving the drive belt 72 from the loosely-carried position to a tightly-carried position, at which time the flywheel 66 and the drive wheel 56 are drivingly connected. This corresponds to the engaged position of the aerator drive means 64.
As can be seen, movement of the control handle 20 between the forward and rearward positions operatively affects the positions of both the throttle 58 and the aerator drive means 64. Referring to Fig. 2, in the forward, or neutral position, the control handle 20 holds the throttle 58 in the idle position while holding the drive belt 72 in the loosely-carried position, during which the aerating means 22 is inoperative Referring now to Fig. 1, in the rearward, ; 15 or drive, position, the control handle 20 holds the throttle 58 in the advanced position while holding the drive belt 72 in the tightly-carried position, during which maximum power is transmitted from the engine 54 to the aerating means 22.
To achieve even and smooth operation and to reduce the chance of damaging the aerator drive means 64, it is desirable to further coordinate the respective positions of the throttle 58 and the aerator drive means 64 as the control handle 20 is moved between the forward and rearward positions. Thus, the invention provides control means 82 for moving the aerator drive means 64 from the disengaged position to the engaged position before mouing the throttle 58 from the idle position to the advanced position. Likewise, the control means 82 moves the throttle 58 from the advanced position to the idle position before moving the aerator -~99~
drive means 64 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
More specifically, the control handle 20 includes an intermediate position between the neutral and the drive positions. In accordance with the invention, as the control handle20 is moved from the neutral to the intermediate position, the throttle 58 is held in the idle position while the aerator drive means ~4 is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position. As the control handle 20 is thereater moved from the intermediate position to the drive position, the throttle 58 is moved from the idle position to the advanced position while the aerator drive means 64 continues to be held in the engaged position.
This operational sequence is achieved by providing an upper aperture 84 and a lower aperture 86 in the control handle 20. Referring first to Fig. 3, the upper aperture 84 is adapted to engage the aerator cable end portion 80. The aerator cable end portion 80 further includes tension means 88, such as a spring, to securely hold the aerator cable end portion 80 within the upper aperture 84 regardless of the position of the control handle 20. Therefore, as the control handle 20 is moved between the neutral and intermediate positions, the aerator drive means 64 is immediately moved by the aerator control cable 78 from a disengaged to the engaged position and continues to be held in the engaged position as the control handle 20 is further moved between the intermediate and drive positions.
7~
The lower aperture 86 is adapted to receive the throttle cable end portion 62. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the lower aperture 86 is adapted to slidably engage the throttle cable end portion 62 as the control handle 20 is moved between the neutral and intermediate positions. The throttle 58 is -thereby held in the idle position while the aerator drive means 64 is being moved into the engaged position by the upper aperture 84.
As can be seen in Fig. 5, the :Lower aperture 86 is adapted to securely engage the throttle cable end portion 62 and thus move the throttle control cable 60 only when the control handle 20 is moved from the intermediate position to the drive position. The throttle 58 is thus moved by the throttle control cable 60 from the idle position to the advanced position.
As previously noted, the aerator drive means 64 is already in the engaged position when this sequence occurs.
The invention further provides override means 90 for reducing the possibility that the throttle 58 will become stuck or frozen in the advanced position while the aerator drive means 64 is moved from the engaged to the disengaged position, thereby resulting in engine "run-away". At the same time, the override means 90 provides a means for quickly disengaging the aerator drive means 64 in the event that the throttle 58 does become frozen in the advanced position.
The override means 90 includes an override bracket 92 in which the lower aperture 86 is located and to which the throttle control cable 60 is operatively connected as before described. The override bracket ~L¢3~ 7~
: further includes a tab 94 which abuts the control handle 20, thereby adapting the override bracket 92 for rearward pivotal movement in response to the rearward pivotal movement of the control handle 20.
However, the forward pivotal movement of the override bracket is governed by spring means 96 attached to the override bracket, and is controlled by the tab 94 which prevents the forward progress of the spring-assisted pivotal movement of the override bracket 92 from exceeding the forward progress of the manually controlled pivotal movement o~ the control handle 20.
In accordance with the invention, as the control handle 20 is pivoted forwardly from the drive position to the neutral position, the spring biased override bracket 92 assists the return of the throttle from the advanced position to the idle position, while the tab 94 assures the desired sequence of operation. However, as is readily apparent, should the throttle control cable 60 freeze while the throttle 58 is in the advanced position in spite of the spring means 96, the control handle 20 operates independently of the override bracket 92, and can be quickly moved from the drive position to the neutral position to disengage the aerator drive means 64.
Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
~_
Claims (4)
1. An aerating device comprising a chassis having a front end portion and a rear end portion, front support means mounted on said front end portion for rotation relative to said front end portion and supporting said front end portion off the ground, aerating means for penetrating the ground and being mounted on said rear end portion for rotation relative to said rear end portion, handle means attached to said rear end portion, wherein said chassis is adapted to pivot relative to said front support means when said handle means is moved vertically upwardly, thereby lifting said aerating means off the ground, and rear support means mounted for pivotal movement relative to said rear end portion and being movable between a transport position in which said rear support means supports said rear end portion and said aerating means from the ground, and an operational position in which said aerating means supports said rear end portion from the ground and said rear support means limits the depth of penetration of said aerating means into the ground to a predetermined depth.
2. An aerating device according to claim 1 wherein said rear support means includes a shaft having opposed ends and being mounted transversely across said chassis for rotation relative to said chassis, each of said opposed ends being located outwardly of said aerating means, a pair of support frames each having an inner end and an outer end, said inner ends being respectively mounted on said opposed ends for rotation therewith, a support wheel mounted on each of said outer ends for rotation relative to each of said outer ends, said support wheels holding said rear end portion and said aerating means from the ground when said rear support means is in said transport position and limiting the depth of penetration of said aerating means when said rear support means is in said operational position.
3. An aerating device according to Claim 2 wherein said rear support means includes locking means for selectively holding said pair of support frames in either said transport position or said operational position, said locking means being movable between a normal locked position to prevent pivotal movement of said pair of support frames and an unlocked position to allow pivotal movement of said pair of support frames between said transport position and said operational position, said locking means being manually operable between said locked and said unlocked positions.
4. An aerating device according to Claim 2 wherein said rear support means includes locking means for selectively holding said pair of support frames in either said transport position or said operational position, said locking means being movable between a normal locked position to prevent pivotal movement of said pair of support frames and an unlocked position to allow pivotal movement of said pair of support frames between said transport position and said operational position, spring means biasing said locking means toward said locked position, said spring means being capable of being manually overpowered to release said locking means from locked position and said locking means being manually operable between said locked and said unlocked positions when said spring means is overpowered.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000369927A CA1135109A (en) | 1978-02-01 | 1981-02-02 | Self-propelled aerating device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US87420978A | 1978-02-01 | 1978-02-01 | |
| US874,209 | 1978-02-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1099979A true CA1099979A (en) | 1981-04-28 |
Family
ID=25363234
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA313,264A Expired CA1099979A (en) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-10-12 | Self-propelled aerating device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1099979A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2340017A (en) * | 1998-07-31 | 2000-02-16 | Sisis Equip | Ground aerating machine |
-
1978
- 1978-10-12 CA CA313,264A patent/CA1099979A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2340017A (en) * | 1998-07-31 | 2000-02-16 | Sisis Equip | Ground aerating machine |
| GB2340017B (en) * | 1998-07-31 | 2002-10-30 | Sisis Equip | Ground aerating machine |
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