GB2234656A

GB2234656A - Self-cleaning rake

Info

Publication number: GB2234656A
Application number: GB8915272A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Edward Vickers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-07-04
Filing date: 1989-07-04
Publication date: 1991-02-13
Also published as: GB8915272D0

Abstract

A Self-Cleaning rake comprises a main member 3 to which tines 1 are attached, and a sliding member 2 which is urged towards the unattached ends of the tines. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF CLEANING RAKE The present invention relates to éardening and is based on the observed need for a rake which does not become clogged with debris particularly when raking lawns.

WEsen using a rake the spaces between the tines become clogged, the user having to stop, up-end the rake and remove the debris by hand before being able to continue.

The present invention provides a means of overcoming these difficulties.

The apparatus according to the invention, comprises a rake where the tines of the rake pass through a perforated plate which is urged towards the outer or pointed ends of the tines.

In one emLIodiment the urging means to the plate is at least one leaf spring.

In another embodiment the urging means is at 3 east one helical spring.

In operation the rake according to the invention, is used in the normal manner, the tines being pressed into the grass for example, and drawn horizontally through the grass. Grass cuttings, leaves and other debris do not pass through the tines but collect across them eventually preventing useful passage of the rake thorough the grass.

By lifting the rake away from the grass and thus removing the upward pressure on the sa,d plate, the spring or spri':: urge the plate towards the outer ends of the tines the plate thus pushing off the collected debris onto the ground in a neat heap which is readily picked up or further raked to a convenient place.

One embodiment of the invention is now described more fully. Fig. 1 refers Items 1 are the tines of the rake, curved to a radius to match the path of the plate 2 and firmly fixed to a main member 3. Item 4 is a handle attached to main member 3 and which may be connected thereto by a lockable hinge for the purpose of maintaining the handle at a convenient angle.

Item 5 is at least one leaf spring, two shown symmetrically placed along main member 3. Item 5 is fixed at one end to the main member 3 and the other end fixed to plate 2, arranged to urge the plate 2 towards the outer ends of the tines 1. The leaf spring (s) 5 may be formed from extens i ons of prate 2.

Plate 2 possesses holes which match the pitch and clear the tines 1 so that the plate 2 may pass up and down the tines 1 readily.

Fig. 2 refers to a part elevation of the rake according to the invention. In one embodiment, item 6 d s at least one helical spring and preferably two, one at each end of the main member 3 which replaces the leaf spring 5, and which performs a similar function to leaf spring 5.

Plate 2A is a plate as previousiy desoribed but is attached to bolts 12, one such at eac-h end of plate 2a. , late 2A is urged towards the outer end of the tiues 1 by spling 6 and is restrained by wing nut 11.

Fig 3 refers to a wheel or preferably a skid which limits the distance the tines 1 can penetrate into the grass to avoid tearing up roots. A skid 9 has been shown in Fi. .

Preferably there is a skid 9 at each end of the main member 3. Preferably skid 9 is curved to prevent its ends or edges digging into the ground. Skid 9 is attached to a bolt 1 which projects upwards through main member 3, and which is registered with 3 to prevent turning.

Item 11 is an adjusting means (here shown as a wing nut).

Item 15 is a helical spring which urges the skid 9 downwards against the ground but which may compress resiliently.

In one embodiment Item 10 is replaced by a similar member attached to skid 9, but of rectangular cross sectioIj engaging slidably with a matching rectangular hole in member 3. The member of rectangular cross section is hollow and threaded internally to engage with a headed screw passing freely through member 3 and which locates against the upper face of member 3. The helical spring 15 is used in similar manner to the previous embodiment.

In another embodiment the skid 9 is adjustabie ielative to the tines 1 and member 3 by bolt 10 and wing nut 11 is thus not resiliently mounted but held rigidly b means of locking nuts to member 3. The helical spring 15 is then not required.

In this emdiment, a view in direction D-D shows at least one leaf spring SA which. is attached to the main member 3 at one end but free at ist other end to presb and slide against plate 2B, perforated as before.

Fig. 4 shows how plate 2B is then connected to 3. At each end of main member 3 a bracket 14 projects and hiably supports plate 2B, whic.-, is held in its working or raking position by spring clip 13.

View G-G shows the end elevation of bracket 14, plate 2B with the spring clip 13 fixed to plate 2B, allowing plate 2B to swing freely for cleaning purposes.

View E-E shows spring clip 13 engaging with bracket 14 and with plate 2B in its working position when the rake as described is in raking mode.

View F-F shows us the front elevation of plate 2B, a section through bracket 14, and with the spring clip 13 disengaged and plate 2B swinging freely.

In general the force applied by the spring or springs 5A may be made adjustable by means not shown, by changing them, or by bending them manually.

The invention has been described here as applying to raking grass.

This application is particularly useful after grass has been cut by a lawn mower which has no or poor means of collecting the cuttings.

The apparatus according to the invention may be used conveniently for raking earth.

In a smaller form the apparatus may be used for grooming animals.

A rake according to this invention may be combine with w3seels or skids and a means of traction for certain applications such as to sports fields.

Claims

1 A self-cleaning rake comprising a main ember to which tines are attached, a sliding membar having holse slidably engaging the tines and urging leans directing the sliding membet towards the unattached ends of the tines.

2 A self-cleaning rake as clsimed in Claim 1 where the urging means includes the force of gravity acting on the aiiding member.

3 A self-cleaning rake as claimed in Claim 1 where the urging means includes at least one spring of which one end is in contact with the main member and the other in contact with the sliding member.

4 A self-cleaning rake as claimed in any preceding claim with restraining means limiting the travel of the sliding membar.

5 A self-cleaning rake as claimed in any preceding claim with means to adjust the amount of penetration of the tines into a surface.

6 A self-cleaning rake as clained in any preceding claim where a handle is attached to the main .ember0 7 A self-cleaning rake as claimed in Claim 6 where the handle is hingably attached to the main member, 8 A self-cleaning rake according to any of the drawings and accompanying descriptions shown herain.