GB2357956A

GB2357956A - Lawn aerating device

Info

Publication number: GB2357956A
Application number: GB0000466A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Arnold Adkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-10
Filing date: 2000-01-10
Publication date: 2001-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-10
Also published as: GB2357956B; GB0000466D0

Abstract

A lawn aerating device attachable to a heel A of an article of footwear B comprises a plate member 1 having at least one spike 2. The or each spike may be substantially planar and may be triangular in shape with the apex of the triangle being lowermost in use. Typically, the plate member comprises a plurality of spikes which are angularly displaced and which project from opposite edges thereof. The plate member may be of a substantially similar area as the heel and may comprise spikes at the front for location at or near the front of the heel. A U-shaped side wall 3 is normally provided at the rear and sides of the plate member. Straps 4 may be present at forward ends of the side wall to secure the device to the footwear.

Description

2357956 LAWN AERATING DEVICE The invention relates to the aeration and

plant density increase of lawns or other grassy areas. More particularly the invention provides a device to be worn by a wearer who will walk up and down the area to make holes in the soil. This will provide aeration and will cut plants so that separated plant parts can grow without lifting from their original location and provide atmosphere to the roots.

It is one object of this invention to provide an aeration device which is effective in use and simple to construct and install. Another aspect is that the device is operated by walking only, not requiring any upper body and arm lifting so fatigue is kept to a minimum.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided a lawn aerator comprising a plate member having spike elements which are angularly displaced and alternate and depend from edges thereof, and means for securing the device to the heel of the shoe or like footwear.

Preferably the spike elements are planar.

Preferably the elements present a knife edge. It is preferred that the spike elements are triangular in shape as seen in elevation, with the apex of the triangle lowermost in use, 2 so first point contact with soil or plants creates extremely high penetration force to achieve slitting of the soil and/or plants Preferably each spike element is integral with the plate member and formed by being bent to depend downwardly from the perimeter of the plate. The spike elements made present at the sides and/or rear of the plate. Preferably a spike element is also present at the front of the plate which is arranged to be near the front of the heel of the shoe. By providing spike elements at the front and sides of the plate, there will be three penetrations for each step forward.

The device provides a group of widespread angled slitting cutters which work singly or in concert to break into planted ground on contact, then fully penetrate as most of the wearers body weight is transferred onto the foot when the other foot is lifted to make another step.

During the downward penetration movement the widespread non-opposing angles of the cutter edges of the spike elements slit into plants on contact and continued progress urges the two plant pieces away from each other and this movement is increased as the other cutters react to ground forces. This small movement effects some plant division and transplantation without severe disturbance of soil creating new plant growth sites.

The cutters are then withdrawn, effectively upwards, either by footlift of the wearer to continue walking. The withdrawal action opens further any slits leaving sympathetic aeration, watering and feeding slots at local root systems. Because soil is compacted 3 with the footfall lumps are formed and when the foot is raised these tend not to adhere to the spike elements because they are planar.

In order that the invention may be well understood, it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

The device comprises a one piece form of metal, plastics or the like. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device has a plate 1 dimensioned to fit under the heel A of a shoe or boot B. A spike 2 depends from each side and ftom the front of the plate 1; each is planar, and generally triangular in shape with the apex lowermost. The side spikes are preferably located so that they will be in vertical alignment with the shin or ankle bone of the wearer. A U shaped side wall 3 is present at the rear and sides of the plate, to be placed about the heel area of the shoe. Straps 4 are present in holes at the forward ends of the side wall 3. When the wearer walks forward with a device on each shoe the spikes 2 dig in to the ground or plants with each forward step. The downward foot fall force urges the spikes down to cause the apex of the spikes to penetrate into the ground and cut any plants in the way. As the shoe is lifted up for the next step the spike is urged to increase the dimensions of the dug hole, so presenting a good aeration effect and separate any plants which have been split by spike penetration. In use, the device splits plants vertically down through to the spike points. The slitting action creates 4 plant growth in previously unoccupied soil areas. Because the spikes are planar little or no soil (which was compacted in the footfall) will adhere to the spike, and so there is no need for a cleaning operation after each step.

The simplicity of form encourages clean, non-clogging operation and requires minimal maintenance and cleaning. The invention provides the operation with hands-free progress across grassy areas and little fatigue.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Spike elements may be present at the rear; they may have more than one sharp point. The sides of the spike elements at different locations may be at different angles of inclination. As shown they are flat but they can be conical. The plate may extend forward to reach the shoe sole and be held there by an extra strap. The spikes can be attached, e.g. welded, to a plate instead of being folded down. The strap may be a continuous loop.

The plate may be detachable from a boot, as shown, or it may be part of dedicated footwear. The spikes may be shaped as a dibber to remove cores from the soil, in which they will be accessible from the top.

The plate may incorporate a quick release mechanism for easy removal when leaving the grassed area. A cover may be provided as an undersole for use by people wearing the plate and wanting to walk on concrete or like surfaces and the cover may be made of blocks as infills between the spike elements.

The invention is not limited to operation already discussed as similar immature grown plants may be treated as immature grass plants thus stimulating plant production for greater yield when grown plants mature.

Claims

6 CLAIMS

1. A lawn aerator device comprising a plate member having at least one spike element, and means for securing the device to the heel of a shoe or the like.

2. A lawn aerator device according to Claim 1, comprising a plate member having a plurality of spike elements which are angularly displaced and alternating and depend from opposite edges thereof.

3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the spike element is substantially planar.

4. A device according to Claim 1 to 3, wherein the spike elements are generally triangular in shape with the apex of the triangle lowermost in use.

5. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the spike element(s) is/are downwardly bent from the perimeter of the plate.

6. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the spike elements are located at the sides of the plate for substantial vertical alignment with the shin or ankle bone of the wearer.

7. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the plate is substantially the same in area to that of the heel.

7

8. A device according to any preceding Claim, having spike elements at the front of the plate, arranged for location at or near the front of the heel of the shoe.