Lawn aeration

Abstract

A manual core aerator 101 for removing plugs of soil from a lawn 301 comprises a frame 102 comprising a handle portion 103, a plurality of hollow tines 104-107 supported by the frame, and an ejector mechanism 108 for removing soil from the plurality of hollow tines. The ejector mechanism comprises a plurality of ejector projections 109-112 that each have a pushing surface (201-204, figure 2) movable within a respective hollow tine to displace soil therefrom. The ejector projections may be connected to an activation bar 115 which may be a footplate, the activation bar may also be slidably mounted to the frame. The frame maybe generally an upside-down U-shape with a generally horizontal top section which provides the handle 103. A method of providing a manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines with a means of removing soil from the hollow tines is also disclosed.

Description

27 09 24 Examples are described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to implement the apparatus, systems and / or processes described herein. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise examples described and / or shown and that various changes and 5 modifications can be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of 10 the invention as defined by the appended claims unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. 15 Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. In addition, features referred to herein in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has” and / or 20 “having” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated feature or features and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Disclosed herein is a manual core aerator for removing plugs of soil from a lawn comprises 25 a frame comprising a handle portion, a plurality of hollow tines supported by the frame, and an ejector mechanism for removing soil from the plurality of hollow tines. The ejector mechanism comprises a plurality of ejector projections that each have a pushing surface movable within a respective hollow tine to displace soil therefrom. Also disclosed herein is a method of providing a manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines with 30 a means of removing soil from the hollow tines. A manual core aerator 101, for removing plugs of soil from a lawn, is shown in Figure I. The manual core aerator 101 comprises a frame 102. The frame comprises a handle 27 09 24 portion 103. The manual core aerator 101 also comprises a plurality of hollow tines, 104-107. The hollow tines 104-107 are supported by the frame 102. The hollow tines 104-107 are insertable into a lawn. In use, the hollow tines 104-107 fill with soil as they are inserted into the lawn. 5 Advantageously, the manual core aerator comprises means for removing soil from the plurality of hollow tines. The manual core aerator 101 further comprises an ejector mechanism, indicated at 108, for removing soil from the plurality of hollow tines 104-107. 10 The ejector mechanism 108 comprises a plurality of ejector projections 109-1 12, each ejector projection 109-1 12 having a pushing surface (not visible in this Figure - see Figure 2). As will be described in further detail, each pushing surface is movable within a respective hollow tine from an extended position to a retracted position to displace soil from the hollow tine. 15 In this illustrated example, there are four hollow tines 104-107 and four ejector projections 109-1 12, with one ejector projection 109-112 provided for each hollow tine 104-107. It is to be appreciated that other examples may have any suitable alternative number of hollow tines and ejector projections. Further, the four hollow tines 104-107, and likewise the 20 ejector projection 109-1 12, are arranged linearly. It is to be appreciated that other examples may have any suitable alternative positional arrangement of hollow tines and ejector projections. In this example, the hollow tines are substantially straight. In this illustrated example, the ejector projections 104-107 are telescopically received 25 within the hollow tines 109-1 12. Other arrangements are possible, however. In Figure 2, the ejector projections 109-1 12 are shown aligned for insertion into the plurality of hollow tines 104-107. The respective pushing surface 201 -204 of each ejector progression 109-1 12 is visible. The hollow tines 104-107 are hollow all the way through, 30 between a respective first end 205-208, for insertion into a lawn, in the direction indicated by arrow A, and a respective second, opposite end 209-212. 27 09 24 In this example, the hollow tines 104-107 and the ejector projections 109-1 12 are generally cylindrical. It is to be appreciated however that alternative shapes may be usable. The outer diameters of the ejector projections 109-1 12, such as outer diameter 213 of ejector projection 109, are less than the inner diameters of the hollow tines 104-107, such as the 5 inner diameter 2 14 of hollow tine 104. This allows the ejector projections 109-1 12 to fit inside the hollow tines 104-107. In this example also, the ejector projections 109-1 12 are solid, but may be hollow with an end that is closed by the pushing surfaces 201-204. 10 Referring to both Figure I and Figure 2, in this example, the hollow tines 104-107 are connected to a mounting bar I 13, that is in turn mounted to the frame 102. The mounting of the hollow tines 104-107 to the frame 102 is discussed below. 15 In this example, the frame 102 comprises a frame footplate I 14 to which a force can be applied to assist insertion of the plurality of hollow tines 104-107 into a lawn. The frame footplate I 14 is discussed below. In this this example, the ejector projections 109-1 12 are connected to an activation bar 20   115 that is operable to move the pushing surfaces 201-204 from the extended position to the retracted position. In this specific illustrated example, the activation bar 115 is an activation footplate. Further, in this specific illustrated example, the activation bar I 15 is slidably mounted to the frame 102. The mounting of the ejector projections 109-1 12 to the frame 102 is discussed below. 25 The manual core aerator 101 has a depth direction, indicated by arrow D. As shown, in the depth direction D of the manual core aerator 101, the activation bar I 15 is disposed between the mounting bar I 13 and the frame footplate I 14. 30 Steps in the use of the manual core aerator 101 illustrated in Figures 3 & 4. In Figure 3, the manual core aerator 101 is shown inserted into a lawn 301. The hollow tines 104-107 are in the ground, and the mounting plate I 13, to which the hollow tines 27 09 24 104-107 are connected, is above ground, close to the lawn surface. According to the operation of this specific illustrated example, the pushing surfaces of the ejector projections are movable from the retracted position, shown in Figure I, to the extended position, shown in Figure 3, in response to soil filling the hollow tines as the hollow tines enter 5 further into the ground. Comparing Figures I & 3, it can be seen that the distance, in the depth direction D of the manual core aerator 101, between the mounting plate I 13 and the activation bar I 15 is greater in Figure 3 (extended position) than in Figure I (retracted position). The increase in the separation, in the depth direction D, of the activation bar I 15 from the mounting plate I 13 arises when soil filling the hollow tines 104-10    107 as they are driven into the ground, in the insertion direction A, acts on the pushing surfaces of the ejector projections 109-112 to drive them in the opposite direction, indicated by arrow B. In Figure 4, the manual core aerator 101 is shown after having been inserted into the lawn 15    301, in direction A, and then withdrawn, in the opposite direction B. In addition, the ejector mechanism 108 has been operated, by the activation bar I 15 being driven in the direction A, towards the retracted position, to displace soil, such as plugs of soil 401 and 402, from the hollow tines 104-107. Moving the activation bar I 15 in the direction A moves the pushing surfaces of the ejector projections 109-1 12 towards the first, lower ends of the 20 hollow tines 104-107. Thus, depressing the ejector projections 109-1 12 forces soil out of the hollow tines 104-107. It is thus to be understood that with the manual core aerator 101 described herein, soil enters and is ejected from the hollow tines 104-107 through the same end (the first, lower 25 ends 205-208 for insertion into the ground). In other words, with reference to the depth direction D, soil moves upwards into the hollow tines 104-107 as they are inserted further into the lawn and soil moves downwards from the hollow tines 104-107 as the ejector projections 109-1 12 are inserted further into the hollow tines 104-107. 30 This is different from prior art manual core aerators in which soil enters the hollow tines through one end and is ejected from the hollow tines through the other, opposite end. 27 09 24 The manual core aerator 101 is convenient and intuitive to use. The frame footplate I 14 and, in this example, the activation bar I 15, being foot-operable enables a user to use their weight to push the first ends 205-208 of the hollow tines 104-107 of the manual core aerator 101 into the lawn, and then to eject soil from those hollow tines 104-107 so that 5 they can be cleared prior to insertion into the ground again. The first ends 205-208 of the hollow tines 104-107 of the manual core aerator 101 may be tapered. The hollow tines having tapered ends, with the diameter thereof decreasing as the distance from the tip decreases, facilitates insertion of the hollow tines into lawn. 10 Referring now to Figure 5, in this example, the position of the frame footplate I 14 relative to the handle portion 103 is adjustable to adjust the distance 501, in the depth direction D, between the frame footplate I 14 and the handle portion 103. This feature of adjustment allows the manual core aerator 101 to be setup to be more ergonomically compatible for 15 an individual, to make use of the manual core aerator 101 by that individual more comfortable and less likely to cause aches and strain. For example, the frame footplate I 14 being closer to the handle portion 103 may be more appropriate for a shorter person and vice versa. The frame footplate I 14 can be positioned closer to the handle portion 103 by moving it in the direction indicated by arrow B and can be positioned further from the 20 handle portion 103 by moving it in the opposite direction indicated by arrow A. According to this specific illustrated example, the frame footplate I 14 is slidably mounted to the frame 102. As shown, in this specific illustrated example, the frame 102 comprises a shape that is 25 generally an upside-down U-shape, with a generally horizontal top section thereof 502 providing the handle portion 103 and a pair of generally upright side sections 503, 504. The frame 102 may be provided by a single tubular frame element that is formed into the U-shape. It is to be appreciated that the frame 102 may be formed from a plurality of suitable frame elements, each of which may or may not be tubular. 30 In the shown arrangement, the frame footplate I 14 is mounted to the frame 102 to slide along the pair of generally upright side sections 503, 504. According to the specific illustrated arrangement, the frame footplate I 14 defines a pair of apertures 505, 506 that 27 09 24 allow the frame footplate I 14 to be slidably mounted to the frame 502 with a respective one of the pair of generally upright side sections 503, 504 of the frame 102 passing through a corresponding one of the pair of apertures 505, 506 of the frame footplate 114. A securing arrangement is provided to fix the position of the frame footplate I 14, in the depth 5 direction D, relative to the handle portion 103. In this example, the securing arrangement comprises a plurality of dimples or apertures in each of the pair of generally upright side sections 503, 504 of the frame 102 into which locating elements can extend to secure the frame footplate I 14 at a selected position. 10 It is to be appreciated however that any suitable securing arrangement for the fixing the position of the frame footplate I 14, in the depth direction D, relative to the handle portion 103, which may provide for the frame footplate I 14 to be selectively fixed at each of a plurality of discrete fixing positions at different distances from the handle portion 103 or may provide for the frame footplate I 14 to be selectively fixed at any point within a range 15 of points defining a minimum and a maximum available distance from the handle portion 103. The ejector mechanism 108 is shown in further detail in Figures 6A & 6B. A front view is shown at Figure 6A and a plan view is shown at Figure 6B. 20 The activation bar I 15 has an upper side 601, to which a force can be applied to depress the ejector projections 109-1 12 towards the retracted position when the manual core aerator is assembled, and an underside 602. The underside 602 of the activation bar I 15 supports a spacer element 603, which in this example is fabricated from a plastics material, 25 to inhibit noise when the ejector projections 109-1 12 are pressed down into the hollow tines of the manual core aerator. According to this specific illustrated example, the activation bar I 15 defines a pair of corner recesses 604, 605 that accommodate the pair of generally upright side sections of the frame 30 of the manual core aerator. With the shown design, the activation bar I 15 the ejector projections 109-1 12 remain in proper position in the assembled manual core aerator primarily by virtue of the location of the ejector projections 109-1 12 within the hollow tines. 27 09 24 Preferably, and as will be discussed in further detail, the ejector mechanism is releasably mounted to the frame of the manual core aerator. The hollow tines 104-107 and mounting plate I 13 are shown in further detail in Figures 7A & 7B. A front view is shown at Figure 7A and a plan view is shown at Figure 7B. According to this specific illustrated example, the mounting plate I 13 defines a pair of mounting apertures 701, 702 that enable the mounting plate I 13 to be secured to the bottom ends of the generally upright side sections of the frame of the manual core aerator with any suitable mechanical fixings, such as mechanical fixings 703, 704. In this specific example, the mechanical fixings 703, 704 are countersunk screws. Attaching the mounting plate I 13 to the frame attaches the hollow tines 104-107 thereto. Preferably, and as will be discussed in further detail, the hollow tines are releasably mounted to the frame of the manual core aerator. In Figure 8, a plurality of solid tines 801-804, attached to a mounting plate 805, is shown. According to this specific illustrated example, the mounting plate 805 defines a pair of mounting apertures 806, 807 that enable the mounting plate 805 to be secured to the bottom ends of the generally upright side sections of the frame of the manual core aerator with any suitable mechanical fixings, such as mechanical fixings 703, 704. Attaching the mounting plate 805 to the frame attaches the solid tines 801-804 thereto. Preferably, and as will be discussed in further detail, the solid tines are releasably mounted to the frame of the manual core aerator. According to this illustrated example, each of the solid tines 801-804 has a tapered end 808-81 I to facilitate insertion of the solid tines 801-804 into a lawn. Preferably, the plurality of hollow tines 104-107 and ejector mechanism 108 of the manual core aerator 101 are releasably supported by the frame 102. This beneficially allows the plurality of hollow tines 104-107 and ejector mechanism 108 to be removed from the frame 102 in the event that they require replacing due to damage, or general wear and tear. In addition, this allows the plurality of hollow tines 104-107 and ejector mechanism 108 to be removed from the frame 102 and selectively replaced with an alternative arrangement of 27 09 24 tines, which may comprise hollow tines, and which may or may not be accompanied by an ejector mechanism, or which may comprise solid tines. Advantageously, the plurality of solid tines 801-804 are substitutable for the hollow tines 5    104-107, when the hollow tines 104-107 and ejector mechanism 108 are released from the frame 102, for converting the manual core aerator 101 to a manual spike aerator. The conversion may be reversed, with the plurality of solid tines 801-804 being removed from the frame and replaced by the hollow tines 104-107, optionally with the ejector mechanism 108. 10 Preferably, and as already indicated, the same mechanical fixings are usable to fix the mounting plate I 13 for the hollow tines 104-107 and the mounting plate 805 for the solid tines 801 -804 to the frame 102 of the manual core aerator 101. 15 In this example, the plurality of solid tines 801-804 comprises the same number of tines as the plurality of hollow tines 104-107; however, the number may alternatively be different. In some examples, a prior art manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines for insertion into a lawn may be provided with a means of removing soil from the hollow 20 tines. In other words, a prior art manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines may be retrofit with an ejector mechanism to provide a manual core aerator as described herein. A method of providing a manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines for 25 insertion into a lawn with a means of removing soil from the hollow tines, comprises the steps of: receiving an ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of ejector projections, each ejector projection receivable within a respective hollow tine and each projection member having a pushing surface, and mounting the received ejector mechanism to the manual core aerator such that each pushing surface is movable within a respective hollow tine from an 30 extended position to a retracted position to displace soil from the hollow tine. An ejector mechanism for use with hollow tines of a manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines may be provided, the ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of 27 09 24 ejector projections supported by a frame member, each ejector projection receivable within a respective hollow tine and each projection member having a pushing surface, the frame members mountable to the manual lawn aerator to arrange the plurality of hollow tines for insertion into a lawn and to arrange each pushing surface for movement within a 5 respective hollow tine from an extended position to a retracted position to displace soil from the hollow tine. A hollow tine assembly and ejector mechanism assembly for a manual lawn aerator may be provided, the hollow tine assembly comprising a plurality of hollow tines supported by a 10 first frame member, and the ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of ejector projections supported by a second frame member, each ejector projection receivable within a respective hollow tine and each projection member having a pushing surface, the first and second frame members mountable to the manual lawn aerator to arrange the plurality of hollow tines for insertion into a lawn and to arrange each pushing surface for movement 15 within a respective hollow tine from an extended position to a retracted position to displace soil from the hollow tine. Use of a manual core aerator as claimed herein may be in any suitable environment or situation. 20 In use, the user pushes the manual core aerator into soil ground by applying downward pressure to the frame footplate with a foot. This forces the hollow tines into the soil. To remove the hollow tines from within the ground, the user pulls on the handle portion in an upward direction (away from the ground surface). On removal of the hollow tines from 25 the ground, soil plugs may be stuck inside them. To remove these soil plugs, the user depresses the activation bar, according to the specific illustrated example, with their foot, to drive the pushing surfaces of the ejector projections downward (away from the handle portion) inside their respective hollow tines to push the soil plugs out the bottom of the hollow tines. This clears the hollow tines so that the soil plug removal action can be 30 repeated on another piece of ground. On the subsequent movement, the ejection projections will be inside the tines but will move upwards (towards the handle portion) as the hollow tines fill with soil. A manual core aerator as described herein, and components thereof, may have any suitable dimensions, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination or materials, may be manufactured using any suitable process or combination or processes and may have any suitable appearance. Other properties, such as weight, may also vary between examples. 5 In an example, the manual core aerator is fabricated primarily from one or more metal materials. Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the 10 invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and / or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 27 09 24

Claims

27 09 24I. A manual core aerator for removing plugs of soil from a lawn, the manual core aerator comprising:5 a frame comprising a handle portion, anda plurality of hollow tines supported by the frame, the plurality of hollow tines for insertion into the lawn;the manual core aerator further comprising an ejector mechanism for removing soil from the plurality of hollow tines, the ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of ejector 10 projections, each ejector projection having a pushing surface, each pushing surface movable within a respective hollow tine from an extended position to a retracted position, away from the handle portion in a depth direction of the manual core aerator, to displace soil from the hollow tine.15       2. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the pushingsurfaces are movable from the retracted position to the extended position, towards the handle portion in the depth direction of the manual core aerator, in response to soil filling the hollow tines.20       3. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim I, wherein the ejector projections aretelescopically received within the hollow tines.

4. A manual core aerator as claimed in any of claims I to 3, wherein the ejector projections are connected to an activation bar that is operable to move the pushing surfaces 25 from the extended position to the retracted position.

5. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the activation bar is an activation footplate.30       6. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the activation bar isslidably mounted to the frame.27 09 247. A manual core aerator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tines have tapered ends for facilitating insertion into the lawn.

8. A manual core aerator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame 5 comprises a frame footplate to which a force can be applied to assist insertion of the plurality of hollow tines into the lawn.

9. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frame has a depth direction and the position of the frame footplate relative to the handle portion is adjustable 10 to adjust the distance, in the depth direction, between the frame footplate and the handle portion.

10. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frame footplate is slidably mounted to the frame.15II. A manual core aerator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a shape that is generally an upside-down U-shape, with a generally horizontal top section thereof providing the handle portion and a pair of generally upright side sections.20 I 2. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim I I when dependent upon claim 5, wherein the activation footplate is mounted to the frame to slide along the pair of generally upright side sections.

13. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the activation footplate 25 defines a pair of apertures through which the pair of generally upright side sections.

14. A manual core aerator as claimed in any of claims I I to 13 when dependent upon claim 9, wherein the frame footplate is mounted to the frame to slide along the pair of generally upright side sections.30I 5. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame footplate defines a pair of apertures through which the pair of generally upright side sections extend.27 09 2416. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim I, wherein the plurality of hollow tines and ejector mechanism are releasably supported by the frame.

17. A manual core aerator as claimed in claim 16, and a plurality of solid tines 5 substitutable for the hollow tines, when the hollow tines and ejector mechanism are released from the frame, for converting the manual core aerator to a manual spike aerator.

18. Use of a manual core aerator as claimed in any preceding claim.10       19. An ejector mechanism assembly for a manual core aerator for removing plugs ofsoil from a lawn, the manual core aerator comprising a frame comprising a handle portion, and a plurality of hollow tines supported by a first frame member of the frame, the plurality of hollow tines for insertion into a lawn;the ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of ejector projections supported by a 15 second frame member, each ejector projection receivable within a respective hollow tine and each projection member having a pushing surface,the second frame member mountable to the manual core aerator to arrange each pushing surface for movement within a respective hollow tine from an extended position to a retracted position, away from a handle portion of the frame in a depth direction of the 20 manual core aerator, to displace soil from the hollow tine.

20. A method of providing a manual core aerator comprising a plurality of hollow tines for insertion into a lawn with a means of removing soil from the hollow tines, comprising the steps of:25         receiving an ejector mechanism comprising a plurality of ejector projections, eachejector projection receivable within a respective hollow tine and each projection member having a pushing surface, andmounting the received ejector mechanism to a frame of the manual core aerator such that each pushing surface is movable within a respective hollow tine from an extended 30 position to a retracted position, away from a handle portion of the frame in a depth direction of the manual core aerator, to displace soil from the hollow tine.

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