Thatching blade and thatching device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a dethatching blade and dethatching device that allows the comb to be firmly attached to the dethatching device while also allowing the comb to be easily replaced. [Solution] The dethatching blade comprises a shaft, a plurality of disc-shaped holders that pass through the shaft, and a plurality of combs attached to the plurality of holders so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holder, each of the plurality of combs having two bent portions, an intermediate portion between the bent portions, a first scraping portion, and a second scraping portion, and each of the plurality of holders has a groove that penetrates in the thickness direction into which the intermediate portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side where the first scraping portion is located, and a second recess formed on the other side where the second scraping portion is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thatching device for removing thatch deposited between lawns and a thatching blade used in the thatching device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a thatching blade attached to a thatching device. In the thatching blade of Patent Document 1, a plurality of blades are formed radially from the center, and each blade is formed with a V-shaped cut from the outside toward the center. By configuring the thatching blade in this way, high hardness can be achieved by performing partial hardening heat treatment on both the front side and the rear side in the rotation direction of the blade portion, and it is described that the high performance of the thatching blade can be maintained until the end without a decrease in performance even if it wears due to its shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of the thatching blade disclosed in Patent Document 1, the attachment of the comb to the thatching blade is not mentioned. Generally, when attaching the comb of the thatching blade to the thatching device, it is required that the comb be firmly attached to the thatching device so that the comb does not fall off during thatching. However, if the comb is firmly attached to the thatching device, it is not easy to remove the comb when replacing the comb, and there is a possibility that the comb replacement work will be time-consuming.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of this disclosure aims to provide a dethatching blade and a dethatching device in which the comb is firmly attached to the dethatching device and the comb can be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The dethatching blade of the present disclosure comprises a shaft, a plurality of disc-shaped holders that pass through the shaft, and a plurality of combs attached to the plurality of holders so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holder, each of the plurality of combs being rod-shaped and having two bent portions, an intermediate portion between the bent portions, a first scraping portion between one of the bent portions and one end, and a second scraping portion between the other bent portion and the other end, each of the plurality of holders being formed with a groove that penetrates in the thickness direction into which the intermediate portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and in which the first scraping portion is located, and a second recess formed on the other side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and in which the second scraping portion is located. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the comb is attached to the holder by inserting the middle portion of the comb into the groove of the holder, and then positioning the first scraping portion in the first recess and the second scraping portion in the second recess. This allows the comb to be easily attached to the holder and easily removed from the holder. Furthermore, when thatching is performed, the first scraping portion is positioned in the first recess and the second scraping portion is positioned in the second recess, so the comb is securely attached to the holder and the chances of the comb falling off the holder are significantly reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a dethatching device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main body of the dethatching device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dethatching blade in the main body. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the comb on the dethatching blade. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a front view of the comb. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a side view of the comb. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a plan view of the dethatching blade. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a side view of the dethatching blade. [Figure 9] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holder and comb in the dethatching blade. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a side view of the holder and comb. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a plan view of the holder and comb. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a side view of the holder with the comb removed. [Figure 13] Figure 3 is a front view of the joint in the thatching blade. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the joint. [Figure 15] Figure 9 shows perspective views of the holder and comb at each stage of the process of attaching the comb to the holder. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the dethatching device 1.

[0010] The dethatching device 1 is a device for removing grass clippings and other debris from between the grass blades. The grass clippings and other debris between the grass blades are lifted up by a comb, and the lifted grass clippings and other debris are collected in a grass collector. The dethatching device 1 comprises a handle section 2, a main body section 3, and a grass collector 4.

[0011] The handle part 2 is attached to the main body part 3 so as to extend upward from the main body part 3. An operator performing thatching holds, for example, the handle part 2 and pushes the thatching device 1 as it is to make it travel on the lawn to perform thatching. The grass collector 4 is provided in front of the main body part 3 in the thatching device 1. When the thatching device 1 travels, the mowed grass waste and the like that are lifted up are collected by the grass collector 4. When a certain amount of mowed grass waste and the like are collected inside the grass collector 4, the mowed grass waste and the like are discarded together.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the thatching device 1 with the handle part 2 removed from the thatching device 1 and only the main body part 3. The main body part 3 includes wheels 5, a pinion gear part 6, a thatching blade 7, and a frame 31. In the present embodiment, two wheels 5 are attached and are each rotatably provided at an end in the width direction of the main body part 3.

[0013] In the present embodiment, an internal gear part 32 is provided inside the wheel 5. Also, a pinion gear part 6 is provided inside the wheel 5 so as to mesh with the internal gear part 32. The pinion gear part 6 is provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the main body part 3. The internal gear part 32 and the pinion gear part 6 transmit the rotation of the wheel 5 to the shaft of the thatching blade 7 while changing the speed by the gears of the internal gear part 32 and the pinion gear part 6 when the operator makes the thatching device 1 travel. The frame 31 houses the thatching blade 7 inside.

[0014] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the thatching blade 7 in the thatching device 1. The thatching blade 7 comprises a comb 8, a holder 9, a joint 10, and a shaft 11. In Figure 3, the direction of rotation of the thatching blade 7 when thatching is performed using the thatching device 1 is indicated as D1. The holder 9 is cylindrical in shape. The holder 9 has a groove 18. The groove 18 is formed by recessing from the outer circumferential surface 30. The groove 18 also penetrates the holder 9 in the thickness direction, i.e., in the axial direction of the shaft 11. The comb 8 is attached to the holder 9 by inserting its middle portion into the groove 18 of the holder 9. In this embodiment, the shaft 11 is arranged around the axis L1 of the central axis of the multiple holders 9. In addition, joints 10 are arranged between the holders 9 in the axial direction of the shaft 11. The joints 10 are cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, the shaft 11 passes through the multiple holders 9 and the multiple joints 10. The holders 9 and joints 10 are arranged alternately in the axial direction of the shaft 11. In other words, the joints 10 are positioned between the holders 9 in the axial direction of the shaft 11. In the thatching device 1, the frame 31 rotatably supports the shaft 11.

[0015] The central axis L1 passes through the radial center of the holder 9 and the radial center of the joint 10. A through hole 29 extending axially is formed in the holder 9 along the axis L1 of the radial center of the holder 9. The through hole 29 is formed so as to penetrate the holder 9 axially around the central axis of the holder 9. The shaft 11 passes through the radial center of each of the plurality of holders 9. The shaft 11 is inserted into the through holes 29 of the plurality of holders 9. The shaft 11 is configured to be non-rotatable relative to the holder 9. Further, the joint 10 has an insertion hole 24 penetrating axially. In the cutting blade 7, a plurality of holders 9 and a plurality of joints 10 are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the cutting blade 7, and the shaft 11 is inserted into the through holes 29 of the plurality of holders 9 and the insertion holes 24 of the plurality of joints 10. That is, at the positions of the radial centers of the disc-shaped holder 9 and the disc-shaped joint 10 in the cutting blade 7, the holder 9 and the joint 10 are attached around the axis of the shaft 11 so as to penetrate the holder 9 and the joint 10.

[0016] In the cutting blade 7, the plurality of holders 9 are provided with a plurality of cams 8 attached so as to project outward from the corresponding holders 9. The tip portions of the cams 8 projecting outward from each holder 9 are offset by a predetermined angle with respect to the tip portions of the cams 8 attached to the adjacent holders 9. In the present embodiment, the posture of the holder 9 is offset with respect to the adjacent holder 9, whereby the attachment position of the cam 8 on the holder 9 is offset by a predetermined angle with respect to the adjacent holder 9. That is, the cams 8 are attached to the holders 9 so that the posture of the cams 8 is offset by a predetermined angle between adjacent holders 9. Therefore, the position of the tip portion of the cam 8 gradually shifts in the rotational direction of the shaft 11 as the holder 9 and the joint 10 are sequentially incorporated, and each cam 8 is attached to the holder 9 so that the shift in the rotational direction gradually increases from one end to the other end of the shaft 11.

[0017] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the comb 8. Figure 5 shows a front view of the comb 8. Figure 6 shows a side view of the comb 8. The comb 8 is rod-shaped and attached to the holder 9. The tip of the comb 8 protrudes outward from the holder 9. The comb 8 has two bent sections 12. The comb 8 also has an intermediate section 13 between the two bent sections 12, a first scraping section 14 from one bent section 12 to one end, and a second scraping section 15 from the other bent section 12 to the other end. The first scraping section 14 is bent at a bent section 16 so that its tip faces forward in the direction of rotation when attached to the holder 9. Similarly, the second scraping section 15 is bent at a bent section 17 so that its tip faces forward in the direction of rotation when attached to the holder 9. As shown in Figure 6, the first scraping section 14 is inclined relative to the second scraping section 15. As shown in Figure 6, when the comb 8 is viewed along the axial direction of the shaft 11 to which the holder 9 is attached, the position of the tip of the first scraping section 14 and the position of the tip of the second scraping section 15 are offset in the circumferential direction of the holder 9.

[0018] In this embodiment, each of the multiple combs 8 is configured as a bent rod shape, and when each comb 8 is attached to the holder 9, the tip of the first scraping part 14 and the tip of the second scraping part 15 protrude radially outward from the holder 9, and the tip of the first scraping part 14 and the tip of the second scraping part 15 are not connected. Therefore, when dethatching is performed, it is possible to prevent grass that you want to remain on the ground from getting caught in the comb 8, in addition to grass clippings. Consequently, it is possible to prevent damage to the grass that you want to remain on the ground during dethatching.

[0019] Figure 7 shows a plan view of the dethatching blade as seen from above. In Figure 7, some of the holders 9 are shown broken, partially revealing the internal structure of those holders 9. As shown in Figure 7, a pin 33 is attached to the shaft 11 at the position of the outer axial end of one of the holders 9 attached to one end of the shaft 11 in the axial direction. With the pin 33 attached to the shaft 11, the pin 33 is locked to the holder 9. In this way, the shaft 11 and the holder 9 located at one end of the shaft 11 in the axial direction are locked via the pin 33. Although not shown, the shaft 11 and the holder 9 located at the other end of the shaft 11 in the axial direction are also locked via the pin 33. Since the shaft 11 and the holders 9 are locked via the pin 33 at both ends in the axial direction, the entire set of holders 9 is positioned and mounted axially relative to the shaft 11. As a result, multiple holders 9 are fixed to the shaft 11. The combs 8 of the thatching blade 7 are mounted at predetermined angles apart from adjacent holders 9, so that the line connecting the tips of the combs 8 forms a spline curve (waveform). Figure 8 shows a side view of the thatching blade 7 as seen from the side. The combs 8 of the thatching blade 7 are mounted at predetermined angles apart in the circumferential direction along the rotational direction from adjacent holders, so that the tips of the combs 8 are uniformly located in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the holder 9.

[0020] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the holder 9 and comb 8 with the comb 8 attached to the holder 9. Figure 10 shows a side view of the holder 9 and comb 8 with the comb 8 attached to the holder 9. Figure 11 shows a top view of the holder 9 and comb 8 with the comb attached to the holder 9. In this embodiment, four combs 8 are attached to one holder 9. The four combs 8 are attached at predetermined angle intervals, and in this embodiment, the four combs 8 are attached at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0021] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the comb 8 has its middle section 13 housed inside the groove 18 of the holder 9. The groove 18 is widest in the circumferential direction at the outermost radial position of the holder 9, and as it moves inward radially, the width of the circumferentially open portion of the groove 18 narrows at a certain point, and the length of the opening width gradually decreases. Therefore, when the middle section 13 of the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18, the comb 8 is positioned inside the groove 18 when the middle section 13 reaches the bottom surface of the groove 18.

[0022] On the side surface of the holder 9, a first recess 19 and a second recess 20 are provided, recessed toward the inside in the width direction of the holder 9, at positions different from the groove 18. The first recess 19 is a recess that accommodates the first scraping portion 14 when the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. The second recess 20 is a recess that accommodates the second scraping portion 15 when the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. The first recess 19 is provided on one side surface of the holder 9, and the second recess 20 is provided on the other side surface of the holder 9. The first recess 19 is formed on one side surface so as to extend from the bottom of the groove 18 to the outer peripheral surface 30, and the second recess 20 is formed on the other side surface so as to extend from the bottom of the groove 18 to the outer peripheral surface 30. The angle of the direction in which the first recess 19 extends on one side surface of the holder 9 and the angle of the direction in which the second recess 20 extends on the other side surface of the holder 9 are relatively different. As the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18 and rotates around the middle section 13, the first scraping portion 14 of the comb 8 is positioned inside the first recess 19, and the second scraping portion 15 of the comb 8 is positioned inside the second recess 20. This attaches the comb 8 to the holder 9. At the positions inside the first recess 19 and the second recess 20, the thickness of the holder 9 in the axial direction is smaller than at other side positions of the holder 9. As the first scraping portion 14 reaches the inside of the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 reaches the inside of the second recess 20, the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 move inward in the axial direction and fit into the inside of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. With the middle section 13 of the comb 8 inserted into the groove 18, the first scraping section 14 positioned in the first recess 19, and the second scraping section 15 positioned in the second recess 20, the tip of the first scraping section 14 protrudes outward from the holder 9, and the tip of the second scraping section 15 protrudes outward from the holder 9. Each of the four combs 8 is attached to the holder 9 such that the middle section 13 is inserted into the groove 18, from which the first scraping section 14 extends along the first recess 19 and the second scraping section 15 extends along the second recess 20.Figure 10 shows the direction in which the first scraping portion 14 extends when it is positioned inside the first recess 19, denoted as D2, and the direction in which the second scraping portion 15 extends when it is positioned inside the second recess 20, denoted as D3. Furthermore, Figure 10 shows the direction in which the groove 18 into which the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 is inserted extends, denoted as D4.

[0023] As described above, in this embodiment, when a shaft 11 is inserted into a plurality of holders 9 in the axial direction, and a plurality of combs 8 are attached to the plurality of holders 9 that pass through the shaft 11, if we focus only on the position of the tip of each first scraping portion 14 in the plurality of holders 9, the tips of the first scraping portions 14 of the combs 8 attached to each of the plurality of holders 9 are shifted by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 for adjacent holders 9. Similarly, if we focus only on the position of the tip of each second scraping portion 15 in the plurality of holders 9, the tips of the second scraping portions 15 of the combs 8 are shifted by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 for adjacent holders 8.

[0024] The tip of the comb 8 does not protrude radially outward from the radial center of the holder 9, but rather extends from the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 located within the groove 18, along the direction in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend. Therefore, the direction in which the first recess 19 extends is approximately the same as the direction D2 in which the first scraping portion 14 extends. Similarly, the direction in which the second recess 20 extends is approximately the same as the direction D3 in which the second scraping portion 15 extends. The directions in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend are offset from the direction radially outward from the radial center of the holder 9. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the direction D2 in which the first scraping portion 14 extends and the direction D3 in which the second scraping portion 15 extends are inclined with respect to the direction radially outward from the radial center of the holder 9. Furthermore, the direction D2 in which the first recess 19 extends and the direction D3 in which the second recess 20 extends are different from the direction D4 in which the groove 18 extends.

[0025] Figure 12 shows a side view of the holder 9 with the comb 8 removed. Figure 12 also shows the direction D2 in which the first scraping portion 14 extends, the direction D3 in which the second scraping portion 15 extends, and the direction D4 in which the groove 18 extends. The holder 9 has an insertion opening 27 on one side in the axial direction and an insertion opening 28 on the other side in the axial direction. The insertion openings 27 and 28 are openings into which the protrusion 25 or protrusion 26 of the joint 10, which will be described later, is inserted when the holder 9 and the joint 10 are attached to the shaft 11. In this embodiment, the holder 9 is attached to the shaft 11 such that the tip of the comb 8 attached to the holder 9 is offset in the circumferential direction by an angle of X1 degrees relative to the tip of the comb 8 attached to the adjacent holder 9. In this embodiment, when the holder 9 and joint 10 are attached to the shaft 11, the holder 9 is configured such that the joint 10 attached to one side of the holder 9 and the joint 10 attached to the other side of the holder 9 are out of phase by X1 degrees in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the insertion openings 27 and 28 of the holder 9 are configured to be hexagonal when viewed from the side. In Figure 12, one insertion opening 27 provided on one side of the holder 9 is shown by a solid line, and the other insertion opening 28 provided on the other side of the holder 9 is shown by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 12, the insertion opening 27 provided on one side of the holder 9 and the insertion opening 28 provided on the other side of the holder 9 are out of phase by X1 degrees in the circumferential direction. Therefore, there is a phase difference of X1 degrees between the joint 10 located on one side of the shaft 11 in the axial direction and the joint 10 located on the other side of the holder 9. In this embodiment, X1 degrees is 15 degrees.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 in the holder 9, where the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 are positioned, are formed to accommodate the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 at an angle of X2 degrees from the bottom of the groove 18. In this embodiment, X2 degrees is 7.5 degrees.

[0027] On one side of the holder 9, an inclined portion 21 is formed between the groove 18 and the first recess 19 in the circumferential direction of the holder 9, such that the axial thickness increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19. On the other side of the holder 9, an inclined portion 22 is formed between the groove 18 and the second recess 20 in the circumferential direction of the holder 9, such that the axial thickness increases from the groove 18 toward the second recess 20. Figure 12 shows a side view of the other side of the holder 9 where the second recess 20 and the inclined portion 22 are formed. The groove 18 of the holder 9 is formed extending in a direction inclined with respect to the direction toward the radial center O from the opening 18a on the outer peripheral surface 30 that opens outward. In other words, the holder 9 has an inclined portion 21 on one side, in the region between the circumferential groove 18 and the first recess 19, such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19. Furthermore, the holder 9 has an inclined portion 22 on its other side surface, which is inclined in the region between the circumferential groove 18 and the second recess 20, such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases as it moves from the groove 18 toward the second recess 20.

[0028] As shown in Figure 12, on the side surface of the holder 9, one region in the circumferential direction of the holder 9, separated by the groove 18, is designated as region R1, and the other region in the circumferential direction of the holder 9, separated by the groove 18, is designated as region R2. In Figure 12, a side view of the holder 9, the region on the side where the second recess 20 is formed is designated as R1, with the groove 18 as the boundary, and conversely, the region on the side where the second recess 20 is not formed is designated as R2. For explanatory purposes, in Figure 12, a side view of the holder 9, the region to the right of the groove 18 along direction D4 is designated as region R1, and the region to the left of the groove 18 is designated as region R2. The notch 23 is formed to penetrate the holder 9 in the thickness direction. The notch 23 is also formed at a different angle to the groove 18, so as to be a space continuous with the groove 18. The holder 9 is provided with a notch 23 in a region R2 on the opposite side of the groove 18 from the first recess 19 and the second recess 20, along the extension of the direction in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend. In other words, the notch 23 in the holder 9 extends from the bottom of the groove 18 along the direction in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend, along the extension of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. That is, the notch 23 extends from the position closest to the axial center in the groove 18 along the direction in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend, along the extension of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. The position closest to the axial center in the groove 18 is shown as P1 in Figure 12. The intermediate portion 13 is configured to be positioned inside the notch 23 when the first scraping portion 14 is positioned in the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is positioned in the second recess 20.

[0029] Figure 13 shows a front view of the joint 10, and Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the joint 10. In Figure 14, a portion of the joint 10 is shown broken to reveal the structure on the opposite side in the axial direction. The joint 10 extends axially around the axis L1 along the radial center axis L1 and has a through hole 24 through which the shaft 11 passes. Thus, the shaft 11 is inserted into the through hole 24. Around the through hole 24, there is a projection 25 that protrudes outward on one side in the axial direction of the shaft 11 and a projection 26 that protrudes outward on the other side. When viewed from the side, the projections 25 and 26 have a hexagonal shape. In the joint 10, the projection 25 protruding on one side in the axial direction and the projection 26 protruding on the other side in the axial direction are in the same phase along the circumferential direction, and when the joint 10 is viewed from the side, the projection 25 and the projection 26 are in the same position in the circumferential direction.

[0030] When the holder 9 and joint 10 are attached to the shaft 11, the protrusions 25 or 26 of the joint 10 are inserted into the insertion openings 27 and 28 of the holder 9 between adjacent holder 9 and joint 10. When the protrusion 25 of the joint 10 is viewed from the side, the protrusion 25 has a hexagonal outer shape, and the insertion openings 27 and 28 formed on the side of the holder 9 also have a hexagonal outer shape. Therefore, when the protrusion 25 is inserted into the insertion opening 27 or 28, the holder 9 and joint 10 do not rotate relative to each other. Furthermore, as described above, the insertion opening 27 formed on one side of the holder 9 and the insertion opening 28 formed on the other side of the holder 9 are offset by X1 degrees in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the joint 10 on one side of the holder 9 and the joint 10 on the other side of the holder 9 are attached to the shaft 11, there is a circumferential phase difference of X1 degrees between them in the axial direction. Therefore, if the shape of all holders 9 is the same, the phase of the combs 8 attached to each holder 9 will be shifted by X1 degrees between adjacent holders 9. In this embodiment, all holders 9 have the same shape.

[0031] Next, the process of attaching the comb 8 to the holder 9 will be explained. Figures 15(a) to (d) show perspective views of the holder 9 and the comb 8 at each step of the process of attaching the comb 8 to the holder 9. As shown in Figure 15(a), first the middle section 13 of the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18 of the holder 9. As shown in Figure 15(b), when the middle section 13 of the comb 8 reaches the bottom of the groove 18, the first scraping section 14 and the second scraping section 15 of the comb 8 are rotated around the middle section 13. As a result, as shown in Figure 15(c), the first scraping section 14 moves toward the first recess 19 and the second scraping section 15 moves toward the second recess 20.

[0032] The holder 9 has inclined portions 21 and 22 formed on its sides. When the comb 8 is moved from the groove 18 to the first recess 19 or the second recess 20, the comb 8 passes axially outward from the inclined portions 21 and 22. At that time, since the axial length of the holder 9 is longer at the inclined portions 21 and 22, the comb 8 elastically deforms so that it spreads outward in the axial direction at the bent portion 12, while the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 move toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20. In the inclined sections 21 and 22, the axial thickness of the holder 9 gradually increases as it moves from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20. Therefore, the first scraping section 14 and the second scraping section 15 move toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20 while receiving a gradually increasing resistance force from the holder 9 due to the inclination, such that the elastic deformation of the comb 8, which causes it to gradually spread in the axial direction, gradually increases toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20.

[0033] As shown in Figure 15(d), when the first scraping portion 14 reaches the first recess 19, the first scraping portion 14 is positioned inside the first recess 19, and when the second scraping portion 15 reaches the second recess 20, the second scraping portion 15 is positioned inside the second recess 20. The axial length between the first scraping portion 14 inside the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 inside the second recess 20 is shorter than the axial length between the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 in the inclined portions 21 and 22. Therefore, when the first scraping portion 14 enters the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 enters the second recess 20, the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 of the comb 8, which were elastically deformed to spread outward in the axial direction in the inclined portions 21 and 22, move inward in the axial direction. Therefore, at the moment the first scraping portion 14 fits into the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 fits into the second recess 20, the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 collide with the bottom surfaces of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 and settle into place. As a result, the worker performing the comb replacement work can confirm by touch that the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 have settled into the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. Consequently, the worker can easily confirm that the comb 8 has been attached to the holder 9.

[0034] Furthermore, when the first scraping portion 14 is positioned inside the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is positioned inside the second recess 20, and the dethatching device 1 performs dethatching and the comb 8 receives force from the ground, the first scraping portion 14 moves along the first recess 19 toward the notch 23, and the second scraping portion 15 moves along the second recess 20 toward the notch 23. As a result, the intermediate portion 13, a part of the first scraping portion 14, and a part of the second scraping portion 15 move inside the notch 23. When the intermediate portion 13, a part of the first scraping portion 14, and a part of the second scraping portion 15 are positioned inside the notch 23, the comb 8 is held more securely by the holder 9, and it is possible to prevent the comb 8 from falling out of the holder 9 through the groove 18.

[0035] Dethatching is performed using the dethatching device 1 configured as described above. When an operator grips the handle 2 and pushes the dethatching device 1, rotating the wheel 5, the internal gear 32 located inside the wheel 5 rotates as the wheel 5 rotates. This rotation of the internal gear 32 rotates the pinion gear 6 that meshes with the internal gear 32, and the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 11 of the dethatching blade 7. When the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 11, the holders 9 located at both ends of the shaft 11 in the axial direction are locked to the shaft 11 by pins 33, and since the holders 9 are fixed to the shaft 11, the holders 9 attached to the shaft 11 rotate. In this way, the dethatching blade 7 rotates as the shaft 11 rotates. Therefore, the dethatching device 1 moves across the lawn and performs dethatching while the shaft 11 of the dethatching blade 7 rotates appropriately. As the dethatching blade 7 rotates, the comb of the dethatching blade 7 lifts grass clippings and other debris upwards, while the dethatching device 1 moves. The lifted grass clippings and other debris are collected in the grass collector 4.

[0036] According to the above configuration, a groove 18 is formed in the holder 9 that penetrates in the thickness direction, a first recess 19 is formed on one side of the holder 9 where the first scraping portion 14 is positioned, and a second recess 20 is formed on the other side of the holder 9 where the second scraping portion 15 is positioned. When the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9, the tip of the first scraping portion 14 and the tip of the second scraping portion 15 protrude to the outside of the holder 9, so that the comb 8 can be easily attached to the holder 9 and the comb 8 can be easily removed from the holder 9.

[0037] When the comb 8 wears out due to repeated thatching using the thatching device 1, the comb 8 is replaced with a replacement for the holder 9. At this time, the holder 9 and the comb 8 can be easily removed from and attached to the holder 9 as described above. Specifically, by elastically deforming the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 of the comb 8 outward in the axial direction, the first scraping portion 14 is removed from the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is removed from the second recess 20. When the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 reach the inside of the groove 18 by rotating the comb 8 around the middle portion 13, the comb 8 is pulled out along the direction in which the groove 18 extends, and the comb 8 is removed from the holder 9. Furthermore, when attaching a new comb 8 to the holder 9, the middle section 13 of the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18 of the holder 9, and when the middle section 13 of the comb 8 reaches the bottom of the groove 18, the comb 8 is rotated around the middle section 13. When the first scraping section of the comb 8 is positioned in the first recess 19 and the second scraping section 15 is positioned in the second recess 20, the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. When removing the comb 8 from the holder 9, only the steps of rotating the comb 8 and pulling the comb 8 out of the groove are required, and when attaching the comb 8 to the holder 9, only the steps of inserting the comb 8 into the groove 18 and rotating the comb 8 are required. This allows the comb 8 to be replaced using a simple process.

[0038] In this way, the comb 8 can be easily attached to the holder 9 and easily removed from the holder 9, so when the comb 8 wears out, it can be easily replaced, reducing the effort required for the worker performing the replacement. Furthermore, when thatching is performed, the first scraping part 14 is positioned in the first recess 19 and the second scraping part 15 is positioned in the second recess 20, so the comb 8 is securely attached to the holder 9, and the chance of the comb 8 falling off the holder 9 is reduced. This makes it possible to provide a highly reliable thatching device 1.

[0039] Furthermore, with the above configuration, when the comb 8 is viewed along the axial direction of the shaft 11, the direction in which the first recess 19 extends on one side of the holder 9 is different from the direction in which the second recess 20 extends on the other side of the holder 9. As a result, the position of the tip of the first scraping section 14 and the position of the tip of the second scraping section 15 are offset, and when the tips of the comb 8 are used to pick up grass clippings, the timing at which the tips of the first scraping section 14 and the second scraping section 15 contact the ground can be staggered. Since the tips of the multiple combs 8 do not contact the ground at the same time, it is possible to suppress the large resistance acting on the tips of the combs 8 when the tips of the combs 8 are used to pick up grass clippings, etc. This reduces the resistance that the dethatching blade 7 receives from the ground when dethatching is performed, and the worker performing dethatching can perform dethatching by pushing the dethatching device 1 with little force.

[0040] Furthermore, since the groove 18 of the holder 9 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the direction toward the radial center O from the opening 18a that opens outward on the outer peripheral surface 30, when removing the comb 8 from the holder 9, the direction of movement of the comb 8 is shifted from the direction toward the radial center O from the opening 18a. Therefore, the direction of the force acting on the comb 8 when thatching is performed is different from the direction of movement of the comb 8 when removing the comb 8 from the holder 9, thus preventing the comb 8 from falling out of the holder 9 due to the force acting on the comb 8 during thatching.

[0041] Furthermore, the holder 9 has an inclined portion 21 on its side surface, which is inclined such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19 in the region between the circumferential groove 18 and the first recess 19, and an inclined portion 22 in the region between the circumferential groove 18 and the second recess 20, which is inclined such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases from the groove 18 toward the second recess 20. Therefore, when the first scraping portion 14 of the comb 8 is positioned inside the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is positioned inside the second recess 20, the first scraping portion 14 must overcome the inclined portion 21 and the second scraping portion 15 must overcome the inclined portion 22 in order for the comb 8 to be removed from the holder 9. As a result, elastic deformation of the comb 8 is required for the comb 8 to be removed from the holder 9, and the comb 8 is more reliably prevented from falling out of the holder 9.

[0042] Furthermore, for the first scraping portion 14 of the comb 8 to be positioned inside the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 to be positioned inside the second recess 20, the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 are elastically deformed outward in the axial direction at the inclined portions 21 and 22. As a result, when the first scraping portion 14 enters the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 enters the second recess 20, they collide with the bottom surfaces of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 at that moment. Therefore, the worker performing the comb 8 replacement work can confirm by touch that the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 have settled inside the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. This allows the worker to easily confirm that the comb 8 has been attached to the holder 9.

[0043] Furthermore, since the holder 9 is provided with a notch 23, the middle portion 13 of the comb 8, a part of the first scraping portion 14, and a part of the second scraping portion 15 move into the notch 23, thereby securely holding the comb 8 in place by the holder 9 and preventing the comb 8 from unexpectedly falling out of the holder 9. This improves the reliability of the dethatching device 1.

[0044] Furthermore, in the multiple holders 9, the shaft 11 is inserted into the through holes 29 of the multiple holders 9 such that the ends of the first scraping portions 14 of the combs 8 attached to each of the multiple holders 9 are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 from adjacent holders 9, and the ends of the second scraping portions 15 of the combs 8 are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 from adjacent holders 9. Therefore, when the tips of the combs 8 are used to lift up grass clippings, the position of the tips of the combs 8 is shifted by a predetermined angle for each holder 9. Consequently, the tips of the multiple combs 8 arranged in the axial direction of the shaft 11 do not lift up grass clippings all at once, but only some of the combs 8 in the axial direction come into contact with the ground and lift up grass clippings. In addition, among the multiple combs 8, the combs 8 that come into contact with the ground and contribute to lifting up grass clippings move in the width direction of the dethatching blade 7 as the shaft 11 rotates. Therefore, since only some of the multiple combs 8 in the width direction contact the ground and contribute to lifting grass clippings, the resistance from the ground applied to the combs 8 is smaller compared to when all of the multiple combs 8 contact the ground and contribute to lifting grass clippings at the same time. As a result, when performing dethatching using the dethatching device 1, the load from the ground can be kept to a minimum, and the worker can perform dethatching by pushing the dethatching device 1 with little force. In addition, since the combs 8 that contact the ground and contribute to lifting grass clippings move in the width direction of the dethatching blade 7 as the shaft 11 rotates, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on only a specific comb 8. Therefore, the load can be applied evenly across the entire number of combs 8, and the durability of the entire number of combs 8 can be improved.

[0045] Furthermore, the shaft 11 is further provided with a plurality of disc-shaped joints 10 positioned between the holders 9 in the axial direction, each having an insertion hole 24 extending axially along the radial center axis L1. Since the shaft 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 24, the spacing between the holders 9 is kept constant, and thatching can be performed uniformly over the entire axial direction of the shaft 11.

[0046] In the above embodiment, a manual type of thatching device 1 was described in which the thatching blade 7 is rotated by gripping the handle portion 2 with the hand and pushing the thatching device 1 with the hand to perform thatching. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment. It may also be applied to thatching devices other than the manual type. For example, it may be applied to a thatching device that is equipped with an engine and in which the rotational drive of the thatching blade is performed by the engine. It may also be applied to a thatching device that is equipped with a motor and in which the rotational drive of the thatching blade is performed by the motor.

[0047] As described above, the embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the embodiments to create new embodiments. For example, some components or methods in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and some components in an embodiment can be separated from other components in that embodiment and extracted as appropriate. In addition, the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description include not only components that are essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology.

[0048] Each of the following items is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment.

[0049] [Item 1] The shaft and Multiple disc-shaped holders that pass through the aforementioned shaft, The plurality of holders are equipped with a plurality of combs that are attached so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holder, Each of the aforementioned combs is rod-shaped and has two bent sections, an intermediate section between the bent sections, a first scraping section from one of the bent sections to one end, and a second scraping section from the other bent section to the other end. A thatching blade, wherein each of the plurality of holders has a groove that penetrates in the thickness direction into which the intermediate portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side so as to extend from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and into which the first scraping portion is arranged, and a second recess formed on the other side so as to extend from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and into which the second scraping portion is arranged.

[0050] According to the above configuration, each of the multiple holders has a groove that penetrates in the thickness direction, a first recess on one side of the holder where a first scraping portion is positioned, and a second recess on the other side of the holder where a second scraping portion is positioned. When a comb corresponding to each holder is attached, with the first scraping portion positioned in the first recess and the second scraping portion positioned in the second recess, each comb protrudes outward from the holder, allowing for easy attachment and removal of the comb from the holder. Therefore, the comb can be easily replaced on the holder.

[0051] [Item 2] The thatching blade according to item 1, wherein the direction in which the first recess extends on one side of the holder and the direction in which the second recess extends on the other side of the holder are different.

[0052] According to the above configuration, the direction in which the first recess extends on one side of the holder is different from the direction in which the second recess extends on the other side of the holder. As a result, the positions of the ends of the first scraping section and the ends of the second scraping section are offset in the circumferential direction of the holder. When the tip of the comb lifts up grass clippings and the like, the timing at which the tip of the first scraping section and the second scraping section contact the ground can be staggered. Therefore, the resistance that the dethatching blade receives from the ground when dethatching is performed is kept to a minimum, and the worker performing the dethatching can perform dethatching by pushing the dethatching device with little force.

[0053] [Item 3] The thatching blade according to item 1 or 2, wherein the groove of the holder is formed extending in a direction inclined with respect to the direction toward the radial center from the opening on the outer circumferential surface.

[0054] Since the grooves in the holder extend in a direction inclined with respect to the direction from the opening toward the radial center, the direction of the force acting on the comb during thatching is different from the direction of movement of the comb when it is removed from the holder. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the comb from falling out of the holder due to the force acting on it during thatching.

[0055] [Item 4] The thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the holder has an inclined portion on its side surface such that, in the region between the circumferential groove and the recess, the axial thickness of the holder increases from the groove toward the recess.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the holder has an inclined portion on its side surface in the region between the circumferential groove and the recess, such that the axial thickness of the holder increases from the groove toward the recess. Therefore, when a comb is placed inside the recess, the comb must overcome the inclined portion in order to be removed from the holder. As a result, the comb is less likely to fall out of the holder when thatching is performed.

[0057] [Item 5] The thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the holder further comprises a notch that extends from the bottom of the groove along the direction in which the recess extends and on the extension line of the recess, and penetrates the holder in the thickness direction.

[0058] According to the above configuration, since the holder is provided with a notch, when the middle part of the comb moves into the notch, the comb is securely held by the notch, preventing the comb from unexpectedly falling out of the holder.

[0059] [Item 6] A thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein, in a state in which the plurality of combs are attached to the plurality of holders that pass through the shaft, the ends of the first scraping portions of the combs are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holders from adjacent holders, and the ends of the second scraping portions of the combs are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holders from adjacent holders.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the ends of the first scraping portion of the comb attached to each of the multiple holders are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder from adjacent holders, and the ends of the second scraping portion of the comb are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holder from adjacent holders. As a result, when dethatching is performed, only a portion of the combs in the width direction come into contact with the ground and lift up grass clippings, etc. Therefore, since only a portion of the combs in the width direction come into contact with the ground and contribute to lifting up grass clippings, etc., the resistance from the ground applied to the combs is reduced. This reduces the load from the ground, allowing the worker to perform dethatching with less force.

[0061] [Item 7] The thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 6, further comprising a plurality of joints arranged between the holders in the axial direction of the shaft and passing through the shaft.

[0062] According to the above configuration, since joints are attached between the holders, the distance between the holders is kept constant, and thatching can be performed uniformly along the entire axial direction of the shaft.

[0063] [Item 8] A thatching blade as described in any one of items 1 to 7 above, A thatching device comprising a frame that rotatably supports the aforementioned shaft.

[0064] According to the above configuration, since the dethatching device comprises a dethatching blade and a frame that rotatably supports the shaft of the dethatching blade, it is possible to provide a dethatching device that allows the operator to easily replace the comb. This makes it possible to provide a dethatching device that is easy to use. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1. Thatching device 6. Pinion gear section 8 combs 9 holders 10 joints 11 shafts 12. Bending section 13. Middle section 14. First scraping section 15. Second scraping section 18 groove 18a opening 19. First recess 20 Second recess 21, 22 Slope 23 Notches 29 Through hole 30 Outer surface 31 frames 32 Internal Gear 33 pins

Claims

1. The shaft and Multiple disc-shaped holders that pass through the aforementioned shaft, The plurality of holders are equipped with a plurality of combs that are attached so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holder, Each of the aforementioned combs is rod-shaped and has two bent sections, an intermediate section between the bent sections, a first scraping section from one of the bent sections to one end, and a second scraping section from the other bent section to the other end. A thatching blade, wherein each of the plurality of holders has a groove that penetrates in the thickness direction into which the intermediate portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side so as to extend from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and into which the first scraping portion is arranged, and a second recess formed on the other side so as to extend from the bottom of the groove to the outer surface and into which the second scraping portion is arranged.

2. The thatching blade according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the first recess extends on one side of the holder and the direction in which the second recess extends on the other side of the holder are different.

3. The thatching blade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the groove of the holder is formed to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the direction toward the radial center from the opening on the outer circumferential surface.

4. The thatching blade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder has an inclined portion on its side surface that is inclined such that the axial thickness of the holder increases from the groove toward the recess in the region between the groove and the recess in the circumferential direction.

5. The thatching blade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder further comprises a notch that extends from the bottom of the groove along the direction in which the recess extends and on the extension line of the recess, and penetrates the holder in the thickness direction.

6. The thatching blade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a state in which the plurality of combs are attached to the plurality of holders that pass through the shaft, the ends of the first scraping portions of the combs are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holders from adjacent holders, and the ends of the second scraping portions of the combs are offset by the same amount in the circumferential direction of the holders from adjacent holders.

7. The thatching blade according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of joints arranged between the holders in the axial direction of the shaft and passing through the shaft.

8. The thatching blade according to claim 1, A thatching device comprising a frame that rotatably supports the aforementioned shaft.

Images