Thatching blade and thatching device

Abstract

To provide a thatching blade and a thatching device in which a comb can be firmly attached to the thatching device and the comb can be easily replaced. [Solution] The thatching blade comprises a shaft, a plurality of disk-shaped holders that are inserted through the shaft, and a plurality of combs that are attached to the holders so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holders, each of the combs having two bent portions, an intermediate portion between the bent portions, a first scraping portion, and a second scraping portion. Each of the holders has a groove that penetrates through the thickness direction into which the intermediate portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side in which the first scraping portion is disposed, and a second recess formed on the other side in which the second scraping portion is disposed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thatching device that removes thatch that accumulates between grasses and the grass, and a thatching blade used in the thatching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a thatching blade attached to a thatching device. The thatching blade in Patent Document 1 has multiple blades formed radially from the center, with each blade having a V-shaped notch formed from the outside toward the center. The document describes that by configuring the thatching blade in this way, it is possible to achieve high hardness by performing a partial hardening heat treatment on both the front and rear sides of the blade in the rotation direction, and that due to its shape, performance does not decrease even when worn, so the high performance of the thatching blade is maintained until the end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-41127 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the configuration of the thatching blade disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not mention the attachment of a comb to the thatching blade. Generally, when attaching the comb of the thatching blade to a thatching device, the comb needs to be firmly attached to the thatching device so that it does not fall off while thatching is being performed. However, if the comb is firmly attached to the thatching device, it may be difficult to remove the comb when replacing it, and the comb replacement process may be time-consuming.

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

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

[0007] According to the present 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, thereby making it easy to attach and remove the comb from the holder. Furthermore, when dethatching 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 is less likely to fall off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a thatching device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body of the thatching device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a thatching blade in the main body of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a comb in the thatching blade of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the comb of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a side view of the comb of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the thatching blade of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view of the thatching blade of FIG. 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a holder and a comb in the thatching blade of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the holder and comb of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the holder and comb of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] 10 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 9 with the comb removed. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a front view of a joint in the thatching blade of FIG. 3. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the joint of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are perspective views of the holder and the comb in each step of attaching the comb to the holder in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

[0011] The handle 2 is attached to the main body 3 so as to extend upward from the main body 3. The worker performing thatching, for example, grips the handle 2 and pushes the thatching device 1 to move across the lawn and perform thatching. The grass collector 4 is provided in front of the main body 3 of the thatching device 1. As the thatching device 1 moves, the grass debris and the like that is kicked up is collected by the grass collector 4. Once a certain amount of grass debris has been collected inside the grass collector 4, the grass debris and the like are disposed of all at once.

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

[0013] In this embodiment, an internal gear portion 32 is provided inside the wheel 5. A pinion gear portion 6 is provided inside the wheel 5 so as to mesh with the internal gear portion 32. The pinion gear portion 6 is provided at both ends of the main body portion 3 in the vehicle width direction. When an operator travels the thatching device 1, the internal gear portion 32 and the pinion gear portion 6 transmit the rotation of the wheel 5 to the shaft of the thatching blade 7 while changing the speed using the gears of the internal gear portion 32 and the pinion gear portion 6. The frame 31 houses the thatching blade 7 inside.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the thatching blade 7 of the thatching device 1. The thatching blade 7 includes a comb 8, a holder 9, a joint 10, and a shaft 11. In FIG. 3, the direction in which the thatching blade 7 rotates when thatching is performed using the thatching device 1 is indicated as D1. The holder 9 is cylindrical. The holder 9 has a groove 18. The groove 18 is formed by being recessed from the outer circumferential surface 30. The groove 18 penetrates the holder 9 in the thickness direction, i.e., 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 central axis L1 of 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 this embodiment, the shaft 11 passes through multiple holders 9 and multiple joints 10. The holders 9 and the joints 10 are arranged alternately in the axial direction of the shaft 11. In other words, the joints 10 are arranged between the holders 9 in the axial direction of the shaft 11. In the thatching device 1, a frame 31 supports the shaft 11 rotatably.

[0015] A central axis L1 passes through the radial center of the holder 9 and the radial center of the joint 10, and a through hole 29 extending in the axial direction is formed in the holder 9 along the axis L1 of the radial center of the holder 9. The through hole 29 is formed to penetrate the holder 9 in the axial direction around the central axis of the holder 9. A shaft 11 passes through the radial center of each of the multiple holders 9. The shaft 11 is inserted into the through holes 29 of the multiple holders 9. The shaft 11 is configured to be unrotatable relative to the holder 9. In addition, the joint 10 has an insertion hole 24 that penetrates in the axial direction. In the thatching blade 7, multiple holders 9 and multiple joints 10 are arranged alternately along the axial direction of the thatching blade 7, and the shaft 11 is inserted into the through openings 29 of the multiple holders 9 and the insertion holes 24 of the multiple joints 10. That is, the holder 9 and the joint 10 are attached around the axis of the shaft 11 so as to penetrate through the holder 9 and the joint 10 at the radial center position of the disk-shaped holder 9 and the disk-shaped joint 10 on the thatching blade 7.

[0016] The thatching blade 7 is provided with a plurality of combs 8 attached to a plurality of holders 9 so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holders 9. The tips of the combs 8 protruding outward from each holder 9 are offset by a predetermined angle from the tips of the combs 8 attached to adjacent holders 9. In this embodiment, the orientation of the holders 9 is offset from that of adjacent holders 9, and therefore the attachment positions of the combs 8 on the holders 9 are offset by a predetermined angle from that of adjacent holders 9. In other words, the combs 8 are attached to the holders 9 so that the orientations of the combs 8 are offset by a predetermined angle between adjacent holders 9. Therefore, as the holders 9 and joints 10 are sequentially assembled, the positions of the tips of the combs 8 are gradually offset in the rotational direction of the shaft 11, and each comb 8 is attached to the holder 9 so that the offset in the rotational direction gradually increases from one end of the shaft 11 to the other end.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the comb 8. FIG. 5 shows a front view of the comb 8. FIG. 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 outside the holder 9. The comb 8 has two bent portions 12. The comb 8 also has a middle portion 13 between the bent portions 12, a first scraping portion 14 between one bent portion 12 and one end, and a second scraping portion 15 between the other bent portion 12 and the other end. The first scraping portion 14 is bent at a bent portion 16 so that its tip faces forward in the direction of rotation when attached to the holder 9. Similarly, the second scraping portion 15 is bent at a bent portion 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 portion 14 is inclined relative to the second scraping portion 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 portion 14 and the position of the tip of the second scraping portion 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, and when each 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 radially outward from the holder 9, and the tip of the first scraping portion 14 and the tip of the second scraping portion 15 are not connected. This prevents grass that should remain on the ground other than grass debris from getting caught on the comb 8 when dethatching. This prevents damage to the grass that should remain on the ground when dethatching.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the thatching blade as viewed from above. In FIG. 7, some of the holders 9 are shown broken away, and the internal structure of the holders 9 is partially shown. As shown in FIG. 7, among the multiple holders 9 attached to the shaft 11, a pin 33 is attached to the shaft 11 at the outer axial end of the holder 9 attached to one axial end of the shaft 11. Furthermore, with the pin 33 attached to the shaft 11, the pin 33 is engaged with the holder 9. As a result, the shaft 11 and one of the multiple holders 9 located at one axial end of the shaft 11 are engaged with each other via the pin 33. Although not shown, the shaft 11 and one of the multiple holders 9 located at the other axial end of the shaft 11 are also engaged with each other via the pin 33 at the other axial end of the shaft 11. Because the shaft 11 and the holder 9 are engaged with each other at both axial ends via the pin 33, the entire multiple holders 9 are axially positioned and attached to the shaft 11. This allows multiple holders 9 to be fixed to the shaft 11. The combs 8 of the thatching blade 7 are attached at positions offset by a predetermined angle between adjacent holders 9, so that the line connecting the tips of the combs 8 forms a spline curve (wave-shaped). Figure 8 shows a side view of the thatching blade 7. The combs 8 of the thatching blade 7 are attached at positions offset by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction along the direction of rotation between adjacent holders, so that the tips of the combs 8 are positioned uniformly around the outer periphery of the holder 9 in the circumferential direction.

[0020] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the holder 9 and the comb 8 when the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. FIG. 10 shows a side view of the holder 9 and the comb 8 when the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the holder 9 and the comb 8 when the comb is attached to the holder 9 when viewed from above. In this embodiment, four combs 8 are attached to one holder 9. The four combs 8 are attached at predetermined angular intervals, and in this embodiment, the four combs 8 are attached at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0021] 9 and 10, the comb 8 has its middle portion 13 accommodated in a groove 18 of the holder 9. The groove 18 opens most circumferentially at the radially outermost position of the holder 9, and the width of the circumferential opening of the groove 18 narrows at a certain position toward the radially inner side, and the length of the opening gradually decreases. Therefore, when the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18, the comb 8 is positioned within the groove 18 when the middle portion 13 reaches the bottom of the groove 18.

[0022] The side surface of the holder 9 is provided with a first recess 19 and a second recess 20 recessed inward in the width direction of the holder 9 at positions different from the grooves 18. The first recess 19 is a recess that accommodates the first scraping part 14 when the comb 8 is attached to the holder 9. The second recess 20 is a recess that accommodates the second scraping part 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 direction in which the first recess 19 extends on one side surface of the holder 9 and the direction in which the second recess 20 extends on the other side surface of the holder 9 are relatively different in angle. When the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18 and rotates around the middle portion 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. Because the axial thickness of the holder 9 is smaller inside the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 than at other sides of the holder 9, when 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 intermediate portions 13 of the combs 8 inserted into the grooves 18, the first scraping portions 14 positioned in the first recesses 19, and the second scraping portions 15 positioned in the second recesses 20, the tips of the first scraping portions 14 protrude outward from the holder 9, and the tips of the second scraping portions 15 protrude outward from the holder 9. The four combs 8 are attached to the holder 9 such that the intermediate portions 13 are inserted into the grooves 18, from which the first scraping portions 14 extend along the first recesses 19 and the second scraping portions 15 extend along the second recesses 20.10, the direction in which the first scraping portion 14 extends when the first scraping portion 14 is disposed inside the first recess 19 is indicated as D2, and the direction in which the second scraping portion 15 extends when the second scraping portion 15 is disposed inside the second recess 20 is indicated as D3. Furthermore, the direction in which the groove 18 into which the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 is inserted is indicated as D4.

[0023] As described above, in this embodiment, when the shaft 11 is inserted into multiple holders 9 in the axial direction and multiple combs 8 are attached to the multiple holders 9 that are penetrated by the shaft 11, when only the positions of the tips of the first scraping portions 14 of each of the multiple holders 9 are considered, the tips of the first scraping portions 14 of the combs 8 attached to each of the multiple holders 9 are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 by the same amount between adjacent holders 9. Similarly, when only the positions of the tips of the second scraping portions 15 of each of the multiple holders 9 are considered, the tips of the second scraping portions 15 of the combs 8 are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 by the same amount between adjacent holders 8.

[0024] The tip of the comb 8 does not protrude radially from the radial center of the holder 9 toward the radially outward direction. Instead, it extends from the middle portion 13 of the comb 8, which is located within the groove 18, along the direction in which the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 extend. Therefore, the extension direction of the first recess 19 is approximately the same as the extension direction D2 of the first scraping portion 14. Furthermore, the extension direction of the second recess 20 is approximately the same as the extension direction D3 of the second scraping portion 15. The extension directions of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 are offset from the direction extending radially outward from the radial center of the holder 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 , the extension direction D2 of the first scraping portion 14 and the extension direction D3 of the second scraping portion 15 are inclined with respect to the direction extending 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] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the holder 9 with the comb 8 removed. FIG. 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 grooves 18 extend. The holder 9 has an insertion opening 27 on one side surface in the axial direction and an insertion opening 28 on the other side surface in the axial direction. The insertion openings 27 and 28 are openings into which the protrusions 25 and 26 of the joint 10, described below, are 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 so that the tip of the comb 8 attached to the holder 9 is circumferentially offset by an angle of X1 degrees from the tip of the comb 8 attached to the adjacent holder 9. In this embodiment, when the holder 9 and the joints 10 are attached to the shaft 11, the holder 9 is configured so that the joints 10 attached to one side of the holder 9 and the joints 10 attached to the other side of the holder 9 are shifted in phase by X1 degree in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the insertion openings 27 and 28 in the holder 9 are configured to form a hexagon when viewed from the side. In FIG. 12, one insertion opening 27 provided on one side of the holder 9 is indicated by a solid line, and the other insertion opening 28 provided on the other side of the holder 9 is indicated by a dashed line. As shown in FIG. 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 shifted in phase by X1 degree in the circumferential direction. Therefore, there is a phase shift of X1 degree between the joints 10 arranged on one side of the holder 9 in the axial direction of the shaft 11 and the joints 10 arranged on the other side of the holder 9. In this embodiment, X1 degree is 15 degrees.

[0026] 12, the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 in which the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 are disposed in the holder 9 are formed so as 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 surface of the holder 9, a sloped 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 surface of the holder 9, a sloped 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. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the other side surface of the holder 9 on which the second recess 20 and the sloped portion 22 are formed. The groove 18 of the holder 9 is formed to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the direction toward the radial center O from an opening 18a on the outer circumferential surface 30 where the groove 18 opens outward. That is, the holder 9 has a sloped portion 21 on one side surface in the region between the groove 18 and the first recess 19 in the circumferential direction, such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19. In addition, the holder 9 has an inclined portion 22 on the other side in the region between the circumferential groove 18 and the second recess 20, which is inclined so that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases as it moves from the groove 18 to the second recess 20.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 12 , on the side surface of the holder 9, one region in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 across the groove 18 is designated as region R1, and the other region in the circumferential direction of the holder 9 across the groove 18 is designated as region R2. In FIG. 12 , which shows the holder 9 as viewed from the side, the region on the side where the second recess 20 is formed, with the groove 18 as the boundary, is designated as R1, and conversely, the region on the side where the second recess 20 is not formed is designated as R2. Here, for the sake of explanation, in FIG. 12 , which shows the holder 9 as viewed from the side, 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 with respect to the groove 18 to form a space continuous with the groove 18. The holder 9 has 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, on an extension line of the extension direction of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. That is, the notch 23 extends from the bottom of the groove 18 along the extension direction of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 in the holder 9. That is, the notch 23 extends from a position closest to the axial center of the groove 18 on an extension line of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20 along the extension direction of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. The position closest to the axial center of the groove 18 is shown as P1 in FIG. 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] FIG. 13 shows a front view of the joint 10, and FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the joint 10. In FIG. 14, a portion of the joint 10 is broken away to show the structure on the opposite axial side. The joint 10 has an insertion hole 24 that extends axially around the axis L1 along the radial center axis L1 and through which the shaft 11 passes. The shaft 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 24. Around the insertion hole 24, the shaft 11 has a protrusion 25 that protrudes outward on one side in the axial direction and a protrusion 26 that protrudes outward on the other side. The protrusions 25 and 26 have a hexagonal shape when viewed from the side. In the joint 10, the protrusion 25 protruding on one side in the axial direction and the protrusion 26 protruding on the other side in the axial direction are formed to be in the same phase along the circumferential direction, so that the one protrusion 25 and the other protrusion 26 are at the same circumferential position when viewed from the side.

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

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

[0032] The holder 9 has a side surface formed with inclined portions 21 and 22. When the comb 8 is moved from the groove 18 to the first recess 19 or the second recess 20, the comb 8 passes outside the inclined portions 21 and 22 in the axial direction. At this time, the axial length of the holder 9 is increased at the inclined portions 21 and 22, so that the comb 8 elastically deforms at the bent portion 12 to expand outward in the axial direction, 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 portions 21 and 22, the axial thickness of the holder 9 gradually increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20, so that the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 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, so that the elastic deformation of the comb 8 gradually widening in the axial direction gradually increases toward the first recess 19 or the second recess 20.

[0033] 15(d), when the first scraping portion 14 reaches the first recess 19, the first scraping portion 14 is disposed inside the first recess 19, and when the second scraping portion 15 reaches the second recess 20, the second scraping portion 15 is disposed inside the second recess 20. Since 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 at the inclined portions 21 and 22, 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 have elastically deformed to expand axially outward at the inclined portions 21 and 22, move axially inward. Therefore, at the moment when the first scraping portion 14 fits into the first recess 19 and the moment when 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 fit into the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. Therefore, the worker replacing the comb 8 can feel a tactile response to confirm that the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 have fitted into the first recess 19 and the second recess 20. Therefore, the worker can easily confirm that the comb 8 has been attached to the holder 9.

[0034] Furthermore, when first scraping portion 14 is disposed within first recess 19 and second scraping portion 15 is disposed within second recess 20, and in this state, when dethatching device 1 performs thatching and comb 8 receives force from the ground, first scraping portion 14 moves along first recess 19 toward notch 23, and second scraping portion 15 moves along second recess 20 toward notch 23. As a result, middle portion 13, a portion of first scraping portion 14, and a portion of second scraping portion 15 move into notch 23. When middle portion 13, a portion of first scraping portion 14, and a portion of second scraping portion 15 are disposed within notch 23, comb 8 is more securely held by holder 9, and comb 8 is less likely to fall out of holder 9 through groove 18.

[0035] Thatching is performed using the thatching device 1 configured as described above. When an operator grips the handle 2 and pushes the thatching device 1, rotating the wheel 5, the rotation of the wheel 5 rotates the internal gear 32 provided inside the wheel 5. The rotation of the internal gear 32 rotates the pinion gear 6 meshed with the internal gear 32, transmitting the rotation to the shaft 11 of the thatching blade 7. When the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 11, the holders 9 located at both axial ends of the shaft 11 are engaged with the shaft 11 by pins 33, and therefore the holders 9 attached to the shaft 11 rotate, since the holders 9 are fixed to the shaft 11. In this way, the thatching blade 7 rotates as the shaft 11 rotates. Therefore, the thatching device 1 moves across the lawn while the shaft 11 of the thatching blade 7 rotates appropriately. As the thatching blade 7 rotates, the comb of the thatching blade 7 scoops up grass residue and the like upward as the thatching device 1 moves. The scooped up grass residue and the like are collected in the grass collector 4.

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

[0037] When the comb 8 becomes worn due to repeated thatching using the thatching device 1, the comb 8 is replaced in the holder 9. At this time, the holder 9 and comb 8 allow the comb 8 to be easily removed and attached to the holder 9 as described above. Specifically, the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 of the comb 8 are elastically deformed outward in the axial direction, thereby removing the first scraping portion 14 from the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 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 extension direction of the groove 18 and removed from the holder 9. Furthermore, when attaching a new comb 8 to the holder 9, the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 is inserted into the groove 18 of the holder 9, and when the middle portion 13 of the comb 8 reaches the bottom of the groove 18, the comb 8 is rotated around the middle portion 13. The comb 8 is attached to the holder 9 when the first scraping portion of the comb 8 is positioned in the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is positioned in the second recess 20. When removing the comb 8 from the holder 9, only the steps of rotating the comb 8 and pulling it 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 for a simple process for replacing the comb 8.

[0038] In this way, the comb 8 can be easily attached to and detached from the holder 9, so that when the comb 8 becomes worn, it can be easily replaced, reducing the labor required for the worker to replace the comb 8. 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 is less likely to fall off from the holder 9. This makes it possible to provide a highly reliable thatching device 1.

[0039] Furthermore, with the above configuration, when comb 8 is viewed along the axial direction of shaft 11, the direction in which first recess 19 extends on one side of holder 9 differs from the direction in which second recess 20 extends on the other side of holder 9. This offsets the position of the tip of first scraping portion 14 from the position of the tip of second scraping portion 15, allowing the timing at which the tip of first scraping portion 14 and the tip of second scraping portion 15 contact the ground when winding up grass clippings or the like with the tip of comb 8 to be shifted. Because the tips of multiple combs 8 do not contact the ground at the same time, the tip of comb 8 is prevented from experiencing significant resistance when winding up grass clippings or the like with the tip of comb 8. This minimizes the resistance that thatching blade 7 receives from the ground during thatching, allowing the operator performing thatching to perform thatching by pushing thatching device 1 with little force.

[0040] Furthermore, since the grooves 18 of the holder 9 extend in a direction inclined relative to the direction from the openings 18a, which open outward on the outer peripheral surface 30, toward the radial center O, when the comb 8 is removed from the holder 9, the direction of movement of the comb 8 is shifted from the direction from the openings 18a toward the radial center O. Therefore, the direction of the force acting on the comb 8 when dethatching is performed is different from the direction of movement of the comb 8 when removing the comb 8 from the holder 9, and therefore, the force acting on the comb 8 during dethatching can be prevented from causing the comb 8 to fall off the holder 9.

[0041] Furthermore, the holder 9 has a side surface, in a region between the circumferential groove 18 and the first recess 19, a sloped portion 21 that is sloped such that the axial thickness of the holder 9 increases from the groove 18 toward the first recess 19, and a region between the circumferential groove 18 and the second recess 20, a sloped portion 22 that is sloped 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 disposed inside the first recess 19 and the second scraping portion 15 is disposed inside the second recess 20, in order for the comb 8 to be removed from the holder 9, the first scraping portion 14 must overcome the sloped portion 21 and the second scraping portion 15 must overcome the sloped portion 22. Therefore, in order for the comb 8 to be removed from the holder 9, elastic deformation of the comb 8 is required, which more reliably prevents the comb 8 from falling off 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. 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 collide with the bottom surfaces of the first recess 19 and the second recess 20, respectively. Therefore, a worker replacing the comb 8 can feel a tactile response to confirm that the first scraping portion 14 and the second scraping portion 15 are positioned 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, the holder 9 is provided with a notch 23, which allows the middle portion 13 of the comb 8, a portion of the first scraping portion 14, and a portion of the second scraping portion 15 to move into the notch 23, thereby securely holding the comb 8 in the holder 9 and preventing the comb 8 from unexpectedly falling off the holder 9. This improves the reliability of the thatching device 1.

[0044] Furthermore, the shafts 11 are inserted into the through holes 29 of the multiple holders 9 so that the ends of the first scraping portions 14 of the combs 8 attached to each of the multiple holders 9 are offset in the circumferential direction of the holders 9 by the same amount between adjacent holders 9, and the ends of the second scraping portions 15 of the combs 8 are offset in the circumferential direction of the holders 9 by the same amount between adjacent holders 9. Therefore, when the tips of the combs 8 scoop up grass clippings, etc., the positions of the tips of the combs 8 are offset by a predetermined angle for each holder 9. Therefore, instead of all the tips of the multiple combs 8 aligned axially on the shaft 11 scooping up grass clippings at once, only some of the combs 8 in the axial direction contact the ground and scoop up grass clippings. Furthermore, the combs 8 that contact the ground and contribute to scooping up grass clippings, etc., move in the width direction of the thatching blade 7 as the shaft 11 rotates. Therefore, only some of the combs 8 in the width direction contact the ground and contribute to winding up the grass residue, etc., which reduces the resistance from the ground on the combs 8 compared to when all of the combs 8 contact the ground at once and contribute to winding up the grass residue, etc. This reduces the load from the ground when performing thatching using the thatching device 1, allowing the operator to perform thatching by pushing the thatching device 1 with little force. Furthermore, because the combs 8 that contact the ground and contribute to winding up the grass residue, etc., move in the width direction of the thatching blade 7 as the shaft 11 rotates, it is possible to prevent the load from being concentrated on a specific comb 8. This allows the load to be applied evenly across the multiple combs 8, improving the durability of the multiple combs 8 as a whole.

[0045] In addition, the shaft 11 further includes a plurality of disk-shaped joints 10 arranged between the holders 9 in the axial direction thereof and having insertion holes 24 extending axially along the radial center axis L1. Since the shaft 11 is inserted into the insertion holes 24, the spacing between the holders 9 is maintained constant, and thatching can be performed uniformly throughout the entire axial direction of the shaft 11.

[0046] In the above embodiment, a manual thatching device 1 has been described in which thatching is performed by gripping the handle portion 2 with one hand and pushing the thatching device 1 with one hand to rotate the thatching blade 7. However, this is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention may be applied to thatching devices other than manual types. For example, the present invention may be applied to a thatching device that is equipped with an engine and that rotates the thatching blade by driving the engine to rotate the thatching blade. The present invention may also be applied to a thatching device that is equipped with a motor and that rotates the thatching blade by the motor.

[0047] As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, the components described in the above-described embodiments can be combined to create new embodiments. For example, some configurations or methods in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and some configurations in one embodiment may be separated from other configurations in that embodiment and extracted as desired. Furthermore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, and are used to illustrate the technology.

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

[0049] [Item 1] A shaft, a plurality of disk-shaped holders that are passed through by the shaft; a plurality of combs attached to the plurality of holders so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holders; Each of the plurality of combs is configured in a rod shape and has 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 of the bent portions and the other end, Each of the plurality of holders has a groove penetrating in the thickness direction into which the middle portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer peripheral surface and in which the first scraping portion is disposed, and a second recess formed on the other side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer peripheral surface and in which the second scraping portion is disposed.

[0050] According to the above configuration, each of the multiple holders has a groove penetrating through the thickness direction, a first recess on one side of the holder in which the first scraping part is disposed, and a second recess on the other side of the holder in which the second scraping part is disposed. When a corresponding comb is attached to each holder and the first scraping part is disposed in the first recess and the second scraping part is disposed in the second recess, each comb protrudes outward from the holder, making it easy to attach and detach the comb from the holder. This makes it easy to replace the comb in the holder.

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

[0052] With this 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, so the positions of the ends of the first scraping part and the second scraping part are offset in the circumferential direction of the holder, and when the tip of the comb is used to scoop up grass clippings or the like, the timing at which the tip of the first scraping part contacts the ground can be shifted between the first scraping part and the second scraping part. Therefore, the resistance that the thatching blade receives from the ground during dethatching is kept small, and the operator performing dethatching can perform dethatching by pushing the thatching device with little force.

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

[0054] The grooves in the holder extend in a direction inclined from the radial direction from the opening toward the center, so the direction of the force acting on the comb during thatching differs from the direction of movement of the comb when removing it from the holder, thereby preventing the comb from falling off the holder due to the force acting on the comb during thatching.

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

[0056] According to the above configuration, the holder has a sloped portion on the side surface in the region between the circumferential groove and the recess, which slopes so that the axial thickness of the holder increases from the groove toward the recess. When the comb is placed inside the recess, the comb must climb over the sloped portion to be removed from the holder. This more reliably prevents the comb from falling off the holder during thatching.

[0057] [Item 5] 5. The thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the holder further includes a notch extending from the bottom of the groove along the extension direction of the recess and penetrating the holder in the thickness direction.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the holder is provided with a notch, so that when the middle part of the comb moves into the notch, the notch securely holds the comb, preventing the comb from unexpectedly falling off the holder.

[0059] [Item 6] 6. The 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 inserted through the shaft, ends of the first scraping portions of the combs are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between adjacent holders, and ends of the second scraping portions of the combs are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between adjacent holders.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the multiple holders are attached to the shaft so that the ends of the first scraping portions of the combs attached to each of the multiple holders are offset in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between adjacent holders, and the ends of the second scraping portions of the combs are offset in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between adjacent holders. Therefore, when dethatching is performed, only a portion of the combs in the width direction come into contact with the ground and kick up the grass debris. Therefore, because only a portion of the combs in the width direction come into contact with the ground and contribute to kicking up the grass debris, the resistance from the ground acting on the combs is reduced. This minimizes the load from the ground, allowing the operator to dethatch with less force.

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

[0062] According to the above-described configuration, since a joint is attached between the holders, the distance between the holders is kept constant, and thatching can be performed uniformly over the entire axial direction of the shaft.

[0063] [Item 8] The thatching blade according to any one of items 1 to 7, a frame that rotatably supports the shaft.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the thatching device includes a thatching blade and a frame that rotatably supports the shaft of the thatching blade, so that a thatching device can be provided that allows an operator to easily replace the comb, thereby providing a user-friendly thatching device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Thatching equipment 6 Pinion gear part 8 Comb 9 Holder 10 Joints 11 Shaft 12 Bend 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 Notch 29 Through holes 30 Outer surface 31 frames 32 Internal gear 33 pin

Claims

1. A shaft, a plurality of disk-shaped holders that are passed through by the shaft; a plurality of combs attached to the plurality of holders so as to protrude outward from the corresponding holders; Each of the plurality of combs is configured in a rod shape and has 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 of the bent portions and the other end, Each of the plurality of holders has a groove penetrating in the thickness direction into which the middle portion of the comb is inserted, a first recess formed on one side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer peripheral surface and in which the first scraping portion is disposed, and a second recess formed on the other side surface extending from the bottom of the groove to the outer peripheral surface and in which the second scraping portion is disposed.

2. 2. The thatching blade according to claim 1, wherein the extending direction of the first recess on the one side surface of the holder is different from the extending direction of the second recess on the other side surface of the holder.

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

4. 3. A thatching blade as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder has on its side a first inclined portion inclined so that the axial thickness of the holder increases in the region between the circumferential groove and the first recess as it moves from the groove to the first recess, and / or a second inclined portion inclined so that the axial thickness of the holder increases in the region between the circumferential groove and the second recess as it moves from the groove to the second recess.

5. 3. A thatching blade as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder further comprises a first notch extending from the bottom of the groove along the direction in which the first recess extends, on an extension line of the first recess, and penetrating the holder in the thickness direction, or a second notch extending from the bottom of the groove along the direction in which the second recess extends, on an extension line of the second recess, and penetrating the holder in the thickness direction.

6. 3. The thatching blade according to claim 1, wherein, when the plurality of combs are attached to the plurality of holders inserted through the shaft, the ends of the first scraping portions of the combs are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between adjacent holders, and the ends of the second scraping portions of the combs are shifted in the circumferential direction of the holder by the same amount between 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 penetrated by the shaft.

8. The thatching blade according to claim 1; a frame that rotatably supports the shaft.

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