Earth working – Lawn edger
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-11-06
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Lawn edger
C172S025000, C172S041000, C172S123000, C030S500000, C030SDIG007
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311782
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a rotary cutter for trimming and edging grass that surrounds a standard lawn sprinkler head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Trimming and edging around a conventional lawn sprinkler head is often a time-consuming and tedious task. The grass surrounding the sprinkler head is often thick and tends to grow over the sprinkler head. Constant edging is required to permit the sprinkler to operate properly. Traditionally, this work by the landscaper or gardener must be performed by hand or using a device such as a Weed Eater™. Hand edging is tedious and wholly impractical when a large number of sprinkler heads are involved. Conventional power trimmers often do not provide a neat and precise cut. Moreover, these types of trimming devices do not satisfactorily edge around the sprinkler head.
The Weed Eater™ device exhibits a number of other disadvantages when used to trim around sprinkler heads. Its motor usually must be started before the trimmer is positioned adjacent the head. Otherwise, the device is not powerful enough to start against the resistance of the turf. Moreover, the standard trimmer is quite long and must be held away from the body. The user is therefore unable to apply downward force to the trimmer to aid in cutting. Conventional “fishing line” type trimmers tend to bounce over the thick grass, which often surrounds sprinkler heads. These type of cutters also tend to scar the head and other objects.
Rotary cutters have been developed specifically for edging around sprinkler heads. However, most of these devices are manually operated and using them requires considerable time, effort and exertion. Certain known devices have utilized a rotary blade that is releasably attached to a power drill. However, using these types of devices is inconvenient because the landscaper must normally bend or kneel over each sprinkler head to perform the required edging and trimming. Most known sprinkler head cutters also employ a multiple piece and rather flimsy construction. Today, these known devices do not trim and edge around the sprinkler head in an optimally quick and effective manner.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for quickly, conveniently and effectively trimming and edging the turf that surrounds a standard lawn sprinkler head.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus that enables a large number of sprinkler heads to be edged much more quickly and effectively than is accomplished by using conventional cutters, trimmers and edgers, and which therefore reduces labor costs and worker tedium.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a motorized apparatus that enables a person to edge around a lawn sprinkler from a standing position, without having to bend, stoop or kneel.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprinkler head edger that employs a rugged and durable one-piece construction and which features a long service life.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprinkler head trimming and edging device that does not require frequent maintenance and repair.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprinkler head trimming and edging device driven effectively, efficiently and reliably by a wide variety of conventional auger motors such that an effective low speed/high torque cutting action is achieved.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a landscaping device that performs both edging and trimming of grass surrounding a sprinkler head and which accomplishes these tasks in a manner much more quickly and effectively than known landscaping tools.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for trimming and edging around sprinkler heads that permits the user to apply an increased leverage and cutting force to the cutting blade so that improved results are achieved.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprinkler head edger and trimmer that does not employ multiple parts, which are subject to constant failure and which require frequent repair or replacement.
This invention results from the realization that significantly improved trimming and edging around a sprinkler head may be achieved by attaching a rotary cutting head to the lower end of an auger driven rotary shaft having a length of approximately 24 inches (and definitely between 18-30 inches). Using a shaft of this length allows the user to stand directly over the sprinkler head while cutting. The user is able to bear down on the device with increased leverage and force so that the grass around the head is trimmed quickly, conveniently and effectively. Additionally, the use of an auger provides the shaft and rotary cutting blade with a low speed and high torque that accomplishes improved cutting results and permits the trimmer to be started while in position against the grass. Much faster and more effective edging is thereby achieved.
This invention features an edging and trimming apparatus for lawn sprinkler heads. The apparatus includes an elongate shaft. A rotary cutting blade is connected to a lower end of the shaft. There are means connected to an opposite upper end of the shaft for driving the shaft axially rotatably such that the rotary blade is rotated. The diameter of the rotary blade is sufficiently large such that the rotary blade surrounds a standard lawn sprinkler head. The blade engages the grass and turf surrounding the sprinkler head and is rotated to trim and edge around the sprinkler head.
In a preferred embodiment, the shaft and the rotary blade are permanently interconnected. The rotary blade may include an annular member and a plurality of teeth may be attached to and depend from the annular member. The lower end of the shaft and the rotary blade may be interconnected by a mounting bar. The mounting bar may be permanently secured to the lower end of the shaft. The bar preferably extends diametrically across the rotary cutter and, more particularly, across the annular member. The bar may be permanently secured proximate its respective ends to the annular member.
Means may be provided for releasably attaching the shaft to the means for rotating. The shaft may include a tubular element and the means for attaching may include a screw that extends laterally through the tubular shaft. The means for rotating may comprise a rotary motor of the type that drives a conventional auger. The motor may include a drive shaft that is receivable by the tubular shaft. Typically, the drive shaft includes a transverse hole that is engaged by the lateral screw or other type of pin carried by the tubular shaft. When the pin is interengaged through the tubular shaft and the drive shaft, the tubular shaft and rotary cutter are releasably attached to the drive shaft. Operating the rotary motor thereby rotatably drives the rotary blade to perform the required edging and/or trimming task.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2779259 (1957-01-01), Kelsey
patent: 3814189 (1974-06-01), Thompson
patent: 4547966 (1985-10-01), Eden
patent: 5133269 (1992-07-01), Charneski
patent: 5938290 (1999-08-01), Mikeska
Plasek Ronald A.
Toolan Daniel J.
Noonan William E.
Novosad Christopher J.
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