Landscape rake with fluid controlled float capability

Details Landscape rake with fluid controlled float capability Landscape rake with fluid controlled float capability

1999-08-24

2001-05-01

Batson, Victor (Department: 3671)

Unearthing plants or buried objects

Stone gathering and/or unearthing by impelling above-ground...

C172S663000, C171S110000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06223828

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to powered landscape rakes, and more particularly, to a powered landscape rake having a fluid or hydraulically controlled float capability for allowing the rake to move responsive to contact with obstructions and surface irregularities such as large rock and the like when in an operative position proximal a bucket for depositing raked material therein, so as to avoid damage to the rake and related structure from such contact.
BACKGROUND ART
Currently, powered landscape rakes adapted for attachment to tractors, skid steer loaders, and other vehicles and work machines for performing ground-raking, rock-gathering, debris removing, site leveling and like functions, are well known. The known landscape rake constructions typically include a rake mechanism having a drum or conveyor including a plurality of teeth, scoops, tines, or other projections for performing the ground-raking, rock-gathering, and debris removing functions, as the drum or conveyor is rotated by a fluid motor or other power source. In operation, the rake mechanism is typically positioned proximal an open end of a bucket adapted for collecting material such as rocks, soil, plant debris and the like picked up by the rake mechanism. To function properly, in the operative position proximal to the bucket, the rake mechanism is also positioned in closely spaced relation to the surface of the ground or other surface to be raked and is moved thereover while performing the ground-raking, rock-gathering or other function. This makes the rake mechanism susceptible to damage from contact with rocks and other objects too large to be raked or collected, surface irregularities, and the like. The known landscape rakes further typically include an actuator such as a fluid cylinder operable using pressurized fluid from the machine for lifting the rake mechanism to allow dumping the contents of the bucket. The cylinder is in an extended position when the rake mechanism is located proximal to the bucket and a spring or other resilient member or device is typically used for maintaining the rake mechanism in the proximal position while allowing some limited movement thereof relative to the bucket and the ground surface for providing a “float” capability wherein the rake mechanism is allowed to be lifted by contact with obstacles such as large rocks, logs, root structures and surface irregularities for passage thereover without damaging the rake mechanism. Reference in this regard landscape rakes available under the trademark ROCKHOUND from Melroe Co. Reference also Erholm U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,434 issued Dec. 21, 1982 entitled Ground-Raking, Rock-Gathering Attachments for Tractors.
However, the known resilient means for providing the float capability are limited to mechanical structures including springs and the like which add expense, are subject to breakage, and require special adaptations to the cylinder or other actuator.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an improved landscape rake providing a fluid controlled float capability is disclosed. The landscape rake includes a rotatably operable rake mechanism for performing a raking function, a bucket for receiving material raked by the rake mechanism, and a fluid actuator connected to the rake mechanism operable for moving the rake mechanism relative to the bucket, the fluid actuator having a first port adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid for receiving the pressurized fluid therefrom for moving the rake mechanism to a position proximal to the bucket and a second port adapted for connection via a fluid path to a fluid receiver for discharging fluid thereto. The improvement includes a fluid control system for the fluid actuator including a second fluid path connecting the first port of the fluid actuator with the first named fluid path and a valve disposed in the second fluid path operable for allowing fluid flow therethrough from the first port to the first named fluid path while preventing fluid flow from the first named fluid path to the first port to allow the rake mechanism to float when in the position proximal to the bucket.
According to another aspect of the invention, the fluid control system includes a fluid accumulator connected in fluid communication with the first port of the fluid actuator to provide cushioning.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a restricted orifice is disposed between the second port of the fluid actuator and the receiver for throttling fluid flow from the second port.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3603404 (1971-09-01), Whitsed
patent: 3648447 (1972-03-01), Burton
patent: 4113023 (1978-09-01), Basakett
patent: 4153114 (1979-05-01), Morlock
patent: 4319641 (1982-03-01), Migdal
patent: 4364434 (1982-12-01), Erholm
patent: 4609049 (1986-09-01), Migdal
patent: 5060732 (1991-10-01), Baskett
patent: 5564506 (1996-10-01), Foster et al.
patent: 5630476 (1997-05-01), Foster et al.

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