MODULAR LANDSCAPER

• US 20080105445A1
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Umagination Labs, LP
• Original Assignee: Umagination Labs, LP
• Inventors: Dayton, Douglas, Park, Sung
• Application Number:
  US11/838,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20080105445A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 172/105
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/02 for aerating
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/02 for hand use
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/02 Hand sowing implements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 42/00 Mowers convertible to apparatus for purposes other than mowing; Mowers capable of performing operations other than mowing mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 20/30 Apparatus for treating the lawn or grass surface machines for aerating lawns A01B45/02

Abstract

A modular landscaper uses oversized wheels to generate torque for turning one or more of several interchangeable modular landscape maintenance attachments. The landscaper provides a handle configured in relationship to the landscaper frame to allow an adult to normally walk behind the landscaper while applying a forward force by pushing on the handle that results in the wheels of the landscaper rolling along a landscape maintenance surface and generating torque that is transferred through a drive train to the one or more attached landscaping maintenance attachments. A drive train uses the rotational energy of the wheels to increase the operator pushing force to operate the maintenance attachment. Interchangeable attachments facilitate using the landscaper for a wide variety of landscaping maintenance tasks.

Claims

1. A method of landscape maintenance, comprising:

axially attaching a plurality of wheels to a frame, the wheels rotating and generating torque upon movement of the frame;

providing a functional shaft axially attached to the frame;

delivering the generated torque to the functional shaft, thereby causing the functional shaft to rotate; and

using the rotation of the functional shaft to enable a landscape maintenance function.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to allow a walking operator to push the frame.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional shaft engages a maintenance attachment, and wherein at least a portion of the maintenance attachment operates in response to the rotating functional shaft.

57. The method of claim 1, further including a receptacle supported by the frame for receiving debris from the maintenance function.

70. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the generated torque comprises providing a drive train between a rotating portion of the wheels and the functional shaft.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the drive train operates in response to the rotation of the wheels and the functional shaft rotates in response to the operation of the drive

72. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintenance adaptor comprises at least one of a reel mower, a reciprocating scythe, a rake, a twirling brush, a rotating feeder, a pump, a generator, a fan, a snow blower, an edger, a rotary blade mower, and a rotating brush.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the cutting height of the reel mower is adjustable.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the reciprocating scythe comprises a plurality of blades.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein the rotating feeder comprises a distribution plate.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein the snow thrower comprises a first stage snow collector and a second stage snow expeller.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein the pump is a liquid feed pump.

78. The method of claim 72, wherein the generator converts the rotation of the functional shaft into electricity

79. The method of claim 1, wherein the wheels have a diameter of between about twelve inches and about thirty inches.

80. The method of claim 1, further including a second functional shaft axially attached to the frame, the second functional shaft being rotated by the drive train.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the rotation of the second drive train is converted into a second landscape maintenance function.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the second landscape maintenance function comprises at least one of a reel mower, a reciprocating scythe, a rake, a twirling brush, a rotating feeder, pump, a generator, a fan, a snow blower, a snow thrower, an edger, a rotary blade mower, a rotating brush, and a debris blower.

2-3. -3. (canceled)

5-18. -18. (canceled)

20-56. -56. (canceled)

58-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A modular landscape maintenance system, comprising:

a frame for receiving an operating force;

two wheels rotating about an axle secured to the frame, the wheels rotating in unison in response to the operating force, causing the system to roll on the wheels along a surface;

a drive axle for activating a maintenance adaptor that is attached to the frame, the maintenance adaptor selected for performing a landscape maintenance task; and

a drive train for transferring torque generated by the rotating wheels to the drive axle.

83. The system of claim 61, wherein the wheels have a diameter of between about twelve inches and about thirty inches.

84. The system of claim 61, wherein the maintenance adaptor comprises at least one of a reel mower, a reciprocating scythe, a rake, a twirling brush, a rotating feeder, a pump, a generator, a fan, a snow blower, an edger, a rotary blade mower, and a rotating brush.

62-69. -69. (canceled)