LAWN MAINTENANCE DEVICE HAVING WEDGE-SHAPED FRONT SECTION

• US 20090301051A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vincenzo Marchese
• Original Assignee: Vincenzo Marchese
• Inventors: Marchese, Vincenzo
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,666 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/400.110
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 7/00 Rakes mowers convertible to rakes or capable of raking A01D42/02; mowers combined with rakes A01D43/02

Abstract

An exemplary lawn maintenance device for the collection of leaves or other debris on a grassed surface, comprises a substantially flat, planar device having a top surface, a lower surface, and a wedge-shaped front section affixed thereto, wherein the top surface of the device is substantially flat and planar, and has a transverse groove or slot therein for receiving the blade of a push shovel. Additionally, the wedge-shaped front section has a series of vertical tines forming a comb-like structure at the leading edge of the device, wherein the comb-like structure consists of a series of extending tine portions, separated by open areas cut within the leading surface of the device. The lower surface comprises a series of ridges and grooves. This configuration allows the device to be fitted to the blade of a push shovel, and the combination can be pushed across the surface of a lawn in order to collect leaves and other debris from the lawn

Claims

1. A lawn maintenance device for the collection of leaves or other debris on a lawn, which device comprises a substantially flat, planar device having a top surface, a lower surface, and a wedge-shaped front section affixed thereto, wherein:

said top surface of the device is substantially flat, and has a transverse slot therein for receiving the blade of a push shovel;

said wedge-shaped front section has a series of vertical tines forming a comb-like structure at the leading edge of the device, and said tines comprise a series of extending tine portions, separated by open areas cut within the leading surface of the device; and

said lower surface comprises a series of ridges and grooves and wherein said

ridges and grooves on said lower section are contiguous with the tines and open areas of the wedge shaped front section.

2. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse slot extends across the width of the device.

3. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is attached to said shovel by inserting said blade into said transverse slot.

4. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said device is resiliently held on said blade by friction.

5. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 3 wherein screws attach said device to said shovel.

6. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse slot is between the top surface, and the wedge-shaped front section.

7. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tines extend up beyond the top surface of the device.

8. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the leading edges of the tines at the front edge of the device have a curved or arcuate profile.

10. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said open areas and said grooves meet to define an inner front edge, and said inner front edge has a curved or arcuate profile.

12. A lawn maintenance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower surface has a lower back edge at the rear of said lower surface, and wherein said lower back edge has a curved or arcuate profile.

13. Use of the device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is affixed to said blade, said lower section is placed in contact with a lawn surface, and said device is pushed through said grassed surface with the vertical tines at the wedge-shaped front section combing through the blades of grass, so that leaves or other debris on or in said grassed surface are first pushed upwards by said tines on the wedge-shaped front section of said device, and then pass over the top surface of said device where they are deflected up into, and then collected against, said blade in a leaf mass.

9. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

14. A lawn maintenance device for the collection of leaves or other debris on a lawn, which device comprises:

a lower device section comprising a substantially flat, planar device having a top surface, a lower surface, and a wedge-shaped front section affixed thereto, wherein said top surface of the device is substantially flat, said wedge-shaped front section has a series of vertical tines forming a comb-like structure at the leading edge of the device, and said tines comprise a series of extending tine portions, separated by open areas cut within the leading surface of the device, wherein said wedge-shaped front section deflects leaves or other debris into a curled blade section; and

said lower surface comprises a series of ridges and grooves and wherein said ridges and grooves on said lower section are contiguous with the tines and open areas of the wedge shaped front section;

an inwardly curved blade section operatively connected at a lower end to said top surface of said lower device section, and having a substantially concave surface, for collection of leaves or other debris; and

a handle section connected to said blade and/or to said lower device section for pushing said lower device section through a grassed surface.