Turf plug pusher
First Claim
1. A turf plug pusher for use with a vehicle to push aeration core plugs from a turf surface without damage to the turf surface comprising:
- an elongate pusher element including a skid and barrier means;
the skid having a leading edge and a generally flat, horizontal turf engaging lower surface;
the pusher element being mounted to the vehicle so that the lower surface can rest on the turf surface during use;
the barrier means extending upwardly from the skid and including means for gathering core plugs on top of and in front of the skid as the pusher element moves in a forward direction over the turf surface so that the pusher element is self loading with the weight of core plugs tending to keep the lower surface of the skid plate against the turf surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plug pusher, mounted to a mower of the type having a lift frame, pushes turf core plugs from an aerated turf surface. The plug pusher includes two L-shaped, elongate pusher elements, each having a horizontal first leg and a vertical second leg, mounted to the vehicle for being raised and lowered by the lift frame. The first leg of each pusher element extends forwardly from the second leg and lies on the turf surface so as the vehicle moves the core plugs gather in front of the second leg and on top of the first leg. The pusher elements are configured and are mounted to the mower to permit limited movement relative to the mower and each other to accommodate uneven surfaces.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A turf plug pusher for use with a vehicle to push aeration core plugs from a turf surface without damage to the turf surface comprising:
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an elongate pusher element including a skid and barrier means; the skid having a leading edge and a generally flat, horizontal turf engaging lower surface; the pusher element being mounted to the vehicle so that the lower surface can rest on the turf surface during use; the barrier means extending upwardly from the skid and including means for gathering core plugs on top of and in front of the skid as the pusher element moves in a forward direction over the turf surface so that the pusher element is self loading with the weight of core plugs tending to keep the lower surface of the skid plate against the turf surface. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A plug pusher vehicle for pushing aeration core plugs from a turf surface comprising:
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a vehicle frame; a lift assembly mounted to the vehicle frame and including a lift element movable between a raised position and a lowered position; first and second elongate, generally longitudinally aligned, L-shaped pusher elements, each including a first, forwardly extending portion and a second, upwardly extending portion; link means for articulatingly connecting the first and second pusher elements to permit the first and second pusher element to move relative to one another in a generally vertical plane; means for mounting the first and second pusher elements to the vehicle for movement between an up position and a down position; and a lift frame engagement element for engaging the lift frame as the lift frame moves between its raised and lowered positions so the first and second pusher elements move therewith between their up and down positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17)
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15. A plug pusher for pushing aeration core plugs from a turf surface, the plug pusher for use with a mower unit of the type having a lift assembly including a lift frame having a front roller movable between a raised position and a lowered position, the plug pusher comprising:
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first and second elongate, longitudinally aligned, L-shaped pusher elements, each including a generally horizontal, forward extending first leg and a generally vertical second leg; the first and second pusher elements having inner edges configured for movement relative to one another in a generally vertical plane extending generally parallel to the second legs; link means for articulatingly connecting the first and second pusher elements; means for mounting said first and second pusher elements to the mower unit for movement between up and down positions, the second legs being forward of the front roller; and a lift element mounted to at least one of the pusher elements and positioned above the front roller, the second legs and the lift element being spaced apart from the front roller when the front roller is in the lowered position and the pusher elements are in the down positions, the lift element positioned to contact the front roller as the front roller is raised from the lowered position to the raised position so that the pusher elements are raised from the down positions to the up positions.
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18. A nondestructive method for removing material lying on top of a turf surface without damage to the turf surface, comprising the following steps:
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mounting an elongate pusher element to a vehicle, the pusher element having a horizontal skid and material barrier means, the barrier means extending upwardly from the skid; resting the horizontal lower surface of the skid on the turf surface, the lower surface of the skid configured to keep from damaging the turf surface, the skid having a leading edge, at least a portion of the barrier means spaced apart from the leading edge to create a forwardly opening material collection region above the skid and in front of the barrier means; and moving the pusher element over the turf surface in a forward direction with the leading edge leading so that at least a portion of the material gathers in the material collection region to aid keeping the pusher element against the turf surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A nondestructive method for cleaning aeration core plugs from a turf surface comprising the following steps:
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mounting an elongate pusher element to a vehicle, each pusher element including a leading edge and first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces positioned rearwardly of the leading edge, the first surface defining a downwardly facing lower surface adapted to slide over the turf surface without damaging the turf surface, the second surface including a portion extending upwardly away from the lower surface; lowering the pusher element until the lower surface rests on and is supported by the turf surface; moving the vehicle over the turf surface in a forward direction so the leading edge leads to gather the core plugs over the first surface and in front of the pusher element the weight of the core plugs on the second surface portion tending to keep the lower surface touching the turf surface; and raising the pusher element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification