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A manually operated aerating and dethatching device includes a housing having a frame. A plurality of tine members is rotatably connected to the frame. Each tine member includes a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface. The tine members are generally aligned along a lon

A manually operated aerating and dethatching device includes a housing having a frame. A plurality of tine members is rotatably connected to the frame. Each tine member includes a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface. The tine members are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis. A first wheel is rotatably connected to the housing. The first wheel has an outer rolling surface offset from an outer end of the plurality of tine members. A handle is rigidly connected to the housing extending generally outwardly and upwardly therefrom. Movement of the handle in an upward direction pivots the tine members on the wheel into engagement with the ground surface wherein a degree of engagement of the tine members with the ground surface can be controlled by the user.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A manually operated aerating and dethatching device comprising: a housing including a frame, the frame includes a plurality of posts extending therefrom;a plurality of tine members rotatably connected to the frame, each of the posts including a pair of tine members thereon, each tine member inclu

1. A manually operated aerating and dethatching device comprising: a housing including a frame, the frame includes a plurality of posts extending therefrom;a plurality of tine members rotatably connected to the frame, each of the posts including a pair of tine members thereon, each tine member including a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface, the tine members being generally aligned along a longitudinal axis, the tine members include a hub with the plurality of tines extending therefrom, the plurality of tines including a first and a second sets of tines, the first set of tines are annularly spaced about the hub and extend substantially in a radial direction, the second set of tines are annularly spaced on the hub and extend in a direction both radially and axially therefrom, and wherein the second set of tines of adjacently positioned tine members extend toward each other and cross each other;a first wheel rotatably connected to the housing, the first wheel having an outer rolling surface offset from an outer end of the plurality of tine members;a handle rigidly connected to the housing extending generally outwardly and upwardly therefrom, wherein movement of the handle in an upward direction pivots the housing on the first wheel to move the tine members into engagement with the ground surface wherein a degree of engagement of the tine members with the ground surface can be controlled by the user. 2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the pair of tine members is disposed on the post such that the first set of tines is adjacent to each other. 3. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tines narrow as they extend from the hub to form a point for forming holes in the ground surface. 4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a support surface disposed above the plurality of tine members, the support surface adapted to receive one or more weights thereon. 5. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the posts each include an axle extending therefrom for supporting the hub of a tine member and the posts each include a rigid bracket extending from the post to a rigid portion of the frame to resist flexing of the posts when the plurality of tine members are moved into engagement with the ground. 6. The device as defined in claim 1, further including a second wheel rotatably connected to the housing, the first and second wheels forming a fulcrum for allowing a user to increase or decrease tine member engagement with the ground surface upon movement of the handle. 7. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the handle includes a pair of elongate members each having a first end secured to the frame and a second end extending upwardly and joining each other to form an upper handle portion. 8. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein the handle includes a third elongate member disposed between the pair of elongate members, the third elongate member having a first end connected to the frame and a second end connected to the upper handle portion. 9. The device as defined in claim 6, wherein the first and second wheel have a diameter less than the diameter of the tine members. 10. A ground aerating and dethatching device for conditioning a ground surface comprising: an aerating assembly including a frame having a housing secured thereto, the frame having a plurality of spaced posts extending therefrom;a plurality of tine members offset from each other in an axial direction and rotatably securable to the posts, each of the tine members having a first set of tines and a second set of tines extending from a common hub, the second set of tines of adjacently opposed tine members overlapping each other in the axial direction;a pair of spaced wheels rotatably secured to the aerating assembly;a handle assembly connected to and extending from the aerating assembly; andthe wheels being disposed between the tine members and the handle, the aerating assembly being pivotable on the wheels upon movement of the handle to selectively engage the tines with the ground surface. 11. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein the plurality of tine members include a plurality of tine member sets each including two tine members, the two tine members of each tine member set having a plurality of tines overlapping each other, and the tines members of one set not overlapping the tine members of another set. 12. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein the handle assembly is connected to and extending from the aerating assembly, the handle assembly including first and second substantially straight elongate members each having a first end attached to the aerating assembly adjacent to the wheels, and an opposed second end joined together by a curved arcuate portion forming a handle adapted to be gripped by a user, the handle assembly including a third substantially straight elongate member having a first end attached to the aerating assembly and a second end attached to the curved arcuate portion, the second end of the third elongate member is offset from the second ends of the first and second elongate members in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the third member. 13. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein the first set of tines extends outwardly from the hub in a generally radial direction. 14. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein the second set of tines extends outwardly from the hub at an angle to the hub having an axial and radial component. 15. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein the diameter of the wheels is less than the diameter of the tine members. 16. The device as defined in claim 15, wherein an axis of rotation of the wheels is offset from an axis of rotation of the tine members. 17. The device as defined in claim 16, wherein the handle assembly is non-rotatably secured to the aerating assembly. 18. A method of aerating and dethatching a ground surface comprising: providing an aerating and dethatching device including a housing including a frame;a plurality of tine members rotatably connected to the frame, each tine member including a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface, the tine members being generally aligned along a longitudinal axis;a first wheel rotatably connected to the housing, the first wheel having an outer rolling surface offset from an outer end of the plurality of tine members;a handle rigidly connected to the housing extending generally outwardly and upwardly therefrom, wherein movement of the handle in an upward direction pivots the tine members on the wheel into engagement with the ground surface wherein a degree of engagement of the tine members with the ground surface can be controlled by the user;rotating the handle upwardly to lift the first wheel upwardly off the ground to engage the tines with the ground surface;manually moving the aerating and dethatching device forward and backward over the ground surface with the first wheel raised above the ground; andadjusting the amount of force acting on the tines by pivoting the handle up and down. 19. The method as defined in claim 18, further including pivoting the handle downwardly to pivot the aerating device on the first wheel wherein the tine members are lifted out of engagement with the ground surface and wherein the aerating device may be freely rolled on the first wheel without the tines engaging the ground surface.