Continuous tine rake
US5934057A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D7/06
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lawn or garden rake for gathering leaves, grass clippings, twigs, etc. has a handle, a socket with retaining elements for fastening to the handle and flaring crimpable retaining elements for retaining a number of continuous paired tines. Each paired tine includes a continuous elongated beam with spaced longitudinal twists of approximately 90.degree. that divide the tine lengthwise into three portions. The tines are stacked tightly and captured in the socket with third portions stacked directly against one another. In this arrangement, the two end portions of each tine fan outwardly from the second end of the socket. A tine positioning spacer is spaced from the socket along the tines and holds their transverse spacing. At least the outer two tines on each side of are spaced more closely than the others to improve load resistance during raking. The rake is assembled in part by driving stacked flat tines into the flaring socket portion, preferably against a stiffening spring, and crimping the socket around the tines and spring to capture them, forming a tight and durable structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.