Importance

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Abstract

A turf spiking tool attachment 10 retrofits turf aerating machines 20 having reciprocating pistons 20 with the turf spiking tool attachments 10 mounted on the free ends of the pistons 20 for motor driven punching and aerification of turf. A flat base plate or punch plate 11 is secured to the free end of a piston. A plurality of spiking tines 13 project from the base plate 11. A stripper plate 12 is formed with a plurality of openings 18 in alignment with the projecting tines 13 of the base plate. The stripper plate 12 is mounted adjacent to the base plate 11 for sliding motion relative to the base plate. Guide elements 15,16 maintain the stripper plate and base plate substantially in parallel alignment. The stripper plate 12 bears against the turf. A stripper spring 17 pushes the stripper plate against the turf, holds the turf in place during retraction of the tines 13, and returns the stripper plate 12 to a starting position. The stripper plate 12 is formed with upper and lower surfaces at a bevel angle 12a substantially equal to the drive angle 20a of the pistons 20 relative to a vertical axis 22 so that the lower surface of the stripper plate 12 is parallel with the ground. The guide elements 16,15 provide sufficient clearance for limited compound rocking motion of the stripper plate 12. The stripper spring 17 is seated in recesses for full sliding motion and closing of the stripper plate 12 and the base plate 11 during reciprocating cycles of punching and aerification of turf.

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First Claim