U.S. patent application number 09/940828 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-27 for turf equipment and method of selective debris removal from turf.
Invention is credited to Feyma, Daniel John, Jenkins, James Joseph, Juliot, Larry James.
Application Number | 20030037388 09/940828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25475491 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030037388 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Feyma, Daniel John ; et
al. |
February 27, 2003 |
Turf equipment and method of selective debris removal from turf
Abstract
A turf maintenance machine and method of use thereof, said turf
maintenance machine for traversing a turf surface having debris
elements and turf fill material disposed thereupon, the machine
including a main sweeper brush for engaging the debris elements and
the turf fill material and transferring the debris elements and the
turf fill material toward a debris hopper, and further including a
filter device for receiving the transferred debris elements and the
turf fill material, and for separating the debris elements from the
turf fill material, wherein the debris elements are captured by the
machine for subsequent disposal and the turf fill material is
returned to the turf surface as the machine traverses the turf
surface.
Inventors: |
Feyma, Daniel John;
(Crystal, MN) ; Jenkins, James Joseph;
(Minnetonka, MN) ; Juliot, Larry James; (Champlin,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LARKIN, HOFFMAN, DALY & LINDGREN, LTD.
Suite #1500
7900 Xerxes Avenue South
Bloomington
MN
55431
US
|
Family ID: |
25475491 |
Appl. No.: |
09/940828 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/79.2 ;
15/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 1/0854
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/79.2 ;
15/83 |
International
Class: |
E01H 001/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A turf maintenance machine for traversing a turf surface having
debris elements and turf fill material disposed thereupon, said
machine comprising: a main sweeper brush for engaging the debris
elements and the turf fill material and transferring the debris
elements and the turf fill material toward a debris hopper; and a
filter device for receiving the transferred debris elements and the
turf fill material, and for separating the debris elements from the
turf fill material, wherein the debris elements are captured by the
machine for subsequent disposal and the turf fill material is
returned to the turf surface as the machine traverses the turf
surface.
2. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the
filter device is disposed upon the machine forwardly from the main
sweeper brush.
3. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the
filter device includes multiple filter stages that separate the
debris elements form the turf fill material.
4. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 3, wherein one of
the multiple filter stages includes a wire screen and another one
of the multiple filter stages includes an expanded metal
screen.
5. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 1, wherein the
filter device is disposed within the debris hopper.
6. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 1, further
comprising a turf engaging structure for preconditioning the turf
surface prior to an engagement by the main sweeper brush.
7. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 6, wherein the
turf engaging structure includes a transverse planar element.
8. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 6, wherein the
turf engaging structure is movable coupled to the machine so that
varying degrees of turf engagement may be implemented.
9. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 1, further
comprising a turf surface grooming device which engages the turf
surface and biases a substantial portion of the engaged turf
surface into a direction of machine travel.
10. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 9, wherein the
turf surface grooming devices includes at least one brush.
11. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 9, wherein the
turf surface grooming device is movably coupled to the machine so
that varying degrees of down force may be transferred to the turf
surface grooming device.
12. A turf maintenance machine for collecting debris elements from
a turf field having particulate turf fill material disposed
thereupon, said machine comprising: a main sweeper brush for
engaging the turf field and transporting debris elements and turf
fill material toward a debris hopper; and a filter device for
receiving the main sweeper brush transported debris elements and
the turf fill material, the filter device separating the turf fill
material from the debris elements and returning the turf fill
material to the turf field as the machine traverses the turf
field.
13. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 12, wherein the
filter device is disposed forwardly from the main sweeper brush on
the machine.
14. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 12, wherein the
filter device includes multiple filter stages.
15. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 14, wherein one
of the multiple filter stages includes a wire screen and another
one of the multiple filter stages includes an expanded metal
screen.
16. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 12, wherein the
filter device is disposed within the debris hopper.
17. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 12, further
comprising a turf engaging structure for preconditioning the turf
field prior to an engagement by the main sweeper brush.
18. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 17, wherein the
turf engaging structure includes a transverse planar element.
19. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 17, wherein the
turf engaging structure is movably coupled to the machine so that
varying degrees of turf engagement may be implemented.
20. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 12, further
comprising a turf surface grooming device which engages the turf
field and biases a substantial portion of the engaged turf field
into a direction of machine travel.
21. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 20, wherein the
turf surface grooming device includes at least one brush.
22. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 20, wherein the
turf surface grooming device is movably coupled to the machine so
that varying degrees of down force may be transferred to the turf
surface grooming device.
23. A turf maintenance machine for collecting debris elements from
a turf field having particulate turf fill material disposed
thereupon, said machine comprising: a main sweeper brush for
engaging the turf field and transporting debris elements and turf
fill material toward a debris hopper; and a turf engaging structure
disposed upon the machine forwardly relative to the main sweeper
brush, said turf engaging structure for contacting the turf field
and loosening debris elements for subsequent engagement by the main
sweeper brush.
24. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 23, wherein the
turf engaging structure includes a transverse planar element.
25. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 23, wherein the
turf engaging structure is movably coupled to the machine so that
varying degrees of turf engagement may be implemented.
26. A turf maintenance machine for collecting debris elements from
a turf field having turf fill material disposed thereupon, said
machine comprising: a main sweeper brush for engaging the turf
field and transporting debris elements and turf fill material
toward a debris hopper; and a turf surface grooming device disposed
upon the machine rearwardly relative to the main sweeper brush,
said turf surface grooming device engages the turf field and biases
a substantial portion of the engaged turf field into a direction of
machine travel.
27. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 26, wherein the
turf surface grooming device includes at least one brush.
28. A turf maintenance machine according to claim 26, wherein the
turf surface grooming device is movably coupled to the machine so
that varying degrees of down force may be transferred to the turf
surface grooming device.
29. A method of maintaining a turf field having debris elements and
fill material disposed thereupon, said method including the steps
of: providing a machine having a main sweeper brush, a filter
device, and a hopper; traversing upon the turf field with the
machine; engaging the turf field with the main sweeper brush to
transport debris elements and turf fill material toward the debris
hopper; receiving the sweeper transported debris elements and the
turf fill material at the filter device, the filter device
separating the turf fill material from the debris elements; and
returning the turf fill material from the filter device to the turf
field as the machine traverses the turf field.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of:
preconditioning the turf surface by a turf engagement structure
disposed upon the machine in front of the main sweeper brush, said
turf engagement structure loosening a debris element from the turf
field prior to transport of said loosened debris by the main
sweeper brush.
31. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of: grooming
the turf surface by a turf grooming device disposed upon the
machine behind the main sweeper brush, said turf grooming device
biasing a substantial portion of the turf field into the direction
of machine travel.
32. A method of maintaining a turf field having debris elements and
fill material disposed thereupon, said method including the steps
of: providing a machine having a main sweeper brush, a filter
device, and a hopper; traversing upon the turf field with the
machine; engaging the turf field with the main sweeper brush to
transport debris elements and turf fill material toward the debris
hopper; separating the sweeper transported debris elements and the
turf fill material at the filter device; and returning the
separated turf fill material from the filter device to the turf
field as the machine traverses the turf field.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of:
preconditioning the turf surface by a turf engagement structure
disposed upon the machine in front of the main sweeper brush, said
turf engagement structure loosening a debris element from the turf
field prior to transport of said loosened debris by the main
sweeper brush.
34. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of: grooming
the turf surface by a turf grooming device disposed upon the
machine behind the main sweeper brush, said turf grooming device
biasing a substantial portion of the turf field into the direction
of machine travel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to turf maintenance equipment
and more particularly to turf cleaning and grooming equipment and a
method of removing debris from turf. Yet more particularly the
present invention relates to a novel artificial turf debris
collection machine suitable for use on artificial turf having loose
turf fill material, the machine for selectively removing debris
elements from the artificial turf surface while returning captured
turf fill material to the turf surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Synthetic or "artificial" grass turf has been developed in
order to reduce the expenses of maintaining athletic playing areas,
and to increase the durability of the turf surface. Synthetic turf
generally involves a carpet-like pile fabric with a flexible
backing laid on a compacted substrate, such as crushed stone or
other stabilized base material. The pile fabric has upstanding
synthetic ribbons representing grass blades extending upwardly from
the top surface of the backing. Various formulations for granular
resilient fill have been developed, the turf fill material being
placed between the upstanding ribbons on the upper surface of the
backing. Some prior art systems involve the use of sand or crushed
slag particles, together with a resilient foam backing or crumb
rubber particles to provide resilience. One such synthetic turf
assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,527, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0003] Efficient removal of debris, such as dust, food elements,
papers, etc. from the surface of an artificial grass turf surface
is desired. The debris may include various sized elements, from
dust and small seeds, etc. to larger drink cups and other litter. A
typical vacuum-based sweeper machine, such as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,659,921, is capable of removing debris from the turf
surface. However, such a vacuum sweeper machine would also capture
some of the loose particulate infill material from the synthetic
grass turf. Replacement of an equal amount of the removed infill
material would subsequently be required.
[0004] Additionally, some debris found on the artificial turf
surface may be somewhat buried beneath the surface and otherwise
held by fibers of the turf pile. The sweeping brush of a known
sweeping machine may have difficulty dislodging buried or held
debris for capture. It would be desirable to pre-condition the turf
to dislodge debris within the turf allowing the sweeping brush to
engage and throw the debris from the turf surface toward a debris
hopper.
[0005] Furthermore, the appearance of synthetic turf surfaces may
be changed, in a manner similar to carpet surfaces, by altering the
nap or directionality of the turf pile. It would be desirable to
provide a uniform directionality to swaths of the turf surface as
the maintenance machine traverses the surface. An efficient method
of grooming the turf pile nap would thus be desired.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] The present invention teaches, enables and discloses an
artificial turf surface maintenance machine and a method of
removing debris from an artificial turf surface having turf fill
material disposed therewithin. Such a machine may be a self-powered
machine capable of transport across the turf surface. Elements of a
turf surface maintenance machine according to the present invention
include a sweeping brush for engaging debris upon the turf surface
and for conveying the debris and some of the turf fill material
toward a hopper, and a coarse hopper filter for capturing the
debris while permitting the collected loose turf fill material to
pass and be deposited back onto the turf surface.
[0007] A further aspect of the improved turf machine provides a
turf surface preconditioning device for engaging the turf and
loosening debris from the turf. The turf surface preconditioning
device may be a transverse turf engaging element disposed upon the
front of the turf machine. The turf surface preconditioning device
may be selectively controlled to vary the amount of engagement of
the element with the turf.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the improved turf machine includes a
turf surface grooming device for engaging the turf and biasing the
turf pile into a predetermined groomed orientation. The turf
surface grooming device may include one or more rear mounted brush
elements which engage the turf.
[0009] These and other objects, features and advantages will become
apparent in light of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments in connection with the drawings. Those
skilled in the relevant art will readily appreciate that these
drawings and embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended
to limit the true spirit and scope of the invention disclosed,
taught and enabled herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in
detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of an exemplary
self-propelled surface maintenance vehicle employing an embodiment
of the turf equipment according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary self-propelled
surface maintenance machine employing an embodiment of the turf
equipment according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevational side view a portion of the machine
of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective assembly drawing of a turf
engagement structure according to present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective assembly drawing of a
debris hopper structure according to present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective assembly drawing of a turf
grooming structure according to present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] In FIG. 1 a sweeping machine 100 incorporating aspects of
the present invention is indicated to have a body indicated
generally at 10 and driving wheels 12 and 14. As is conventional in
sweeping machines of this type there may be two forward driving
wheels and a single rear wheel, although the invention should not
be so limited. There is a rotatable brush 16 which extends
transversely across the body of the machine and as illustrated by
the arrow 18 will be rotated in a clockwise direction to direct
dust and debris forwardly into a debris collection chamber or
hopper indicated generally at 20. There is a ramp 22 which defines
the entrance to the debris chamber 20, with the debris chamber
being forward of the brush 16 as is customary in forward throw
sweeping machines. Positioned above and slightly forward of the
debris chamber 20 is a dust collection chamber 24 having a filter
assembly 26 therein, with the filter assembly 26 having a movable
shaker 28 mounted thereon. Further details of the sweeper may be
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,303,448 and 5,659,921, the disclosure of
each expressly incorporated by reference herein.
[0018] In FIGS. 2 and 3, another embodiment of a walk-behind turf
sweeper incorporating aspects of the present invention is
indicated. Additional aspects of the sweeper may be shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,884,353, the disclosure expressly incorporated by
reference herein. Like element numerals depict similar elements
throughout the drawings.
[0019] The machine 100 of FIG. 1 shown disposed upon a turf surface
30. Turf surface 30 is an assembly including a plurality of
upstanding synthetic fibers or ribbons 32 representing grass
blades, and a turf fill material 34 of particulate matter disposed
interstitially between the upstanding ribbons 32. The turf fill
material 34 may include sand and rubber particles or granules. The
infill material 34 serves to provide a degree of cushion or
resiliency to the turf surface 30. Debris of the turf surface 30 is
generally indicated as numeral 36, though the debris 36 may include
elements of various size, shape, texture, and material. Turf
surface 30 may also include a natural turf surface of grass having
a sand-based or other turf fill material.
[0020] Above and to the rear of the dust collection chamber 24 is a
vacuum fan indicated diagrammatically at 42, with the vacuum fan
creating an air flow path indicated by the series of arrows
designated at 44. The air flow includes entrained debris 36 and
turf fill material 34. The air flow path begins directly adjacent
the forward throwing sweeping brush 16, passes through the debris
chamber 20, then through a series of baffles 46 into the dust
collection chamber 24. The air flow path then passes through the
filter 26 and exhausts from the vacuum fan as indicated by the
arrow 48. The described dust collection path is conventional in
sweeping machines of this type.
[0021] Disposed within the debris chamber 20 are filters 50, 52 for
capturing debris 36 from the air stream while permitting
air-entrained turf fill material 34 to pass through and be directed
back toward the surface of the turf 30. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
the filters 50, 52 may be secured within the hopper body 20. The
filters 50, 52 may include a plurality of screens having different
apertures for capturing different sized debris. In the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6, the filters 50, 52 include an
upper filter 50 and a lower filter 52 each of which are in
generally horizontal and parallel alignment relative to the turf
surface 30. Alternative orientations of filters 50, 52 may also be
practicable. A filter shaker (not illustrated) may also be utilized
to facilitate the entrained material filter process. The filters
50, 52 may include wire screen elements, perforated metal plates,
or expanded metal screen materials. Alternative filtering devices
may also be utilized provided that the devices permit the passage
of the turf fill material 34 while capturing debris 36 from the
turf surface 30. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 through
6, a wire screen having a mesh size of 5.times.0.047 inch has found
particular utility for the lower filter 52. The upper filter 50
includes a slightly larger aperture size compared to the lower
filter 52 to capture larger debris elements 36 and prevent the
smaller apertures of the lower filter 52 from becoming clogged with
debris 36.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the machine 100 further includes
a turf engaging structure 60 disposed forwardly from the sweeping
brush 16 for preconditioning the turf. The structure 60 engages the
turf and facilitates loosening of debris 36 from the turf. During
turf engagement by the structure 60, some debris 36 may be ejected
from the turf surface 30 and directed rearwardly toward the brush
16. Other debris may be lifted or loosened from the turf surface 30
by the turf engaging structure 60 and be subsequently removed from
the turf by the brush 16. The turf engaging structure 60 includes a
generally planar turf engaging element 62 which may be selectively
adjusted to vary the contact between the element 62 and the turf
30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the turf engaging structure 60
includes a pair of frame elements 64 rigidly coupled to the machine
100, a movable carriage 66 disposed between the frame elements 64,
and a turf engaging element 62 coupled to the movable carriage 66.
The movable carriage 66 is pivotable with respect to the machine
100 along pivot axis 70. The movable carriage 66 may be selectively
positioned relative to the machine 100 by selectively coupling the
movable carriage 66 to the frame elements 64 via one of a series of
alignment apertures 72 of the movable carriage 66. The turf
engaging plate element 62 is coupled to the movable carriage 66 by
threaded fasteners and a plate retainer 74. A bumper 76 is further
provided upon the turf engaging structure 60. The turf engaging
element 62, illustrated as a single planar element, may assume
alternative configurations, including but not limited to multiple
plate elements in both transverse and longitudinal application,
diverse edge configurations, and different materials including
static electricity reducing compositions.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, an improved turf machine 100
includes a turf surface grooming device 80 for engaging the turf
and biasing the turf pile into a predetermined groomed orientation
(into the direction of machine travel). The turf surface grooming
device 80 may include one or more brush elements, which may be
powered or stationary brushes (relative to the machine 100). The
turf surface grooming device 80 may also include a towed structure,
including mesh or screen elements (not shown), for biasing the turf
pile. In a preferred embodiment, the turf surface grooming device
80 is a stationary brush structure movably coupled to the rear of
the machine 100. The turf surface grooming device 80 may include a
plurality of rear mounted brush elements 82 which engage the turf
pile and provide a directional nap to the engaged turf swath. The
brush elements 82 are movably coupled to the machine 100 via an
attachment structure 84. The attachment structure 84 may be
controlled via linkages 86 to vary the amount of down force
transferred to the brush elements 82. Alternative attachment
structures 84 would be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant
arts.
[0024] In operation, the machine 100 traverses the debris littered
turf surface 30 under control of an operator. During movement of
the machine, the turf surface 30 is initially engaged by the turf
engaging device 60, which preconditions the turf surface 30 by
lifting and/or loosening debris 36 upon the turf. The degree of
turf engagement may be varied (depending on the turf type, debris
type, or other conditions) by manipulating the relative position of
the turf engaging element 62 relative to the machine 100. The turf
surface 30 is next engaged by sweeping brush 16 which contacts and
throws the debris 36 and some turf fill material 34 forwardly and
upwardly into the hopper 20. The sweeping brush 16 preferably
engages only the top portion of the turf surface 30, i.e., a
relatively light sweep is required to contact and throw debris from
the turf. The mixture of debris 36 and turf fill material 34 is
processed by the filters 50, 52, which capture larger elements of
debris 36 while permitting the passage of the turf fill material 34
back onto the turf surface 30, shown generally as numeral 90. The
turf surface 30 is finally engaged by the grooming device brushes
82 which bias some substantial portion of the turf pile into the
direction of movement, the groomed turf shown generally as numeral
92. The result of the grooming device 82 is to improve the
aesthetic of the turf surface 30, e.g. to provide a "just mowed"
look to the turf surface 30.
[0025] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art upon reflection on the teaching,
written disclosure and illustrations herein. The invention in its
broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details,
representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and
described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's
general inventive concept.
* * * * *