U.S. patent application number 11/584004 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for rear end finisher and method of smoothing an outdoor surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOMAG GmbH. Invention is credited to Peter Erdmann, Hans-Werner Kuerten, Niels Laugwitz.
Application Number | 20070089324 11/584004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37677588 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070089324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuerten; Hans-Werner ; et
al. |
April 26, 2007 |
Rear end finisher and method of smoothing an outdoor surface
Abstract
The present invention relates to a rear finisher for smoothing
an outer surface, which is attached in the forward direction behind
a device for outdoor preparation and particularly for snow piste
preparation. In order to allow a uniform appearance of the piste
surface, the rear finisher has a guide device, which is applied so
that the material to be prepared is guided in front of the bottom
of the rear finisher and subsequently smoothed thereby.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for
smoothing an outdoor surface, in which the outer surface to be
smoothed is smoothed by two different oscillating means guided one
after another on the outdoor surface.
Inventors: |
Kuerten; Hans-Werner;
(Goedenroth, DE) ; Erdmann; Peter; (Emmelshausen,
DE) ; Laugwitz; Niels; (Koblenz, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
WASHINGTON SQUARE, SUITE 1100
1050 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5304
US
|
Assignee: |
BOMAG GmbH
|
Family ID: |
37677588 |
Appl. No.: |
11/584004 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/219 |
International
Class: |
E01H 4/00 20060101
E01H004/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2005 |
DE |
102005050629.1 |
Claims
1. A rear finisher for smoothing an outer surface, which is
attached as an auxiliary device in the forward. direction behind a
device for outdoor preparation, particularly behind a device for
snow piste preparation, comprising: a guide device along a front
side of the finisher, which is placed so that the material to be
prepared is guided in front of the bottom of the rear finisher.
2. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the guide device
is a guide plate.
3. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the guide device
has a catch strip.
4. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the rear
finisher is elastically connected to the device for outdoor
preparation.
5. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the rear
finisher is mounted on the device for outdoor preparation so it is
capable of oscillation.
6. The rear finisher according to claim 5, wherein the mounting
capable of oscillation has a spring element.
7. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the device for
outdoor preparation connected to the rear finisher is a vibration
plate.
8. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the vibrations
of the vibration plate are transmitted to the rear finisher by
support elements.
9. The rear finisher according to claim 1, wherein the rear
finisher has means, which apply vibrations to the rear finisher
independently of the device for outdoor preparation.
10. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the
oscillations of the vibration plate are transmitted damped to the
rear finisher.
11. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the oscillation
behavior of the rear finisher is set by ballasting.
12. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the oscillation
behavior of the rear finisher is set by tuning the mounting capable
of oscillation.
13. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the mounting
capable of oscillation is selected so that the rear finisher
oscillates in its natural frequency.
14. The rear finisher according to claim 7, wherein the ballasting
is selected so that the rear finisher oscillates in its natural
frequency.
15. A method for smoothing an outer surface, comprising: smoothing
the outdoor surface to be smoothed using two different oscillating
means guided one after another on the outdoor surface.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a rear finisher for
smoothing an outdoor surface, which is attached in the forward
direction behind a device for outdoor preparation, particularly
behind a device for snow piste preparation. Furthermore, the
present invention relates to a method for smoothing an outdoor
surface.
[0002] Outdoor surfaces for sport and recreation uses, for example,
beach strips and ski pistes, are prepared by special devices. The
term preparation is understood to include work such as loosening,
compacting, screening, turning over, etc., of outdoor material.
This work is typically made possible by devices such as mowers,
rollers, vibrating plates. etc., which are moved for this purpose
over the outdoor surface to be prepared. A homogeneous appearance
of the prepared outdoor surface is desired. High requirements arc
placed on ski pistes in this context in particular, to ensure the
safety of the skiers through a uniform piste surface, for example.
Therefore, a smoothing unit is typically situated behind the device
for outdoor preparation, also referred to in short in the following
as a VGP. The term "smooth surface" refers in this case both to
planar outdoor surfaces and also the outdoor surfaces provided with
regular profiles which are typical in this context. A device
composite made of VGP and downstream smoothing unit, disclosed,
inter alia, in DE 29600905 U1, is attached behind a tractor in the
travel direction and moved over the outdoor surface. In particular,
rolls and mats are used for smoothing the outdoor surface. The
smoothing unit, referred to in the following as a rear finisher,
directly adjoins the VGP.
[0003] Tractors and crawler vehicles are used to move the VGPs over
the outdoor surface, for example. The traveling tractors fling
significant quantities of the outdoor material to be prepared to
the rear onto the top of the device composite made of VGP and rear
finisher or over it as they move forward, however, and this
material lies loosely on the freshly prepared outdoor surface. This
effect is problematic in the preparation of snow pistes,
cross-country skiing course, fun parks, etc. in particular, since
the piste surface, which is accordingly implemented unevenly,
represents a significant risk of accidents for the skiers.
[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the object of
specifying a rear finisher which improves the uniform and reliable
smoothing of an outdoor surface. In addition, it is an object of
the present invention to specify a method for smoothing an outdoor
surface.
[0005] The objects are achieved by a rear finisher and a method for
smoothing an outdoor surface according to the independent claims.
Advantageous refinements are described in the dependent claims.
[0006] According to the present invention, guide devices are
attached to the rear finisher, which receive the outdoor material
pieces thrown up by the tractor and/or fallen off of the rear of
the VGP and guide them in front of the bottom of the rear finisher.
Guide devices of this type are, for example, grooves, channels, or
recesses.
[0007] A gap is preferably implemented between the VGP and the rear
finisher, which runs transversely to the forward direction of the
VGP and along the entire width and is delimited at the rear by a
guide plate. This gap allows thrown-up outdoor material to fall
back to the outdoor surface behind the VGP and before the guide
plate and/or to be conducted by the guide plate in front of the
bottom of the rear finisher and subsequently be incorporated by the
trailing rear finisher into the outdoor surface. Because the
thrown-up outdoor material falls back to the outdoor surface before
the rear finisher has smoothed the outdoor surface, it is ensured
that loose outdoor material pieces no longer lie behind the device
composite made of VGP and rear finisher on the outdoor surface, For
this purpose, the gap width, i.e. the minimum distance between the
VGP and the rear finisher, is dimensioned in such a way that the
outdoor material clumps do not jam between the rear finisher and
the VGP. Furthermore, the gap is implemented as V-shaped and/or
funnel-shaped by the guide plate. Through this special arrangement,
the possible capture width of the gap for catching outdoor material
is significantly increased without enlarging the distance between
the rear finisher itself and the VGP. The capture width is
expediently dimensioned in such a way that all thrown-up outdoor
material pieces arc caught.
[0008] In addition, the guide plate may be designed in such a way
that the upper edge of the guide plate projects beyond the surface
of the VGP. Through an arrangement of this type, the catching task
of the guide plate is strengthened further, since even outdoor
material pieces flung up very high impact against the guide wall
and are conducted into the gap.
[0009] In addition to a guide unit, the rear finisher also has at
least one smoothing means, preferably a compaction plate. A
compaction plate of this type extends along the gap and is slanted
diagonally downward at the rear. The compaction plate preferably
also terminates flush with the guide plate. The lateral edges of
the guide plate in the forward direction and the surface of the
outdoor run together to a point in the rear. Outdoor material
pieces falling down from the surface of the VGP may thus he engaged
by the bottom of the compaction plate during a forward movement of
the device composite, partially crushed, and continuously compacted
more and more. The rear lower edge of the compaction plate of the
rear finisher typically rests on the outdoor surface.
[0010] The rear finisher is preferably connected to the VGP.
Preferably, support elements, such as support arms, connect the
rear finisher to the VGP for the attachment of the rear finisher to
a VGP. The gap width between the guide plate and the VGP may be set
through the length of the support elements. The rear finisher is
connected to the VGP via at least one, preferably two or more such
support elements. A connection of the rear finisher to the VGP via
two or more support elements of this type has the advantage that
lateral wobbling of the rear finisher in the forward direction is
prevented. This effect may be reinforced if at least two support
elements are situated diametrically opposite, one in each of the
two lateral boundary areas of the rear finisher. In addition, it is
advantageous to connect the rear finisher elastically to the VGP.
The rear finisher is guided more evenly along the outdoor surface
by an elastic or spring-loaded connection, so that a significantly
more uniform appearance of the outdoor surface may be produced.
Suitable spring elements may be coiled springs or rubber disks, for
example, which are preferably positioned between the carrier
element and retention means attached to the rear finisher.
[0011] The rear finisher according to the present invention is
particularly provided for combination with a vibration plate
according to WO 2004/053232 A1 as the VGP for care and preparation
of snow pistes. A vibration-transmitting connection between the
parts of the vibration plate set into oscillation by the vibration
exciter and the rear finisher is advantageous in particular for the
configuration described. This special embodiment allows the rear
finisher to be set into oscillation intentionally using these
vibrations, without a separate vibration exciter being necessary
for the rear finisher.
[0012] In addition to undamped relaying of the vibrations of the
vibration plate to the rear finisher, damped transmission of
vibrations from the vibration plate to the rear finisher is also
possible. The targeted use and modification of the spring elements
already cited suggests itself in particular for this purpose.
Through a systematic variation of the physical characteristics of
the means responsible for the oscillating mounting of the rear
finisher on the vibration plate, such as the elasticity of the
spring elements, the vibrations resulting on the rear finisher may
be regulated and/or tailored to the vibrations of the vibration
plate and, inter alia, set for the particular outdoor
substrate.
[0013] It is also possible to provide the rear finisher with means
which apply vibrations to the rear finisher independently of the
VGP. This is particularly advantageous when the VGP is a device
which does not vibrate itself. For this purpose, all typical
configurations are suitable for vibration excitation in principle,
such as eccentric vibration exciters. The vibration-generating
means may be operated by suitable autonomous drive devices on the
rear finisher itself, or may be connected via corresponding
connections to drive devices of the VGP or the tractor.
[0014] It is additionally possible to control the oscillation
relationship between the vibration plate and the rear finisher
through ballasting elements, which are attached to the vibration
plate and/or the rear finisher. Any typical means such as weights,
bulk good units, liquids, etc. are suitable for this purpose as
ballasting means. Furthermore, special devices may be provided on
the rear finisher, such as holes, troughs, rails, boxes, etc.,
which are used for receiving and/or attaching the ballasting
elements.
[0015] In addition, the ballasting and/or the mounting capable of
oscillation may be selected in such a way that the rear finisher
oscillates in its natural frequency. In this case, the vibrating
rear finisher reaches its maximum amplitude, through which the
surface action of the bottom of the rear finisher may be
significantly increased. The oscillation behavior of the rear
finisher may thus be influenced and regulated via a characteristic
of the mounting capable of oscillation, the spring elements, and/or
the ballasting of rear finisher and/or vibration plate.
[0016] The rear finisher is preferably attached pivotably to the
VGP, in such a way that the rear finisher may be folded down or up
as needed. It is thus possible to operate the VGP without
subsequent smoothing of the outdoor surface by the rear finisher
for the case in which the rear finisher is folded up. In the
folded-down position of the rear finisher, in contrast, the rear
finisher is drawn behind the VGP over the outdoor surface and
finally causes a reliable and uniform smoothing. Folding the rear
finisher up and down may be performed manually for this purpose, or
may also be mediated via hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical aids.
Furthermore, joints may be attached to the support elements to
allow the pivotability of the rear finisher in relation to the
VGP.
[0017] In order to enlarge the pivot radius of a rear finisher of
this type having a height-extending guide plate, in addition, the
upper part of an extending guide plate, also referred to as a catch
strip in the following, may be folded forward or to the rear,
through which an area of the guide plate angled to the rear and/or
to the VGP is formed. The catch strip is typically at least
parallel to the outdoor surface in the folded-down state of the
rear finisher, but expediently and preferably situated running
diagonally downward toward the gap, so that the outdoor material
components incident on the catch strip in the forward direction of
the VGP are guided by the catch strip toward the gap and fall
therein. This configuration has the advantage that the pivot radius
of the rear finisher is not restricted by the catch strip. The
catch area of the catch strip may thus be varied by the variation
of the angle of inclination between catch strip and guide plate and
tailored to the particular requirements. Comparably to the
extending guide plate already cited, the inclined catch strip also
allows an enlargement of the catch area of flung-up outdoor
material components. A catch strip of this type may also be
connected as a separate component to the guide plate in a typical
way, such as welding, screwing, bolting gluing, etc. Furthermore,
it is possible to provide an optional catch strip which may be
plugged or pushed onto the rear finisher.
[0018] The VGP carrying the rear finisher may typically be lifted
by the tractor to allow transport over outdoor surfaces which are
not to be prepared, for example. In this case, it is desirable that
the rear finisher also no longer has contact to the outdoor surface
and/or does not have to be folded up separately each time. For this
purpose, pivot limiters are attached to the rear finisher and
preferably to the support elements, which limit uncontrolled
folding down of the rear finisher.
[0019] The operating efficiency of the VGP is typically increased
by a lateral array of multiple VGPs, which are drawn together by a
tractor. Because of the construction, flaws arise in the travel
direction between the individual VGPs, which interfere with a
homogeneous appearance of the outdoor surface. It has therefore
been shown to be advantageous to attach the individual rear
finishers offset to the VGPs and/or to vary the operating width of
the rear finishers, i.e., the width of the area running
transversely to the forward direction within which the outdoor
surface is processed, in comparison to the operating width of the
VGPs. It suggests itself that the total operating width, i.e., the
sum of the individual operating widths, of the rear finisher be at
least precisely as large as the total operating width of the VGPs.
The presence of a continuous operating area of the rear finisher in
the area of a flaw is decisive for the configuration. The flaws
resulting between the individual VGPs are thus passed over and
smoothed by a continuous face of the particular corresponding rear
finisher. Typically, two vibration plates are provided with a total
of three rear finishers for this purpose, so that the middle rear
finisher engages and equalizes the flaws resulting between the two
vibration plates. For this purpose, of course, other possible
configurations and combinations are also possible. Thus, for
example, a single rear finisher may alternatively be attached over
the entire operating width of the VGPs.
[0020] Depending on the equipment of the rear finisher, the
compaction plate, the guide plate, the catch strip, and the support
strip of the rear finisher are especially preferably produced from
a single part by bending a metal sheet, for example. In addition to
the especially cost-effective production of a rear finisher of this
type, additional connection points between individual plates and
strips, such as weld seams or screws, may thus be dispensed
with.
[0021] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for
smoothing an outdoor surface, in which the outdoor surface to be
smoothed is produced by two differently oscillating means guided
one behind another on the outdoor surface.
[0022] In the following, the present invention is explained further
on the basis of two exemplary embodiments illustrated in
figures.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a folded-down rear finisher having a profiled
metal strip on a vibration plate (diagonal view from rear)
according to a first embodiment,
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a folded-up rear finisher having an elastomer
mat on a vibration plate (diagonal view from rear) according to a
second embodiment, and
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the folded-up rear finisher from FIG. 2 having
an elastomer mat on a vibration plate (diagonal view from
front).
[0026] The first rear finisher 1 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a
vibration plate 2, which is particularly provided for preparing
snow pistes, cross-country skiing courses, fun parks. etc. For this
purpose, the vibration plate 2 is connected to a tractor (not shown
here), typically a snow groomer, via the mounting 3 to the rear of
the snow groomer and is drawn thereby over the snow surface to be
prepared. The arrow indicates the forward direction. In the
embodiment shown, the top of the vibration plate 2 is closed by
cover sheets and/or a cap. Furthermore, a laterally extending guide
gap 4, implemented like a funnel, is provided between the rear
finisher 1 attached transversely to the forward direction and the
vibration plate 2, which extends from the upper edge of the rear
finisher 1 downward to the outdoor surface. Outdoor material may
fall down from the top to the bottom through this guide gap 4.
[0027] Basically, the rear finisher 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises
four adjoining functional areas. The guide device of the rear
finisher 1 is the guide plate 5 running transversely to the forward
direction in the embodiment shown. The guide plate 5 guides outdoor
material in front of the rear finisher 1 to the outdoor surface, so
that the outdoor material may subsequently be engaged by the bottom
of the rear finisher 1. The guide plate 5 of the rear finisher 1 is
preferably situated in relation to the rear wall of the vibration
plate 2 in such a way that the guide gap 4 is implemented in a
funnel-shape or V-shape horizontally transversely to the forward
direction.
[0028] In order to further enlarge the catch area of the rear
finisher 1, the first rear finisher 1 has a catch plate 6 running
along the upper edge of the guide plate 5, which significantly
increases the efficiency of the rear finisher 1. Thus, outdoor
material pieces which jump away to the rear from the top 7 of the
vibration plate 2 or are thrown up relatively high by a tractor
impact against the catch strip 6 situated in the upper area of the
rear finisher 1. In order that the outdoor material pieces caught
by the catch strip 6 in the forward direction reach the guide gap
4, the catch strip 6 is inclined downward toward the guide gap 4
and terminates flush with the upper edge of the guide plate 5.
[0029] A compaction plate 8 adjoins the bottom edge of the guide
plate 5 toward the snow piste surface, which drops downward to the
rear to the snow piste surface, so that the snow piste surface and
the compaction plate 8 run together to the rear and/or the vertical
distance between the bottom of the compaction plate 8 and the snow
piste surface is reduced opposite to the forward direction. It is
thus ensured that even coarser outdoor material pieces such as ice
clumps do not remain continuously in the guide gap 4 and roll
therein along the snow piste surface, but rather may be engaged by
the bottom of the compaction plate 8. These clumps are subsequently
squeezed further and crushed and finally essentially incorporated
uniformly into the snow piste surface by the reduction of the
vertical distance. The compaction plate 8 thus has the object, in
addition to the compacting and smoothing function, of crushing
large outdoor material pieces by squeezing and/or rubbing.
[0030] In order to increase the resistance ability of a snow piste
surface, a profile is typically incorporated into the snow piste
surface. To attach profiling means of this type, the rear finisher
1 has a support strip 9, which adjoins the compaction plate 8 to
the rear. The profiled metal strip 10 is attached to the support
strip 9 of the first rear finisher 1 for this purpose in FIG. 1,
while in FIGS. 2 and 3, in contrast, a second embodiment of the
rear finisher 1' has a profiled elastomer mat 11 on the rear
finisher 1.
[0031] The support elements 12 are attached to the rear finisher 1
shown in FIG. 1 to fasten the first rear finisher 1 to the
vibration plate 2, each two parallel support elements, which are
situated congruent to one another in the forward direction, forming
a fastening unit and the rear finisher 1 from FIG. 1 being
connected to the vibration plate 2 via two such fastening units.
The two support elements 12 are connected at their end at the
vibration plate via a joint 13 to the vibration plate 2, which
allows the rear finisher 1 to be folded up and down on the
vibration plate 2. Furthermore, the support elements have
extensions in the direction of the vibration plate 2, which extend
beyond the joint 13 and stop at a rear, horizontally running edge.
The stop 17 on the vibration plate the limits the pivot radius of
the rear finisher.
[0032] Furthermore, in FIG. 1 the support elements 12 are connected
to the rear finisher 1 via rotationally-elastic disk-shaped spring
elements 14, which are attached via two connection screws to
retention means 15 located on the rear finisher 1. The spring
elements 14 comprise rubber disks in this embodiment. Two retention
means 15 are provided for each fastening unit on the rear finisher
1. A spring element 14 is attached to each retention element 15, in
such a way that the area of the disk-shaped spring elements 14 runs
in the forward direction and the rubber disks are situated
coaxially to one another. A retention means 15 is attached via two
connection elements in each case to the outwardly facing circular
faces of the spring elements 14, which are situated on straight
lines running through a center point of the circular face. In
contrast, the support elements 12 are attached to the two circular
faces of the spring elements 14 facing toward one another, the
connection screws of the support elements 12 being situated
radially offset to the connection screws of the retention means 15,
so that the spring elements 14 may transmit torsion forces arising
to the rear finisher. The configuration of the fastening unit shown
transmits vibrations from the vibration plate 2 to the rear
finisher 1 via the support elements 12 and spring elements 14
especially well. The rear finisher 1 shown is thus mounted on the
vibration plate 2 so it is capable of oscillation.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a detail of an intended device composite made
of rear finisher 1 and vibration plate 2. In the exemplary
embodiment shown of the rear finisher 1, two vibration plates 2 are
situated laterally neighboring one another. In FIG. 1, only one of
the two vibration plates 2 is shown in each case for the sake of
clarity. Only the lateral side wall 2' of the neighboring vibration
plate is indicated. In addition, a total of three rear finishers 1
according to the present invention are attached laterally
neighboring one another in the forward direction to the two
vibration plates 2, of which only one rear finisher 1, the one
lying outside on the right in the forward direction, again being
shown in FIG. 1. The vibration plates 2 and the rear finisher 1
have their dimensions designed so that the total operating width of
the vibration plates 2 running transversely to the forward
direction essentially corresponds to the total operating width of
the rear finishers 1 running parallel thereto. Thus, for the
embodiment shown, the operating width of a single vibration plate
is greater than the operating width of a single rear finisher.
[0034] The "middle" rear finisher (not shown), which adjoins the
rear finisher 1 shown on the left in the forward direction, is
therefore attached to the two vibration plates 2 and passes over
and smoothes the flaw on the snow surface resulting because of the
gap 16 between the two vibration plates 2 required by the
construction.
[0035] The second rear finisher 1' shown in the folded-opposition
on the vibration plate 2 in FIG. 2 has an elastomer mat 11, in
contrast to the embodiment of the rear finisher 1 from FIG. 1. In
this position, the vibration plate 2 may be used for piste
preparation without rear finisher, without the rear finisher 1'
previously having to be dismounted. To fold up the rear finisher 1'
on the vibration plate 2, levers 18 having springs for inclination
setting are provided in the embodiment shown.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the rear finisher 1' shown in FIG. 2 in a
diagonal view from the front. In order to prevent damage to the
rear of the vibration plate 2 and/or to elements of the rear
finisher 1' as the rear finisher 1' is folded up, a stopper 19
attached in the middle of the metal strip is provided in the
embodiment shown, which stops on the vibration plate 2 as the rear
finisher 1' is raised. An alternative construction of the fastening
units to FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The two support elements
12 of a fastening unit each engage around the lateral outsides of
the retention means 15 running vertically in the forward direction
on the rear finisher 1'. Furthermore, a screw, which runs
horizontally through the retention means 15 and the two support
elements 12, is provided for connection to the retention means 15
of the rear finisher 1'.
* * * * *