AU612811B2 - Apparatus for use in field management - Google Patents

Description

A7TSTRALIA 12811 Patent Act CO0M PL ET E S P EC I F I C ATIO 0N

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: 9* .5 5 4.99 a. S S SO 9* eS 5* S 9 0 9 0* 9.

0 0

S*.

SO

0 9*e 590050

S

S

4 APPLICANT'S REFt CA680771/004 Name(s) of Applicant(s): IAN NORMAN CROSSMAN Address(es) of Applicant(s): 275 Konini Road, Titirangi, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Our Address for service is: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street MELBOURNE, Australia 3000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: APPARATUS FOR USE IN FIELD MANAGEMENT The following statement irk a full description of this i~nvention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant.(s): 0804H ,1 -2 This invention relates to improvements in the maintenance of soil surfaces, such as sport fields and the like, and more particularly to apparatus suitable for use in maintenance of soil surfaces.

Problems are often encountered in the maintenance of grass surfaces and in particular with the surfaces of sport fields and the like. One problem encountered, especially in areas or during periods of relatively high rain fall is that of excess surface moisture. Particularly during the winter months, the amount of moisture falling on the surface is often greater than the amount of moisture removed by evaporation or transpiration. The result is often an accumulation of bodies of water on the surface of the field. In many instances surfaces of sport fields and the like are uneven, with depressions in some areas. Water tends to accumulate in such depressions and also in small holes, for example formed by sprigs and the like. The accumulation of water in these areas produces "soft spots" which are particularly prone to wear and tear during use. Such wear and tear can aggrevate the situation and increase the size of problem 15 areas. Excess moisture may be removed by several methods, One is lateral movement a across the surface. Another is vertical infiltration into the soil itself, which must be followed by lateral movement through the soil. In practice surfaces of sports fields ~should be designed so as to facilitate the flow of excess moisture from the surface or to encourage a relatively high rate of surface infiltration. One method which may be employed Is surface shedding, wherein a surface is raised in the middle section and sloped downwardly to the sides. This is not always practical, expecialhy where flat surfaces are required. Flat surfaces may be required in for example, surfaces used in lawn bowls and the like. If a method involving increasing surface infiltration rate is to be employed, some means of increasing the rate of infiltration over the natural rate may need to be empioyed. The use of sand channels is one preferred method which may be used. This Involves providing channels in the surface which are filled with sand or some other appropriate material.

rruLjira UKIMUVUNDI FITZPAWRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia -3- These channels may be provided at intervals across the surface of a field. The sand or other material assists by absorbing at least some of the excess moisture.

However, previoulsy available ways of employing this method has been time consuming and expensive.

It is an object therefore of one aspect of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in forming and filling channels in a soil surface with an appropriate material, which goes someway toward overcoming or at least minimising the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful alterative.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for fforming one or more channels in a soil surface and filling the same with appropriate too: material; comprising forward cutting and, soil removing means capable of extending all 15 into said soil surfac-,, at least one containing means capable of containing and releasing at least one appropriate material, and at least one compacting means located substantially to the rear of said at least one containing means; the arrangement being such that in use said apparatus is moved in a direction such that said cutting and soil removing means extend into said soil surface thereby forming substantially parallel cuts S 2Q therein, and loosening and directing soil located therebetween in an upward direction

O**

away from said soil surface, so as to form a channel in said soil surface, said at least onecona"i motfra thereafter releasing a controlled amount of said material Into and/or about said channel, whereafter said at least one compacting means at least partially compacts said material within said channel.

-4- According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming one or more channels in a soil surface and filling the same with appropriate material; including the steps of forming one or more channels in said soil surface by means of apparatus comprising forward cutting and soil removing means adapted to extend outwardly and downwardly into said soil surface, at least one containing means capable of containing and releasing at least one appropriate material, and at least one compacting means located substantially to the rear of said at least one containing means; wherein said apparatus is moved in a direction such that said cutting and soil removing means extend into said soil surface, thereby forming substantially parallel cuts therein, and loosening and directing soil located therebetween in an upward direction away from said soil surface, so as to form a channel in said soil surface; and v\ *na\ n V m e a n S S thereafter said at least one container of maire leas ing a controlled amount of said material into and/or about said one or more channels, whereafter said at least one S* o compacting means at least partially compacts said material within said channel.

44 S'i. 15 Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure il shows a schematic side view of apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, in a first position.

Figure 2: shows a schematic end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, in a second position.

Figure 3: shows a schematic end view of part of the apparatus shown in Figures I and 2, in use.

Figure 4: shows a schematic side view of apparatus according to a further aspect of the present invention.

UA

'NTO,

T? Referring firstly to Figure I of the accompanying drawings, there is provided in one form of the present invention apparatus capable of forming and filling with appropriate material channels in a soil surface. The apparatus includes an elongatesupport member 1. As shown in Figure 2, said ,upport member I is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, extending substantially around or about other components of the apparatus, as will be further described hereinafter. Extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom is a substantially elongate blade member 2.

Attached to the blade member 2, and positioned forward thereof, is a pair of cutting wheels 3. Preferably said wheels are offset to avoid clogging by soil during operation.

Extending from an upper end of the blade member 2 is a portion 2a. The portion 2a extends upwardly and rearwardly from the blade member 2. Located adjacent the portion 2a is a conveying chain 4. The conveying chain 4 includes a continuous chain 6 extending around two spaced cogs 7. Preferably, the conveying chain 4 is attached to the elongate support member I.

15 There is provided a conveying means 5. The conveying means 5 comprises a continuous belt 8 extending around two spaced apart cogs 9. The conveying means further includes steps 10 to assist in the conveyance of soil away from the apparatus as will be described further hereinafter.

There is further provided a container or hopper 11, in to which soil is transferred *.20 from the portion 2a.

In addition there may b provided a screen 12 which assists in the efficient movement of soil on the portion 2a of the blade member 2.

There is also provided at least one containing means capable of containing and releasing suitable or appropriate material. In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figure 1, there is provided two containers 13, 14. Each container 13, 14 is substantially tapered towards the lower end thereo, .s can be seen in the accompanying drawings. Each container 13, 14 is connected to said support member I by means of struts

A

i 1..

-6- Preferably, each container 13, 14 extends beyond and below the support member 1, to a point which is substantially level with the upper surface 16 of the soil, when the apparatus is in the position shown in Figure 1.

There may further be provided means for controlling the flow of material outwardly from the bottom of the containers 13, 14. Such means are not shown in the accompanying drawings, but would be apparent to the skilled addressee.

There may further be provided a protrusion or extension 17 on the trailing edge of the bottom of container 13.

There is provided compacting means in the form of notched wheels 18, 19 located to the rear of containers 13, 14. Positioned to the rear of the second notched wheel 19 is a pair of brushes 20. Preferably the brushes 20 are located side-by-side and preferably each brush is angled slightly, so as to be positioned higher toward the centre see* of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 3. Preferably the brushes 20 are substantially round. To the rear of the brushes 20 may be located a compacting wheel 21. Positioned 15 about or adjacent the second container 1 4 are a pair of wheels 22. The wheels 22 are hydraulically cQ. trolled and may move in the direction indicated by the arrow A on Figure 1 as will be further described hereinafter.

1 At the forward end of the apparatus may be provided means for attaching o" i 9 S" connecting said apparatus to a suitable propulsion means. Preferably such means is in the form of a connection 23 suitable for use with standing fittings.

t! In use, the arrangement Is such that the apparatus is attached or connected to an appropriate propulsion means by use of the connection 23. This may be, for example, a tractor, truck or other suitable vehicle.

In order to transport the apparatus to the sports field or other location where it is 2 5 to be employed, the wheels 22 must be positioned as shown by the dotted lines in Figure I and is shown in Figure 2.

i -7- This is achieved by movement in the direction indicated by the arrow A. When in this position, the remainder of the apparatus will be moved in an upward direction so as to be removed from the surface 16. Thus, by adjusting the wheels 22 the apparatus can be easily towed to the desired location.

Once the apparatus has been positioned at a point where it is desired to form a sand channel, the hydraulically operated wheels 22 are moved back to the position as shown in Figure 1, which lowers the remainder of the apparatus to the level of th- soil surface 16. The apparatus is then towed in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Figure 1.

During movement in this direction, the following processes take place. The cutting wheels 3 extend at least partially into the soil surface and on movement of said apparatus form a pair of substantially parallel cuts therein. The wheeis 3 are preferably offset, so as to avoid clogging of the same during movement in the direction indicated by the arrow B.

I' 15 The blade member 2 extends into the soil surface, to a depth which will be the depth of the channel formed in said soil surface. The blade member 2 also extends Into the soil surface between the cuts formed by the cutting wheels 3. As the apparatus is moved forward, the blade member 2 at least partially loosens the soil between the cuts formed by the cutting wheels 3. In addition, the continuous chain 4 moves In the direction Indicated by the arrow C, as shown in Figure 1. This movement serves to further loosen the soil at or adjacent the upper portion of the blade member 2. This movement also directs the loosened soil along the portion 2a and into the hopper II.

Thus, the continuous chain 4 assists In removing the soil from between the cuts formed by the cutting wheels 3, and therefore assists in formation of the channel. The soil then moves up the conveying means 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow D in Figure 1.

-8 Once the soil reaches the top of the secondary conveying means 5, it falls into an appropriately positioned container 24. The container 24 may be, for example, the back of a truck or a trailer or some other appropriate container. The container 24 is not necessarily a part of the apparatus provided by this invention, and if not must be provided separately. Preferably, the container 24 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Figure 1 at the same rate at which the apparatus is moved forward.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figure 1, the first containing means 13 contains scoria while the second containing means 14 contains sand. Once the channel has been formed by the cutting wheels 3 and the blade member 2, the containing means 1 3 releases an amount of scoria into said channel. The amount of scoria released may be controlled at least partially by the protrusion 17. The protrusion I "is located on the trailing edge of the lower portion of the container 13, and as the ,apparatus is moved forward the protrusion 17 levels out the scoria which has been placed in the c 0 innel to the required level. As can be seen in Figure 1, the scoria may '5 not fill the entire channel and thus the level is determined accordingly.

Once the level has been determined by the protrusion 17, the notched wheel 18 moves over the surface of the scoria and at least partially compacts the scoria.

Next comes the container 14 which releases a controlled amount of sand. The S amount of sand released from the container 14 is at least partially controlled by the 20. lower level of the container 14. An excess of sand is preferably released, in the R) following manner.

After the sand has been placed in and about the channel, the notched compacting t wheel 19 moves over the surface of the sand, thereby at least partially compacting the sand.

Thereafter, the brushes 20 brush over the excess sand which has spilled on either side of the compacting wheel 19.

'The brushes 20 rotate by being slightly offset and drag the excess sand to form a ridge over the channel.

~lr~l The wheel 21 then moves over the ridge formed by the excess sand and forces it down into the area previously occupied by the compacting wheel 19.

Thus, a channel filled with appropriate material or materials may be formed in a soil surface using the apparatus provided by this invention.

Apparatus according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown in Figure 4. The apparatus is substantially the same as described with reference to Figures I to 3, but includes a number of modifications.

The apparatus includes an elongate support member 30 which extends substantially around and about other components of the apparatus.

Extending outwardly and downwardly from the front end thereof is a substantially elongate blade member 31. Attached to the blade member 31 and positioned forward thereof a saw arrangement 32.

The saw arrangement 32 comprises a substantially circular saw member the o. operation of which will be further described hereinafter.

e*15 Substantially adjacent and located on one side of the saw arrangement 32 is a conveying means 33. The conveying means may be in the form of a continuous chain 34 extending around spaced apart cogs 35. Preferably, the conveying means 33 is attached to the elongate support member 30. In one preferred form of the invention the conveying means 33 includes steps 36 which assists in conveyance of soil away from the apparatus, as will be further described hereinafter, As with the apparatus shown in Figures I to 3, there may be provided a container or hopper (corresponding to the container or hopper I and a screen (corresponding to the screen 12).

There is also provided at least one containing means, adapted in use to contain and release suitable or appropriate material. For example, as shown in Figure 4, there is provided a container 37. In the preferred form of the invention shown In Figure 4, the container 37 Is divided into compartments 37a and 37b. The container 37 is connected to the support member I F-y any suitable or appropriate means.

As shown in Figure 4, the container 37 extends below and beyond the support member i, to a point which is substantially level with the upper surface of soil 38, when the apparatus is in the position as shown in Figure 4.

As with the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, there may also be provided means for controlling the flow of material outwardly from the bottom of compartments 37a and 37h, Such means are not shown, but would be apparent to a skilled addressee.

At the rear of the apparatus, there is provided compacting means in the form of a notched wheel, such as for example the notched wheel 39. Positioned to the rear of the notched wheel 39 is a pair of brushes 40. In one preferred form of the invention, the brushes 40 are located side-by-side preferably each brush is angled slightly, so as to be positioned higher toward the centre of the apparatus. In one preferred form of the se:" invention, the brushes 40 are substantially round.

To the rear of the brushes 40 may be located a compacting wheel 41. There Is also provided suitable and appropriate wheels, such as for example a pair of wheels 42, which are hydraulically controlled, as described with reference to the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

It should also be appreciated that a suitable or appropriate means is provided for S* attaching or connecting the apparatus to a suitable propulsion means. Such a means Is not shown in Figure 4, but would be apparent to a skilled addressee.

In use, the apparatus shown in Figure 4 operates in a manner which Is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures I to 3. However, Instead of the

I

cutting wheels 3, the saw arrangement 32 rotates about Its axis, in the direction substantially indicated by the arrow E. Tines 43 provided on the saw arrangement 32 dig into the soil, and loosen and dislodge the same. Rotation and movement of the saw arrangement 32 also facIlltates movement of the loosened and dislodged soil onto the conveying arrangement 33.

:-i

I-

The soil is thereby moved up the conveying means 33, and into a suitable or appropriate container 44. Thus, a channel is formed within the soil, by means of the soil arrangement 32. The blade member 31 is located substantially within the channel thus formed, and serves to smooth out the surface of the channel, and remove any remaining soil particles which may require removal.

In one preferred form of the invention the soil arrangement 32 is powered by the power take-off system of a tractor. In one form of the invention the saw travels at 1000rpm in a counitrdirection to the travel over the land. In one form of the invention, suich an arrangement forces the soil up through a cowling and directs it to a trailor or other suitable container travelling along side the apparatus according to the present invention.

The container 44 may be, for example, the back of a truck or trailor or some other suitable or appropriate container. The container 44 is not necessarily a part of the apparatus provided by this invention. If not must be provided separately, S' Preferably, the container 44 moves substantially in the direction indicated by the Arrow F, as shown in Figure 4 at the same rate at which the apparatus moves in that direction.

As described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the container 37 contains appropriate material, such as for example scoria, gravel, sand and the like. The appropriate materials are released from the compartments 37a and 37b, in a manner which Is similar to that as described with reference to Figures I to 3, Similarly, the finishing off of the process is also substantially as described hereinbefore.

It is envisaged that modifications and variations to the apparatus shown In the accompanying drawings may be made without departing from the scope thereof.

i _ZI 12- For example, it is envisaged that a single containing means and compacting means may be provided or indeed, a plurality of such containing means and compacting means may be provided.

It is also envisaged that varying materials may be used to fill the channels in the soil surface where desired. For example, a single material may be used or a plurality of materials may also be used to fill the channels, depending on the particular local conditions. It is also envisaged that otner materials may be used, for example, gravel, and the like.

It is envisaged that channels of varying depth and width may be formed using apparatus provided by this invention. This may be achieved by adjusting or modifying the apparatus to the desired parameters, In one form of the invention a channel which is 300mm deep by 50mm wide is formed. Preferably, the bottom 150mm of the channel is filled with gravel and the top 150mm with coarse sand. However, as discussed above, this is by way of example only.

15 It is also envisaged that the apparatus can be used on surfaces other than soil surfaces.

In one frm of the invention, the apparatus is such that five channels may be formed at one time. Thus, It will be appreciated that the apparatus includes sufficient components that five channels can be formed and filled at one time. However, this is 20 by way of example only, and any number of channels may be formed and filled at one time, without departing from the scope of the Invention.

Thus, apparatus according to the present invention allows for channels to be formed In a soil surface, and thereafter filled with a suitable or appropriate material, in order that access water on and in the soil can be absorbed by means of the suitable or appropriate material, thus allowing for proper maintenance of the soil surface on, for example, a sports field and the ltie.

-13- Thus by this invention there is provided apparatus suitable for use in the forming and filling with suitable materials of channels in soil surfaces, in order to increase the infiltration of excess surface moisture into the soil on sports fields t he like.

It Is also envisaged that the blade member 2 may take other forms. For example, Sthe blade member 2 may be substantially curvd or angled without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also envisaged that the conveying means 5 may be an integral part of the apparatus, or alternatively may be provided separately.

It is envisaged that the apparatus provided by this invention may be formed by any suitable techniques and from any suitable materials. Such techniques and materials i1 would be apparent to a skilled addressee.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in o* the appended claims.

C

S*

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for forming one or more channels in a soil surface and filling the same with appropriate material; comprising forward cutting and soil removing means capable of extending into said soil surface, at least one containing means capable of containing and releasing at least one appropriate material, and at least one compacting means located substantially to the rear of said at least one containing means; the arrangement being su(,h that in use said apparatus is moved in a direction such that said cutting and soil removing means extend into said soil surface thereby forming substantially parallel cuts therein, and loosening and directing soil located therebetween in an upward direction away from said soil 15 surface, so as to form a channel in said soil surface, said at least one containing means thereafter releasing a controlled amount of said mate-ia into and/or about said channel, whereafter said at least one compacting means at least partially compacts said material within said channel, 20 2. Apparatus for forming one or more channels in a soil surface and filli.g the same with appropriate materials; comprising forward cutting means, soil removing means capable of extending into said soil surface, at least one containing means capable of caontaining and releasing at least one appropriate material, and at least one compacting means located substantially to the rear of said at least one containing means; the arrangement being such that in use said apparatus is moved in a direction such that said cutting means extends into said soil surface 30 thnreby forming substantially parallel cuts therein, said soil removing means extends into said soil surface between said substantially parallel cuts so as to loosen and direct soil located therebetween in an upward direction away from said soil 5urface, thereby forming a channel in said soil surface, said at least one containing means thereafter releasing a controlled i i ji j i i i ji i i. I;B i i I i i i i I 1 i i i i i I i r i i I E i J 4 amot comf

3. e l n E 5 4. corn an ot t 10 clamr CCr9 *r U CC,. C 15 cCC C C S. aC C *C mern

7. 2- wV 3 con v(

9. pro one o contz II. mean

12. conta subst opera -14- T- I amount of said material to and/or about said channel, whereafter said at least one compacting means at least partially compacts said material within said channel. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein said apparatus includes an elongate support member extending substantially therearound. 4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said forward cutting means comprises a pair of cutting wheels, Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wheels are off set relative to one another. 6. An arrangement is claimed in claim 2 or anyone of claims 3-5 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said soil removing means includes a substantially elongate blade member. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or anyone of claims 3-6 when dependent on claim 2. wherein said soil removing means Includes a convt. ,ng arrangement. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said conveying arrangement Includes a conveying chain extending around two spaced apart cogs. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided two of said containing means, each of which is adapted to contain and release 4194 one of said appropriate materials. 0 ao Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 9, wherein said i 20 containing means is connected to said support member by means of struts. II. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the prece I'ng claims, wherein said containing S means is provided with means of controlling the flow of material outwardly therefrom. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding ciaims 3 to 11, wherein said containing means extends beyond and below a support member to a point which is substantially level with an upper surface of said soil, when said apparatus is in the operating position. I

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said compacting means comprises at least one notched wheel located at the rear of said containing means. 14, Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one brush is provided at the rear of said compacting means. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one brush is in a slightly angled position, so as to be positioned higher towards the centre of said apparatus.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said forward cutting and soil removing means comprises a saw arrangement.

17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein said 15 saw arrangement comprises a substantially circular saw member.

18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein S" said saw arrangement is provided with a plurality of tines thereon. 19, An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 16 to 18, wherein said saw arrangement includes conveying means. 20, An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein said conveying means comprises a continuous chain extending S 25 around spaced apart co s.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said saw arrangement is powered by a power take off system.

22. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein said saw arrangement forces dislodged soil up through conveying 30 means and directs the same to a suitable container positioned alongside.

23. A tmthod of forming one or more channels in a soil surface and filling the same with appropriate material; including the steps of forming one or more channels in said soil surface by means of apparatus comprising forward cutting and soil removing means adapted to extend outwardly and downwardly into said soil surface, at least one containing means capable of containing and releasing t4A"4 at least one appropriate material, and at least ona 4 -16- r--X ANN compacting means located substantially to the rear of said at least one containing means; wherein said apparatus is moved in a direction such that said cutting and soil removing means extend into said soil surface, thereby forming substantially parallel cuts therein, and loosening and directing soil located therebetween in an upward direction away from said soil surface, so as to form a channel in said soil surface; and thereafter said at least one containing means releasing a controlled amount of said material into and/or about said one or more channels, whereafter said at least one compacting means at least partially compacts said material within said channel.

24. A method of forming one or more channels in a soil surface and filling the same with appropriate material, by 15 means of apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 22.

25. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the Saccompanying drawings.

26. A method according to claim 23, substantially as herein described. DATED: 13 May, 1991 S 25 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: IAN NORMAN CROSSMAN "L'y^CCL.3t ~kp, c";4 0991Z -17- .j