Device for Inserting Artificial Grass Strands into the Ground

Abstract

An apparatus for inserting artificial grass strands into the ground may be used, for example, to prepare an artificial grass surface for a sporting field. The apparatus may comprise a frame, a plurality of spools having artificial grass strands wound thereon, a rotary device having a plurality of clamps configured to hold the grass strands, a cutting device configured to cut the artificial grass strands, and an insertion device configured to insert the artificial grass strands into the ground.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inserting artificial grass strand parts in the ground, the apparatus comprising: a frame that is configured to support various parts of the apparatus; one or more spools each having at least one artificial grass strand wound thereon; a rotary device that is rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein the rotary device comprises a plurality of clamps arranged around a periphery of the rotary device when viewed in a side view, wherein a pair of the clamps, along the periphery, are configured to hold a plurality of artificial grass strand parts therebetween as the rotary device moves the pair of clamps; a cutting device configured to cut the at least one artificial grass strand from each of the one or more spools; and an insertion device that comprises a plurality of insertion pins and a corresponding actuator that is configured to insert the insertion pins into the ground, wherein the rotary device is configured to move, via rotational movement, the pair of clamps to place the artificial grass strand parts below the insertion device, and the insertion device is configured to insert the artificial grass strand parts into the ground.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform a cycle having a rotation portion and a stationary portion, wherein: during the rotation portion, the artificial grass strand parts are positioned below the insertion device; and during the stationary portion, the artificial grass strand parts are inserted in the ground by the insertion device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein during the stationary portion, a first clamp releases the artificial grass strands that are being inserted in the ground, and a second plurality of artificial grass strand parts are cut at a second clamp.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein along the periphery, the first clamp is adjacent to the second clamp.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insertion pins are located in the rotary device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of clamps is configured to hold at least 50 artificial grass strands.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of clamps is configured to hold a first end of a first artificial grass strand, and a second end of a second artificial grass strand.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of clamps comprises: a front shoe configured to hold the first end of the first artificial grass strand; a rear shoe configured to hold the second end of the second artificial grass strand; and a gap, between the front shoe and the rear shoe, to accommodate the cutting device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device is configured to move each of the plurality of clamps from a first periphery position for artificial grass strand cutting to a second periphery position for artificial grass strand part insertion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein when a clamp is in the first position for artificial grass strand cutting, the cutting device moves a blade in a first direction, wherein when a clamp is in the second peripheral position for artificial grass strand part insertion, the insertion pins move in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and second direction are perpendicular.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the rotary device, when viewed in the side view, is circular.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device comprises more than six clamps.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0084] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of an injection part of the device according to the invention.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a view obliquely from below of an injection part of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the drum and the cutting device.

[0088] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the drum and the cutting device.

[0089] FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of the drum and the cutting device.

[0090] FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 show side views of an embodiment of the drum in the various stages during the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0091] With reference to FIG. 1, the device 10 for inserting artificial grass strand parts in the ground comprises a frame 12 which is configured to support the various components of the device.

[0092] The device has tracks 20 and the drive 22 to be able to move the device over the ground 11. The device may also be provided with wheels or a skid element to achieve the same goal. The device may also be provided with a connector for attaching the device to the front or rear of another vehicle, for example a tractor. The device has a central driving part 24 which contains the tracks and the drive. The device has a front injection part 25A and a rear injection part 25B.

[0093] The device furthermore has a plurality of spools 14 with artificial grass strands wound thereon. The device may have more than 50 spools, in particular 70 to 100 spools. A larger or smaller number of spools is also possible.

[0094] The device comprises two drums 16 (indicated in FIG. 1 with reference numerals 16A, 16B) which are mounted in a rotating manner on the frame 12. The drums 16 rotate about respective, substantially horizontal rotation axes 51 (shafts) (see FIG. 4). The shafts are supported on two ends by the frame. The axes are perpendicular to the direction of movement as indicated by arrow 18. The drums are configured to receive a plurality of artificial grass strands which are unwound from the spools 14 and to rotate these artificial grass strands with the movement of the drum. The device has a front drum 16A and a rear drum 16B which are placed behind each other in order to be able to work with two drums simultaneously. The front drum 16A is placed in front of the central travelling part and the rear drum 16B is placed behind the central travelling part. The drums have a diameter between 60 cm and 150 cm.

[0095] The spools 14 are divided into two groups 26A, 26B, i.e. a front group 26A which is associated with the front drum 16A, and a rear group 26B which is associated with the rear drum 16B. The spools are mounted rotatably on stands 28 which are attached to the frame.

[0096] The front injection part 25A comprises the front drum 16A and the front group of spools 26A. These are mounted on a front frame part 30A which is mounted on the central travelling part 24 via connectors 32. Similarly, the rear injection part 25B comprises the rear drum 16B and the rear group of spools 26B mounted on a rear frame part 30B which is mounted on the central travelling part 24 via connectors 32. Both connectors have an upper fixing point 34 and a lower fixing point 35.

[0097] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the function of the injection part 25A will be explained in more detail. The front frame part 30A comprises longitudinal members 41, cross members 42 and an upwardly extending part 43 which supports the drum 16A. The frame part 30A comprises further reinforcing members 44. The stands 28 and the spools 14 are not shown in these figures. The injection part 25A comprises a cutting device 36A which is positioned near the drum 16 and the function of which will be explained later.

[0098] The injection part furthermore comprises a roller 45. This roller supports the frame.

[0099] With reference to FIG. 4 in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, the drum 16A comprises a plurality of clamps 50A, 50B, 50C, 50E, 50D and 50F. In total there are six clamps on each drum 16. The clamps are generally indicated with reference numeral 50. The drum may also have a different number of clamps, for example 4, 5, 7 or 8 clamps.

[0100] Viewed from the side, the clamps are arranged around the rotation axis 51. The clamps rotate with the drum in the direction of arrow 52. The clamps 50 are placed at mutual intervals L1 of 30-50 cm, in particular 35-45 cm apart, more particularly at a distance of 38-42 cm apart. The distance L1 determines the length of the cut artificial grass strand parts 62. The length of the artificial grass strand part 62 is still greater than L1, because the guides 58 ensure that the path followed by the artificial grass strand part is not a straight line between two clamps but is formed by three parts: [0101] 1) a part 88A between the rear shoe 51B, which holds the front end of the artificial grass strand part 62, and the guide 58 located behind this, [0102] 2) a part 88B between two guides 58, and [0103] 3) a part 88C between a front shoe 51A, which holds the rear end of an artificial grass strand part 62, and the guide 58 located in front of this.

[0104] The parts 88A, 88B, 88C are shown in FIG. 8.

[0105] For each artificial grass strand 60, the clamps hold an artificial grass strand part 62 clamped between a front clamp (in FIG. 4, this is clamp 50A) and a rear clamp (in FIG. 5, this is clamp 50B), viewed in the direction of rotation, and allow the artificial grass strand parts to rotate with the drum.

[0106] The injection part 30A furthermore comprises a feed device for feeding the series of artificial grass strands from the spools to the drum. The feed device cannot be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

[0107] The injection part 30A furthermore comprises a cutting device 36 for cutting the artificial grass strands, so that the clamped artificial grass strand parts 62 are cut loose from the rest of the respective artificial grass strand 60. The cutting device 36 has four rotating driven knives 55 which move to and fro in the direction of arrow 56 during rotation.

[0108] The injection part 30A furthermore comprises an insertion device 70 which comprises a plurality of insertion pins 72 and at least one actuator 74, wherein the actuator 74 inserts the insertion pins 72 into the ground over a certain depth. The drum 16A is configured to rotate the series of artificial grass strand parts 62 to below the insertion device 70. By the rotation of the drum, the front clamp 50Aviewed in the direction of rotationis moved underneath the insertion device. The insertion device 70 is configured to press the artificial grass strand parts 62, which are rotated to below the insertion device, into the ground. The insertion pins 72 of the insertion device 70 make contact at the underside of the drum with the artificial grass strand parts to be inserted. The insertion pins 72 are located in the drum and the drum 16A rotates around the insertion pins. The actuator 74 is outside the drum.

[0109] The insertion pins 72 may be provided with an inverted V-shape at their bottom end, in order to be able to grip the artificial grass strand parts firmly.

[0110] In side view, the drum is configured to tension at least two cut artificial grass strand parts 62 behind each other and bring these successively below the insertion device.

[0111] Strand guides 58 are positioned between the clamps 50. The strand guides 58 are mounted on the drum and rotate with the drum.

[0112] The cutting device 36 is mounted stationarily on the frame and is configured to cut the series of artificial grass strands. [0113] The drum inlet 90, where the artificial grass strands are fed into the drum, is located at the top half of the drum, more particularly at an angle 1 of 120-270 degrees from the lowest point 89 of the drum. In FIG. 5, it can be seen that al is around 175 degrees.

[0114] In the device, the artificial grass strands 60 are moved through the device in a row next to each other. Each clamp 50 is configured to clamp firmly at least 50 artificial grass strands, and for this has at least as many clamping shoes 82. Each clamp 50 may be configured to clamp at least 80 artificial grass strands. This is shown clearly in FIG. 5. The clamping shoes 82 define grooves in which the artificial grass strands are placed. The artificial grass strands 60 and also the cut parts 62 are stationary relative to the drum during rotation of the drum.

[0115] Each clamp defines at least 50 parallel tracks, and In an embodiment even at least 80 parallel tracks 83. The tracks lie next to each other and are separated from each other, wherein an artificial grass strand is fed into each track and wherein the clamp has a clamping shoe 82 for each track, for clamping the artificial grass strand in the track.

[0116] Each clamp 50 comprises a front shoe 51A and a rear shoe 51B, in particular a front shoe 51A and a rear shoe 51B for each of the at least fifty clamping shoes 82, wherein a gap 57 is defined between the front shoes 51A and the rear shoes 51B. The knives 55 of the cutting device are configured to make a cut through the artificial grass strands in the gap 57, so that the front shoe 51A holds a rear end of the cut artificial grass strand part 62 and the rear shoe holds a front end of the artificial grass strand 60.

[0117] The clamps 50 are pre-tensioned by at least one spring force element 59. The clamps are connected together by a bar so that all clamps are activated and deactivated simultaneously. The artificial grass strands 60 are automatically clamped when placed in the clamp, without any further action being required. Each injection part of the device 10 has two clamp actuators 80 which deactivate the clamps 50, which hold the artificial grass strand parts 62 to be inserted, prior to insertion of the artificial grass strand parts by the insertion device.

[0118] The clamp actuators 80 are arranged stationarily and are mounted on the frame, in particular next to the drum. It is however also possible to mount the clamp actuators 80 on the drum and allow them to rotate with the drum. In this case, for each clamp 50, a clamp deactivation device 80 is provided. The clamp actuators 80 are essentially deactivating actuators, i.e. they release the clamps 50 which are pre-tensioned by the spring device 59, against the force of the pretension by the spring device 59. The clamp actuators 80 are preferably hydraulic.

[0119] With reference to FIG. 3, for each injection part the device has a presser element 84 and one or more presser actuators 86 (see also FIG. 2). The artificial grass strands are guided below the presser element 84. The presser element 84 has a series of continuous holes 85. Through these the insertion pins 72 are pressed into the ground. It is also possible that a number of through holes 85 are joined together into slots.

[0120] The artificial grass strand parts can slide relative to the presser element. Each continuous hole 85 for an insertion pin opens at an artificial grass strand part during operation.

[0121] The underside of the drum is at a distance of 5-30 cm, in particular at a distance of 10-20 cm, above the ground.

[0122] The cutting device is situated at a distance L2 from the insertion device 70 which is greater than the distance L1 between two successive clamps, so that the artificial grass strands are cut through before they are positioned below the insertion device. L2 is here measured along the path which is defined by the clamps 50 and the guides 58.

Operation of the Device

[0123] With reference to FIGS. 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the operation of the device 1 according to the invention is explained in more detail. The figures show only one artificial grass strand 60 because the figures are side views, but the person skilled in the art will understand that this represents a series of artificial grass strands 60.

[0124] During operation, the method for inserting artificial grass strand parts in the ground 11 comprises the following steps. The device 10 is moved over the ground 11 to a location and the device is stopped at this location.

[0125] A series of artificial grass strands 60 is fed into the drum and clamped by a front clamp 50A. The drum rotates through a cycle angle of 60 degrees to a next position, in which movement the front clamp 50A draws the series of artificial grass strands off the spools. The front clamp 50A is in front of the cutting device 36. A following clamp 50B grips the series of artificial grass strands. This is the situation shown in FIG. 4.

[0126] With reference to FIG. 7, the drum 16 then rotates again through a cycle angle of 60 to a next position. The clamp 50A is now obliquely below the insertion device 70. The clamp 50B is in front of the cutting device. A following clamp 50C grips the artificial grass strands 60 and holds them firmly. Now a second series of artificial grass strands 62 is clamped.

[0127] With reference to FIG. 8, the rotating knives 55 are moved in the direction of arrow 91 into the gap between the front shoe 51A and the rear shoe 51B of clamp 50B. This takes place by actuators 92 (which are indicated in FIG. 2). The knives 55 then cut through all artificial grass strands by moving forward and back along arrow 56 (see FIG. 5) during rotation. The artificial grass strand parts 62 are now separate from the rest of the artificial grass strands 60 and are held by the rear shoe 51B of clamp 50A and the front shoe 51A of clamp 50B.

[0128] With reference to FIG. 9, then by means of the drum 16A the series of artificial grass strand parts 62 is rotated below the insertion device 70, wherein the series of artificial grass strand parts 62 is clamped between a front clamp 50A and a rear clamp 50B, viewed in side view and in relation to the rotation direction of the drum.

[0129] Again a next clamp 50D grips the series of artificial grass strands 60 and holds it firmly. Now a third series of artificial grass strands 62 is clamped.

[0130] Then the drum is stopped. The presser element 84 (see FIG. 3) is then pressed against the ground so that the artificial grass strand parts cannot shift sideways. The artificial grass strand parts 62 can however shift in their length direction relative to the presser device.

[0131] Next the two clamps 50A, 50B, which hold the series of artificial grass strand parts 62 below the insertion device 70, are released by means of the two clamp actuators 80 (see FIG. 3), so that the series of artificial grass strand parts in the insertion position is no longer clamped by the clamps.

[0132] With reference to FIG. 10, the insertion device 70 is then activated and the insertion pins 72 are pressed into the ground. Each insertion pin carries with it an artificial grass strand part 62. The artificial grass strand parts 62 are folded in half during insertion, with a U bend at the bottom end.

[0133] Then the insertion pins 72 are raised again by the actuator 74. During insertion, a new series of artificial grass strand parts 62 is also cut off by the knives 55 of the cutter device. The new series of artificial grass strand parts 62 is thus ready to be pressed into the ground in the next cycle.

[0134] Then a new cycle may be started. The steps from FIGS. 9 and 10 are now repeated. The device 10 is moved over a cycle distance L4 (see FIG. 1) to a following position on the hybrid grass surface to be created, and stopped there. The cycle distance L4 over which the device is moved is of the order of 2-6 cm, i.e. relatively small. Other distances may also be chosen.

[0135] The mutual spacing L3 (see FIG. 1) between the two drums 16A, 16B can be set by means of actuators 200 or other adjustment means. In practice, it has proved useful to allow the front and rear drum to insert strands out of phase. Here the rear drum 16B inserts its strands in the middle between two successive rows inserted by the front drum 16A. In other words, the front drum for example inserts strands every 4 cm, and the rear drum inserts precisely in-between so that the overall insertion gap is 2 cm. The distance L3 is then set according to the formula L3=N*L4+0.5*L4. N is here an integer. In this way work can proceed continuously.

[0136] In existing machines, the distance L3 is fixed and is a multiple of the cycle distance L4, whereby it is difficult or impossible to work continuously. In this way, for continuous working, the rear drum would insert strands at precisely the same point as the front drum. This is prevented by only allowing the machine to rotate over a distance L3, and then to advance the machine without insertion over a distance L3. Then it may again insert strands after a distance L3. This pattern may be repeated. It is however an awkward way of inserting strands.

[0137] The drum 16 is rotated through a cycle angle to a following position. The rotation of the drum and the travelling to a new position may take place simultaneously for faster working. The series of artificial grass strand parts is positioned in the insertion position below the insertion device by the rotation of the drum. A new series of artificial grass strand parts is clamped.

[0138] The drum is stopped again. A series of artificial grass strand parts is inserted and a following series is cut off. In this way an entire hybrid grass surface can be created in a reliable and very rapid manner.

[0139] The artificial grass strand parts 62 are typically inserted in the ground over a distance of 18 cm and protrude 2 cm above the ground. Because the artificial grass strand parts 62 are folded in half, the total length required for each artificial grass strand part is 40 cm. Thus the mutual spacing, measured along the path followed by the artificial grass strands, between the clamps 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E and 50F is 30-50 cm, in particular 35-45 cm, more particularly 38-42 cm.

[0140] The insertion depth H1 may to some extent be varied, i.e. may amount to 15-20 cm, and a length (L1) of the artificial grass tufts above the ground may be between 1-4 cm.

[0141] During operation, the device performs a cycle, wherein the cycle comprises a rotation period and stationary period wherein: [0142] in the rotation period, the drum is rotated through a cycle angle (), wherein a series of artificial grass strand parts is positioned below the insertion device and a new series of artificial grass strand parts is clamped, and [0143] in the stationary period, the front series of artificial grass strand parts is released by the clamps and inserted in the ground by the insertion device, while a new series of artificial grass strand parts is cut away from the artificial grass strands.

[0144] In the same movement of the drum, a series of artificial grass strand parts 62 which is held between two successive clamps is rotated to below the insertion device 70, and also a new series of artificial grass strand parts 62 is clamped between two clamps.

[0145] During operation, the clamps 50 perform a rotating movement around the insertion device. The clamps do not perform any reciprocating movement as in the machine according to the prior art.

[0146] The artificial grass strands are cut before they are positioned below the insertion device. This too is different from the prior art, where the artificial grass strand parts are first brought below the insertion device and only then cut through.

[0147] The rear drum 16B rotates with the bottom part against the transport direction of the device 10. The front drum 16A rotates with the bottom part with the transport direction 18 of the device 10.

[0148] The device may have a cycle time of less than 8 seconds, in particular less than 6 seconds.

[0149] The clamps define at least 50 parallel tracks, in particular more than 70 parallel tracks, even more particularly more than 80 parallel tracks, and the same number of pins. The tracks are separate from each other. This is different from the machine according to EP1384817 where a drum defines a helical pattern. In EP1384817, the strand must first be arranged over the entire helix, which takes a long time. In the present invention, at least 50 strands can be arranged in the tracks simultaneously.

[0150] The artificial grass strands 60 usually comprise several fibers, in particular 5 to 8 fibers, more particularly 5 to 6 fibers.

[0151] As required, this document describes detailed embodiments of the present invention. However it must be understood that the disclosed embodiments serve exclusively as examples, and that the invention may also be implemented in other forms. Therefore specific constructional aspects which are disclosed herein should not be regarded as restrictive for the invention, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a basis for rendering the invention implementable by the average expert.

[0152] Furthermore, the various terms used in the description should not be interpreted as restrictive but rather as a comprehensive explanation of the invention.

[0153] The word a used herein means one or more than one, unless specified otherwise. The phrase a plurality of means two or more than two. The words comprising and having are constitute open language and do not exclude the presence of more elements.

[0154] Reference figures in the claims should not be interpreted as restrictive of the invention. Particular embodiments need not achieve all objects described.

[0155] The mere fact that certain technical measures are specified in different dependent claims still allows the possibility that a combination of these technical measures may advantageously be applied.