BRUSH FOR MAINTENANCE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PADEL TURFS

Abstract

A padel turf sand brush (1) and method for maintenance of padel turfs. The brush (1) comprises a base member (2). The brush (1) further comprises a brush shaft (7). The brush (1) further comprises a first (9) and a second elongated brush portion (10). The first (9) and the second elongated brush portion (10) interact when the brush (1) is in use by being moved on top of the surface of the padel turf, such that the padel turf sand is transferred from areas of the padel turf having too much sand to areas of the padel turf having too little sand, as some of the sand being brushed stays in front, in the direction of travel, of the first (9) and the second elongated brush portion (10), for a certain period of time.

Claims

1. A padel turf sand brush for maintenance of indoor or outdoor padel turfs, comprising a base member, wherein the base member comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the base member further has a main direction defined as the direction of travel when the brush is in use, and a secondary direction defined as being perpendicular to the main direction, wherein the main direction and the secondary direction are substantially in the horizontal plane when the brush is in use, wherein the brush further comprises a brush shaft arranged to the base member, wherein the base member and the brush shaft are interconnected by means of a connecting part, characterized in that the brush has a weight of at least 10 kg and comprises a plurality of elongated brush portions, arranged to the bottom surface of the base member, wherein the each elongated brush portion comprises a plurality of bristles, and wherein each elongated brush portion are substantially elongated in the secondary direction and distributed with a distance in the main direction so that the padel turf sand is trapped between a first and a second of said plurality of elongated brush portions during movement of the brush in the main direction for distribution of sand from areas with excess of sand to areas with a shortage of sand.

2. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush further comprises a collection container detachably arranged to the base member, for the collection of litter, residues, among others.

3. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bristles is shorter than the distance between the first and the second elongated brush portion, for providing said transfer effect of sand in front of the first and the second of said plurality of elongated brush portion in the direction of travel.

4. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bristles is 15-40 mm, preferably 25-35 mm.

5. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the first and the second elongated brush portion is 30-150 mm preferably 41-60 mm.

6. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the padel turf sand brush is between 10 and 40 kg, preferably between 13 and 30 kg and more preferably between 14 and 25 kg.

7. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongated brush portions comprise at least three elongated brush portions, preferably at least four elongated brush portions or more preferably more than five elongated brush portions, or about seven elongated brush portions, for trapping said sand between two adjacent elongated brush portions so as to transfer the sand between elongated brush portions in the direction of travel.

8. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a rectangular shape, and wherein the width of the base member is 400-500 mm and the length of the base member is 700-800 mm, for providing an interaction between the brush and the artificial grass of the padel turf.

9. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the connecting part at a first end is connected to a first end of the brush shaft, and wherein the connecting part at a second end is further connected to a front portion of the base member in the direction of travel.

10. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, further comprising a first bumper arranged at a first corner of the base member, and a second bumper arranged at a second corner of the base member, for preventing the base member to collide into glass walls of the padel court when in use.

11. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 10, further comprising a third bumper arranged at a third corner of the base member, and a fourth bumper arranged at a fourth corner of the base member, for preventing the base member to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use.

12. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush further comprises a first wheel arranged at a first corner on the top surface of the base member, and a second wheel arranged at a second corner on the top surface of the base member, for the first and the second wheel to function as transportation means for the brush when the base member is tipped over from the horizontal position to an at least partly vertical position, so that the base member rests on the first and the second wheel.

13. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 12, wherein the brush further comprises a third wheel arranged at a third corner on the top surface of the base member, and a fourth wheel arranged at a fourth corner on the top surface of the base member, for the third and the fourth wheel to function as transportation means for the brush when the base member is tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member rests on the third and the fourth wheel.

14. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 13, wherein the first, second, third and fourth wheel function as bumpers for avoiding collisions into glass walls of the padel court when in use.

15. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the base member is rigid.

16. Padel turf sand brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush shaft comprises a telescopic function.

17. A method for redistributing sand at a padel turf, using a padel turf sand brush comprising a plurality of elongated brush portions arranged to a bottom surface of a base member wherein each brush portion comprises a plurality of bristles and the padel turf sand brush having a weight of at least 10 kg, the method comprising the steps of: transporting the brush onto the padel turf while having the base member in an at least partly vertical orientation, tipping the base member into a substantially horizontal orientation coinciding with a surface of the padel turf, moving the brush on the padel turf along a main direction so that sand is trapped between a first and a second of the plurality of elongated brush portions for distributing sand from areas with excess of sand to areas with shortage of sand.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of tipping the base member back into an at least partly vertical orientation, transporting the brush away from the padel turf while having the base member in the at least partly vertical orientation.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the brush further comprises a first wheel and a second wheel and wherein the first and second wheel function as transportation means for the brush when the base member is in the at least partly vertical position.

20. (canceled)

21. A brush for maintenance of indoor and outdoor padel turfs, comprising a base member, wherein the base member comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the base member is arranged horizontally when being used, wherein the base member further has a main direction defined as the direction of travel when the brush is in use, and a secondary direction defined as being perpendicular to the main direction, wherein the main direction and the secondary direction are substantially in the horizontal plane when the brush is in use, wherein the brush further comprises a brush shaft arranged to the base member, wherein the base member and the brush shaft are interconnected by means of a connecting part, wherein the brush further comprises a first and a second elongated brush portion, arranged to the bottom surface of the base member, wherein the first and the second elongated brush portion comprises a plurality of bristles, and wherein the first and the second elongated brush portion are substantially elongated in the secondary direction, and wherein the first and the second elongated brush portion are distributed in the main direction, wherein the first and the second elongated brush portion interact when the brush is in use by being moved on top of the surface of the padel turf, such that the padel turf sand is transferred from areas of the padel turf having too much sand to areas of the padel turf having too little sand, as some of the sand being brushed stays in front, in the direction of travel, of the first and the second elongated brush portion, for a certain period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0056] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a brush in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a front portion of the base member in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a back portion of the base member in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a brush tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a back portion of the base member and tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for redistributing sand at a padel turf.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0063] In the following, a detailed description of a brush for maintenance of indoor and outdoor padel turfs is provided.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brush 1 comprises a base member 2. The base member 2 comprises a top surface 3. The brush 1 further comprises a brush shaft 7 arranged to the base member 2. The base member 2 and the brush shaft 7 are interconnected by means of a connecting part 8.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. the brush 1 comprises a collection container 12 detachably arranged to the base member 2, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. The collection container is detachably arranged to a front portion 21 of the base member in the direction of travel. The brush 2 comprises a first bumper 22 arranged at a first corner 23 of the base member 2, and a second bumper 24 arranged at a second corner 25 of the base member 2, for preventing the base member 2 to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use. The brush 1 comprises a third bumper 26 arranged at a third corner 27 of the base member 2, and a fourth bumper 28 arranged at a fourth corner 29 of the base member 2, for preventing the base member 2 to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use. The brush 1 comprises a first wheel 30 arranged at a first corner 31 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, and a second wheel 32 arranged at a second corner 33 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, for the first 30 and the second wheel 32 to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member 2 rests on the first 30 and the second wheel 32. The brush 1 comprises a third wheel 34 arranged at a third corner 35 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, and a fourth wheel 36 arranged at a fourth corner 37 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, for the third 34 and the fourth wheel 36 to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member 2 rests on the third 34 and the fourth wheel 36. The first 30, second 32, third 34 and fourth wheel 36 function in this embodiment as said bumpers 22, 24, 26, 28.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. the brush 1 comprises a collection container 12 detachably arranged to the base member 2, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. The collection container is detachably arranged to a back portion 38 of the base member in the direction of travel. The connecting part 8 at a first end 18 is connected to a first end 19 of the brush shaft 7. The connecting part 8 at a second end 20 is further connected to the front portion 21 of the base member 2 in the direction of travel. The base member 2 further has a main direction 5 defined as the direction of travel when the brush 1 is in use, and a secondary direction 6 defined as being perpendicular to the main direction 5. The main direction 5 and the secondary direction 6 are substantially in the horizontal plane when the brush 1 is in use on the padel turf. The connecting part 8 is preferably arranged to allow movements between the shaft 7 and the base member 2 while the base member is kept in the horizontal plane, to simplify movements on the padel turf. Further, the connecting part 8 is also preferably arranged to allow movements between the shaft 7 and the base member 2 so that the base member 2 is moved out of the horizontal plane, to tilt the base member towards the shaft so that the base member extends along the shaft when move onto or out of the padel turf, or when being stored.

[0067] The base member 2 preferably also comprise a connecting bracket or locking member 39, which is to be used to lock or attach the base member to the shaft at a second portion of the base member 2. This locking member may be formed as a resilient receiving gripping means for receiving and holding the shaft in the locked position. The locking member may also interact directly with the shaft, or with a corresponding member mounted to the shaft for holding the two members together. E.g., a ball and bowl coupling may be used where the ball locks into the bowl in the locked position. The locked position is preferably the substantial vertical position or at least the position in which the base member extends along the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the locking member may be locked to the shaft 7 with a secondary lock (not illustrated), such as a cotter or other mechanical element that prevents the connecting bracket or locking member 29 to disengage from the shaft.

[0068] In the locked position the brush may preferably be stored or transported so as to assure a compact storage and movement.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The base member 2 is tipped over 90? from the horizontal position to a vertical position. The base member (2 comprises a bottom surface 4. The base member has a width 16 and a length 17. The brush 1 comprises a first 9 and a second elongated brush portion 10, arranged to the bottom surface 4 of the base member 2. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 comprises a plurality of bristles 11. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 are substantially elongated in the secondary direction 6. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 are distributed in the main direction 5.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brush 1 comprises seven elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, for providing a transfer effect of sand in between the seven elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g in the direction of travel. The bristles 11 of the first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 have a length 13. There is a distance 14 between the first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10. The orientation of the brush as disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates the state in which the brush is preferably stored, but also transported onto and out of the padel turf, as disclosed in more detail below.

[0071] Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for redistributing sand at a padel turf. The method is already implicitly disclosed above, in how the padel turf sand brush is to be used. The method as disclosed in FIG. 6 uses a padel turf sand brush which may include all parts and portions as described above or may be a simplified sand brush in any sense. However, the brush should comprise a plurality of elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c arranged to a bottom surface 4 of a base member 2. Each brush portion should also a plurality of bristles 11. The weight of the padel turf sand brush is also important, as the weight enables the brush to reach the sand deep into the turf. The weight should be at least about 10 kg. However, it is possible to perform this with substantially heavier brushes, such as 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg or even 40 kg.

[0072] The method comprising the steps as illustrated by the flow chart boxes. The first step is transporting S1 the brush 1 onto the padel turf while having the base member 2 in an at least partly vertical orientation. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 as discussed above. The transportation step is preferably carried out in the secondary direction 6. In this step the base member is preferably locked to the shaft by the locking member 39. The locking member may be disengaged by mere force, or by applying a mechanical or electrical operation to disengage the locking member from the shaft.

[0073] The second step is tipping S2 the base member into a substantially horizontal orientation coinciding with a surface of the padel turf. Before the tipping, the shaft is preferably disengaged from the locking member 39 as discussed above. The horizontal orientation is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 above.

[0074] The tipping is preferably performed by the connecting part 8. The connecting part preferably allows movements of the base member both in the horizontal plane and out of the horizontal plane.

[0075] In the third step the brush is moved S3 on the padel turf along a main direction so that sand is trapped between a first and a second of the plurality of elongated brush portions for distributing sand from areas with excess of sand to areas with shortage of sand. This is simply the step where the brush is used to redistribute the sand.

[0076] In the fourth step the method, the base member 2 is tipped S4 back into an at least partly vertical orientation. Preferably the base member is here also engaged with the shaft by the locking member 39. In the last step as illustrated the brush is transported S5 away from the padel turf while having the base member 2 in the at least partly vertical orientation.

[0077] The fact that the base member may be in at least a partly vertical position when transported, or when stored, enables is to enter a smaller opening in the glass walls of a padel court. Also, storage space is substantially reduced with the tipping/tilting of the base member and locking it to the shaft.

[0078] It is understood that the method above may be combined in any way with the brush as described above. Thus, any functional or structural feature of the brush as mention in the description or drawings of this application should be understood to have a corresponding method step relevant for the method as described above.

[0079] For example, the first wheel and second wheel as described above are to be interpreted as being possible to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is in the at least partly vertical position and transported in step S1 or S4.

[0080] The inventive concept is further only limited by the features in the claims as defined below.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0081] 1=Padel turf sand brush (or simply brush) [0082] 2=base member [0083] 3=top surface of base member [0084] 4=bottom surface of base member [0085] 5=main direction of base member [0086] 6=secondary direction of base member [0087] 7=brush shaft [0088] 8=connecting part [0089] 9=first elongated brush portion [0090] 10=second elongated brush portion [0091] 11=plurality of bristles [0092] 12=collection container [0093] 13=length of the bristles [0094] 14=distance between the first and the second elongated brush portion [0095] 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g=seven elongated brush portions [0096] 16=width of base member [0097] 17=length of base member [0098] 18=first end of connecting part [0099] 19=first end of brush shaft [0100] 20=second end of connecting part [0101] 21=front portion of base member [0102] 22=first bumper [0103] 23=first corner of base member [0104] 24=second bumper [0105] 25=second corner of base member [0106] 26=third bumper [0107] 27=third corner of base member [0108] 28=fourth bumper [0109] 29=fourth corner of base member [0110] 30=first wheel [0111] 31=first corner on top surface of base member [0112] 32=second wheel [0113] 33=second corner on top surface of base member [0114] 34=third wheel [0115] 35=third corner on top surface of base member [0116] 36=fourth wheel [0117] 37=fourth corner on top surface of base member [0118] 38=back portion of base member [0119] 39=locking member