Apparatus, System and Method for Mechanical, Selective Weed Control in Mature and Establishing Crops Including Turfgrasses

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method of applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to desirable plants and undesirable plants, comprising periodically applying mechanical abrasion to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected, to be damaging to the undesirable plants and substantially within a wear tolerance of the desirable plants.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the desirable plants comprise turfgrasses.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the desirable plants comprise forage grasses.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the mechanical abrasion is applied by a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a base having a plurality of grooves.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the period of applying mechanical abrasion is about once per week.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the period of applying mechanical abrasion is varied to adjust for weed pressure.

21. An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to desirable plants and undesirable plants, comprising: wear means for applying mechanical abrasion to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected to be damaging to the undesirable plants arid substantially within a wear tolerance of the desirable plants; and height means for adjusting a height of the wear means relative to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wear means comprises a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a base having a plurality of grooves.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wear means comprises, a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a plurality of vertical walls extending from a base.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the mechanical abrasion is applied by a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a plurality of vertical walls extending from a base.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the period of applying mechanical abrasion is varied to improve wear tolerance of turfgrass.

26. A method of applying, a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to turfgrass, comprising periodically applying mechanical abrasion to the turfgrass, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected to precondition the turfgrasses to adapt anatomically, morphologically, and physiologically to withstand, greater traffic and maintain more turfgrass cover once trafficked.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the application of techanical abrasion comprises imposing a uniform, modest level of wear.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the turfgrasses adapt to better withstand aggregate, repeated stresses of damage to above ground plant material over a period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a font view of an apparatus according to one example of the present invention, the apparatus being attached to a conventional mower;

[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a view of a base blade and blade holder of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 5 is an alternate view of a base blade and blade holder of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that upon reading and understanding of the foregoing, certain variations to the preferred embodiments will become apparent, which variations are nonetheless within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0024] The tern's a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term or as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination.

[0025] Reference throughout this document to some embodiments, one embodiment, certain embodiments, and an embodiment or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0026] The drawings featured in the figures are provided for the purposes of illustrating some embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term means preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term means is not intended to be limiting.

[0027] As used herein, the term crop refers to desirable plants, including desirable grasses, including, but not limited to Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and combinations thereof, forage grasses, hay, etc. The term weed refers to undesirable perennial, biennial and/or annual plants, including broadleaf (dicotyledonous) and grassy (monocotyledonous) species. As used herein the term traffic refers to a combination of wear (i.e. tearing and bruising of leaf tissue) and soil compaction (i.e. forcing soil solids closer together) of the turfgrass. As used herein the term wear tolerance refers to the ability of plants, including but not limited to desirable grasses, to withstand aggregate, repeated stresses of damage to above ground plant material over a period of time.

[0028] As is illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 1-4, an example of the present invention is generally shown as apparatus 100 for operating on desirable turfgrasses and undesirable weeds. In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus, system and method of reducing weed pressure on desirable turfgrasses. Apparatus 100 has a cylindrical brush 110; a grooved base 120 and a roller 130 (FIG. 3). Roller 130 is an elevation device, may be configured to be adjustable in a vertical direction 140 to control the height of the base 120. In FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 is illustrated as being used in conjunction with a ride on mower 160, which may provide power to rotate the cylindrical brush 110 and propel the apparatus 100 across a surface, such as a an athletic field.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 the cylindrical brush 110 may be configured, for example in a width of approximately 70 cm and have a 17cm diameter. The cylindrical brush 110 may be comprised of a plurality of separate rows. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, four rows 112 of brushes are used, each being installed on an axle with a 90 degree twist to form a helix. Other numbers of rows may also be used with appropriate adjustments in the amount of twist on each row of brushes. Each row 112 can be comprised of a plurality of nylon bristles 111 each being approximately 1.5 mm diameter and having a 5 cm pile height. In the illustrated example, bristles 111 are the same size, however, bristles of varying diameters may be included in brush 110. Bristle tips may be cut or rounded. Also, to further optimize the level of mechanical wear, the bristles may be smooth, textured or micro notched in the vertical or horizontal plane. In cases where weeds are especially hardy, metal blades may also be included on the brush 110. The blades may be shorter than the bristles, and the bristles would help bring the weeds into engagement with the base blade. While a plurality of staples of flexible bristles are a preferred example of a brush, the terms brush and bristles as used herein may also include any protrusions (e.g., tines, nubs) configured to impart selective tearing and/or bruising of leaf tissue.

[0030] The rows 112 are mounted on a shaft 113, which is supported by bearings on either end of apparatus 100. The rows 112 of the bristles 111 can be configured in a helicoid (a spiral shape around an axis or cylinder). The arrangement of the bristles 111 and rows 112 allow vegetation or plant material to enter the apparatus 100 and be subjected to the rotating bristles 111. The bristles 111 force the plant material into grooves 121 of the base 120. The grooves 121 of the base 120 are designed to: 1) assist the bristles/blades to grasp the undesirable plants and completely remove the plants from the ground (including the roots), 2) increase pressure on the leaf tissue/stem to promote tearing and bruising from bristle action and/or 3) completely remove the leaf from the stem. Repeated applications at key points during the growing season exhausts the carbohydrate reserves of the undesirable plants, leading to plant death.

[0031] Finally, roller 130 provides variable height of operation and maintains a desired height 140 of the base 120 during operation. Other elevation devices may also be used, including wheels, skids, segmented rollers, and combinations thereof. It is preferable, but not necessarily required, for the elevation device to include a mechanism for adjusting the height of the base.

[0032] This apparatus can have multiple configurations to implement this method of weed control. Configuration examples are as follows; Stand-alone configurations include self-propelled walk-behind and ride-on units. The apparatus 100 can be used concurrently with a mower (i.e. two separate pieces of equipment operated independently) (not shown) or as an integrated part configured as a mower attachment, mounted in front, mid-section or rear of an existing mower. This includes ganged units, self-powered pull-behind units, and power take off driven, three point hitch mounted or pull-type units for tractors. Alternatively, the integrated part can be designed integral as part of the mower or mower deck. In this embodiment, the frame of the apparatus is configured to hold the cylindrical, brush 110 enabling the brush 110 and bristles 111 to rotate and interact with the grooved base 120 so as to impart wear on plant material, such as weeds and turfgrasses. In one example of the invention, the brush rotates. In other examples, the brush may engage in a reciprocating motion. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a belt 115 may drive a pulley 116 which is attached to the shaft 113. Alternatively, the shaft 113 may be driven hydraulically. The shaft 113 may also be driven by wheels through a gearset as is known with reel-type mowers.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of how the bristles 111 interact with the grooves 121. The bristles have a diameter which is smaller than the opening of the grooves, so the bristles may pass through the grooves without binding or popping out of the grooves. However, the bristles 111 are not precisely aligned with the grooves 121, and enter the grooves at slight angles to the grooves. The bristles 111 consequently rub along the sidewalls 122 of the grooves 121 and/or top edges of the grooves. In one example, the bristles are dimensioned to rub along at least a portion of the bottoms of the grooves 121 as well. One or more bristles 111 enter the grooves 121 in a semi-loose state with the plants such as a weed species and/or turfgrass. As the bristles 111 and the smaller weeds (containing leaflets) progress through the grooves 121, the bristles 111 damage leaves and/or stems of undesirable broadleaf plants by abrading them against the sidewalls 122 of the grooves 121 and/or bottom of the grooves 121. For weed species with broader leaf morphology, the action of the bristles 111 and grooves 121 will interact to tear and bruise leaf tissue. Some weed species may be completely removed from the soil. For example, crabgrasses have been observed to be engaged by the bristles and grooves and be uprooted. However, thinner grass leaves experience less abrasion from the apparatus 100 and are more tolerant of abrasion. In this respect, the mechanical abrasion of the present invention is not the same as mowing (which cuts all plants equally) or vertical cutting (which is damaging to turfgrass). In one example, grooves 121 can be configured to have a depth of 6mm. In another example, the depth of the grooves 121 increases and/or decreases as the bristles move through the grooves 121.

[0034] The base 120 containing grooves 121 can be configured so that the first portion is a lip 123, for example, approximately 3 cm. Preferably, lip 123 is smooth, so that desirable crops may slide off the base after being engaged by the bristles. In a first example, the grooves 121 have a uniform width. In a second example, the grooves 121 taper from a width of 8 mm to a width of 4 mm. The grooves may be formed when casting the base 120, by cutting notches into base 120, by welding fins onto base 120, or by other methods. The grooves 121 may be various widths and lengths, so long as they cooperate with the brush 110 to apply mechanical wear to plants. In another example, the grooves may include sharpen or serrated teeth to increase mechanical tearing of leaves. In another example, the base 120 may include counter-rotation slicing discs interspersed between and parallel with the grooves 121. The slicing disks spin in the same direction as the brush 110 to rip weed leaves and pull weeds out of the soil.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the base 120 comprises a base blade 120a, which contains the grooves 121, and a blade holder 125, on which the base blade 120a is mounted. This allows base blade 120a to be replaced if necessary, without replacing the entire base. In another example, the base 120 is a unitary structure with the grooves 121 integrally formed thereon. In another example, the base may be concave, so that the bristles maintain a consistent distance from the grooves.

[0036] A prototype has been developed, and results from trials show that routine use on established turfgrass stands creates an environment favorable for obtaining results of desirable turfgrasses stands and detrimental to the most troublesome weed species in cool-season turfgrasses.

[0037] A first study involved the use of the apparatus on Kentucky bluegrass. This is the predominate species utilized on athletic fields and home lawn mixtures where cool-season grasses are utilized. The study included three treatments: 1) Weed Defoliator/Extractor once per week, 2) chemical herbicide, and 3) an untreated control, with two replications. Clover populations were evaluated qualitatively utilizing a scale of 0-100% weed cover, prior to treatment applications. Plots were treated with the Weed Defoliator/Extractor and mowed immediately following, simulating the Weed Defoliator/Extractor device being incorporated into a mower deck. Plots were qualitatively assessed six weeks later following seven treatments with the Weed Defoliator/Extractor device. Percent clover control was calculated using the Henderson-Tilton formula which utilizes pretreatment weed populations, post treatment weed populations and weed populations in the untreated control. Analysis of variance was used to test for significant (P<0.05) differences between treatments. Mean separations were conducted using Fisher's least significant difference test with a 0.05 probability level. Treatments with the same letter are not significantly different. The apparatus of the present invention successfully controlled over 70% of the clover (significantly more than the untreated control). The chemical weed control treatment was applied after the last rating date to maximize efficacy. However, the efficacy of the chemical treatment will likely be 100%.

[0038] A second study was conducted on perennial ryegrass and was designed to look more closely at how to best utilize the Weed Defoliator/Extractor device in terms of frequency. Perennial ryegrass is another species heavily utilized on athletic fields and in home lawn mixtures. The study included six treatments; 1) Weed Defoliator/Extractor once per week, 2) Weed Defoliator/Extractor twice per week, 3) Weed Defoliator/Extractor biweekly, 4) as needed, 5) chemical herbicide, and 6) untreated control with three replications. Clover populations were evaluated qualitatively utilizing a scale of 0-100% weed cover, prior to treatment applications. Plots were treated with the Weed Defoliator/Extractor and mowed immediately following. Plots were qualitatively assessed six weeks later. Percent clover control was calculated as described above. These results show that Weed Defoliator/Extractor treatments applied once per week were most effective for reducing the clover populations. Applied once per week, Weed Defoliator/Extractor treatments controlled over 98% of the clover (significantly more than the untreated control). The chemical weed control treatment was applied after the last rating date to maximize efficacy. However, the efficacy of the chemical treatment will likely be 100%.

[0039] The present invention produces an environment advantageous for the monocotyledonous morphology of desirable grasses by imposing a uniform, modest level of wear. The apparatus 100 is configured to provide minimal disturbance to the existing grass stand and damage only the weeds. Additionally, this apparatus 100 does not disturb the soil surface, unlike spring-tine harrows or vertical cutting units of the prior art that have disadvantages of exposing additional weed seed that can potentially germinate and compete with the grass. The apparatus 100 can also be used to manage weed populations in other turfgrass areas or cropping systems.

[0040] Accordingly, the method of the present invention creates an environment where turfgrasses are able to persist and where weeds are not able to persist. For example, the morphology of broadleaf weeds makes them more vulnerable to the action of the apparatus of the present invention; whereas desirable turfgrasses are not unduly adversely affected. Leaves of weeds are much wider and often times more succulent than turfgrasses. The apparatus of the present invention, based on these morphological differences, damages weeds more than turfgrasses. The damaged weeds require regeneration, re-growing and/or rejuvenation thereby allowing the less damaged turfgrasses to grow and thrive in the place of weeds.

[0041] More specifically, once the leaf tissue of the weed species is damaged its ability to absorb the suns energy to produce carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis is greatly reduced or eliminated. As the apparatus 100 of the present invention is used, the weed leaf tissue is damaged or removed with repeated and regular use. The weed will need to rely on carbohydrate reserves in the root system for recovery and growth. This reserve supply will eventually be exhausted, leading to plant death.

[0042] In operation, the apparatus 100 can be used routinely with mowing. The apparatus 100, nonetheless, can be employed separately as well as a self-propelled walk behind or ride on unit. In one embodiment the apparatus 100 is used concurrently with mowing such as, for example, as an integrated part configured as a mower attachment, mounted in front, mid-section or rear of an existing mower. This includes ganged units, self-powered pull-behind units, and power take off driven, three point hitch mounted or pull-type units for tractors. Alternatively, the integrated part can be designed integral as part of the existing or newly designed mower deck.

[0043] While certain configurations of structures have been illustrated for the purposes of presenting the basic structures of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other variations are possible which would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the direction of rotation of the second longitudinal axis, orientation of the base blade, variations in the geometries of the brush and its bristles and/or other protrusions to impart wear, depth and/or width of grooves and/or rotating vertically oriented slicing discs, spacing between brushes/knives, number and dimension of bristles/knives and grooves/rotating vertically oriented slicing discs, are contemplated. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.