Earth working – Sod cutter – With means for vertical transverse cutting while moving
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-07
2001-08-14
Batson, Victor (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Sod cutter
With means for vertical transverse cutting while moving
C414S911000, C172S033000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273196
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the stacking of grass sods cut from grass land.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sod cutters are utilized to cut a grass sod from grass land. The grass sods can be cut into long continuous strips which are rolled or zig-zag stacked on a pallet. Alternatively, the grass sods are cut into short lengths which are stacked on top of each other on the pallet. The stacked or rolled grass sods are utilized to quickly form large grass surface areas, such as those needed for sports fields, golf courses, large lawns and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the stacking of grass sods which are utilized to form the large grass surface areas. Still other objects will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, I have invented a sod cutting apparatus for cutting a grass sod from grass land. The sod cutting apparatus includes a frame having a front end and a back end. A cutting head is connected to the frame adjacent the front end thereof for cutting grass sods from a grass land. A sod receiving conveyor has a receiving end connected to the frame adjacent the cutting head for receiving the grass sods cut from the grass land and a discharge end which extends toward the back end of the frame. The discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor is moveable between a first position and a second position. A positioner is connected between the frame and the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for moving the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor between the first position and the second position. An intermediate conveyor has a receiving end connected to the frame adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving therefrom in the first position a first grass sod and discharge end which extends toward the back end of the frame. An offset conveyor is positioned in spaced relation to the intermediate conveyor adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor. The offset conveyor has a receiving end connected to the frame adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving therefrom in the second position a second cut grass sod. The offset conveyor has a discharge end which extends toward the back end of the frame and terminates before the discharge end of the intermediate conveyor. The intermediate conveyor and the offset conveyor are operable so that the offset conveyor stacks the second grass sod on the first grass sod received on the intermediate conveyor.
The sod cutting apparatus can include a conveyor head and a sod support. The sod support is connected to the frame adjacent the back end thereof. The sod support is moveable toward or away from the back end of the frame. The conveyor head has a receiving end pivotally connected adjacent to the discharge end of the intermediate conveyor for receiving therefrom the stacked grass sods. The conveyor head has a discharge end which is moveable toward or away from the back end of the frame over a receiving surface of the sod support for transporting the stacked grass sods toward the receiving surface of the sod support. During conveying of the stacked grass sods toward the receiving surface, the discharge end of the conveyor head and the sod support can be moved in opposite directions.
An elevator can be connected between the conveyor head and the frame for adjusting a distance between the conveyor head and the receiving surface of the sod support. The conveyor head can include a pair of rolling conveyors positioned in spaced relation. The pair of rolling conveyors can be configured to receive therebetween from the discharge end of the intermediate conveyor a cut grass sod, to roll the cut grass sod and to transport the rolled cut grass sod toward the receiving surface of the sod support. A turntable can be rotatably positioned on the sod support.
I have also invented a sod cutting apparatus that includes a frame having a front end and a back end. A cutting head is connected to the frame adjacent the front end thereof for cutting grass sods from grass land. A sod support is connected to the frame adjacent the back end thereof. A pair of rolling conveyors is connected to the frame between the cutting head and the sod support. The pair of rolling conveyors is positioned in spaced relation and is configured to receive therebetween a cut grass sod, to roll the cut grass sod received therebetween and to transport the rolled cut grass sod toward a receiving surface of the sod support.
A sod receiving conveyor can be connected to the frame between the cutting head and the pair of rolling conveyors. The sod receiving conveyor can be positioned to transport cut grass sods from the cutting head toward the pair of rolling conveyors. A positioner can be connected between the frame and end of the sod receiving conveyor opposite the cutting head. The positioner is configured to move the end of the sod receiving conveyor opposite the cutting head between a first position and a second position. An intermediate conveyor is connected to the frame between the sod receiving conveyor and the pair of rolling conveyors. The intermediate conveyor receives from the sod receiving conveyor in the first position a first cut grass sod. An offset conveyor is connected to the frame in spaced relation to the intermediate conveyor. The offset conveyor has one end positioned adjacent the sod receiving conveyor, and another end terminating intermediate the ends of the intermediate conveyor. The offset conveyor is configured to receive from the sod receiving conveyor in the second position a second cut grass sod. The intermediate conveyor and the offset conveyor are operable so that the offset conveyor stacks the second cut grass sod on the first cut grass sod received on the intermediate conveyor.
The pair of rolling conveyors can be operated to receive the stacked grass sods from the intermediate conveyor and to transport the stacked grass sods toward the receiving surface of the sod support. The sod support or the end of the rolling conveyors opposite the intermediate conveyor is moveable toward and/or away from the back end of the frame.
I have also invented a method of stacking grass sods cut from grass land. The method includes cutting a first grass sod from a grass land. The first grass sod is transported to a stacking position. A second grass sod is cut from the grass land and transported toward the stacking position. The second grass sod is stacked on the first grass sod at the stacking position. The stacked first and second grass sods are transported from the stacking position toward a stacking surface. The stacked grass sods and the stacking surface can be moved relative to each other so that the stacked grass sods are gradually received on the stacking surface.
Moreover, I have invented a method of rolling and stacking grass sods cut from grass land. The method includes cutting a grass sod from a grass land. The cut grass sod is transported away from the grass land and thereafter transported toward the grass land. During transport of the grass sod toward the grass land, the cut grass sod is rolled and the rolled cut grass sod is positioned on a stacking surface. Another cut grass sod can be cut from the grass land, transported away from the grass land and thereafter transported toward the grass land. During transport toward the grass land, the other cut grass sod can be rolled and positioned on the stacking surface adjacent the rolled cut grass sod.
I have also invented a sod cutter for cutting grass sods from a grass land. The sod cutter includes a frame having a front end, a back end and a cutting head connected to the frame adjacent the front end thereof for cutting grass sods from a grass land. A sod support is moveably connected to the frame adjacent the back end thereof. A conveyor head is connected to the frame. The conveyor head has a receiving end and a discharge end. Th
Batson Victor
Harmelerwaard Patents B.V.
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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