Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Combined
Patent
1992-03-16
1993-06-15
Roberts, Edward L.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Combined
15 5, 15 792, 15 82, 15179, 15183, E01H 102
Patent
active
052187322
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION
This Invention relates to apparatus for treatment of artificial turf surfaces such as tennis court surfaces, other sport surfaces and the like, and in particular to apparatus which is useful in breaking bonding between blades or fibres of such a surface.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to provide surfaces for tennis courts, which surfaces comprise material which mimics grass. It is usual, on laying a mat of such material, to work in a layer of sand to bed the material, with grass like elements of the mat projected above the sand. In use, the individual elements projected above the sand bed may be flattened. The blades may become introverted and be embedded in the sand. When folded flat over each other, the blades may bond to a degree and remain flat, degrading the surface characteristics such that a simple brushing will not raise the blades to restore the artificial grass. Bacteria may breed in the material to create a slimy surface further degrading the usefulness of the surface.
A slimy surface may cause a player to lose footing and can become dangerous.
One proposal for overcoming the above problems involves a vacuum cleaner type mechanism by which the bedding sand is withdrawn from the surface to be cleaned when it is replaced. Such an apparatus goes to unnecessary complications in overcoming the problem.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the treatment of tennis courts and the like, which apparatus comprises elements whereby the surface is improved without removing the bedding sand and whilst the playing surface remains in place.
FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
The invention achieves its object in provision of a surface treatment apparatus for reconditioning artificial turf type surfaces such as tennis courts comprising:
a first means which scarifies the surface;
a second means which brushes the surface;
the first and second means being mounted to a rotatable shaft;
motive means whereby the shaft is rotated and the first and second means are repeatedly passed over the surface and in contact therewith; and
support means having the rotatable shaft mounted therein which support means may be moved over the surface.
In a different aspect the invention provides a method of surface treatment for reconditioning artificial turf type surfaces such as tennis courts wherein the surface is scarified and brushed by a work head which presents prongs and bristles to the surface.
In performance of the invention the surface is scarified to break bonds between flattened surface elements and to raise introverted turf elements. Further the surface is brushed to create a cleaning action on the turf elements. The means to achieve the above two actions are conveniently mounted to project radially off a powered rotary shaft in an apparatus which moves over the surface to be treated.
In the specification the following terms are used with the meanings hereinafter defined, inclusive of their normal dictionary meanings, unless the context at any point in the specification calls for something more narrow.
Scarifier, scarifying means or scarifier elements comprise a means whereby a scarifying action is produced at the surface being treated, the scarifying action being sufficient to raise embedded material, break up compacted material and generally restore the blades of an artificial turf to their original free standing dispositions. Scarifying is by relatively rigid prong-like elements which are caused to sweep or move over the surface to scarify disturb agitate, pull at, or otherwise act upon the blades of an artificial turf.
Brushes, brush means or brush elements comprise a means whereby a brushing action is produced at the surface being treated the brushing action being sufficient to clean the playing surface of a coating of slime and generally restore the surface to its original less slippery condition. Brushing is by relatively flexible bristle like elements which are caused to sweep or move over the surface to brush, scour, rub or otherwis
REFERENCES:
patent: 11541 (1896-05-01), Dolph
patent: 1624247 (1927-04-01), Hoover
patent: 3748675 (1973-07-01), Schultz
patent: 3758915 (1973-09-01), Zeski et al.
patent: 4156298 (1979-05-01), Spence
patent: 4809380 (1989-03-01), VanGinhoven et al.
Pettigrew Rodney M.
Xavier John A.
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