TURF TREATMENT

• US 20170367249A1
• Filed: 07/11/2017
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Campey Ltd
• Original Assignee: Richard Campey Ltd
• Inventors: Campey, Richard John, Gumbrill, Simon Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 10,517,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/026 Scarifiers comprising a knife reel actively driven around a substantially horizontal shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising

Abstract

A method for the treatment of turf (11) comprising grass (12) growing in a matrix (15, 16) comprising removing matrix (15, 16) including any thatch and other infestation by blading (18) moving through the matrix (15, 16) to a predetermined depth (d). The method may be used to treat turf (11) reinforced with artificial grass (13). Equipment for carrying out the treatment comprises a bladed rotor (17) rotating about a horizontal axis.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. Equipment adapted for the treatment of turf, including turf reinforced with artificial grass fibres, in a sand or other matrix by removing matrix to a depth d below the matrix level, comprising a horizontal rotor having blading having peripherally distributed teeth at least of length d, and drive means to traverse and rotate the rotor over the turf, characterised by blade height control means adapted to deploy the teeth to a depth d below the matrix level.

14. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the blades exhibit a saw tooth profile.

15. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the teeth are inclined to the direction of motion, and so dimensioned that there is no, or substantially no, part of the length of the rotor that does not have a tooth at some part of its circumference.

16. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the teeth are sufficiently narrow that any anchored artificial turf is simply deflected by passage of the teeth, and then springs back without being removed or damaged,

17. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the blades have tips reinforced against wear with, for example, tungsten or other carbide.

18. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the blades are hooked.

19. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the rotor has double, triple or more helix blading.

20. Equipment according to claim 13, in which the blade is made in segments for ease of construction and repair.

21. Equipment according claim 13, in which the rotor is made adaptable to different conditions by blading being readily removable and replaceable.

22. Equipment according to claim 19, in which the rotor has an even number of helical blades that can be removed in pairs so as not to unbalance the rotor

23. Equipment according to claim 20, in which the rotor has provision for four helical blades.