Mobile unit for treating soil

• US 5,542,208 A
• Filed: 10/07/1994
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SubAir Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: William M. Benson
• Inventors: Benson, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Application Number:
  US08/319,122
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 405/36, 405/131, 405/43, 405/37, 47/1 F, 47/1.01
• US Class Current: 47/1.01R
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/02 for aerating
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/02 combined with other agricultural processing, e.g. fertilising, planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/24 Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature , illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/245 Conduits for heating by means of liquids, e.g. used as frame members or for soil heating
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/00 Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor golf courses A63B69/3691; water roundabouts A63G3/00; construction of surfaces of foundations E01C; roofs E04B7/00; buildings or groups of buildings for sports E04H3/10; swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/00; coverings for baths E04H4/06
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 13/02 Foundations, e.g. with drainage or heating arrangements E01C13/003, E01C13/083, E01C13/10 take precedence; drainage of soil E02B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 13/083 Construction of grass-grown sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

A treatment system for aerating, cooling and heating or draining a site such as a golf course green or a playing field. A mobile blower can be connected and disconnected with an underground duct network situated under the site through a suitable valving arrangement so that one blower can be used in servicing a number of sites.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating the soil of a sportsfield or grass site that includes

a duct network buried beneath the soil of a site in a gravel bed, ducts in said network having perforations therein that are in fluid flow communication with said gravel bed,

a mobile unit that includes a blower means for supplying air to the duct network at a pressure and volume such that the air is distributed uniformly throughout the bed and is forced upwardly through the soil into the ambient surrounding the site,

means for coupling and decoupling the blower to the duct network, and

a flow reversing means for reversing the flow of air through said duct network that includes a four-way valve mounted upon the mobile unit for selectively connecting the duct network to either a discharge port on said blower or a suction port on said blower whereby air can be either pushed upwardly through the soil or drawn downwardly through the soil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 that further includes a drain line coupled to the duct network for draining moisture from the duct network.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 that further includes a first valve means for coupling the drain line to the duct network whereby the drain line can be selectively opened and closed.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 that further includes a second valve means connected to one end of a main distribution line of the duct network for opening and closing the main distribution line and a disconnect means for coupling the blower to said second valve means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first valve means is connected to the second valve means and said second valve means is selectively positionable to connect the distribution line with the blower or the drain line.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit further includes a portable power means connected to said blower for driving the blower.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit is a self-propelled vehicle that is capable of moving between sites.

8. Apparatus for treating the soil of a grass sportsfield that includes

a duct network situated beneath the soil of a grass sportsfield in a gravel bed, ducts in said network having perforations therein that are in fluid flow communication with said gravel bed,

a drain line coupled to said duct network for draining moisture from the duct network,

a mobile unit that includes a blower means having a discharge port for supplying air to the duct network at a pressure and volume such that air is distributed uniformly throughout the bed and is forced upwardly through the soil into the ambient surrounding the grass sportsfield,

means for coupling and decoupling the discharge port of the blower to the duct network, and

valve means operable for selectively connecting and disconnecting the drain line to said duct network wherein said drain line can be isolated from said duct network when the blower is coupled to the duct network.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said valve means includes a first valve means for coupling the duct network to the drain line and a second valve means for coupling the blower to the duct network.