Implement and method for preparing and maintaining dirt arena footing

• US 8,944,176 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Absolute Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Absolute Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Kiser, Robert D., Keigley, Kevin V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mitchell, Joel F.
• Application Number:
  US13/158,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20120234565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 172/195, 172/199, 172/196, 172/197
• US Class Current: 172/199
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 35/08 with rigid tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/00 Machines for treating meadows or lawns , e.g. for sports grounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/02 with two or more soil-working tools of different kind
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/043 supported at three points, e.g. by quick-release couplings A01B59/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/24 Tools or tool-holders adjustable relatively to the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/00 Methods for working soil

Abstract

An implement is disclosed for smoothing grounds that include at least a compact base having a top surface and a lesser compact footing on top of the base. The implement includes a frame having a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion, and a width. Wheels are mounted for rotation directly to the frame, and tools are carried by the frame for engagement with the ground. The tools include a specially shaped cleaving blade connected to the rear portion of the frame by a tool support, which securely connects the cleaving blade at predetermined heights. The blade has a front shaving edge and a rear compressing edge. The blade extends straight across the width of the frame so as to maximize the drag displaced on the frame during use of the blade. Arrangement of the wheels directly on the frame provides optimal stabilization of the frame during operation of the blade.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a frame configured for towing behind a vehicle, the frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length;

first and second ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame, the ground contacting wheels supporting the frame at a height above a ground surface with the ground contacting wheels in contact with the ground surface;

a tool support pivotably coupled with the frame; and

a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the tool support, the cleaving blade extending over a length from a front edge to a rear edge, extending over a height from an upper surface to a lower surface, and extending over a width along the width of the frame, wherein the length of the cleaving blade is greater than the height of the cleaving blade and the width of the cleaving blade is greater than the length of the cleaving blade;

wherein, when the ground contacting wheels are in contact with a ground surface, the tool support is pivotable relative to the frame to a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground surface and to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned at a depth below the ground surface and the upper surface is parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame;

wherein the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface is variable by adjusting the position of the cleaving blade relative to the tool support while the tool support is in the first position; and

wherein the tool support is further pivotable to a third position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned below the ground surface and the angle of the upper surface of the cleaving blade relative to the ground surface is varied relative to the second position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaving blade is coupled with the tool support by a plurality of arms extending from the cleaving blade into openings provided in the tool support and pins which extend through bores formed in the arms and in the tool support.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a leveling blade coupled with the frame, the leveling blade extending along the width of the frame at location along the length of the frame closer to the vehicle than the cleaving blade, the leveling blade extending into the ground surface to a second depth, the second depth being less than the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a comb pivotably coupled with the tool support, the comb extending along the width of the frame at location farther from the vehicle than the cleaving blade, the comb pivotable to contact the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaving blade includes an underneath surface which is concave relative to the front edge and the rear edge.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a comb pivotably coupled with the tool support, the comb extending along the width of the frame at location farther from the vehicle than the cleaving blade, the comb pivotable to contact the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position.

7. A method comprising:

positioning a ground working apparatus on an area of ground to be worked, the apparatus including a frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length, a plurality of ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame, a tool support pivotably coupled with the frame, and a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the tool support, the cleaving blade including a shaving edge and a compressing edge extending along the width of the frame, a length extending from the shaving edge to the compressing edge, a width extending along the width of the frame, and a height extending from an upper surface to a lower surface, the width being greater than the length, and the height being less than the width and the length;

selecting a position of the cleaving blade relative to the tool support;

pivoting the tool support from a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned below the ground with the upper surface facing upward toward the frame and being parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame, and the lower surface facing downward away from the frame; and

moving the apparatus along the area of ground to be worked;

wherein during the act of moving, the shaving edge shaves a portion of the ground which passes over the cleaving blade and the compressing edge compresses a portion of the ground which has passed under the shaving edge.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus comprises a leveling blade coupled with the frame and extending along the width of the frame, the method comprising positioning the leveling blade to extend into the ground surface to a second depth, the second depth being less than the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position, wherein during the act of moving the leveling blade levels the ground at a location in advance of the cleaving blade.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the apparatus comprises a comb pivotably coupled with the tool support and extending along the width of the frame, the method comprising positioning the comb to contact the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position, wherein during the act of moving the comb flocculates the ground at a location after the cleaving blade.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the area of ground includes a lesser compact footing on top of a compact base, and wherein during the act of moving, the shaving edge shaves a portion of the compact base, the shaved portion of the compact base passes over the cleaving blade, and the compressing edge compresses a shaved portion of the compact base.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the area of ground comprises an equine arena.

12. A method according to claim 7 wherein when the tool support is in the second position the cleaving blade positioned at an angle such that the compressing edge of the cleaving blade is positioned at a greater depth below the ground than the shaving edge.

13. A method according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus comprises a comb pivotably coupled with the tool support and extending along the width of the frame, the method comprising positioning the comb to contact the grounds surface when the tool support is in the second position, wherein during the act of moving the comb flocculates the ground at a location after the cleaving blade.

14. A method according to claim 7 further comprising adjusting the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame without the use of a tool, by removing a plurality of coupling members which extend through and couple a support member with a plurality of arms extending from the cleaving blade, moving the plurality of arms relative to the support member, and inserting the plurality of coupling members to extend through and couple the support member with a plurality of arms.

15. A ground working apparatus comprising:

a frame having a width and a length extending perpendicular to one another, and a height extending perpendicular to the width and the length;

first and second ground contacting wheels rotatably coupled with the frame at spaced part locations along the width of the frame; and

a cleaving blade adjustably coupled with the frame, the cleaving blade including a length, a width greater than the length and extending along the width of the frame, a thickness less than the length and less than the width, a first surface extending along the length and along the width, and a second surface extending along the length and along the width, the angle of the cleaving blade relative to the frame and the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame both being adjustable;

wherein, when the ground contacting wheels are in contact with a ground surface, the cleaving blade is adjustable relative to the frame to a first position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned above the ground surface and to a second position in which the entire cleaving blade is positioned at a depth below the ground surface and at an angle such that the first surface faces upward toward the frame and is parallel with a plane extending along the length and the width of the frame and perpendicular to the height of the frame, and the second surface faces downward away from the frame;

wherein the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface and the angle of the cleaving blade relative to ground surface are variable by adjusting the angle of the cleaving blade relative to the frame and the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame.

16. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 comprising a leveling blade coupled with the frame, the leveling blade extending along the width of the frame at a spaced apart location relative to the cleaving blade, the leveling blade extending into the ground surface to a second depth, the second depth being less than the depth of the cleaving blade below the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position.

17. A ground working apparatus according to claim 16 comprising a comb pivotably coupled with frame and extending along the width of the frame at a second spaced apart location relative to the cleaving blade, the comb pivotable to contact the ground surface when the tool support is in the second position.

18. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the frame includes a frame portion extending between the first and second ground contacting wheels along the width of the frame, and a front edge and a rear edge are positioned in a parallel relationship with said frame portion.

19. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said cleaving blade includes concave bottom surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge.

20. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the ground below the ground surface includes a lesser compact footing on top of a compact base and in the second position a front edge of the cleaving blade is positioned to contact the compact base.

21. A ground working apparatus according to claim 20 wherein in the second position a rear edge of the cleaving blade is positioned to extend into the compact base.

22. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a front edge and a rear edge of the cleaving blade extend straight across the width of the frame.

23. A ground working apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the distance of the cleaving blade relative to the frame is adjustable independently from the angle of the cleaving blade relative to the frame by selectably coupling at least one support member extending from the cleaving blade with the frame at different locations along a length of said support member.