AU2009201300A1 - Apparatus For Rolling Up Flexible Material - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): RPS Industries Pty Ltd Invention Title: Apparatus For Rolling Up Flexible Material The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P80057.AU Pat St _FiUng Applition 2009-4-3.2.doc (M) -2 APPARATUS FOR ROLLING UP FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for rolling 5 and unrolling a flexible material. In a preferred form, the invention relates to a hydraulically powered apparatus for rolling and unrolling a mat, such as a cover for an outdoor recreation ground. 10 Background to the Invention In a number of outdoor recreation environments there is often the need for the use of equipment including large, and often heavy flexible materials. Such equipment includes, for example, large mats which are used as 15 protective covers for cricket pitches on recreation grounds. Other examples are pool covers, large tents, marquees and hot air balloons. The storage and dispensation of such equipment has been problematic, due to their sheer size, handling difficulties and weight, all 20 of which also present serious occupational health and safety issues. While some of these problems may be addressed by using automated handling apparatus, it is not always practical or possible to employ such equipment, particularly where the recreation area is remote from 25 power sources. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for automatically rolling flexible material which overcomes, or at least alleviates, one or 30 more disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for rolling and unrolling winding and unwinding 35 a flexible material including: a rotatable elongated roller adapted for attachment to an end of said flexible material when in an N:\Melboune\Caeea\Patent\80000-80999\P80652.AU\Speci.\Complete Specification.doc 3/04/09 -3 unrolled condition; support means for supporting said elongated roller at each end thereof; drive means for rotating the roller to thereby 5 reversibly wind the flexible material into a roll onto the roller; connector means for connecting said drive means to a remote power supply. 10 Detailed Description of the Invention The apparatus of the invention is typically used for rolling up a flexible sheet material, in particular a large and/or heavy flexible sheet material which is difficult and/or labour intensive to handle. The flexible 15 material may, for example, be a mat, a ground cover, a cover for a pool or other body of water, a tent, a marquee or a hot air balloon. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible material is a 20 mat for covering an outdoor recreation ground, such as a cricket pitch. The mat is typically made of synthetic turf. Synthetic turf usually comprises an upper, tufted layer and a lower backing layer. Infill sand and rubber crumb are often dispersed through the tufted layer prior 25 to use. In addition to the potential for spillage of the sand and rubber crumb on the recreation ground, this can significantly add to the weight of the mat when it is being rolled up. The apparatus of the invention therefore enables the mat to be rolled up with minimum manual 30 labour. Moreover, the mat is preferably wound onto the roller with the tufted layer innermost, thereby minimising spillage of sand and rubber crumb onto the recreation ground being covered and ensuring that the mat is in an appropriate condition for ready reuse when next unwound. 35 The rotatable elongated roller is adapted for attachment to an end of the flexible material when it is in an N:\Melboume\Caoeo\Patent\80000-80999\P80657.AU\Specis\CompL Specification.doc 3/04/09 unwound condition. Preferably the roller includes attachment means for attaching to the flexible material. The attachment means may include a brace for connection to and stiffening the leading end of the flexible material so 5 as to ensure even feeding of the wound material along the length of the roller as it is rotated. The brace is preferably connected to the roller by releasably connected cables which are preferably provided substantially evenly along the length of the roller. Typically, there are at 10 least two and preferably three cables connecting the brace and roller. The brace is typically constructed from a suitable metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel. It is preferably connected to the material by bolts. 15 The roller typically comprises two end mounting sections and a central, material receiving section extending therebetween. The end mounting sections are typically rods of narrower cross-section than the central section. 20 The apparatus of the invention also includes support means for supporting the elongate roller. Typically the support means supports the roller on a support surface at each end thereof. The roller is preferably detachably mounted on the support means by means of quick release latches 25 retaining the roller on the support surfaces. Each support surface preferably comprises a bearing surface on which the end of rods of the roller are received. After the material has been wound onto the roller, the 30 roller may be detached from the support means and removed for storage. If required, another roller may then be subsequently used with the apparatus of the invention for the winding or unwinding of material. 35 The apparatus of the invention also preferably includes at least one guide means for guiding the flexible material onto the roller during winding. N:\Melbourne\Caeo\Patent\80000-80999\P80657.AU\Specis\Comnplete Specifcation.doc 3/04/09 -5 Preferably, the apparatus includes two said guide means for detachable engagement with said roller so as to be adjustably spaced from each other a predetermined distance 5 corresponding substantially to a dimension of said flexible material. More preferably, the guide means comprises a guide plate having an aperture therethrough for receiving said roller 10 therein. Typically, the guide plate is sized such that its major dimension is at least equal to the diameter of the roll of flexible material when in the wound condition. 15 Each guide plate preferably includes a central aperture receivable on the roller surrounded by a collar which is fixable to the roller by suitable fastening means. The relative positions of the guide plates on the roller can 20 be adjusted depending on the width of the material being wound onto the roller. The apparatus of the invention also includes drive means for rotating the roller to thereby wind the material onto 25 a roll, or unwind it from the roll. Preferably, the drive means is hydraulically powered. Typically, the drive means is a chain and sprocket 30 mechanism, including a hydraulically powered drive sprocket and a driven sprocket provided on the roller. The drive means preferably includes a hydraulic pump for driving the drive sprocket. 35 The apparatus also preferably includes a safety guard for protecting a user from injury. The safety guard is typically provided in association with the drive means. N: \Melbourne\CUe\ Patent\8 0000-80999\P8065.AU\Specis\Completc Specification.doc 3/04/09 -6 Preferably the safety guard comprises a housing in which the chain and sprocket mechanism is at least partly accommodated. 5 The apparatus of the invention further includes connector means for connecting said drive means to a remote power supply. Preferably, the connection means comprises hydraulic 10 connectors for attachment to a hydraulic circuit. More preferably, the hydraulic connectors are provided on the hydraulic pump and are connectable into an external hydraulic circuit which is remotely powered, preferably by 15 a vehicle. The vehicle is preferably a tractor having a means for externally providing hydraulic fluid. The apparatus of the invention also may include coupling means for coupling the apparatus to suitable 20 transportation means when required. Typically, the transportation means is a vehicle, and preferably the same vehicle as that which provides power for operating the drive means. Typically, therefore the transportation means is a tractor. The coupling means of the apparatus 25 of the invention preferably therefore is able to couple to the typical three point linkage provided on most tractors. Given that the apparatus of the invention is intended to be coupled to a vehicle in order to be transported and/or powered there is no requirement for the apparatus to 30 itself include wheels or other conveying means, which thereby simplifies the manufacturing process. Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages of the invention will 35 become readily apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawings, of which: N: \Melbourne\Case\ Paten\80000-8 0999\ P05. AU\Specis\Complete Specification dc 3/04/09 -7 Figures la and 1b are perspective views of an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention showing a mat in its rolled and unrolled conditions, respectively. 5 Figure 2 is a detailed view of the drive means shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detailed view of the support surface for the roller shown in Figure 1. 10 Figure 4 is a detailed view of the linkage of the support means to a tractor. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 15 Figures la and lb are perspective views of an embodiment of the apparatus 10 of the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a rotatable roller 12 including a central section 13 onto which a flexible material comprising a synthetic turf mat 14 is being rolled. The apparatus 10 also 20 includes a support means 16 which supports the roller 12 at each end mounting section 12a, 12b thereof. Figure la shows the mat 12 in a wound condition and Figure lb shows the mat in an unwound condition. 25 Also shown in Figures la and lb are guide means, comprising guide plates 18a and 18b, for guiding the mat 14 onto the roller 12 as it is being rolled up. The diameter of each guide plate 18a and 18b is at least equal to the diameter of the roll of synthetic turf in its 30 rolled up condition. As seen in Figure 1b, the roller 12 includes attachment means 15 for attaching to the leading edge 14a of the mat 14. The attachment means 15 includes three cables 17a, b 35 and c which are releasably connected to a brace 19 bolted to the leading end of the mat 14. The brace 19 stiffens and reinforces the leading edge 14a to ensure smooth and N:\Melboure\Cases\Patent\B0000-80999\P80652.AU\Speci.\Corplete Specification.doc 3/04/09 -8 even winding of the mat onto the roller 12. The roller is rotated by drive means 20 which is illustrated in detail in Figure 2. The drive means 20 5 comprises a hydraulically powered chain and sprocket arrangement 22 including a drive sprocket 24, a driven sprocket 26, a chain 28 and optional tensioning sprocket 30. The driven sprocket 26 is attached to one end 12a of the roller 12. The drive sprocket 24 is powered via a 10 hydraulic pump 32. The hydraulic pump 32 includes connectors 34a and 34b for connection to a hydraulic circuit powered by remote hydraulic power supply (not shown) via hydraulic hoses 36a and 36b. The remote power supply is typically provided by a tractor having means for 15 external provision of hydraulic fluid. The torque and speed of the roller 12 can be controlled by torque controller 35 and speed controllers 37a and 37b, respectively. 20 The apparatus 10 further includes a safety guard 38 comprising a two part openable housing 40a and 40b which encloses that part of the chain and sprocket mechanism 22, which is exposed when in use. 25 Figure 3 shows details of a support surface 42 upon which the roller 12 is supported. The support surface 42 includes a saddle 44 which receives a flanged collar 46, shown being lowered into position. The flanged collar 46 is provided on an end mounting section 12a of the roller 30 12. When the flanged collar 46 is lowered into the saddle 44, it is retained in position by spring loaded latches 48a and 48b which extend into the saddle via apertures 49a and 49b, respectively. 35 Also shown in Figure 3 is the central adjustable collar 50 on guide plate 18a which can be moved along the central section 13 of the roller 12 and tightened in place by N \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\B0000-80999\PB0657.AU\Speci \Complete Specification.doc 3/04/09 -9 bolts 52 to accommodate different widths of material being wound up. Figure 4 shows the rear of support means 16 having linkage 5 elements 54a, 54b and 54c for attachment to a tractor via its three point linkage. The hydraulic hoses 36a and 36b are also shown which extend and connect to the tractor's hydraulic fluid outlet (not shown). 10 References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. 15 The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the 20 spirit and scope of the above description. N \Melboure\Caseo\Patent\B0000-80999\P80657.AU\Specio\complete Specication doc 3/04/09

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a flexible material including: 5 a rotatable roller adapted for attachment to an end of said flexible material when in an unrolled condition; support means for supporting said roller; drive means for rotating the roller to thereby 10 reversibly wind the flexible material into a roll onto the roller; connector means for connecting said drive means to a remote power supply. 15

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible material is a flexible sheet.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible material is a mat for covering an outdoor recreation 20 ground.

4. Apparatus of claim 3, wherein the outdoor recreation ground is a cricket pitch. 25

5. Apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mat is comprised of synthetic turf.

6. Apparatus of claim 1, the rotable roller is releasably connectable to the support means. 30

7. Apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one guide means for guiding the flexible material onto the roller during winding. 35

8. Apparatus of claim 7, including two said guide means for detachable engagement with said roller so as to N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\80000-80999\P80657 AU\Specis\Compl ete Specification.do 3/04/09 - 11 be adjustably spaced from each other a predetermined distance corresponding substantially to a dimension of said flexible material. 5

9. Apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein said guide means comprises a guide plate having an aperture therethrough for receiving said roller therein.

10. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein said guide plate is 10 sized such that its major dimension is at least equal to the diameter of the roll of flexible material when in the wound condition.

11. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive means is 15 hydraulically powered.

12. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection means comprises hydraulic connectors for attachment to a hydraulic circuit. 20

13. Apparatus of claim 12, wherein said hydraulic circuit is powered by a vehicle, preferably a tractor.

14. Apparatus of claim 1, further including a safety 25 guard.

15. Apparatus for rolling and unrolling a flexible material, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. N:\Melboure\Case\Patent\80000-80999\P0657.AU\Specio\Complete Spect f ication doc 3/04/09