EP1777347A2 - Device and method for smoothing the surface of an area - Google Patents

Abstract

The rear finisher (1) has a guide device along a front side of the finisher, which is placed so that the material to be prepared is guided in front of the bottom of the rear finisher. The guide device is a guide plate (5). The guide device has a catch strip (6). An independent claim is included for a method.

Description

The invention relates to a rear finisher for smoothing a terrain surface, which is mounted in the forward direction behind a device for terrain preparation, and in particular behind a device for Schneepistenpräparierung. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for smoothing a terrain surface.

Terrain surfaces for sports and recreational applications, such as beach strips and ski slopes, are prepared by special devices. In this case, the term preparation work such as loosening, compaction, sieving, circulation, etc. of terrain to understand. This work is usually made possible by devices such as milling, rolling, vibratory plates, etc., which are moved over the terrain surface to be prepared. In this case, a homogeneous appearance of the prepared terrain surface is desired. In particular, on ski slopes high demands are made in this context, for example, to ensure the safety of skiers through a uniform slope surface. Therefore, behind the device for terrain preparation, hereinafter also abbreviated as VGP, usually arranged a smoothing device. The term "smooth surface" designates both planar and the provided with this regular regular profiling terrain surfaces. Such a one among other things in the DE 29600905 U1 The disclosed VGP and downstream smoothing device assembly is mounted behind a tractor in the direction of travel and moved over the terrain surface. For smoothing the terrain surfaces in particular rollers and mats are used. In this case, the smoothing device, hereinafter referred to as rear finisher, connects directly to the VGP.

To move the VGPs over the terrain surface, tractors such as tractors and tracked vehicles are used. The moving tractors spin in forward motion However, significant amounts of the terrain to be prepared backwards on the top of the device composite of VGP and rear finisher or over and away and are loosely on the freshly prepared terrain surface on. This effect is particularly problematic in the preparation of snow slopes, cross-country trails, fun parks, etc., since the corresponding non-uniformly designed slope surface represents a significant accident risk for skiers.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a rear finisher, which improves the uniform and reliable smoothing of a terrain surface. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for smoothing a terrain surface.

The objects are achieved with a tail finisher or a method for smoothing a terrain surface according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, guide devices are mounted on the rear finisher which pick up the terrain parts raised by the tractor or falling from the rear side of the VGP and guide them in front of the underside of the rear finisher. Such guide devices are, for example, gutters, channels or recesses.

Preferably, a gap is formed between the VGP and the rear finisher, which extends transversely to the forward direction of the VGP and along the entire width and is bounded on the rear side by a guide plate. This gap allows raised terrain to fall back onto the ground surface behind the VGP and ahead of the guide plate, or pass through the guide plate to the underside of the rear finisher and then be machined into the terrain surface by the trailing rear finisher. Ensuring that the raised terrain falls back to the terrain surface before the rear finisher has smoothed the terrain surface ensures that there are no loose off-road parts behind the VGP and rear finisher assembly of the terrain surface. For this purpose, the gap width, so the minimum distance between the VGP and the rear finisher is dimensioned such that the terrain chunks are not trapped between the rear finisher and the VGP. Further, the gap is formed by the guide plate V-shaped or funnel-shaped. This special arrangement substantially increases the possible catch width of the gap for catching terrain, without increasing the distance between the tail finisher itself and the VGP. The catch width is expediently dimensioned so that all raised terrain parts are collected.

The guide plate may also be designed so that the upper edge of the guide plate projects beyond the surface of the VGP. By such an arrangement, the catch task of the guide plate is further enhanced, as well as very high-sloped terrain parts bounce against the guide wall and passed into the gap.

In addition to a guide device, the rear finisher also has at least one smoothing means, preferably a compaction plate. Such a compression plate extends along the gap and is inclined at the rear obliquely downwards. Preferably, the compression plate also terminates flush with the guide plate. The forwardly lateral edges of the compaction plate and the surface of the terrain converge to the rear. From the surface of the VGP's falling off-road parts can thus be detected in a movement of the device composite from the bottom of the compression plate, partially crushed and continuously further compressed. In this case, the rear lower edge of the compaction plate of the Heckfinishers usually lies on the terrain surface.

The rear finisher is preferably connected to the VGP. For fastening the rear finisher to a VGP, carrier elements such as support arms preferably connect the rear finisher with the VGP. In this case, the gap width between the guide plate and the VGP can be adjusted by the length of the carrier elements. The rear finisher is connected to the VGP via at least one, preferably two or more such carrier elements. Advantageously, connecting the rear finisher to the VGP via two or more such support members will prevent forward buckling of the rear finisher. This effect can be enhanced by the at least two support elements are arranged opposite one another in each of the two lateral edge regions of the Heckfinishers. It is also advantageous to connect the rear finisher elastic with the VGP. An elastic or spring-loaded connection allows the rear finisher to be guided more evenly along the terrain surface so that a much more uniform appearance of the terrain surface can be achieved. Suitable spring elements may be, for example, spiral springs or rubber discs, which are preferably positioned between the carrier element and holding means attached to the rear finisher.

The Heckfinisher invention is particularly for the combination with a vibrating plate according to the WO 2004/053232 A1 intended as VGP for the care and preparation of snow slopes. In this case, a vibration-transmitting connection between the parts of the vibration plate vibrated by the vibration generator and the rear finisher is particularly advantageous for the illustrated arrangement. This particular embodiment makes it possible with these vibrations Targeting tail finisher to vibrate without the need for a separate vibration exciter for the rear finisher.

In addition to an undamped transmission of the vibrations of the vibrating plate to the rear finisher, a damped transmission of vibrations of the vibrating plate to the rear finisher is possible. In particular, the targeted use and modification of the already mentioned spring elements offers this. By a systematic variation of the physical properties of the responsible for the oscillatory storage of the rear finisher on the vibrating plate means, such as the elasticity of the spring elements, the vibrations resulting on the rear finisher can be regulated or tuned with the vibrations of the vibrating plate and adjusted, inter alia, for the respective terrain background become.

It is also possible to provide the rear finisher with means that impart vibrations to the rear finisher independently of the VGP. This is particularly advantageous when the VGP is a device that does not vibrate itself. For vibrational excitation are in principle all the usual arrangements, such as eccentric vibration exciters. In this case, the vibration generating means can be operated by suitable autonomous drive devices on the tail finisher itself, or connected via corresponding connections to drive devices of the VGP or the tractor.

Control of the vibration ratio between the vibrating plate and the rear finisher is also possible by means of ballasting elements attached to the vibrating plate and / or the rear finisher. Suitable ballast elements are any conventional means such as weights, bulk material units, liquids, etc .. Furthermore, special devices may be provided on the rear finisher, such as holes, hollows, rails, trays, etc. which serve to accommodate or attach the ballast elements.

In addition, the ballasting and / or the oscillatory storage can be chosen so that the rear finisher oscillates in natural frequency. In this case, the vibrating rear finisher reaches its maximum amplitude, which can significantly increase the surface effects of the underside of the rear finisher. The characteristics of the oscillating bearing, the spring elements and / or the ballast of Heckfinisher and / or vibration plate can thus influence the vibration behavior of the Heckfinishers and regulate.

Preferably, the rear finisher is pivotally mounted to the VGP in the manner that the rear finisher can be folded down or folded up as needed. So is for In case the rear finisher is folded up, the operation of the VGP without subsequent smoothing of the terrain surface by the rear finisher is possible. In the folded-down position of the rear finisher, however, the rear finisher behind the VGP is pulled over the terrain surface and ultimately causes a reliable and uniform smoothing. The folding of the rear finisher can do this manually, or else be taught by hydraulic, mechanical or electrical aids. Furthermore, joints can be attached to the support elements to allow the pivotability of the Heckfinishers against the VGP.

In order to increase the pivot radius of such a Heckfinishers with height-extended guide plate, beyond the upper part of an elongated guide plate, also referred to as catch bar, can be folded forward or backward, making one of the guide plate to the rear or angled towards the VGP out Area is formed. In this case, the safety catch bar in the folded-down state of the rear finisher is generally arranged at least parallel to the terrain surface, but preferably inclined toward the gap, so that the terrain components which hit the arrest bar are guided in the forward direction of the VGP from the catch bar to the gap and fall into these. An advantage of this arrangement is that the pivot radius of the Heckfinishers is not limited by the catch plate. The catch area of the catch strip can thus be varied by the variation of the angle of inclination between catch strip and guide plate and tailored to the particular needs. Comparable with the already mentioned extended guide plate also allows the inclined catch strip enlargement of the interception of spin-on Landändegutbestandteilen. In this case, such a catch strip can also be connected as a separate component with the guide plate in the usual manner such as welding, screwing, bolting, gluing, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to provide an optional catch bar, which is attached to the rear finisher or postponed.

Typically, the VGP carrying the heel finisher may be lifted by the tractor to permit, for example, transport over non-prepared terrain surfaces. In this case, it is desirable that the rear finisher no longer has contact with the terrain surface or does not have to be folded up separately each time. For this purpose, pivot limiters are attached to the rear finisher and preferably to the support elements, which limit an uncontrolled folding down of the rear finisher.

An increase in the work efficiency of the VGP is usually achieved by a juxtaposition of several VGPs, which are pulled together by a tractor. Due to the design, defects occur in the direction of travel between the individual VGPs, which are homogeneous Disturb the appearance of the terrain surface. It has therefore proved advantageous to place the individual rear finishers offset relative to the VGPs or to vary the working width, ie the width of the transversely forward-facing region within which the terrain surface is machined, of the rear finisher compared to the working width of the VGPs. It makes sense that the total working width, ie the sum of the individual working widths, the rear finisher is at least as large as the total working width of the VGPs. Decisive for the arrangement is the presence of a continuous working area of the rear finisher in the area of a defect. The resulting defects between the individual VGPs are thus overflowed and smoothed by a continuous surface of the corresponding tail finisher. Usually, two vibrating plates are provided with a total of three rear finishers, so that the middle rear finisher detects and equalizes the resulting between the two vibrating plates defect. Of course, other arrangement and combination options are conceivable. For example, as an alternative, a single rear finisher can be installed over the entire working width of the VGPs.

Depending on the equipment of the rear finisher, the compression plate, the guide plate, the catch strip and the support strip of the rear finisher are particularly preferably produced from a single part by, for example, bending a metal sheet. In addition to the particularly inexpensive production of such a Heckfinishers can be dispensed with additional joints between the individual plates and strips such as welds or fittings.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for smoothing a terrain surface in which the terrain surface to be smoothed is caused by two differently oscillating means guided one after the other on the terrain surface.

Fig. 1

Einen herab geklappten Heckfinisher mit einer profilierten Metallleiste an einer Vibrationsplatte (Ansicht von schräg hinten) gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 2

einen hochgeklappter Heckfinisher mit einer Elastomermatte an einer Vibrationsplatte (Ansicht von schräg hinten) gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform und

Fig. 3

den hochgeklappten Heckfinisher mit Elastomermatte an einer Vibrationsplatte (Ansicht von schräg vorne) gemäß Fig. 2.

The invention will be explained with reference to two embodiments illustrated in the figures. In it show schematically:

Fig. 1

A folded-down rear finisher with a profiled metal strip on a vibrating plate (view from obliquely behind) according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

a folded-up rear finisher with an elastomer mat on a vibration plate (oblique view from the rear) according to a second embodiment and

Fig. 3

the folded-up rear finisher with elastomer mat on a vibrating plate (oblique view from the front) according to FIG. 2.

The first Heckfinisher 1 shown in Fig. 1 is attached to the vibrating plate 2, which is particularly intended for the preparation of snow slopes, trails, fun parks, etc. This is the vibration plate 2 to a traction device, not shown here, usually a snowcat, connected via the bracket 3 with the back of the snow groomer and pulled by this over the snow surface to be prepared. The arrow indicates the forward direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the top of the vibrating plate 2 is closed by cover plates or a lid. Between the transversely mounted to the forward direction of the rear finisher 1 and the vibrating plate 2, a funnel-like trained laterally extending guide gap 4 is also provided, which extends from the upper edge of the Heckfinishers 1 down to the terrain surface. Through this guide gap 4, terrain can fall from top to bottom.

Basically, the rear finisher 1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of four adjoining functional areas. The guide device of the Heckfinishers 1 is in the illustrated embodiments transverse to the forward direction guide plate 5. The guide plate 5 directs off-road terrain before the Heckfinisher 1 to the terrain surface, so that the terrain can then be detected from the bottom of the Heckfinishers 1. In this case, the guide plate 5 of the Heckfinishers 1 is preferably arranged in relation to the rear wall of the vibrating plate 2 in the manner that the guide gap 4 is transverse to the forward direction horizontally funnel- or V-shaped.

In order to increase the catchment area of the rear finisher 1, the first rear finisher 1 has a catch plate 6 running along the upper edge of the guide plate 5, which considerably increases the efficiency of the rear finisher 1. Thus, from the top 7 of the vibrating plate 2 rebounding to the rear or by a tractor relatively high swirled terrain parts to the arranged in the upper part of the Heckfinishers 1 catch bar 6. So that the caught by the catch strip 6 terrain parts in the forward direction to the guide gap 4 arrive, is the catch bar 6 inclined towards the guide gap 4 down and flush with the upper edge of the guide plate 5 from.

Towards the snowpiste surface, a compaction plate 8 adjoins the lower edge of the guide plate 5, which slopes down towards the snowplow surface so that the snowplow surface and the compaction plate 8 converge towards the rear and the vertical distance between the underside of the compaction plate 8 and the snowplow surface is opposite the forward direction reduced. This ensures that even coarser terrain parts such as lumps of ice do not remain continuously in the guide gap 4 and roll along the snowplow surface, but can be caught by the underside of the compression plate 8. By reducing the vertical spacing, these chunks are then further crushed and crushed, and ultimately substantially uniformly incorporated into the snowplow surface. The compaction plate 8 thus has in addition to the compacting and smoothing function the task of crushing rough terrain by crushing and / or rubbing.

In order to increase the resistance of a snow runway surface, a profile is usually incorporated into the snow runway surface. For fastening such profiling means, the rear finisher 1 has a support strip 9, which adjoins the compression plate 8 to the rear. In Fig. 1, the profiled metal strip 10 is attached to the support bar 9 of the first Heckfinishers 1, whereas in Figs. 2 and 3, a second embodiment of the Heckfinisher 1 'has a profiled elastomer mat 11 on the rear finisher 1.

For attachment of the first Heckfinishers 1 on the vibrating plate 2, the carrier elements 12 are mounted on the Heckfinisher 1 shown in Figure 1, wherein each two parallel and transverse to the forward direction congruently arranged support elements form a fastening unit and the Heckfinisher 1 of FIG. 1 via two such Mounting units is connected to the vibration plate 2. The two support members 12 are connected at their vibrating plate-side end via a hinge 13 with the vibration plate 2, which allows a high-down folding the Heckfinishers 1 on the vibrating plate 2. Further, the support members have extensions in the direction of the vibrating plate 2, which go beyond the joint 13 and abut a rear side horizontally extending edge. This stop 17 on the vibrating plate limits the swing radius of the Heckfinishers.

In Fig. 1, the support members 12 are further connected to the rear finisher 1 via torsionally elastic disc-shaped spring elements 14, which are attached via two connecting screws to the rear finisher 1 holding means 15. The spring elements 14 are made in this embodiment of rubber discs. In this case, two holding means 15 are provided on the rear finisher 1 for each fastening unit. At each holding means 15, a respective spring elements 14 is mounted, in such a manner that the surface of the disc-shaped spring elements 14 extends in the forward direction and the rubber discs are arranged coaxially with each other. To the outwardly facing circular surfaces of the spring elements 14, a holding means 15 is mounted in each case via two connecting elements, which are arranged on a straight line passing through the center of the circular area. On the other hand, the support elements 12 are attached to the two mutually facing circular surfaces of the spring elements 14, wherein the connecting screws of the support members 12 are radially offset from the connecting bolts of the holding means 15, so that the spring elements 14 can transmit torsional forces occurring on the rear finisher. The illustrated arrangement of the fastening unit transmits vibrations from the vibrating plate 2 to the rear finisher 1 via the carrier elements 12 and the spring elements 14 particularly well. The illustrated rear finisher 1 is thus oscillatable and mounted on the vibrating plate 2.

In the illustrated embodiment of the Heckfinishers 1 two vibrating plates 2 are arranged laterally adjacent to each other in Fig. 1 shows a section of a proposed device composite of Heckfinisher 1 and vibrating plate. In FIG. 1, only one of the two vibrating plates 2 is shown for the sake of clarity. Of the adjacent vibrating plate only the lateral side wall 2 'is indicated. In addition, a total of three rear finisher 1 according to the invention are attached laterally adjacent to each other in the forward direction to the two vibrating plates 2, of which in Fig. 1, also only a Heckfinisher 1, namely the outer right in the forward direction, is shown. In this case, the vibrating plates 2 and the rear finisher 1 are designed in their expansions that the transverse to the forward direction total working width of the vibrating plates 2 substantially parallel to the total working width of the Heckfinisher 1 corresponds. It thus follows for the illustrated embodiments, that the working width of a single vibrating plate is greater than the working width of a single Heckfinishers.

The illustrated on the rear finisher 1 in the forward direction to the left following not shown "middle" rear finisher is therefore attached to both vibratory plates 2 and travels and smoothed in the folded state, the defect due to the design-related gap between two vibration plates 2 16 on the snow surface resulting.

The illustrated in Fig. 2 in the folded position on the vibrating plate 2 second Heckfinisher 1 'has, in contrast to the embodiment of the Heckfinishers 1 of Figure 1 an elastomeric mat 11. In this position, the vibrating plate 2 without Heckfinisher be used for slope preparation, without the Heckfinisher 1 'must be dismantled before. To flip the Heckfinishers 1 'on the vibrating plate 2 lever 18 are provided with springs for tilt adjustment in the illustrated embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows the rear finisher 1 'shown in Fig. 2 in a view obliquely from the front. In order to prevent damage to the rear of the vibrating plate 2 or to elements of the Heckfinishers 1 'when folding the Heckfinishers 1', in the illustrated embodiment, a mounted in the middle of the metal bar stopper 19 is provided when erecting the Heckfinishers 1 'against the vibrating plate 2 strikes. Compared to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2 and 3 show an alternative construction of the fastening units. In this case, the two carrier elements 12 of a fastening unit in each case engage around the lateral outer sides of the holding means 15 that run vertically in the forward direction at the rear finisher 1 '. For connection to the holding means 15 of the rear finisher 1 ', a screw is further provided, which extends the holding means 15 and the two support members 12 horizontally.

Claims (15)

Rear finisher (1) for smoothing a terrain surface mounted as an accessory in the forward direction behind a terrain preparation device, and in particular behind a snow grooming device,
characterized,
in that it has, along its front side, a guiding device which is designed so that material to be prepared is directed in front of the underside of the rear finisher (1). Rear finisher (1) according to the preceding claim,
characterized,
that the guide device is a guide plate (5). Rear finisher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the guide device has a catch strip (6). Rear finisher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the rear finisher (1) is elastically connected to the device for terrain preparation. Rear finisher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the rear finisher (1) is mounted oscillating on the device for terrain preparation. Rear finisher (1) according to the preceding claim,
characterized,
that the oscillatory bearing has spring elements. Rear finisher (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the terrain preparation device connected to the rear finisher (1) is a vibration plate (2). Rear finisher (1) according to the preceding claim,
characterized,
in that the vibrations of the vibration plate (2) are transmitted to the rear finisher (1) by carrier elements (12). Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
in that the rear finisher (1) has means which impart vibrations to the rear finisher (1) independently of the terrain preparation device. Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8,
characterized,
that the vibrations of the vibrating plate (2) are transferred to the rear finisher (1) in a damped manner. Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9,
characterized,
that the vibration behavior of the Heckfinishers (1) is adjusted by ballasting. Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10,
characterized,
that the vibration behavior of the Heckfinishers (1) is adjusted by tuning the oscillatory storage. Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10,
characterized,
that the oscillating bearing is chosen so that the rear finisher (1) vibrates in natural frequency. Rear finisher (1) according to one of claims 7 to 11,
characterized,
that the ballast is selected so that the rear finisher (1) vibrates in natural frequency. Method for smoothing a terrain surface,
characterized,
that the terrain surface to be smoothed is smoothed by two differently oscillating means guided one behind the other on the terrain surface.

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