FR2506800A1 - Method of making sports surface - involves simultaneously cutting and filling drainage channels with gravel using plough - Google Patents

Abstract

The sports surface contains channels for draining water from the surface towards the base which are filled with gravel. The channels are formed using a plough (3), the rear face (9) of which is hollow and into which gravel stored in a chamber (18) can be discharged. As the plough advances, earth is lifted and displaced to each side of the channel which is subsequently filled with gravel from the chamber. The displaced earth is finally spread out to level the surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a method, and a machine for implementing this method, with a view to fitting out a sports field comprising slots intended to accelerate the flow of runoff water originating in particular from precipitation. .

The invention applies more particularly to the development of land, the ground of which must be able to withstand repeated trampling even in rainy weather, while retaining its stability and therefore resisting the risks of physical deformation resulting from violent trampling. Such grounds constitute in particular playgrounds, sports grounds, possibly public places, grass fields.

In these cases, it is necessary, in order to ensure the stability of the surface soil, to provide a particularly effective drainage system for the runoff water so as to prevent the surface layers of the ground, which are subjected to physical aggression resulting from repeated footing , are not or remain full of water, which would quickly lead to the dilution of the layers of soil or superficial humus and its transformation into a muddy mass.

We know for this purpose, especially for the realization of playgrounds or sports evacuation systems in which a deep drainage network consisting of trenches or main collectors and trenches (perpendicular to the previous) constituting secondary collectors, to a surface network of parallel slits, the base of which opens at the top of the secondary collectors, the surface or seepage slots or slits being perpendicular to the secondary collectors; these slots are separated and spaced at a density such that surface water is immediately or almost immediately absorbed and received by the slots, these slots filled with an inert mineral material such as gravel, allowing rapid evacuation to the water collectors runoff.

The seepage slots, filled with rolled gravel, are provided more or less spaced depending on the permeability of the ground; the slots are provided deep enough to cross the entire thickness of the original plant layer (which has been possibly amended) but the slots are also provided to penetrate deep and cross the network of secondary drainage trenches (as we see Figure 1).

In the upper part, the surface layer a few centimeters thick is made up of a light and permeable substrate such as river sand which covers the entire surface of the ground and increases the ability to rapidly evacuate precipitation; this layer protects the slits from pollution and makes it possible to absorb part of the water while being in direct contact with the seepage slits and allowing the evacuation of this water as soon as the surface layer reaches a saturation rate. The sowing is carried out at the level of the light surface layer from a mixture of selected species and adapted to the local climatic conditions and the conditions of use.

This avoids the risks of stagnation or accumulation on the surface, in the layer of humus or surface soil, of water from precipitation, especially in stormy weather, with the risks of suspending the mass particles constituting the layer of humus or surface soil, in particular under the mechanical action of trampling.

The installation of such slots at a suitable density makes it possible to obtain particularly reliable conditions and a sophisticated construction of a sports field capable of withstanding aggressive conditions of use even in rainy weather.

However, setting up this sophisticated structure represents long and delicate work; the latter must be carried out very quickly because it can only be carried out in dry weather; don't be surprised by the rain.

These slots are usually made from soil working machines capable of opening the soil deep down to the appropriate level to reach the lower evacuation layers.

Are known in particular soil working machines consisting of a knife penetrating substantially vertically into the ground to open the latter and conform the slot while at the rear of the knife, dumping devices, fed by a hopper, allow the filling the slot.

These seepage slot forming devices, from a vertical share, open the slot as the share advances (by constituting a volume subsequently filled with a filling material such as gravel) and this volume is obtained by compaction and lateral compaction, by the two faces of the ploughshare or knife, of the earth located in the axis of penetration of the latter.

This results in an effect of increasing the density of the earth, on either side of the slit, which is not favorable to the maximum infiltration of surface water towards the lower layers; and in addition, this compaction of the earth constitutes a compaction of the physical environment, unfavorable to the future development of the root system of the plants constituting the surface cover and a deformation of the physical presentation of the substrate of this plant cover.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and makes it possible to make seepage slots on a ground intended to be subjected to repeated trampling, for example a sports field or playground, the slots of which can be produced under conditions allowing an improvement. of the physical structure of the soil as much from the point of view of the evacuation of water as that of the good development of the surface vegetal cover.

To this end, the invention relates to a method for producing in a ground intended to undergo repeated trampling, so-called seepage slots for the evacuation of runoff water towards the lower layers, the slots being filled with a inert material such as gravel, of the type in which a soil working machine is made up of a ploughshare whose hollow rear face, communicating with an upper hopper pours into said slot the suitable agglomerate or gravel, and the method is characterized in that the slot is produced during the advancement of the ploughshare, by a subsoiling effect causing the lifting of the mass of soil, on each side of the ploughshare, with bursting, unpacking and aeration of this mass of soil , the upper part of which extends beyond each side of the slot formed with respect to the initial horizontal level is then spread over the surface to level the ground.

The invention also relates to a soil working machine for implementing this method, of the type comprising a ploughshare, arranged vertically along the advancement axis of the machine and the front face of which is of transverse V profile, point facing forward, and the hollow rear face of which communicates with a reserve hopper and is thus capable of pouring the filling gravel into the slot formed by the share, and the machine is characterized in that the share comprises on the lower part of its front face a projection, the point of which, located at the level of the horizontal base of the ploughshare, corresponds to the bottom of the slot to be formed, and this point extends upwards by a rise towards the rear forming an inclined plane guiding the earth, thereby initiating the upward movement of the earth extracted from the slit as the latter is formed.

More specifically, said advanced part of the front face of the ploughshare occupies at least the lower third of said face.

According to another characteristic, the share is associated with a removable coulter constituting said front face of the share.

According to another characteristic, the front face of the share comprises, above the advanced lower part and going up towards the rear, an upper zone going up towards the front and of height substantially equal to the height of the lower part, the wire of section that constitutes the front face of the share thus having a concave vertical profile defined by a lower front point and an upper front point.

Preferably, the soil working machine has two lateral deflecting wings which are adjustable to a level suitable for attacking the upper part of the soil raised on each side of the slot when the coulter is advancing, and these wings are profiled to allow the spreading of said earth on the surface on each side of the slot.

The machine according to the invention comprises, according to a particular embodiment, a ploughshare supported in the lower position, by a chassis coupled to a towing machine, and the ploughshare is surmounted by an upper hopper communicating by its base with the open rear face of the coulter, the communication between the hopper and the rear dumping face of the coulter is associated with an adjusting shutter, the displacement of which, capable of regulating or stopping the rate of discharge of the filling material, is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder connected by piping suitable for the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle.

The slot-forming machine also comprises, according to another characteristic, two sliding pads by which it is able to rest on the ground and located on either side of the upper part of the ploughshare.

According to yet another characteristic, the slot opening machine is associated laterally with two wheels, wide treads, and provided with members for adjusting said wheels in height relative to the machine, the height adjustment of said wheels. to determine the working depth of the share and the depth of the slot.

According to another characteristic, the tractor vehicle associated with the soil working machine is constituted by a crawler tractor.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and from the appended drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a land provided with seepage slots obtained by the implementation of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a side elevation view of the machine for producing the seepage slots represented in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows a rear elevational view of the machine.

Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of the working share.

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view, seen from three-quarters front of the tillage machine according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of three quarters rear and from below of the machine of FIGS. 2 to 5.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the terrain during the formation of the seepage slot.

According to all of the figures it can be seen that the machine coupled to a towing vehicle (not shown) comprises two coupling stretchers 1 and 1 ′ secured to the chassis 2 of the machine.

The share 3 is mounted in the lower position on the frame and the share is itself arranged vertically along the axis of advance of the machine. This ploughshare 3 is surmounted by the hopper 18 containing the lining material for the slots, for example gravel.

At the upper part of the share, two lateral pads 4 and 4 ′ are provided, integral with the share 3 and mounted under the chassis 2.

The machine also includes two stabilizing wheels 5 and 5 ′, with wide tread bands whose height positioning is adjustable; so that the machine rests on said wheels, at a suitable height the latter are adjusted in position relative to the ground; one can thus adjust the working depth of the share and consequently adjust the depth of the slots.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3, the ploughshare comprises on its front face, constituting the cutting line, a removable part 6 constituting an independent coulter; this coulter is attached and secured to the support share by a set of two tenons penetrating into receiving mortises provided in the front lowering of the share constituting the support part of said coulter and the tenons are immobilized in said mortises by pins.

According to an essential characteristic of the device of the invention, the front face of the ploughshare constituting the cutting line, and formed by said coulter 6, comprises in its lower part an projection 7 starting from a lower point 8 located at the level of the base horizontal of the ploughshare, said horizontal base corresponding to the bottom of the slot to be formed, and this point 8 is extended upwards by a part rising backwards and constituting an inclined plane for guiding the earth raised by the advancement of the point 8, thereby initiating the uplift movement of the earth displaced by the advancement of point 8.

Thus is obtained, according to this important factor of the invention, the lifting of the earth displaced to empty the volume of the slot, which will be subsequently filled by the pouring of materials from the hollow rear part 9 of the share.

According to FIG. 7, the earth instead of being compacted and compacted laterally on each side during the passage of the ploughshare, is on the contrary raised by forming an upper bead, while the mass of earth is exploded, broken by formation of cracks substantially horizontal, causing deep aeration of the layer.

The bead of expanded soil can then be spread superficially by means of the deflecting and spreading wings of the earth, respectively 10 and 10 ′.

Thus, not only is the harmful phenomenon of soil compaction on each side of the slit avoided, but a layer of earth, aerated and decompacted, is obtained which participates in the formation of the surface layer of humus constituting the substrate of the plant cover.

However, the passage of the coulter slightly smoothes the walls of the slot ensuring the placement of gravel without any pollution. The network of capillary cracks guides the evacuation of water towards the seepage slots.

Elected officials, the lifting of the earth at the level of the formation of each slot makes it possible to obtain subsoiling and unpacking of the soil in depth; thus the passage of the share far from packing the earth on each side allows on the contrary the deep decompaction of the mass of earth, its relaxation and its decompression, remedying the compaction due to the action of the previous passages of machine.

In this way, an unpacked and subsoiled earth is obtained at each slot, allowing better aeration of the substrate, and conditions for improving the flow of water to the lower layers and the deep drainage network. The improvement of the physical characteristics of the soil constituting the substrate of the plant cover, in particular better aeration of the latter as a result of the subsoiling thus obtained, improves the conditions for fixing the cover grass.

According to another characteristic, the passage from the hopper to the rear face of the coulter discharge comprises
a trap door not shown) provided with a linear shutter 13 and the operation of which, making it possible to adjust the flow rate, or even the total stopping of the dumping of gravel is controlled by a system of hydraulic cylinder.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the hydraulic cylinder 11 controls the sliding shutter 13 thus ensuring the adjustment or stopping of the bass flow.

To this end, the soil working machine is connected by flexible pipes of known type to the hydraulic circuit of the towing machine.

The sliding shutter 13 is here in the form of a V-shaped angle iron and it is guided in a rail or slide of complementary shape and also consists of a V-shaped angle iron 14. The spacer 12 connects the head of the jack 11 to the end shutter 13.

This arrangement allows an efficient and rapid operation for controlling the pouring of the filling material into the slots.

 In particular at the end of the course of a "groove" corresponding to the formation of a slot, when the towed machine must maneuver to present itself in position in order to initiate a new groove, according to a new path parallel to the previous one, it is possible thus causing the closure of the hopper and stopping the flow of bass for the time necessary for this operation.

The advantage of a shutter controlled by a cylinder resides in obtaining a force and a power of action much greater than that which could have a device with manual closing or closing; it is in fact understood that the shutter, in order to slide longitudinally in its slide in order to be brought to its closed position, encounters in its path the mass of gravel in the course of flow and the risks of jamming are therefore high, the sole operator force, in the case of a manual control, then not allowing the device to be unlocked.

In the case of the machine described here and illustrated in the drawing, the shutter control, at the end of the journey, is done immediately and it is particularly effective which contributes to the improvement of the yield and avoids dead times.

When the machine must turn around at the end of the journey, it is advantageously extracted from the ground by the action of the jack 16 connected to the towing machine.

To this end, the two coupling stretchers 1 and 1 'connected to the carrying frame 2 are articulated at the rear end of the tractor, advantageously consisting of a crawler tractor; and in the median axis of the machine there is a jack 16, shown in particular in Figure 2, the head 15 of the jack being articulated on the central console 17; the jack 16 maneuvered from the hydraulic circuit of the towing machine, causes the assembly of the whole of the towed machine and the extraction of the ploughshare from the end of the completed slot; and the towing vehicle, supporting the entire machine in the raised position, can thus make the U-turn at the end of the journey to position itself facing the new groove, that is to say the new slot to be opened.

Brought to its starting position, the machine is then rested by the jack 16 to be brought back to the working position the ploughshare 3 resuming its digging position with the ascent of the earth extracted for the formation of the slot under the conditions that the 'have been described previously.

Figure 1 shows the realization of seepage slots in a grassy field according to the invention.

The structure shown in Figure 1 shows the evacuation and drainage trench 20, which advantageously comprises at its base a drain 21, this trench being formed in the original natural soil.

The layer of topsoil 22 resting on the form bottom, has been perfectly leveled and it is on the whole constituted by the layer of topsoil 22 and the natural soil 23, traversed by the drainage trenches, that we then performs the seepage slots 24, 24 '; these seepage slots which run through the whole of the ground and which cross the whole layer of topsoil 22, and enter below the upper part of the trenches, makes it possible to ensure evacuation at a high flow rate and at a very rapid speed of the waters coming from precipitation and which could accumulate in the upper layers of the grassy area.

According to the invention, the layer of topsoil 22, in particular at the level of the slots 24, 24 ′ as well as the natural soil 23 do not undergo any compression and no compaction during the formation of the slots; on the contrary, the opening of the slots, with evacuation and extraction of the earth corresponding to the volume of formation of the slots, makes it possible to decompact the soil in depth and to improve these physical properties both with regard to its absorption capacity and let the seepage water, as its aeration, its ability to facilitate the establishment and proliferation of plant cover.

The operation of forming the seepage slots by decompacting and deep subsoiling, according to the invention, takes place at the end of the work and thus makes it possible to restore a deep aerated structure; indeed the passages of previous machines, during the formation of the bottom of form or leveling could have significantly compacted and compacted the ground.

After passage of the slot-forming machine according to the invention which causes the soil to decompact and aerate, no passage of heavy machinery takes place, so that the soil then retains its divided and aerated structure.

It is understood that thanks to the implementation of the invention the various layers of the ground form a fabric traversed by a continuous network of evacuation and water passage ways; the highly permeable seepage slots make the light surface layer communicate with the deep drainage network; and the seepage slits communicate widely with the mass of topsoil, through which these slits pass, thanks to the cracks possibly of capillary format which cross the mass of soil and which were caused during subsoiling with lifting and formation of the slits; these cracks coming from the bursting of the mass of worked earth.

This network of cracks providing the mass of earth and also communicating the surface layers with the deep network allows a good water balance of the whole; on the one hand by favoring the evacuation of excess surface water in the event of precipitation but on the other hand by allowing the supply by capillary rise of water or deep humidity towards the roots of the vegetal layer the aerated structure thus carried out therefore allows the circulation of water from the surplus zone towards the deficit zone whatever the direction; this ensures excellent operating conditions and a reduction in maintenance costs even in severe weather conditions either as a result of heavy rain or on the contrary during periods of drought.

Figure 7 aims to illustrate this characteristic.

On the left side of Figure 1 we see the raw land, after the works of establishment of the drainage network (secondary drainage trenches 20); this raw ground visible from the left part of the figure is in the compacted state and little ventilated.

In the center of the figure we see the seepage slot 24 which is being formed by passing the: nachine shown in Figures 2 to 5, (and which is not visible in Figure 7).

As seen in the center of the figure, the seepage slot 24 is produced by the passage of the ploughshare, which causes a general lifting of the mass of soil causing an upper bulge or upper bead 26. The latter will then be equalized and distributed on the surface to reach the level of the ground represented by the dotted line 27 and corresponding to the average level of the ground after the formation of the slots as seen on the right part of the figure.

It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the formation of the slots 24 (in the center) and 24 ′ on the right side, by lifting the mass of soil located on either side of the slot, causes this mass to burst and the formation of a multitude of cracks, substantially horizontal and opening into the slots 24, 24 '.

These cracks, which arise from the bursting and fragmentation of the earth mass raised during the delta plow action, causing the subsoiling and decompaction of the earth, constitute a nested network of channels allowing the passage of water from the upper layers towards deep drainage and vice versa allow humidification from the lower layers of the surface soil mass.

We see on the right part of the figure the seepage slot 24, after the bead 26 has been equalized in surface (by the lateral deflecting wings 10 and 10 ′ of the machine) and the ground thus leveled has received the surface layer 25 made of light materials and which constitute the initial support of the seedlings the roots then cross this surface layer to come to nest in the layer of topsoil 22 and these roots then find a favorable medium thanks to the aeration and expansion phenomenon previously described allowing good aeration of the soil and the water balance of this environment.

Claims (10)

1.- A method for producing, in a ground intended to undergo repeated trampling, slots (21) called seepage for the evacuation of runoff water towards the lower layers, the slots being filled with an inert material such as gravel, of the type in which a soil working machine is made to circulate consisting of a ploughshare (3) whose hollow rear Zace (9), communicating with an upper hopper (10) pours into said slot the agglomerate or suitable gravel , and the method is characterized in that the slit is produced during the advancement of the share, by an effect of subsoiling, causing the lifting of the mass of soil, on each side of the share, with bursting, decomnactation and aeration of this mass of earth, the upper part of which extends beyond each side of the slot formed with respect to the initial horizontal level is then spread over the surface to level the ground. 2.- soil working machine for implementing the method according to claim 1, of the type comprising a ploughshare (3), arranged vertically along the axis of advancement of the machine and the front face of which is of transverse profile in V, point facing forward, and whose hollow rear face (9) communicates with a reserve hopper (18) and is thus capable of pouring the filling gravel into the slot formed by the ploughshare, and the machine is characterized in that the share has on the lower part of its front face a projection (7) whose point (8), located at the level of the horizontal base of the share, corresponds to the bottom of the slot to be formed, and this point extends upward by a rise towards the rear forming an inclined plane for guiding the earth, thus initiating the movement of lifting and bursting of the earth mass as the slit is formed. 3.- Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the advanced part (7) of the front face of the ploughshare occupies at least the lower third of said face. 4.- Machine according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the share (3) is associated with a removable coulter (6) constituting said front face of the share. 5.- Machine according to one of claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the front face of the ploughshare comprises, above the advanced lower part (7) and rising towards the rear, an upper zone rising towards the front and of height substantially equal to the height of the lower part, the cutting wire which constitutes the front face of the share thus having a concave vertical profile defined by a lower front point (8) and an upper front point. 6.-Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises two lateral wings (10,10 ') deflecting and adjustable to a level suitable for attacking the upper part of the earth raised on each side of the slot during the advancement of the share (3), and these wings are profiled to allow the spreading of said earth on the surface on each side of the slot. 7.- Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a ploughshare (3) supported in the lower position, by a frame (2) coupled to a tractor, and the ploughshare is surmounted by -an upper hopper (lily) communicating via its base with the open rear face (9) of the share, the communication between the hopper and the rear face of the share discharge is associated with an adjustable shutter (13) whose displacement, capable of adjust or stop the filling material discharge rate, is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder (11) connected by suitable pipes to the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle. 8.- Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said chassis (2) comprises two sliding pads (4 and 4 ') by which the machine is able to rest on the ground and located on either side of the upper part of the coulter. 9.- Machine according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it laterally comprises two wheels (5 and 5 ') with large treads, and provided with members for adjusting said wheels in height relative to the machine, the height adjustment of said wheels making it possible to determine the working depth of the share and the depth of the slot. 10.- Machine according to one of claims 2 to 9 above, characterized in that the hollow rear part 9 of the share has two lateral flanks, located under and on each side of the material discharge flap at the base of the hopper.