FR2648835A1 - Device for fastening a sod of turf on a sports ground, race track and golf course more particularly - Google Patents

Abstract

Device making it possible to fix sods of turf torn up during the action of the players or horse races to the underlying ground. The invention comprises a rounded upper part which is circular or rectangular, combined with one or more cylindrical or rectangular shanks (rods), in the form of an inverted U or V, capable of including lugs, being sloped, or simply pointed. The invention can be used on sports grounds, race tracks, golf courses or any other grass-covered terrain.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for fixing to the ground, clods of grass on sports fields, racetracks, and more particularly on golf courses.

 Until now, no device of this kind has been known, intended for fixing the clods of grass raised and torn off by the action of players or horses. These clods of turf torn from the action were delivered with a mallet, hammer, heel, hand followed by pressure from the foot or any other means.

 This bottle of returning the clod of grass to its original location had the disadvantage that it was not fixed could be moved between, either by the action of natural elements: wind, rain or by animals in the search for insects or by the passage of mowers.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to avoid these drawbacks. Indeed, it is possible to fix the clods of turf put back in place, by a means making this clod of turf integral with the sports, racing or golf course and thereby prevent this clod of turf from moving during actions described above, for example by leaving a sufficiently deep imprint that could hinder the proper execution of a golf stroke and thus penalize a player if the ball takes place there. This means of fixing the lawn ball can take various forms and guarantees the uniformity of sports fields.

 The device which is the subject of the invention comprises a fixing element comprising an upper part associated with a rod. The upper part of this device can be rounded, circular like a disc, rectangular, of any geometric shape, drill it with a "V" or an inverted "U".

 This upper part forming a head keeps the clod of turf on the ground and better grip. The end in contact with the sod and penetrating into the underlying ground has a pointed shape and includes one or more rods which can be integral in the upper or lower part, they allow the sod to remain riveted to the ground .This rod of more or less wide diameter can be cylindrical, include lugs to better fix it, it can have undulations or notches in order to retain the clod of turf applied to the ground, or take the form of a "U" overturned or a "V". On the "V" -shaped device, the lower part opens, forming a clamp giving a lateral pressure effect, which makes it possible to maintain the clod of turf on the ground.

 Barbs can be anchored to the stem, to ensure better attachment to clods.

These devices can be of different sizes, depending on the size of the sod removed, to be reattached to the ground
The device can be made of wood, cardboard, biodegradable material, plastic, synthetic product destructible in the natural element or any other material. This device can be produced by production by stamping in cardboard, wood or plastic plates.

 This type of fixing device makes it possible to maintain the clod of turf in compression against the ground, to favor the regrowth of the roots, and thus to guarantee the uniformity of the ground.

 The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example, an iodine embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

 Figure 1 shows the device with a beveled rod, pointed at the end and a rounded head.

 Figure 2 shows the same device with pins at the end of the rod.

 As shown in Figure 3 the head and the rod can be rectangular.

 Figures 4 and 5 show the rod of the device in a wavy or notched shape to allow a stronger adhesion of the clod of grass to the ground.

 FIG. 6 represents the device, the rod of which is double, in the shape of a "V", which causes a clamping effect, that is to say of lateral pressure when sinking into the clod of turf and the underlying ground .

 FIG. 7 shows the device, the rod of which is double, in the shape of a "U", inverted for better fixing of the clod of turf depending on the terrain. Similarly, the double inverted "U" rod can be replaced by 3 or more rods.

 Figure 8 shows that the head of the device can take several forms: round, square, rectangular, etc.

 FIG. 9 represents a lug serving to hold the rod, for a better fixing of the clod of turf to the underlying ground.

 This device, object of the invention can be used to fix the clods of turf to the sports field, golf course or on the racetracks when these clods of turf are torn off during the Game of players or horse races. This attachment to the ground therefore allows good regrowth of sods and better quality of the ground.

 This fixing device can be used on all turfed grounds which are often exposed to uprooting of clods of turf during the Players' Games or horse races.

Claims (5)

 1) Device for fixing the clods of turf on a sports field, horse racing and golf more particularly, after the action of the players or horses tore them off during the Game or the course. The device is characterized by the fact that it comprises an upper part of circular, oval, rounded or rectangular shape associated with a smooth, notched or wavy rod of cylindrical or rectangular section which may include lugs.  2) This device according to claim 1 is characterized in that it can be made of wood, cardboard, plastic, bio-degradable material or synthetic product, destructible in the natural element.  3) The device according to claim l is characterized in that the manufacture can be carried out by stamping in a cardboard, wood, plastic, bio-degradable or synthetic material plate.  4) The device according to claim 1 is characterized in that the rod can be double, triple or comprise several rods, in the shape of an inverted "U". The device can be produced for the upper part in a rounded or flat shape of constant thickness, as drawn in Figures 1 to 4, or by stamping according to the puzzles procedure.  5) The device according to claim 1 is characterized in that the rod can be double, in the form of a "V" causing a clamping effect with lateral pressure when sinking into the clod of turf and the underlying ground .