GB2258147A

GB2258147A - A finishing brush

Info

Publication number: GB2258147A
Application number: GB9116427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan William Hargreaves; George Edward Hobbs
Original assignee: Sisis Equipment; Sisis Equipment Macclesfield Ltd
Current assignee: Sisis Equipment; Sisis Equipment Macclesfield Ltd
Priority date: 1991-07-30
Filing date: 1991-07-30
Publication date: 1993-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-30
Also published as: GB9116427D0; GB2258147B

Abstract

A brush for mounting, for example, behind a tractor comprises a cross beam (10) having anchor points (11) for aftachment to e.g. a tractor and a plurality of separate brush lengths (13) bolted to the cross beam (10) in a zig-zag configuration such that each brush length (13) lies at an acute angle with respect to the intended direction of travel as indicated by arrow (12). The zig-zag configuration provides a smooth and efficient brushing action and ensures that where a ground depression is encountered, loose material is brushed into the depression to fill same thus to enhance the brushed finish. <IMAGE>

Description

A GROUNEFITCT BRUSH THIS INVENTION concerns a ground-effect brush which is preferably, though not exclusively, adapted to be drawn by a tractor over a turf or loose particulate surface and is often combined with other ground-working tools such as an aerator and a rake, the brush providing a finish to the surface.

Conventionally, such a brush comprises an elongate row of bristles mounted in a frame and adapted to be drawn along the ground in a direction transverse to the row of bristles.

It has been found, that when such a brush is used, for example, on a loose gravel or shale sports surface, where a hollow may have been created, drawing of the brush over the hollow simply carries the surface material forwardly without refilling and finishing the depressed area.

An object of the present invention is to provide a ground-effect brush in which the above difficulty is avoided and whose brushing performance is generally improved.

According to the present invention, a ground-effect brush comprises an elongate row of bristles mounted in a frame and adapted, in use, to be drawn or propelled along the ground with the bristle tips in ground contact; characterised in that the brush is divided into a plurality of separate brush lengths; in that at least some of said lengths are mounted angularly on the frame with each of said so mounted lengths thus disposed angularly with respect to the intended direction of travel in use.

Preferably, said lengths are mounted in a zig-zag formation effectively with no gaps between the bristles of adjacent brush lengths.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a ground-effect brush made in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

The brush comprises a main supporting cross beam 10 which, in this example, includes two spaced anchor points 11 for attachment to a tractor so that the brush can be drawn or propelled along the ground in use. The brush is likely to form a part of a combined ground-effect machine including, forwardly of the brush in the direction of travel, other devices to aerate and generally repair the ground surface, for example, on a sports field. The brush is adapted to be transported, as indicated by the arrow 12, in a direction generally transverse to the beam 10 as indicated by the arrow 12.

The brush itself consists of a plurality of brush lengths 13 each approximately 60cm in length attached by inverted channel sections 14 to the beam 10. Each brush length is bolted to its respective channel section which in turn is bolted to the beam 10 at spaced positions 15. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the brush lengths are mounted in a zig-zag configuration along the beam with the end bristles of each section abutting those of the next adjacent length.

Adjustment to this configuration may be made using the bolts 15.

In use, the angled disposition of each brush section with respect to the beam 10 and to its direction of travel, provides a smooth and efficient brushing action and ensures that where a ground depression is encountered, particularly on a loose particulate surface, the loose material is brushed with a sideways component of movement, into the depression to fill the depression and to provide a smooth finish.

Since the brush sections are mounted in mutually abutting relationship, with no gap between them, there is substantially no visual effect produced on the ground by the zig-zag configuration.

A further advantage is that if individual brush lengths should become damaged, or excessively worn, they may be replaced individually if other adjacent sections are not similarly affected.

The improved performance of a brush made in accordance with the invention may also be achieved by simply placing all of the brush lengths mutually parallel and at an angle with respect to the beam 10. However, with such a configuration it is possible, in certain circumstances, for there to be extensive lateral brushing of the surface to one side only, which may be a disadvantage in some instances. Whilst the device has been described in relation to a mechanically towed or propelled brush, it may be applied also to a manual system and the means of attachment of the beam will be adapted according to the application.

The brushing action produced by placing the brush sections at an angle to the forward motion, has been found to improve the application of turf dressing materials allowing them to penetrate to the base of the grass sward with less passes than with conventional brushes. It is also beneficial for working in sand on artificial surfaces as well as finishing and maintaining hard porous surfaces such as running tracks.

Claims

1. A ground-effect brush comprising an elongate row of bristles mounted in a frame and adapted in use to be drawn or propelled along the ground with the bristle tips in ground contact; characterised in that the brush is divided into a plurality of separate brush lengths; and in that at least one of said lengths is mounted on the frame to lie at an acute angle with respect to the intended direction of travel in use.

2. A ground-effect brush according to Claim 1, wherein said separate brush lengths are mounted together in a zig-zag formation effectively with no gaps between the bristles of adjacent brush lengths.

3. A ground-effect brush according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said frame includes a main supporting cross beam having spaced anchor points for attachment to a tractor.

4. A ground-effect brush according to any preceding claim, wherein each said individual brush length is attached to the frame by an inverted channel section and bolted thereto and to the frame.

5. A ground-effect brush according to Claim 2, wherein the end bristles at least at one end of each brush length is in abutting relationship with those of the next adjacent brush length.

6. A ground-effect brush according to any preceding claim, wherein the position of each brush length on said frame is adjustable.

7. A ground-effect brush according to any preceding claim, wherein each said brush length is approximately 60cm long.

8. A ground-effect brush according to Claim 1, wherein said individual brush lengths are placed mutually parallel on said frame and each at an acute angle with respect to said intended direction of travel.

9. A ground-effect brush substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.