GB2317348A - Apparatus for covering ground - Google Patents

Abstract

A mandrel assembly formed by a tubular member (24) and end assemblies is self-powered for movement across a sports pitch (12) or the like to deploy and retrieve a weather resistant membrane (26). When not in use, the assembly is stored in a trough covered by a lid (22) flush with the ground.

Description

Ground Cover Apparatus This invention relates to an apparatus for covering a predetermined area of ground. The invention is particularly applicable to covering a sports pitch in order to protect it from rain or frost, but may also be used to cover ground for other purposes, for example, in order to protect crops.

It is known to protect predetermined areas of ground with a series of tarpaulins or the like. However, these arrangements are cumbersome to handle, labour intensive and time consuming. They also leak at the joints or seams between sections of tarpaulin.

A further difficulty with known covers is that, when the ground is uncovered, a quantity of folded or bundled material is present at the side of the sports pitch or the like. This is unacceptable in locations such as Stadia used in National League football, where it is a safety requirement of ground licensing that there is no obstruction between the spectator seating and the playing area, in order to provide a place of safety in emergencies.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved means for covering a predetermined area of ground.

In accordance with the invention an apparatus for covering a predetermined area of ground comprises an elongate mandrel having a length corresponding to one side of said predetermined area, a flexible continuous weather-resistant membrane mounted on the mandrel so as to be capable of being rolled onto and unrolled from the mandrel, and means for driving the mandrel across said predetermined area.

The apparatus preferably includes a housing for receiving the mandrel and the membrane rolled thereon, when the ground is uncovered. Preferably, the housing is sunk in the ground and is accessed via a lid.

The driving means preferably comprises means for rotating the membrane-wrapped mandrel on the ground.

The mandrel may be powered by at least one selfcontained power source, such as a diesel engine, at an end of the mandrel.

Each end of the mandrel may be provided with oppositely extending transverse arms carrying ground-engaging wheels, to provide reaction torque.

Preferably, the membrane is a tarpaulin-like sheet, which will typically be formed of a number of sections secured together without stitching.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a sports ground; Figure 2A is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing part of the apparatus in a closed condition; Figure 2B is a view similar to Figure 2A showing the same part in an open condition; Figure 3 is a side view of a mandrel assembly forming part of the apparatus of this embodiment; Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of an end assembly of the parts shown in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is an end view corresponding to Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a plan view of the same end assembly.

Referring to Figure 1, a sports ground has a grassed pitch 12 surrounded by a running track 14. A covered trough generally indicated at 16 is disposed in the track 14 parallel to one side of the pitch 12.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, a mandrel assembly generally indicated at 18 is movable from a storage position within the trough 16 to a raised position in which the entire mandrel assembly may move across the width of the pitch 12. The trough 16 comprises a steel and masonry channel 20 which can be closed a lid 22.

The lid 22 may suitably be in the form of a steel box structure on which is bonded material 25 matching the remainder of the track 14 such as TARTAN track material. The lid 22 forms the top of a generally cshaped cradle 23 in which the mandrel assembly 18 sits in the stowed condition.

The mandrel assembly 18 comprises a tubular member 24 formed by lengths of steel tube joined end to end, the tubular member being carried between mandrel end assemblies 25 which will be described below.

A flexible cover 26 is reeled around the tubular member 24. As seen in Figure 2, the free end of the flexible cover 26 is attached at 28 to the channel 20.

Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, each of the mandrel end assemblies 25 comprises a framework having a central portion 34 on which the tubular member 24 is journalled by means of an axle 36, and oppositely extending arms 38 at the ends of which are rotatably mounted wheels 40. The central portion 34 is also formed with a supporting platform 42. The platform 42 provides a location for mounting a prime mover such as a small diesel engine (not shown) which is drivingly connected to the tubular member 24 by any suitable power transmission means (not shown) such as shafts and gears or a hydraulic transmission.

The arms 38 may be mounted to the central portion 34 such that they may be swung through 900 for storage before being lowered into the trough.

When not required, the entire mandrel assembly 18 sits in the cradle 23 within the trough 16 and is covered by the lid 22. When it is desired to protect the pitch 12 from inclement weather such as rain or frost, the cradle 23 with the lid 22 is raised by hydraulic rams 19 (Figure 2) to bring the mandrel assembly 18 to ground level. The mandrel assembly 18 is then advanced across the pitch 12, which movement draws the flexible cover 26 from the tubular member 24 to cover the pitch 12. This movement is self-powered by the prime movers of the mandrel end assemblies 25 turning the tubular member 24 to roll across the ground. The wheels 40 on the arms 38 engage the ground on the advancing side to provide torque reaction.

To uncover the pitch 12, the above procedure is reversed.

It will normally be desired that the flexible cover 26 should be substantially waterproof. For this purpose, the flexible cover 26 may be of any suitable material such as woven polyethylene or acrylic canvas. Plastic films could also be used but are mechanically less suitable for large areas. In other applications of the invention, other forms of flexible material may be used, for example, agricultural fleece for covering tender crops.

The flexible cover 26 will typically require to be constructed from a number of sections of material. For a large area such as a sports pitch it is impractical to join such sections together at a remote location and transport the entire cover to the site. Accordingly, the preferred arrangement is to join sections together on site, reeling these up on the tubular member 24 as the joins are made. It is preferred to form the joins without stitching, for example, by gluing, taping, solvent welding or heat welding.

Although described above with reference to a sports pitch such as a football pitch, the invention may be applied to other areas of ground requiring protection from the elements, such as tennis courts or plant nurseries.

The invention thus provides an apparatus for protecting ground which is not labour intensive and which is quick in operation (typically 15 minutes to cover or uncover a football pitch). The apparatus may operate automatically and require only supervision during deployment and retraction.

Claims (9)

1 An apparatus for covering a predetermined area of ground, comprising an elongate mandrel having a length corresponding to one side of said predetermined area, a flexible continuous weather resistant membrane mounted on the mandrel so as to be capable of being rolled onto and unrolled from the mandrel, and means for driving the mandrel across said predetermined area.

2 Apparatus according to claim 1, including a housing for receiving the mandrel and the membrane rolled thereon, when the ground is uncovered.

3 Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the housing is sunk in the ground and is accessed via a lid.

4 Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the driving means comprises means for rotating the membrane-wrapped mandrel on the ground.

5 Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the mandrel is powered by at least one self-contained power source, at an end of the mandrel.

6 Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the power source is a diesel engine.

7 Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, in which each end of the mandrel is provided with oppositely extending transverse arms carrying ground-engaging wheels, to provide reaction torque.

8 Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the membrane is a tarpaulin-like sheet.

9 Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the membrane is formed of a number of sections secured together without stitching.