GB2337914A

GB2337914A - Vibratory roller unit for grass mowing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2337914A
Application number: GB9912275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hugh Michel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-04
Filing date: 1999-05-27
Publication date: 1999-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-27
Also published as: GB9811924D0; GB2337914B; DE29909621U1; GB9912275D0

Abstract

A modular design of vibratory roller unit (10) for use with a grass mowing machine, said unit comprising: a roller mounting frame (11); a roller (12) rotatably mounted in the frame (11), and having an axle within itself onto which are fixed at least one eccentric weight to produce a vibratory effect on the roller; rotary mounting assemblies (13) provided one at each end of the roller (12), and each mounted on said frame (11); a motor-drive assembly (14) provided at one of said ends of the roller (12) to drive the latter; and, a mounting bar (15) forming part of said frame (11) and interconnecting said rotary mounting assemblies (13); in which first and second alternative mounting points (16,17) respectively are provided on the frame (11) to provide different means of mounting the roller unit (10) on any particular design of grass mowing machine, the first mounting point (16) being provided on said mounting bar (15) and said second mounting point (17) being provided on at least one of said rotary mounting assemblies (13).

Description

2337914 VIBRATORY ROLLER UNIT FOR GRASS MOWING MACHINE This invention

relates to a vibratory roller unit for a grass mowing machine and particularly, though not exclusively, for a mowing machine of the type used for high quality mowing applications, eg for use with golf "greens", bowling greens and cricket squares.

It is known to provide so called triple mowers for golf greens, and which each include the possibility of mounting one or more vibratory roller unit as an optional additional component. It has been found that a high quality finish can be obtained, without need to lower cutting height to undesirable levels, provided that a vibratory roller unit is mounted on the mowing machine. However, each different make or model of mower requires a specially designed vibratory unit to fit to that design of mowing machine.

The problems with existing designs are as follows:

(i) Both manufacturer and distributors have to stock large quantities of similar but slightly different rollers to cover all makes / models of mower. Retail dealers need access to the full range of types in order to demonstrate and sell the product. All this would be greatly simplified by a universal design that would fit any mower by simply changing fittings.

(ii) Customers may purchase a set of rollers to fit a triple mower which may later be replaced by a different or updated model rendering their existing set of rollers redundant. A universal design would allow them to update their rollers to fit the new mower by simply changing fittings.

The invention therefore seeks to provide an improved modular design of vibratory roller unit, which is 11 universal" in the sense that the module can be easily adapted to fit and to be mounted on different designs of grass-mowing machines.

According to the invention there is provided a modular design of vibratory roller unit for use with a grass mowing machine, said unit comprising:

roller mounting frame; roller which rotates within the said mounting frame, and has an axle rotating within itself onto which are fixed eccentric weights to produce a vibratory effect on said roller; rotary mounting assemblies arranged one at each end of the roller and each mounted on said frame; a motor-drive assembly provided at one of said ends of the roller to drive the latter; and a mounting bar forming part of said frame and interconnecting said rotary mounting assemblies; in which first and second alternative mounting points are provided on the frame to provide different means of mounting the roller unit on any particular design of grass mowing machine, the first mounting point being provided on the said mounting bar and said second mounting point being provided on at least one of said rotary mounting assemblies.

Therefore, a vibratory roller unit according to the invention can be mounted on different types of grass mowing machine, and especially of the triple mower type, using one or the other of said first and second mounting points.

-3 For some types of mowing machine, the first mounting point provided on the mounting bar will be suitable, whereas for other types of mowing machine, the second mounting point will be suitable for mounting the unit as an additional component on an existing mowing machine.

Preferably, the first mounting point comprises mounting holes arranged at the required position along the length of the mounting bar, to which all types of fitting bracket can be attached, in order to mount the roller unit on a mowing machine.

The second mounting point may comprise one or more fitting eyes for attachment to one particular type of mower, and preferably similar designs of a second mounting point are provided, one at each end of the roller unit, to allow universal left or right hand fitment. This will allow a user to interchange at will between different makes of--mowing machine at any time in the future, by simply changing top brackets and motor mount assemblies.

In a preferred arrangement, a pair of fitting eyes is provided, one at each end of the roller unit, so that a total of four eyes are provided for universal left / right hand fitment ability.

The motor-drive assembly may be provided at either end of the roller unit, depending on whether left or right hand drive is required, and with different fittings for attachment to different makes of mowing machines.

In practice, it is envisaged that in production the motor mount will be mounted always at one end of the roller, but offset one way or the other, to produce a "handed" effect. This is because there is only a drive before the eccentric axle of the roller unit on one end of the roller.

In practice, the right hand unit could be rotated 1800 to fit as a mirror image of a left hand unit, and which would simplify production and stocking.

A preferred embodiment of modular design of vibratory roller unit according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective illustration.

Referring now to the drawing, a modular design of vibratory roller unit according to the invention is designated generally by reference 10, and is of "universal" design, in the sense that it is capable of being mounted on different types of so-called greens triple mower design. The unit 10 is of modular design and has a symmetrical configuration, enabling a standard base unit to be fitted up with either left or right handed drive motor mount assembly, and to have appropriate fitting brackets attached to it--according to which make of mower it is to be fitted to.

The unit 10 comprises a roller-mounting frame designated generally by reference 11, and roller 12 containing an axle with eccentric weight(s) is rotatably mounted on the frame 11 via a pair of rotary mounting assemblies 13, arranged one at each end of the roller 12 and each mounted on, or incorporated in the frame 11.

A motor-drive assembly 14 is provided at one of the ends of the roller 12, and is operable in order to drive the latter. A mounting bar 15 forms part of the frame 11 and interconnects the rotary mounting assemblies 13- In order to adapt the unit 10 for mounting on different types or makes of triple grass mowing machines, first and second alternate mounting points are provided on the frame, in which the first mounting point is designated by reference 16, and which is provided at a required position along the length of the mounting bar 15. The second mounting point is provided on at least one of the rotary mounting assemblies 13, although preferably is provided with two at each end thereof, being designated generally by reference 17.

Any necessary fitting brackets can be attached to the first mounting point 16, in order to mount the unit 10 on a particular design of grass mowing machine, and the bracket may be capable of allowing limited pivoting movement of the unit about a substantially upright or horizontal axis if required.

The second mounting point takes the form of fitting eyes, which are necessary for attaching to one particular type of mower, and preferably, as shown, a similar arrangement of fitting eyes is provided at each end of the roller, each mounted on a respective one of the mounting assemblies 13. This allows universal left or right hand fitment. Furthermore, this allows a user to interchange at will between different makes of machine at any time in the future, by simply changing top brackets and motor mounting assemblies.

Claims

1. A modular design of vibratory roller unit (10) for use with a grass mowing machine, said unit comprising:

roller mounting frame (11); roller (12) rotatably mounted in the frame (11), and having an axle within itself onto which are fixed at least one eccentric weight to produce a vibratory effect on the roller; rotary mounting assemblies (13) provided one at each end of the roller (12), and each mounted on said frame (11); a motor-drive assembly (14) provided at one of said ends of the roller (12) to drive the latter; and, a mounting bar (15) forming part of said frame (11) and interconnecting said rotary mounting assemblies (13); in which first and second alternative mounting po-ints (16, 17) respectively are provided on the frame (11) to provide different means of mounting the roller unit (10) on any particular design of grass mowing machine, the first mounting point (16) being provided on said mounting bar (15) and said second mounting point (17) being provided on at least one of said rotary mounting assemblies (13).

2. A vibratory roller unit according to claim 1, in which the first mounting point (16) comprises mounting holes arranged at a required position along the length of the mounting bar (15), to which all types of fitting bracket can be attached, in order to mount the roller unit (10) on a mowing machine.

3. A roller unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the second mounting point (17) comprises one or more fitting eyes for attachment to a mower.

7-

4. A roller unit according to claim 3, in which similar designs of said second mounting point are provided, one at each end of the roller unit, to allow universal left or right hand fitment.

5. A roller unit according to claim 4, in which a pair of fitting eyes (17) is provided, one at each end of the roller unit (10), so that a total of four eyes are provided for universal left / right hand fitment ability.

6. A mowing machine having a vibratory roller unit according to any one of the preceding claims mounted thereon.