GB2471191A

GB2471191A - Debris removing device for rollers

Info

Publication number: GB2471191A
Application number: GB1009981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eoin Patrick Murphy; Eibhlin Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-18
Filing date: 2010-06-15
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-15
Also published as: IE86075B1; GB201009981D0; IES20090472A2; IE20100384A1; GB2471191B

Abstract

A debris removing device20for preventing debris from accumulating on a roller of a roller apparatus forming part of ground maintenance equipment such as grass mowers, lawn mowers, leveling apparatus and tilling apparatus. The device20comprises an elongate scraper wire22for scraping debris off the surface of the roller, the wire being held under tension and the wire in contact with the surface of the rollerBis of narrow cross-sectional area. The elongate scraper wire22includes self tensioning means, whereby the scraper wire22is maintained under the appropriate tension to perform the specific task required. The wire may be wrapped around a portion of the circumference of the roller along the working length. The wire may be wrapped approximately between 90 to 180 degrees around the circumference.

Description

DEBRIS-REMOVING DEVICE FOR ROLLERS

The present invention relates to a debris-removing device for a roller and in particular to a debris removing device for preventing material such as grass, clay and other debris building up on a ground engaging roller of ground maintenance equipment such as grass mowers, levelling apparatus and tilling apparatus.

A prior art debris removing device for rollers is shown in GB2288716 which includes a debris removing member in the form of an elongate wire which is mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller, a means for tensioning the elongate wire and a means for moving the wire between an operational and inoperational position.

A disadvantage associated with the prior art device as described in GB2288716A is that the wire has to be tensioned on a regular basis and if the operator neglects to perform the tensioning operation regularly, then the device is not effective in removing debris from rollers.

The object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The present invention provides a debris removing device for preventing debris from accumulating on a roller of a roller apparatus forming part of ground maintenance equipment such as grass mowers, levelling apparatus and tilling apparatus, the device comprising means for scraping debris off the surface of the roller, including an elongate debris removing member of narrow cross-sectional area in contact with the surface of the roller under tension, the elongate debris removing member including self tensioning means, whereby the elongate member is maintained under the appropriate tension to perform the specific task required.

Advantageously, the elongate debris removing member is in the form of an elongate scraper wire wrapped about a portion of the circumference of the roller along the working length of the roller.

Conveniently, the scraper wire is wrapped in a manner with approximately between 90 to degrees about the circumference of the roller.

Preferably, the scraper wire is secured to the roller by a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket which is offset from the first mounting bracket by approximately degrees, the scraper wire being connected between the two offset mounting brackets by being wrapped about the surface of the roller under tension, and a locking bolt is provided on each mounting bracket to secure the scraper wire.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a debris removing device according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art debris removing device comprising an elongate wire mounted parallel to the roller; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of debris removing device according to the invention mounted about the roller; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the debris removing device and the roller; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the debris removing device and the roller.

Referring initially to Figure 1 of the drawings, the prior art device 10 comprises an elongate wire 12 attached to roller A by means of two brackets 14 provided at the ends of the roller A. The wire 12 is mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller A and is maintained under tension by means of threaded nuts 16 and bolts 17. As the machine including the roller A is pulled along the ground, debris such as grass, clay and other material is compressed by the weight of the machine and gathers on the cylindrical surface of the roller. The function of the wire 12 is to remove this debris along the entire length of the roller A. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the wire can become clogged by grass and other debris material, as this material is trapped between the roller face or the wire is incorrectly set to be effective. To alleviate this problem, a tensioning device, in the form of threaded nuts and bolts 16 and 17, is provided at the ends of the wire so that it can be maintained under tension and in close contact with the surface of the roller. It has been found, however, that the wire will be easily pulled away from the roller.

Accordingly, the operator has to continuously check the scraper wire, adjust its orientation and retension the wire as required.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the tensioning device 20 of the invention comprises a scraper wire 22 secured to roller B by mounting bracket 24 and mounting bracket 25 which is offset from bracket 24 by approximately 180g. The scraper wire 22 is connected between the two offset brackets 24, 25 by being wrapped about the surface of roller B under tension. A rocking bolt 26 is provided on each mounting bracket to secure the scraper wire 22.

In accordance with this arrangement, the scraper wire 22 is self tensioning which is achieved by the friction of the scraper wire on the roller as it rotates. The wire of prior art devices is always being stretched resulting in the loss of tension in the wire. The device of the invention harnesses friction in order to keep tension in the wire.

In operation, the roller rotates as the machine moves forward and the scraper wire is drawn around the face of the roller under tension due to the friction between the roller and the scraper wire which remains in tension as it becomes stretched.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A debris removing device for preventing debris from accumulating on a roller of a roller apparatus forming part of ground maintenance equipment such as grass mowers, levelling apparatus and tilling apparatus, the device comprising means for scraping debris off the surface of the roller, including an elongate debris removing member of narrow cross-sectional area in contact with the surface of the roller under tension, the elongate debris removing member including self tensioning means, whereby the elongate member is maintained under the appropriate tension to perform the specific task required.
2. A debris removing device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the elongate debris removing member is in the form of an elongate scraper wire wrapped about a portion of the circumference of the roller along the working length of the roller.
3. A debris removing device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the scraper wire is wrapped in a manner with approximately between 90 to 180 degrees about the circumference of the roller.
4. A debris removing device as claimed in Claim 3, in which the scraper wire is secured to the roller by a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket which is offset from the first mounting bracket by approximately 180 degrees, the scraper wire being connected between the two offset mounting brackets by being wrapped about the surface of the roller under tension, and a locking bolt is provided on each mounting bracket to secure the scraper wire.
5. A debris removing device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
6. A roller apparatus including at least one roller having a debris removing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
7. Ground maintenance equipment, comprising grass mowers, levelling apparatus, tilling apparatus or the like including a roller apparatus as claimed in Claim 6.