NL2021961B1

NL2021961B1 - A method and device for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface

Info

Publication number: NL2021961B1
Application number: NL2021961A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Reincke Marinus
Original assignee: Maredo Beheer B V
Priority date: 2018-11-08
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2020-05-26
Also published as: WO2020096456A1

Abstract

The application describes a method for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface. The method comprises making a cut in the ground surface with a cutting member in a travel direction; pushing material at one side of the cutting member away from the cutting member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel direction with a pushing member to form a space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the pushing member; and, inserting the improvement product in the ground surface through the space located between the cutting member and the pushing member. The cutting member vibrates in a plane comprising a line parallel to the travel direction to improve the cutting characteristics of a disk shaped cutting member.

Description

A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSERTING AN IMPROVEMENT PRODUCT INTO A GROUND SURFACE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a method and device for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface, more particular to a method and device for inserting grass seed, fertilizer or other products into an existing lawn.

BACKGROUND ART

Lawns are damaged by being used and as a result of environmental factors. Furthermore, an existing lawn ages, which means that new grass (seeds), fertilizer or other products are needed to recover the existing lawn. To maximize germination of the new grass seed, this grass seed must come into contact with the (fertile) soil underneath the existing lawn.

Devices that can handle this process already exist. There are machines that make holes in the lawn, after which seed is sown across the entire width of the lawn and a brush is used trying to brush the grass seed into the prepared holes. However, the percentage of seed that ends up in the holes and comes into contact with the soil is small, as a result of which a lot of seed is lost and the desired result cannot be achieved. W02008063050A1 discloses a device with pin disks. Dosed seed is introduced to the pin disks. The pin disks collect the seed and plant it in the existing lawn.

W02012050444A1 discloses a reseeding device for lawns. Cutting blade assemblies carry out an oscillating cutting movement on the lawn. This results in a slit which is opened by V-shaped cutting blades. Dosed seeds are sown in the slits via funnels before the slit closes.

EP3213617A1 discloses a method introducing manure into the ground. A manure slit member is inserted into the ground. A manure slit is formed in the ground by displacing the manure slit member along the ground surface. Manure is then introduced into the formed manure slit. The manure slit member comprises two coulter wheels which are positioned in a V-shaped formation relative to each other, wherein the point of the V-shape, where the coulter wheels come together, is directed downward, i.e. is directed toward the ground. As the coulter wheels roll over the ground an amount of weight is required to press the Vshaped formation through the grass and felt layer or lawn thatch to form a slit with a defined depth. The amount of weight increases linear with the number of manure slit members the device comprises. Furthermore, a lot of pulling power is required to pull the slit member at the defined depth through the lawn and to move the amount of weight over the lawn.

A general problem for reseeding devices is the collection of soil and grass remains on the elements making the slit. As a result, the cutting members are drawn through the lawn damaging the roots of the grass plants and grass layer. Furthermore, more pulling power is required to move the reseeding device across the lawn.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present technology to provide an improved method and device for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface, which overcomes at least of the disadvantages of the methods and devices described above.

According to an aspect of the subject technology, this object is achieved by a method for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further ways of carrying out the present technology may be attained by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

A method according to the subject technology comprises making a cut in the ground surface with a cutting member in a travel direction; pushing material at one side of the cutting member away from the cutting member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel direction with a pushing member to form a space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the pushing member; and, inserting the improvement product in the ground surface through the space located between the cutting member and the pushing member.

The concept of the present technology is that first a cut is made in the ground surface by a cutting member. For this action less weight is necessary to insert the cutting member into the ground surface as the cutting member does not have to move the material of the ground surface simultaneous sideways. Furthermore, if the ground surface is a lawn, the cutting action will minimally damage the grass at both sides of the cutting member. It should be noted that the cutting action makes a cut and not a slit. Subsequently, at one side of the cutting member, the material of the ground surface is pushed away sideward by the pushing member. The pushing member folds the cut open to form a slit in the ground surface between the cutting member and the pushing member. The cutting member and the pushing member are used as a funnel to direct the improvement product, for example seed, into the slit and prevents grass remains of the felt layer or lawn thatch to block the seed to fall at the bottom of the slit.

In an embodiment, the cutting member vibrates in a plane comprising a line parallel to the direction of movement. This feature improves the cutting characteristics of the cutting member, so that a less sharp cutting member can easily make without extra weight a neat cut in the ground surface.

In an embodiment, the cutting member is a rotatable disc-shaped member with a circular cutting edge. This feature enables to provide a cutting member with a cutting edge that blunts evenly of its entire length as the cutting member rotates when it is moved over the ground surface. As a result, the cutting member has to be sharpened and/or replaced less frequently.

In an embodiment, the pushing member is a rotatable disc-shaped member with a circular edge wherein the pushing member is disposed at a slope with respect to the cutting member and the vertical such that the pushing member contacts the side of the cutting member at ground surface top level. These features enable that the cut in the ground surface is broadened to a slit with a defined width such that for example seed can be introduced in the slit and that the material of the ground surface is prevented to enter the space between the cutting member and the pushing member to obstruct seed to fall at the bottom of the slit. Furthermore, the pushing member removes material that sticks to the rotatable disc-shaped member, as a result less weight is required to make the cut in the ground surface.

In a further embodiment, the cutting member has a first radius and the pushing member has a second radius, the first radius being larger than the second radius. In this way, the cut in the ground surface will be deeper than the sideward pushing capacity of the pushing member. As a result, the part of the cut below the pushing member could be folded open by roots of grass that is pushed sideward by the pushing member. This feature reduces damage to the grass that is pushed sideward.

In an embodiment, the cutting member has a larger part in the ground surface than the pushing member seen in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement and the vertical. This feature reduces the chance that the cutting member moves in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction. As a result more straight cuts are made in the ground surface.

In an embodiment, the cutting member extends more deeply into the ground surface than the pushing member. This feature reduces damage to the grass at both sides of the cut.

According to another aspect of the subject technology, the object of the subject technology is achieved by a device for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and further ways of carrying out the present technology may be attained by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

A device for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface according to the subject technology comprises at least one insertion unit. An insertion unit comprises a cutting member configured for making a cut in the ground surface in a travel direction; a pushing member configured for pushing material at one side of the cutting member away from the cutting member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel direction to form a space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the pushing member; and, a supply member configured for inserting the improvement product in the ground surface through the space located between the cutting member and the pushing member.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises a vibration means configured for vibrating the cutting member in a plane comprising a line parallel to the direction of movement. In this way, the movement of the cutting member improves the cutting characteristics without widening the cut.

In an embodiment, the cutting member is a disc-shaped member with a circular cutting edge. In a further embodiment, the pushing member is a discshaped member with a circular edge wherein the pushing member is disposed at an angle with respect to the cutting member and the vertical such that the pushing member contacts the side of the cutting member at ground surface top level. In a further embodiment, the cutting member has a first radius and the pushing member has a second radius, the first radius being larger than the second radius.

In a further embodiment, the device further comprises a horizontal driving shaft having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the travel direction, and a cam attached to the horizontal driving shaft, wherein the cutting member is coupled to the cam by a bearing structure. This feature provides a robust structure allowing the cutting member to make the vibration movement while the cutting member does not have to rotate around its central axis. The rotation of the cutting member will be mainly defined by the travel speed of the device and the vibrating cutting movement of the cutting edge of the cutting member will be defined by the rotation speed of the driving shaft.

In a further embodiment, the pushing member is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis parallel to the axis of rotations of the driving shaft to enable adjustment of the depth of the space in the ground surface between the cutting member and the pushing member. This feature provides adjustment of the depth of the slit wherein the improvement product is introduced assuming that the point where the pushing member touches the cutting member is at ground surface top level. This feature also enables to adapt the width of the space between the cutting member and the pushing member in the slit.

In a further embodiment, the pushing member is coupled to the driving shaft by a bearing structure comprising a first bearing, a second bearing and a hub. The first bearing has a rotation axis parallel to the driving shaft and the second bearing having a rotation axis such that the pushing member can rotate at the angle with respect to the cutting member. The first bearing enables the driving shaft to rotate in the hub. In this way, a vibration similar as applied to the cutting member could be applied to the pushing member while the edge of the pushing member remains in contact with the side surface of the cutting member.

In a further embodiment, the bearing structure of the cutting member comprises the first bearing and hub of the bearing structure of the pushing member and a further bearing rotatably coupling the cutting member to the hub. In this embodiment, the cutting member and pushing member are mechanically coupled such that they make the same motion of vibration.

In an alternative embodiment, the pushing member comprises a plate-like element with an edge part that contacts the side of the cutting member and the space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the plate-like member is tapered in travel direction. In a further embodiment, the device further comprises a horizontal driving shaft having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the travel direction, and a cam attached to the horizontal driving shaft, wherein the cutting member is coupled to the cam by a bearing structure. In a specific embodiment, in use the pushing member has a fixed position with respect to the horizontal driving shaft. These embodiments provide a device with less moving parts and the costs of maintenance.

In an embodiment, the width of the space located between the cutting member and pushing member is adjustable. By adjusting the width to the characteristics of the product to be inserted in the ground surface, damage to the growing plants can be reduced by folding open the cut in the ground surface not wider than needed to introduce the product in the widened cut in the ground surface.

In an embodiment, each of the at least one insertion unit comprises a corresponding cam on the horizontal driving shaft, wherein the cams have a different angular orientation on the horizontal driving shaft. This feature enables to reduce the overall vibration of the device, the weight required and provides an optimum weight distribution to push the insertion units into the ground surface at desired depth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, properties and advantages will be explained hereinafter based on the following description with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or comparable parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of an insertion unit;

Fig. 2 shows schematically a side view of the embodiment of the insertion unit;

Fig. 3 shows schematically a sectional view of the insertion unit along III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows schematically a sectional view along IV-IV in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows schematically a top view of the insertion unit in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 shows schematically a rear view of the insertion unit in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows schematically a perspective view of a device comprising a multitude of insertion units;

Fig 8 shows schematically a bottom view of the device in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows schematically a perspective view of a second embodiment of an insertion unit; and,

Fig. 10 show schematically a third embodiment of an insertion unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of an insertion unit 100 for use in a device for inserting an improvement product in a ground surface. An improvement product in the context of the present disclosure can be any product that can be used to improve a ground surface on which plants have to grow or are growing. Examples of improvement products are not limited to seed, fertilizer, manure, pesticides, and other particles to improve the ground structure for growing plants. A ground surface in the context of the present disclosure can be any surface layer for growing plants or on which plants are growing and which may include a layer of plants. Examples of ground surface are not limited to arable land, pasture, horticultural land, golf fields, soccer fields and lawns. In case of a lawn the ground surface comprises a layer with blades of grass, a felt layer of remains, also known in literature as lawn thatch, and a soil layer for growing roots. Examples of a device are not limited to turf layer manuring device, sowing/reseeding device for lawn and apparatus for conditioning lawns.

The insertion unit 100 comprises a disc shaped cutting member 102 in the form of a cutting disc with a circular cutting edge and a disc shaped pushing member 104. The insertion unit 100 comprises an eccentric element 108 with an opening 110 to couple the insertion unit 100 to a hexagonal driving shaft of the device comprising at least one insertion unit 100. An embodiment of such a device is shown in Figs 7 and 8. The insertion unit further comprises a hub 118. The hub 118 is coupled to the eccentric element 108 by means of a bearing structure, which is not visible in Fig.1. The bearing structure allows the eccentric element 108 to rotate in the hub 118. In use, the driving axis is rotating at a defined height above the ground surface 120. Similarly, a frame of the device to which the driving shaft is attached, has a defined height above the ground surface 120. An elongated arm 114 is attached to the hub 118. A distal end of the elongated arm 114 is connected via a flexible arm (not shown) to the frame by means of a ball joint 116. In this way, the hub 118 is not rotating around its central axis. When the driving shaft is rotating, the eccentric element 108 causes the rotation axis of the hub to make a circular movement around the driving shaft resulting in up/down and forwards and backwards movement of the cutting member and pushing member. In an embodiment, the diameter of the circular movement is 9 mm with a stroke of approximately 5 mm. However, depending on the application of the device, the diameter of the circular movement may be smaller or larger. Due to rotation of the driving shaft and the eccentric element 108, the cutting member 102 has a vibration movement of about 9mm up/down and 9 mm forward/backward relative to the driving shaft.

Fig. 1 further shows a bearing 112 coupling the disc shaped pushing member 104 to the hub 108 such that the disc shaped pushing member 104 rotates when the device is pulled in a travel direction TD by the friction between the pushing member and the ground surface 120.

The insertion unit 100 further comprises a guiding structure 106 to direct seed 130 received from a metering system to a space between the cutting member 102 and the pushing member 104. The insertion unit 100 is configured to introduce the seed 130 in slit 122 in a dosed way.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a side view of the embodiment of the insertion unit. The figure illustrates that the disc shaped cutting member 102 has a larger radius than the disc shaped pushing member 104. As a result, the cut in the ground surface 120 will be deeper than the material directly pushed aside by the disc shaped pushing member 104. This allows the pushing member 104 to fold open the cut below the pushing member 104 by the roots of the plants aside the pushing member. In this way, damage of the plants aside the pushing member is reduced. A rotating eccentric element 108 around the rotation axis of the driving shaft causes the disc shaped members to vibrate with the rotation speed of the driving shaft up/down and forward/back in a plane comprising a line parallel to the travel direction. Depending on the circumstances, it can be advantageous for cutting when the direction of rotation of the driving shaft is opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting member and pushing member. This figure further illustrates that seen in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement and the vertical the cutting member has a larger part in the ground surface than the pushing member. Furthermore, it can be seen that the cutting member 102 extends more deeply into the ground surface 120 than the pushing member 104. This allows the insertion unit to fold open the cut to a predetermined depth with a defined width by the pushing member and reduces damage to the roots of the plants next to the cut as the cut below the pushing member can be widened by the strength of the roots as the horizontal strength of the soil is already broken by the cut.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a sectional view of the insertion unit along III - III in Fig. 2. The bearing structure 111 which couples the hub 118 to the eccentric element 108 comprises two bearings. This improves the stability and product lifetime of the bearing structure 111. Bearing 113 couples the disc-shaped cutting member 102 rotatably to the hub 118. Bearing 112 couples the disc shaped pushing member 104 rotatable to the hub 118. The disc-shaped cutting member 102 can rotate in a plain perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving shaft. The pushing member 104 rotates around an axis which is angled with respect to both the traveling direction TD and the vertical. The bearing structure which couples the cutting member 102 to the driving shaft includes bearing 111 and bearing 113. The bearing structure which couples the pushing member 104 to the driving shaft includes bearing 111 and bearing 112. The blade of the pushing member 104 is disposed at a slope with respect to the blade of the cutting member 102 such that the circular edge of the pushing member 104 is in contact with the side surface of the cutting member at a contact line, which contact line is at least at the same level of the ground surface top level to push all material aside the cutting member away in a direction substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction TD. It can be seen that the facing side surfaces of the cutting member 102 and the pushing member 104 form a funnel to direct to the seed 130 falling from the guiding structure 106 into the slit opened by the cutting member and pushing member. From Fig. 4 which is schematically a top sectional view along IV-IV in Fig. 2, can be seen that the cutting member and the pushing member form a space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the pushing member such that the improvement product can be introduced in the ground surface through the space located between the cutting member and the pushing member. The seed can fall directly on the bottom of the slit 122 created by the insertion unit 100.

Fig. 5 shows schematically a top view of the insertion unit in Fig. 1. Metal strip 114A strengthens the coupling of the hub 118 to the distal end of the elongated arm 114. Furthermore, it shows that the guiding structure 106 is coupled to the hub 118. As a result, the guiding structure vibrates together with the hub, cutting member 102 and pushing member 104. The vibration will improve transport of the seed 130 in the guiding structure 106 downwards to above the space in the ground surface 120 between the cutting member and the pushing member.

Fig. 6 shows schematically a rear view of the insertion unit in Fig. 1. It shows that the pushing member 104 folds the cut open even below the lower side of the pushing member 104. A cleaning element 602 is attached to the guiding structure 106. The cleaning element 602 scrapes along the facing surfaces of the cutting member and pushing member to remove dirt from said surfaces. In this way, the space between the cutting element and pushing element will not be blocked by dirt.

It should be noted that in the presented insertion unit 100, the blade of the cutting unit is in a vertical plane. In an alternative embodiment, the plane of the blade is angled with respect to the vertical but still having a line parallel to the travel direction of the insertion unit. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the cutting member and pushing member comprises its own hub and the hubs are coupled with an eccentric element at different angular orientation to the driving shaft. As a result circular edge of pushing member will shift over the side surface of the cutting member to remove accumulated dirt from said surface.

Fig. 7 shows schematically a perspective view of a device 700 for inserting an improvement product into a ground surface from the top and rear side. The device comprises a multitude of insertion units 100. The device could be used for reseeding seed in an existing lawn. It should be noted that not all insertion units are shown in fig. 7. The device 700 comprises a frame 706. A rotatable driving shaft 702 is mounted in bearings in the frame. The driving shaft 702 has a rotation axis which is parallel to the ground surface and perpendicular to the travel direction TD of the device. The device comprises a coupling structure to couple the device to a driving vehicle (not shown). The coupling structure comprises a shaft 704 that is driven by the driving vehicle and which is mechanical coupled to driving shaft 702 to rotate the driving shaft 702. The driving shaft could have a rotational speed in a range of 2000 to 3000 revolutions per minute and the optimal speed in travel direction of for example a reseeding device is 6 - 10 km/h. In an embodiment the rotational speed is approximately 2500 revolutions per minute. At the front, the device rests on the ground surface by means of a front support roller 708. Height adjustment means 710 enables one to move the front roller 708 relative to the frame to adapt the working depth of the insertion units 100.

At the back, the device rests on the ground surface by means of a rear support roller 712. The rear support roller 712 together with the front support roller 708 ensures that the device follows the ground surface perfectly. The rear support roller 708 also closes the slits 122 that are filled with a soil improvement product. By closing these slits the product is protected against e.g. birds and will germinate better. The rear support roller 712 drives a metering shaft 716 by means of gear box 713. As a result, each meter the same amount of seed is dosed irrespective the travel speed of the device. The metered amount of seed can be adjusted by changing gear wheels of the gear box 713. The device comprises a tray 718 in which the seed is stored. The metering shaft 716 forms the output of the tray 718.

Fig. 7 also shows the coupling of the hub of the insertion unit 100 to the frame 706. Flexible arm 714 is connected at one side to the distal end of elongated arm 114 by means of a ball joint 116. The other end of the flexible arm 717 is coupled by means of a ball joint to the frame 706. When the driving shaft 702 rotates, the eccentric element 108 will move the rotation axis of the cutting member 102 along a circular path. As the hub 118 moves along the circular path relative to the frame 706, the coupling between hub and frame causes the hub to pitch, i.e. incline forward and backward. As a result, the maximal velocity of the cutting edge of the cutting member 102 having the largest distance to the distal end of the elongated arm 114 will be higher than the maximal velocity of the cutting edges of the cutting member 102 parallel perpendicular to the radial to the distal end of elongated arm 114. The feature could also be described as: during one revolution of the driving shaft 702, the path of the cutting edge having the largest distance to the distal end of elongated arm 114 in a direction perpendicular to the radial to the distal end of elongated arm 114 is longer than the path of said cutting edge in a direction perpendicular to the radial to the distal end of elongated arm 114. And the path of the cutting edge having the shortest distance to the distal end of elongated arm 114 in a direction perpendicular to the radial to the distal end of elongated arm 114 is shorter than the path of said cutting edge in a direction perpendicular to the radial to the distal end of elongated arm 114. Thus during a revolution of the driving shaft, the cutting edge makes an elliptical path, which shape depends on the position on the circular cutting edge of the cutting member 102, the eccentricity of the eccentric element and the construction of the coupling structure between hub and frame. The feature described above can be used to improve the cutting characteristics of the cutting member 102. By adjusting the length of the flexible arm 714 and/or the position at which the flexible arm is connected to the frame 706, the width of the space in the ground surface between the cutting member 102 and the pushing member can be changed. In an embodiment, the flexible arm 714 is an arm with adjustable length. The space in the ground surface between the cutting member 102 and the pushing member 104 is wedge-shaped, and tapers in travel direction. The maximal width of the space in the ground surface depends on the product to be inserted into the ground surface. For inserting grass seed into a lawn, a width of about 20 mm is sufficient and for inserting mature into the ground a width of about 50 mm will be used.

Fig 8 shows schematically a bottom view of the device in Fig. 7. In this figure 7 insertion units have been removed to illustrate the attachment of the insertion units 100 to the driving shaft 702. As described with reference to Fig. 3, two eccentric rings 108 couple the insertion unit 100 to the driving shaft 702. The distance between the two eccentric rings 108 of an insertion unit 100 is defined by the width of bearing 111. The distance between two eccentric rings of two adjacent insertion units 100 is defined by spacers 802.

In the present embodiment, the driving shaft has a hexagon cross section. This provides six orientations to attach the eccentric element 108 of an insertion unit 100 to the driving shaft. By using each of the six orientations equally often, vibration of the device 700 is reduced. Fig. 8 shows clearly that adjacent pairs of eccentric rings 108 have different orientations on the driving shaft 702. In this way, the driving shaft and the eccentric rings function as a camshaft wherein each of the insertion units comprises a corresponding cam on the horizontal driving shaft, wherein adjacent cams have a different angular orientation on the horizontal driving shaft. Furthermore, the weight required to keep all insertion units 100 at the desired working depth in the ground surface is reduced by this arrangement. This enables to reduce the total weight of the device and consequently the power and weight of the vehicle that pulls and drives the device.

Fig. 9 shows schematically a perspective view of a second embodiment of an insertion unit. The second embodiment differs from the embodiment in Fig. 1 in that the pushing member 904 is a push blade affixed to the hub 918. The push blade contacts the cutting member 102 in an equivalent manner the side of the cutting member 102, such that the blade pushes all elements of the ground surface at its side of the cutting member 102 away to form an open slit into the ground surface such that an improvement product can be inserted in the slit. In use, the space in the ground surface located between the cutting member and the plate-like element of the pushing member 904 is tapered in travel direction. The push blade makes the same movement of vibration as the cutting member 102. Furthermore, the guiding structure 106 in the form of a chute is attached to the hub 918. The chute 106 deposits the improvement product in the space between the cutting member 102 and the push blade 904 such that it drops in the slit in the ground surface opened by the insertion unit. Elongated arm 114 couples the hub to the frame of an insertion device as described above with reference to Figs 7 and 8. It should be noted that the push blade could be a disk shaped plate having the same diameter as the pushing member shown in Figs 1 -

6. No bearing is used to couple the disk shaped blade to the hub.

Fig. 10 shows schematically a third embodiment of an insertion unit according to the present subject disclosure. The insertion unit comprises two parts, the cutting member 102 and the pushing member 1004. The cutting member 102 which is attached to a driving shaft (not shown) by means of eccentric rings 108, a bearing and a hub 1018. The bearing decouples the rotation of the driving shaft and the rotation of the cutting element 102 such that the rotation speed of the cutting member is coupled to the travel speed of the device. The driving shaft is rotatably arranged in a frame of a device for inserting a product into a ground surface. The pushing member 1004 is attached by means of support structure 1014 to said frame such that it has a fixed position with respect to the horizontal driving shaft. In this embodiment the cutting member vibrates up/down and forward and backward while making a cut in the ground surface. The pushing member widens the cut to a groove when transported in travel direction by pushing the ground surface material away at one side of the cutting member 102. In this embodiment the pushing member is stationary with respect to the frame.

The front edge of the blade of the pushing member 1004 is pressed against a side of the disk shaped cutting member 102 such that all ground surface material at height of the pushing member is pushed away from the cutting member. A slit is formed in the ground surface in which an improvement product can be deposited. A chute 106, which is attached to the frame, transports the improvement product to a wedge shaped space between the cutting member and the pushing member. The cutting member and pushing member form a funnel to direct the improvement product to the bottom of the slit and prevents that the slit does not close before the improvement product reaches to bottom of the opened slit in the ground surface. Also in this embodiment, the cutting member extends deeper in the ground surface than the pushing member.

The depth of the push blade 1004 relative to the depth of the cutting member 102 is adjustable by shifting the support structure 1014 up or down relative to the frame of the device. The support structure 1014 is affixed to the frame by fastening means 1030. Optionally, the support structure 1014 comprises width adjustment means to adjust the width of the tapering space between the cutting member 102 and the push blade 1004. This allows adapting the width of the slit in the ground surface for inserting the improvement product.

An advantage of a non-rotating push blade as shown in figs 9 and 10 is that the push blade may have a length in the ground surface that is longer than the length of the cutting member 102 in the ground surface. As a result, the length over which the slit is actively kept open is increased as resilient or grainy material that is pushed aside by the push blade cannot close or narrow the slit over the length of the push blade.

In the embodiments described above, a chute directs the improvement products in the space between the cutting member and the pushing member. If the improvement product is liquid, in an embodiment a tubular element is used which ends in the space in the ground surface between the cutting member and pushing member. In another embodiment the tubular element comprises an L-shaped part which passes through the space in the ground surface between the cutting member and the pushing member and wherein a leg of the L-shape is positioned parallel to the travel direction.

In the embodiments described above, the cutting member comprises a rotatable disk-shaped cutting blade. However, when the cutting member is vibrating at least back and forward, non-rotatable cutting blades with other shapes can be used, such as knife-shaped blades.

The device described above performs the following method. First a clear cut in the ground surface is made with a cutting member in a travel direction. The thickness of the cutting element depends on requirements defined by the characteristics of the ground surface to make a clear cut and not by the width of the slit in the ground surface in which the product is inserted. This enables to minimize the thickness of the cutting element and consequently to reduce the mass needed to keep in use the cutting element at the desired depth in the ground surface. For a lawn reseeding device, the cutting blade can have a thickness of 1 - 3 mm. Preferably, a cutting blade is made of high-strength steel. This cutting action minimally damages the structure of the ground surface. If the ground surface is a lawn, the action makes a cut through the felt layer of the turf (lawn thatch) and optionally in the soil below the felt layer. Subsequently, material of the ground surface at one side of the cutting member is pushed away from the cutting member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel direction with a pushing member. A space is formed in the ground surface which is located between the cutting member and the pushing member. The pushing member thus folds the cut open and makes space free to insert an improvement product in the ground surface. In case of the lawn, the pushing member pushes the resilient felt layer away to make a path to the soil free for seed. Both the disc-shaped cutting member and the disc-shaped pushing member function as a funnel that ends in the slit and prevents the resilient felt to close the slit before the seed is at the bottom of the slit.

Vibration of the cutting member in a plane comprising a line parallel to the travel direction as described above improves the cutting performance of the device without creating a cut which is wider than the thickness of the cutting member.

The present subject technology provides a method for insertion of an improvement product in a ground surface enables a device to make a continuous cut in the ground surface more easier. The most important function of the disc shaped cutting member is making a straight cut in the ground surface. As the part of the cutting member in the ground surface is larger than the part of the discshaped pushing member, the surface of the cutting member in the ground surface ensures that the ground surface opposite the side of the pushing member can withstand the pressure acting on the ground surface due to the forces acting on the cutting member due to the pushing member. As a result the cut is broadened at the side of the pushing member only. So if there will be damage of the plants or roots it will be only on side of the cut. Furthermore, the cutting member is part of the wall of a funnel to direct the improvement product to the bottom of the slit in the ground between cutting member and pushing member.

The pushing member folds open the cut made by the cutting member and functions also as a wall of the funnel to direct the improvement product to the bottom of slit in the ground surface. The funnel formed by the cutting member and the pushing member prevents that particles of the ground surface such as parts of the felt layer can block the seed to fall at the bottom of the slit. This makes it possible to sow at the correct depth in the ground surface. For an existing lawn, the correct depth is below the felt layer upon or some mm in the soil layer. If the seed 130 is sown at this depth in the turf, the seed will be able to germinate to the maximum. The funnel reduces the amount of seed inserted next to the slit or upon the lawn thatch. The present technology allows reducing the amount of seed for reseeding an existing lawn.

For reseeding a lawn, the cutting depth of the cutting member in the soil, this is below the felt layer, is preferably in a range of 9 - 24 mm. The depth of the groove made in the soil below the felt layer is preferably in a range of 0 - 15 mm. For a good germination of the seed it is important that the seed has direct contact with the soil layer. Furthermore, the seed should not be applied too deeply into the soil layer. A disc shaped pushing member can have a thickness in a range similar to the range of the cutting member and can be made of the same material.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification and upon study of the drawings. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A method for introducing an improvement product into a soil surface, the method comprising:

- making an incision in the bottom surface with a cutting member in a direction of movement;

pushing away with a pusher material on one side of the cutter in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement to form a space in the bottom surface located between the cutter and the pusher; and,

- introducing the improvement product into the soil surface via the space between the cutting member and the pusher member.

The method of claim 1, wherein the cutter vibrates in a plane that includes a line parallel to the direction of movement.

The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the cutting member is a disk-shaped member with a circular cutting edge.

The method of claim 3, wherein the pusher is a disc-shaped member with a circular edge with the pusher positioned at an angle to both the cutter and the vertical such that the pusher contacts the side of the cutter at ground level.

The method of claim 4, wherein the cutter has a first radius and the pusher has a second radius, the first radius being greater than the second radius.

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement and the vertical, the cutting member has a larger part in the bottom surface than the pusher

The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cutting member projects deeper into the bottom surface than the pusher.

8. Device for introducing an improvement product into a bottom surface, wherein the device comprises at least one insertion unit, an insertion unit:

a cutting device configured to make an incision in the bottom surface in a direction of movement;

- a pusher arranged to push material on one side of the cutter away from the cutter in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement to form a space in the bottom surface located between the cutter and the pusher; and,

a feeder configured to introduce the enhancement product into the soil surface through the space located between the cutter and the pusher.

The device of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises a vibrator adapted to vibrate the cutter in a plane that includes a line parallel to the direction of movement.

The device according to any of claims 8-9, wherein the cutting member is a disk-shaped member with a circular cutting edge.

The device of claim 10, wherein the pusher is a disk-shaped member having a circular edge with the pusher positioned at an angle to the cutter and vertically such that the pusher makes contact with the side of the cutter at ground level.

The device of claim 11, wherein the pusher is a circular-edged disk-shaped member and wherein the cutter has a first radius and the pusher has a second radius, the first radius being greater than the second radius.

The device of claim 12, wherein the device further comprises a horizontal drive shaft with a rotation axis perpendicular to the direction of movement, and a cam mounted on the horizontal drive shaft, the cutting member being coupled to the cam by a bearing construction.

The device of claim 13, wherein the pusher is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft to allow adjustment of the depth of space in the ground surface between the cutter and the pusher.

The device of claim 14, wherein the pusher is coupled to the drive shaft by a bearing structure comprising a first bearing, a second bearing and a hub, the first bearing having a rotation axis parallel to the drive shaft and the second bearing having a rotation axis such that the pusher can rotate at an angle to the cutter, the first bearing allowing the drive shaft to rotate in the hub.

The device of claim 15, wherein the bearing assembly of the cutter comprises the first bearing and the hub of the bearing structure of the pusher and a further bearing that rotatably couples the cutter to the hub.

The device of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the pusher comprises a plate-shaped member with an edge portion that contacts the side of the cutter and taps the ground surface space between the cutter and the plate-shaped member in the direction of movement expires.

The device of claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a horizontal drive shaft with a rotational axis perpendicular to the direction of movement and a cam attached to the horizontal drive shaft, the cutting member being coupled to the cam by a bearing structure.

The device of claim 18, wherein the pusher has a fixed position relative to the horizontal drive shaft during use.

The device of any of claims 17-19, wherein the width of the space located between the cutter and the pusher is adjustable.

The device of any one of claims 18, wherein the support structure of the cutting member comprises the first bearing, a second bearing and a hub, the first bearing rotatably coupling the horizontal drive shaft to the

5, the second bearing rotatably coupling the cutting member to the hub and the pusher being attached to the hub.

Device according to any of claims 13 -16 and 18 -

21, each of the at least one insertion unit having a corresponding cam

10 on the horizontal drive shaft, the cams having a different angular orientation on the horizontal drive shaft.

The device of any of claims 8 to 22, wherein the ground surface is an existing lawn.

The device according to any of claims 8 to 23, wherein the improvement product is at least one from a group comprising: seed, fertilizer, manure, plant protection products.