Abstract:
A grooming implement is used for athletic fields, particularly the infield of a ball field. A frame has a tongue on a forward end for attaching to a towing vehicle. The frame has a longitudinal beam and a transverse beam on a rearward end that is supported by a pair of wheels. A rake bar for raking the ground is mounted to the frame by a pair of arms. The arms are pivotally secured to opposite sides of the longitudinal beam forward of the wheels, so that rotating the brake bar arms about the pivot point swings the rake bar upward from a ground engaging position to a storage position beneath the frame. A broom bar for sweeping the ground is pivotally mounted to the transverse beam about a pivot point for dragging the broom bar behind the wheels while the broom bar is in a ground engaging position. Rotating the broom bar arm about the pivot point on the transverse beam places the broom bar in a storage position above the longitudinal beam.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to provisional application 60/397,387 filed Jul. 18, 2002 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates in general to implements for earthwork, and in particular to a grooming apparatus for grooming athletic fields, such as an infield of a ball park. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Baseball fields have an infield area extending around the bases that is smooth, soft dirt, free of any grass. The infield area has to be groomed to keep it the desired consistency. Grooming is required before games, and often the infield area is groomed during a game between innings. 
   A variety of implements are used to groom the infield area, some of which are pulled by hand, and others by a vehicle, such as a small tractor. These implements, which include rakes and brooms, are typically separate devices that must be stored and attached separately to a tractor. Sometimes adequate storage in the close vicinity of the ball field is not available, particularly with high school and college ball fields. Also, the grounds-keeping staff may be few in number, and the budgets to maintain the fields small. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In this invention, a grooming apparatus is provided that has a frame supported on a set of wheels at a rearward end. The frame has a tongue on a forward end for attachment to a towing vehicle, such as a small tractor. A rake bar for raking the ground of the athletic field is pivotally mounted below and transverse to the frame between the forward and rearward ends. The rake bar is movable between a ground engaging position and a storage position that is beneath the frame and elevated relative to the ground engaging position. 
   A broom bar is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the frame for sweeping the ground. The broom is movable independently of the rake bar between a ground engaging position and a storage position. In the preferred embodiment, the broom rotates to an upper position above the wheels while in the storage position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a grooming apparatus constructed according to the present invention, one of the wheel assemblies being shown in phantom. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view showing detail of the tilt adjustment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2   b  is a front view of a rake blade constructed according to the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  partially configured for transportation or storage. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the apparatus of  FIG. 1  during use. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view, taken along the line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 6 , of an optional second rake bar for attachment with the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the second rake bar of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 through 4  illustrate an apparatus  11  for grooming the soft earth or ground  12  ( FIG. 4 ) on an athletic field, particularly the infield surface  13  of a baseball field. Apparatus  11  is preferably towed by a small tractor or similar vehicle, though apparatus  11  may alternatively be towed by hand.  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  4  show apparatus  11  configured for use, whereas  FIG. 3  shows apparatus  11  partially configured for transportation or storage. 
   Referring to the figures, apparatus  11  has a frame comprising a longitudinal beam or frame member  14  and a lateral or transverse frame member  15 , members  14 ,  15  preferably being formed from rectangular metal tubing. Lateral member  15  is rigidly connected to the rear end of longitudinal member  14  to form a horizontal, T-shaped frame. Longitudinal member  14  has a tongue with a hitch assembly  17  on its forward end for pivotally connecting apparatus  11  to a tow vehicle (not shown). Hitch assembly  17  has a hitch  19  that is adjustable for height for connecting to the hitches of various tow vehicles or to change the angle of frame member  14  relative to infield surface  13 . A handle  20  is located on hitch assembly  17 , providing a grip for the user to use to lift the forward end of apparatus  11 . Wheel assemblies  21 ,  23  are rotatably attached to a shaft  25  at each outer end of frame member  15  for supporting apparatus  11  above surface  13 , wheel assembly  23  being shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 . 
   A rake assembly  27  is pivotally attached to a forward portion of frame member  14 , rake assembly  27  being suspended below member  14 . Assembly  27  pivots between an engaged or ground-engaging position, shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  4 , and a retracted or storage position, shown in  FIG. 3 . Assembly  27  comprises a rake support bar  28 , spacer plate  29 , rake blade  30 , and tilt plate  31 . Support bar  28  is a downward facing open channel member having a forward plate  28   a , a rearward plate  28   b  and a top plate  289   c  extending between plates  28   a .  28   b . Plates  28   a  and  28   b  are parallel to each other and perpendicular to top plate  28   c  in this embodiment. The lower edges of plates  28   a ,  28   b  are free and adapted to contact the ground. As shown in the figures and in detail in  FIG. 2 , assembly  27  is connected to frame member  14  by a pivot arm  32  on each lateral side of member  14 . The forward end of each arm  32  pivots on shaft  33 , and the rear end of each arm  32  is attached to assembly  27  by shaft  35 . Arms  32  freely pivot about shaft  33 , but assembly  27  is selectively held at a desired angle relative to arms  32  by bolt  37 , which frictionally engages a slot  39  in tilt plate  31 . By loosening bolt  37 , assembly  27  may be rotated relative to arms  32  within the range limit defined by slot  39 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a  and  2   b , rake blade  30  is fastened by bolts  41  to forward plate  28   a  of support bar  28 , and spacer plate  29  is fastened to top plate  28   c  of support bar  28  by bolts  43 . As shown in  FIG. 2   b , blade  30  has a first row  45  of teeth, for raking earth  12  of infield  13  ( FIG. 4 ), and vertically elongated holes  47 , which have a width sized to receive bolts  41  for mounting blade  30  on support bar  28 . Blade  30  also has a second, oppositely arranged row  49  of teeth for allowing a user to invert and reinstall blade  30  when first row  45  is worn or damaged, second row  49  then being used to rake infield earth  12 . Each of the teeth of rows  45 ,  49  has inclined side edges that converge to a peak, as shown in  FIG. 2   b . Blade  30  is preferably positioned on support bar  28  so that rows  45 ,  49  of teeth are parallel to the lower edge of support bar  28 . Also, rake assembly  27  is preferably adjusted so that the height of blade  30  is perpendicular to surface  13 . The lower of rows  45 ,  49  of teeth extends below the lower edge of forward plate  28   a  of support bar  28  for breaking up and raking earth  12  as apparatus  11  is towed. To adjust the effect of blade  30  on surface  13 , the height of blade  30  relative to support bar  28  can be adjusted by loosening bolts  41 , allowing blade  30  to be repositioned to the desired height or, if desired, the desired angle relative to support bar  28 . 
   Referring again to the figures, the threaded portion of each bolt  43  extends upward, and bolts  43  are retained on rake assembly  27  by nuts  51 . When necessary to break up hardened earth  12 , weight plates  53  can be mounted on bolts  43 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , to provide additional downward force on rake assembly  27 . Plates  53  rest on nuts  51  and are preferably retained on bolts  43  by wing nuts  54 . Plates  53  having different thickness and weights may be used to select the desired additional force, and multiple plates  53  may be used. 
   A plate  55  is mounted to the upper edge of each arm  32 , each plate  55  having a hole  57  extending laterally through plate  55 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , plates  55  and holes  57  are laterally aligned, and holes  57  are positioned to be above the upper surface of frame member  14  when in the retracted position, as shown. Pin  59  is inserted through holes  57  and above frame member  14  to support rake assembly  27  in the retracted position, clip  61  retaining pin  59  in holes  57 . Pin  59  thus serves as a latch. When assembly  27  is in the engaged position, holes are below the upper surface of frame member  14 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  4 . A handle  62 , visible in  FIG. 4 , is attached to rake assembly  27 , providing a grip for the user to use in lifting and holding assembly  27  in the retracted position for insertion of pin  59 . 
   A broom assembly  63  is pivotally attached to the rear of frame member  15  with hinge  65 , assembly  63  comprising arm  67 , bristle broom  69 , and adjuster  71 . Arm  67  extends rearward from hinge  65 , and broom  69  is pivotally attached to a rear portion of arm  67  with bracket  73  and shaft  75 . Bracket  73  pivots on shaft  75  to provide rotation of broom  69  relative to arm  67 , adjuster  71  allowing the user to selectively adjust the angle of broom  69  by rotating nuts  77  on a threaded shaft  79 . Changing the angle of broom  69  raises or lowers broom  69  relative to infield  13  for adjusting the effect of bristles  79  on infield earth  12  and to account for the angle of frame member  14  relative to infield  13 . Broom  69  preferably engages infield  13  at an angle relative to infield  13 , limiting bouncing of broom  69  during use and producing a desired aesthetic result. 
   In  FIG. 3 , broom assembly  63  is shown partially rotated toward a storage position, in which broom assembly  63  is rotated about hinge  65  to a position where arm  67  is located above frame member  14  and broom  69  is positioned generally above rake assembly  27 . A plate  81  extends upward from each lateral side of frame member  14 , plates  81  being located forward of frame member  15 . Each plate  81  has a hole  83  sized to receive a pin (not shown, but like pin  59 ) for retaining broom assembly  63  in the storage position, the pin and holes  83  being located above surface  85  of arm  67 . In the storage position broom assembly  63  will be forward of wheels  23 . Because hinge  65  is located forward of the rear edge of wheel assemblies  21 ,  23 , apparatus  11  may be stored against a vertical surface, such as a wall, when broom assembly  63  is in the storage position. In this stored position, apparatus  11  is rotated so that longitudinal frame member  14  is generally vertical, and wheel assemblies  21 ,  23  are moved to near or against the vertical surface. 
   Referring to the figures, prior to operation, a user adjusts height of hitch  19  in hitch assembly  17  to the desired or required height for the corresponding hitch portion on the tow vehicle. Rake blade  30  is fastened to support bar  28 , blade  30  being positioned to provide a row  45 ,  49  of teeth with a selected penetration depth, rows  45 ,  49  typically being parallel to infield surface  13 . The angle of rake assembly  27  to arms  32  is adjusted at tilt plate  31 , rake assembly  27  preferably being used with the plane of the height of rake blade  30  perpendicular to surface  13 . If desired, weight plates  53  ( FIG. 4  may be added to rake assembly  27 . 
   In operation, apparatus  11  is moved to a location for grooming, and one or both of rake assembly  27  and broom assembly  63  may be deployed for use in grooming. To deploy rake assembly  27 , the user detaches clip  61  from pin  59 , and then pulls upward on handle  62  and removes pin  59  from holes  57  in plates  55 . Once pin  59  is removed, rake assembly  27  is free to move downward until blade  30  contacts infield surface  13 . Arms  32  freely rotate on shaft  33  relative to frame member  14 , allowing rake assembly  27  to move vertically to adjust for variation in the height of infield surface  13 . 
   To deploy broom assembly  63 , the user removes the pin (not shown) from holes  83  in plates  81  and rotates broom assembly  63  rearward about hinge  65 . The height and angle of broom  69  relative to infield  13  are adjusted using adjuster  71 , broom  69  and bracket  73  rotating about shaft  75 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , grooming is accomplished by towing apparatus  11  across infield  13 . Blade  30  breaks up hardened earth  12  and rakes loose earth  12  in path  87  on infield  13 , blade  30  typically forming a mound of earth  12  in front of rake assembly  27 . Blade  30  cause earth  12  remaining in path  87  to be smooth and relatively flat, and then bristles  79  of broom  69  further smooth surface  13  along path  87 . As mentioned above, apparatus  11  may be used with only rake assembly  27  or broom assembly  63  deployed, or apparatus may be used with assemblies  27 ,  63  both being deployed. After use, rake assembly  27  and broom assembly  63 , are repositioned to their retracted or storage positions. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  show another rake bar  91  that is optionally mounted to frame member  14 . Rake bar  91 , if used, is preferably mounted to frame member  14  forward of rake assembly  27  although it could be used in place of rake assembly  27 . Rake bar  91  has a support beam  93  that is a steel angle member with a first flange  93   a  and a second flange  93   b  at 90 degrees from each other. A plurality of tines  95  are secured to first flange  93   a  and protrude downward for tilling the soil. Tines  95  are spaced apart from each other along the length of support beam  93 . Tines  95  are preferably threaded on their upper ends so as to be removable from support beam  93  for replacement. Each tine  95  has a sharp, pointed lower end, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   A plurality of bolts  97  protrudes through second flange  93   b  perpendicular to tines  95 . A plurality of weight plates  99  are selectively mounted to bolts  97  and secured by wing nuts for applying weight to rake bar  91 . 
   Rake bar  91  is secured to longitudinal frame member  14  by a pair of link bars  101 . Each link bar  101  has a lower end pivotally secured to a lower support bar  103 . Lower support bar  103  is rigidly mounted to second flange  93   b . The upper ends of link bars  101  are pivotally secured to an upper support bar  105 . Upper support bar  105  is parallel to lower support bar  103  and coupled to the lower side of frame member  14  by a bracket  107 . 
   A pair of struts  106  extends diagonally from each link bar  101  near the upper end to each outer end of rake bar  91 . Struts  106  are not shown in  FIG. 5 . Optionally, the relative angle between tines  95  and link bars  101  can be adjusted so as to select the precise orientation of tines  95  while in the ground engaging position. The adjustment is made at the bolted connections between the lower support bar  103  and link bars  101 , and also at the bolted connections at the outer ends of struts  106  to the support beam  93 . Alternately, rake bar  91  could be fixed to link bars  101  so that tines  95  are always vertical while in the ground engaging position. 
   Rake bar  91  is moved between the ground engaging position shown in  FIG. 6  and the storage position shown in  FIG. 5  by a pair of lift bars  109 . Each lift bar  109  has a lower end pivotally secured to a lug  111  that is welded to the rearward side of second flange  93   b . Lift bars  109  extend upward along each side of longitudinal frame member  14 . A handle  113  extends between lift bars  109  at the upper end. A pin  115  may be selectively placed through aligned holes in lift bars  109  when rake bar  91  is lifted to the storage position. Pin  115  will engage the upper side of frame member  14  to hold rake bar  91  in the storage position. 
   Rake bar  91  is employed in the same manner as rake assembly  27 . Rake bar  91  may be used in a ground engaging position at the same time that rake assembly  27  and broom assembly  63  are in a ground engaging position. Alternately, rake bar  91  could be in the storage position while rake assembly  27  is engaging the ground or vice versa. Rake assembly  27 , broom assembly  63  and rake bar  91  are independently movable between their storage and ground engaging positions. 
   Several advantages are realized with the present invention. The apparatus provides an easy-to-use, towable grooming tool for use on baseball infields or similar surfaces. A rake blade is used to break up and rake the earth, and a broom smooths the earth remaining in the grooming path. The rake blade and broom cooperate to spread the earth evenly along the field. The extended width of the blade provides for improved removal of high spots, and the field is further leveled with each subsequent use. The apparatus provides for adjustment of blade depth, blade angle, and broom angle. The broom and rake assemblies are movable to retracted positions, reducing the space requirement for storage of the apparatus. 
   While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.