Abstract:
Drying of wet ground surfaces provided with stalks includes removing droplets from stalks with comb-shaped projections, and guiding the removed droplets along the projections toward lower edges of the projections and from there onto the ground surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention deals with a method of and a device for drying wet ground surfaces with stalks, in particular lawn surfaces. Also, similar structured artificial ground surfaces can be considered suitable for the inventive solution.  
           [0002]    Such ground surfaces are frequently wet in the early morning hours from dew and at all times from rain or from required artificial watering. People must frequently walk over these ground surfaces, and as a result a footwear becomes wet. When the ground surfaces are used for sports or as playing grounds for kids, not only the footwear but also the clothes become wet. Moreover, such ground surfaces are smooth and therefore become dangerous, first of all when used for sports which involve a fast running. Falls and injuries hinder and endanger a sportsman, unless he must not use few hours for performing the sports activities. For a natural loan surface which is wet and must be moved in this condition, considerable difficulties arise during mowing, and in particular during mowing with such lawn mowers which collect the cut grass in an accumulating device. In these cases the passages for guiding the grass are clogged by the cut grass stalks which due to their moisture stick to one another and to the walls of the lawn mower and first of all block its expelling opening. The mowing process must be continuously interrupted for removal of the clogging grass. Moreover, a great part of the cut grass is not collected in the accumulating device but instead remains on the loan surface and must be removed in a second working step.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Accordingly, it is an object of present invention to provide a method of and a device for drying grass surfaces provided with stalks, in particular natural loan surface, with the use of which the drying can be performed as fast as possible.  
           [0004]    In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a method in which the droplets on the stalks are stripped with comb-shaped projections, and then they are guided along the projections toward their lower edges and from there to the ground surface.  
           [0005]    When the method is performed in accordance with the present invention, then the greatest part of the moisture is withdrawn from the stalks onto the ground surface and from there into the ground. The relatively large droplets which adhere to the stalks form the greater part of the disturbing moisture. If they are not caught, it takes a long time for wind and sun to dry the droplets which contain so much water. When however in accordance with the present invention the droplets are removed from the stalks and their water is guided to the ground surface where the ground takes it, then only a thin moisture film remains on the stalks, and due to its large surface and low water quantity, it is dried by wind and sun.  
           [0006]    With the use of the inventive method, the ground surface after a short time becomes again walkable without wetting the footwear. For playing of sports, the ground surface much more earlier becomes dry and therefore not dangerous to be used, which is of a great advantage when sports activities otherwise are interrupted because of raining. Moreover, half hour to one hour after the use of the method a wet lawn surface can be mowed with a lawn mower having an accumulating device, without any problems. In particular, during time with poor weather, in which the sun shines only briefly or does not shine at all, a high air moisture occurs, and there is low wind and it takes a long time for self drying of a lawn surface, the inventive method is especially recommended. On the other hand, it helps to water the ground surface in dry time. With the timely use in the morning, the dew is stripped from the stalks, where otherwise it would evaporate substantially uselessly. Instead, it is supplied into the ground and can reach roots of the grass.  
           [0007]    In accordance with the inventive method, it is recommended to pull or push the comb-shaped projections through the shaft formed by the stalks, substantially parallel to the ground surface. The droplets are stripped from the stalks in the best way and supplied to the ground surface.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a device for performing a new method is proposed which has a bar pullable or pushable over the stalks to the ground surface and having at the lower side a plurality of comb-shaped projections each having a plurality of downwardly extending prongs with intermediate spaces therebetween, wherein the intermediate spaces at most are only insignificantly wider, preferably smaller than the throughgoing width of the stalks. Because of the small intermediate spaces, the outer surfaces of the stalks come to a narrow contact with the prongs to provide stripping of the droplets from the stalks. The water flows then along the prongs downwardly to their lower edges and drops from there onto the ground area or is guided there when the prongs touch the ground surface.  
           [0009]    It has been recognized that it is advantageous when the length of the downwardly extending prongs of the comb-shaped projections opposite to the movement direction, or in other words to the back edge of the bar increases uniformly, non uniformly or increases in stages. The prongs then can be pulled easier and finer for the stalks through the layer of the ground surface which is formed by them. Moreover, the water flows along the downwardly inclined lower edges of the prongs, accumulates at the deepest point to thick droplets which then fall on the ground surface very fast.  
           [0010]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the comb-shaped projections are arranged at a distance from one another and in several rows one behind the other, so that they are offset from one another by gaps. Therefore, when the stalks pass through the bar they have the chance to adjust and to assume a new position, before they are engaged by the prongs of a subsequent comb-shaped projection which then strokes along them in a different way.  
           [0011]    It is recommended to provide the bar at its rear edge with a holding element formed as a stripping piece. The stripping piece is provided with a plurality of stripping hooks which have a flat cross-section. The stripping hooks are arranged close to one another, have ends which are bent toward the ground surface, and are elastically yieldable in a vertical direction. In this embodiment the bent ends of the stripping hooks after passing of the comb-shaped projections stroke again over the surfaces of the stalks and strip eventually available remaining droplets. It is recommended to provide a design in which the stripping hooks have different horizontal lengths and/or their ends have different distances from the ground surface. In this way more stalks and more stalk surfaces are rubbed by the stripping hooks.  
           [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the bar in the region of its lower edge is provided with a plurality of short longitudinal portions of chains located near one another. Each of them is mounted with only one of the both end portions on the rear edge of the bar and another end portions are placed on the stalks of the ground surface. The chains perform the function of the above mentioned stripping hooks. The free end portion of the chains after passing of the comb-shaped projections stroke again the outer surface of the stalks and eventually remove the available remaining droplets. Such longitudinal portions of the chains can be produced with low expenses and simply mounted in the region of the rear edge of the bar on the latter. Moreover, such chain portions are not susceptible to damages and not damaged during storage of the device.  
           [0013]    It is recommended that the bar is provided at its rear edge with longitudinal portions of the chains over its whole width. Also, the stripping hooks can be distributed over the whole width of the bar. Thereby the ground surface is uniformly dried over the whole width of the bar.  
           [0014]    It is advantageous when the chains are formed as link chains. Such chains have no sharp edges which can damage the stalks. Moreover, they are used and introduced with different sizes.  
           [0015]    It is moreover recommended to make the longitudinal portions of chains of a not corrodible metallic material. Then they have a sufficiently high specific weight to be applied sufficiently strong on the stalks and not to leave any rust or corrosion traces.  
           [0016]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention all or several longitudinal portions of chains on the rear edge of the bar can be mounted with a common holding element easily so as to be releasable or exchangeable. The chains can be mounted on one or several strip-shaped holding elements, which in turn can be inserted or suspended in the bar.  
           [0017]    It is further advantageous when the bar on its rear edge and over its whole width is provided with a plurality of air nozzles which generate a pressurized air and which have outlet openings oriented toward the ground surface. The pressurized air, which eventually can be also hot air, blows the residual moisture from the surface of the stalks and accelerates their drying. It is advantageous when the air nozzles are slot-shaped and arranged in several rows so as to be offset by intermediate gaps from one another.  
           [0018]    In accordance with another, comfortable embodiment of the invention, the bar is mounted on a drivable working device. It is then especially easy to move the bar over the ground surface, in particular when the drivable working device has a traveling mechanism. Moreover, a device for producing a pressurized air can be arranged on said traveling working device.  
           [0019]    As an alternative, the bar can be provided with a pulling means which can be guided manually. Therefore, a cost-favorable, relatively simple and efficient hand-guided device is provided, which can be guided manually and suffices for small loan areas.  
           [0020]    It is advantageous when the bar over its width is formed by a plurality of parts, and the bar parts can be assembled in different numbers selectively to form different widths. It is advantageous when the outer bar parts are foldable upwardly. In this case the total width of the bar corresponds to the widths of the respective grounds surfaces, that is advantageous especially for angled ground surfaces. It is recommended to provide the bar parts having different widths.  
           [0021]    In many cases it is recommended to provide the bar with weights on its upper surface. This is true first of all for such devices which can not be mounted on sufficiently heavy traveling working devices, and in which the bar, due to small dimensions and/or type of the material, is too light so that the prongs of the comb-shaped projections do not penetrate sufficiently deep into the layer formed by the stalks.  
           [0022]    The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bar of an inventive device for drying grass surfaces in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a view showing the bar of the inventive device of FIG. 1 from below;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a view showing a part identified with this reference in FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a view showing a section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a side view of the bar of the inventive device of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a view showing a section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a view showing a section corresponding to that of FIG. 6 but provided with air nozzles instead of stripping hooks;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a view substantially corresponding to the view of FIG. 1 but showing the bar of the inventive device provided with chain portions;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a view substantially corresponding to the view of FIG. 2 but showing the bar of the inventive device with chain portions;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a view substantially corresponding to the view of FIG. 5 but showing the bar of the inventive device with chain portions.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 shows a bar  1  of an inventive device for drying grass surfaces, which is substantially formed as a board but is not necessary composed of wood. It can be composed of a synthetic plastic, a metal, a metal alloy or a combination with the above mentioned materials. In the shown embodiment the bar  1  has three bar portions  1   a ,  1   b , and  1   c . The outer bar portion  1   b  is releasably connected with the central bar portion  1   a  through a guide  2 . The guide  2  on the bar parts  1   a  and  1   b  can be formed either as an undercut groove or a corresponding undercut strip arranged at corresponding end sides. The strip of the respective bar part is inserted in the groove of the neighboring bar part. One or several U-shaped locking clamps  3  have legs inserted in openings of both bar parts  1   a  and  1   b , so as to prevent an unintentional loosening of the bar parts  1   a  and  1   b  from one another. As an alternative to this connection, the bar parts  1   a  and  1   c  are connected with one another by a hinge  3   a . The hinge  3   a  allows folding up of the bar part  1   c , in particular at such locations which are smaller than the total width of the bar  1 .  
         [0034]    The front edge of the bar  1  is provided with several ears  4  which serve for applying a pulling means, for example a not shown rope with which the bar  1  can be pulled over the ground surface. It is however also possible to provide a suitable, not shown linkage on the bar  1 , in particular for mounting of the bar  1  to a traveling device.  
         [0035]    Weights  5  are provided on the upper side on the bar  1 . They are uniformly distributed over the upper side and can be therefore exchangeably mounted. A stripping piece which will be described herein below, is provided on the rear edge of the bar land forms a holding element  6 .  
         [0036]    As shown from FIG. 2, a plurality of projections  7  are provided on the lower side of the bar  1 . The projections  7  are arranged with distances from one another and also are arranged in several rows so as to be offset from one another by gaps.  
         [0037]    In FIG. 3 alternatively to FIG. 2, between each row with the projection  7 , a row without the projection  7  is provided. Moreover, it can be seen that the projections  7  are combed-shaped. They are joined through several prongs  8  which in operational position extend downwardly. This can be seen particularly clear from FIG. 4. Intermediate spaces  9  are provided between the prongs  8 . At most they are insignificantly wider, but preferably are however smaller than the throughgoing widths of the stalks. The stalks can pass between the intermediate spaces  9 , since they turn around their longitudinal axes by the yieldable prongs  8 . They are guided with their thin small sides through the intermediate spaces  9 . Therefore the larger surfaces of the stalks come in direct contact with the prongs  8  and they strip the droplets which adhere to the stalks.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 shows that the length of the downwardly extending prongs  8  of the comb-shaped projections increase opposite to the movement direction identified with the arrow X and thereby toward the rear edge of the bar  1 . Here also the stripping pieces formed as the holding element  6  can be seen on the rear edge of the stalk  1 .  
         [0039]    In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the holding element  6  is composed of one stripping piece which is shown in section and enlarged. The stripping piece is provided over the entire width of the bar  1  with a plurality of stripping hooks  10  which are arranged closely to one another. The stripping hooks  10  have ends  11  which are bent toward the ground surface. Because of their small thickness and the elasticity of their material, they are yieldable in a vertical direction. Moreover, they have different lengths and their ends extend differently far downwardly from the ground surface. In the inmovable position, the lower edges of the bent ends  11  are located under the lower edges of the prongs  8 . The holding element  6  here in form of a stripping piece is mounted releasably and thereby exchangeably on the bar  1 .  
         [0040]    As shown in FIG. 7, instead of a stripping piece, the bar  1  can be provided on its lower edge with a plurality of air nozzles  12  which pressurized air and are distributed over its total width. The outlet openings of the air nozzles are oriented toward the ground surface. The air nozzles  12  are slot-shaped, they are arranged in several rows one behind the other so that they are offset and form gaps therebetween. A passage  13  above the air nozzles  12  distributes the pressurized air which is supplied through one or several inlet openings  14 . A hose  15  provides the connection to an aggregate which produces the pressurized air. Also, the air nozzles  12  are mounted releasably and thereby exchangeably on the bar  1 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the present invention. Here the bar  1  is provided on its rear edge, instead of the stripping hooks  10 , with short longitudinal portions of chains  16 . The chains  16  are each mounted with only one end portion on the holding element  6  which is formed strip-shaped and inserted in a groove in the rear edge of the bar  1 . In addition to the insertion in a groove, also numerous other constructions of a holding element  6  are possible, and also other mounting possibilities on the bar. In a multi-part bar  1 , also the holding element  6  is composed of a plurality of parts.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 shows that on the holding element  6  which is a part of the rear edge of the bar  1 , a plurality of short longitudinal portions of chain  16  are arranged closesly near one another. They have free end portions which are placed on the stalks  17  of the ground surface  18 .  
         [0043]    It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of methods and constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0044]    While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in method of and device for drying grass surfaces, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in anyway from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0045]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.  
         [0046]    What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.