Patent Publication Number: US-2011067543-A1

Title: Direction of cut indicator

Description:
This application claims priority to the Provisional Application #61/276,931 filed on Sep. 18, 2009 which is included by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure is directed towards a device utilized by individuals that mow turf, more particularly, the disclosure is directed towards a device that directs a user to mow the turf in a particular pattern. 
     All golf courses utilize mowing procedures that alternate (or change) the mowing patterns in a regular schedule. The reason for alternating the mowing pattern is not for purely aesthetic reasons. The mowing of the turf (or grass) causes the turf to lie over (or lean) in a particular direction. When you continually cut the turf in the same pattern, the turf will grow in a horizontal fashion so that the turf is of poor quality. By changing the direction of the cut, the turf is then encouraged to grow vertically. 
     Not only have golf courses relied on the alternating of patterns to encourage the vertical growth of grass for a smooth playing surface, other athletic fields, such as baseball, soccer, and football fields, and even homeowners, utilize alternating patterns to acquire a healthy turf. These patterns aid in the reduction of compaction by the mowers and encourage a more uniform removal of grasses. 
     In order to achieve a healthy turf using alternating patterns, the maintenance staff of a golf course or athletic field has to remember to change the pattern each time the turf is cut. Some golf courses or athletic fields employ a maintenance manager that establishes a schedule in which several individuals (i.e., staff) are utilized to cut the turf. In order to achieve a healthy turf with an aesthetically pleasing look, the maintenance manager must communicate with each employee about the proper direction for that particular day. The problem arises when there is a lack of communication between the maintenance manager and the employees about the proper direction for the mowing of the turf on a particular day. 
     What is needed in the art is a direction of cut indicator that can be coupled to a turf mowing device, which indicates the proper direction of mowing for a particular day. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present disclosure or to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein. 
     The disclosure is directed toward a direction of cut indicator for illustrating the direction of cut for turf. The indicator comprises a body having a front opposite a rear, a first side opposite a second side, and an interior housing sufficient electronics for proper operation of the indicator. At least one display is coupled to the front of the body and the display is configured to project desired information. An attachment mechanism is coupled to the rear of the body and the attachment mechanism is configured to attach to a mower. A power switch is coupled to the body and the power switch is configured to turn the indicator on and off. 
     The indicator also comprises a direction of cut button, a date button, a time button, and a set button. Each button is coupled to the body and is configured to be utilized in programming the indicator. The at least one display can be partitioned into a first display area and a second display area. In the alternative, another display can be coupled to the front of the body to project desired information. 
     The indicator also comprises a direction of clean-up pass icon viewable in the display, in which the icon is configured to flash during setting procedures and is configured to change; a direction of cut icon viewable in the display, in which the icon is configured to flash during setting procedures and is configured to reflect a desired direction of cut; a date icon viewable in the display, in which the icon is configured to flash during setting procedures and is configured to change date as programmed; a time icon viewable in the display, in which the icon is configured to flash during setting procedures and is configured to change time as programmed; and a temperature icon viewable in the display, in which the icon is configured to change temperature as sensed by the direction of cut indicator. 
     The disclosure is also directed toward a direction of cut indicator for illustrating the direction of cut for turf. The indicator comprises a body having a front opposite a rear, a first side opposite a second side, and an interior housing sufficient electronics for proper operation of the indicator. At least one display is coupled to the front of the body and the display is configured to project desired information. An attachment mechanism is coupled to the rear of the body and the attachment mechanism is configured to attach to a mower. A power switch is coupled to the body and the power switch is configured to turn the indicator on and off. A remote transceiver is coupled wirelessly to the indicator and is configured to transmit and receive the desired information from the indicator. 
     The indicator provides that the remote transceiver is a dedicated transceiver or can be accessible over an interne connection. The indicator can be configured to act as a transceiver to transmit and receive the desired information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Referring now to the figures, wherein like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a an exemplary embodiment of the direction of cut indicator device coupled to a conventional mowing piece of equipment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the direction of cut indicator device; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the direction of cut indicator device; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the direction of cut indicator device; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary system utilizing at least one transceiver indicator device; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another exemplary system utilizing at least one transceiver indicator device; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a straight cut; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a left to right cut; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a cross cut; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a right to left cut; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a checkerboard cut; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a fifty-fifty cut; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pattern illustrating a diamond cut. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is directed to a device that provides a continuous, reliable, and accessible source of information for the efficient execution of a schedule for mowing turf. A turf mowing schedule generally itemizes the direction of the cut for the turf for a particular day. Generally, a maintenance manager communicates to each individual staff mowing for that day which direction to cut the turf. As can be expected, communication of the schedule to each staff member can be difficult and tedious for the maintenance manger. The device of the present disclosure solves this communication problem. The device can be automatically programmed to indicate the proper direction or be manually programmed from a remote device to provide the required information. 
     In one embodiment, the device is a direction of cut indicator and comprises a display, such as an LCD screen to display the direction of cut and other useful information and a series of operational buttons for programming the device. In another embodiment, the device is a direction of cut indicator that acts as a receiver of information. The device comprises a display, such as an LCD screen to display the direction of cut and other useful information. This embodiment can be remotely programmed by a host device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the direction of cut indicator (or indicator device)  10  is illustrated as being coupled to a console of a conventional mowing piece of equipment  12 . Although a conventional walk behind mowing piece of equipment  12  is illustrated, it is contemplated that the indicator device  10  can be coupled to any piece of equipment  12  utilized to mow turf or lawn, including conventional riding or walk behind “mowers.” It is contemplated that multiple indicator devices  10  can be utilized for a team of equipment  12 . It is also contemplated that only one indicator device  10  can be utilized (visible within a maintenance office or facility or other appropriate location) to indicate to several operators of equipment  12  the direction of cut for the day. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the indicator device  10  is illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator device  10  is a stand-alone device that operates continuously from its own power source. The indicator device  10  includes a body  14  having a front  16  with a first display (or screen)  18  and a second display (or screen)  20 . A series of buttons (or touch pads or keys or switches)  22  for manual operation of the indicator device  10  is located on the front  16 . It is also contemplated that an area  24  is located on the indicator device  10  for users to advertise specific places or companies, or to illustrate trademarks or logos. 
     The body  14  has a front  16  and a rear  26  with an interior (not shown) housing sufficient electronics (or electronic devices or electrical devices or electrical mechanisms) for the operation of the indicator device  10  as indicated herein. 
     The displays  18 ,  20  are utilized to provide information to a user. It is contemplated that the displays  18 ,  20  can be from one screen displaying the necessary information or two separate screens in which each screen displays desired information separately. Any conventional display screen  18 ,  20  is contemplated including liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, and the like. 
     The first display  18  can be configured in any shape, as long as the first display  18  illustrates the desired direction of cutting the turf. The directions or patterns  28  utilized for cutting turf are generally standard in the industry and are further illustrated herein in  FIGS. 7-13 . These patterns  28  are programmed within the indicator device  10 . The pattern  28  illustrated in the first display  18  in  FIG. 2  is a right to left cut (R-L). 
     The second display  20  can be configured in any shape or series of shapes, as long as the second display  20  illustrates the desired information. In a preferred embodiment, the second display can illustrate (i.e., using icons, alphanumeric representations, or numerical representations) the direction of the clean-up pass  30 , the direction of the pattern  32 , the date  34 , the time  36 , and the outside temperature  38 . The indicator device  10  is configured with appropriate devices to sense and display the outside temperature. The direction of the clean-up pass  30  can be either clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW), CCW is illustrated. 
     The series of buttons  22  are utilized for the manual operation of the indicator device  10 . Button ON (or power switch)  40  turns the device on and off. Button DIR  42  allows for setting the direction of the cut or pattern (e.g., R-L). Button DATE  44  is utilized for setting the date (e.g., 10-03). Button TIME  46  allows for the setting of the time (e.g., 5:01 am). Button SET  48  provides the means for setting all of the functions on the indicator device  10 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the indicator device  10 . The indicator device  10  has a front  16  and a rear  26 . Coupled to the rear  26  is an attachment mechanism  50  for coupling the indicator device  10  to a piece of equipment  12 . The attachment mechanism  50  can be any conventional attachment mechanism, including, but not limited to, magnet, hook and loop fastener, clip, snap, strap, mounting bracket, adhesive, and the like. It is contemplated that the attachment mechanism  50  be sufficient to securely fasten the indicator device  10  to a piece of equipment  12 . In another embodiment, the indicator device  10  can be built into the console of the piece of equipment  12  by the manufacturer. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of the indicator device  10 . The rear  26  of the indicator device  10  can also have an access port  52  for opening the device to reach the interior (not shown). Although illustrated on the rear  26 , it is contemplated that the access port  52  can be located at any convenient location of the indicator device  10 , including the front  16  and sides  54 ,  56 . The access port  52  can be utilized for accessing the power source, such as a battery (not shown). The access port  52  can be covered with a door (or panel) that can be easily removed by a sliding action, dislodging a clip, or unscrewing a screw. Other means of entry are also contemplated. It is also contemplated that the indicator device  10  may be solar powered. 
     The indicator device  10  is utilized to display the desired schedule for mowing of the turf. In one mode of operation, the desired pattern  28  is chosen for a particular date  34 . At a specific time of day (i.e., midnight), the indicator device  10  automatically changes the desired pattern  28  (i.e., R-L) to a new desired pattern  28  (i.e., ST). The pattern  28  will change for each day; the number of patterns chosen depends upon the programming of the patterns in the indicator device  10  and the desired schedule of the user (e.g., maintenance manager). The indicator device  10  can operate on a continuous cycle changing every 24 hours or it can be programmed to change according to any desired schedule. 
     The indicator device  10  is durable, able to withstand the rigorous use of the piece of equipment  12 . In particular, the indicator device  10  can be waterproof, shock resistant, and vibration resistant. 
     The indicator device  10  can be of any size, as long as it can be disposed on a piece of equipment  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the indicator device  10  can be of a sufficient size to be held by an average adult hand. However, other embodiments can have small sized units depending upon the amount of information displayed and programmable buttons. 
     The indicator device  10  is easily operated, allowing a user to program the indicator device  10  as desired. In order to operate the indicator device  10 , the user simply turns on the device by depressing the ON button  40 . The display  18  will illustrate the direction of cut (or pattern)  26 . The display  20  will illustrate the clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) direction of the clean up pass  30 , direction of cut  32 , date  34 , time  36 , and temperature  38 . The indicator device  10  is programmed to automatically detect the outside temperature  38  as indicated in display  20 . This function can be particularly useful if there is a threat of freezing or the presence of frost. The indicator device  10  is programmed to automatically turn off thirty seconds after the last entry. 
     To choose the direction of cut, the user simply turns on the device by depressing the ON button  40 . Next, the DIR button  42  is pushed. The display  18  will illustrate the current direction of cut (pattern)  26 . The display  18  will be flashing. The user then pushes the DIR button  42  repeatedly until the desired pattern  28  is flashing. The user then pushes the SET button  48 . To set each day, the user simply pushes the DIR button  42  repeatedly until the next day&#39;s desired pattern  28  is flashing. The user then pushes the SET button  48 . The user continues with this procedure to set up a different pattern  28  for each consecutive day. The indicator device  10  will automatically update the display  20  in the information concerning the direction  32 . 
     In order to set the date, the user simply turns on the device by depressing the ON button  40 . Next, the user presses the DATE button  44 . The display  20  will show the date  34 . The month will be flashing. The user pushes the DATE button  44  repeatedly until desired month is flashing. The user then pushes the SET button  48 . Next, the day of the month will begin to flash. The user pushes the DATE button  44  repeatedly until desired day is flashing. The user then pushes the SET button  48 . The date will then be set. 
     In order to set the time, the user simply turns on the device by depressing the ON button  40 . Next, the user presses the TIME button  46 . The display  20  will show the time. The a.m. or p.m. hour will be flashing. The user pushes the TIME button  46  repeatedly until the desired a.m. or p.m. hour is flashing. Then the user pushes the SET button  48 . Next, the minutes will be flashing. The user pushes the TIME button  46  repeatedly until the desired minutes are flashing. Lastly, the user pushes the SET button  48 . The time will then be set. 
     In another embodiment, the direction of cut indicator device is not a stand-alone device and can be wirelessly coupled to a dedicated transceiver device (as illustrated in the system of  FIG. 5 ) or wirelessly coupled to a remote system (as illustrated in the system of  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a dedicated master transceiver  58  that has an antenna  60  allowing the master transceiver  58  to transmit and receive desired information (as illustrated with arrow  64 ) to at least one transceiver indicator device  62 . The transceiver indicator device  62  is sufficiently similar to the indicator device  10  presented herein; however, the transceiver indicator device  62  is configured to transmit and receive desired information to the master transceiver  58 . The transceiver indicator device  62  can have all programmable functions represented by buttons  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  removed (or made non-functional) and operate as a receiver and a transmitter of information related to the direction of mowing, time, date, temperature, and clean-up direction. In a preferred embodiment, each transceiver indicator device  62  can be turned on and off by button  40 . The system illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a dedicated system, allowing the user to program the transceiver indicator devices  62  from the master transceiver  58 . The user can program the master transceiver  58  to transmit the desired information on a daily basis or the user can input a schedule to be transmitted daily to each transceiver indicator device  62 . 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the system comprises a master transceiver  66  that can transmit and receive information wirelessly over the interne to at least one transceiver indicator device  68  (as illustrated with arrow  70 ). The master transceiver  66  can be a computer, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, or similar device that can access a program stored in the master transceiver  66  or can access a program available over the internet via a website. The transceiver indicator device  68  is sufficiently similar to the indicator device  10  presented herein; however, the transceiver indicator device  68  is configured to transmit and receive desired information to the master transceiver  66 . The transceiver indicator devices  68  can receive and transmit information related to the direction of mowing, time, date, temperature, and clean-up direction. The user can program the master transceiver  66  to transmit the desired information on a daily basis or the user can input a schedule to be transmitted daily to each transceiver indicator device  68 . 
     Either of these two systems illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  allow one user to manage several indicator devices at the same time. This can be a great savings of time as well as an efficient means of communication. 
       FIGS. 7-13  illustrate directions (or patterns)  28  utilized for cutting turf.  FIG. 7  illustrates a straight cut.  FIG. 8  illustrates a left to right cut.  FIG. 9  illustrates a cross cut.  FIG. 10  illustrates a right to left cut.  FIG. 11  illustrates a checkerboard cut.  FIG. 12  illustrates a fifty-fifty cut.  FIG. 13  illustrates a diamond cut. 
     The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The direction of cut indicator is a continuous, reliable, and accessible source of information that will ensure correct and efficient execution of the schedule for direction of cut. The information concerning the direction of cut is accessible by all staff because the indicator is coupled to the mower. The device eliminates excess staff time used to double check the direction of cut as well as flawed guesswork, thus increasing staff efficiency. Additionally, the maintenance manager or other responsible person is relieved of the time consuming and tedious task of making sure the staff are aware of the desired direction of cut. The correct direction of cut is made possible without reliance on any personnel presence or communication. 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure.