Patent Publication Number: US-2023160164-A1

Title: Snow tooth for a snow tiller and said snow tiller for the preparation of the snow cover of the ski slopes

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000029603, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a snow tooth for a snow tiller and to the snow tiller for the preparation of the snowpack of ski slopes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     EP Patent No. 3 071 754 A1 discloses a snow tiller with a plurality of snow teeth. 
     A tiller of certain of the prior art can have one single rotating shaft, around which the teeth are attached, or it can have two rotating shafts, around which the teeth are attached. The two rotating shafts can be connected to one another by a joint. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the disclosure is to provide a snow tooth for a snow tiller, which offers relatively better performances than certain of the prior art in terms of tilling and/or power consumption and/or use on snowpacks with different features and/or snow processing quality and/or ability to adjust to different snowpacks. 
     According to the disclosure, there is provided a snow tooth for a snow tiller for the preparation of the snowpack of ski slopes. The snow tooth comprises a first projection having a first height and a second projection having a second height, the first height and the second height having respective values different between them. The snow tooth is shaped so as to be connected to a rotating shaft and have, in use, a main direction of rotation. In certain embodiments, the first projection is arranged along the snow tooth so that, in use, the first projection sinks into the snowpack before the second projection. In particular when, in use, the snow tooth is attached to a shaft of the snow tiller and the shaft rotates in the main direction of rotation. Accordingly, a tiller is obtained, which ensures relatively better tilling in all snow conditions. In other words, the tiller adapts well to the processing of snow in any condition; furthermore, the tiller has relatively reduced vibrations during tilling and relatively reduced power consumptions needed for snow tilling. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a snow tiller capable of overcoming certain of the drawbacks of certain of the prior art. 
     According to the disclosure, there is provided a snow tiller comprising a shaft, in use a rotating shaft, such as having a circular cross-section, in particular an at least partially hollow cross-section; and a plurality of the snow teeth disclosed herein housed around the shaft and attached thereon and around it. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the disclosure will be best understood upon perusal of the following description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view, with some parts removed for greater clarity, of a rotating snow tiller for the preparation of ski slopes according to the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of a snow tooth of the snow tiller of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a side view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of the tooth of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic side view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of the tiller of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  5    is a top view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of the tooth of  FIGS.  2  and  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG.  1   , number  1  indicates, as a whole, a snow tiller for the preparation of the snowpack of ski slopes, which is designed to be towed in a moving direction by a snow groomer vehicle (not shown in the drawings). In other words, in certain instances, the snow groomer vehicle comprises the tiller mounted in a rear position. 
     In certain, non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, the snow groomer vehicle can comprise a blade (or shovel) attached at the front of the snow groomer vehicle and/or a winch. 
     The snow tiller  1  is designed to till a superficial layer of the snowpack and comprises a frame, of which, as seen in  FIG.  1   , a rotating shaft  2  is shown. In certain instances, the rotating shaft has the shape of a drum. In more detail, in certain, though non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, the shaft  2  is at least partially hollow. 
     The tiller  1  comprises a plurality of snow teeth  3  housed around the shaft  2  and attached thereon and around it. 
     In the non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure shown in the figures, the snow teeth  3  are arranged along the shaft  2  in an angularly staggered manner relative to one another. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1    and according to certain, though non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, the snow teeth  3  are arranged along a row with different angular positions relative to one another. In more detail, the angular position of each tooth  3  is different from the angular position of the adjacent tooth  3  or of the adjacent teeth  3 , namely at the front or at the back along the row of teeth. In more detail, each tooth  3  is arranged in an angular position having the same value as the angular position of the preceding tooth plus a delta angular value. 
     In certain, though non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, the snow teeth  3  of each row are grouped in groups of snow teeth  3 , wherein the angular position of the teeth  3  of each group of teeth  3  is the same. In more detail, a group of teeth can comprise any number of teeth greater than one. In these embodiments, the angular position of the teeth  3  within the group of teeth  3  is the same and each group of teeth  3  has different angular positions than the angular positions of the other groups of teeth  3  of the same row. In particular, the angular position increases for each group of teeth  3  moving along the shaft along the rotation axis, in particular along the rotation axis from the right to the left or from the left to the right. It should be pointed out that the different embodiments, which differ from one another in the angular position of the teeth  3 , are optional and are not limiting for the disclosure. 
     In certain embodiments, the teeth  3  are angularly staggered in pairs of teeth  3 . In this embodiment, two teeth have the same angular position, but are staggered relative to the angular position of the preceding and/or following pair of teeth  3  of the row of teeth  3 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , each tooth  3  comprises a base  4 , a central body  5 , a projection  6  and a projection  7 ; in particular, the projection  6  and the projection  7  develop from the central body  5 . Furthermore, the central body  5  develops from the base  4  along an axis A. 
     Furthermore, each tooth  3  comprises a cutting portion  8 , a cutting portion  9  and a cutting portion  10 . 
     In particular, the cutting portion  8  and the cutting portion  9  are separated by the projection  6 . In particular, the cutting portion  9  and the cutting portion  10  are separated by the projection  7 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the tooth  3  has a symmetry plane P, which comprises the axis A. In particular, the plane P longitudinally goes through the tooth  3 . 
     Furthermore, the central body  5  is crossed by the plane P and has two cusps  11  on two opposite sides of the plane P (only one of the two cusps  11  being visible in  FIG.  2   ). 
     In certain, though non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, the base  4  has the shape of a segment or portion of a circle. In other words, the base  4  describes or defines a segment or a portion of a circle. It should be appreciated that based on the shape of the base  4 , the tooth  3  can be connected to the outer surface of a shaft having a circular cross-section. 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , the projection  6  has a height H 1  measured from the base  4  and the projection  7  has a height H 2  measured from the base  4 . The height H 1  has a smaller value than the height H 2 . In particular, the heights H 1  and H 2  are measured by a line L, which goes through the two lower ends of the base  4 . In particular, the heights H 1  and H 2  are measured on the plane P from the lower ends of the base  4 . The ratio between the height H 2  and the height H 1  is, in certain embodiments, a value which is greater than 1.0 and smaller than 1.6, in particular greater than 1.1 and smaller than 1.3. 
     Furthermore, with reference to  FIG.  4   , the projection  6  has a radial height R 1  measured from the center of the circle described by the base  4  and the projection  7  has a radial height R 2  measured from the center of the circle described by the base  4 . The radial height R 1  has a smaller value than the radial height R 2 . The ratio between the radial height R 2  and the radial height R 1 , in certain instances, is a value which is greater than 1.0 and smaller than 1.3, in particular greater than 1.01 and smaller than 1.2, in particular equal to 1.05. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the cutting portion  8  has a profile  8   a  and at least part of the first profile has a curved shape with an angle of curvature  8   b . The cutting portion  9  has a profile  9   a  and at least part of the profile  9   a  has a curved shape with an angle of curvature  9   b . In particular, the angle  8   b  has a different value than the angle  9   b ; the ratio between the angle of curvature  8   b  and the angle of curvature  9   b , in certain instances, ranges from 3 to 4.9, in particular from 3.7 to 4.2. 
     The cutting portion  10  has a third profile  10   a  and at least part of the profile  10   a  has a curved shape with an angle of curvature  10   b . In particular, the angle  8   b  has a different value than the angle  9   b . In particular, the angle  10   b  has a different value than the angle  9   b.    
     In particular, the angle of curvature  10   b  has a value which is greater than or equal to the angle of curvature  8   b . In particular, the ratio between the angle of curvature  10   b  and the angle of curvature  8   b  ranges from 1 to 1.7, in particular from 1 to 1.3. 
     In particular, the angle of curvature  10   b  has a greater value than the angle of curvature  9   b . In particular, the ratio between the angle of curvature  10   b  and the angle of curvature  9   b  ranges from 3.5 to 5.2, such as from 4.1 to 4.6. 
     Furthermore, the base  4  is curved and is configured, in particular shaped, so as to be coupled to the shaft  2  of the tiller  1 , which has a circular shape, such as a drum-like shape. 
     The shaft  2  of the tiller  1 , in use, has a main direction of rotation F ( FIGS.  1  and  4   ) and is configured to also rotate in a secondary direction of rotation R, which is contrary to the main direction of rotation F. 
     The tooth  3  is configured, in particular shaped, so as to operate according to the main direction of rotation F and is configured, in particular shaped, so as to also operate according to a secondary direction of rotation R, which is contrary to the main direction of rotation F. 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , based on the heights H 1  and H 2  or R 1  and R 2  of the two projections  6  and  7 , in use, when the shaft  2 , around which the teeth  3  are connected, rotates in the main direction of rotation F, the projection  6  sinks first and for a smaller depth into the snowpack than the projection  7 , this enables for a relative reduction in power consumptions and/or relatively smaller oscillations of the shaft  2 . Indeed, based on the height difference between the projection  6  and the projection  7 , a two-step snow processing is obtained; in a first step, a portion of the snowpack up to a first depth is processed and, in a second step, another portion of the snowpack up to a second depth is processed. This leads to a reduction in power consumptions and to a relatively better processing of the snowpack. Furthermore, in accordance with this disclosure, there are relatively less oscillations during snow tilling and the teeth sink into the snow relatively more gradually, since they manage to get into the snowpack relatively more easily as the they penetrate the snow in two steps. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  5   , the profile  8   a  of the cutting portion  8  has a curved shape facing in the main direction of rotation F. 
     Furthermore, with reference to  FIGS.  2  and  5   , the profile  8   a  of the cutting portion  8  is cusp- or V-shaped. In other words, the cutting portion  8  forms an edge with a rounded tip coinciding with the plane P. 
     Furthermore, the cutting portion  8  is symmetrical relative to the plane P. In particular, la cutting portion  8  is facing in the main direction of rotation F. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the profile  9   a  of the cutting portion  9  has a curved shape facing in the main direction of rotation F. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the profile  9   a  describes or defines a cusp or a V. 
     In other words, the cutting portion  9   a  forms an edge with a rounded tip coinciding with the plane P. 
     Moreover, the profile  9   a  has, along the plane P, a curved shape, in particular a half-moon shape, which extends for a value greater than or equal to 170° and smaller than or equal to 210°, such as greater than or equal to 180° and smaller than or equal to 200°. 
     Furthermore, the cutting portion  9  is symmetrical relative to the plane P. 
     In particular, la cutting portion  9  is facing in the main direction of rotation F. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  8  and the cutting portion  9  have the same orientation with respect to the main direction of rotation F. 
     Moreover, the profile  8   a  and the profile  10   a  comprise portions  8   c  and  10   c , which are inclined with respect to the axis A, in particular incident with respect to the axis A. Furthermore, the portions  8   c  and  10   c  are symmetrical with respect to one another relative to the axis A. In particular, the portions  8   c  and  10   c  are incident with respect to the axis A, in particular on opposite sides, with a same angle of incidence. 
     In particular, the respective portions  8   c  and  10   c  of the profiles  8   a  e  10   a  extend along a respective straight line, in particular incident with the axis A, in particular from opposite sides; in particular, in addition, the angles of incidence of the two respective straight lines with the axis A are equal to each other. 
     In addition, with reference to  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  5   , the projection  6  comprises a face  6   a , in particular facing in the main direction of rotation F, and the projection  7  comprises a face  7   a , in particular facing in the main direction of rotation F. 
     In particular, the face  6   a  is distinct from the cutting portion  8  and/or from the profile  8   a  and/or from the cutting portion  9  and/or from the profile  9   a.    
     In particular, the face  7   a  is distinct from the cutting portion  9  and/or from the profile  9   a  and/or from the cutting portion  10  and/or from the profile  10   a.    
     The surface of extension of the face  7   a  is larger than the surface of extension of the face  6   a.    
     Furthermore, the face  6   a  extends over a width  6   b  ( FIG.  5   ) measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane P and/or to the axis A. The face  7   a  extends over a width  7   b  ( FIG.  5   ) measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane P and/or to the axis A. In particular, the width  7   b  is greater than the width  6   b.    
     Moreover, the ratio between the width  7   b  and the width  6   b  ranges from 1.12 to 1.92, such as from 1.32 to 1.72, in particular from 1.42 to 1.62. 
     The profile  10   a  of the cutting portion  10  has a curved shape, in particular facing in the direction contrary to the direction of rotation F, in particular facing in the secondary direction of rotation R. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the profile  10   a  describes or defines a cusp or a V. In other words, the cutting portion  10  forms an edge with a rounded tip coinciding with the plane P. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the cutting portion  10  is symmetrical relative to the plane P. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  10  is facing in the secondary direction of rotation R. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  8  and the cutting portion  10  are facing in two different directions of rotation. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  8  and the cutting portion  10  have opposite orientations each other with respect to the main direction of rotation F or the secondary direction of rotation R. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  9  and the cutting portion  10  are facing in two different directions of rotation each other. 
     In particular, the cutting portion  9  and the cutting portion  10  have two opposite orientations each other with respect to the main direction of rotation F or the secondary direction of rotation R. 
     Furthermore, with reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the projection  6  has a curved shape facing forward (relative to the direction of rotation F) at a certain angle having a value ranging from 0.5° to 3.5°, in particular from 1° to 3°. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the projection  6  has a thickness measured along an axis perpendicular to the plane P and/or to the axis A, which is variable along an axis lying on the plane P and perpendicular to the axis A. In particular, the thickness of the projection  6  increases moving along the axis and, in particular, moving from the profile  8   a  to the profile  10   a . As a consequence, a smaller thickness of the projection  6  sinks first into the snowpack and the thickness increases as the tooth  3  penetrates the snowpack. 
     In particular, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the projection  6  ranges from 1.05 to 1.6, in particular from 1.1 to 1.5, such as from 1.2 to 1.4, in particular is equal to 1.35. 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , the projection  7  has a width measured along an axis perpendicular to the plane P and/or to the axis A, which is variable along an axis lying on the plane P and perpendicular to the axis A. In particular, the thickness increases moving along the axis and, in particular, moving from the profile  10   a  to the profile  8   a . As a consequence, when the tooth  3  rotates in the main direction of rotation F, a greater thickness of the projection  7  sinks first into the snowpack and the thickness decreases as the tooth  3  penetrates the snowpack, when the tooth rotates in the main direction of rotation F. 
     Furthermore, when the tooth  3  rotates in the secondary direction of rotation R, a smaller thickness of the projection  7  sinks first into the snowpack and the thickness increases as the tooth  3  penetrates the snowpack, when the tooth rotates in the secondary direction of rotation R. 
     In particular, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the projection  7  ranges from 1.05 to 1.6, in particular from 1.1 to 1.5, such as from 1.2 to 1.4, in particular is equal to 1.25. 
     Furthermore, the minimum thickness of the projection  7  measured along a direction perpendicular to the axis A and to the plane P is greater than the minimum thickness of the projection  6  measured along the same direction. 
     Furthermore, the maximum thickness of the projection  7  measured along a direction perpendicular to the axis A and to the plane P is greater than the maximum thickness of the projection  6 . As such, the consumption for tilling a snowpack decreases and there are relatively less oscillations of the tiller, in particular under relatively adverse working conditions, for instance with relatively hard or relatively powdery snow. Such a configuration provides that those oscillations occurring during snow tilling are reduced, especially under relatively bad working conditions. 
     Furthermore, relative snow tilling performances improve in all snow conditions. In other words, these tiller teeth have the ability to adapt themselves to all snow conditions, so as to have relatively better tilling results in all conditions, always using the same tiller teeth and with no need to change the tiller teeth or the tiller itself depending on the snow conditions. As mentioned above, this is due, first of all, to the height difference of the two projections of each tooth and, secondly, to the thickness difference of the projections of each tooth. Furthermore, in accordance with the features of the present disclosure, both the tilling consumption and the tilling power decrease, especially under relatively difficult working conditions. 
     It should be appreciated that, based on the profile  10   a , a relatively good snow tilling is obtained even when the tiller rotates in a counterclockwise direction. 
     The disclosure also applies to embodiments that are not explicitly described in the detailed description and/or to equivalent embodiments defined by the scope of protection of the appended claims. Accordingly, various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.