Abstract:
A ground roller for compacting and leveling ground, includes a frame having a front and a rear with one or more cylindrical rollers rotatably journaled to a plurality of roller supports affixed to a bottom portion of the frame. A hitch structure is affixed to the front of the frame for connecting to a three point hitch of a tractor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to landscape maintenance equipment and more specifically to a roller for ground leveling. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Landscaping can be found around and in all developed areas. While landscaping can include a variety of flower beds and clumps of shrubs, trees, and other greenery, one aspect of landscaping is central to almost every development, a well maintained lawn or turf. Areas of well groomed turf provide a pleasant area on which people can walk or recreate to enjoy a variety of activities, and for many, a soft, cool, green turf improves their physical and emotional health. Many sports such as golf, baseball, soccer, football and others are played on fields of natural turf. In many cases these areas are expansive and subject to very hard use and extreme weather. In order to maintain beauty and functionality, the turf must be maintained and repaired on a frequent and regular schedule. 
         [0005]    Turf management is both a fine art and a complex science. Planning and daily care are required from the very inception of the area on which the turf is to be maintained. The variety of grass must be chosen based on the projected use, light conditions, and climate among other factors. Irrigation is often utilized to maintain a healthy green growth. And, while a well established turf provides a firm but relatively resilient foundation on which to recreate, environment effects such as weather and the freeze-thaw cycle, as well as heavy use, can have very severe and detrimental effects on the turf. In particular, sports fields can become torn up and bumpy after just one game, particularly if the ground is saturated from heavy rain. For example, a smooth football field can be quickly damaged and transformed into a surface of ridges, dips, holes, and bumps during the course of a game. When the turf&#39;s original condition becomes untenable it can present a danger to athletes in subsequent games, particularly if the ground freezes after becoming damaged with holes, bumps and ridges. 
         [0006]    One turf maintenance procedure utilized by grounds keepers is turf rolling. Rolling turf is not a new concept, and has been in known use since the late 1920&#39;s. Manual drum rollers are usually a single hollow drum mounted to a handle for pulling or pushing across a surface. Triplex attachment rollers are designed to be mounted on triplex mowers in place of the reels and have a similar weight resulting in light compaction. Dedicated greens rollers are self-propelled and can be fitted with various roller attachments that are smooth, grooved, or have a different configuration for specialized applications. Finally, rollers can be mounted on high-quality mowing units to increase mowing quality. 
         [0007]    Rolling was originally practiced as an aid to establish turf and to smooth minor disruptions in the turf surface. As an establishment aid, rolling is irreplaceable. After cultivation and prior to turf seeding or planting of other vegetation, rolling helps the soil settle and identifies low spots not otherwise evident. After planting, rolling helps creating critical seed-to-soil contact, or if the turf is sodded to remove any air pockets that would cause the turf roots to dry out. Surface disruption in the turf can have multiple causes. Insects, earthworms and burrowing animals such as moles, can all be detrimental to the integrity of the turf surface. Further, in northern climates frost occurring as a result of the winter freeze-thaw cycles can seriously disrupt the turf surface, and leaves the surface of the turf uneven and in need of smoothing. 
         [0008]    Many of the turf or ground rollers in use are relatively small for use on smaller areas of turf such as the greens of a golf course, and are not efficient when used on larger areas. Other ground rollers in use do not allow for easy adjustment in ground pressure or compacting force by changing the weight of the roller. Thus what is desired is a roller that can be attached to a tractor and is efficient for use on large areas of ground or turf. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a ground roller that satisfies the need for a roller attachable to a tractor for large area rolling. The ground roller for compacting and leveling ground includes a frame having a front and a rear. At least one and preferably a plurality of roller supports are affixed to and extend from a bottom of the frame. One or more cylindrical rollers are rotatably journaled to the roller supports. A hitch structure is affixed to the front of the frame for connecting to tractor. 
         [0010]    Other aspects of the present invention include a bed for carrying additional weight to increase the compacting force delivered by the ground roller. The bed can be partially constructed of a metal mesh to permit particulates to fall through thereby preventing the buildup of dirt and other undesired material on the bed. A roller brush can be pivotally mounted to the frame proximate to each roller for removing soil adhering to said cylindrical roller during operation. Further, the hitch can be configured to attach to a standard three point hitch system on a tractor. 
         [0011]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a ground roller embodying the present invention, wherein the ground roller is attached to a tractor and in a raised position for traveling to a site to be rolled; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the tractor and roller illustrated in  FIG. 1  wherein the roller is in a lowered position for rolling the ground; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the ground roller shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded perspective view of the ground roller illustrating the attachment of the roller brush and roller to the roller frame. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 3 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, one will also recognize that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0019]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 3  shows a ground roller  20  which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. Ground roller  20  has a chassis  30  including a rectilinear frame  32 . Rectilinear frame  32  substantially surrounds and supports therefrom a weight bearing bed  34 . In its most preferred embodiment, weight bearing bed  34  is constructed of a heavy-duty steel mesh. The openings of the steel mesh allow dirt that may normally tend to collect on the bed  34  to filter through and thus maintain bed  34  substantially dirt free. A front part of the frame  32  has a front roller support  36  depending from each corner, wherein each front roller support  36  terminates at a front bearing flange  37 . A rear part of the frame  32  has a rear roller support  38  depending from each corner thereof, wherein each roller support terminates at a rear bearing flange  39 . The lateral separation between rear roller supports  38  can be different than the lateral separation between front roller supports  36  to accommodate rollers of different lengths. 
         [0020]    The strength and rigidity of chassis  30  is enhanced with a bracing system  40 . Bracing system  40  includes a series of members such as front lateral braces  46 , rear vertical brace  43  and rear lateral braces  44 , and upper longitudinal brace  42  extending between lateral braces  44  and  46 . Braces  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  46  are exemplary and can assume various configurations well known in the art to provide the strength and rigidity desired for chassis  30 . 
         [0021]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a hitch structure  50  is provided at the front of chassis  30  to permit ground roller  20  to be connected to a tractor  14 . In the most preferred embodiment, hitch structure  50  is constructed to permit attachment of ground roller  20  to a three-point hitch system  16  of tractor  14 . Three-point hitch system  16  is of a configuration well known and integral to most field type tractors such as tractor  14  and includes a pair of laterally separated lifting arms  17  positioned at a lower part of the tractor  14  and a stabilizing top link  18  centrally positioned above the lifting arms  17 . Hitch structure  50  which is permanently affixed to frame  32  includes laterally opposed center hitch supports  52 ,  54  that are spaced apart to receive therebetween an end of top link  18 . An appropriately sized aperture permits the insertion of top hitch pin  53  for securing top link  18  to supports  52 ,  54 . Supports  52 ,  54  are integrally affixed to bracing system  40 , such as by welding or other known construction methods. In the most preferred embodiment, longitudinal brace  42 , front lateral braces  46 , and a front portion of frame  32  are affixed to supports  52 ,  54 . Similarly, outer and inner hitch supports  56 ,  58  respectively are affixed to frame  32  and lateral brace  46  on either side of supports  52 ,  54  corresponding to the lateral spacing of lifting arms  17  of tractor  14 . Supports  56  and  58  are spaced one from the other to receive an end of lifting arms  17  therebetween. An appropriately sized aperture extending through supports  56 ,  58  permits the insertion of bottom hitch pin  57  for securing each lifting arm  17  to a respective pair of supports  56 ,  58 . The integration of supports  52 ,  53 ,  56 ,  58  with frame  32  and bracing system  40  functions to properly transfer the lifting loads from ground roller  20  to three-point hitch system  16  of tractor  14  without causing deformation of ground roller  20 . Additionally, in lieu of a three point hitch structure  50  as illustrated, an alternate hitch structure comprising a well known tongue and tow bar configuration (not shown) may be implemented for use with tractors that do not have a three-point hitch system. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , ground roller  20  includes two rollers, a front roller  60  and a rear roller  80 . In the most preferred configuration, rear roller  80  is longer than front roller  60 , although other configurations are contemplated within the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The length of roller  60  is generally such to approximate the width of the rear tires of tractor  14 . The additional width of roller  80  permits overlapping of successive passes along the area to be packed. Other than length, each roller configuration is substantially identical and the description herein will be directed to rear roller  80  and its associated roller brush  90  with the similar features of front roller  60  and front roller brush  70  having similar reference numbers. 
         [0023]    Roller  80  includes a drum  82  of a sufficient diameter such that its outer surface contacts the ground during the compacting process. Drum  82  can be fabricated of a solid metal bar or other solid material. Drum  82  has an axle stub  83  extending from each end. Axle stub  83  is journaled in bearing  85  of bearing housing  84 . Each bearing housing  84  is affixed to a rear bearing flange  39  at the bottom of rear roller support  38 . In the most preferred configuration, bearing housing  84  is bolted to bearing flange  39  using bolts extending through holes  87 . 
         [0024]    Roller brush  90  includes a brush support  96  including a laterally oriented pivot pin  97  and is affixed to the rear of each roller support  38  using fasteners through holes  98 . Each brush support  96  is mounted to its respective roller support  38  such that opposing pivot pins  97  are oriented one facing to the other. A brush pivot  94  having an aperture  25  is sleeved over each pivot pin  97  and is pivotal thereon. A brush  92  extends between and is affixed to each brush pivot  94 . In the most preferred embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , brush  92  is configured as a solid bar with a knife edge  93  for scraping the surface of drum  82  as it rotates. The various elements of brush support  96 , brush pivot  94  and brush  92  are sized and arranged such that brush  92  rests on and engages the surface of drum  82  in a substantially tangential manner. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , ground roller  20  is used in the following manner. When a ground surface area  12  is seeded with, for example, grass seed and needs to be rolled or compacted to help establish the desired turf surface, tractor  14  typically having flotation tires  15  is backed up to ground roller  20 . The top link  18  of three -point hitch system  16  is affixed between supports  52 ,  54  of ground roller  20  and secured with pin  53 . In like manner left and right lifting arms  17  of hitch  16  are positioned between their respective supports  56 ,  58  and affixed thereto with pins  57 . The operator of tractor  14  engages the hydraulic controls to raise three-point hitch system  16 , thereby lifting ground roller  20  off the ground surface  12 . Ground roller  20  and tractor  14  are then transported to the site to be rolled. Additional weights  19  can be placed on weight bearing bed  34  to increase the compaction force of roller  20  as desired. The hydraulic controls of tractor  14  are then activated in order to lower ground roller  20  to the ground surface  12 . Multiple and successive passes across ground surface  12  can then be made with ground roller  20  engaged with ground surface  12  until a desired compaction is achieved. Depending on soil conditions, particles of soil from ground surface  12  may accumulate and build up an undesirable layer on the surface of drum  82 . This layer is continually removed by knife edges  73  (not shown) and  93  tangentially engaged on the surface of respective roller drums  62  (not shown) and  82 . Upon completion of the rolling process, the operator of tractor  14  again engages the hydraulic controls to raise ground roller  20  off of ground surface  12 , whereupon tractor  14  and ground roller  20  are transported to their respective storage areas. 
         [0026]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.