# US 2013/0153249 A1 · Device for incorporating and distributing sand and aggregate in synthetic grass

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2013/0153249 A1
- Document ID: US20130153249A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/805,219
- Filed: 2011-07-26
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-07-27
- Inventors: Jean-Claude Cuadrado
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153249A1

## CPC

- E01C 23/06: Devices or arrangements for working the finished surface (working freshly laid paving E01C19/42 - E01C19/44, E01C23/02; mining picks E21C35/18); Devices for repairing {or reconditioning} the surface of damaged paving; {Recycling in place or on the road}
- A01B 45/00: Machines for treating meadows or lawns {, e.g. for sports grounds}
- E01C 23/082: using non-powered tools
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)
- A01B: SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL (making or covering furrows or holes for sowing, planting or manuring A01C5/00; mowers convertible to soil working apparatus or capable of soil working A01D42/04; mowers combined with soil working implements A01D43/12; soil working for engineering purposes E01, E02, E21)

## Abstract

The invention relates to a device designed for mixing and distributing, by means of tossing, sand used for weighing down synthetic grass, as well as aggregate used for improving the flexibility thereof. The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises, supported by a single frame (1) and coacting in series, at least one row of claws (2), the pressure of which can be preset, and which are intended for lifting the blades of grass, and at least one row of brushes (5, 6) for tossing the sand and the aggregate. The device is also characterized in that said frame comprises, for carrying out the tossing operation at the edges of the grounds, two lateral extensions (7), each including at least one row of claws (8), the pressure of which can be preset, and which are arranged obliquely and intended to lift the blades of grass, as well as at least one brush (11) that is also arranged obliquely.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device designed to improve the incorporation and distribution, by mixing, in an artificial lawn, of sand used to weigh it down as well as rubbery granules used to improve its flexibility, the aforementioned artificial lawn being comprised of supple blades joined to a carpet;
characterized in that it comprises, supported by a common frame and acting successively and in cooperation:
a) a first means designed to improve, with each passage, by lifting the blades, the penetration of sand and granules between the blades of the lawn as closely possible to the carpet, the aforementioned means comprised a row of prongs joined to a transverse support itself joined to a means configured to angularly preadjust the aforementioned support according to multiple adjustment positions so as to increase the pressure of the prongs on the lawn as the advancement of the spreading progresses which is effected by successive passages
b) a second means designed to improve, at each passage, the distribution, on the aforementioned lawn, of the sand and granules remaining on the surface after the passage of the first means, the aforementioned second means being comprised a row of brushes comprising:
two contiguous central brushes, positioned V-shaped, adapted for obliquely displacing, in the direction of the free ends of the aforementioned brushes, a portion of the sand and granules;
two lateral brushes, each positioned on each side of the central brushes, parallel to the one that it is opposing, adapted for obliquely displacing in the direction of the exterior ends of the aforementioned brushes, a portion of the sand and granules.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame supports, in addition, lateral extensions, designed to improve the work at the edges of fields covered by artificial lawn, provided with means configured to enable the aforementioned extensions to be folded on the aforementioned frame or be detached from it, each comprising:
a) a row of prongs obliquely positioned in order that their ends extend beyond the external side of each lateral extension, the aforementioned prongs being joined to a transverse support itself joined to a means configured for angularly preadjusting the aforementioned support according to multiple adjustment positions so as to increase the pressure of the prongs on the lawn as the spreading progresses which is effectuated by successive passages;
b) a brush obliquely positioned, in order that its effect tends to bring the sand and granules toward the interior of the field.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that the prongs are made of an elastic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises three rows of prongs joined to three transverse supports themselves joined to a common means designed for:
first, angularly preadjusting simultaneously, the aforementioned supports support in multiple positions of adjustment so as to increase the pressure of the prongs on the lawn as the spreading progresses;
second, separately joining each of the aforementioned supports to the aforementioned means so as to increase the number of rows of prongs operating as the spreading progresses.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the preadjusting means is comprised of an actuating arm connected to a connecter board provided with multiple orifices adapted to define multiple angular adjustment positions of the supports that are connected to the aforementioned arm by connecting rods means.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A device according to claim 2, characterized in that each lateral extension comprises two rows of prongs joined to two transversal supports themselves joined to a common means designed for:
first, angularly preadjusting, simultaneously, the aforementioned supports support according to multiple adjustment positions so as to increase the pressure of the prongs on the lawn as the spreading progresses;
second, separately joining each of the aforementioned supports to the aforementioned means so as to increase the number of rows of operating prongs as the spreading progresses.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A device according to claim 2, characterized in that each lateral extension, carrier of the prongs and of the brush, is comprised of a horizontal connecter board passing under the frame, a vertical or inclined offset wall, a horizontal upper wall whose end is connected to a joint joined to a support, itself joined to slide rails of the frame, that enables, by sliding, the horizontal displacement thereof between an inner working position, joint in position, wherein the connecter board passes under the frame and an external rest position, joint in position, where it is disengaged in order to be folded on the aforementioned frame.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame comprises:
laterally, at the front, at the exterior of the working area, offset arms supporting axels, carriers of wheels;
at the rear, supporting arms supporting the axels, carrier of wheels.
and in that the axels and comprise means enabling preadjusting of their height, thus that of wheels, relative to their respective supports and, thus of the frame.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame is connected to a motorized wheeled vehicle by means of a towing boom; or

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame is connected to a motorized wheeled vehicle by means of a 3 points device.