Apparatus for the Automated Repair of Pitch Marks

A device for the automated repair of pitch marks within turf, the device comprising:

• a frame comprising front and rear frame elements and first and second side frame elements, the frame being in a rectangular configuration and defining a bounded area;
• a front roller interconnected to the front frame element and a rear roller interconnected to the rear frame element, a motor associated with the front and rear rollers whereby the device can be powered for forward and rearward movement upon the turf;
• a divot repair tool, the tool comprising a series of inwardly angled teeth, the divot repair tool being configured to repair pitch marks within the turf;
• an X-transfer arm and a Y-transfer arm interconnected to the frame and the divot repair tool, positioning motors for locating the X-transfer arm anywhere between the front and rear frame elements and the Y-transfer arm anywhere between the first and second side frame elements, whereby the X and Y transfer arms can selectively position the divot repair tool anywhere within the bounded area;
• a sensor array associated with the front frame element and continuously scanning the turf to detect any uneven surfaces, an uneven surface being interpreted as a pitch mark;
• a microprocessor in communication with the sensor array and the positioning motors, whereby when a pitch mark is detected the microprocessor can thereafter determine a corresponding X-Y target location within the bounded area based upon a forward speed of the device, the positing motors subsequently moving the divot repair tool to the X-Y target location to effect a repair of the pitch mark.