AU2015215847A1 - Reel - Google Patents

Abstract

-14 A reel (19) comprises a central support in the form of a hollow rigid cylinder (23) through which a circular opening (24) extends. The reel (19) is rotatably supported by way of an axle (not depicted) which extends through the opening (24). The reel (19) further comprises a flexible elongate bristle attachment member (25) which includes a bottom wall (26) and a pair of opposing side walls (27) which define a change! (28). The attachment member (25) is wound around the cylinder (23) and is secured to the cylinder to spiral about an axis of rotation of the cylinder (23). A plurality of bristles (29) are secured relative to the attachment member (25) such that the bristles (29) project outwardly frorn the cylinder (23). The bristles (29) are secured or retained relative to the attachmentmember (25) by inserting the bristles (29) and a flexible wire (30) in to the channel 28) so that the bristles (29) are folded or bent around the wire (30), and so that the ends of the bristles (29) protrude from the channel 2(8.) The side wails (27) of the channel member (25) are folded or bent towards each other so that the wire (30) is captured within the channel (28) and so that the bustles (29) are pinched or clamped between the side wails (27). (o ---- Alf ow nt 4t 0)

Description

- 1 REEL Field of the Invention This invention relates to a bristle assembly, and apparatus incorporating such a bristle, for performing working operations. The working operations are typically performed on a lawn or on the ground surface, although other operations are also envisaged. Background Art Lawn care involves maintenance such as regular mowing and periodic dethatching. This is particularly the case for lawns used as bowling greens, golf course fairways and putting greens. With regard to lawn care for bowling greens, it is usual for the lawn to be cut regularly, possibly several times each day in an endeavour to maintain the lawn in an appropriate playing condition. Each cutting operation can also involve several passes over the lawn, Accordingly, the maintenance of a lawn in a playing condition can be a very time consuming procedure. The need to make several passes over such a lawn during a mowing operation, and to mow the lawn several times each day, arises because of the nature of the equipment used for the mowing operation. Typically, a conventonal reel mower is employed for the mowing operation, involving a driven horizontally mounted cutter reel incorporating a number of circumferentially spaced spiral blades. The cutter reel operates in conjunction with a cutter bar, whereby blades of grass are sliced between the cutter bar and the spiral blades moving relative to the cutter bar, Because of the circumferential spacing between the spiral reels, it is not possible for all blades of grass requiring cutting to be cut in a single pass, Consequently, several passes are required in order to provide a lawn in an appropriate playing condition. The lawns also require renovation from time to time, which can involve dethatching or 'verti-mowing" The dethatching operation is usually performed using a separate machine to a reel rnower, or alternatively a conventional reel -2 mower modified by replacement of the cutter reel with an appropriate tool assembly for performing the necessary renovation operation. An example of a reel and apparatus for performing such working operations is disclosed in International Patent Publication Number WO 2004/049780. It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotatable bristle assembly for performing a working operation, the rotatable bristle assembly comprising a central support defining an axis of rotation of the rotatable bristle assembly, bristle attachment means secured relative to the central support, and a plUrality of bristles secured relative to the attachment member such that the bristles project outwardly from the central support. Preferably, the bristle assembly is for performing a working operation on an area of lawn. Preferably, the bristle assernbly is configured as a reel. Preferably, the outer ends of the bristles cooperate to define a generally cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of rotation. t is preferred that the bristles comprise wire bristles. In a particular preferred form, the wire bristles are made from high carbon steel. Preferably, the bristle attachment means comprises an elongate bristle attachment member -3 Preferably, the attachment member spirals about the axis of rotation, Preferably, the bristle attachment member winds through at least 360 Other arrangements for attachment of the bristles are, of course, possible- The bristles may, for example, extend outwardly from the central support at regions along the length of the central support not following a spiral path. In one arrangement, the bristle attachment means may be configured as annular segments from which the bristles extend, the annular segments being spaced longitudinally along the length of the central support. In another arrangement, the bristle attachment means may be so configured that bristles extend from the central support to form longitudinal strips of bristles spaced apart longitudinally. Preferably, the elongate bristle attachment member defines a channel and the bristle assembly further comprises an elongate retaining member, wherein the bristles are secured relative to the attachment member by inserting the bristles and the retaining member into the channel so that the bristles are folded or bent around the retaining member and protrude from the channel. Preferably, the elongate retaining member is flexible. Preferably, the flexible elongate retainig member comprises a wire. According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a reel comprising a bristle assembly according to the first broad aspect of the invention. According to a third broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a reel for performing a working operation, the reel comprising a central support defining an axis of rotation of the rotatable bristle assembly, an elongate bristle attachment member secured relative to the central support such that the attachment member spirals about the axis, and a plurality of bristles secured relative to the attachment member such that the bristles project outwardly from the central support. According to a fourth broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a reel according to the second or third broad aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a body rotatably supporting the reel and a drive means for rotating the reel, the body being supported on two -4 spaced apart ground-engaging means, and the reel being horizontally disposed between the two ground-engaging means. Preferably, the drive means comprises a motor carried on the body. Preferably, the ground-engaging means are rollers. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for selectively adjusting the height of the reel relative to the two ground-engaging means. Preferably, the apparatus can perform various functions, including lawn mowing, lawn renovating such as dethatching, ground leveling, sweeping, materials dispersal, and materials collection. Where the apparatus is required to perform a mowing operation, it preferably has provision for accommodating a cutter bar which co-operates with the reel for shearing blades of glass therebetween. According to a fifth broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutter assembly comprising a reel according to the second or third broad aspect of the present invention, and a cutter bar cooperating with the reel With this arrangement, the bristles and the cutter bar co-operate for shearing blades of grass therebetween. According to a sixth broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a mower incorporating a cutter assembly according to the fifth broad aspect of the present invention. According to a seventh broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for renovating a lawn, the apparatus being characterised in that it incorporates a reel according to the second or third broad aspect of the invention. The apparatus is able to renovate a lawn by moving the rotating reel over the lawn to perform the renovation such as removal of thatch within the lawn. This may require that the reel be spaced at or above the ground surface in which the lawn is growing, The apparatus may also be used to aggressively renovate the lawn or indeed remove the lawn. In such an arrangement, the reel would typically be at a level such that the reel works below the level of the ground surface, Preferably, the apparatus includes adjustment means for selectively adjusting the height of the reel with respect to the lawn undergoing renovation.

-5 According to an eighth broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a ground working apparatus characterised in that the ground working apparatus incorporates a ground working tool comprising a reel according to the second or third broad aspect of the present invention. According to a ninth broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing a working operation, the method comprising driving the bristle assembly according to the first broad aspect of the present invention about the axis of rotation such that the plurality of bristles operate at or below a surface level of an area. Preferably, the method is for dethatching an area of lawn, and the bristle assembly is driven about the axis of rotation such that the plurality of bristles operate below the level of the lawn to perform a dethatching operation, Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus being configured to perform a lawn mowing operation; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a reel forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the reel; Figure 4 is a plan view of the reel of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic fragmentary view illustrating the apparatus performing a lawn mowing operation; and Figure 6 is a schematic view of the apparatus configured to perform a dethatching operation.

-6 Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings, the apparatus 10 according to the embodiment is of a construction similar to a conventional reel mower, comprising a body 11 incorporating a handle 13. The body 11 is supported on two ground engaging means in the form of rollers, being a smaller front roller 15 and a larger rear roller 17. A horizontally disposed reel 19 is supported on the body 11 between the front and rear rollers 15 and 17. The reel 19 is driven by way of a drive means which incorporates a rnotor 20. A mechanism (not shown) is provided for adjusting the height of the reel 19 relative to the rollers 15 and 17. The apparatus 10 can perform various functions, inclUding lawn mowing, lawn renovating such as dethatching, and ground leveling. When the apparatus 10 is configured for lawn mowing operations, it is fitted with a cutter bar 21 which operates in association with the reel 19, as will be explained in more detail later, When the apparatus 10 is set up for certain other operations including dethatching, the cutter bar 21 is removed (as shown in Figure 6). With reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, the reel 19 comprises a central support in the form of a hollow rigid cylinder 23 through which a cinular opening 24 extends. The reel 19 is rotatably supported within the body 11 by way of an axle (not depicted) which extends through the opening 24. The reel 19 also includes means (not shown) for receiving rotational drive frorn the drive means. The reel 19 further comprises a flexible elongate bristle attachment member 25 which includes a bottom wall 26 and a pair of opposing side walls 27 which define a channel 28. Attachment member 25 is wound around the cylinder 23 and is secured to the cylinder 23 such that the member 25 spirals about an axis of rotation of the cylinder 23. A plurality of bristles 29 are secured relative to the attachment member 25 such that the bristles 29 project outwardly from the cylinder 23. The bristles '29 are preferably secured relative to the attachment member 25 before the mom ber 25 is wound around and secured relative to the cylinder 23. The bristles 29 are secured or retained relative to the member 25 by inserting the bristles 29 and an elongate retaining member in the form of a flexible wire 30 into the channel 28 so that the bristles 29 are folded or bent around the wire 30, and so -7 that the ends of the bristles 29 protrude from the channel 28. The side walls 27 of the channel member 25 are folded or bent towards each other so that the wire 30 is captured within the channel 28 and so that the bristles 29 are pinched or clamped between the side walls 27, In this way, the bristles 29 are secured relative to the attachment member 25. In this embodiment, the cylinder 23, attachment member 25, bristles 29 and wire are all fabricated from a suitabe metal. Each bristle 29, in particular, is formed of high carbon steel wire. The outer tips of the bristles 29 cooperate to define an outer surface 31. Each outer surface 31 is curved, with the centre of curvature corresponding to the rotational axis of the reel 19. The bristles 29 are of substantially the sarne length such that their outer surfaces 31 generally occupy a substantially common cylindrical plane When the apparatus 10 is to perform a lawn mowing function, the ree 19 operates in association with the cutter bar 21, as alluded to earlier. The rotating reel 19 is positioned relative to the cutter bar 21 so as to sweep in close contact with the leading edge section of the cutter bar 21. Over a period of time, the cutter bar 21 wil wear to conform generally to the circular profile of the outer periphery of the reel 19. such wear being depicted in Figure 1 of the drawings at zone 40. The lawn cutting operation is performed by subjecting the grass blades to a shearing action between the cutter bar 21 and the rotating bristles 29. More particularly, a grass blade can be carried by a respective one of the bristles 29 to the cutter bar 21 and then subjected to a shearing action by interaction between the bristle 29 and the cutter bar 21 as the bristle 29 sweeps over the cutter bar 21 during rotation of the reel 19. Because of the multitude of bristles 29 employed in the reel 19, there is little chance of any grass blade not being cut in a single pass of the reel 19. Consequently, a more efficient cutting operation is provided in comparison to that available with a conventional reel having spiral blades which requires at least several passes to perform an appropriate mowing operation. The bristles 29 on the reel 19 also enhance the grass catching aspect of the mowing operation, as they tend to sweep the cut surface and thus carry cut grass towards a grass catching zone within the apparatus 10.

-8 As mentioned above, the appa ratus 10 according to the embodiment can perform working operations other than lawn mowing. One such operation is lawn renovation involving dethatching. To perform such an operation, the cutter bar 21 is removed from the apparatus 10, as shown in Figure 6, The height of the reel 19 is then adjusted with respect to the front and rear rollers 15, 17 to the desired level according to the nature of the renovation operation to be performed. Where a light renovation is required, the reel 19 can be set relatively high to the lawn surface, with the result that the reel 19 sweeps over the lawn surface to perform the light renovating procedure. On the other hand, where an aggressive renovation is desired, the reel 19 is lowered so as to more aggressively contact the tawn and possibly also soil beneath the lawn. ft has been found that the action of the rotating bristles 29 on the lawn provides a highly effective dethatching action. The reel 19 can also be used to remove lawn from an area by appropriate setting of the level of the reel 19 with respect to the ground, in such an instance, it is likely that the reel 19 would be set to a level below that of the actual ground surface. While not shown in the drawings, the apparatus 10 can also be used to perform a ground working operation such as leveling, in such an application, the rotating reel 19 is moved across the area to be worked to remove bumps and crests in the ground surface. While the invention has been described with reference to one specific embodiment, it is not limited thereto. By way of exam ple, While the embodiment has been described with reference to bristles 29 formed of steel wire, it should be understood that bristles 29 of any other appropriate material may be employed. Apparatus according to the invention may also be employed for other operations, including sweeping and materials dispersal (such as snow clearing) utilising the rotating reel. Additionally, apparatus according to the invention rnay be used for materials collection such as, for example, collection of debris on the ground In such an application, the rotating reel would be passed over the ground to make contact with the debris and throw it into an associated collection receptacle.

-9 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Claims (28)

1. A rotatable bristle assembly for performing a working operatin, the rotatable bristle assembly comprising a central support defining an axis of rotation of the rotatable bristle assembly, bristle attachment means secured relative to the central support, and a plurality of bristles secured relative to the attachment member such that the bristles project outwardly from the central support.

2. A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 1 configured as a reel. 3 A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim I or 2 wherein the outer ends of the bristles cooperate to define a generally cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of rotation.

4- A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bnstles comprise wire bristles

5. A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 4 wherein the wire bristles are made from high carbon steel,

6. A rotatable bristle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bristle attachment means comprises an elongate bristle attachment m em ber

7. A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 6 wherein the attachment member spirals about the axis of rotation.

8. A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 7 wherein the bristle attachment member winds through at least 360'. 9 A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the elongate bristle attachment member defines a channel and the bristle assembly further comprises an elongate retaining member, wherein the bristles are -11 secured relative to the attachment member by inserting the bristles and the retaining member into the channel so that the bristles are folded or bent around the retaining member and protrude from the channel 10i A rotatable bristle assembly according to clani 9 wherein the elongate retaining member is a wire.

11. A rotatable bristle assembly according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the channel has side walls side walls folded or bent towards each other so that the elongate retaining member is captured with the channel and so that the bristles are pinched or clarnped between the side walls.

12. A reel comprising a bristle assembly according to any one of claims I to 11

13. A reel for performing a working operation, the reel comprising a central support defining an axs of rotation of the rotatable bristle assembly, an elongate bristle attachment member secured relative to the central support such that the attachment member spirals about the axis, and a pluralty of brstles secured relative to the attachment member such that the bristles project outwardly from the central support. 14 Apparatus comprising a reel according to claim 12 or 13.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a body rotatably supporting the ree and a drive means for rotating the reel, the body being supported on two spaced apart ground-engaging means, and the ree being horizontally disposed between the two ground-engaging means

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the drive means comprises a motor carried on the body. 17, Apparatus according to clairn 15 or 16 wherein the ground-engaging means are rollers. -12

18. Apparatus according to claim 15, 16 or 17 further comprising means for selectively adjusting the height of the reel relative to the two ground-engaging means.

19. Apparatus according to any one of caims 14 to 18 having provision for accommodating a cutter bar which co-operates with the reel for shearing blades of glass therebetween.

20. A cutter assernbly comprising a reel according to claim 12 or 13 and a cutter bar cooperating with the reel, wherein the bristles and the cutter bar co operate for shearing blades of grass therebetween.

21. A mower incorporating a cutter assembly according to claim 20. 22, Apparatus for renovating a lawn, the apparatus being characterised in that it incorporates a reel according to claim 12 or 13.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising adjustment means for selectively adjusting the height of the reel with respect to the lawn undergoing renovation.

24. A ground working apparatus characterised in that the ground working apparatus incorporates a ground working tool comprising a reel according to claim 12 or 13.

25. A method for performing a working operation, the method comprising driving the bristle assembly according to any one of claims I to 11 about the axis of rotation such that the plurality of bristles operate at or below a surface level of an area.

26. A method according to claim 25 for dethatching an area of lawn wherein the bristle assembly is driven about the axis of rotation such that the pluraity of bristles operate below the level of the lawn to perform a dethatching operation. -13

27. A rotatable bristle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A reel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings

29. Apparatus comprising a reel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A cutter assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. Apparatus for renovating a lawn substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A mower substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A ground working apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A method of performing a working operation substantially as herein described.