FR2488483A1 - DEVICE FOR MOUNTING OR HUNTING GRASS, ESPECIALLY UNDER BARRIERS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A DEVICE FOR CUTTING THE GRASS, UNDER BARRIERS 2 AND AROUND THEIR SUPPORT POSTS 3. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT IT INCLUDES NEAR THE GROUND TWO INDEPENDENT CUTTING HEADS 10 AND 11 RESPECTIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE LOWER PART OF THE UPRIGHTS 5 AND 6 OF A GATE 4 WHICH STOPS THE BARRIER 2 AND WHICH IS MOBILE ALONG THAT -CI, AS WELL AS MEANS FOR SPREADING THE TWO HEADS FROM ONE OF THE OTHER, SO THAT THEY BYPASS BY THEIR SIDE OF AN AMOUNT OF THE BARRIER, AND TO BRING THEM THEN TO THE NORMAL POSITION OR THEIR FIELD OF RESPECTIVE CUT 28, 29 OVERLAPS AT LEAST PARTLY, SENSITIVELY IN THE ALIGNMENT OF THE SUPPORT POSTS. THE MEANS INCLUDE THE ARTICULATION OF THE ARMS 8 AND 9 OF THE CUTTING HEADS AND THE ELASTIC RETURNING MEANS 13 OF THE TWO HEADS.

Description

The invention relates to a device for mowing grass.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a device for mowing the grass under barriers provided with support posts, and around the posts, simultaneously on both sides. The invention finds applications including but not limited to mowing

  grass under the guardrails along the roads and autos

  roads, and around the poles carrying these. slides.

  To cut grass under barriers such as

  safety devices, there are lawn mowers or mowers that are

  likely to be inserted between the slides and the ground. These women

  these mowers are generally carried by machines such as tractors and mounted articulated arms. However, the problem with gates and guardrails is the

  presence of poles. If we use lawn mowers or mowers

  mechanized, it is necessary to make two passes, one on each side of the barrier, and to maneuver the mower or

  mower at each post, so as to bypass it.

  As a result, most of the grass under fences and around poles is cut with small portable lawn mowers.

Maneuvered manually.

  One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a

  positive to cut grass under barriers such as guardrails, which is likely to cut the grass, especially around the poles in one phase, without it being

necessary to maneuver it.

  Another object of the present invention is to propose a device that is capable of being carried by a machine such as a tractor body or a towed trailer, and which has a high speed.

cutting.

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention are

  will be revealed in the following description, which is however not

  given as an indication, and which is not intended to limit this & it.

  The device according to the invention is characterized in that it has near the ground two independent cutting heads, supported respectively by the lower part of the uprights of a gantry which overlaps the barrier, and which is movable along the same. ci, as well as means for separating the two heads from one another, so

  that they each bypass a pole of the barrier.

  - 2 - and Ales then move closer to the normal position o their cutting field

  at least partially overlaps substantially in the alignment with the

  poles carrying the barrier.

  The invention will be better understood if one refers to the

  listed below, as well as the attached drawings which form an integral part thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the cutting device

  according to the invention in position relative to a barrier.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a head of

  cut and a portion of the amount that supports it.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the gantry

  supporting the two cutting heads.

  Figure 4 shows schematically the operation of the device according to the invention. In Figure 1, there is shown schematically at 1 the device according to the invention. This device allows to cut or mow

  the grass under a barrier 2 with posts 3.

  The device 1 comprises, first of all, a gantry 4 which

  vauche the barrier. The gantry has any suitable shape, for example an inverted U shape. It has two uprights 5 and 6 connected in their upper part by a crossbar 7. At the lower end of each of its uprights 5 and 6 is connected via a

  arm 8 and 9 a cutting head 10 and 11.

  The device furthermore comprises, preferably in the upper part of the gantry, means schematized at 13, making it possible to recall the two cutting heads 10 and 11 towards each other plastically when they deviate from their position. normal to the passage of a pole. These means also comprise stop means

  14 and 15 which hold the two heads 10 and 11 in the normal position.

  The device according to the invention also comprises connecting means 16 of the gantry to a mobile machine, such as a tractor 12 shown schematically in Figure 1, or a towed trailer. These means 16 comprise means 17 for raising and lowering the gantry, as well as rotating means for folding the gantry along the mobile machine that carries it, approximately in parallel.

to his advancement direction.

  The cutting heads 10 and 11 are of any known type and

  Proprie. They can be for example blade, wire, chain, etc ...

  They are schematized in the different figures, and in particular in FIG. 2 by their protective casing 18. Preferably, each

  cutting head is self-driving, that is to say that it understands its

  pre engine organ. The preferred motor is a hydraulic motor 19.

  Indeed, in the case where the device is carried by a tractor, the hydraulic motors are connected by flexible conduits to a hydraulic unit which comprises a pump having a multiplied speed, in order to operate the motors in series of a hydraulic tank average capacity and filtration. This avoids the heating of the oil In Figure 2, is schematized the head 10 and the lower end of the upright 5 of the gantry. The head 11 and the amount 6 of the gantry are substantially identical to what will now be described.

  with reference to FIG. 2. The head is connected to the amount 5 by the

  intermediate arm 8 and an axis 20 rotatable about the axis 21 of the amount. Amount 5 and axis 20 are of any suitable nature and within the reach of those skilled in the art. The whole of the

  cutting head 10 and the arm 8 is therefore likely to rotate in rotation.

  in a plane perpendicular to the axis 21.

  The arm 8 is connected to the axis 20 by a hinge 22 of any suitable type that allows the lifting. of the head 10, schematized in the high position in dotted line 23. In this high position, the head 10 is raised approximately along the upright-5. This position is used when transporting the device and also

  to engage the device straddling a barrier or clearing it.

  Any suitable means allows the lifting of the head and its maintenance in the high position, and for example a chain 24 which is only partially represented in FIG. 2, and whose different links

  are likely to engage in a hook integral with the amount.

  The length of this chain is preferably determined.

  so that when stretched, the cutting head 10 is

  approximately horizontal. The lifting devices could

  include a hydraulic cylinder or any other device

prayed.

  On the rear part of the cutting head, a

  25 is supported on the ground when the head is working, and is

  mine its height from the ground. This pad is adjustable in height

  by any appropriate means. Because of the presence of this pad, the cutting head remains approximately at a constant distance from the ground due to the irregularities of the latter or the movements of the gantry due to

the mobile machine that carries it.

  This pad could be replaced by any other device

  appropriate functions, such as, for example,

  a roulette wheel. The latter device will be preferred in the case where it is supported on a smooth and hard surface such as the coating of a road. Preferably, guides 26 and 27 connect the periphery of the housings of the cutting heads 10 and 11 to their respective arms 8 and 9. These guides have any suitable shape, and preferably a rectilinear portion 28 approximately parallel to the direction of the arms which

  is secured to the periphery of the housing 18 of the cutting heads.

  3 shows a top view of the gantry and the cutting heads in the normal position. Each cutting head 10 and 11 respectively has a cutting field 28 and 29 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3 by mixed lines, which is a function of the diameter of the cutting member

  each head and the direction of advancement of the device.

  In the normal position, the cutting fields 28 and 29 overlap

  at least partially. The area of overlap bears the reference 30. To achieve this overlap, the heads are shifted one behind the other. In the case of Figure 3, it is the head 11 which is located

  behind the head 10 relative to the direction of advancement 31. Naturel-

  the opposite way is also possible.

  The arms 8 and 9, as shown in FIG.

  feel a convergent orientation towards the back of the device. Similarly, the substantially linear portions 28 of the two guides 26 and 27 converge towards the rear of the device, and their solic'arization point with the periphery of the housing are approximately at the level of

  the area of overlap of the cutting fields of the two cutting heads.

  In the case of Figure 3, the length of the arms and the posi-

  respective angularity of the heads with respect to the portal

  in such a way that any of the heads can rotate freely about their axis of rotation defined by the uprights 5 and 6

  of the gantry without coming into contact with the other.

  Elastic means recall the two cutting heads 10 and 11 in the normal position. These means comprise, preferably in the upper part of the gantry two bars 32 and 33, respectively integral axes 20 and 34 of rotation of the cutting heads 10 and 11 relative to the axis of the uprights 5 and 6. From preferably, these arms 32 and 33 are located relative to the gantry 4 on the same side as the cutting heads 10 and 11. They are respectively positioned relative to the two arms 8 and 9 so as to be approximately parallel to each other and perpendicular to the crossbar 7 of the gantry 4,

  when the heads are in the normal position.

  They are therefore attached to arms 8 and 9 and heads of

  10 and 11 when rotating these around the axes of the

  5 and 6. The ends of the two arms 32 and 33 opposite the axes of rotation 20 and 34 are connected by a tension spring 35 which tends to bring the ends of the two arms towards each other. Preferably, the arms comprise several devices 36 allowing the fixing of the springs, at different distances from the axes of the uprights 5 and 6, of

  to adjust the return force from two heads.

  Naturally, the two bars 32 and 33 could be

  placed on the other side of the portico and connected by a compression spring.

  if we. Moreover, any other device for elastic return of the two

  heads 10 and 11 towards each other is suitable according to the present invention.

  Stoppers schematically at 14 and 15 respectively for the two cutting heads 10 and 11 limit the return. the two heads towards each other at their normal position, that is to say o their respective cutting sections overlap In the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 3, these stops act at the arms 32 and 33, but they could also act on the axes 20 and 34 of rotation of the two heads or on the arms 8 and 9. These stops are also adjustable,

  which makes it possible in particular to adjust the width of the waste area.

30 cutting fields.

  In a preferred embodiment, additional means

  apart from each other the two cutting heads 10 and 11.

  These means come into operation when the device is engaged astride a barrier, or cleared of this barrier, so that it can pass between the two cutting heads. These means are for example constituted by a hydraulic cylinder 37, controlled since

  the control cabin of the mobile machine carrying the device, and

  However, preferably, the movement of the two arms 32 and 33, relative to one another during the cutting operation of the heads, does not cause the rod of the jack 37 to move to inside the body of it. For this purpose, for example, the connecting device 38 between the jack 37 and one of the two arms, for example the arm 32, has a slot 39 inside which the articulation between the arm 32 and the device 38 is likely to move during the movements of the two arms relative to each other. Naturally, the stroke of the cylinder will be greater than the length

light 39.

  The device according to the invention further comprises connecting means 16 with a mobile machine such as a towed tractor or trailer, and lifting means 17 of the gantry. These means are within the reach of those skilled in the art. For example, the connecting means may consist of a pole 41, approximately vertical, connected to the frame of the mobile machine. Along this pole slides a sleeve 42 secured to one of the uprights 5 or 6 of the gantry. Preferably, the uprights 41 and the sleeve 42 are cylindrical cylindrical rotation, and the connection between these two elements is by means of spherical bearing guide rollers, so as to allow the rotation of all

  of the portico 7 and the elements that it carries around the axis of the amount.

  Advantageously, in fact, the gantry will be oriented approximately in

  the direction of movement of the mobile machine during transport.

  -In the transport position, the gantry is raised in the high position by sliding of the sleeve 42 along the amount 41, the cutting heads 10 and 11 having been placed in the raised position shown schematically in 23 in Figure 2, by means of chains 24. The gantry is then oriented by a manual means against the moving machine in one direction

  approximately parallel to the direction of advancement of the machine.

  The lifting means, preferably, consist of a hydraulic cylinder 43, with an axis parallel to the axis of the upright 41. At the axtrémité of the rod of this jack 43, a pulley 44 returns a cable 45 whose

  two ends are respectively connected to the sleeve 42 and to the

  lower part of the connecting means 16 with the mobile machine. As a result, the height displacement of the gantry is multiplied by two compared to the displacement of the cylinder rod. This jack allows on the one hand to raise the gantry, or lower it, and on the other hand to determine in working position of the cutting heads the approximate height of

  these in relation to the ground. In this position, a stop may

  the bushing 42 with respect to the amount 41.

  In the working position of the cutting heads, a pull rod,

  matted by the dashed line 46 connects the crossbar 7 of the gantry to the frame 7 -

  of the mobile machine. This tie keeps the gantry in the position of

  overlap with the barrier 3. In this overlapping position

  7, the cross-member 7 is oriented either perpendicular to the barrier, or preferably obliquely, the amount connected to the means of connection with the mobile machine being situated in front of the other.

  amount. It should be noted that in parallel with stops 14 and 15,

  bending of the gantry transom in relation to the direction of the barrier determines the width of the overlap zone of the

  chopped off. Security deactuates the pulling in case of impact of the gantry.

  According to the invention, the cutting device is reversible,

  that is, it can be placed to the right or to the left of the machine

  who wears it. The modifications to be made to the device which has just been described are within the abilities of those skilled in the art, and consist mainly of reversible return means 13, and two sets of guides located symmetrically for each head 10 and 11 relative to each other. to the axis of the arms 8 and 9. The connecting means 16 also allow the reversibility of the device, for example by a connection at the frame of the mobile machine by means of an amount and a socket

  similar to Amount 41 and sleeve 42.

  Moreover, in the case where the device is carried by a tractor, it can be positioned and connected to the tractor at a side thereof, or at the front or rear of the tractor in the case where the device is reversible. Preferably, the device is positioned at the front of the tractor, so that the cutting heads are in the natural field of view of the driver who drives it. However, if the device is disposed at the rear of the tractor, and the cutting heads are out of the natural field of view of the driver of the tractor, the invention provides an integral reference frame of the gantry, for example inverted V-shaped, which overlaps the upper part of the barrier when

  both cutting heads are in the correct working position.

  reference is schematized at 47 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 schematizes the operation of the device during

  the passage of a pole. At 4a, the cutting heads 10 and 11 are

  and their respective cutting areas have an overlap zone 30. This overlapping zone is located substantially

  in the alignment of the support posts of the-barrier. You have to reear-

  that the cross-section of these posts is arbitrary,

gular, square or circular.

  When the two cutting heads arrive at a post 49, it first comes into contact with the guide 26 of the head and thus forces the cutting head. 10 to deviate from its normal position, so as to bypass the pole 49. This is shown schematically in Figure 4b. It should be noted that the cutting field of the head 10 follows the movement of this head relative to its normal position, and bypasses the post 49, as schematize the mixed lines

  on the cutting field 28 at the level of references 50 and 51.

  FIG. 4c illustrates the passage of the head 11 at the level of the post 49. The cutting head 10, for its part, has returned to the normal position after the passage of the post by the elastic return means 13. In FIG. head 11 is diverted by the pole which first comes into contact with its guide 27, in the same way as the head 10 in Figure 4b. The cutting field 29 of the head 11 bypasses the post, as shown by the broken lines at the references 52

and 53.

  Thus, globally, as is schematized at the base of the posts 3 in Figure 1, the respective cutting fields of the two heads bypass the pole, and the grass is cut or mown

  in one pass for around these.

  It should be noted that there is also a phenomenon of suction of the grass by the rotation of the cutting member which makes almost all the grass surrounding the pole, even against it

  is cut by the device according to the invention.

  To clear the barrier device, both heads

  are first discarded, for example by means of the cylinder 37 and then releas-

  The lifting means 17 then come into action to raise the gantry which can then be placed approximately in the axis of advancement of the machine.

  mobile. To position the cutting device in relation to a bar

  it is sufficient to perform the maneuvers in the opposite direction.

  The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to cut the grass in a single pass under a barrier and particularly around the posts supporting this barrier. This device is capable of many applications, especially for cutting grass under the slides

  security along the roads. In this case, advantageously, the arrangement

  is reversible, and the movement of the moving machine carrying it

  is in the direction of vehicle traffic.

  It should be noted that the device according to the invention can also be used to cut the grass on a soil not exhibiting

barriers.

  Naturally, the device which has just been described, as well as its various elements, are given only as an indication, and one could adopt other implementations of the present invention.

  without leaving the frame of this one.

- 10 -

Claims (16)

  1. A device for cutting the grass including but not exclusively under barriers, such as guardrails along the roads, provided with support posts, and around said posts, characterized by the fact that it has close to ground two independent cutting heads whose respective cutting fields overlap at least partially, substantially in alignment with the support posts of the barrier, when the cutting heads are in the normal position, and means for removing one on the other the heads so that they each bypass an amount   the barrier and then bring them closer to the normal position.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the   fact that the said means comprise two convergent arms carrying   at one of their end, a cutting head, each arm being articulated in rotation at its other end with respect to an axis approximately vertical.   3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or   2, characterized in that the cutting heads are respectively   the lower part of the uprights of a gantry which respectively define the approximately vertical axes of rotation of each arm, the gantry overlapping the barrier and being movable on along these.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedeentes, characterized in that in the normal position the two cutting heads are located substantially respectively on either side of the alignment of the posts carrying the barrier, and shifted one by   relationship to the other in a direction substantially parallel to the bar-   in such a way as to have an overlapping zone of their respective cutting fields and that elastic means recall the two   heads in the normal position when separated by a pole.   5. Device according to any one of claims 2   at 4, characterized in that each arm can rotate relative to   its axis of rotation, which is approximately vertical   the other, from the normal position of the cutting head that it is carrying, without the latter coming into contact with the other cutting head whatever his position.   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedeentes, characterized by the fact that said means for spreading one   on the other hand, the two heads and bring them together in a normal position - 11 -   two guides respectively integral with each cutting head which bear on the posts and separate from one another, one after the other the two heads, so that they bypass one after   each other on their side the said posts.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the guides respectively depart from the periphery of the cutting head, at the overlap zone of their cutting field,   and extend forward, in the direction of advancement of the   approximately parallel to the arms.   8. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the   that the elastic return means comprise two articulated bars   abutments in the upper part of the portico, approximately   to the uprights thereof, secured respectively to each arm in the rotational movement, and an elastic damping member   able to recall them elastically in normal position.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that adjustable stops acting respectively on said arms or said bars limit the return of the two cutting heads towards each other in the normal position, and allow to adjust the width of the   overlap area of their respective cutting field.   10. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting heads are located behind the axes of rotation   approximately vertical of their respective arms.   11. Device according to any one of the claims   2 to 10, characterized in that each arm is movable with respect to an axis approximately perpendicular to the plane defined by the axis of the arm and its axis of rotation approximately vertical, the means adjustable in length connect each head or each arm to its respective amount, and that a skate or a wheel integral with each cutting head and located in the rear part of it is supported on the   floor and keeps the head at a substantially constant distance from this.   12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedeentes, characterized in that it further comprises mroyens for spacing or bringing the two cutting heads close to each other, means for raising or lowering the gantry, so as to release at will the cutting heads relative to the barrier, to engage them, and to adjust their height approximately to the ground in position - 12- working.   13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedeentes, carried by a mobile machine, such as for example a towed tractor or trailer, along the barrier, characterized in that it has means for raising the cutting heads along the uprights, keeping them in the raised position, and fold down the portico approximately   parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile machine.   14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedes, carried by a mobile machine, characterized in that it pre-   reversible means for placing the gantry and cutting heads in the working position to the right or left of the mobile machine. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said means comprise the gantry and cutting heads movable in rotation about an approximately vertical axis integral with the mobile machine, two sets of guides for the two heads, respectively forward and backward of these, and means of recall reversible elastics.   Device according to any one of the preceding claims   cedeentes, carried by a mobile machine, o-the cutting heads are out of the natural field of vision of the driver of the machine, characterized in that a fixed mark of the device overlaps the barrier, and indicates to the driver the correct position heads in relation to the barrier and the poles supporting it.