HK1211877B - Mobile uv sterilization unit for fields and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile ultraviolet sterilization vehicle. A plurality of UV lamps in housing 220 are removably mounted to a wheeled vehicle. A plurality of tines 62-64 and a brush 60 are mounted to the vehicle extending across the width thereof and into the supporting surface to position the supporting surface to receive the UV light.

Description

Mobile UV disinfection unit for a field and method thereof

The application is a divisional application of inventions having application date of 2012, 10 and 26, application number of 201180021039.6, entitled mobile UV disinfection unit for a site and method thereof

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application serial No. 12/775,515 filed on 7/5/2010.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of devices for disinfecting fields, in particular sports fields.

Background

High performance artificial sports fields are increasingly installed and used in communities. Many such sites are "infill turf systems" in which synthetic grass blades are packed into a support system covered by deep sand and/or synthetic particles (infill material). The filler material is typically made of small rubber or plastic particles that fill the spaces between the fibers (the blades of the "grass") to hold the fibers and provide a cushioning surface.

The filling material and the synthetic fibers can provide parasites to various substances including mold, bacteria and various bactericides. Current procedures are to spray various chemicals onto the site to disinfect the site and provide a safe environment. Spraying chemicals onto artificial sites is very expensive not only due to the labor involved but also due to the cost of raw materials.

An alternative method of decontaminating surfaces is by using ultraviolet light. For example, in us patent 7,459,694, a mobile sterilization system for decontaminating walls and house roofs is disclosed. Germicidal lamps are positioned adjacent to the walls and/or roof to thereby disinfect the surface. Us patent 5,902,552 discloses a uv air disinfection device connected to an air handling duct for disinfecting air as it flows through the duct. Us patent 5,968,455 discloses a mobile unit incorporating many of the features of us patent 5,902,552 and includes a wheeled carriage with a handle that allows an operator to traverse a disinfection device across a floor covering.

Despite the availability of existing devices and germicidal lamps and associated firmware, there is a need for a mobile device that is easily used at a venue such as a synthetic soccer or american soccer venue for quickly repelling undesirable agents present on the synthetic venue. Furthermore, merely passing the UV lamp through the field may not maximize disinfection due to the loose infield material embedded between the synthetic fibers. Therefore, there is an additional need to have means on the shaped fill material for moving and inverting the fill material to expose the fill material to the sterilizing lamp.

The so-called "green effect" is a property of the machine, method, etc. that achieves the desired result with the least impact on the environment. There is a need for a battery powered mobile UV disinfection apparatus as described above that can be recharged once the energy is depleted. Apparatus and methods are disclosed herein that meet all of the above needs.

Summary of The Invention

One embodiment of the present invention is a method of minimizing infectious material on blades of a turf field comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle having a downwardly irradiating ultraviolet lamp spaced from blades of a turf field; additionally, spacing the light a first distance from the field to minimize infectious material on the field; moving the vehicle in a first direction within the sod field while the lamp irradiates ultraviolet energy against a first portion of blades of the sod field; and moving the vehicle within the sod field in a second direction different from the first direction while the lamp irradiates ultraviolet energy against a second portion of the blades of the sod field.

Another embodiment of the invention is a vehicle for moving within a sports field having blades to repel infectious material on the field, the vehicle comprising: a frame; a wheel rotatably mounted to the frame and extending downward to support the frame; an ultraviolet light source mounted to the frame and directing ultraviolet light downwardly toward the field; a source of electrical energy mounted to the frame and connected to the ultraviolet lamp; and an engaging member mounted to the frame in front of the ultraviolet light source, the engaging member extending downward to contact and position the blades on the field to receive ultraviolet light.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new method and device for disinfecting a sports field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile ultraviolet disinfection vehicle that will maximize the disinfection of a sports arena.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a uv-disinfected vehicle designed to have minimal impact on the environment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of minimizing infectious material on blades of a turf field wherein ultraviolet light is directed at the blades as the source of ultraviolet light moves in different directions within the field.

Related objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile vehicle incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded top view of the vehicle of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the vehicle of fig. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of teeth mounted to a row of teeth.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the rear wheel 29 showing the positioning of the infrared sensor detecting stationary motion.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded side view of light fixture 32 held in place by the one-degree cam lock, viewed in the direction of arrows 6-6 in FIG. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged exploded side view of the frame 21 showing the mounting arrangement of the tooth rows.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 8a is an exploded rear perspective view of the crank mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a left side view of the vehicle of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a top view of the vehicle of fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged top perspective view of the lamp housing.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged top perspective view of the lamp module.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a lamp module with an ultraviolet lamp mounted thereto.

Fig. 14a is an enlarged exploded view of the distal end of an ultraviolet lamp held by a clip shown in the closed circle 14a in fig. 14.

Fig. 14b is an enlarged exploded view of the proximal end of the ultraviolet lamp held by the clip along with the attached electrical connector shown in the closed circle 14b of fig. 14.

Fig. 15 is an exploded view of the vehicle showing the safety switch allowing electrical power to flow to the ultraviolet lamp only when the lamp housing is in the down position.

Fig. 16 is an exploded rear view of the vehicle showing a motion sensor for detecting the motion of the rear wheels.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to fig. 1-3, an alternative embodiment of a mobile vehicle 20 incorporating the present invention is shown, the mobile vehicle 20 having a main frame 21, the main frame 21 having a generally rectangular configuration. The tow bar 22 has a proximal end 23 fixedly mounted to the frame 21 and a distal end 24 forming a conventional hinge capable of coupling with a towing vehicle such as a freight wagon or tractor. A wheel 25 is rotatably mounted to and suspended from a pair of flanges 26 fixedly mounted to the rod 22, allowing the wheel 25 to engage the ground 120 and the support frame 21. At opposite ends of the frame, a pair of wheels 28 and 29 are rotatably mounted to the frame 21. Wheels 25, 28 and 29 support the vehicle as it is being towed within the field.

The ultraviolet light source 30 is mounted to the frame 21 and has a plurality of ultraviolet lamps that irradiate downward against the field. The ultraviolet light source 30 has a housing 31, which is closed on the top and open on the bottom to allow light from the ultraviolet lamp installed therein to be irradiated downward. The housing 31 has a top wall 34, the top wall 34 engaging a pair of side walls 35 and 36 extending across the width of the vehicle and a pair of end walls 37 and 38. Walls 35-38 extend at an angle downwardly from the top wall and are secured to frame 21.

A pair of identical ultraviolet light fixtures 32 and 33 are slidably mounted to the housing 31 from opposite sides thereof. The end wall 38 has a slot 40 into which the light fitting 32 can slide. Similarly, end wall 37 is provided with a slot 41, and light fixture 33 is slidable through slot 41. The two light fixtures 32 and 33 rest on shelves (not shown) provided within the housing 31 to support the light fixtures. Each light fixture 32 and 33 includes six removable ultraviolet lamps removably mounted therein. The ultraviolet lamps 42 (fig. 3) are arranged in rows and extend longitudinally across the width of the vehicle. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, a total of 12 lights are shown, six parallel lights extending from one side of the vehicle to approximately the middle of the vehicle, and a second set of parallel lights 42 extending from approximately the middle of the vehicle to the opposite side of the vehicle. Ultraviolet lamps are commercially available from various lamp manufacturers. Conventional male and mating female electrical connectors are provided in housing 31 to connect light fixtures 32 and 33, and thus light 42, with a source of electrical energy carried on the vehicle. The connectors are automatically electrically connected together by the action of the light fixtures 32 and 33 which slide into place.

A pair of identical 12 volt, 150 watt DC gel solar cells 50 and 51 are mounted to the frame 21 and connected to the lamp 42 via a conventional inverter 52. The DC power is converted to AC power by an inverter 52 to energize the lamp, which operates at 115 volts AC.

A conventional generator or engine 53 is mounted to the frame 21 and connected via an inverter 52 to recharge the batteries 50 and 51. In addition, the inverter 52 may be connected by auxiliary cables to a fixed ac source such as may be available in a building to recharge the battery when not in use, while the motor 53 may be used to recharge the battery when in use and when not in use.

A brush 60 (fig. 3) extends across the width of the vehicle and is attached and mounted to the frame 21. The brush 60 includes a plurality of bristles extending downwardly to engage the synthetic fibers in the field such that the fibers extend generally vertically, allowing the ultraviolet lamps to shine down through the open bottom of the housing 31 onto both sides of the synthetic fibers.

Three downwardly extending rows of teeth 62, 63 and 64 are aligned parallel to each other and extend across the width of the vehicle and are mounted to the frame 21. The teeth are arranged to contact the filler material between the upstanding synthetic fibres to displace and invert the filler material, thereby exposing the material to ultraviolet light. The brush 60 is positioned between the last row of teeth 64 and the ultraviolet light source 30. The brush forms an engaging member which contacts the synthetic blades before the ultraviolet lamp is irradiated onto the synthetic blades. Thus, the brushes position the leaves on the field to receive the ultraviolet light and dislodge any infectious material on the leaves.

The row of teeth 62 will now be described. It should be understood that the same description applies to rows 63 and 64. The teeth are grouped in pairs. For example, pair 70 (fig. 3 and 4) includes a pair of linear downwardly extending members 71 and 72, members 71 and 72 having bottom ends 73, bottom ends 73 integrally joined with upwardly extending straight portions 74, with proximal ends 73 (fig. 1) disposed at an angle 75 of about 40 degrees relative to straight portions 74. The tip of the straight portion 74 of the tooth 71 is integrally attached to the helically wound portion 76, the helically wound portion 76 in turn being integrally engaged with a second helically wound portion 77, the second helically wound portion 77 in turn being integrally engaged with the tip of the straight portion 74 of the tooth 72. The teeth 71 and 72 are of identical construction.

The spiral portions 76 and 77 are mounted to a rod 78 (fig. 1) extending therethrough. The helical portions 76 and 79 are integrally joined together by a c-shaped middle portion 79 (fig. 4) that abuts a protruding head 80 (fig. 1), the protruding head 80 extending outwardly from the rod 78 and being fixedly mounted to the rod 78. Head 80 extends into c-shaped portion 79 to limit the movement of teeth 71 and 72. As the vehicle moves in a forward direction 81 (fig. 1), the bottom end 73 of each tooth 71 and 72 contacts the filler material between the upstanding synthetic fibers such that the teeth 71 and 72 pivot rearward toward the rear of the vehicle; however, the c-shaped portion 79 in combination with the coil spring portions 76 and 77 returns the teeth to their original positions.

The flexible side panel 90 has a top end 91, and the top end 91 is mounted to the frame 21 such that the side panel extends directly above and downwardly to prevent ultraviolet light from impinging outwardly on an observer standing adjacent the vehicle. The LED lamp 92 is mounted to the top wall 34 of the housing 31 to illuminate and provide a warning that the ultraviolet lamp is emitting ultraviolet light.

Wheels 28 and 29 are rotatably mounted to a pair of flanges which in turn are mounted to bar 100, and bar 100 is rotatable to pivot the wheels up and down. For example, a pair of downwardly extending flanges 101 and 102 rotatably receive wheel 28, while downwardly extending flanges 103 and 104 rotatably receive wheel 29. The outwardly facing flanges 101 and 104 are mounted to a bearing 106, which bearing 106 in turn is mounted to a flange 107 fixed to the frame 21. The bar 100 is rotatably received by a bearing 109, the bearing 109 being mounted to a flange 110, the flange 110 being fixedly mounted to the frame. The actuator 112 (fig. 1) has a bottom end 113 pivotally mounted to the frame 21 and has an extendable rod 114 attached to the rod 100, the extendable rod 114 being operable to rotate the rod 100. The rod 100 is eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of rotation of the wheels 28 and 29, with the result that rotation of the rod 100 causes the wheels 28 and 29 to pivot upwardly or downwardly relative to a support surface 120 on which the vehicle travels.

In operation, when moving the vehicle over the support surface 120, when it is desired that the teeth do not contact the support surface, the bar 114 extends, causing the wheels 28 and 29 to pivot and move downwardly, thereby lifting the frame 21 to a point where the teeth do not contact the support surface. In the event that it is desired that the teeth contact the support surface 120, then the rod 114 is retracted to move the wheels 28 and 29 upwardly to lower the frame 21 and bring the bottom portions 73 of the teeth into contact with the support surface 120.

A method of repelling infectious material present on a field having upstanding synthetic blades using a vehicle as shown in fig. 1-7 includes the steps of: the wheeled vehicle is moved within the field while engaging the blades on the field with the vehicle. An ultraviolet light source is carried on the vehicle and positioned to irradiate the ultraviolet light source downwardly against the leaflets to repel infectious material. The method includes the additional step of carrying a source of electrical energy on the vehicle to power the ultraviolet lamp. The engaging step includes the substeps of: the blades are brushed to position the blades to receive ultraviolet light to repel infectious material. Furthermore, the iterating comprises the additional steps of: ultraviolet light is shielded to provide safety for an operator of the vehicle by minimizing visibility of the ultraviolet light from beside the vehicle. The method further comprises the steps of: the bulk material between the blades is contacted by the vehicle as the vehicle moves within the field to expose the bulk material to ultraviolet light shining downwardly thereon. The step of contacting the bulk material comprises the sub-steps of: a rigid member extends downwardly from between the vehicle and the blade to move and turn the bulk material. To adjust the bottom end of the teeth relative to the ground support surface, the method includes: the vehicle is adjustably raised and lowered by a pair of wheels located at the rear of the vehicle to controllably limit contact with the field. In the event that the position of the bottom end of the tooth is to be spaced from the support surface, then the rear wheel is moved downwardly a sufficient amount to lift the vehicle frame and position the bottom end of the tooth spaced from the support surface. On the other hand, if it is desired to control the amount of penetration of the teeth into the bulk material on the field, the wheel may be lifted until the bottom ends of the teeth penetrate into the bulk material by the desired amount. To retain the ultraviolet lamp on the vehicle, the lamp is removably retained to allow it to be replaced.

The end walls 37 and 38 and side walls 35 and 36 of the housing 31 and the top wall 34 provide an inner surface that reflects ultraviolet light downward. The inclined walls 35-38 are arranged at an angle to allow the ultraviolet light to extend just beyond the outline of each lamp.

In some instances, it is desirable to control the amount of ultraviolet light that impinges on the composite blade. That is, if the vehicle is stationary for a specified duration, it is desirable to turn off the ultraviolet lamp to prevent the ultraviolet light from impinging on the composite blade for an unacceptable duration. To this end, a commercially available infrared sensor 126 is mounted to the flange 104 and is operable to detect movement of a target 125 mounted to the mutually facing surfaces of the wheel 29. Setting the timing circuit such that: once rotation of the wheel 29 is stopped for a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, the sensor 126 sends a signal to the inverter 52 to interrupt the flow of power to the ultraviolet lamp, thereby turning off the lamp. As a result, the methods disclosed herein comprise: the ultraviolet light source is deactivated when the vehicle is stationary on the field for a predetermined time.

In the event that light fixtures 32 and 33 become accidentally dislodged from housing 31, the micro-switch is activated by a cam lock that normally holds the light fixtures in place to interrupt the flow of electrical power to the light fixtures. For example, a pair of cam locks 130 and 131 are eccentrically mounted to end 38 and are designed to extend inwardly within the corners of light fixture 32. In the event that the cam locks rotate to allow the light fixtures 32 to move outwardly, the cam locks contact conventional microswitches 132, and the microswitches 132 are in turn connected to the inverter 52, interrupting the flow of electrical power to the light fixtures and ultraviolet lamps. Flange locks identical to locks 130 and 131 are provided on wall 33 along with switches identical to switch 133 to hold light fixture 33 and control the flow of power to light fixture 33.

Some artificial fields do not have crumb rubber (filler material) located between the synthetic blade fibers. Thus, the body of the support bar for each row of teeth 62-64 can be rotated to rotate the teeth upwardly away from the field. For example, ultraviolet light on a vehicle may be used to kill fungi on the leaves of a standard golf green; however, it is absolutely necessary that the teeth do not extend downward and engage dust between the non-artificial grass blades.

Each row of teeth 62-64 (fig. 3) comprises bars rotatably mounted at opposite ends thereof to side or inner walls of main frame 21, which in turn are mounted to frame 21. Each rod includes a flange integrally secured to the rod at each of the opposite ends of the rod. The flange has a tear drop shape with the flange being eccentrically mounted with respect to the rod. For example, the rod 78 includes an end 148 (fig. 7), the end 148 being integrally attached to one end of a tear-drop shaped flange 149 that is positioned against the side wall of the frame 21. The opposite end of the flange 149 includes a slot 150, and a fastener 151 extends through the slot 150. The flange 149 can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the rod 78 and the fastener 151 moves between the opposite extremes of the slot 150 to position the bottom end 73 of the tooth spaced from the support surface 120 or to position the bottom end 73 of the tooth a controlled distance into the support surface.

The present invention contemplates and includes a number of variations. For example, the embodiment shown in the figures has a single brush extending across the width of the vehicle between the teeth and the UV lamp. To enhance the repositioning of the infill material between the synthetic turf fibers and the synthetic turf fibers, it is also possible to position individual brushes between rows 62 and 63 and to position additional brushes between rows 63 and 64.

Another variation of the invention includes adding a standard shutter to the housing 31, allowing heat within the housing and generated by the UV lamp to escape upwardly. The UV lamp may have a variety of different configurations. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each light fixture 32 and 33 is approximately 36 inches wide by 36 inches long and 6 inches high. Each light fixture is shown having six UV lamps removably mounted therein; however, it should be understood that the present invention includes more or less than two light fixtures and more or less than six UV lamps for each light fixture.

Referring now particularly to fig. 8-14, a preferred embodiment of a mobile vehicle 200 is shown, the mobile vehicle 200 having a main frame 201, the main frame 201 having a generally rectangular configuration. The tow bar 202 has a proximal end that is pivotally mounted by hinges 203 (fig. 9) to the main frame 201 about a horizontal axis to move the rear end 204 of the tow bar up and down and sideways for attachment to a towing vehicle. A pair of conventional front wheels 205 (fig. 10) are each rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis by a conventional bracket which is then able to pivot about a vertical axis, allowing the wheels to rotate and swivel in a conventional manner as the frame is towed within a field. A pair of rear wheels 206 are each rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis by brackets fixedly attached to the main frame 201 to enable rotation of the rear wheels when the main frame is towed. The rear wheels do not rotate. Likewise, frame 201 does not move vertically relative to the front or rear wheels because actuators 112 (fig. 1) provided in alternative embodiments of the mobile vehicle are not included in the preferred embodiment of mobile vehicle 200 shown in fig. 8.

An electrical energy source or generator 207 (fig. 8) is mounted to the main frame 201 by conventional brackets and is normally enclosed by a housing 208 having an edge portion 209, the edge portion 209 being hingedly secured to the main frame 201. The display housing 208 is in an upward position, revealing the source 207; however, it should be understood that in normal operation, the housing 208 pivots downwardly to conceal the source of electrical energy 207. A plurality of louvers are provided in the side walls of the housing 208 to enable air to circulate around the electrical energy source.

In one variation of the preferred embodiment of the mobile vehicle, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are removably mounted to the frame 201 and operate at 115 volts AC. The electric energy source 207 comprises a gasoline-operated internal combustion engine 210 having a gasoline storage tank 211 provided in a combined unit, such as may be obtained from Honda under model EU1000i or EU2000 i. The electrical output of the internal combustion engine is 12 volts DC which is used to power the status light bulb located on the main frame and can also be recharged at the battery 213. An inverter 212 is mounted to the main frame and is operable to convert 12 volts DC from the engine to 115 volts AC that is supplied to the ultraviolet lamps. In the event that it is desired to operate the mobile sterilization unit in a quieter mode, a battery 213, preferably a gel solar cell, is provided which is in turn electrically connected to the inverter 212 to convert the battery dc output to 115 volts AC which is supplied to the ultraviolet lamps. To recharge the battery 213, the motor 209 may be started, thereby connecting the dc output of the motor to the battery 213 to recharge it. Alternatively, the battery may be recharged by an external source other than the engine.

To control the spacing of the ultraviolet lamps relative to the turf field, the lamps are removably mounted in a lamp housing 220 (fig. 8), and the lamp housing 220 is moved vertically by operation of a mechanism 221. The mechanism 221 comprises a pair of upstanding brackets 222 (fig. 8a), the bottom ends of the brackets 222 being fixedly mounted to the frame 201, the top ends of the members 222 having internally threaded rods 223, and a worm gear drive or worm gear 224 extending through the internally threaded rods 223 by way of a threaded connection. The outer end 225 of the worm gear is attached to a hand crank 226, while the opposite end of the worm gear 224 is connected to a pair of spaced apart members 227 that extend rearwardly. The forward ends of the members 227 are connected together by a plate 228, with the aft-most end of the turbine 224 remaining controlled. Thus, rotation of the turbine 224 causes the member 227 to move forward or backward along a horizontal axis as the crank 226 rotates.

The bar 230 (fig. 8) has opposite ends 231 and 232 rotatably mounted by a bracket 233, which bracket 233 in turn is rotatably attached to the frame 201. A pair of upstanding arms 234 have bottom ends fixedly mounted to the bar 230 and top ends connected together by fasteners 235, the fasteners 235 extending through slots in the rear ends of the members 227. Thus, rotation of crank 226 in a first direction causes member 227 to move rearwardly, which causes arm 234 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8, thereby rotating bar 230.

The second rod 240 has an opposite end 241 rotatably mounted in a downwardly extending bracket 242, the bracket 242 supporting the rod 240 and allowing the rod to rotate about a horizontally extending axis. The second pair of arms 244 have bottom ends fixedly attached to the rod 240 and top ends fastened to the rear ends of the connecting members 246 by fasteners 245. The forward end of member 246 is attached to arm 234 by fastener 235. As a result, rotation of turbine 224 causes arms 234 and 244 to move in unison and thus rods 230 and 240 to rotate in unison. When the crank is rotated to move member 227 rearward, arms 234 and 244 are caused to rotate together with rods 230 and 240 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8.

The front pair of downwardly extending slotted brackets 250 have top ends fixedly attached to frame 201, with two brackets 250 located on opposite sides of frame 210. Likewise, the rear pair of slotted brackets 251 have top ends fixedly attached to frame 201, with the two brackets 251 positioned to opposite sides of frame 201. The front pair of links 252 have front ends that are connected to and move with opposite ends of the rod 230. Likewise, a rear pair of links 254 are connected to and move with opposite ends of the rod 240. The links 252 are located on opposite sides of the frame 201. Similarly, link 253 is located on the opposite side of frame 201. The rearmost end 255 of link 252 extends through the vertical slot of bracket 250 and is connected to lamp housing 220. Likewise, the rear ends 256 of the pair of links 254 extend through the vertical slots of the bracket 251 and are attached to the rear of the lamp housing. Rotation of the crank arm 226 in a first direction causes the worm gear 224 to rotate, thereby causing the members 227 and 246 to move rearwardly with the resultant counterclockwise movement of the bars 230 and 240, which in turn causes the forward pair of links 252 and the rearward pair of links 254 to pivot with the opposite ends of the bars 230 and 240. Accordingly, the rear ends 255 and 256 of the link 252 and the link 254 move downward in the grooves of the brackets 250 and 251, and the space lamp housing 220 and the ultraviolet lamp mounted therein are spaced apart from the turf field by a first distance. The groove may be designed such that: when the rear ends of the links 252 and 254 are located at the bottom of the trough, the ultraviolet lamps are spaced an optimal distance from the field to achieve maximum disinfection results. Good results were obtained by positioning the lights two inches above the sports field. Rotation of the crank handle in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the worm gear 224 to rotate, thereby moving members 227 and 246 forward, causing rods 230 and 240 to move in a clockwise direction as viewed in fig. 8. As a result, the rear ends 255 and 256 of the links 252 and 254 move upward in the slots of the brackets 250 and 251, lifting the lamp housing and the ultraviolet lamp contained therein a distance greater than an optimal distance from the turf field to enable transport of the mobile vehicle when the ultraviolet lamp is not activated.

The lamp housing and the ultraviolet lamp are in a lower position when the mobile unit is being used to disinfect a turf field. A plurality of rollers 260 (fig. 8) are rotatably mounted to the lamp housing to protect the ultraviolet lamp when in the lower sterilization position. The roller is rotatably mounted and extends slightly below the bottom edge of the light housing and automatically moves the light housing upward in the event that the roller encounters a foreign object such as a stone. The rollers typically do not contact the ground or field unless they encounter a sudden rise in the ground or field. In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, three such rollers are mounted to the front of the light housing on the light housing and three rollers are rotatably mounted to the rear of the light housing.

Lamp housing 220 (fig. 8) is a four-sided rectangular frame having an open top and an open bottom. The housing includes a pair of side walls 271 and 272 (fig. 10) that engage end walls 273 and 274. A ledge 276 (fig. 12) is integrally attached to the back wall 274 and extends between the side walls 271 and 272. A second inwardly extending ledge 277 is attached to the front wall 273 and extends between the side walls 271 and 272. Two lamp modules 290 and 291 (fig. 8) are inserted into the housing 220 from above the lamp housing and rest on the ledges 276 and 277 therein.

The lamp module 290 (fig. 13 and 14) will now be described, it being understood that the same description applies to the lamp module 291. The lamp module 290 is a five-sided container having a closed open top wall 292 that engages a pair of ends 293 and 294 and a pair of side walls 295 and 296. Four handles 297 are attached to the top wall 292 and extend above the top wall 292. The bottom of the lamp module is open to allow the ultraviolet lamp contained therein to shine downward. In a modification of the lamp module shown in fig. 13, a total of six ultraviolet lamps are removably mounted therein and arranged in parallel rows extending in a direction transverse to the width of the frame 201. The downwardly facing inner side of the top wall 292 (fig. 14) is highly reflective, reflecting energy from the ultraviolet lamps downwardly toward the turf field. Six clips 297 are fixedly mounted to the top wall 292 and face downwardly, the clips 297 having spring-biased arms that releasably retain the ends 298 of the lamp 299. Six additional clips 300, identical to the clips 297, are mounted to the wall 292 to releasably retain the opposite ends 301 of the ultraviolet lamp. A third set of clips 302, identical to the clips 297, are mounted to the top wall 292 adjacent the wall 295 to retain a plurality of commercially available electrical connectors 303. Clip 302 of retention connector 303 cooperatively supports proximal end 301 of the lamp with clip 300. The connector 303 may have a female socket into which outwardly projecting pins of the lamp end 301 extend. Likewise, the end 301 of the ultraviolet lamp may have an inwardly projecting socket to receive the outwardly extending pins of the electrical connector 303. All six connectors 303 are then connected by conventional wiring to a source of electrical energy. Figures 14a and 14b show clips 297, 300 and 302 holding a lamp 299 and a connector 303.

To install or remove the lamp modules 290 and 291, the lamp housing 220 is lowered to its lowest position by cranking the handle 226 and then sliding the lamp modules from the sides of the frame 201 over and into the lamp housing 220. Depending on the spacing, links 254 may be removed to slide each lamp module through the gap between frame 210 and lamp housing 220 until each lamp module is located immediately above the lamp housing and then drops into place to rest above ledges 276 and 277 (fig. 12). Thus, the lamp module 290 may be inserted from the right side as shown in fig. 8 through the gap 306 between the frame 201 and the lamp housing, while the second lamp module 291 is inserted through a similar gap on the opposite side of the frame. A handle 297 is provided to facilitate holding the lamp module when inserted or removed from the lamp housing.

The vehicle 200 includes a downwardly extending brush 60 (fig. 10) as previously described with respect to the vehicle 20 (fig. 3). Additionally, rows of teeth 62, 63, and 64 extend downward from vehicle 200 (fig. 10), as previously described with respect to vehicle 20 (fig. 3). The position and function of the brushes and teeth for vehicle 200 are the same as described for vehicle 20. Since the vehicle 200 does not include an actuator 112 that lifts the frame of the vehicle 20, and thus also the brushes and tines, for transport during non-sterile conditions, the brushes and tines of the vehicle 200 may be mounted to a secondary frame that is pivotally mounted to the frame 201 of the vehicle 200. The subframe may pivot upward to disengage the brushes and teeth when it is desired to move the vehicle 200 without engaging the brushes and teeth with the turf field. The secondary frame is releasably locked in the upward non-use position by pins that can be removably extended into the frame 201 and the secondary frame. Some sites do not include loose material between the blades, so the blades and teeth can be stored in an upward position.

The vehicle 200 is also provided with the side panel 90 described with respect to the vehicle 20 and shown in fig. 1, but the side panel 90 has been deleted in fig. 8 to more fully illustrate the structure of the vehicle. The side panels are attached to the frame 201 and extend downward around the lamp housing 220 to limit a person from viewing the ultraviolet light that is radiated downward from the ultraviolet lamp.

A safety switch (fig. 15) is mounted to the frame 201 to prevent electrical power from flowing to the uv lamps unless the lamp housing 220 is at the bottom most position spaced from the uv lamps by the distance required to disinfect the field. The switch includes a pair of arms 351, the arms 351 having bottom and top ends slidably mounted to the frame 201, and bumpers 352 mounted to the top ends and aligned with corresponding bumpers 353 mounted to the top ends of the arms 244. When light housing 220 is in the upward position, bumpers 352 and 353 are spaced apart, positioning forward spring biased switch 350 in the forward position shown in fig. 15. When arm 244 moves rearward causing bar 240 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in fig. 15, link 254 pivots in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in fig. 8 forcing the lamp housing to a bottom position and bumper 353 contacts bumper 352 causing arm 351 to move rearward and close the switch allowing electrical energy to flow from the electrical energy source to the ultraviolet lamp.

A second safety switch 360 (fig. 16) is mounted to the wheel mounting bracket 361. Switch 360 is a standard commercially available motion sensor and monitors the motion of wheel 206. The switch is operable to interrupt the flow of electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the ultraviolet lamp in the event that the wheel is not moving for more than a specified time, such as fifteen seconds or thirty seconds. The switch 360 prevents turf degradation in the event that the vehicle is stationary for more than a specified time while the lights are in the on position. An end switch, not shown, is connected in series with the wiring from the source of electrical energy to the lamp to allow immediate interruption of the flow of electrical energy to the lamp when depressed for emergency use. Also, a reset switch is provided to reactivate the flow.

Each lamp module 290 and 291 includes an indicator light 370 (fig. 13) connected in series with the lamp connectors by wiring to indicate when the light is activated to be in the on position.

A method of minimizing infectious material of the blades of an artificial or turf field comprising: providing the vehicle 200 with a downward-illuminating ultraviolet lamp; and spacing the light a first distance from the field. Good results have been obtained by spacing the lights from the field a distance of 2 to 3 inches. In this case, the vehicle moves within the field at a speed of approximately 8 to 10 miles per hour. Optimum results have been obtained by moving the vehicle within the field in a first direction (e.g. within the width of the field (side by side) and also within the field in a second direction different from the first direction, e.g. within the length of the field (end to end) and also within the field in a third direction different from the first and second directions, e.g. within the field (diagonally) while the lamps are irradiating ultraviolet energy against the blades of the turf field). By moving the vehicle across the width, length and diagonal of the field, the lamps irradiate the ultraviolet energy against different portions of the leaves of the field, increasing the exposure of the infectious material to the ultraviolet energy. In addition, the method includes the step of extending downwardly engaging members, such as the brushes and teeth disclosed herein, which contact the bulk material between the blade and the field blade to reposition the blade and bulk material to receive the ultraviolet light as the vehicle moves in different directions within the field.

Ultraviolet lamps useful with the vehicles and methods described herein are commercially available. Such lamps are manufactured, for example, by model GTL36GG from American Ultraviolet company, Lebanon, Indiana. The lamp may be coated with Teflon (Teflon) to provide additional safety in the event of a lamp rupture. Good results have been obtained for a forty watt lamp. A ballast unit for use with the ultraviolet lamp may be mounted within the lamp module.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. For example, vehicles and methods for disinfecting turf fields or sports fields are described, it being understood that fields include not only soccer/football/lacrosse/baseball fields, but also golf courses and any field having artificial or removable turf susceptible to contamination.

Claims (5)

1. A vehicle for moving within a sports field to minimize infectious material thereon, said field having blades of artificial grass therein with loose material located between said blades, said vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a lamp housing removably mounted to the frame and having an open bottom;

an ultraviolet lamp removably mounted to said lamp housing and positioned to shine downwardly through said open bottom of said housing against a sports field, said lamp having a proximal end and a distal end;

a mechanism on the frame to raise and lower the light housing to position the light at a first distance from the athletic field;

a plurality of tines mounted to the frame, the tines having bottom ends capable of contacting loose material on the athletic field, the tines being mounted to the front of the ultraviolet lamp so as to move and flip the loose material as the frame moves within the field to receive ultraviolet light to minimize infectious material on the loose material;

a source of electrical energy mounted to the frame and coupled to the proximal end of the ultraviolet lamp to power the ultraviolet lamp;

a connector connecting the proximal end of the lamp with the source of electrical energy;

a clip mounted to the frame and releasably engageable with the connector and the proximal and distal ends of the lamp to support the lamp on the frame; and

wheels rotatably mounted to the frame and engageable with the field to support the frame above the field.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a brush mounted to the frame and extending downwardly to engage the blade.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

the ultraviolet lamps are arranged in rows and extend across the width of the frame above so as to impinge on the blades and the bulk material as the vehicle moves within the field.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein:

the electrical energy source includes an internal combustion engine mounted to the frame, the internal combustion engine being electrically connected to the lamp.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising:

a side panel suspended from the frame to restrict ultraviolet energy flow from the vehicle side.