Finisher arrangement for a towed piste preparation apparatus

Abstract

1. A finisher arrangement for a towed piste preparation apparatus, in particular for a rear cutter of a snow groomer. 2.1. Such a finisher arrangement, which consists at least in sections of elastic material and has on its underside, based on towing operation, a plurality of profiles arranged transversely with respect to a towing direction and each extending in the towing direction and which, in towing operation, introduce a profile drawing into a snow surface to be prepared, and which on a rear side in the towing direction has an end-side edge contour running transversely with respect to the towing direction, is known. 2.2 According to the invention, the end-side edge contour is provided with a plurality of elevations and depressions that alternately adjoin one another transversely with respect to the towing direction. 2.3 The invention also relates to use of snow groomers for snow surface preparation.

Description

[0001] Finisher arrangement for a towed slope grooming machine

[0002] The invention relates to a finisher arrangement for a towed snow grooming machine, in particular a rear milling attachment of a snow groomer, wherein the finisher arrangement consists at least partially of elastic material, and wherein the finisher arrangement has on its underside - with reference to towing operation - a plurality of profiles distributed transversely to a towing direction and each extending in the towing direction, which in towing operation imprint a profile drawing into a snow groomer surface to be treated, and wherein the finisher arrangement has an end contour on the rear side in the towing direction, extending transversely to the towing direction.

[0003] Such a finisher arrangement is known from DE 10 2022 208 544 A1. The known finisher arrangement is designed for a rear-mounted milling attachment of a snow groomer for processing snow slopes. The finisher arrangement consists of an elastic plastic material. On one underside, the finisher arrangement has a multitude of profiles arranged in several rows running transversely to the direction of travel, spaced apart from each other in the direction of travel. During operation, i.e., when attached to a rear-mounted milling attachment, the profiles create a cord pattern on the snow surface processed by the milling attachment. The multiple, consecutive rows of different profiles result in a particularly pronounced and uniform cord pattern on the processed snow surface.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a finisher arrangement of the type mentioned above which imprints a uniform and high-quality surface pattern on a processed slope surface, regardless of the slope's condition.

[0005] This problem is solved by providing the end edge contour with a plurality of alternating raised and recessed areas perpendicular to the direction of travel. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous for the preparation of snow slopes. However, the solution according to the invention is also suitable for other types of slopes, such as, in particular, sand slopes. The solution according to the invention is based on the finding that the known finisher arrangement could lead to the adhesion of slope material, especially slushy snow material, in the area of ​​the end edge contour of the finisher arrangement during towing operation on slope surfaces with high moisture content, particularly on slushy snow surfaces. The finisher arrangement according to the prior art had a smooth, straight end edge contour extending over the entire width of the finisher arrangement.The solution according to the invention breaks up such a smooth and straight end-edge contour and provides a plurality of alternating, adjacent protrusions and depressions along the end-edge contour, i.e., transversely to a drag direction of the finisher arrangement. In other words, a rear end face of the finisher arrangement, viewed in the drag direction, has regular or irregular interruptions along its entire length, viewed transversely to the drag direction, by providing a corrugated or ribbed structure for the end-edge contour. The end-edge contour can either provide a plurality of cams or bumps extending in at least one row transversely to the drag direction directly on an edge of the finisher arrangement facing backwards in the drag direction, or alternatively, depressions or indentations are provided, also in at least one consecutive row.A corresponding profile structure necessarily has raised areas and depressions. Preferably, the profile structure is uniform or uneven at the end edge contour, i.e., at a rear edge of the finisher assembly. The described profile structure at the end edge contour prevents the build-up of piste material, especially slush, so that, regardless of the piste condition, and particularly regardless of the snow conditions, a uniform and high-quality profile pattern can be achieved on the piste surface by the finisher assembly. According to the invention, the end edge contour is therefore not flat and straight, but rather provided with alternating depressions and raised areas, resulting in an irregular profile structure. The formation of each depression inevitably leads to a raised area between any two adjacent depressions, and vice versa.The formation of a raised section inevitably leads to a depression between each pair of adjacent raised sections. Preferably, depressions are formed from a rear end face of the finisher arrangement forward in the direction of travel into the end edge contour, resulting in a rear edge of the finisher arrangement that is particularly wavy or zigzag-shaped. According to the invention, however, it is also possible to form corresponding depressions and raised sections on the end edge contour in such a way that a continuously straight rear edge is obtained, but incisions are nevertheless provided in the underside of the rear edge contour, which, viewed from the rear of the finisher arrangement, significantly reduce the thickness of the end edge contour between each pair of end profiles of the rear profile row in a wedge or channel shape.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the alternating raised and recessed areas are arranged in a wave or zigzag pattern. This results in a wave- or zigzag-shaped profile structure for the rear edge of the finisher assembly. In a further embodiment of the invention, the raised and recessed areas are formed or applied in the plane of the finisher assembly from a rear end edge (in the direction of travel). The raised and recessed areas, i.e., the corresponding profile structure, are either formed integrally on the rear edge of the finisher assembly, or a corresponding profile structure strip is manufactured as a separate component and applied to the end contour of the finisher assembly. It is particularly preferred that the profile structure is formed integrally within the finisher assembly.According to the described design, the raised areas and recesses project coplanarly to a plane of a base surface of the finisher arrangement, either forwards or backwards.

[0007] Alternatively, the raised areas and depressions can be formed in a plane inclined to the plane of the finisher assembly in the end-edge contour. In this case, the raised areas and depressions extend, relative to the base surface of the finisher assembly, which corresponds to a bearing surface of the finisher assembly in the area of ​​the profiles, inclined obliquely from above or obliquely from below along the end-edge contour of the finisher assembly.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protrusions and depressions on the end-side edge contour form a comb-like profile structure. The protrusions and depressions are uniformly spaced from one another and are each formed in an identical shape along the end-side edge contour of the finisher arrangement.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the comb-like profile structure is formed by a multitude of wedge-shaped incisions that taper from one end face of the end contour in the direction of travel and are evenly spaced from one another transversely to the direction of travel. The incisions form depressions as defined by the invention. Correspondingly, remaining material ridges between the incisions of the end edge contour of the finisher assembly form complementary protrusions. The wedge-shaped incisions enable particularly good release of moist piste material, especially slushy snow, at the rear end of the finisher assembly, thus reliably preventing the irregular build-up and subsequent shedding of snow clumps during towing operation of the finisher assembly.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, each wedge-shaped incision is formed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the respective incision extending in the direction of travel. Thus, the wedge-shaped incisions are symmetrical to the direction of travel, widening rearward in the direction of travel. Preferably, the length of each incision is between 2 mm and 40 mm. More preferably, the width of each incision at the end face of the final contour is between 10 mm and 28 mm. These are preferred dimensions that enable particularly good results in wet snow.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, each cut – viewed from above on the plane of the finisher assembly – forms a triangle, which in particular has an opening angle – viewed towards the end face of the end contour – of between 20° and 170°. This dimension is also particularly advantageous when using the finisher assembly for a rear-mounted milling head of a snow groomer and thus for snow surface preparation.

[0012] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows in perspective an embodiment of a finisher arrangement according to the invention - seen from a bottom side -,

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the finisher arrangement according to Fig. 1, but viewed from a top perspective.

[0015] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the finisher arrangement seen from below, according to Fig. 1 and

[0016] Fig. 4 shows a top view of an end area of ​​the finisher arrangement according to Fig. 2, which shows an end-side edge contour of the finisher arrangement.

[0017] A snow groomer (not shown) for snow surface preparation has a rear-mounted attachment, namely a snow groomer, in the form of a rear-mounted milling attachment, which is towed by the snow groomer in a ferry-like fashion. The rear-mounted milling attachment is equipped with at least one motor-driven milling shaft, which, when functioning as a rear-mounted milling attachment, breaks up clumps of snow thrown up at the rear by the snow groomer's tracked undercarriage. Furthermore, it mills the snow surface to a certain depth and returns the loose, crushed material to the surface to create a fine-grained, preferably powdery snow surface that is comfortable for skiers and snowboarders.The rear-mounted snow blower has a finisher assembly 1 at its rear end – in towing operation – which extends over the entire width of the snow blower and compacts and smooths the snow that has been broken up and thrown up by the at least one auger shaft. The finisher assembly 1 is made of a plastic material that is at least partially elastic, preferably an elastomer. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the finisher assembly 1 has a profile receptacle 4 on its upper side – see Figure 2 – for a support profile of the snow blower. The finisher assembly 1 is rigidly connected at its rear end 2, which is forward in the towing direction, to an auger shaft housing of the snow blower.Furthermore, several support brackets S are molded onto opposite sides of the finisher assembly 1, distributed along its length. These brackets are connected, in a manner not shown, to control levers of the rear-mounted rotary tiller in order to raise the finisher assembly 1 or press it onto a snow-covered surface. Both the arrangement and attachment of the finisher assembly 1 to the rear-mounted rotary tiller, as well as the corresponding control of the finisher assembly by hydraulic components of the rear-mounted rotary tiller, are generally known to a person skilled in the art.

[0018] The finisher assembly 1 has several rows of profiles 5a, 5b, 5c on its underside, which rests on the snow surface during towing operation of the rear-mounted snow blower. These profiles run transversely to the direction of travel and are arranged in a straight line one behind the other in the direction of travel. A first row of profiles 5a is designed in the shape of a frustoconical cone or circular studs. A subsequent row of profiles 5b has elongated, wedge-shaped rib profiles. A rearmost row of profiles 5c in the direction of travel is also wedge-shaped, with the profiles 5c having four to five times the length of the profiles 5b.All profiles 5a, 5b, 5c are aligned with each other in the direction of travel, so that a wedge-shaped groove is formed between each pair of adjacent profiles 5a to 5c viewed in the direction of travel. This groove presses a longitudinal rib with a wedge- or triangular cross-sectional profile onto the treated snow surface. This results in the desired cord pattern on the treated snow surface. The structure and design of the profiles 5a to 5c correspond to the structure and design of the profiles of the finisher arrangement from the prior art, namely from DE 10 2022 208 544 A1. For further disclosure of the finisher arrangement 1 with regard to the profiles 5a to 5c, reference is therefore made to the disclosure in DE 10 2022 208 544 A1.

[0019] To prevent snow clumps from forming on an end contour 3 of the finisher assembly 1, which defines a rear end face in the direction of travel, during towing operation of the finisher assembly 1, and from then falling off the finisher assembly 1 at irregular intervals and affecting the treated snow surface, the end contour 3 of the finisher assembly 1 – viewed transversely to the direction of travel – is provided with a comb-like profile structure across its entire width. This profile structure is formed by a multitude of alternately connected depressions 6 and protrusions 7. The comb-like profile structure is formed by a multitude of wedge-shaped incisions 6 that are cut into the material of the finisher assembly 1 at regular intervals transversely to the direction of travel, starting from the rear end face of the finisher assembly 1.The incisions 6 extend from the rear end face into a plane defined by the finisher arrangement 1. Alternating trapezoidal support ribs inevitably form between these wedge-shaped incisions, forming the raised sections 7 of the end edge contour 3.

[0020] Figures 1 and 3 clearly show that the wedge-shaped incisions 6 project symmetrically from the rear end face of the finisher assembly 1 between two adjacent profiles 5c perpendicular to the direction of travel, so that the incisions 6 project into the plane extending in the direction of travel between each pair of adjacent profiles 5a to 5c. Figures 1 and 3 also show that the thickness of the finisher assembly tapers towards the rear end face and thus towards the end edge contour of the finisher assembly 1. The profiles 5c also taper towards the end edge contour. The trapezoidal web ends forming the elevations 7 in plan view support the tapered end regions of the profiles 5c, wherein both the profiles 5c and the trapezoidal edge webs 7 and the wedge-shaped incisions 6 are each formed in one piece from the plastic material of the finisher arrangement 1.

[0021] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the wedge-shaped incisions 6, viewed from above, each form the shape of an isosceles triangle, which extends symmetrically towards the end edge contour 3 and thus towards the rear end of the finisher assembly 1, with a central longitudinal axis running in the direction of travel. The width of each trapezoidal edge rib 7 at the rear end of the finisher assembly 1 corresponds to the width of the respective wedge-shaped incision 6, also extending to the rear end of the finisher assembly 1.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Finisher arrangement (1) for a towed slope maintenance device, in particular for a rear milling unit of a snow groomer, wherein the finisher arrangement (1) consists at least partially of elastic material, and wherein the finisher arrangement (1) has on its underside - with reference to a towing operation - a plurality of profiles (5a to 5c) distributed transversely to a towing direction and each extending in the towing direction, which in towing operation create a profile drawing in a slope surface to be treated, and wherein the finisher arrangement (1) has an end-side edge contour (3) on the rear side in the towing direction, extending transversely to the towing direction, characterized in that the end-side edge contour (3) is provided with a plurality of raised areas (7) and recesses (6) adjoining each other transversely to the towing direction.

2. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the alternating protrusions (7) and depressions (6) are provided as a wave or zigzag shape.

3. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protrusions (7) and depressions (6) are arranged in the plane of the finisher arrangement (1) from a rear end edge in the direction of dragging.

4. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protrusions and depressions are formed in a plane inclined to the plane of the finisher arrangement (1) in the end-side edge contour.

5. Finisher arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protrusions (7) and depressions (6) on the end-side edge contour (3) form a comb-like profile structure.

6. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the comb-like profile structure is formed by a plurality of wedge-shaped incisions (6) which taper from the rear end face of the end edge contour (3) in the direction of travel and are spaced evenly apart from each other transversely to the direction of travel.

7. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that each wedge-shaped incision (6) is formed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the respective incision (6) extending in the direction of the drag.

8. Finisher arrangement (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the length of each incision (6) is between 2 and 40 mm.

9. Finisher arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the width of each incision (6) on the end face of the end contour (3) is between 10 and 28 mm.

10. Finisher arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each incision (6) - viewed in a top view of the plane of the finisher arrangement (1) - forms a triangle which in particular forms an opening angle - viewed towards the end face of the end contour (3) - between 20° and 170°.

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