Surface Conditioning Drag Tool with Adjustable Fencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface conditioning tools for athletic fields lack control over material deposition, depth, and uniformity of top dressing layers, often requiring multiple passes and additional manual labor to achieve desired playing surface characteristics, while also failing to prevent compaction and maintain precise grading for drainage.
Innovation Solution
A surface conditioning drag tool with a tow-behind configuration and a fence system featuring lateral and medial undulating fencing members that adjust in pitch, allowing for precise control over top dressing layer depth and separation from the subsurface, minimizing compaction and surface markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surface conditioning tools are used, then the playing surface can be maintained, but control over material deposition depth and uniformity is poor, requiring multiple passes
Solution Approach 1:
The drag tool employs adjustable fencing members that can be positioned at different heights and angles relative to the ground surface. This dynamic adjustability allows operators to precisely control the depth of top dressing application by modifying the fence configuration, thereby achieving uniform depth control in a single pass without requiring multiple repetitions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the fencing members (height, angle, spacing) to optimize material deposition. By adjusting these parameters, the tool achieves precise control over top dressing depth and uniformity, eliminating the need for multiple passes while maintaining productivity
2Ease of operation
If conventional tools are used to groom the surface, then material can be moved, but undesired surface markings are left in the wake
Solution Approach 1:
The drag tool features fencing members with varying local characteristics - some portions have smoother surfaces while others have textured patterns. This local quality variation allows different sections of the fence to perform different functions: smoothing areas reduce surface markings while textured areas maintain grooming effectiveness, thus eliminating harmful surface markings while preserving ease of operation
3Quantity of substance
If conventional tools are used, then top dressing can be applied, but separation from the compacted subsurface is not maintained, leading to compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The drag tool performs preliminary loosening action on the subsurface through its fence design that creates void spaces and reduces compaction before top dressing application. This preliminary action maintains the separation between the loose top dressing layer and the subsurface, preventing unwanted compaction while ensuring proper layer stability
4Ease of operation
If conventional tools are used, then the playing surface can be maintained, but precise grading for drainage is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The fencing members are designed with adjustable pitch and angle capabilities, allowing dynamic modification of the tool's interaction with the ground surface. This enables precise grading control to achieve proper drainage slopes while maintaining ease of operation, as operators can adjust the fence configuration to match specific drainage requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A surface conditioning drag tool apparatus includes a plurality of fencing members each extending laterally along a width of the drag tool and spaced apart from one another at a plurality of locations between a front end and a rear end of the drag tool. The plurality of fencing members include a plurality of lower ground contacting extremities and a plurality of upper extremities spaced apart from one another in height and a frame coupled with and positioned above the plurality of ground working fencing members.