Tarp Roller with Retainer and Guide Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and labor-intensive process of removing and rolling soiled turf covers (tarps) from golf greens and similar areas during the spring season is inefficient due to wet, heavy, and soiled conditions, requiring a mechanized solution to reduce physical exertion and improve operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A tarp roller system mounted on a tow vehicle with a primary rotatable spindle and retainer, along with a secondary guide roller, designed to mechanize the rolling and unrolling of tarps, featuring a robust frame, hydraulic power, and adjustable retainer for different tarp thicknesses, allowing for easy operation and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual rolling of tarps is used, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the labor intensity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rolling system with a motorized winch mechanism. The winch motor automatically winds the tarp onto the spindle, eliminating the need for workers to manually roll and fold the tarp. This substitution of manual labor with an automated mechanical system directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining equipment simplicity while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tarp roller system performs the rolling operation automatically once the tarp is positioned on the spindle. The winch mechanism self-regulates the winding process, and the retractable nature of the components allows the system to service itself during operation. This self-service capability maintains simplicity while enabling continuous, efficient operation without requiring constant manual intervention.
2Reliability
If heavy-duty equipment is used to handle wet and soiled tarps, then the device can handle adverse conditions, but the ease of operation and setup becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tarp roller system is divided into separable components: the frame assembly, the spindle assembly, and the support arms. These segmented components can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the heavy-duty equipment to be set up quickly despite its robust construction. The segmentation maintains ease of operation while ensuring the individual components are sufficiently robust to handle wet and soiled tarps in adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed to be adjustable and repositionable, allowing the operator to dynamically adapt the equipment configuration to different working conditions and tarp sizes. This dynamic adjustability maintains ease of operation while the overall robust design ensures reliable performance when handling heavy, wet tarps in challenging environmental conditions.
3Device complexity
If the retainer is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different tarp thicknesses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with adjustable positioning capability through the channel structure, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned along the spindle axis. This dynamic adjustability enables the retainer to accommodate varying tarp thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure based on the channel-guided elongate member design.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel structure in the retainer mounting plate serves multiple functions: it guides the elongate member, allows positional adjustment, and provides structural support. This multi-functional design achieves adaptability to different tarp thicknesses without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same channel structure accomplishes multiple objectives.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces labor and physical effort required for tarp removal and rolling, enabling efficient handling of large, wet, and soiled tarps, even in adverse weather conditions, by providing a rugged and easy-to-operate mechanism for tarp management.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer is mounted to the primary rotatable spindle by a retainer mounting plate which defines a channel to receive the elongate member in torque transmitting engagement
Implementation Method 2
a secondary guide roller rotatably attached to the frame at a position above and forward of the primary rotatable spindle
Data Source
AI summary
A tarp roller for rolling a tarp or other ground cover has a frame adapted for mounting to a tow vehicle. The frame has a first support arm and a second support arm extending therefrom in spaced part relation. A primary rotatable spindle is powered and removably connected between the first support arm and the second support arm. A retainer to retain the tarp against the primary rotatable spindle comprises an elongate member mounted in removable spaced apart, coaligned relation with the primary rotatable spindle to move with the primary rotatable spindle as it rotates. The tarp roller further comprises further a secondary guide roller rotatably attached to the frame at a position above and forward of the primary rotatable spindle. A method of rolling a tarp is provided.