DE20112731U1 - Device for self-propelled machining of a riding arena - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys · · .·*. · · !··!.· · *·

Dipi.-ing. Harald Ostriga* '"' ^: '""""'"' ^: ' Dipi.-ing. Bernd Sonnet* Dipl.-Ing. Jochen-Peter Wirths * Authorized by the European Patent Office

Oslriga. Sun! & Wirlhs · PO Box 20 16 53 ■ D-42216 Wuppertal

R/kö

Telephone (02 02) 2 59 06 -0 Fax (02 02)2 59 06 10 e-mail: mail@osw-pat.de

House address:

Stresemannstr. 6-8 42275 Wuppertal-Bannen

Applicant:

Dr.-Ing.

Jürgen Repenning

Ulrichstr.

46519 Alps

Jörg Möllemann Niederwallach

47495 Rheinberg

Title of the invention:

Device for self-propelled processing of a riding arena

25 The invention relates to a device for the self-propelled treatment of a riding arena according to the preamble of claim 1.

The surfaces of riding arenas, particularly in indoor riding arenas, but also in outdoor arenas, circles, horse walkers and race tracks, require constant care, if only to avoid endangering the health of the riding horses. This currently involves a time-consuming and laborious process, at least partially manual, of the riding arena surface, which is considered to be in need of improvement.

Postbank Essen (bank code 360 100 43)445 04-431

Credit- und Volksbank eG Commerzbank AG

Wuppertal-Barmen Wuppertal-Barmen

(Bank code 330 600 98) 301 891 024 (Bank code 330 400 01) 4 034

VAT ID number VAT no. DE 121068676

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning··. *··: .··..·*. .··. .:
Jörg Möllemann { · j* · j ·;**; · y · ·

There are a number of attachments for agricultural tractors that are coupled to conventional tractors. Since conventional tractors can destroy the sensitive riding surface or at least cause lasting damage due to their high weight, the use of such attachments or trailers is not advisable.

In addition, conventional agricultural tractors are relatively large and not very manoeuvrable, so that the fine steering that is necessary when driving along the boards and in corners in a riding hall cannot be carried out. In some cases, such wide tractors, as well as correspondingly wide trailers, cannot easily drive through the sometimes very narrow gates and doorways in riding stables.

In addition, the towed equipment requires relatively large forces to couple or uncouple the equipment from the tractor, which can only be exerted by very strong operators and often not by women.

A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 198 55 149 C1. This already describes a self-propelled hoof track clearing and leveling device in which a clearing tool in the form of a height-adjustable, horizontally pivoting and fast-running roller or cylinder is arranged at the front in the direction of travel. The cylinder hurls the cleared material through a pipe into the middle of the riding hall.

The device described there is not capable of satisfactorily treating a riding arena surface and is also very complex.

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning". ***: , Jörg Möllemann : : :* * ;

The object of the invention is to further develop a device according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that a device is provided which is simply constructed, easy to operate and optimally treats the riding arena surface.

The object is achieved by the invention with the features of claim 1 and is accordingly characterized in that a sliding tool which clears soil and transports it essentially towards the center of the device is arranged between the front axle and the rear axle, that a rake tool having a plurality of tines for roughening the riding arena floor is arranged behind the rear axle in the direction of travel, and that a smoothing tool is arranged behind the rake tool in the direction of travel, wherein the tools are loaded towards the riding arena floor, and wherein the lowest possible position of a tool relative to the riding arena floor can be individually adjusted by means of an adjustment mechanism, independently of the other tools.

The principle of the invention therefore essentially consists in providing a self-propelled device on which the tools are preferably arranged directly on a vehicle chassis. A coupling or uncoupling process, which is necessary for devices designed as trailer equipment, can thus be omitted. This makes it possible to provide a device that is overall lighter and simple to construct.

In addition, three different tools are provided in a series arrangement, in the form of a pusher tool, a rake tool and a smoothing tool. The pusher tool is arranged between the front and rear axles and the rake tool and the smoothing tool are arranged behind the rear axle. This arrangement enables efficient,

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At the same time, the riding arena floor is treated gently in such a way that large accumulations of soil are first levelled, with the soil being transported mainly towards the centre of the vehicle. In this way, the soil is pre-distributed or pre-evened.

Immediately after the rear wheels of the drive axle drive over the pre-levelled soil, the raking tool roughens or loosens the riding arena surface to a certain extent and at the same time contributes to further levelling the riding arena surface. A final processing step carried out by a smoothing tool results in a certain pressing and smoothing of the roughened or loosened soil and enables the production of a proper footing layer.

The combination of the three tools in the special, sequential arrangement enables a particularly simple device to be designed, which guarantees an optimal machining result.

The three tools are constantly loaded towards the riding arena floor, whereby the load can be adjusted, for example by arranging weights.

The maximum penetration depth of each tool into the riding arena floor can be individually adjusted using an adjustment mechanism. In this way, the riding arena conditions, which vary greatly depending on the factors of temperature, humidity and stress on the riding arena, can be taken into account, so that optimal riding arena treatment results can be achieved for completely different riding arena conditions.

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning". "*: .··.*·\ .·*. .:
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In contrast to the prior art according to DE 198 55 149 C1, which provided a clearing tool in the form of a soil-throwing roller, the invention takes a completely different approach and dispenses with such a roller. According to the invention, all of the soil cleared by the pusher tool essentially towards the center of the vehicle is available for refilling the track worn out by the weight of the horses and is transferred by the pusher tool to the rake tool or the smoothing tool for further processing.
10

In addition, the provision of the sliding tool between the front and rear axles results in significantly increased driving comfort.

The device described in DE 198 55 149 C1 already provided for the height adjustment of the entire device. However, such a coarse adjustment option is insufficient for individual adaptation to the respective riding arena surface.

DE 30 46 433 A1 already discloses a non-generic device for leveling sports surfaces, particularly riding arenas. The device described there is designed as an attachment for an agricultural tractor and is therefore very unwieldy. The device described must necessarily be coupled to an agricultural tractor, i.e. a tractor, which is too heavy for the riding arena surface and can therefore destroy or damage it.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tines of the rake tool are inclined in the direction of travel towards the riding arena floor. This embodiment enables particularly efficient roughening of the riding arena floor and enables a simple

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning·

Jörg Möllemann { · ♦* . · !:**: · : : ·

Increased traction when the tines penetrate deeper or when the riding arena floor is harder.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tools are arranged pivotably on the device. This design enables the tools to be attached to the device in a particularly simple manner, in particular to a chassis of the device, and offers the possibility of providing particularly simple coupling means for detachably attaching the tools to the chassis of the device. In addition, this makes it possible to arrange a pivot axis in a simple manner in such a way that a certain degree of self-regulation of the tools is possible when working on the riding arena floor.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a swivel axis for a tool is arranged in the direction of travel of the device in front of a contact area of the tool in the riding arena floor. This design enables self-regulation of the tools with regard to their contact pressure on the riding arena floor or their penetration depth in such a way that an automatic adjustment of a swivel angle occurs depending on the riding arena condition and the load of the respective tool on the riding arena floor, possibly also depending on the driving speed. The self-adjusting swivel angle is particularly advantageous for achieving an optimally treated riding arena.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism can be operated during travel. This gives a user the opportunity to check the processing result and to react immediately by adjusting the tools. In this way, the processing quality can be further increased, and it is possible to design the adjustment mechanism in a very simple manner.

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning··. ·"; .**».*·* .**,
Jörg Möllemann · · ·* ·* !«**. .j!

which overall makes it possible to produce a relatively inexpensive device. In particular, this design makes it possible for a user to check while driving, for example with a ride-on device, by looking behind while driving, whether the treated riding arena meets the desired requirements and, if there are deviations due to the individual characteristics of the riding arena, to change the setting of the lowest possible position of a tool. In this way, unforeseeable destruction or damage to the footing or the riding arena can be prevented. On the other hand, a laborious inspection of the riding arena surface before starting the journey can be dispensed with.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism comprises a handling element and a force transmission element, such as a cable, a rack and pinion or the like. In this way, an adjustment mechanism is created that is very easy to construct and very inexpensive to manufacture. By providing a simple force transmission element, such as a cable, which may only require certain pulleys, a low-maintenance, safe and reliable but at the same time very simple force transmission element that can be handled with a handling element can be provided, which allows the handling element to be arranged in a simple manner near the driver or near a driver's seat and can thus be operated comfortably while driving.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a driver's seat is provided between the two axles of the device. This design enables particularly comfortable handling of the device, as well as an optimal seating situation for a driver who, from the approximately central seat position, has an overview of the

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning/ Jörg Möllemann «

•-8-

entire device and allows, for example, a view to the rear to check the treated riding arena floor as well as a view to the side ends of the slider tool in order to control or prevent possible collisions with a riding arena barrier.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pusher tool is essentially funnel-shaped. This embodiment enables the provision of a particularly simple pusher tool, whereby a funnel shape makes it possible to form a space free of pusher tools approximately in the middle of the device, through which heaped soil can pass in relation to the relative movement of the device and can be fed directly to the subsequent processing tools, namely the rake tool and the smoothing tool.

Further advantages arise from the uncited subclaims and from the following description of an embodiment shown in the figures. In them:

Fig. 1 is a schematic oblique view of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the device according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned, schematic plan view of the device according to view arrow III in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the device approximately according to Fig. 2.

The device according to the invention is designated in its entirety in the figures with 10. It comprises a chassis 11, which according to

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Fig. 1 is constructed in one piece and comprises a base 12, essentially in the manner of a carrier plate, and a front part 13. In principle, however, this can also be a frame construction. The decisive factor is that such a chassis 11 can be manufactured in the simplest possible way and is therefore very inexpensive. The device 10 comprises a rear axle 14 driven by a motor 27 (Fig. 2) with two wheels 16a, 16b. Only one wheel 16c is arranged on the front axle 15, which is designed to be steered by means of a steering wheel 17 via a steering rod 18. The device 10 is thus designed to be very maneuverable, which is of particular advantage during use, particularly in narrow riding halls or on narrow paths.

Of course, it can also be provided to arrange two wheels (not shown) on the front axle 15.

A support 20 for a driver's seat 19 extends essentially vertically upwards from the chassis 11. The seat 19 is arranged essentially centrally between the front axle 15 and the rear axle 14, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, so that the driver has a central position. In particular, this driving position is very elevated, so that, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4, both a direct observation of the worked area 38 of the ground is possible (arrow P1) and at the same time an observation of the area 39 of the riding surface 32 that is about to be driven over is possible (arrow P2), so that the driver has an overview and can steer carefully. In addition, this seating position enables a direct view (arrow P3) of the free ends 40a, 40b of slide plates 22a, 22b of a slide tool 21.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, a slide tool 21 is arranged approximately below the vehicle seat, which comprises at least two slide plates 22a, 22b arranged in a funnel-like manner in the embodiment according to Fig. 3. These are, contrary to the

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning**. ·*·; _φ *
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Direction of travel &khgr; inclined towards the longitudinal center axis M of the device 10, leaving an opening 23 approximately in the region of the vehicle center.

The sheets 22a, 22b of the slide tool 21 can be attached to the chassis 11, for example, by means of special suspensions 26a, 26b. The decisive factor here is that a holder 24 is provided for the slide tool 21 (Fig. 2), to which a pivot axis 25 is assigned, so that pivoting of the slide tool 21 relative to the chassis 11 is possible. The pivot axis 25 is arranged in such a way that it is positioned in front of a contact area K1 of the slide tool 21, with which the slide tool 21 contacts the ground 32, in the direction of travel x. This should be made clear using the distance si (Fig. 2).

A rake tool 29, which has a plurality of tines 30, is arranged on a rear support 28 of the chassis 11 and can pivot about a pivot axis 31. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 3, the length I2 of the rake tool corresponds essentially to the distance I1 between the two outer ends 40a, 40b of the slide tool 21.

In the embodiment, the raking tool is formed by a cross member 41 from which a plurality of raking tines 30 protrude, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4, inclined forwards towards the ground in the direction of travel. Here too, the possibility of self-regulation is achieved due to the pivotability around the pivot axis 31.

Finally, the device 10 has a smoothing tool 33, which is essentially designed in the manner of a cylindrical mass body, the length I3 of which essentially corresponds to the length I2 of the rake tool.

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning<
Jörg Möllemann l

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The smoothing tool 33 can also be pivoted about a pivot axis 34.

Each of the three tools 21, 29, 33 is adjustable in height via an adjustment mechanism 42, which is only indicated in Fig. 2, in such a way that a lowest or deepest position can be determined. A lowest position in this context means a maximum penetration depth into the ground 32 or a maximum distance of the respective free end of a tool 21, 29, 33 from the underside U of the chassis 11.

Each of the three tools can be controlled independently of one another and individually via an adjustment mechanism 42, which comprises a handling element 37a, 37b and a cable pull 35a, 35b, 35c and, if necessary, corresponding deflection rollers 36a, 36b.

The functionality of the device will now be explained using the example of treating a riding arena floor that has been damaged by hoof strikes:

In particular, riding of hoofbeat figures such as "full track", "circle", etc. in riding halls or on riding areas results in the riding arena floor relatively quickly showing a visible track in the manner of a beaten path, which must be removed. To do this, the device can be guided over the hoofbeat, essentially following the track of the horses, with the sliding tool 21 with its two sliding plates 22a, 22b transporting soil from the sides of the device to the middle of the device. The sliding plates 22a, 22b, which are made in particular of harder plastics or metal, preferably have a collision protection 43 on their free ends 40a, 40b, which can be made of softer plastic, for example. The collision protection 43 serves to protect the free ends of the

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning·* ···. ** ». **
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To be able to guide sliders 40a, 40b along the inner wall of a riding hall barrier without causing damage.

The earth cleared towards the middle of the device 10 passes through the opening 23 of the pusher tool 21 as the device 10 continues to move forward and can then be further processed by the rake tool 28 and the smoothing tool 23. In this regard, it should be noted that due to the pivoting suspension of the pusher tool 21 and the special arrangement of the pivot axis 25 in the direction of travel x in front of the contact area K1 of the pusher tool 21, the pusher tool 21 pivots automatically as soon as it hits a particularly hard or particularly high surface. It should be noted that due to the pivoting movement, a certain amount of loose earth always penetrates under the pusher tool 21.

The fact that the pusher tool 21 is arranged in front of the driven rear wheels 16a, 16b significantly increases driving comfort, since there is no longer any fear of particularly strong vibrations, since the rear wheels are already moving over a pre-leveled riding arena surface. The rake tool 29 is used to roughen the pre-leveled riding arena surface, whereby the number of tines and their special arrangement can initially be selected as desired. The special type of inclination, as can be seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, however, enables automatic, self-regulating pivoting of the rake tool 29 due to the pivoting arrangement of the rake tool 29 and due to a distance s2 between a contact area K2 of the rake tool and the pivot axis 31 of the rake tool (when viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x), so that optimal processing of the ground 32 is always achieved. In addition, if the rake tool 29 is particularly difficult to pull through the soil 32, increased traction

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning.*.*-*: .··*«*·, .·*. .:
Jörg Möllemann ''· ·* · &Sgr;&iacgr;**'. . &iacgr;&Ggr; :

on the driven wheels 16a, 16b, so that slipping of the drive wheels of the device 10 is almost completely excluded.

In a subsequent operation, the smoothing tool 33 performs a certain smoothing and pressing of the riding arena floor 32. Here too, due to the pivotability and the special arrangement of the pivot axis 34 at a distance s3 from a contact area K3 of the smoothing tool 33, one can again speak of a self-regulating setting of the smoothing tool 33.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, for example, the rake tool 29 is assigned a receiving device 44 for ring-shaped weights 45. In this simple manner, the contact pressure of the rake tool 29 can be preset before the start of the journey. Corresponding receiving devices can of course also be provided in the area of the slide tool 21 or the smoothing tool 33.

If, after starting the journey, it is determined by visual inspection of the already worked area 38 of the riding arena floor 32 that the work is unsatisfactory, the tools 21, 29, 33 can be adjusted individually by operating the handling elements 37a, 37b until it is determined by a check of the worked area 38 that the riding arena is being worked properly. In this way, it is possible to prevent individual tools from penetrating too deeply into the riding arena floor and causing lasting damage to the riding arena floor 32. It is also possible to prevent too much pressure being exerted on the riding arena floor, so that the floor hardens unnecessarily or undesirably. Finally, it can also be ensured that

Dr. Ing. Jürgen Repenning«·

Jörg Möllemann & I

the tread layer is sufficiently loosened so that the risk of injury to the horses is reduced.

Claims (14)

1. Device ( 10 ) for the self-propelled processing of a riding arena, in particular in the manner of a ride-on vehicle, with two axles ( 14 , 15 ), one of which is driven by a motor ( 27 ), and with a plurality of riding arena processing tools ( 21 , 29 , 33 ), characterized in that a pusher tool ( 21 ) which clears soil and transports it essentially towards the center of the device ( 10 ) is arranged between the front axle ( 15 ) and the rear axle ( 14 ), that a rake tool ( 29 ) having a plurality of tines ( 30 ) for roughening the riding arena floor ( 32 ) is arranged behind the rear axle ( 14 ) in the direction of travel (x), and that a smoothing tool ( 33 ) is arranged behind the rake tool ( 29 ) in the direction of travel (x), wherein the tools ( 21 , 29 , 33 ) are loaded towards the riding arena floor ( 32 ), and wherein the lowest possible position of a tool (e.g. 29) relative to the riding arena floor ( 32 ) can be individually adjusted by means of an adjustment mechanism ( 42 ), independently of the other tools (e.g. 21, 33). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tines ( 30 ) of the raking tool ( 29 ) are inclined in the direction of travel (x) towards the riding arena floor ( 32 ). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the tools, in particular all of the tools ( 21 , 29 , 33 ), are pivotably arranged on the device ( 10 ). 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a pivot axis ( 25 , 31 , 24 ) of a tool ( 21 , 29 , 33 ) is arranged in the direction of travel (x) of the device in front of a contact area (K ₁ , K ₂ , K ₃ ) of the tool with the riding arena floor ( 32 ). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism ( 42 ) can be actuated during travel. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism ( 42 ) comprises a handling element ( 37 a, 37 b) and a force transmission element ( 35 , 36 ), such as a cable pull, a rack and pinion system or the like. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a driver's seat ( 19 ) is provided between the two axles ( 14 , 15 ) of the device. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding tool ( 21 ) is essentially funnel-shaped. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding tool ( 21 ) is designed to be substantially open in the middle (opening 23 ). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a collision guide ( 43 ) is assigned to the slide tool ( 21 ). 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collision guide ( 43 ) is visible to a driver. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tool ( 21 , 29 , 33 ) is arranged detachably from the device ( 10 ). 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (I ₁ ) between the outer ends ( 40 a, 40 b) of the sliding tool ( 21 ) corresponds substantially to a maximum width of the device. 14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length (I ₂ ) of the rake tool ( 29 ) and/or the length (I ₃ ) of the smoothing tool ( 33 ) is only slightly smaller than the distance (I ₁ ) of the outer ends ( 40 a, 40 b) of the slider tool ( 21 ).