Device for removing dew from grass surface growth

Abstract

An apparatus ( 1, 1′ ) for removal of dew from vegetation of grass surfaces, especially putting greens of golf courses, comprises a number of rollers ( 2 ) that are grouped into at least two parallel rows (R, R′) of several rollers each, in which the longitudinal axles of the rollers of one row are aligned, a bearing arrangement ( 3 - 6 ) for freely rotatable mounting of rollers ( 2 ) in the mentioned group, and an operating device ( 7 - 14 ) articulated to it, by means of which the apparatus ( 1, 1′ ) can be pushed over the grass surface during rolling of the rollers ( 2 ) on the vegetation.

1 . An apparatus for removal of dew from vegetation of grass surfaces, especially putting greens of golf courses, comprising: 
 a number of rollers that are grouped into at least two parallel rows of several rollers each, in which the longitudinal axles of the rollers of one row are aligned,    a bearing arrangement for freely rotatable mounting of rollers in said group, and    an operating device articulated to said bearing arrangement, by means of which said apparatus can be pushed over the grass surface during rolling of rollers on the vegetation.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bearing arrangement for each row has a flexible axle, on which the rollers are threaded with lateral spacing.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the axles are made of an elastic material.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rollers of adjacent rows are offset relative to each other.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least three parallel rows are provided, which lie in a common plane, in which the bearing arrangement permits pivoting of at least one of the rows from the common plane.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the bearing arrangement includes individual brackets which engage between the rollers and articulate the axles there.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the brackets each join two adjacent axles together.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the brackets extend over more than two adjacent axles, in order to articulate adjacent groups of axles together in groups.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein in the regions of engagement of the operating device, brackets are arranged between each roller and each axle of this region, whereas the brackets are positioned with less frequency in other regions.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rollers are made of a water-repellant material.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rollers are hollow elements.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein each roller is formed with a central sliding sleeve, which is passed through by axles, in which the sliding sleeve seals off the interior of the hollow element relative to axles.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating device includes two pushrods that are articulated to the bearing arrangement with lateral spacing from each other.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the pushrods are mounted retractably on the bearing arrangement.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the pushrod can be removed by means of quick-release couplings.