Apparatus and methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields are disclosed. In one exemplary apparatus, the apparatus may comprise a support frame, a plurality of shearing machines installed on the support frame, and a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame. The support frame may be configured to position the shearing machines parallel to each other, to tilt the shearing machines with respect a surface of the artificial turf field, and to position the shearing machines above a surface of the field at a distance such that the shearing machines cut fibers to produce trimmed fibers that have a length that can extend above infill or topmost layer of the artificial turf field. Methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields using the same are also disclosed.

1 . An artificial turf field revitalizing apparatus comprising:
 a frame that supports a plurality of shearing machines;   the plurality of shearing machines that are individually powered, and that are configured to cut in two sets, wherein a first set that leads is height adjustable in relation to the frame, and wherein a second set that trails is separably height adjustable in relation to the frame;   wherein the frame that supports the plurality of the shearing machines positions the plurality of shearing machines to be distanced apart from each other in each of the first and second sets, and to be angled towards the artificial turf field that has artificial turf fibers; and   a vacuum that straightens a set of the artificial turf fibers that are to be cut, and that removes a cut set of the artificial turf fibers without removing an amount of infill of the artificial turf field.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises tubing that supplies lubricant directly to a cutting mechanism of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set and the second set are configured such that a second set center of the distance apart is offset from a first set center of distance apart and that provides a cutting path that has the second set partially overlapping the first set. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting path has revitalized artificial turf fibers that have been cut to the same height from the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame provides support that includes an adjustable tilt between the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a control circuit that controls power to the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the control circuit controls vacuum suction power. 
     
     
         8 . A system for prolonged artificial turf field use, comprising:
 an artificial turf field including original artificial turf fibers having a fiber length of about three to four inches and an original infill height of about two and quarter inches to three and a quarter inches; and   an artificial turf field revitalizing apparatus comprising:
 a frame that supports a plurality of shearing machines; 
 the plurality of shearing machines that are individually powered, and that are configured to cut in two sets, wherein a first set that leads is height adjustable in relation to the frame, and wherein a second set that trails is separably height adjustable in relation to the frame; 
 wherein the frame that supports the plurality of the shearing machine positions each of the plurality of shearing machines to be distanced apart from each other in each of the first and second sets, and to be angled towards the artificial turf field; and 
 a vacuum that straightens a set of the artificial turf fibers that are to be cut, and that remove a cut set of the artificial turf fibers without removing an amount of infill of the artificial turf field 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus comprises tubing that supplies lubricant directly to a cutting mechanism of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first set and the second set are configured such that a second set center of the distance apart is offset from a first set center of distance apart and that provides a cutting path that has the second set partially overlapping the first set. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting path has revitalized artificial turf fibers that have been cut to the same height from the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the frame provides support that includes an adjustable tilt between the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a control circuit that controls power to the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the control circuit controls vacuum suction power. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a brush that prior to application of the apparatus, removes infill to a predetermined height. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the brush in removing infill assists in straightening the set of the artificial turf fibers that are to be cut. 
     
     
         17 . A method for prolonging artificial turf field use, comprising:
 providing an artificial turf field that includes original artificial turf fibers having a fiber length of about three to four inches and an original infill height of about two and quarter inches to three and a quarter inches; and   cutting the artificial turf field with a revitalizing apparatus, the revitalizing apparatus comprising:
 a frame that supports a plurality of shearing machines; 
 the plurality of shearing machines that are individually powered, and that are configured to cut in two sets, wherein a first set that leads is height adjustable in relation to the frame, and wherein a second set that trails is separably height adjustable in relation to the frame; 
 wherein the frame that supports the plurality of the shearing machine positions each of the plurality of shearing machines to be distanced apart from each other in each of the first and second sets, and to be angled towards the artificial turf field; and 
 a vacuum that straightens a set of the artificial turf fibers that are to be cut, and that remove a cut set of the artificial turf fibers without removing an amount of infill of the artificial turf field. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the revitalizing apparatus comprises tubing that supplies lubricant directly to a cutting mechanism of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first set and the second set are configured such that a second set center of the distance apart is offset from a first set center of distance apart and that provides a cutting path that has the second set partially overlapping the first set, wherein the cutting path has revitalized artificial turf fibers that have been cut to the same height from the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines, and, wherein the frame provides support that includes an adjustable tilt between the first and second sets of the plurality of shearing machines. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , the revitalizing apparatus further comprising a brush that prior to application of the apparatus, removes infill to a predetermined height, wherein the brush in removing infill assists in straightening the set of the artificial turf fibers that are to be cut.