Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a padel turf sand brush for maintenance of indoor and outdoor padel turfs.

Background

[0002] To maximise the lifespan of a padel turf, and to guarantee the best playing conditions, the turf regularly needs to be maintained. A padel turf comprises artificial grass filled with about 2000 kg of sand. The sand upholds the grass blades when exposed to pressure from above which otherwise would be damaged and provides a better surface layer for the padel player.

[0003] That the sand in the padel turf hardens over time, as the turf is being exposed to the physical weight of padel players as well as to water, e.g., rainwater or tap water, is a problem for both the longevity of the turf and for the optimisation of the playing conditions. A too hardened sand surface also prevents further water of flowing out.

[0004] The movement of players around the court when playing causes the surface sand to be displaced. The redistribution of sand prevents injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating, and changing direction, as well as providing a better ball bounce. Redistribution of the sand over the padel turf should be conducted daily, or even after every game.

[0005] In the shady and less used areas of the turf, often mainly the perimeter area, it is possible that fungus and moss appear.

[0006] Special machinery equipped with rotating brushes, which can be found on the market at high prices, are sometimes used for the maintenance of padel turfs. [0007] It would be highly beneficial if a device would be available, which could help in redistributing the sand at a padel turf for maximising the lifespan of the turf, for improving the playing conditions, and for preventing the sand in the padel turf to harden.

[0008] Furthermore, it would also be beneficial if said device which could help in redistributing the sand at a padel turf, could in particular prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating, and changing direction, as well as providing a better ball bounce.

[0009] Finally, it would be advantageous if said device would be relatively cost efficient, could prevent fungus and moss to appear and could also help in the collection of litter and residues from the turf.

[0010] It is therefore desirable to accomplish a device which could help in redistributing the sand at a padel turf for maximising the lifespan of the turf, improve the playing conditions, prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, prevent injury to padel players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, provide a better ball bounce, be relatively cost efficient, prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf, and could help in the collection of litter and residues from the turf.

Summary of invention

[0011] An objective of the present invention is thus to accomplish a device which could help in redistributing the sand at an indoor or outdoor padel turf for maximising the lifespan of the turf, improve the playing conditions, prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, prevent injury to padel players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, provide a better ball bounce, be relatively cost efficient, prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf, and could help in the collection of litter and residues from the turf.

[0012] According to one aspect, the invention concerns a padel turf sand brush for maintenance of indoor and outdoor padel turfs. The brush comprising a base member. The brush member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface. The base member may be arranged horizontally when being used on a padel turf. The base member has further a main direction defined as the direction of travel when the brush is in use, and a secondary direction defined as being perpendicular to the main direction. The main direction and the secondary direction are substantially in the horizontal plane when the brush is in use. The brush further comprising a brush shaft arranged to the base member. The base member and the brush shaft are interconnected by means of a connecting part. The padel turf sand brush has a weight of at least 10kg. The brush further comprises a plurality of elongated brush portions, arranged to the bottom surface of the base member. Each elongated brush portion comprises a plurality of bristles and are substantially elongated in the secondary direction. The elongated brush portions are distributed with a distance in the main direction, so that the padel turf sand is trapped between a first and a second of said plurality of elongated brush portions 9, 10 during movement of the brush in the main direction for distribution of sand from areas with excess of sand to areas with a shortage of sand.

[0013] In the context of this application, "a padel turf sand brush" is used interchangeably with only "brush" but is always meant to be the brush which is to be used on a padel turf to redistribute sand.

[0014] An advantage of the solution, is that it redistributes the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn: maximises the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, improves the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, prevents injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, supports the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, prevents the sand in the padel turf to harden, is relatively cost efficient, and prevents fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0015] The device above may be configured according to different optional embodiments. For example, wherein the brush may further comprise a collection container detachably arranged to the base member, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. [0016] An advantage of the solution is that it provides the possibility to help in the collection of litter and residues from the turf, and that it collects leaves, seeds, weeds, and other types of residues that can decompose to facilitate the formation of fungi on the turf.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the length of the bristles may be shorter than the distance between the first and the second elongated brush portion, for providing said transfer effect of sand in front of the first and the second elongated brush portion in the direction of travel.

[0018] An advantage of the solution, is that it even better may redistribute the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn may: even better maximise the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, even better improve the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, even better prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, even better support the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, even better prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, and even better prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the length of the bristles may be 15-50mm, preferably about 20-40 mm, most preferably 25-35 mm.

[0020] An advantage of the solution is that the length of the bristles is well balanced. The shorter the bristles are, the stiffness of the bristles increases. For the brush to function well with the artificial grass and the sand, the length of the bristles, i.e. the stiffness of the bristles, should preferably be high enough.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the plurality of elongated brush portions may be 30-150mm, preferably 41-60 mm.

[0022] In some embodiments, the distance between two adjacent elongated brush portions may be further than the distance between two other adjacent elongated brush portions. E.g., a first and second elongated brush portion, as seen in the traveling direction of the brush when in use, may be distanced from each other a length of about twice the length as compared to the third and fourth elongated brush portions.

[0023] An advantage of the solution, is that it even better may redistribute the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn may: even better maximise the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, even better improve the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, even better prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, even better support the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, even better prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, and even better prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush may comprise seven elongated brush portions, for providing said transfer effect of sand in between the seven elongated brush portions in the direction of travel.

[0025] An advantage of the solution, is that it even better may redistribute the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn may: even better maximise the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, even better improve the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, even better prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, even better support the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, even better prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, and even better prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the weight of the base member may be 10-40 kg, preferably between 12-30kg and more preferably between 14-25kg. The base member may have a rectangular shape. The width of the base member may be 400- 500 mm and the length of the base member may be 700-800 mm, for providing a suitable interaction between the brush and the artificial grass of the padel turf.

[0027] An advantage of the solution is that it provides the possibility for the brush to have a certain weight to function well. This as the brush must have enough weight to fulfil this requirement. However, if the brush is too heavy the brush will be difficult for the user to pull, or even worse, get stuck in the artificial grass. Furthermore, if it is too light the brush will float on top of the artificial grass without any proper interaction with the sand.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting part at a first end may be connected to a first end of the brush shaft. The connecting part at a second end may further be connected to a front portion of the base member in the direction of travel.

[0029] An advantage of the solution, is that it will be relatively easy to pull over the turf, and thus even better may redistribute the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn may: even better maximise the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, even better improve the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, even better prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, even better support the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, even better prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, and even better prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush may comprise a first bumper arranged at a first corner of the base member, and a second bumper arranged at a second corner of the base member, for preventing the base member to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush may further comprise a third bumper arranged at a third corner of the base member, and a fourth bumper arranged at a fourth corner of the base member, for preventing the base member to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use.

[0032] An advantage of above two solutions, is that they prevent the base member to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush may further comprise a first wheel arranged at a first corner on the top surface of the base member, and a second wheel arranged at a second corner on the top surface of the base member. For the first and the second wheel to function as transportation means for the brush when the base member is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member rests on the first and the second wheel.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush may further comprise a third wheel arranged at a third corner on the top surface of the base member, and a fourth wheel arranged at a fourth corner on the top surface of the base member. For the third and the fourth wheel to function as transportation means for the brush when the base member is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member rests on the third and the fourth wheel.

[0035] An advantage of the two solutions above, is that they provide transportation means for the brush when the base member is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member rests on the wheels.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first, second, third and fourth wheel may function as said bumpers.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention, the base member may be rigid.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush shaft may comprise a telescopic function.

[0039] An advantage of the solution, is that it provides the possibility for the length of the brush shaft to be individually adapted, and thus even better may redistribute the sand on the turf evenly over the turf, which in turn may: even better maximise the lifespan of the turf by avoiding that in some areas the artificial grass fibres remain completely covered by sand or that in other areas the artificial grass fibres remain too free of sand, even better improve the playing conditions and allows the ball to bounce consistently, even better prevent injury to players' ligaments when twisting, accelerating and changing direction, even better support the artificial grass on the turf better preventing the turf to deteriorate too early, even better prevent the sand in the padel turf to harden, and even better prevent fungus and moss to appear on the turf.

[0040] The front side of the brush, in the direction of travel, varies, as the brush can be rotated and subsequently being pulled by the user. Therefore, the container may be connected to the different sides of the brush, as the container should be detachably connected to the front side of the base member, in the direction of travel, for the collection of litter, residues, among others.

[0041] The brush shaft may be arranged to the top surface of the base member.

[0042] The first and the second elongated brush portion may be fixedly connected or detachably connected to the bottom surface. The latter alternative may be used when the user wants to replace the first and the second elongated brush portions when worn out.

[0043] The bottom surface of the base member is the surface facing the ground/padel turf when the brush is in use.

[0044] The brush shaft may be arranged on the top surface of the base member.

[0045] The shape of the first and the second elongated brush portion could either be a straight line, a wave format, a zigzag format, among others.

[0046] Tests of the invention have shown that when the elongated brush portions are forming straight lines, the redistribution of sand may be optimised. [0047] The plurality of bristles of the elongated brush portions may be made of a polymer material. The plurality of bristles of the elongated brush portions may be made of a rubber material. The material of the plurality of bristles may be soft or medium hard.

[0048] The plurality of bristles may also be a plurality of polymer or rubber teeth.

[0049] The padel turf comprises artificial grass which most often have a length of approximately 12 mm.

[0050] The first and the second elongated brush portion interact, when the brush is being used, by sand being trapped in between the two portions for a certain time, such that the sand is being transferred from one area of the turf to another. By using an ordinary brush comprising only one elongated brush portion the sand is not being trapped as described, and the efficiency of the transfer of sand would be limited compared to the invention.

[0051] The collection container may be detachably arranged to a front portion of the base member in the direction of travel, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. The collection container may also be detachably arranged to a back side of the base member in the direction of travel, for the collection of litter, residues, among others.

[0052] By varying the length of the bristles, the distance between the elongated brush portions, the number of elongated brush portions, the size of the brush and the weight of the brush different effective configurations may be achieved. In one example, there are 4-8 elongated brush portions, distances at 10-5 cm from each other and having a length of 2-4 cm, and with a weight of about 13-25 kg.

[0053] When the brush is in use, the sand will initially both be transferred a bit forward, in the direction of travel, and a bit backwards, as the sand will spatter slightly due to the movement of bristles. Some of the sand will subsequently be trapped in between the first and the second elongated brush portion. Finally, the sand will drop down at another area of the turf, in the direction of travel, as the brush is either passing by or being stopped. [0054] The brush may be used at both indoor and outdoor padel turfs.

[0055] The brush may further comprise a locking member or connecting bracket arranged on the top surface of the base member, for releasable connection of the base member to the brush shaft. To be used when the base member is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member without falling may rest on the first and the second wheel or on the third and the fourth wheel.

Brief description of drawings

[0056] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a brush in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a front portion of the base member in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a back portion of the base member in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a brush tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a brush with a collection container arranged at a back portion of the base member and tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position in a perspective view, according to an embodiment.

[0062] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for redistributing sand at a padel turf.

Description of embodiments

[0063] In the following, a detailed description of a brush for maintenance of indoor and outdoor padel turfs is provided. [0064] Fig. 1 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brush 1 comprises a base member 2. The base member 2 comprises a top surface 3. The brush 1 further comprises a brush shaft 7 arranged to the base member 2. The base member 2 and the brush shaft 7 are interconnected by means of a connecting part 8.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, the brush 1 comprises a collection container 12 detachably arranged to the base member 2, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. The collection container is detachably arranged to a front portion 21 of the base member in the direction of travel. The brush 2 comprises a first bumper 22 arranged at a first corner 23 of the base member 2, and a second bumper 24 arranged at a second corner 25 of the base member 2, for preventing the base member 2 to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use. The brush 1 comprises a third bumper 26 arranged at a third corner 27 of the base member 2, and a fourth bumper 28 arranged at a fourth corner 29 of the base member 2, for preventing the base member 2 to collide into the glass walls of the padel court when in use. The brush 1 comprises a first wheel 30 arranged at a first corner 31 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, and a second wheel 32 arranged at a second corner 33 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, for the first 30 and the second wheel 32 to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member 2 rests on the first 30 and the second wheel 32. The brush 1 comprises a third wheel 34 arranged at a third corner 35 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, and a fourth wheel 36 arranged at a fourth corner 37 on the top surface 3 of the base member 2, for the third 34 and the fourth wheel 36 to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that the base member 2 rests on the third 34 and the fourth wheel 36. The first 30, second 32, third 34 and fourth wheel 36 function in this embodiment as said bumpers 22, 24, 26, 28.

[0066] Fig. 3 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, the brush

1 comprises a collection container 12 detachably arranged to the base member 2, for the collection of litter, residues, among others. The collection container is detachably arranged to a back portion 38 of the base member in the direction of travel. The connecting part 8 at a first end 18 is connected to a first end 19 of the brush shaft 7. The connecting part 8 at a second end 20 is further connected to the front portion 21 of the base member 2 in the direction of travel. The base member 2 further has a main direction 5 defined as the direction of travel when the brush 1 is in use, and a secondary direction 6 defined as being perpendicular to the main direction 5. The main direction 5 and the secondary direction 6 are substantially in the horizontal plane when the brush 1 is in use on the padel turf. The connecting part 8 is preferably arranged to allow movements between the shaft 7 and the base member 2 while the base member is kept in the horizontal plane, to simplify movements on the padel turf. Further, the connecting part 8 is also preferably arranged to allow movements between the shaft 7 and the base member 2 so that the base member 2 is moved out of the horizontal plane, to tilt the base member towards the shaft so that the base member extends along the shaft when move onto or out of the padel turf, or when being stored.

[0067] The base member 2 preferably also comprise a connecting bracket or locking member 39, which is to be used to lock or attach the base member to the shaft at a second portion of the base member 2. This locking member may be formed as a resilient receiving gripping means for receiving and holding the shaft in the locked position. The locking member may also interact directly with the shaft, or with a corresponding member mounted to the shaft for holding the two members together. E.g., a ball and bowl coupling may be used where the ball locks into the bowl in the locked position. The locked position is preferably the substantial vertical position or at least the position in which the base member extends along the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the locking member may be locked to the shaft 7 with a secondary lock (not illustrated), such as a cotter or other mechanical element that prevents the connecting bracket or locking member 29 to disengage from the shaft. [0068] In the locked position the brush may preferably be stored or transported so as to assure a compact storage and movement.

[0069] Fig. 4 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The base member 2 is tipped over 90° from the horizontal position to a vertical position. The base member (2 comprises a bottom surface 4. The base member has a width 16 and a length 17. The brush 1 comprises a first 9 and a second elongated brush portion 10, arranged to the bottom surface 4 of the base member 2. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 comprises a plurality of bristles 11. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 are substantially elongated in the secondary direction 6. The first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 are distributed in the main direction 5.

[0070] Fig. 5 shows a brush 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brush 1 comprises seven elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, for providing a transfer effect of sand in between the seven elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g in the direction of travel. The bristles 11 of the first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10 have a length 13. There is a distance 14 between the first 9 and the second elongated brush portion 10. The orientation of the brush as disclosed in figures 4 and 5 illustrates the state in which the brush is preferably stored, but also transported onto and out of the padel turf, as disclosed in more detail below.

[0071] Finally, fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for redistributing sand at a padel turf. The method is already implicitly disclosed above, in how the padel turf sand brush is to be used. The method as disclosed in fig. 6 uses a padel turf sand brush which may include all parts and portions as described above or may be a simplified sand brush in any sense. However, the brush should comprise a plurality of elongated brush portions 15a, 15b, 15c arranged to a bottom surface 4 of a base member 2. Each brush portion should also a plurality of bristles 11. The weight of the padel turf sand brush is also important, as the weight enables the brush to reach the sand deep into the turf. The weight should be at least about 10kg. However, it is possible to perform this with substantially heavier brushes, such as 15kg, 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg or even 40kg.

[0072] The method comprising the steps as illustrated by the flow chart boxes. The first step is transporting SI the brush 1 onto the padel turf while having the base member 2 in an at least partly vertical orientation. This is illustrated in figs. 4-5 as discussed above. The transportation step is preferably carried out in the secondary direction 6. In this step the base member is preferably locked to the shaft by the locking member 39. The locking member may be disengaged by mere force, or by applying a mechanical or electrical operation to disengage the locking member from the shaft.

[0073] The second step is tipping S2 the base member into a substantially horizontal orientation coinciding with a surface of the padel turf. Before the tipping, the shaft is preferably disengaged from the locking member 39 as discussed above. The horizontal orientation is illustrated in figures 1-3 above.

[0074] The tipping is preferably performed by the connecting part 8. The connecting part preferably allows movements of the base member both in the horizontal plane and out of the horizontal plane.

[0075] In the third step the brush is moved S3 on the padel turf along a main direction so that sand is trapped between a first and a second of the plurality of elongated brush portions for distributing sand from areas with excess of sand to areas with shortage of sand. This is simply the step where the brush is used to redistribute the sand.

[0076] In the fourth step the method, the base member 2 is tipped S4 back into an at least partly vertical orientation. Preferably the base member is here also engaged with the shaft by the locking member 39. In the last step as illustrated the brush is transported S5 away from the padel turf while having the base member 2 in the at least partly vertical orientation.

[0077] The fact that the base member may be in at least a partly vertical position when transported, or when stored, enables is to enter a smaller opening in the glass walls of a padel court. Also, storage space is substantially reduced with the tipping/tilting of the base member and locking it to the shaft.

It is understood that the method above may be combined in any way with the brush as described above. Thus, any functional or structural feature of the brush as mention in the description or drawings of this application should be understood to have a corresponding method step relevant for the method as described above.

For example, the first wheel and second wheel as described above are to be interpreted as being possible to function as transportation means for the brush 1 when the base member 2 is in the at least partly vertical position and transported in step SI or S4.

The inventive concept is further only limited by the features in the claims as defined below.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

1 = Padel turf sand brush (or simply "brush")

2 = base member

3 = top surface of base member

4 = bottom surface of base member

5 = main direction of base member

6 = secondary direction of base member

7 = brush shaft

8 = connecting part = first elongated brush portion = second elongated brush portion = plurality of bristles = collection container = length of the bristles = distance between the first and the second elongated brush portiona, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g = seven elongated brush portions = width of base member = length of base member = first end of connecting part = first end of brush shaft = second end of connecting part = front portion of base member = first bumper = first corner of base member = second bumper = second corner of base member = third bumper = third corner of base member = fourth bumper = fourth corner of base member = first wheel = first corner on top surface of base member = second wheel = second corner on top surface of base member = third wheel = third corner on top surface of base member = fourth wheel = fourth corner on top surface of base member = back portion of base member 39 = locking member