Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SCARIFIER SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF RESURFACING OR REMODELING A
GROUND SURFACE USING THE SCARIFIER SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a scarifier systems, and
more particularly,
to a scarifier system for cutting channels into a ground surface according to
a chosen design
pattern, the scarifier system comprising a scarifier machine working in
conjunction with at least
one guiding element configured to guide the scarifier machine such that the
machine advances in
accordance with said chosen design pattern. The present invention also relates
to a method of
resurfacing or remodeling a ground surface according to a chosen design
pattern using the
scarifier system.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Driveways are commonly used as roads leading to real estates from a
public road.
Such real estates may be, for instance, garages, carports, houses or
buildings. An area of
pavement in front of a garage with a curb cut in the sidewalk is also called a
driveway. In some
instances, driveways may be too small to accommodate a car, and yet still be
called a driveway.
In most cases, however, driveways are large enough to accommodate one or more
vehicles.
[0003] Driveways often have a lighter traffic, or even have no vehicles
parked during the
way (e.g., during normal working hours). Because of this, many homeowners are
willing to
invest in the aesthetic construction of their property. Furthermore, driveways
can be more easily
decorated, in contrast to public roads. Driveways are usually not reground
surfaced, snow blown
or otherwise maintained by the local authorities.
[0004] Commercial property driveways, parking lots and other similar
pavement areas are
also susceptible to being decorated. This may enhance their aesthetical appeal
and ability to
attract consumers, as well as rendering the consuming experience overall more
pleasant.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0005] Materials used for driveways and pavement structures typically
include asphalt,
which is a form of petroleum mainly used for making asphalt concrete for
paving road surfaces
and driveway surfaces. Materials used for driveways and pavement structures
may additionally
or alternatively include concrete, which is a composite material usually
composed of fine and
coarse aggregate, wherein the aggregate is bonded together with a fluid
cement. Concrete and
asphalt need to harden over time. Driveways and pavement structures may
additionally or
alternatively include decorative brick, cobblestone, block paving, gravel, and
decomposed
granite. Any of the aforementioned materials may be surrounded with grass or
other ground-
covered plants.
[0006] Concrete can be cut by a concrete saw. This power tool can also be
used for cutting
masonry, brick, asphalt, tile, and other solid materials used in driveways.
Concrete saws are
usually powered by gasoline, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, or an electric
motor. Concrete
saws often comprise a saw blade, which can be a diamond saw blade to cut the
concrete, asphalt,
stone, etc. The significant friction generated in cutting hard substances like
concrete usually
requires the blades to be cooled to prolong their life and reduce dust. The
concrete saw may also
comprise cut-off wheels, which are optionally abrasive to be used on cut-off
saws.
[0007] The choice of the saw blade should be matched between the saw
blade's features and
the concrete/asphalts type. Some concretes are reinforced and have steel bars
in them. Some
concretes' stone aggregate is pebbles and some is crushed rocks. Cured
concretes' curing time is
long and green concretes' is short. The saw blades should have different
design to fit these
concrete or asphalt.
[0008] Another type of concrete-cutting machine is known as a scarifier,
surface planer or
milling machine. A scarifier is typically a wheeled apparatus comprising
several concrete-cutting
blades that rotate at high speeds in order to erode or scar a concrete,
asphalt or other hard surface
as the apparatus rollingly moves on and along the hard surface.
[0009] Concrete saws and scarifiers usually possess a heavy weight.
Therefore, the person
using these devices for cutting concrete may have difficulties to cut straight
channels in the
concrete. This is specially the case when the concrete is reinforced and has
steel bars or the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
concretes' stone aggregate is pebbles or crushed rocks. Thus, a person will
have difficulties to cut
channels in the concrete according to a chosen design pattern.
[0010] Accordingly, there is an established need for a concrete-cutting
system which allows
to cut a concrete, asphalt or other hard surface according to a chosen design
pattern.
Summary of the Invention
[0011] The present invention is directed to a scarifier or concrete-cutting
system for cutting
channels into a concrete, asphalt or other hard ground or surface according to
a chosen design
pattern. The scarifier system comprises a scarifier machine and a guide system
for guiding the
scarifier machine on a tracked trail. The means for guiding the scarifier
machine on a tracked
trail can include one or more guide rail receivers mounted on a guide rail and
configured to slide
or roll on, and along, the guide rail.
[0012] Introducing a first embodiment of the invention, the present
invention consists of a
scarifier system for cutting channels into a ground surface according to a
chosen design pattern.
The scarifier system comprises a scarifier machine and a guide system for
guiding the scarifier
machine on a tracked trail.
[0013] In a second aspect, the guide system may include one or more guide
rails.
[0014] In another aspect, the one or more guide rails may be configured to
be secured to the
ground surface.
[0015] In another aspect, at least one guide rail of the one or more guide
rails may be at least
partially straight.
[0016] In another aspect, at least one guide rail of the one or more guide
rails may be at least
partially curved.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0017] In yet another aspect, the scarifier system may include at least one
guide rail receiver
carried by the scarifier machine and configured to engage with and move along
a guide rail of
the one or more guide rails.
[0018] In another aspect, the at least one guide rail receiver may comprise
at least one sliding
bracket configured to slide on the guide rail.
[0019] In another aspect, the sliding bracket may have an inverted-U-shape.
[0020] In another aspect, the at least one guide rail receiver may include
at least one roller
configured to engage with and roll along the guide rail.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the at least one guide rail receiver may be
connected to the
scarifier machine by a support arm, wherein the at least one guide rail
receiver is supported in a
spaced apart relationship with the scarifier machine by the support arm.
[0022] In another aspect, at least one guide rail of the one or more guide
rails may be
elongate and include a first portion and a second portion arranged at an angle
such that the guide
rail has an L-shaped transverse cross-section. The first portion of the at
least one guide rail may
be attachable to the ground surface and the second portion of the at least one
guide rail may be
configured to rise from the ground surface when the first portion is attached
to the ground
surface.
[0023] In another aspect, the second portion of the guide rail may be
perpendicular to the
first portion of the guide rail.
[0024] In another aspect, the second portion of the guide rail can be
arranged at an angle
other than 90 degrees relative to the first portion of the guide rail.
[0025] In yet another aspect, the at least one guide rail receiver may be
configured to engage
with a top of the second portion of the guide rail.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0026] In another aspect, the scarifier machine of the scarifier system may
comprise at least
one pair of wheels providing the scarifier machine with rolling mobility
relative to the ground
surface.
[0027] In another aspect, the scarifier system may be configured to adopt
an assembled
configuration in which the at least one guide rail receiver engages with a
guide rail of the one or
more guide rails such that the at least one guide rail receiver is movable
along the guide rail and
while the at least one pair of wheels roll on the ground surface.
[0028] In another aspect, the scarifier system may further include an
electrified member
including at least one of an overhead electrical power line and an electrified
rail attached to the
ground surface, the electrified member configured to provide electrical power
to the scarifier
machine.
[0029] In yet another aspect, at least one of the guide rails may be
equipped with an
electrification system inside one of the at least one guide rail.
[0030] In another aspect, at least one of the guide rails may be equipped
with an
electrification system comprising an overhead electrical power line or an
additional electrified
rail.
[0031] In another aspect, at least one of the wheels of the scarifier
machine may be conical
and the at least one guide rail may be sloped by the same amount to follow
curves better.
[0032] In another aspect, at least one of the wheels of the scarifier
machine may be
cylindrical and the at least one guide rail may be vertical.
[0033] In yet another aspect, at least one of the guide rails may be
attached to the ground
surface by a hooked spike or a screw spike.
[0034] Introducing another aspect of the invention, the present invention
consists of a
method for residential and commercial remodeling, in particular resurfacing or
remodeling of
ground surfaces, such as driveways, backyards, warehouses, patios, clubs and
hotels.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0035] A first step of the method can include repairing and cleaning the
ground surface if
needed. A second step can include planning a design pattern to remodel the
ground surface and
to mark the ground surface according to the chosen design pattern of the
ground surface to be
remodeled. A third step may include installing at least one guide rail on the
ground surface
according to the chosen design pattern of the ground surface to be remodeled.
The at least one
guide rail can be installed on the ground surface by bolts, for instance and
without limitation.
The fourth step comprises placing a scarifier machine, having at least one
guide rail receiver, on
at least one guide rail such that the at least one guide rail receiver couples
to the guide rail in a
manner that the guide rail receiver can move along and be guided by the guide
rail. In case the
guide rail receiver of the scarifier machine comprises at least one sliding
bracket, the sliding
bracket can be placed on top of the guide rail. In case the guide rail
receiver of the scarifier
machine comprises at least one rolling carriage having at least one pair of
wheels, the at least one
pair of wheels grips the guide rail in a manner that the wheels roll along the
guide rail to make it
possible for the scarifier machine to be guided along the guide rail. Upon
starting the engine of
the scarifier machine, the cutting wheels start to turn and cut the ground
surface. Guided by the
coupling between the at least one guide rail receiver and the at least one
guide rail, the scarifier
machine advances along the at least one guide rail and cuts a channel into the
ground surface.
The fifth step comprises removing the at least one guide rail after a set of
channels in accordance
with the design pattern is obtained. The sixth step comprises cleaning the
residual concrete from
the ground surface if needed. The seventh step comprises painting the ground
surface if needed.
The eight step comprises applying glue or another adhesive inside the channels
to add artificial
grass or any other decorative material. The ninth step comprises adding
artificial grass or other
decorative material in the channels.
[0036] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will
become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed
description of the
preferred embodiments, which follow.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0037] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be
described in
conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit
the invention,
where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 presents a top front isometric view of a scarifier machine
according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 presents a bottom front isometric view of the scarifier
machine of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 3 presents an exploded top front view of the scarifier machine
of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 4 presents a top front isometric view of a scarifier system
according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 5 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view of a sliding
bracket of the
scarifier machine of FIG. 1 on a guide rail;
[0043] FIG. 6 presents a top isometric view of the scarifier system of FIG.
4;
[0044] FIG. 7 presents a top front isometric view of a scarifier system
with pairs of wheels;
and
[0045] FIG. 8 presents a method of cutting channels into a concrete of a
driveway using the
scarifier system.
[0046] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views of the
drawings.
Detailed Description
[0047] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended
to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the
described embodiments. As
used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an
example, instance, or
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or
"illustrative" is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
implementations. All of the
implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to
enable persons
skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are
not intended to limit
the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of
description herein,
the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "rear", "right", "front", "vertical",
"horizontal", and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.
Furthermore, there is no
intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the
preceding technical
field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is
also to be
understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and
described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of
the inventive
concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other
physical
characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be
considered as limiting,
unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0048] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed
toward a scarifier
system for cutting channels into a concrete, asphalt or other hard surface or
ground according to
a chosen design pattern, the scarifier system comprising a scarifier machine
and a guide system
for guiding the scarifier machine along a desired direction or path.
[0049] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a top front isometric view of a
concrete-cutting machine
or scarifier machine 100 (hereinafter referred to generically as scarifier
machine 100) according
to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is presented. It must
be noted that, while a
scarifier machine is shown, alternative concrete/asphalt-cutting machines can
be used in lieu of
the scarifier machine without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. In addition,
throughout the present description, unless expressed otherwise, the term
'concrete' may be used
generically for clarity purposes, in which case said term shall be understood
to encompass
concrete, asphalt, cement or any other hard material or combination of
materials used to
construct driveways, pavements, roads, floors, grounds or the like.
[0050] The scarifier machine 100 depicted herein as an illustrative, non-
limiting example of
the invention is compact and comprises an engine 102, which can be, for
instance and without
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
limitation a HONDA 9HP 270cc gas engine. Furthermore, the scarifier machine
100 comprises a
fuel tank 104 for storing the fuel for powering the engine 102. The fuel tank
104 of the present
embodiment is placed above the engine 102. In addition, the scarifier machine
100 comprises a
set of wheels 105 providing rolling mobility to the scarifier machine 100, and
two handles 106
for an easy pushing and/or pulling of the scarifier machine 100 by a person in
order to roll the
scarifier machine 100 along a ground or surface 400 (FIG. 5).
[0051] As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 2, the scarifier machine 100
further comprises a
cutting wheel 110 configured to erode, cut, grind or mill a concrete surface
(e.g., surface 400)
which lies underneath the scarifier machine 100. In different embodiments of
the invention, the
size and shape of the cutting wheel 110 may vary, such as in dependence of the
desired width or
depth to be cut into the surface 400. For example, the cutting wheel 110 may
consist in a 4-inch
diamond cutting wheel to produce or cut a 4-inch wide channel or groove into
the concrete
surface 400. The cutting wheel 110 of the present embodiment is powered by the
engine 102. It
must be noted that, alternatively or additionally to having the cutting wheel
actuated by a fuel-
powered engine, the scarifier machine may include an electric motor, pneumatic
actuator,
hydraulic actuator and/or other actuator configured to impart rotational
energy to the cutting
wheel.
[0052] Referring again to FIG. 1, the scarifier machine 100 further
comprises at least one
guide rail receiver 112 configured to participate in guiding the scarifier
machine 100 as will be
described in detail hereinafter. For instance, the present scarifier machine
100 specifically
includes two guide rail receivers 112. The guide rail receiver(s) 112 can be
provided on one or
more sides of the scarifier machine 100. For instance, the present embodiment
includes guide rail
receivers 112 on a single side of the scarifier machine 100 (the right-hand
side, as shown). In
different embodiments, the one or more guide rail receivers 112 may extend
outward from a
chassis of scarifier machine or other parts of the machine. For instance, the
guide rail receivers
112 depicted herein are carried by a plate 108 which in turn is attached to a
body or chassis 101
of the scarifier machine 100, such as by bolts 109; this configuration allows,
for instance, to
adapt existing or conventional scarifier machines in order to provide the
method and system of
the present disclosure. The plate 108 can present any applicable shape that is
best suited for the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
surface of the scarifier machine on which it is to be attached; for instance,
the plate 108 of the
present embodiment is generally rectangular, which allows for a simple
construction and yet a
relatively large surface area, increasing robustness of the plate 108 and the
plate-chassis
connection. The plate 108 may have rounded edges.
[0053] In different implementations of the invention, the guide rail
receiver(s) can be non-
removably attached to the plate 108 or other part of the scarifier machine 100
(e.g., integrally-
formed with the chassis 101) or removably attached to the plate 108 or other
part of the scarifier
machine 100. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail receivers 112 of
the present
embodiment are disconnectably connected to the plate 108. Each of the guide
rail receivers 112
comprises a supporting arm 116, which can extend from the plate 108 in a
manner that the
supporting arm 116 is arranged perpendicular to the plate 108. In some
embodiments, the
supporting arm 116 can be disconnectably attached to the plate 108 or other
part of the scarifier
machine 100; for example, the supporting arms 116 of the present embodiment
are threaded to
the plate 108. A screwable or otherwise disconnectable guide rail receiver 112
makes it possible
to attach guide rail receivers of different shape and size to the plate 108.
For example guide rail
receivers 112 having supporting arms 116 of different length may be screwed to
the plate 108 in
order to fit the guide rail receivers 112 to guide rails with different
spacing relative to the cutting
wheel 110 of the scarifier machine 100.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the guide rail receiver 112 of the present
embodiment is formed
comprising a rigid, inverted U-shaped sliding bracket 114 and the
aforementioned supporting
arm 116, wherein the sliding bracket 114 is carried by the supporting arm 116.
The sliding
bracket 114 is configured to rests on and clasp, or engage with, a top of a
second portion 132 of a
guide rail 124 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The
supporting arm 116 extends
from an inner a side of the sliding bracket 114 to the plate 108 on the
scarifier machine 100 such
that the sliding bracket 114 and plate 108 are maintained in a spaced-apart
relationship by the
supporting arm 116.
[0055] Turning to FIG. 4, a top front isometric view of a scarifier system
122 according to an
embodiment of the present invention is presented. The scarifier system 122
comprises the
scarifier machine 100 of FIGS. 1-3 and a guide rail 124 arranged on a side
(e.g., the right-hand
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
side) of the scarifier machine 100. The guide rail 124 is removably mounted on
the ground
surface 400 by bolts 126. The scarifier machine 100 is placed on the guide
rail 124 in a manner
that the sliding brackets 114 of the guide rail receivers 112 fit onto or
engage with the guide rail
124 in such a way that the sliding brackets 114 are slidable along the guide
rail 124. The sliding
coupling between the guide rail 124, which is fixed to the ground surface 400,
and the sliding
brackets 114, which are fixed to or carried by the scarifier machine 100, make
it possible for the
scarifier machine 100 to slide along the guide rails 124 and be guided along
the ground surface
by the guide rails 124. As a consequence of such guiding, the cutting wheels
110 of the scarifier
machine 100 can cut perfectly straight or curved lines as defined by the shape
of the guide rail
124. For example, the guide rail 124 shown in FIG. 4 is straight and allows
the cutting wheels
110 to cut a perfectly straight channel as the scarifier machine 100 advances
guided by the guide
rail 124.
[0056]
As further shown in FIG. 5, the guide rail 124 can be an elongate body
comprising a
first portion 130 and a second portion 132 extending at an angle with one
another such that the
elongate body has an L-shaped transverse cross-section, as shown. The first
portion 130 of the
guide rail 124 is placed flatly on the concrete ground surface 400 and screwed
to the ground
surface 400 by the aforementioned bolts 126. The second portion 132 of the
guide rail 124, in
turn, rises from the ground surface 400, for instance perpendicularly to the
first portion 130, as
shown. However, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the second
portion 132 is
not perpendicular to the first portion 130 so that when the first portion 130
is rested on a sloped
ground surface 400, the second portion 132 can rise vertically. In some
embodiments, such as the
present embodiment, the first and second portions 130 and 132 are integrally-
formed into a
single-piece unit. In other embodiments, the first and second portions 130 and
132 of the guide
rail 124 can be adjustable relative to one another such that a user can select
the angle formed
between them and thus customize the guide rail 124 in accordance with the
specific slope of
different ground surfaces 124 such that the first portion 130 can rest on the
sloped ground surface
400 while the second portion 132 can rise vertically. For example, the first
and second portions
130 and 132 of the guide rail 124 can be pivotably connected to one another
and selectively
lockable to different angles relative to one another as desired by the user in
dependence of the
slope of the ground surface 400.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0057] In further embodiments, the wheels of the scarifier machine may be
conical and the
guide rails may be sloped by the same amount to assist in following curves
formed in the guide
rail. In other embodiments, the wheels of the scarifier machine may be
cylindrical and the guide
rails of the tracked trail may be vertical.
[0058] The illustration of FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the scarifier
system 122 of FIG. 4,
comprising the scarifier machine 100 and the straight guide rail 124, with the
scarifier system
122 shown in operation. As can be seen, when the engine 102 of the scarifier
machine 100 is
turned on, the cutting wheels 110 (see FIG. 2) start to rotate and scarify the
ground surface 400.
With the engine 102 running, a user (not shown) grasps the handle 106 and
pushes the scarifier
machine 100 forward (or, alternatively, the scarifier machine 100 may be self-
propelled to
advance forward without requiring an external pushing force). As the scarifier
machine 100
advances forward, the scarifier machine 100 is guided by the guide rail 124
engagement with the
guide rail receivers 112, to cause the scarifier machine 100 to advance in a
guide direction 136
defined by -and following the shape of- the guide rail 124, and the cutting
wheels 110 cut a
channel 138 in the ground surface 400 also shaped as the guide rail 124. Once
the channel 138 is
formed, the guide rail 124 can be disconnected and removed from the ground
surface 400. The
process can be repeated to form additional channels by mounting the guide rail
124 in separate
locations and once more running the scarifier machine 100 along the guide rail
124. For instance,
the drawing of FIG. 6 shows a second channel 140 formed in parallel
relationship with channel
138; the second channel 140 has been formed by mounting the guide rail 124 in
a second
location, parallel and spaced apart from the current location of the guide
rail 124 shown in the
figure. The channel(s) 138, 140 that are cut into the concrete ground surface
400 can optionally
be filled with decorative items such as artificial grass, real grass, stones,
pebbles, gravel, or
combinations thereof, for instance and without limitation, which can provide
an aesthetically
pleasing contrast and visual finish to the surrounding concrete. The
decorative items can be
adhered inside the channel(s), such as to a channel floor and/or sidewalls, by
an adhesive
material such as, but not limited to, cement, silicone, or glue.
[0059] The illustration of FIG. 7 presents a scarifier system 222 according
to a second
illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the scarifier system 222
comprising a scarifier
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
machine 200 and a guide rail 224. Like features of the scarifier system 222,
scarifier machine
200 and guide rail 224 are numbered the same as those of the previously-
described scarifier
system 122, scarifier machine 100 and guide rail 124, except preceded by the
numeral '2'.
Similarly to the previous embodiment, the scarifier machine 200 carries a set
of one or more
guide rail receivers 212 arranged in spaced-apart relationship with a side of
the scarifier machine
200, such as by having the guide rail receivers 212 carried by supporting arms
220 which extend
from a plate 208 that is secured to the side of the scarifier machine 200.
However, unlike the
previous embodiment, each guide rail receiver 212 of the present embodiment is
formed as a
rolling carriage or rolling element such as, but not limited to, one or more
pairs of rollers or
wheels 214 configured to engage with, and roll along, the guide rail 224. In
the present
embodiment, more specifically, each of the two supporting arms 220 extending
from the plate
208 carries a pair of wheels 214 configured to receive the guide rail 224
therebetween, i.e. with
each wheel 212 gripping the guide rail 224 at an opposite side thereof. Once
the wheels 214 are
mounted on the guide rail 224, the wheels 214 can roll on the guide rail 224
when the scarifier
machine 200 is pushed or self-propelled forward. Similarly to the previous
embodiment, the
coupling between the wheels 214 and the guide rail 224 allow the scarifier
machine 200 to be
guided by, and along, the guide rail 224.
[0060] As can be further seen in the drawing, the guide rail 224 shown in
the second
illustrative scarifier system 200 comprises a straight part 250 and two curved
parts 252. In some
embodiments, the parts 250, 252 of the guide rail 224 can be integrally-formed
into a single-
piece unit. In other embodiments, the parts 250, 252 may be non-integrally
formed and may be
joined, for instance and without limitation, by a simple fishplate or a metal
bar bolted through the
web of the parts of the guide rail 224.
[0061] It is to be noted that the different embodiments of the scarifier
machine 100, 200
depicted herein and/or described heretofore can be used in combination with an
entirely-straight
guide rail (e.g., guide rail 124), an entirely-curved guide rail, a partially-
straight guide rail (e.g.,
guide rail 224), a partially-curved guide rail (e.g., guide rail 224), or
other guide rail shape. For
example, the guide rail 224 of FIG. 7 can be used with the scarifier machine
100 of FIG. 1, and
the guide rail 124 of FIG. 4 can be used with the scarifier machine 200 of
FIG. 7.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
[0062] Alternatively or additionally to the rolling carriages or rolling
guide rail receivers 212
(FIG. 7) and the sliding guide rail receivers 112 (FIG. 1-6), the scarifier
machine may comprise
other guide systems for guiding the scarifier machine along the guide rail.
For example, the
scarifier machine may comprise one or two metal wheel(s) for running on one
guide rail or the
scarifier machine may comprise two or four metal wheels for running on one or
two guide rail(s).
In further embodiments of the invention, the scarifier machine may include
electronic guiding
means such as geolocation system configured to obtain the instant position of
the scarifier
machine, direction of displacement, speed and/or other physical magnitude
characterizing the
movement of the scarifier machine, compare said movement to a predefined (and
user-
configurable) pattern stored locally on the scarifier machine, or remotely and
accessible by the
scarifier machine over a computer network (e.g., the Internet), and
readjusting the movement of
the scarifier machine (e.g., rotating the scarifier machine wheels) to follow
the predefined pattern
and scarify a channel according to said predefined pattern.
[0063] In some embodiments, the guide rails may be equipped with an
electrification system
inside one of the guide rails or an overhead electrical power line, to power
the scarifier machine
alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned fuel-powered engine or
other actuator
comprised in the scarifier machine. Alternatively or additionally, an
additional rail may provide
electric power to the scarifier machine; the additional rail may be formed,
for instance, as a semi-
continuous rigid conductor placed alongside the guide rail. The
electrification system may
supply a direct or alternate current electricity.
[0064] In some embodiments, the guide rails may be made of hot rolled steel
with a cross
section approximate to an asymmetric I-beam, optionally with a bullhead
section carried in cast
iron chairs. Alternatively, the guide rail may be designed as a flat-bottom
rail optionally
comprising steel. The guide rail may be formed as a grooved rail, groove rail,
or girder rail.
Alternatively, the guide rail may be formed as bullhead rail, or a double-
headed rail, which may
be turned over and re-used when the head becomes worn. Alternatively, the
guide rail may be
formed as a wrought iron rail with cast iron chairs upon stone blocks.
Furthermore, the guide rail
may be designed as a flanged T-rail or an iron-strapped wooden rail, Barlow
rail, bridge rail,
plate rail, strap rail or a thin iron strap laid on top of the timber rail.
The guide rail may be
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
fastened to the ground surface by dog spikes or by a hooked spike or a screw
spike, for instance
and without limitation.
[0065]
Turning to FIG. 8, a method of cutting channels into a concrete driveway,
pavement,
road, floor, or surface (hereinafter referred to generically as driveway)
using the scarifier system
described heretofore is presented. The method comprises a series of steps that
will be hereinafter
described. The first step 300 of the method may include repairing and cleaning
the ground
surface of the driveway if needed. The second step 302 includes planning a
design pattern to
remodel the surface of the driveway and to mark the ground surface of the
driveway according to
a chosen design pattern of the ground surface to be remodeled. The third step
304 includes
securing at least one guide rail on the ground surface of the driveway
according to the chosen
design pattern of the surface to be remodeled. The guide rail or rails can be
installed on the
ground surface by bolts (see FIG. 5), for instance and without limitation. The
fourth step 306
comprises placing the scarifier machine on a guide rail such that one or more
guide rail receivers
provided in the scarifier machine engage with the guide rail in a manner that
the scarifier
machine can slide or roll along the guide rail. In case the guide rail
receiver or receivers of the
scarifier machine comprises guide rail receivers, the brackets can be saddled
on the guide rails
(see FIG. 5). In case the guide rail receiver or receivers of the scarifier
machine comprise at least
one rolling carriage having one or more pairs of wheels, each rolling carriage
grips the guide rail
in a manner that the wheels roll along the guide rail and the scarifier
machine is thereby guided
along the guide rail (see FIG. 6). Upon starting the engine of the scarifier
machine, the cutting
wheels of the scarifier machine start to turn and cut the ground surface of
the driveway. The fifth
step 308 comprises moving the scarifier machine forward along the guide rails
while cutting a
channel into the concrete or asphalt of the driveway from its ground surface
(see FIG. 6). The
sixth step 310 comprises continuing the fifth step 308 until a perfectly-
formed, straight or curved
channel is formed according to the design pattern defined by the guide rail.
The seventh step 312
comprises removing the guide rail once the channel according to the design
pattern is formed or
completed. The eighth step 314 comprises removing all guide rails (if more
than one guide rail
us used) after the complete design pattern is obtained by repeating steps 306-
310 to form more
than one channel. The ninth step 316 comprises cleaning the residual concrete
remaining on the
ground surface of the driveway if needed. The tenth step 318 comprises
painting the ground
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-23
surface of the driveway if needed. The tenth step 318 comprises applying an
adhesive (examples
mentioned heretofore) inside the channel or channels to add artificial grass
or any other
decorative material. The eleventh step 320 comprises adding artificial grass
or any other
decorative material to the channels.
[0066]
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the
described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all
matters in the foregoing
description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a
limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features
presented in the
embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless
explicitly stated
otherwise.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-12
