Ground tape applicator apparatus and method

A ground tape applicator comprising:

• an applicator frame;
• a plurality of wheels configured to support the applicator frame on a ground surface;
• a tape spool support configured to support a spool of an adhesive tape, the tape spool support supported by the applicator frame;
• a cutter configured to interface with the adhesive tape to cut the adhesive tape;
• a plurality of rollers, the plurality of rollers configured to interface with the adhesive tape and positioned to guide the adhesive tape to the ground surface, the plurality of rollers including a first roller and a second roller, wherein the adhesive tape interfaces with the first roller prior to interfacing with the second roller, and wherein the second roller is configured to press the adhesive tape onto the ground surface;
• and
• a roller actuator operably connected to the first roller to move the first roller vertically relative to the ground surface, wherein the first roller is movable relative to the ground surface and between an application position in which the first roller presses the adhesive tape onto the ground surface and a float position in which the first roller is spaced from the ground surface and floats above the ground surface such that the first roller guides the adhesive tape while the second roller presses the tape onto the ground surface;
• an electronic controller configured to:
• cause the roller actuator to displace the first roller to the application position to press the adhesive tape onto the ground surface during only an initial application phase of applying a full length stripe of the adhesive tape, the initial application phase corresponding to application of a leading end of the full length stripe;
• cause the first roller to displace away from the ground surface after the initial application phase and from the application position to the float position such that the second roller and not the first roller rolls over and presses portions of the adhesive tape other than the leading end onto the ground surface;
• and
• maintain the first roller in the float position during application of a main body portion of the full length stripe of the adhesive tape, the main body portion between the leading end of the full length stripe and a trailing end of the full length stripe;
• wherein, with the first roller in the float position, the first roller guides the adhesive tape such that a portion of the adhesive tape between the first roller and the second roller is disposed vertically between the ground surface and the cutter.