# US 4,399,954 A · Manipulating large sections of artificial turf > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,399,954 A - Document ID: US4399954A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/208,626 - Filed: 1980-11-20 - Granted: 1983-08-23 - Earliest claimed: 1980-11-20 - Assignees: Monsanto Company - Inventors: Kearney D. Arrant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399954A ## CPC - E01C 13/08: Surfaces simulating grass {; Grass-grown sports grounds (grass-like surfaces for skiing E01C13/12)} - A63C 19/12: Removable protective covers for courts, rinks, or game pitches or the like - E01C 13/00: Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; {Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds}(general layout A63C19/00) - Y10S 242/919: Ground cover, e.g. tarp - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) - A63C: SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE (water skis B63B32/00, B63B34/00) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method of removably covering a smooth, rigid surface such as a floor, with a large section of heavy duty, artificial turf which involves pulling it across the surface while supported on a pneumatic cushion to minimize frictional drag and then relieving the cushion after the section is in place to allow it to settle onto the surface. The installation in use comprises such turf supported within its periphery on the pneumatic cushion in contactless overlying relationship above the rigid surface. The apparatus comprises powered rollers for supporting a roll of the turf, rope-like members for attachment to the roll along its leading margin, winches for pulling such rope-like members and a blower for developing the air cushion between the turf and rigid surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of removably covering a floor with a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf which comprises: (a) dragging the leading margin from a roll of said artificial turf across an initial portion of a floor via the application of a pulling force at plural locations along said leading margin, wherein said roll is supported on at least one powered support roller; (b) turning said roll of said artificial turf comprising the remainder of said section in place in an unwinding direction, while continuing the application of said pulling force to further advance the section across the floor, wherein said turning occurs via frictional contact between the periphery of said roll and said at least one powered support roller; (c) generating pneumatic pressure between the floor and the overlying section of artificial turf to lift the overlying section within its margins off the floor and minimize friction between the floor and the artificial turf, wherein the margins of the artificial turf section over the floor are in sealing contact with the floor; (d) continuing the application of pulling force until the floor is covered with the section; and then (e) relieving the pneumatic pressure to permit the section where lifted to settle onto the floor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 which includes the step of manually adjusting the position of the artificial turf on the floor while the pneumatic cushion is maintained. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said relieving is effected via air escape through vent channels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the leading margin is dragged from the roll by winch inch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein said turning occurs via frictional contact between the periphery of said roll and two powered support rollers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein a substantial portion of supported support on the cushion weighs between about 0.75 to about 1.25 pounds per square foot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The method of any of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the pressure of the pneumatic cushion is between 0.10 to about 0.50 inches of water. ### Claim 8 The method of removing a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf from a floor which comprises: (a) generating pneumatic pressure between the floor and an overlying large section of said artificial turf to lift the overlying section within its margins off the floor and eliminate friction between the floor and the artificial turf where lifted, wherein the margins of the artificial turf section over the floor are in sealing contact with the floor; and (b) winding said section up into a roll of increasing diameter while maintaining said pneumatic pressure until the section is removed from the floor, wherein said roll is supported on at least one powered support roller and wherein said winding occurs via frictional contact between the periphery of said roll and said at least one powered support roller. ### Claim 9 Apparatus for removably covering a rigid surface with a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf comprising: (a) at least one powered roller adapted to support and drive a roll of such artificial turf; (b) a plurality of rope-like members adapted to be secured to the leading margin of the roll; (c) means for tensioning said members to pull said turf off said roll; and (d) means for developing air pressure within the margins of said section wherein said margins are in sealing contact with said surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for tensioning comprises winch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 having two powered support rollers.