Method and apparatus for manipulating large sections of artificial turf

An apparatus for removably covering a rigid, relatively smooth surface with a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf having a leading margin, a trailing margin and at least two side margins comprising:

• (a) at least one powered roller adapted to support and drive a roll of such artificial turf, said roll having two opposed ends;
• (b) a plurality of rope-like members secured to the leading margin of the roll of the artificial turf;
• (c) a winch for tensioning the members to unroll the artificial turf;
• and
• (d) a pneumatic generator for developing air pressure within the margins of the section wherein the margins are in sealing contact with the surface, the pneumatic generator comprising at least one low pressure air blower connected to the underside of the turf section by at least one portable air transmission duct joined to a duct panel releasably fastened within the margins of the turf section.

An apparatus for removably covering a rigid, relatively smooth surface with a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf having a leading margin, a trailing margin and at least two side margins comprising:

• (a) at least one powered roller adapted to support and drive a roll of such artificial turf, said roll having a center shaft, said center shaft having two opposed ends;
• (b) a pair of opposing thrust bearing blocks positioned adjacent each opposed end of the center shaft to restrict horizontal movement of the roll during winding and unwinding;
• (c) a plurality of rope-like members detachably secured to a spar secured to the leading margin of the artificial turf;
• (d) a winch for tensioning the members to unroll the artificial turf;
• (e) a pneumatic generator for developing air pressure within the margins of the turf section wherein the margins are in sealing contact with the surface, the pneumatic generator comprising at least one low pressure air blower connected to the underside of the turf section by at least one portable air transmission duct joined to a duct panel releasably fastened within the margins of the turf section;
• (f) wherein the powered roller, roll and thrust bearing blocks are located in a pit adjacent and below the smooth surface, the pit having a liftable cover, the cover having an end section which may be releasably locked into the upright and open position by a torsion arm assembly;
• (g) wherein the winch is located in a winch pit adjacent and below the smooth surface, the winch pit having a liftable lid which may be releasably locked into the upright and open position by a torsion arm assembly;
• and
• (h) wherein the winch pit further comprises protection for the associated rope-like member from friction with the winch pit.

A method of removably covering a rigid surface with a large section of substantially impervious, heavy duty artificial turf on a roll with an exposed leading margin and an outer surface which comprises:

• (a) dragging the leading margin from the roll of artificial turf across an initial portion of the rigid surface by applying a pulling force at plural locations along the leading margin, wherein the roll is supported on a powered support roller;
• (b) turning said roll of such artificial turf comprising the remainder of the artificial turf in place in an unwinding direction, while continuing the application of the pulling force to further advance the leading margin of the artificial turf across the surface, wherein the turning occurs via frictional contact between the outer surface of said roll of artificial turf and the powered support roller;
• (c) connecting a pneumatic generator for developing air pressure to an underside of the unwound artificial turf defined by the leading margin having two opposed ends, a side margin proceeding from each of said opposed ends to the roll, and the roll connecting the two side margins, via at least one portable air transmission duct joined to a duct panel releasably fastened within the margins of the turf section;
• (d) generating pneumatic pressure between the rigid surface and the overlying section of artificial turf to lift the overlying section within its margins off the rigid surface and minimize friction between the surface and the artificial turf, wherein the margins of the turf section over the surface are in sealing contact with the surface;
• (e) continuing the application of pulling force while preventing significant horizontal movement of the roll upon the powered support roller until the floor is covered with the unwound artificial turf;
• and then
• (f) relieving the pneumatic pressure to permit the artificial turf where lifted to settle onto the surface.