GB2213796A

GB2213796A - Strip laying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2213796A
Application number: GB8729302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Graham Lewis; David John Pratt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-19
Filing date: 1987-12-19
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Also published as: GB8729302D0; EP0364506A1; WO1989005885A1; AU2826889A; JPH02502390A

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for laying artificial turf strip material (21) comprises a load-carriage structure (11) having two laterally-spaced side frames (15a, 15b), each such frame having two arms (25a, 25b), hinged at a common axis (X-X) and coupled by hydraulic jacks (27a, 27b). The carriage structure (11) is mounted on fore and aft disposed rollers (13a, 13b), roller (13b) being drivable for the purpose of advancing the apparatus in the direction A. Hooks (17) depend from the position of the axis (X-X), by means of which a roll (19) of the artificial turf strip material (21) is supported between the frames (15a, 15b), and four tyred wheels (24) are carried one on each of the arms (25a, 25b). Depending on the extension of the jacks (27a, 27b), the apparatus (10) is either borne upon the rollers (13a, 13b), for advancement over a ground surface (12) or it is borne upon the wheels (24) for cross-track movement so as to enable the apparatus (10) to be aligned for edge to edge laying of strip material (21). Such laying is effected during apparatus advancement by withdrawal from the roll (19) under the action of the rollers (13a, 13b), beneath which the strip material (21) passes.

Description

Strip Material Laying Apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for use in laying strip material, particularly, but not exclusively, strip material in the form of artificial turf.

Artificial turf has the merit of providing an all-weather surface for sporting activities such as soccer; and, for reasons associated with this there is a substantial demand for playing surfaces covered with such material.

The present method of providing such surface covering is laborious and time consuming involving firstly, the laying of ground contacting underlay strips side by side, and then laying down longitudinally abutting artificial turf to cover the underlay material. Seam strip material lies beneath marginal surfaces at the abutting edges of the artificial turf; and adhesive is employed to bond the said seam strip material and the said marginal portions of the artificial turf together.

Artificial turf is produced in very large and heavy rolls and it is common practice, on site, to convert a large and heavy single roll of artificial turf into a scroll configuration, the mass of material being then in two smaller, connected, rolls this being a more satisfactory form for its subsequent handling when being laid.

At the site, scaffolding is put through each roll of the scrolled turf and the material is man-handled into its laying position employing perhaps eight, or even more, men.

Apart from the undesirable labour intensive practices adverted to above, including conversion from roll to scroll configuration, because of its relatively intractable nature due, principally, to its weight, creasing of the material, in the course of its laying, is a common phenomenon; and efforts to apply tension to the artificial turf in the hope of removing such creasing are not always successful.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for use in laying strip material comprises a load-carriage structure borne upon ground engageable apparatus advancement means and having two laterally spaced side frames; and means by which a roll of strip material may be supported between the said laterally spaced side frames for rotation about an axis transverse to the intended direction of apparatus advance, for the purpose of permitting the strip material to be drawn, in the course of apparatus advance, progressively from the roll for laying, by engagement of the ground engageable apparatus advancement means with strip material previously drawing from the said roll and extending along a feed path beneath the said apparatus advancement means.

Preferably the apparatus incorporates apparatus transport means actuable to raise the ground-engageable apparatus advancement means clear of the ground to permit the apparatus wllen so raised to be moved cross-track with respect to the direction of apparatus advance determined by the said apparatus advancement means.

Preferably, the said side frames are each constituted of first and second structural parts connected at a pivot axis, common to the said spaced side frames, transverse to the direction of apparatus advance, the so-connected structural parts of ea.h of the said side frames being constrained so as to ensure that the said structural parts of both side frames move angularly in unison about their common transverse pivot axis; and extensible strut means is provided connected between the first and second structural parts of at least one of the two spaced side frames; and in which the said apparatus transport means comprises a multiplicity of ground engageable apparatus transport devices dependant from the load carriage structure, the arrangement being such that with the said strut means set to a contracted state, the said first and second structural parts of each of the spaced side frames are constrained to make an angle at their common pivot axis such that the said apparatus advancement means is in contact with the ground and the said dependant transport devices are supported clear of the ground, and, with the said strut means set to an extended state, the said first and second structural parts of each of the side frames are constrained to make an angle at their common pivot axis such that the said dependant transport devices are in contact with the ground, being distributed such that the apparatus is stably supported thereby, and the said ground contactable apparatus advancement means is supported clear of the ground.

Preferably, also, the said side frames are constrained for movement angularly in unison as aforesaid by means comprising or including extensible strut means. Preferably the apparatus comprises first and second extensible strut means respectively associated with the said side frames, being connected between the first and second structural parts thereof; and means for effecting equal and corresponding variations in the effective lengths of the said struts so as to constrain the said structural parts of both of the side frames to move angularly in unison as about their common transverse pivot axis.

Advantageously first and second extensible strut means respectively comprise first and second hydraulic jacks; a common reservoir of hydraulic fluid is connected to both said hydraulic jacks; a hydraulic pump is operable to displace hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the jacks; and means is provided operable to permit hydraulic fluid to migrate from the jacks to the reservoir.

The invention also comprises a method of laying strip material on a ground surface, comprising drawing off the material from a roll disposed above roller means movable over the surface and constraining the material to a feed path extending between the roller means and the ground surface.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial generally downwards looking representation of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figs. 2 to 7 are diagrams depicting, in greatly simplified representation, an apparatus as represented in Fig. 1 at various stages in the course of use.

With particular reference to Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 is for use in laying artifical turf upon a ground surface 12 (Figs. 3 and 4), and comprises: a load carriage structure 11 which is borne upon ground-engageable apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, and which has two laterally spaced side frames 15a, 15b, respectively; and means 17 by which a roll 19 of artificial turf strip material 21 is supported between the said side frames 15a, 15b, for rotation about an axis 14 transverse to the intended direction A of travel of the apparatus, for the purpose of permitting the artificial turf 21 to be drawn, in the course of apparatus advance, in the said direction A, progressively from the roll 19 for laying, by engagement of the ground-engageable apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, with artificial turf strip material previously withdrawn as aforesaid and extending along a feed path P to and beneath the apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b.

It will be appreciated that, in operation of the apparatus 10, he ground-engageable apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b do not engage tithe ground surface 12 in a direct manner, but indirectly, through the artificial turf 21.

The apparatus 10 incorporates apparatus transport means 23 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) actuable to raise the ground-engageable apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, accompanied by the load carriage structure 11, clear of the ground and to permit the apparatus, when so raised, to be moved cross-track with respect to the direction of apparatus advance A.

More particularly, the side frames 15a, 15b, are each constituted of first and second structural parts, having first and second arms 25a, 25b, respectively, connected at a pivot axis X-X, common to the spaced side frames 15a, 15b. The axis X-X is disposed transverse to the direction A of apparatus advance. The so-connected structural parts 25a, 25b, of each of the side frames 15a, 15b, are constrained, as hereinafter mentioned, so as to ensure that the said parts 25a, 25b, of both side frames 15a, 15b, move angularly, in unison, about their common transverse axis X-X.

With reference to Fig. 2, extensible strut means 27a, 27b, in the form of hydraulic jacks are provided connected, respectively, between the first and second structural parts 25a, 25b, of the two spaced side frames 15a, 15b. The strut means 27a, 27b, constitute means whereby the side frames 15a, 15b, are constrained to move angularly, in unison, about the pivot axis X-X. However, other arrangements may be provided to ensure such unison of movement. In particular corresponding parts 25a, 25b, of the side frames 15a, 15b, may be rigidly ganged together, and extensible strut means connected between the parts 25a, 25b, of a side frame at one side only of the apparatus.With side frames 15a, 15b, so constructed and with extensible strut means so provided the apparatus transport means 23 may, as illustrated, comprise four ground-engageable apparatus transport devices, 24 which are dependant from the load carriage structure 11. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the devices 24 comprise ground-engageable wheels. Only two of the devices 24 are illustrated; pivotally connected to parts 25b. The other two devices 24 are similarly connected to parts 25a (Fig. 1). The arrangement is such that with the strut means 27a, 27b, set to a contracted state, the structural parts 25a, 25b, of each of the side frames 15a, 15b, are constrained to make an angle, at their common pivot axis X-X, such that the apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, are in contact with the ground and the dependant transport devices 24 supported clear of the ground surface 12 (Fig. 3).And, with the strut means 27a, 27b, set to an extended state, the structural parts 25a, 25b, of each of the side frames 15a, 15b, are constrained to make a less acute angle, with respect to their common pivot axis X-X, such that the transport devices 24 are in contact with the ground surface 12 and the apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, is supported clear of the ground (Fig. 4). It will be understood that the distribution of the :3rjur transport devices 24 is such that the apparatus 10 is stably supported clear of the ground thereby.

It is a requirement in the apparatus 10 depicted that the strut means 27a, 27b, shall be varied correspondingly, in their effective lengths; that is to say, their actual lengths where strut means comprise rectilinearly displaceable parts or their projected lengths where the strut means are each constituted of angularly displaceable parts.

Accordingly, the apparatus 10 incorporates means for effecting substantially identical variations, whether in extension or contraction, of the said strut parts 25a, 25b, thereby to ensure that the said structural parts of both of the side frames 15a, 15b, are constrained to move angularly in unison about the common axis X-X.

As mentioned above, the extensible strut parts 25a, 25b, each comprise a hydraulic ram or jack. A common reservoir (not shown) of hydraulic fluid is communicable with both said jacks; a hydraulic pump 29 is operable to displace hydraulic fluid from the said reservoir to the jacks 25a, 25b for the purpose of extending the jacks in unison; and means (not shown) is provided operable to permit hydraulic fluid to migrate from the jacks -Sa, 25b, back to the said reservoir so as to permit contraction of the said jacks. Not only the jacks 25a, 25b, but the said reservoir and the hydraulic pump 29 are carried by the apparatus. It should be understood however, that, whilst a hydraulic jacking arrangement is depicted, other jacking arrangements are possible.In particular the use of manually operable screw jacks may be employed, two such screw jacks, one for each side frame 15a, 15b, being provided; a common manual input so constructed as to impart corresponding displacement to the two jacks being incorporated.

The apparatus 10 also carries a hydraulic motor and pump unit 31, the pump being driven by an electric motor which takes its supply from an external source. The apparatus 10 further carries a hydraulic valve unit 32 used to control the motor 31 and pump 29.

The means 17, as shown, support a roll 19 of artificial turf strip material beneath the transverse pivot axis X-X with the axis 14 of the roll 19 parallel to the axis X-X. The means 17 comprise: an axle 33 insertable so as to extend through the roll 9; and two hook members 35 respectively dependant from the side frames 15a, 15b, from the positions of the pivot axes X-X thereof, being hook members respectively adapted to support the axle 33 at its ends.

In addition to the foregoing constructional features, the apparatus 10 incorporates a transversely extending bolster 27 which is supported at its ends by the side frames 15a, 15b.

The bolster 37, as hereinafter mentioned, provides an artificial turf material bearing surface in the feed path P through the apparatus. Specifically the bolster 37, as shown, comprises roller means supported with its longitudinal axis coincident with the common transverse pivot axis X-X of the side frames 15a, 15b.

There is, further, an idler roller 39 journalled at its ends in the side frames 15a, 15b, and constituting, as with the roller means 37, an artificial turf bearing surface in the feed path P. The idler roller 39 is positioned, in relation to the apparatus advancement means 13a, to ensure a high tractive force on artificial turf strip material in its movement through the apparatus.

In truth, such high tractive force necessarily requires the provision in the apparatus of friction means applying a force to the artificial turf strip material being withdrawn from the roll 19 in a sense to oppose though not, of course, to prevent such withdrawal. Such traction means may be variously constituted. It may comprise friction moans opposing rotation of the roller 37 or of the idler roller 39. Friction means could be provided so as to introduce friction at the roll 19 itself. Or friction means separate from any of the aforementioned rotational parts could be provided.

The apparatus may, further, incorporate means (not shown) for trimming from the artificial turf material selvage edge portions thereof in the course of drawing such strip material from the roll 19; for not uncommonly, the artificial turf strip material is provided with such selvage which must, of necessity, be removed prior to laying.

More, the apparatus incorporates means 41, for rotatively supporting, with respect to the side frames 15a, 15b, a roll 43 of strip binding material. The means 41 is such that the said roll 43 is at a position such that the inner edge of the binding strip is disposed inwards of the position of the outer edge of the artificial turf material (trimmed if need be of selvage edge material as aforesaid) and the outer edge of the binding strip is, disposed laterally outwards of the outer atZge of the artificial turf.

Gleans 51 is provided for applying adhesive material to surface portions of at least one of the materials, artificial turf and binding strip, being surface portions which are, at laying of the artificial turf material, to be juxtaposed. The means 51 comprises a trough containing an adhesive substance; and marginal surface of artificial turf strip material passes respectively across the adhesive substance held in the trough portions 51a thereby to provide an adhesive coating on the said marginal surface of the artificial strip material for bonding between the said marginal surfaces and strip binding material from the said roll.

Yet again, the apparatus 10 incorporates means for rotatively supporting between the side frames 15a, 15b, a roll 53 of cushioning strip or underlay material 54 to form a cushion beneath the artificial turf.

Whilst the means 41 for rotatively supporting the said strip binding material and the means 53 for rotatively supporting the said cushioning strip material maybe distinct, in the embodiment depicted common means is employed for these purposes, the means for so supporting the strip binding material being an end portion of a spindle 41 the remaining portion of which is for supporting the cushioning strip material 54. The spindle 41 extends laterally between the side frame structural parts 25a, 25b, being supported by upwardly projecting stalk portions (not shown) on the said structural parts 25a, 25b.

Turning, nes to the apparatus advancement means 13a, 13b, it will be seen that these are constituted by fore and aft roller arrangements which are supported, for rotation about 58, 59, axes parallel to the axes X-X and, hence transverse to the intended direction of apparatus advance. Between, in the case of roller means 13a, the structural parts 25b and, in the case of roller means 13b, the structural parts 25a of the side frames 15b, 15a, respectively.

More particularly, the roller means 13b, comprises a set of three rollers 59a, 59b, 59c, supported by a spindle 57 extending axially of the said roller set.

The rear roller means 13b is rotatively driven by the hydraulic motor and pump 31, hydraulic power being applied to drive the intermediate roller 59b of the roller set through a coupling (not shown). Two clutches (not shown) respectively between the outer rollers 59a, 59c and the driven intermediate roller 59b, are selectively engageable either to drive all three rollers together or to apply a small steering movement to the right or left as might be required in the course of apparatus advance in the direction A.

The apparatus transport devices 24 (Fig. 3) are constituted by castered tyred wheels dependant from the structural parts 25a, 25b, of the side frames 15a, 15b, being rotatively attached to downwardly projecting stalks 61.

The stalks 61 are pivotally connected, at their upper ends, to the side frames 15a, 15b. The lower ends of each pair of stalks 61 are interconnected by a cable 62 which passes over a pin 64 secured to the associated side frame. It will be appreciated that, should the structural parts of a frame 15a (or 15b) be pivoted about the axis X-X so as to enlarge the angle between the parts, (see Figs. 3 and 4), the cable 62 will cause the stalks 61 to pivot inwardly.

The stalks 61 are spring loaded, so that, should the angle between the structural parts of a side frame 15a or 15b be reduced, the stalks tend to pivot downwardly to return to their original positions.

Fig. 3 depicts the apparatus 10 with the hydraulic jacks 27a etc. in the contracted state, the wheels 24 being in contact with the ground surface 12 and the apparatus advance roller means 13a, 13b, raised clear of the ground by reason of the relatively acute angle subtended by the side frames 15a, 15b, at their pivot axis X-X. The apparatus 10 may then be transported sideways on its castered wheels 24 to straddle a roll 19 of artificial turf. The jacks 27a, 27b are then further contracted, to allow the hooks 35 to engage the spindle 33 of the roll 19.

Next, the jacks 25a, 25b, are extended. As a result the roller means 13a, 13b, are caused to contact the ground and the tyred wheels 24 are raised clear of the ground (Fig. 4).

The hydraulic jacks 27a, 27b, are now used to lift the roll 19 and the roller means 13a, 13b clear of the ground surface 12 once again and to lower the tyred wheels 24 to ground contact.

The apparatus 10 may (Fig. 5) now be moved sideways on the tyred wheels, 24 to the position at which laying is to commence. If need be the jacks 27a, 27b, are operated so as, by lowering the rollers 13a, 13b, and raising the roll 19 and the tyred wheels 24, the apparatus may be advanced in the direction A to a position to the side of the start position that is to say the position at which laying is to commence, the jacks 27a, 27b, then being set to their contracted state as previously mentioned to permit cross-track motion of the apparatus on the tyred wheels 24.

As represented in Fig. 6, underlay 54 and edging strip 55 materials are drawn from the rolls 53 and 41. These material are then fed around and beneath the rollers 13a and 13b..

Artificial turf strip material 27 is drawn from the roll 19, first to pas upwardly over the the roller 37, and then downardly under the idler 39. The turf then passes in contact with-the underlay 54 and edging strip 55 materials under the roller 13a. The underside of the edging strip material 55 is coated with adhesive for the purposes of adhesion between the artificial turf material and the edging strip materials before passage under the roller 13a..

With the artificial turf strip material 27 the underlay material 54 ailed the edging strip material 55 so threaded through the apparatus 10 the hydraulic jacks 27a, 27b, are set to their extended state, whereby the rollers 13a, 13b, are lowered towards the ground surface 12 and the tyred wheels 24 raised from ground contact. The juxtaposed materials 27, 54, 55 are now "trapped" between the rollers 13a, 13b and the ground surface 12 and laying can take place.

The above described actions in laying artificial turf strip material are repeated at the completion of laying each strip thereof so as to cover a strip of the playing area. The apparatus 10 is driven by the powered roller 13b back to the position at which laying of the just laid artificial turf strip commenced, the apparatus is moved cross-track, on the sideshift tyred wheels 24, the width of the just laid strip, and the next strip laying process is then initiated.

It may be that in the course of laying an artificial strip the butt joint with the next preceding such strip is seen to be unsatisfactory. The apparatus may have means (not shown) for driving the roll 19 and the roller 53 in a sense to rewind artificial turf strip material and means (not shown) for rewinding the underlay material roll. The said rolls may each incorporate a clutch mechanism (not shown) operable by the hydraulic pump 31. Alternatively a belt drive may couple the driven roller 13b and the artificial turf strip roll 19; means for tensioning the belt drive being provided to enable drive to be transmitted to the roll.

Pleans (not shown) may be provided operable to couple two of the two tyred wheels 24 to the powered roller 13b. For this purpose cogs associated with the wheels 24 may be arranged to intermesh with gears driven by the roller 13b.

In the embodiment illustrated, the wheels 24 have no steering mechanism associated therewith, the apparatus being slewed solely by differntial rotation between the separate rollers 59a etc. comprising the roller 13b. Other means for manoeuvring the apparatus 10 may however be provided for example, (side shift) wheels 66 (Figs. 3 and 4) connected to the lower exits of the side frames 15a, 15b, and capable of being brought into operation when needed. The wheels 66 may be castered and may be driven if required.

Adhesive may be applied to surfaces to be jointed in a spray or by brushes transferring adhesive from a reservoir to the relevant surfaces in the course of passage of artificial turf strip and edging strip through the apparatus.

Again whilst mechanical cutters might be incorporated in the apparatus for trimming selvage-from the artificial turf strip other cutting means, e.g. laser cutting means, might be provided.

And whilst the side frame members 15a, 15b, are shown to comprised of articulated members 25a, 25b, and the side shift wheels 24 are brought to operative positions by the variation in angle of such articulated members, for applications where width of access to the playing area to be covered does not impose a limitation on the width of the apparatus, the side frame structures could be side frame structures of a rigid gantry supported on rollers, as 13a, 13b respectively spanning the fore and aft pairs of legs of the gantry; and the side shift wheels then being respectively connected to the four legs of the gantry structure by hydraulically actuable telescopic mechanisms.

It will be appreciated that, in the drawings, the true widths of the strips 21, 54, 55 have not been illustrated.

With further reference to Fig. 6, the apparatus 10 may carry a roll 40 of polythene strip material 42, which material, in operation of the apparatus, is laid nearest to the ground surface 12, along with the other strip materials. The presence of the polythene strip prevents the escape of adhesive into the ground.

A variation of the laying operation comprises depositing cushioning or underlay material 54 on the ground, the material 54 being of width which is a little less than that of the artificial turf strip 21, and also depositing combined binder/underlay material 56 so as to abut the side edges of the material 54, and to underlap contiguous side edges of the strip 21 or artifical turf, Fig. 7 refers.

Claims

1. An apparatus, for use in laying strip material, which has: a load-carriage structure borne upon ground engageable apparatus advancement means and having two laterally spaced side frames; and means by which a roll of strip material may be supported between the said laterally spaced side frames for rotation about an axis transverse to the intended direction of apparatus advance, for the purpose of permitting the strip material to be drawn, in the course of apparatus advance, progressively from the roll for laying, by engagement of the ground engageable apparatus advancement means with strip material previously drawn from the said roll and extending along a feed path beneath the said apparatus advancement means.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which incorporates apparatus transport means actuable to raise the groundengageable apparatus advancement means clear of the ground to permit the apparatus when so raised to be moved cross-track with respect to the direction of apparatus advance determined by the said apparatus advancement means.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 2 in which the said side frames are each constituted of first and second structural parts connected at a pivot axis, common to the said spaced side frames, transverse to the direction of apparatus advance, the so-connected structural parts of each of the said side frames being constrained so as to ensure that the said structural parts of both side frames move angularly in unison about their common transverse pivot axis; and extensible strut means is provided connected between the first and second structural parts of at least one of the two spaced side frames; and in which the said apparatus transport means comprises a multiplicity of ground engageable apparatus transport devices dependant from the load carriage structure, the arrangement being such that with the said strut means set to a contracted state, the said first and second structural parts of each of the spaced side frames are constrained to make an angle at their common pivot axis such that the said apparatus advancement means is in contact with the ground and the said dependant transport devices are supported clear of the ground, and, with the said strut means set to an extended state, the said first and second structural parts of each of the side frames are constrained to make an angle at their common pivot axis such that the said dependant transport devices are in contact with the ground, being distributed such that the apparatus is stably supported thereby, and the said ground contactable apparatus advancement means is supported clear of the ground.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the said side frames are constrained for movement angularly in unison as aforesaid by means comprising or including extensible strut means.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claims 3 and 4 which comprises first and second extensible strut means respectively associated with the said side frames, being connected between the first and second structural parts thereof; and means for effecting equal and corresponding variations in the effective lengths of the said struts so as to constrain the said structural parts of both of the side frames to move angularly in unison as about their common transverse pivot axis.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the first and second extensible strut means respectively comprise first and second hydraulic jacks.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the said means for supporting a roll of strip material comprises means adapted to support the said roll at a location beneath the said common transverse pivot axis of the two side frames with the roll axis parallel thereto.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the said roll supporting means comprises an axle to be inserted extending through an artificial turf roll and two hook members respectively dependant from the side frames from the pivot axes thereof and respectively adapted to support the said axle at its ends.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which has a transversely extending bolster supported at its ends by the laterally spaced side frames and providing a surface in the strip material feed path.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the said bolster is supported with its longitudinal axis coincident with the common transverse pivot axis of the said side frames.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10 in which the said bolster is a roller.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which incorporates means for trimming selvage edge portions from a roll of strip material as it is drawn along the feed path through the apparatus.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim for use in laying artifical turf material, which incorporates means for rotatively supporting, between the said laterally spaced side frames, a roll of strip binding material at a position such that the inner edge of such binding strip, when so supported, is disposed, inwards of an edge of the artificial turf strip material and the outer edge of such binding strip is disposed outwards of the said edge of the artificial turf material.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 which incorporates means for applying adhesive material to surface portions of at the strip material, artificial turf and binding, being surface portions which are to be laid juxtaposed.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which incorporates means for supporting, between the said laterally spaced side frames, cushioning strip material of a width not greater than the artificial turf strip to underlie artificial turf strip material when laid.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises means for applying a tension to artificial turf strip material, at a position of the feed path of such material between the artificial turf strip roll position and the position at which the artificial turf strip is first trapped beneath the ground-engageable apparatus advancement means.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the said ground-engageable apparatus advancement means comprises at least one roller arrangement extending transversely of the apparatus; and which has motor means drivingly couplable to the said roller arrangement.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which the said roller arrangement is constituted of a multiplicity of individual rollers supported for rotation about a common transverse axis; and means, for controlling the drive by the said motor means of the several individual rollers so as to permit a measure of steering motion to the apparatus about its direction of advancement.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18 which has a second roller arrangement as aforesaid spaced from the first mentioned roller arrangement in the direction of advancement of the apparatus.

20. A method of laying strip material on a ground surface, comprising drawing off the material from a roll disposed above roller means movable over the surface and constraining the material to a feed path extending between the roller means and the ground surface.

21. Apparatus for use in laying strip material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of laying strip material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.