Patent ID: 6171019
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
An apparatus for laying an even depth of sand or a sand and reinforcement matrix onto a prepared surface for providing a base on which turf is to be laid, said apparatus comprising:a hopper located on a frame having forward ground wheels for steering said apparatus and rearward ground wheels, said rearward ground wheels being in contact with a ground surface when said apparatus is being transported, but out of contact with the ground surface when said apparatus is being used, said hopper having means for receiving and holding the sand or sand and reinforcement matrix to be laid, a lower end of said hopper being able to be closed;a plunger at a forward end of said hopper, said forward end being the direction of movement of said apparatus, and means for moving said plunger between a forward position and a rearward position, when said plunger is moved to said forward position, a lower end of said hopper is opened and the sand or sand and reinforcement matrix is able to pass to the ground surface forwardly of said plunger, whereas movement of said plunger to said rearward position causes the sand or sand and reinforcement matrix to be taken from said hopper and delivered through an extrusion aperture in a rearward portion of said hopper to an extrusion mold, and with movement to said forward position permitting further sand or sand and reinforcement matrix to pass to the ground surface rearwardly of said plunger before said plunger is again moved rearwardly, extrusion being effected by said apparatus moving forwardly as pressure is applied to the sand or sand and reinforcement matrix to be extruded and the extrusion mold passes over the sand or sand and reinforcement matrix; and,means for closing the lower end of said hopper and for bringing said rearward ground wheels into contact with the ground surface for when said apparatus is to be transported.