Method of making a line

Abstract

A method of forming a line on a ground surface is described. It comprises the steps of: forming one or more slits in the ground surface; inserting a line of material in the or each slit such that part of the material is visible above the ground surface. Also described is a material suitable for use in forming a line on a ground surface. The ground surface is generally grassed earth, and the material can be a geotextile such as polypropylene. The present invention provides a simple but effective means of providing marked lines e.g. for playing surfaces such as football, rugby pitches and the like. The lines will remain, and need no further repair or maintenance for a number of years, while still providing the same visual effect as painted line.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A line forming apparatus for forming a line on the ground, said line forming apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   at least one roller attachable to said frame, said roller being adapted to moveably support said frame over the ground;   at least one disc rotatably attachable to said frame;   at least one spool rotatably attachable to said frame; and   a woven material associated with said spool and fed to said disc;   wherein said disc being adapted to form a slit in the ground and feed said woven material into the slit.   
     
     
         36 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 35  further comprising at least one spool tensioner associated with said spool. 
     
     
         37 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 36  further comprising a weave tensioner adapted to have said woven material pass therethrough, said weave tensioner being positioned between said disc and said spool. 
     
     
         38 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein said disc is three offset and parallel rotatable blades, each having an associated spool, spool tensioner, and weave tensioner, and wherein said roller is two rollers, said rotatable blades being positioned between said rollers. 
     
     
         39 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 35  further comprising a light guiding means for guiding said apparatus along a light path. 
     
     
         40 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein said woven material having a central woven band and free weft fibres extending from each side of said woven band, said free weft fibres being adapted to be visible above ground. 
     
     
         41 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 40 , wherein said woven material has an open structure, through which the ground under the ground surface, or anything growing in the ground under the ground surface, can traverse therethrough. 
     
     
         42 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein said free weft fibres of said woven material is substantially resistant to sunlight. 
     
     
         43 . The line forming apparatus as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein said woven material is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         44 . A method of forming a line on the ground comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a line forming apparatus comprising: a frame; at least one roller attachable to said frame, said roller being adapted to moveably support said frame over the ground; at least one disc rotatably attachable to said frame; at least one spool rotatably attachable to said frame;   (b) providing a woven material associated with said spool;   (c) traversing said line forming apparatus over the ground;   (d) forming a slit in the ground by entering a portion of said disc into the ground;   (e) feeding said woven material onto said disc;   (f) inserting said woven material into the slit with said disc;   (g) leaving said woven material in the slit; and   (h) rolling the ground and the slit with said roller after said insertion of said woven material.   
     
     
         45 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said step (d) further comprising forming between two and four slits in the ground. 
     
     
         46 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said step (d) further comprising forming a plurality of slits, and the inter-distance between the slits is between 10 to 40 mm. 
     
     
         47 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said step (e) further comprising the step of folding said woven material over an edge of said disc. 
     
     
         48 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 47 , wherein said woven material is folded equally on either side of the edge of said disc along a longitudinal central axis of said woven material. 
     
     
         49 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 44  further comprising, before said step (b), the step of forming a woven material by running lines of weft material, and running intermittent lines of warp fibres in between said lines of weft material, so as to form portions of woven material and portions of weft fibre material only. 
     
     
         50 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 49 , wherein said step of forming a woven material further comprising the step of cutting across each weft fibre portion to create a vented fabric material. 
     
     
         51 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 44  further comprising the step of locating a light beam at one end of said line to be formed; and following the path of said beam. 
     
     
         52 . A method of forming a line on the ground comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a line forming apparatus comprising: a frame; at least two rollers attachable to said frame, said roller being adapted to moveably support said frame over the ground; at least three offset and parallel rotatable blades attachable to said frame between said rollers, each of said blades having an associated spool, spool tensioner, and weave tensioner, said blades having tapered edges;   (b) forming a woven material by running lines of weft material, and running intermittent lines of warp fibres in between said lines of weft material, so as to form portions of woven material and portions of weft fibre material only, then cutting across each of said weft fibre portions to create a vented fabric material;   (c) associating said woven material with said spool;   (d) feeding said woven material from said spools through said weave tensioners onto to said blades, wherein said woven material is folded equally on either side of said edges of said blades along a longitudinal central axis of said woven material;   (e) traversing said line forming apparatus over the ground;   (f) forming at least three slits in the ground by entering a portion of each of said blades into the ground;   (g) inserting said woven material into the slits with said blades, wherein said woven material travels on said edges of blades towards and into the ground;   (g) leaving said woven material in the slit; and   (h) rolling the ground and the slit with said rollers before and after said insertion of said woven material.   
     
     
         53 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 52 , wherein said step (f) the distance between the slits is between 10 to 40 mm. 
     
     
         54 . The method of forming a line on the ground as set forth in  claim 52  further comprising the step of locating a light beam at one end of said line to be formed; and following the path of said beam.