There are many occasions when ground cover and/or ground protection structures are required. Such structures may be required, for example to protect the surface under the structure from the outside climate. For example protection from rain, snow, sleet etc, or from relatively hot and/or cold temperatures.

The problems associated with varying weather conditions are of particular importance to areas where plants are grown and range in diversity from market gardens to sporting venues. The problem is especially important for venues where a grass surface is used (for example, football and rugby pitches, cricket pitches, golf courses etc) as when there is snow, frost or heavy rainfall, the grass playing surfaces become dangerous and/or unusable.

Many solutions have been sought to alleviate the problems associated with such adverse weather conditions. Examples include covering the surface with an impermeable ground sheet (which does not alleviate totally the problems associated with snow and frost). In addition to ground sheets, air tubes may be positioned under tne ground sheet and hot air is blown through the tube. Such hot air tubes are disadvantageous as they heat the grass unevenly and result in burn or scorch marks along the grass surrounding the tubes.

An alternative is to provide underground heating which is positioned under the grass playing areas of sports playing

fields. However, underground heating is costly to install, run and maintain. In addition, the heat provided from the underground heating supply is below the root of the grass being protected which in itself is detrimental to growth of the grass.

Ground cover structures are also used when protection from the outside surrounding area is required; for example at scenes of crime and/or field medical centres. Typically such structures are tent-like structures consisting of a frame and a tarpaulin cover. This type of structure is typically cumbersome and may also suffer from the disadvantages identified above with respect to problems associated with change in climates.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the disadvantages identified above.

It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide a ground cover structure.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a structure which is capable of protecting an area of ground from climatic changes.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ground cover structure which comprises a sheet material arranged to cover a portion of ground, the sheet material being capable of being secured to the ground (preferably substantially about the perimeter of the ground to be covered) and being arranged to be inflated such that, in use, the sheet material is substantially not in contact with the ground.

The ground cover structure, in use, is therefore an air supported structure.

In the present application, the term"ground"includes, but is not limited to, grassland, mountain terrains, sports fields (such as football pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, cricket pitches, golf greens etc), soil, sand, bodies of water (such as ponds, swimming pools or the like), scenes of crime where it may be advantageous to maintain forensic evidence and/or hide the scene from vision, sites to be used as field hospitals, or indeed any surface which may be covered by the structure according to the present invention.

Preferably, the sheet material permits visible light to pass there through. It is particularly preferred that the sheet material substantially prevents UV light from passing there through. It is further preferred that the sheet material is waterproof and/or water-impermeable.

The structure therefore provides a further advantage in. that plants, for example vegetables, fruit or grass, can be maintained at a preferred climate which encourages growth.

The sheet material may be opaque or transparent (which is preferred). Desirably, the sheet material is flexible thereby allowing the sheet to be orientated into different shapes.

It is preferred that the sheet material is a plastics material. Further preferably, the sheet material is polyethylene. The plastics material is preferably reinforced with a reinforcing material, such as, for example, scrim or the like. The reinforcing material may be laid in a criss-cross and/or diagonal pattern through

the sheet material.

The sheet material is typically a multi-layer extrusion laminate. A particularly preferred material according to the present invention is a transparent, four layer reinforced extrusion laminate, the outer layers of which consist of a high strength polyethylene film with a high concentration of UV and thermal stabilisers, such as, for example the material sold by Raven Industries, Ohio, USA under the trademark DURA SKRIM.

Therefore, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a transparent, four layer reinforced extrusion laminate, the outer layers of which consist of a high strength polyethylene film with a high concentration of W and thermal stabilisers, in the manufacture of a ground cover structure.

Advantageously, when the dome is to be used to cover sports grounds or the like it may be desirable to apply a logo, script or the like to the sheet material.

Alternatively and/or additionally the sheet material may be coloured, however it is desirable that the material does not substantially hinder light from passing there through when the structure is to be used for the protection of ground where plants (such as grass) are to be grown.

However, it is envisaged that the structure may be coloured, for example being camouflaged, when the structure is to be used as a field medical centre.

The structure is preferably securable to the ground by a web member. The web member may include a plurality of ropes, cords, cables, binding or the like. The ropes may

be in a lattice or net-like arrangement, alternatively they may be criss-crossed over the sheet material.

The web member may be secured to the ground about the periphery. The web member may be secured to the ground directly or indirectly. When the web member is secured to the ground indirectly, it is preferred that at least one securing connection connects the web member to the ground.

The securing connection is typically of steel, and may be releasably securable to a permanent fixing in the ground.

Therefore, the present invention extends to a web member substantially as described hereinbefore arranged to secure a ground cover structure to an area of ground.

The ground cover structure preferably further includes a ballast arrangement arranged to stabilise the structure and create a seal between the ground and the structure, when the structure is inflated.

The ballast arrangement typically comprises at least one conduit tube, pipe or the like which, when in use, may be filled with a fluid such as water, preferably contained in an elongate cavity which is (removably) attached to the sheet, material. The tube, pipe or the like is preferably of a flexible material such as reinforced PVC.

Advantageously, the use of a flexible material results in the ballast arrangement following the contour of the ground thereby creating a seal. This feature is particularly advantageous when the ground being covered by the structure is uneven.

It is envisaged that the ballast may be in one section (for example one section which is arranged to extend around the periphery). Alternatively, the structure may include two

or more ballast arrangements substantially described hereinbefore. Each ballast arrangement may be positioned about the periphery of the ground being covered so as form a substantially continuous seal.

The structure according to the present invention may be manufactured in different sizes depending upon the area of the ground to be covered. If the area to be covered by the structure is relatively small (for example about 62 square metres which is the approximate size of a cricket pitch), the sheet material may be in a single piece.

Advantageously, the structure may further include a movable barrier such as a door. The door is preferably of the same material as the sheet material, however, it is envisaged that it may be different.

The door is preferably fitted in a doorway which may be cut out of a portion of the sheet material. The door preferably comprises a plurality of strips of sheet material depending from an upper portion of the doorway.

Advantageously, the doorway may be of various sizes of which are typically dependent on the size of the structure and the final use of the structure. For example, a larger doorway may be required if the structure is to be used to protect, for example, a football pitch, so that grass cutting equipment or the like is permitted to enter and/or exit the structure. The door is preferably attached to the doorway by means of hook and loop type fasteners. It is, however, further envisaged that the movable barrier may include a rotary or revolving door.

If desired, the structure may comprise more than one movable barrier. Each movable barrier may be of different sizes. For example a structure arranged to cover a

football pitch may include a movable barrier to permit entry and exit of grass cutting equipment and a further door for entry of personnel.

It is envisaged that the sheet material may comprise two or more panels which, when connected, form the sheet material.

The panels are of substantially the same material as the sheet material described hereinbefore.

Larger structures, preferably, large enough to cover ground having dimensions about 140m by about 110m (which would be large enough to cover a football pitch), are particularly advantageous as the ground can be used, for example for training purposes, irrespective of the external weather conditions. The structure may also be used to perform training exercises in relative privacy.

It is preferred that the structure has a dome-like appearance. The panels may be connected together by any suitable means, such as stitching, welding or the like, which may therefore be a permanent connection.

Alternatively, the panels may be removeably connected by, for example, a zip fastener (whereby teeth on a first panel are arranged to engage with teeth on a second panel) or hook and loop type fastening means (whereby a multiplicity of hooks are positioned on a first panel and a multiplicity of loops are positioned on a second complimentary panel).

Hook and loop type fastening (for example the material sold under the trade mark VELCRO) is particularly preferred.

A further advantage of the structure according to the present invention is that it is relatively easy for personnel inside the structure to escape through the panel connections, in case of emergencies. The hook and loop type fastening or zip fastener may be simply opened when

required.

When the structure is to be used as a ground protective structure, for example when protecting the ground covered by the structure from, for example, rain, sleet, snow etc, it is important that water does not seep through the area where each panel is joined.

Therefore, it is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide a connection means arranged to connect at least two material panels together. The material panels are substantially as described hereinbefore.

Therefore, according to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel connection means for connecting a first panel to a second panel, which connection means includes: first engagement means arranged on a first panel; and a gutter means arranged on a second panel, the gutter means including at least one second engagement means for complimentary engagement with the first engagement means.

Advantageously, the gutter means collects and/or channels water which may seep through the connection means, thereby preventing water from entering the ground cover member.

The panel connection means is particularly suitable for connecting one or more panels of the ground cover member substantially as described hereinbefore.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gutter means generally has a Y- shaped configuration (that is having a leg member and a jaw member).

Therefore, according to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided gutter means having a leg member and a jaw member, the jaw member preferably being arranged to engage with to a leg member on a second gutter means or a sheet material panel according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the jaw member has an internal surface having arranged thereon fastening means (preferably removable fastening means) which are arranged to engage with at least one complimentary fastening means arranged on a leg member of a second gutter means or sheet material panel. The fastening means are preferably of a hook and loop type arrangement.

The gutter means is preferably of substantially the same material as the sheet material, substantially as described herein before with reference to the ground cover structure.

However, it is also envisaged that the gutter means is of a different material which is preferably water impermeable.

In use, the structure is filled with air by use of an air pump. When the structure has been inflated to the desired extent the pump may be used to maintain the structure at the desired inflation. If too much air is pumped into the structure, the movable barrier is opened to release excess air, and is subsequently closed after excess air is expelled.

According to a further embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the leg member is connected (preferably permanently connected) to a sheet material panel.

Alternatively the sheet material panel may comprise the leg member of the gutter means. Therefore, in use, the jaws

are arranged to bite a leg member on a second sheet material panel or gutter means which is to adjoin the first sheet material panel.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a ground cover structure which comprises a sheet material arranged to cover a portion of ground, the sheet material comprising two or more panels connected together by a connection means which includes a gutter means. The ground cover structure, the sheet material, the panels, the connection means and the gutter means are substantially as described herein before.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of covering an area of ground, which method includes: providing a ground cover structure comprising a sheet material arranged to cover the ground; securing the structure to the ground; and blowing air into the area between the ground and the sheet material thereby inflating the structure.

Advantageously, the structure may be inflated by the use of a high power air pump. It is further envisaged that the temperature inside the structure may be controlled. For example, if the temperature outside the structure is colder than the desired temperature inside the structure, warm air is blown into the structure. Similarly if the temperature outside the structure is warmer than the desired temperature inside the structure, cold air is blown into the structure.

Advantageously, if the structure is being used to protect the ground from snow, frost or the like, warm air is blown

into the structure thereby heating the inside air, therefore snow which may fall on the structure would melt and therefore run away. The structure is substantially as described herein before.

The invention may be more clearly understood from the following description given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 represents a plan view of a structure in accordance with the present invention prior to inflation; Figure 2 represents a side view of the structure shown in Figure 1 after inflation; Figure 3 represents a cross section view along the line AA of Figure 1 when the structure is inflated ; Figure 4 represents a view of the gutter means in accordance with the present invention before being use; and Figure 5 represents the gutter means shown in Figure 4 in use.

Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, where like numerals have been used to represent like parts, there is shown a structure generally indicated by the numeral 1.

The structure 1 comprises six panels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f, each panel being manufactured from Dura Skrim 10HUV (which is sold by Raven Industries, in Ohio US). Panel 2a is connected to panel 2c by gutter arrangement 3a, panel 2b is connected to panel 2c by gutter arrangement 3b, panel 2c is connected to panel 2e by gutter arrangement 3d, panel 2e is connected to panel 2f by gutter arrangement 3d and panel 2e is connected to panel 2f by gutter arrangement 3e.

The structure is secured to the ground by a plurality of ropes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e extending across the width of the structure and also ropes 5a, 5b, and 5c extended across the length of the structure. It should be noted that although only eight ropes are shown, many more than eight may be required when the structure is in use. The ropes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 5a, 5b, and 5c are secured to the ground by bolts (not shown). A seal is created around the periphery of the structure using ballast means 6 which comprises hollow tubing 7 which is in a sheet material casing 8 which is attached to the remainder of the structure with the use of Velcro at point 9. In use the hollow tubing 7 is filled with a liquid such as water. Doorways are cut into panel 2F and doors 10A and 10B are attached to the doorway using Velcro.

Referring to Figure 4 and 5 where like numerals have been used to indicate like parts there is shown gutter means 20a and 20b. The gutter means comprises a jaw member 21a and 21b having a plurality of hook type fasteners arranged on the inside of each jaw. The leg of the gutter means is the panel 2b and 2c. A portion of the panels 2b and 2c have hook type fastener means positioned thereon which are arranged for complimentary engagement with the plurality of hooks on the adjoining panel. Water which may seep through the hook and loop type fasteners is collected in the gutter at points 23a and 23b. The water is subsequently channelled away for disposal.

In use, air is blown into structure 1 using pumps (not shown). The structure inflates and is secured in place using ropes 4 and 5. The ballast 6 is filled with water thereby further weighting down the structure and creating a seal around the edge of the structure. Once the structure

has been inflated to the required extent, the power of the pump (not shown) can be reduced. If the pressure in the structure exceeds the required extent the doors 10a and lOb can be opened (manually or automatically) to relieve the pressure inside the structure.

Hot air or cold air may be blown into this structure to maintain a desired temperature.