Ground surface contour modifying apparatus and method

Claim 3

The method recited in claim 1, and comprising the further step of arranging the hydraulic elements in a plurality of independent strings of physically interconnected hydraulic elements.

Claim 4

The method recited in claim 2, and comprising the further step of applying elongated flexible means to each end of each such string to remove and replace such string.

Claim 5

The method recited in claim 1, wherein the support sheet is a high density hard plastic.

Claim 6

The method recited in claim 1, wherein the support sheet is perforated.

Claim 7

The method recited in claim 1, and comprising the further step of placing a flexible sheet of filter material between the support sheet and the ground thereabove.

Claim 8

The method recited in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic elements are flexible, non-corrosive bladders.

Claim 9

The method recited in claim 1, wherein each of the hydraulic elements is a stainless steel cylinder and piston arrangement.

Claim 10

The method recited in claim 1, and comprising the further steps of: placing a stiff support base sheet beneath the hydraulic elements, the base sheet being formed with a plurality of top surface parallel grooves; placing some of the hydraulic elements in the grooves; and applying elongated flexible means to each of the hydraulic elements in one of the grooves to connect them together to form a string to facilitate removal and replacement of the hydraulic elements in the string.

Claim 11

The method recited in claim 9, wherein the base sheet is perforated.

Claim 12

The method recited in claim 9, wherein the base sheet is formed with upstanding webs to form the parallel grooves in which the hydraulic elements reside.

Claim 13

The method recited in claim 11, wherein the upstanding webs are positioned to form slots between the grooves to receive tubes comprising the fluid connecting means.

Claim 16

The method recited in claim 13, and comprising the further step of placing a filter means on top of the support sheet.

Claim 17

The method recited in claim 13, and comprising the further step of placing a stiff support base sheet on the gravel bed and the placing the hydraulic elements on the base sheet.

Claim 18

The method recited in claim 14, and comprising the further step of placing a stiff support base sheet on the gravel bed and the placing the hydraulic elements on the base sheet.

Claim 19

The method recited in claim 15, and comprising the further steps of: forming a plurality of parallel grooves on the top surface of the base sheet; placing some of the hydraulic elements in the grooves; and applying elongated flexible means to each of the hydraulic elements in one of the grooves to connect them together to form a string to facilitate removal and replacement of the hydraulic elements in the string.

Claim 20

The method recited in claim 13, wherein the support sheet is a high density hard plastic.

Claim 21

The method recited in claim 15, wherein the base sheet is a high density hard plastic.

Claim 22

The method recited in claim 13, wherein the hydraulic elements are flexible, non-corrosive bladders.

Claim 23

The method recited in claim 13, wherein the hydraulic elements are a stainless steel piston and cylinder arrangement.

Claim 24

Apparatus for changing the contour of the surface of the ground, said apparatus comprising: a relatively stiff but somewhat flexible support sheet beneath the surface of the ground; a plurality of hydraulic elements located beneath said support sheet; and means connected to each of said hydraulic elements to selectively deliver fluid to and remove fluid from said hydraulic elements, thereby selectively raising and lowering the ground surface and causing the contours thereof to change.

Claim 25

Apparatus for changing the contour of the surface of the ground, said apparatus comprising: a relatively stiff but somewhat flexible support sheet beneath the surface of the ground; a plurality of hydraulic elements located beneath said support sheet; and means connected to each of said hydraulic elements to selectively deliver fluid to and remove fluid from said hydraulic elements, thereby selectively raising and lowering the ground surface and causing the contours thereof to change.

Claim 26

The apparatus recited in claim 22, and further comprising elongated flexible means interconnecting some of said hydraulic elements together in at least one string of hydraulic elements.

Claim 27

The apparatus recited in claim 23, and further comprising elongated flexible means connected to each end of each said string to remove and replace such string of hydraulic elements.

Claim 28

The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein said support sheet is a high density hard plastic.

Claim 29

The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein said support sheet is perforated.

Claim 30

The apparatus recited in claim 22, and further comprising a sheet of filter material between said support sheet and the ground thereabove.

Claim 31

The apparatus recited in claim 22, and further comprising a rigid support base sheet beneath said hydraulic elements.

Claim 32

The apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said base sheet is formed with a plurality of parallel grooves on the top surface thereof, some of said hydraulic elements being aligned in said grooves.

Claim 33

The apparatus recited in claim 29, wherein said grooves are formed by upstanding elongated web elements projecting upwardly from said top surface of said base sheet.

Claim 34

The apparatus recited in claim 29, and further comprising elongated flexible means interconnecting said hydraulic elements in each said groove to form at least one string of hydraulic elements.

Claim 35

Apparatus for building a defined area of ground on an equivalent area of compacted subsoil below the ground level with means for changing the surface contour of the ground, said apparatus comprising: a bed of gravel above the subsoil; a plurality of hydraulic elements positioned on top of said gravel bed; a relatively stiff but somewhat bendable support sheet on top of said hydraulic elements; a layer of growing plant soil material on top of said support sheet; elongated conduit means individually connected to each said hydraulic element, each said conduit means being adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid; and means to selectively deliver fluid to and drain fluid from each said hydraulic element, to cause selected areas of said support sheet to rise and subside and thereby change the contour of the ground.

Claim 36

Apparatus for building a defined area of ground on an equivalent area of compacted subsoil below the ground level with means for changing the surface contour of the ground, said apparatus comprising: a bed of gravel above the subsoil; a plurality of hydraulic elements positioned on top of said gravel bed; a relatively stiff but somewhat bendable support sheet on top of said hydraulic elements; a layer of growing plant soil material on top of said support sheet; elongated conduit means individually connected to each said hydraulic element, each said conduit means being adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid; and means to selectively deliver fluid to and drain fluid from each said hydraulic element, to cause selected areas of said support sheet to rise and subside and thereby change the contour of the ground.

Claim 37

The apparatus recited in claim 32, and further comprising a sheet of filter material located between said support sheet and said layer of soil material.

Claim 38

The apparatus recited in claim 32, and further comprising a rigid support base sheet between said gravel bed and said hydraulic elements.

Claim 39

The apparatus recited in claim 34, wherein said base sheet is formed with a plurality of parallel grooves on the top surface thereof, some of said hydraulic elements being aligned in said grooves.

Claim 40

The apparatus recited in claim 35, wherein said grooves are formed by upstanding elongated web elements projecting upwardly from said top surface of said base sheet.

Claim 41

The apparatus recited in claim 35, and further comprising elongated flexible means interconnecting said hydraulic elements in each said groove to form at least one string of hydraulic elements.

Claim 42

The apparatus recited in claim 32, and further comprising elongated flexible means interconnecting some of said hydraulic elements together in at least one string of hydraulic elements.

Claim 43

The apparatus recited in claim 38, and further comprising elongated flexible means connected to each end of each said string to remove and replace such string of hydraulic elements.