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US 12,168,855 B2Granted
Removable active panel system
OwnerMark H. Nichollsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable artificial turf panel system with an artificial turf panel that has a plurality of upstanding ribbons extending from a backing layer. An infill layer is interspersed between the upstanding ribbons on the backing layer. The outside of the backing layer may be provided with one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material. The magnet/ferromagnetic material cooperates with a corresponding magnet/ferromagnetic material disposed in a channel on a layer of elastomeric material that supports the artificial turf panel. Accordingly, an artificial turf panel can be removably attached to a section of elastomeric material on an artificial turf playing surface.
Claims11
A removable artificial turf panel system, comprising:
- a plurality of artificial turf panels comprising:
- a plurality of upstanding ribbons extending from a primary backing layer;
- an infill layer interspersed between the upstanding ribbons;
- a secondary backing layer connected to the primary backing layer, wherein the secondary backing layer is configured to at least partially secure the upstanding ribbons to the primary backing layer;
- and
- a ferromagnetic additive disposed within the secondary backing layer;
- a fixed support layer comprising an elastomeric material paved over a fixed asphalt layer and arranged to support the plurality of artificial turf panels, wherein the elastomeric material includes one or more channels;
- one or more pads disposed within the one or more channels and fixed to the elastomeric material;
- one or more magnets arranged at least partially within the one or more channels;
- and
- wherein the plurality of artificial turf panels are removably attached to the support layer by engagement of the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer,
- wherein at least one edge of one or more of the plurality of artificial turf panels is arranged adjacent to fixed artificial turf, wherein one or more of the plurality of artificial turf panels are removable without removing each of the plurality of artificial turf panels or the fixed artificial turf,
- wherein the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer are at least partially in contact, and
- wherein the one or more magnets and the ferromagnetic additive are configured such that a force required to disengage the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer is less than a force required to move the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer relative to one another in a plane parallel to the secondary backing layer.
11 more elements
A method of installing a removable artificial turf panel, the method comprising:
- a) providing a layer of stone;
- b) providing a fixed layer of porous asphalt on top of the layer of stone;
- c) providing a fixed support layer comprising an elastomeric material paved over the layer of porous asphalt, the elastomeric material having at least one channel formed therein, and one or more pads disposed within the one or more channels and fixed to the elastomeric material;
- d) providing a plurality of artificial turf panels having a plurality of upstanding ribbons extending from a primary backing layer and an infill layer interspersed between the upstanding ribbons;
- e) providing a secondary backing layer connected to the primary backing layer, wherein the secondary backing layer is configured to at least partially secure the upstanding ribbons to the primary backing layer;
- f) providing one or more magnets arranged at least partially within the one or more channels, and a ferromagnetic additive disposed within the secondary backing layer;
- g) locating the plurality of artificial turf panels on the support layer and magnetically engaging the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer, wherein the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer are at least partially in contact, and wherein the one or more magnets and the ferromagnetic additive are configured such that a force required to disengage the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer is less than a force required to move the one or more magnets and the secondary backing layer relative to one another in a plane parallel to the secondary backing layer,
- wherein at least one edge of one or more of the plurality of artificial turf panels is arranged adjacent to fixed artificial turf, wherein one or more of the plurality of artificial turf panels are removable without removing each of the plurality of artificial turf panels or the fixed artificial turf.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.