Base for turf system
AssigneeBrock USA, LLC
InventorsSteven Lee Sawyer, Daniel C. Sawyer, Richard R. Runkles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underlayment layer is configured to support an artificial turf assembly. The underlayment layer comprises a core with a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of spaced apart, upwardly oriented projections that define channels suitable for water flow along the top side of the core when the underlayment layer is positioned beneath an overlying artificial turf assembly.
Claims55
A turf underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the turf underlayment layer having panels including edges configured to interlock with the edges of adjacent panels to form a vertical interlocking connection capable of substantially preventing relative vertical movement of one panel with respect to an adjacent connected panel.
An underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the underlayment layer comprising a core with a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a plurality of spaced apart, upwardly oriented projections that define channels suitable for water flow along the top side of the core when the underlayment layer is positioned beneath an overlying artificial turf assembly.
An underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the underlayment layer having:
- a core,
- an upper support surface in contact with the artificial turf assembly, the upper support surface having a plurality of channels configured to allow water flow along a top side of the core,
- a lower support surface in contact with a foundation layer, the lower support surface having a plurality of channels configured to allow water flow along a bottom side of the core, and
- a plurality of spaced apart drain holes connecting the upper support surface channels with the lower support surface channels to allow flow through the core.
An underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the underlayment layer comprising a substantially flat panel having a core, a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the panel having a plurality of spaced apart projections that define channels configured to allow water flow along the top side of the panel, the projections having substantially flat upper support surfaces.
An underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the underlayment layer comprising a substantially flat panel having a core, a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the panel having a plurality of spaced apart projections that define channels configured to allow water flow along the top side of the panel, the projections having upper support surfaces configured to support the turf assembly, the projections being deformable under a compressive load and defining a first deformation characteristic associated with an athletic response characteristic and the core defining a second deformation characteristic associated with a bodily impact characteristic, the first and second deformation characteristics being complimentary to provide a turf system bodily impact characteristic and a turf system athletic response characteristic.
A method of providing an artificial turf system comprised of an artificial turf assembly supported by an underlying turf underlayment layer, the method comprising:
- determining a system energy absorption level for an artificial turf system that is associative with turf system usage;
- selecting an artificial turf assembly from a group of artificial turf assemblies, each assembly having an associated energy absorption characteristic;
- selecting an underlayment layer having an energy absorption characteristic that is complementary to the energy absorption characteristic of the artificial turf assembly to produce the system energy absorption level;
- and
- assembling the artificial turf assembly and the underlayment layer to form the artificial turf system.
A method of making an underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the underlayment layer comprising a core with a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a plurality of spaced apart, upwardly oriented projections that define channels suitable for water flow along the top side and beneath an overlying artificial turf assembly, the method including applying a grit material to the underlayment layer.
A method of assembling an underlayment layer to an adjacent underlayment layer, the method including the steps of:
- providing a first underlayment layer on top of a substrate, the underlayment layer having at least one edge, the edge having a top side flap, a bottom side flap, and a flap assembly groove disposed therebetween;
- providing a second underlayment layer to be positioned adjacent to the first underlayment layer and on top of the substrate, the second underlayment layer having at least one edge, the edge having a top side flap, a bottom side flap, and a flap assembly groove disposed therebetween;
- deflecting the first underlayment layer top side flap in an upward direction between a corner and the flap assembly groove;
- inserting the second underlayment layer bottom side flap under the upwardly deflected first underlayment layer top side flap;
- and
- downwardly deflecting the first underlayment layer top side flap into engagement with the second underlayment layer bottom side flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.