Filler for artificial turf system
AssigneeUSGreentech, L.L.C.
InventorRandolph S. Reddick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Artificial turf for use with an artificial turf system, which may also include a base layer and a support layer. The artificial turf comprising a backing supporting pile tufts of between ¼″ to 4″ in length, in position on its upper surface. The backing may comprise a porous synthetic foam or backing sheet. A filler of particles shaped to have no sharp edges and of substantially equal size are interspersed over the backing and about the tufts up to at least half thick length. The artificial turf substantially retains its resiliency, porosity and equal density throughout.
Claims34
A method of producing synthetic athletic field and landscape using environmentally safe aggregate filler formed of glass beads comprising:
- crushing glass cullet and passing said crushed glass into a heating chamber;
- heating said crushed glass to a state slightly less than molten and tumbling said heated crushed glass until substantially round beads are formed;
- coating said substantially round beads following said heating and tumbling;
- sizing said beads to be between five mesh sizes;
- providing a backing fabric carrying synthetic tufts of between about 1″ and 4″ extending upward for a first surface;
- evenly applying said beads onto said first surface of said backing fabric providing a non-pilling filler in an amount weighing between about 1 and 6 pounds per square foot;
- and
- providing that said beads are disposed between and around said tufts to maintain said tufts erect and above said beads while providing a substantially level upper surface with even drainage throughout.
A method of producing an artificial turf including a support layer, a base layer and an outer layer including a backing, said method comprising:
- providing a stabilizer sheet over the entire area comprising said support layer;
- providing said base layer that comprises a mat formed of interconnected cells and positioning said mat on said stabilizer sheet;
- forming pile tufts of synthetic ribbons of between 1″ to 4″ in length and securing said tufts with said backing of said outer layer and positioning said outer layer on said base layer;
- and
- providing a filler comprised of coated glass beads having no rough edges or projections and sized to be within about five mesh sizes and evenly spreading said filler over said backing and about said pile tufts wherein said coated glass beads are substantially round and are spread over said backing at between 4 and 6 pounds per square foot;
- whereby,
- said support layer, said base layer and said outer layer combine to provide said artificial turf with a permanent G-max within about 20% of a G-max of 100.
A method of producing artificial turf for use with an artificial turf system providing a base layer and a support layer, said method comprising:
- providing a backing for supporting synthetic extrusions comprising pile tufts of between 1″ and 4″ in length on the base and support layers;
- securing said pile tufts in position with said backing;
- providing a non-pilling filler of coated glass beads and evenly distributing said glass beads over said backing and about said tufts at between 1 and 6 pounds per square foot and to a depth which covers between ¼″ to ¾″ of said tuft length causing said filler to maintain said tufts in an upstanding position while maintaining equal porosity through said artificial turf.
A method of producing an artificial turf system on a base, comprising:
- installing a backing on the base, the backing including synthetic extrusions comprising pile tufts of between about 1″ and 4″ in length secured to and extending upwardly from the backing;
- and
- evenly distributing over the backing a non-pilling filler of coated glass beads at between about 1 and 6 pounds per square foot and to a depth which covers between about ¼″ to ¾″ of the tuft length, whereby the filler maintains the tufts in upstanding position while maintaining equal porosity throughout the artificial turf.
A method of producing an artificial turf for an athletic field or a landscape, using environmentally safe aggregate filler, comprising:
- placing a backing on a foundation, the backing carrying synthetic tufts of between about 1″ and 4″ extending upwardly from a first surface thereof;
- and
- evenly applying on the first surface of the backing a layer of non-pilling filler in an amount weighing between about 1 and 6 pounds per square foot, the non-pilling filler comprising coated glass beads, wherein the coated beads are rounded and of a restricted size profile of between about 6 and 80 mesh, non-porous, water repelling, non-compacting, and have an angle of repose of no more than about 30 degrees, the beads disposed between and around the tufts to maintain the tufts erect and above the beads while providing substantially even drainage throughout the layer of filler, the athletic turf retaining a relatively constant G-max.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.