U.S. patent application number 13/270009 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for special turf filler.
This patent application is currently assigned to USGREENTECH, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Carl L. Huff, Randolph S. Reddick.
Application Number | 20120027962 13/270009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39456448 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120027962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huff; Carl L. ; et
al. |
February 2, 2012 |
Special Turf Filler
Abstract
An aggregate turf filler for use with the turf of athletic
fields and landscaped areas which comprise crushed silica sand
particles (SiO.sub.2) which are substantially round in shape and
are sized to be between 12 and 40 mesh. An acrylic based sealer
covering the outer surface of each of the silica sand particles.
Finally, providing that the silica sand particles have a smooth
outer surface, possess an angle of repose of less than 30.degree.,
repel water, resist compacting, present no damaging sharp edges
when incorporated with the turf and are environmentally safe.
Inventors: |
Huff; Carl L.; (Reagan,
TX) ; Reddick; Randolph S.; (Calhoun, GA) |
Assignee: |
USGREENTECH, L.L.C.
Cincinnati
OH
|
Family ID: |
39456448 |
Appl. No.: |
13/270009 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2011 |
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12567223 |
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8034429 |
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13270009 |
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11713891 |
Mar 5, 2007 |
7858148 |
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12567223 |
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11713891 |
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10811737 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06N 7/0065 20130101;
D06N 2203/068 20130101; E01C 13/08 20130101; Y10T 428/2991
20150115; D06N 2203/042 20130101; D06N 2205/023 20130101; C03C 3/04
20130101; Y10T 428/2998 20150115; D06N 7/0068 20130101; D06N
2205/10 20130101; Y10T 428/2993 20150115; Y10T 428/23979 20150401;
D06N 2201/0254 20130101; D06N 2205/04 20130101; D06N 2201/0263
20130101; Y10T 428/2996 20150115; D06N 2209/0823 20130101; Y10T
428/23921 20150401; D06N 2213/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/17 |
International
Class: |
A41G 1/00 20060101
A41G001/00 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. An artificial turf for an athletic or landscaped areas,
comprising: a backing having pile fibers extending upwardly
therefrom; and a filler of aggregate granules evenly spread on the
backing, the filler consisting essentially of substantially round
silicon sand particles (SiO.sub.2) of a restricted size profile
that are coated and sealed with a coating so as to be non-porous
and to repel water, wherein the coated and sealed silica sand
particles resist mounding, resist compacting, and present no
damaging sharp edges when incorporated with the turf, the coated
and sealed particles having an angle of repose of less than about
30.degree., and wherein the pile fibers extend substantially above
the infill material.
17. The turf filler of claim 16 wherein the filler is evenly
applied over the base to a level of between about 0.25 to about
2.00 inches.
18. The artificial turf of claim 16 further comprising: a colorant
mixed in with the coating in an effective amount to achieve a
desired color for the filler.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The instant invention is directed to a filler for use with
artificial surfaces such as athletic playing fields, landscaped
public and private areas.
[0002] Artificial surfaces for the above stated uses are becoming
more and more common for various reasons to include aesthetic
appearance, maintenance, evenness of the surface, etc. Fillers for
use with such surfaces are also common. Normally such fillers would
include sand, crumb rubber and crushed stone. It is also known to
color these fillers to enhance the appearance of the surface.
[0003] The usual natural and colored fillers have several drawbacks
to include mounding and damage to the artificial fiber due to an
abrasive cutting action brought about by the sharp edges of sand
particles.
[0004] It is an object of this invention to provide a filler for
artificial turf which will not mound.
[0005] Another object of the invention is the provision of filler
for artificial turf consisting of rounded granules.
[0006] Another object of the invention is the provision of a filler
for artificial turf in which each granule is of a restricted size
profile.
[0007] Another object of the invention is the provision of a filler
for an artificial turf surface in which the filler is coated with
an acrylic based sealer.
[0008] A further object of the invention is the provision of a
silica sand filler coated with a colored acrylic based sealer for
use with an artificial turf.
[0009] Finally, an object of the invention is an artificial turf to
include a pile fabric secured in position on the ground and a
filler evenly distributed on the surface of said pile fabric with a
repose of less than 30.degree. and a resistance to washing
away.
[0010] The invention is directed to an aggregate turf filler for
use with the turf of athletic fields and landscaped areas. The turf
may be natural or artificial. The turf filler is composed of:
[0011] silica sand particles (SiO.sub.2) which are substantially
round in shape and are sized to be between 12 and 40 mesh. The
particles are coated with an acrylic sealer which seals the outer
surface of each of the silica sand particles. So treated the silica
sand particles possess an angle of repose of less than 30.degree.,
repel water, resist compacting, present no damaging sharp edges
when incorporated with the turf and are environmentally safe. The
silica sand particles are sized to be within no more than five mesh
sizes.
[0012] The acrylic coating includes natural color pigment of a
selected color which is preferably iron oxide (FeO.sub.2) for black
and chrome III oxide (Cr.sub.2O.sub.3) for green. Other colors may
be obtained by blending basic colors. The color pigment and the
acrylic based sealer are preferably combined at a ratio of 1 part
color pigment to 2 parts acrylic sealer.
[0013] The aggregate is evenly applied over the turf to a level of
between 0.25 to 2.00 inches.
[0014] The invention is also directed to a method of producing an
aggregate filler for use with athletic fields and landscaped area
which includes the steps of: [0015] (A) forming silica sand
particles (SiO.sub.2) to be substantially round; [0016] (B) sizing
the silica sand particles to be in a range between 12 and 40 mesh;
[0017] (C) combining a clear acrylic based sealer and a natural
colorant forming a colored acrylic sealer; and [0018] (D) mixing
the silica sand with the colored acrylic based sealant forming an
environmentally safe coated aggregate filler having an angle of
repose of less than 30.degree..
[0019] The method further includes providing that the colorant is
iron oxide (FeO.sub.2) or chrome III oxide (Cr.sub.2O.sub.3) and is
normally mixed with the acrylic based sealer at a 1 to 2 ratio.
[0020] The method also includes spreading the aggregate filler over
artificial playing surfaces or landscaped surfaces at a depth which
is normally between 0.25 to 2.00 inches.
[0021] The method of producing a decorative and environmentally
safe aggregate filler also includes: [0022] (A) crushing silica
sand into particles; [0023] (B) screening the particles and
selecting screened particles to be within five mesh sizes; [0024]
(C) blending an acrylic based sealant and a colorant at a ratio of
between 0.5-1.5 part colorant and 1.5-2.5 acrylic sealant; and,
[0025] (D) mixing the blended acrylic based sealer and colorant
with the aggregate filler forming a colored aggregate filler.
[0026] The method of producing a decorative and environmentally
safe aggregate filler including providing an acrylic based sealer
consisting of acrylic polymer, mineral spirits, ethylbenzene and
xylene and coating silica sand particles sized between 12 and 40
mesh with the sealer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf green, one of the
athletic fields with which the filler of the invention finds
use.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1
of an area incorporating the filler of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view showing the filler
stacked to its maximum angle of repose, i.e. <30.degree.,
[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded section view of coated silica sand
granules.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a sectional top view showing the filler disposed
among tufts.
[0032] The use of fillers with both natural and artificial turf
areas is well known. Also, the use of colored fillers with both
natural and artificial turf areas is well known. The fillers act to
provide a more even surface area having acceptable resistance to
impact and recovery from impact. Fillers further provide for
improved drainage and controlled hardness.
[0033] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a putting green 10
with which the aggregate filler of the invention may be applied.
The aggregate may be of natural color or it may be colored as
desired. The putting green may have a natural putting surface or an
artificial putting surface. Other surfaces such as soccer fields,
football fields, volleyball fields, baseball fields, etc. either
natural and artificial, find beneficial results both aesthetically
and structurally by using the filler of the invention. Landscaped
areas, both natural and artificial, also benefit from the use of
the filler of the invention.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 2-5, there is seen a surface area 12 in
which artificial grass-like tufts 14 extend from backing surface 16
in the usual manner. Filler 18, comprising aggregate granules 20,
is evenly spread over area 12 to a height of 0.25 to 2.00 inches.
It will be noted that granules 20 are substantially round and also
are substantially of equal size as better illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.
This feature results in the filler resisting compacting because
there are no small particles to settle to the bottom. The round and
equally sized particles also resist mounding because, so
structured, they present an angle of repose of <30.degree.. Note
FIG. 3.
[0035] The particles arranged and structured as shown in FIGS. 2
and 5 also allow even drainage. Because there are no minute
particles in the filler to fill the openings between particles, the
particles or granules also resist erosion.
[0036] The granules are coated with a sealer and are either of
natural color or of a desired color.
[0037] The arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is equally
representative of natural turf areas in which case tufts 14 would
comprise natural blades of grass extending from ground surface 16.
Filler 18 is distributed as earlier described in either natural
color form or colored form.
[0038] The filler of the instant invention is formed of silica sand
(SiO.sub.2) occurs naturally in layers or shelves. It must be
crushed into particle or granular form for use as the filler of the
instant invention. Normally crushed silica sand granules form in a
generally round configuration with few if any sharp edges.
[0039] Because particle or granule size is critical to the
invention, the crushed particles must be sifted through a screening
process. It has been found that granules of a size range of between
12 and 40 mesh are most suitable for use as a filler with the
above-described surfaces. Further, the filler should be within five
mesh sizes in any one application.
[0040] Granules of silica sand are somewhat porous. In order to
eliminate this feature and also to provide the granules with an
outer surface which is both water proof and very slick it is
desirable that the granules be coated with an acrylic polymer based
waterproofing sealer. The coating of choice comprises mineral
spirits, xylene, ethylbenzene and acrylic polymer. The acrylic
polymer based sealer is clear and therefore, the granules may still
have their natural appearance after coating. FIG. 4 shows a cutaway
of a coated granule of silica sand. The coating further acts to
remove rough edges which may occur over the surface of the
particles.
[0041] It has also been found that it may be desirable to color the
silica sand for a desired aesthetic effect. The colorant of choice
is natural pigment in order to ensure that the filler not be a
health hazard. Desired colorants for coloring the silica sand is
iron oxide (FeO.sub.2) for black and chrome (III) oxide
(Cr.sub.2O.sub.3) for green. Other natural colorants and blends
thereof are available should other colors be desired. It has been
found, however, that black is the color which most enhances
artificial turf or natural turf.
[0042] In order to prepare the pigment for application with the
silica sand the sealant, is first mixed with the clear acrylic
based sealant. The desired ratio for obtaining a mid-range hue is
one part colorant to two parts sealer. This ratio may be adjusted
to include more or less colorant in order to obtain the desired
color depth.
[0043] The colorant and the sealer must be thoroughly mixed and
applied immediately as the colorant is not soluble and will
separate. The aggregate and colored sealer must be thoroughly mixed
in order to ensure complete coverage of the aggregate. It is
suggested that a cement mixer be used because its aggressive
tumbling action prevents clustering of the coated granules. It is
preferred that the duration of the mixing or tumbling action is
about five minutes. The ratio of sealant/colorant to aggregate is
one gallon per ton. Again, more or less sealer/colorant may be used
dependent on the desired color and coating desired.
[0044] After sealing and coloring the silica sand by blending in
the mixer, the granules are discharged onto a drying area. In about
five minutes the colored/sealed aggregate is ready for transport to
areas of application.
[0045] It is noted that the colored/coated silica sand may also be
used to decorate cement and masonry structures. Also, they may be
used as ground cover. These applications are particularly true of
those granules which fall outside the size limits of the turf
filler.
* * * * *