U.S. patent application number 14/336568 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-22 for surface covering panel, surface covering panel assembly and method of installing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is 4427017 Canada Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard DiPietro, Frederic Vachon.
Application Number | 20150024150 14/336568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52343786 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150024150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vachon; Frederic ; et
al. |
January 22, 2015 |
SURFACE COVERING PANEL, SURFACE COVERING PANEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
OF INSTALLING THE SAME
Abstract
The present document relates to surface covering panel assembly
for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer.
The surface covering panel assembly includes substantially
identical surface covering panels. Each one of the surface covering
panels includes a sheet member made of a first flexible material,
the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the
top layer and a second surface, a padding layer panel made of a
second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first
surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the
sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the
receiving surface, and an edge being adapted for releasable
attachment to one of the at least other substantially identical
surface covering panel.
Inventors: |
Vachon; Frederic;
(Ste-Dorothee, CA) ; DiPietro; Richard; (Laval,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
4427017 Canada Inc. |
Laval |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
52343786 |
Appl. No.: |
14/336568 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61856342 |
Jul 19, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/17 ; 428/95;
428/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 27/12 20130101;
B32B 27/322 20130101; B32B 25/10 20130101; B32B 25/14 20130101;
B32B 27/304 20130101; B32B 2307/554 20130101; Y10T 428/24008
20150115; B32B 2471/00 20130101; A63C 19/04 20130101; A63C 19/12
20130101; Y10T 428/23979 20150401; E01C 13/045 20130101; E01C 13/08
20130101; B32B 2264/0257 20130101; A63G 31/00 20130101; B32B 27/40
20130101; B32B 5/32 20130101; B32B 27/065 20130101; B32B 2266/025
20130101; B32B 5/245 20130101; B32B 27/306 20130101; B32B 27/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/17 ; 428/99;
428/95 |
International
Class: |
A63C 19/12 20060101
A63C019/12 |
Claims
1. A surface covering panel for assembly with at least another
substantially identical surface covering panel for forming a
surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving
surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel
comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the
sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top
layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made of a second
flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface
for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet
member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving
surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to the
at least another substantially identical surface covering
panel.
2. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the second
flexible material comprises at least one of: an expanded
polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an
expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a
natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a
acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate
(EVA).
3. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the top layer
comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic
turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a
rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type
top layer and a snow melt top layer.
4. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the edge
comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to more
than two of the at least another substantially identical surface
covering panel.
5. The surface covering panel of claim 1, further comprising an
extension member outwardly extending from the sheet member for
releasably attaching with the at least another substantially
identical surface covering panel.
6. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the top layer and
the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded
together.
7. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the edge
comprises at least one of: a fastening material and a mating
connector.
8. The surface covering panel of claim 7, wherein the fastening
material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a
Velcro.TM. hook material, a Velcro.TM. loop material, a Velcro.TM.
mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and
polypropylene.
9. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the sheet member,
the padding layer panel and the top layer are configured to be one
of: rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a surface
covering position.
10. A surface covering panel assembly for installation over a
receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel
assembly comprising: substantially identical surface covering
panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering
panels comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible
material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing
with the top layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made
of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a
first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by
the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the
receiving surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable
attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical
surface covering panels.
11. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, further
comprising joining padding layer panels, each one of the joining
padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of the
substantially identical surface covering panels with a
corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.
12. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein a
width, defined by each one of the joining padding layer panels,
substantially corresponds to a sum of a first width defined by the
edge of the one of the substantially identical surface covering
panels and a second width defined by the corresponding edge of the
adjacent surface covering panel.
13. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the
second flexible material and the joining padding layer panels
comprise at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded
polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an
extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an
extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM),
a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic
rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock
absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene
rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
14. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the
edge and one of: an upper side and an underside of the joining
padding layer panels comprise at least one of: a fastening material
and a mating connector.
15. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the
fastening material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop
material, a Velcro.TM. hook material, a Velcro.TM. loop material, a
Velcro.TM. mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and
polypropylene.
16. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the
one of: the upper side and the underside of the joining padding
layer panels comprises a Velcro.TM. loop material and the edge
comprises a Velcro.TM. hook material with a laminated textile
material.
17. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the
top layer comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a
synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile
fabric, a rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a
mat-like type top layer and a snow melt top layer.
18. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the
edge comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to
more than two of the at least another one of the substantially
identical surface covering panels.
19. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the
top layer and the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together
and bonded together by heat.
20. A surface covering panel assembly for installation over a
receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel
assembly comprising: substantially identical surface covering
panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering
panels comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible
material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing
with the top layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made
of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a
first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by
the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the
receiving surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable
attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical
surface covering panels; and joining padding layer panels, each one
of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of
the substantially identical surface covering panels with a
corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35USC.sctn.119(e) of
US provisional patent application 61/856,342 filed Jul. 19, 2013,
the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] (a) Field
[0003] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to playing
fields and more particularly to artificial sports and amusement
playing fields. The subject-matter disclosed may also relate to
artificial surface covering panels of all kinds (i.e., artificial
sports playing fields, artificial amusement playing fields,
gymnasium surfaces, backyard surfaces, driveway surfaces and the
like).
[0004] (b) Related Prior Art
[0005] In soccer or any other field sport, the use of synthetic
turf has been growing steadily in recent years. The advantages of
synthetic turf are numerous. For example, synthetic turf does not
need as much care as real grass. Moreover, synthetic turf is more
durable and in some cases, even removable using panel systems.
[0006] However, synthetic turf without resilient infill can rarely
be used directly on the floor or ground and they usually require
padding layer panels of some sort. As it is known in the art, these
padding layer panels can be made of different resilient materials
and can have single or multiple layers. The synthetic turf and its
attached padding layer panel usually come in full size rolls of 12'
or 15' width. This width of roll creates heavy rolls especially
when rolls are longer than 50' and requires fork lift or heavy
equipment to be transported. An option to overcome this problem is
to create smaller pieces like panels in the form of large
rectangular panels that are placed, one adjacent to the next, in
such a way as to cover the desired surface.
[0007] However, when the installation is not meant to be permanent,
all the panels will need to be removed and reinstalled
individually. This can be a long and expensive process depending of
the frequency of installation of the panels.
[0008] One possible way to solve these aforementioned problems
would be to use larger panels. This would reduce the number of
panels required to cover a certain area but would add a burden on
the persons charged with the installation of these larger but
heavier panels.
[0009] There exists panels, such as the one found in FIG. 1. The
panel includes a sheet member and a padding layer panel. The
padding layer panel includes a plurality of padding layer panel
elements, for allowing the panel to be rolled and unrolled.
However, the materials used for the fabrication of such panels may
be damaged on the site of installation and when manipulating,
rolling and unrolling the panels. Moreover, the process to
fabricate these panels can be complex and expensive.
[0010] On the other hand, for a plurality of other applications,
artificial surface covering panels of all kinds (i.e., artificial
sports playing fields, artificial amusement playing fields,
gymnasium surfaces, backyard surfaces, driveway surfaces and the
like) may be used. These panels need to be easy to install and
reinstall, easy to manufacture, easy to roll and unroll, durable,
fast to install and easy to manipulate. Many panels exist on the
market to cover such surfaces. However, these panels are usually
hard to manipulate, necessitate to be installed by more than one
person, and are long and heavy to install.
[0011] There is therefore a need for improved surface covering
panel assemblies and surface covering panels that are easy to
manipulate, more flexible, more durable and fast to install.
SUMMARY
[0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided a surface
covering panel for assembly with at least another substantially
identical surface covering panel for forming a surface covering
panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under
a top layer, the surface covering panel comprising: a sheet member
made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a
first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second
surface; a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material,
the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially
covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a
second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and an
edge being adapted for releasable attachment to the at least
another substantially identical surface covering panel.
[0013] According to another embodiment, the second flexible
material comprises at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an
extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an
expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a
natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a
acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate
(EVA).
[0014] According to a further embodiment, the top layer comprises
at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC,
PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like
top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer
and a snow melt top layer.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment, the edge comprises more
than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at
least another substantially identical surface covering panel.
[0016] According to a further embodiment, the surface covering
panel further comprises an extension member outwardly extending
from the sheet member for releasably attaching with the at least
another substantially identical surface covering panel.
[0017] According to yet another embodiment, the top layer and the
sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded
together.
[0018] According to another embodiment, the edge comprises at least
one of: a fastening material and a mating connector.
[0019] According to a further embodiment, the fastening material
comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro.TM.
hook material, a Velcro.TM. loop material, a Velcro.TM.
mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and
polypropylene.
[0020] According to yet another embodiment, the sheet member, the
padding layer panel and the top layer are configured to be one of:
rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a surface
covering position.
[0021] According to another embodiment, there is provided a surface
covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface
and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly
comprising: substantially identical surface covering panels, each
one of the substantially identical surface covering panels
comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the
sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top
layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made of a second
flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface
for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet
member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving
surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to at
least another one of the substantially identical surface covering
panels.
[0022] According to a further embodiment, the surface covering
panel assembly further comprises joining padding layer panels, each
one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one
of the substantially identical surface covering panels with a
corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment, a width, defined by
each one of the joining padding layer panels, substantially
corresponds to a sum of a first width defined by the edge of the
one of the substantially identical surface covering panels and a
second width defined by the corresponding edge of the adjacent
surface covering panel.
[0024] According to another embodiment, the second flexible
material and the joining padding layer panels comprise at least one
of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam,
an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded
polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb
rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a
polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent
material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)
and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
[0025] According to yet another embodiment, the edge and one of: an
upper side and an underside of the joining padding layer panels
comprise at least one of: a fastening material and a mating
connector.
[0026] According to another embodiment, the fastening material
comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro.TM.
hook material, a Velcro.TM. loop material, a Velcro.TM.
mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and
polypropylene.
[0027] According to a further embodiment, the one of: the upper
side and the underside of the joining padding layer panels,
comprises a Velcro.TM. loop material and the edge comprises a
Velcro.TM. hook material with a laminated textile material.
[0028] According to yet another embodiment, the top layer comprises
at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC,
PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like
top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer
and a snow melt top layer.
[0029] According to a further embodiment, the edge comprises more
than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at
least another one of the substantially identical surface covering
panels.
[0030] According to yet another embodiment, the top layer and the
sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded
together.
[0031] According to another embodiment, the sheet member, the
padding layer panel and the top layer of each one of the
substantially identical surface covering panels are configured to
be one of: rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a
surface covering position.
[0032] According to another embodiment, there is provided a surface
covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface
and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly
comprising: [0033] substantially identical surface covering panels,
each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels
comprising: [0034] a sheet member made of a first flexible
material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing
with the top layer and a second surface; [0035] a padding layer
panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel
defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface
defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing
with the receiving surface; and [0036] an edge being adapted for
releasable attachment to at least another one of the substantially
identical surface covering panels; and [0037] joining padding layer
panels, each one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the
edge of one of the substantially identical surface covering panels
with a corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering
panel.
[0038] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will
become more apparent in light of the following detailed description
of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying
figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and
claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all
without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the
drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject
matter is set forth in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a surface covering
panel in its partially rolled position in accordance with the prior
art;
[0041] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an artificial sports playing
field in accordance with an embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of an artificial amusement
playing field in accordance with another embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a front elevation exploded view of a surface
covering panel in accordance with another embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a surface covering panel
assembly in accordance with another embodiment, the surface
covering panel assembly being in its rolled position;
[0045] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel
assembly in accordance with another embodiment, the surface
covering panel assembly being in its covering position;
[0046] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a joining padding
layer panel in accordance with another embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a surface covering panel
assembly in accordance with another embodiment, where the padding
layer panels are shown in dotted lines;
[0050] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a surface covering
panel assembly in accordance with another embodiment, showing a
surface covering panel and its adjacent joining padding layer
panel; and
[0051] FIG. 11 is a front elevation exploded view of a surface
covering panel in accordance with another embodiment.
[0052] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] In embodiments there are disclosed surface covering panels,
surface covering panel assemblies and methods of installing the
same. The surface covering panel and/or the surface covering panel
assembly can be rolled and unrolled as desired.
[0054] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG.
2A, there is shown an artificial sports playing field 100 in
accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of
aligned and/or adjacent surface covering panels 12 forms the
artificial sports playing field 100. It is to be noted that the
artificial sports playing field 100 on FIG. 2A represents an
artificial sports playing field 100 used for football, but that the
artificial sports playing field 100 may be any other type of
artificial sports playing field such as, without limitation, an
artificial soccer playing field, an artificial track and field
playing field, an artificial basketball playing field, an
artificial tennis playing field, and the like. It is to be noted
that the surface covering panels 12 of FIG. 2A are not drawn to
scale; their dimensions in FIG. 2A relative to other references in
the figure (e.g., the references to yard positions on the sports
playing field) are not representative of reality. Thus, if FIG. 2A
represented reality, the surface covering panels 12 would be drawn
smaller in size for most embodiments.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 2B, there is shown an artificial amusement
playing field 200 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 2B, a plurality of aligned and/or adjacent surface covering
panels 12 form the artificial amusement playing field 200. It is to
be noted that the artificial amusement playing field 200 on FIG. 2B
represents an artificial sports playing field 200 used for
hopscotch, but that the artificial amusement playing field 200 may
be any other type of artificial amusement playing field such as,
without limitation, an artificial snakes and ladders playing field,
an artificial amusement playing field in a children area, an
artificial gymnasium playing field area, an artificial backyard
playing field, and the like.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a surface covering
panel 12 in more details. The surface covering panel 12 is for
assembly with other substantially identical surface covering panels
12 for forming a surface covering panel assembly 10 (FIGS. 2A, 2B,
5, 9 and 10) for installation over a receiving surface 14 and under
a top layer 16 (i.e., here a carpet-like top layer 16). As shown,
the surface covering panel 12 includes a sheet member 18 which is
made of a first flexible material. The sheet member 18 defines a
first surface 20 which is for interfacing with the top layer 16 or
carpet-like top layer 16 and a second surface 22. The surface
covering panel 12 further includes a padding layer panel 24 which
is made of a second flexible material. The padding layer panel 24
defines a first surface 26 which is for partially covering the
second surface 22 which is defined by the sheet member 18. The
padding layer panel 24 further defines a second surface 28 which is
for interfacing with the receiving surface 14 (i.e., a ground
surface, a sport field, a playground, a backyard environment, and
the like). The surface covering panel 12 also includes edges 30a,
30b. At least one of the edges 30a, 30b is adapted for attaching or
connecting with one of the other substantially identical surface
covering panels 12. It is to be noted that the top layer 16 or
carpet-like top layer 16 and the sheet member 18 may be integral
such as to form one layer of material only.
[0057] According to one embodiment, the second flexible material of
the padding layer panel 24 may include, without limitation, one of
an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an
expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded
polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded
polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb
rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a
polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a PVC mixed with an
acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), any combination and the like.
It is also to be noted that the first flexible material of the
sheet member 18 can correspond to the second flexible material of
the padding layer panel 24.
[0058] According to a further embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a surface
covering panel assembly 10 which is in its rolled position. As
shown, the surface covering panel assembly 10 is composed of a
plurality of padding layer panels 24 attached to a plurality of
sheet members 18. The plurality of surface covering panels 12 are
releasably attached or fastened together via a joining padding
layer panel 32, which will be described hereinbelow in more
details.
[0059] According to one embodiment, the padding layer panels 24 are
preferably glued to the sheet members 18 but other suitable means
of attachment can be used. According to another embodiment, if both
the padding layer panels 24 and the sheet members 18 are made of a
polymeric material, they may be bonded together. In certain
examples, they may be bonded together by heat.
[0060] It is to be noted that the length and width of the surface
covering panel 12 may be selected as to best fit the specific use
of the surface covering panel 12. Each sheet member 18 and padding
layer panel 24 may be made more or less wide and the surface
covering panel 12 may be made more or less long. The weight of the
surface covering panel 12 and the ease of manipulation can thus be
controlled for specific applications.
[0061] It is also to be noted that that the sheet member 18 may
receive any carpet-like top layer 16 such as, without limitation,
any useful surface covering such as carpet, synthetic turf, PVC,
PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, geotextile fabric, and the like.
As long as the sheet member 18 with or without its respective
carpet-like top layer 16 is sufficiently flexible and resilient to
be rolled and unrolled without being damaged.
[0062] As mentioned above, when the padding layer panel 24 of the
surface covering panel 12 serves as an underpad for the surface
covering panel 12, the padding layer panel 24 is preferably made of
a shock absorbent material. Thus, padding layer panels 24 may be
made of any suitable materials, each of the suitable materials
including different shock absorbing characteristics.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a surface covering
panel assembly 10 which includes a plurality (three) surface
covering panels 12 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown,
each surface covering panel 12 includes a padding layer panel 24
made of the second flexible material which is fixedly attached to a
sheet member 18 made of the first flexible material. Each surface
covering panel 12 further defines edges 30a, 30b for allowing the
connection of adjacent surface covering panels 12.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a surface covering
panel 12 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown, the
surface covering panel 12 includes a padding layer panel 24 made of
the second flexible material which is fixedly attached to a sheet
member 18 made of the first flexible material. Additionally, the
sheet member 18 includes extension members 34 which extend in the
fore sides beyond the area covered by the padding layer panel 24.
These extension members 34 may be used as fastening means. The
surface covering panel 12 further defines edges 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d
for allowing the connection of adjacent surface covering panels 12.
For example, the extension members 34 and edges 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d
may include Velcro.TM. bands to be fixedly attached to an underside
of the extension members 34 of the sheet member 18 that extends
beyond the padding layer panel 24. The Velcro.TM. bands are
preferably made of a porous material allowing glue penetration for
a better mechanical bonding. The Velcro .TM. bands may be similar
to Velcro .TM. 3001 bands or Velcro .TM. 1000 bands with a
polyurethane binder coat. It is to be noted that it is not a need
that the sheet member 18 extends beyond all four sides of the
surface covering panel 12. Only, one, two, three or more edges 30a,
30, 30c or 30d of the surface covering panel 12 may be uncovered by
the padding layer panel 24.
[0065] When a plurality of surface covering panels 12 are needed to
cover a given receiving surface 14, adjacent surface covering
panels 12 are connected together to provide a user with a surface
covering panel assembly 10. Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown
a surface covering panel assembly 10 for installation over a
receiving surface 14 and a top layer 16 or under a carpet-like top
layer 16. The surface covering panel assembly 10 includes a
plurality of substantially identical surface covering panels 12 as
defined above. Each one of the surface covering panels 12 includes
one or more edges 30, where at least one of the edges 30 is to be
connected to an adjacent surface covering panel 12. The surface
covering panel assembly 10 further includes a plurality of joining
padding layer panels 32 (FIGS. 7 and 10). Each one of the plurality
of joining padding layer panels 32 connects an edge 30 of one
surface covering panel 12 with a corresponding edge 30 of an
adjacent surface covering panel 12.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the joining padding layer panel 32 may
be a single padding layer panel which has an upper side 38 and an
underside 40. The upper side 38 includes a fastening material,
preferably a Velcro.TM. band which is complementary with the
Velcro.TM. band of the edges 30 of the surface covering panel
12.
[0067] According to an embodiment, the Velcro .TM. is preferably a
hook and loop material with a laminated textile material. The
fastening material may include any suitable material, such as,
without limitation, nylon, polyester or polypropylene of type HTH
868 or equivalent, any suitable combination, and the like. For
permanent installation of the surface covering panel assembly 10,
the Velcro.TM. hook may have a mushroom-like shape of brand
Velcro.TM. 87-S or similar. It is to be noted that the fastening
material of the joining padding layer panel 32 and the fastening
material of the edges 30 of the surface covering panel 12 may
include any suitable material, such as to allow a releasable
connection between the upper side 38 of the joining padding layer
panel 32 and the surface covering panel 12. It is also to be
mentioned that the fastening materials of the joining padding layer
panel 32 and of the surface covering panel 12 may be
interchangeable.
[0068] According to another embodiment and referring now to FIG. 8,
there is shown that the sheet member 18 extends beyond two sides
only of the surface covering panel 12 such as to allow the sheet
member 18 to be offset from the padding layer panel 24. This
configuration eliminates the need of additional fastening material
on the edges other than edges 30a, 30b of the sheet member 18 of
the surface covering panel 12. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan
view of the edges 30a, 30b of the surface covering panel 12. The
edges 30a, 30b are simply defined by the padding layer panel 24
glued offset from the sheet member 18. The edges 30a, 30b may
include, as defined above, Velcro.TM. bands. The Velcro.TM. bands
preferably include a Velcro.TM. hook material with a laminated
textile material. The band edges may include any suitable material,
such as, without limitation, nylon, polyester or polypropylene of
type HTH 868 or equivalent. For permanent installation, Velcro.TM.
hook can include a mushroom-like shape of brand Velcro.TM. 87-S or
similar. Other fastening material could be used. For example, edges
30a, 30b may include a mating connector for releasably connecting
with corresponding mating connectors on other edges 30a, 30b of
another surface covering panel 12 or with corresponding mating
connectors on the upper side 38 of the joining padding layer panel
32. Although not shown in FIG. 8, it is to be noted that the top
plan view of the surface covering panel 12 would be very similar to
the bottom plan view. There would also be an edges 30a, 30b.
However edges 30a, 30b would be on the padding layer panel 24 and
include the corresponding material to edges 30a, 30b on the sheet
member 18; i.e., edges on top comprise the hook material while
those on the bottom comprise the loop material corresponding
thereto (or vice versa).
[0069] It is to be noted that there is a need to glue the fastening
materials of the surface covering panel 12 or of the joining
padding layer panel 32 on the sheet member 18 or on the joining
padding layer panel 32. To facilitate some specific applications,
the fastening material could be a sheet of a fastening material
glued on the joining padding layer panel 32 and/or on the sheet
member 18 of the surface covering panel 12.
[0070] The width of the joining padding layer panels 32 generally
corresponds to the width of edges 30 of adjacent surface covering
panels 12 (i.e., the sum of a first width (one of the edges 30) and
a second width (another one of the edges 30)). Thus, to join two
adjacent surface covering panels 12 together, one or more joining
padding layer panels 32 should be installed between each adjacent
surface covering panel 12 as shown in FIG. 10. The
complementarities of the fastening materials of the joining padding
layer panels 32 and of the surface covering panel 12 generate a
strong connection between adjacent surface covering panels 12 and
thus prevent any gap to be created between adjacent surface
covering panels 12.
[0071] It is to be understood that the length of each joining
padding layer panel 32 may differ to allow any suitable combination
of connections between the surface covering panels 12. For example,
in FIG. 10, there are shown two different types of joining padding
layer panels 32, a regular joining padding layer panel, which
preferably extends at least the full length of the sheet member 18,
and the transverse joining padding layer panel, which preferably
extends the full width of the surface covering panels 12.
[0072] It is to be noted that the surface covering panels 12 and
the surface covering panel assemblies 10 may be used for indoor
applications, outdoor applications or both. Thus, sheet members 18
and padding layer panels 24 may further include draining holes and
channels (not shown) for allowing drainage of the surface covering
panel assembly 10 when installed on the receiving surface 14 to be
covered. The draining holes in the sheet members 18 may be
preferably aligned with the draining holes in the padding layer
panels 24.
[0073] It is also to be noted that the surface covering panel 12
and/or the surface covering panel assemblies 10 may be rolled and
unrolled between a rolled position (i.e., to be transported, to be
stored and the like) and a covering position (i.e., for covering
the receiving surface). For example, a user can decide to install a
surface covering panel assembly 10 to cover a receiving surface 14,
such as, for example, a sports field or an amusement field. When
the user needs to transport, or to store the surface covering panel
assembly 10, the user may decide to roll the entirety of the
surface covering panel assembly 10. However, this can lead to a
huge rolled surface covering panel assembly 10. Thus, the user may
decide to disconnect some surface covering panels 12 or adjacent
surface covering panel assemblies 10 with their adjacent surface
covering panel 12 for allowing him to roll a much smaller and
lighter surface covering panel assembly 10. The user can also
decide to manipulate each panel individually as a panel system.
[0074] According to another embodiment, the sheet member 18 may be
a flexible floor covering.
[0075] According to another embodiment, the sheet members 18 and
the padding layer panels 24 may be glued together using a flame
treatment process prior application of glue or an adhesive. The
glue may include one of: urethane with one or two components,
acrylic, an olefin base hot melt, any combination and the like.
[0076] According to another embodiment, the surface defined by the
sheet member 18 may be greater than the surface defined by the
padding layer panel 24. Furthermore, the surface defined by the
sheet member 18 may define a portion which extends beyond at least
one side of the surface defined by the padding layer panel 24.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a surface covering
panel 12 in accordance with another embodiment for creating an
artificial amusement playing field 200 (FIG. 2A). The surface
covering panel 12 is for assembly with other substantially
identical surface covering panels 12 for forming a surface covering
panel assembly 10 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5, 9 and 10) for installation over
a receiving surface 14 and under a top layer 17 (i.e., here an
amusement top layer 17). As shown, the surface covering panel 12
includes a sheet member 18 which is made of a first flexible
material. The sheet member 18 defines a first surface 20 which is
for interfacing with the top layer 17 (or amusement top layer 16 in
previous figures) and a second surface 22. The surface covering
panel 12 further includes a padding layer panel 24 which is made of
a second flexible material. The padding layer panel 24 defines a
first surface 26 which is for partially covering the second surface
22 which is defined by the sheet member 18. The padding layer panel
24 further defines a second surface 28 which is for interfacing
with the receiving surface 14 (i.e., a ground surface, a sport
field, a playground, a backyard environment, and the like). The
surface covering panel 12 also includes edges 30a, 30b. At least
one of the edges 30a, 30b is adapted for attaching or connecting
with one of the other substantially identical surface covering
panels 12. It is to be noted that the top layer 17 or amusement top
layer 17 and the sheet member 18 may be integral such as to form
one layer of material only.
[0078] According to one embodiment, the top layer or amusement top
layer 17 may include, without limitation, a rubber-like top layer
(i.e., for covering playground areas), a water-resistant top layer
(i.e., for swimming pool areas), a mat-like type top layer (i.e.,
for replacing gymnastic mat), a snow melt top layer (i.e., for
driveway and around the house areas), a roof top layer, and the
like
[0079] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method
for covering an area having boundaries with a surface covering
panel assembly 10. The method includes the steps of: providing a
surface covering panel assembly 10 in a rolled position; unrolling
the surface covering panel assembly 10 on the area; adjusting, if
necessary, the surface covering panel assembly 10 to remove gaps
between the plurality of surface covering panels 12 and the
boundaries; adjusting, if necessary, the surface covering panel
assembly 10 to remove gaps between the surface covering panel
assembly 10 and an adjacent surface covering panel assembly 10
already installed. The steps may be repeated until complete
installation of the surface covering panel assembly 10 or of a
plurality of surface covering panel assemblies 10.
[0080] It is also to be mentioned that each surface covering panel
assembly 10 or surface covering panel 12 is to be attached to an
adjacent surface covering panel assembly 10 or surface covering
panel 12 with the use of one or more joining padding layer panel 32
which includes the fastening material.
[0081] Depending on the size of the artificial sports playing field
100 (FIG. 2A) or of the size of the artificial amusement playing
field 200 (FIG. 2B) and the available equipment on site, the
surface covering panel assembly 10 can be used in surface covering
panels 12 or in rolls in custom lengths and widths depending of the
need of the user (i.e., For example, the surface covering
panel/surface covering panel assembly may be a 3'.times.3',
4'.times.6'. 10'.times.10', and the like).
[0082] It is to be noted that the joining padding layer panel 32
may be of the same material of the second flexible material of the
padding layer panel 24 such as to roll and unroll easily.
[0083] While preferred embodiments have been described above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without
departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered
as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *