U.S. patent application number 16/830251 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for artificial turf having integrated shock absorbing structures.
The applicant listed for this patent is FieldTurf, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicolas Aumonier, Darren Gill, Gregory Randall.
Application Number | 20200308779 16/830251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004768196 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200308779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aumonier; Nicolas ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
ARTIFICIAL TURF HAVING INTEGRATED SHOCK ABSORBING STRUCTURES
Abstract
A shock absorbing artificial surface is disclosed. The shock
absorbing artificial surface comprises a flexible, porous, backing
member and parallel rows of ribbons projecting through and upwardly
from the backing member. The shock absorbing artificial surface
further comprises parallel rows of shock absorbing material on the
back of backing member overlying the rows of ribbons. The parallel
rows of shock absorbing material are spaced apart. A method of
manufacturing a shock absorbing artificial surface is also
provided.
Inventors: |
Aumonier; Nicolas;
(Montreal, CA) ; Gill; Darren; (Montreal, CA)
; Randall; Gregory; (Calhoun, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FieldTurf, Inc. |
Montreal |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004768196 |
Appl. No.: |
16/830251 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62826870 |
Mar 29, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 2201/10 20130101;
E01C 13/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 13/08 20060101
E01C013/08 |
Claims
1. A shock absorbing artificial surface comprising a flexible,
porous, backing member; parallel rows of ribbons projecting through
and upwardly from the backing member; and parallel rows of shock
absorbing material on a back side of the backing member underlying
the rows of ribbons.
2. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the parallel rows of shock absorbing material are formed by
depositing an adhesive material.
3. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 2,
wherein no additional adhesive is applied between the parallel rows
of shocking absorbing material and the back side of the backing
member.
4. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the adhesive material is a foam.
5. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the adhesive material is a frothed foam.
6. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the foam comprises polyether, polyurethane, polyester
polyurethane, latex, or mixtures thereof.
7. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material is
half-cylinder shaped or dome shaped.
8. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material has a
height between about 4 mm and about 15 mm.
9. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material has a
height sufficient to cover the rows of ribbons.
10. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material has a
width between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches.
11. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the parallel rows of shock absorbing material are spaced
apart by an uncoated gap between about 0.1 inches and about 0.3
inches.
12. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the parallel rows of shock absorbing material are not
spaced apart.
13. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a relatively thick layer of particulate material
on an upper surface of the backing member that supports the ribbons
in an upright position.
14. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 13,
wherein the particulate material comprises a mixture of sand and
ground rubber.
15. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the backing member comprises two layers of permeable
fabric, at least one of which is a needle punched fabric.
16. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material
overlies a single row of the ribbons.
17. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material
overlies two rows of the ribbons.
18. A shock absorbing artificial surface comprising a flexible,
porous, backing member; parallel rows of ribbons projecting through
and upwardly from the backing member; a layer of particulate
material on the backing member; and parallel rows of shock
absorbing material on a back side of the backing member overlying
the rows of ribbons, wherein each of the parallel rows of shock
absorbing material has a height between about 4 mm and about 15 mm
and a width between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches, and
wherein the parallel rows of shock absorbing material are spaced
apart by an uncoated gap between about 0.1 inches and about 0.3
inches.
19. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the parallel rows of shock absorbing material are formed by
depositing an adhesive material.
20. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 19,
wherein no additional adhesive is applied between the parallel rows
of shocking absorbing material and the back side of the backing
member.
21. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 19,
wherein the adhesive material is a frothed foam comprising
polyether, polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, latex, or mixtures
thereof.
22. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 18,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material
overlies a single row of the ribbons.
23. The shock absorbing artificial surface as claimed in claim 18,
wherein each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material
overlies two rows of the ribbons.
24. A method of manufacturing a shock absorbing artificial surface
comprising: tufting parallel rows of ribbons through a backing
member; and depositing a predetermined volume of an adhesive
material on a back side of the backing member overlying the rows of
ribbons, wherein the volume is sufficient to be provide an
integrated shock absorbent.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/826,870, filed on Mar. 29, 2019, the disclosure
of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to shock absorbing artificial
surfaces having parallel rows of shock absorbing material and
methods of manufacturing thereof.
[0003] Natural grass surfaces offer several advantages for
conducting different types of sports, games, or related activities.
For instance, natural grass surfaces provide an excellent
shock-absorbing cushion for athletes. Maximum absorption of shock
forces helps to reduce injuries that may arise when the athlete's
body is subjected to shock forces when impacting the playing
surface while performing various athletic movements. Natural grass
surfaces, however, require a great deal of maintenance, do not grow
well in partly or fully enclosed sports stadiums, and do not stand
up well to wear.
[0004] Currently, artificial or synthetic grass surfaces that
overcome the disadvantages of natural grass surfaces have been
installed together with a separate product called a shock pad
underneath the surfaces to absorb shock forces, thereby improving
athlete safety. Such installation, however, can be complex,
time-consuming, and expensive.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need for new artificial or synthetic
grass surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to embodiments of the present invention, a shock
absorbing artificial surface is disclosed. The shock absorbing
artificial surface comprises a flexible, porous, backing member and
parallel rows of ribbons projecting through and upwardly from the
backing member. The shock absorbing artificial surface further
comprises parallel rows of shock absorbing material on a back side
of the backing member overlying the rows of ribbons.
[0007] In desirable embodiments, the parallel rows of shock
absorbing material are formed by depositing an adhesive material.
Preferably, no additional adhesive may be applied between the
parallel rows of shock absorbing material and the back side of the
backing number. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive material is
a foam including a frothed foam. The frothed foam may comprise
frothed foam of polyether, polyurethane, polyester polyurethane,
latex, or mixtures thereof.
[0008] In some embodiments, each of the parallel rows of shock
absorbing material is half-cylinder shaped. Preferably, each of the
parallel rows of shock absorbing material may have a height between
about 4 mm and about 15 mm that is sufficient to cover the rows of
ribbons and a width between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches.
The parallel rows of shock absorbing material may be spaced apart
by an uncoated gap between about 0.1 inches and about 0.3 inches.
Alternatively, the parallel rows of shock absorbing material may
not be spaced apart.
[0009] In preferred embodiments, the backing member may comprise
two layers of permeable fabric, at least one of which is a needle
punched fabric. It should be understood that one person skilled in
the art would understand the present invention may not be limited
to the preferred backing member.
[0010] Preferably, the shock absorbing artificial surface further
comprises a relatively thick layer of particulate material on an
upper surface of the backing member that supports the ribbons in an
upright position. The particulate material may comprise a mixture
of sand and ground rubber.
[0011] In some desired embodiments, each of the parallel rows of
shock absorbing material overlies a single row of the ribbons. In
other embodiments, each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing
material overlies two rows of the ribbons.
[0012] An additional embodiment of the present invention includes a
shock absorbing artificial surface comprising flexible, porous,
backing member and parallel rows of ribbons projecting through and
upwardly from the backing member. The shock absorbing artificial
surface further comprises a layer of particulate material on the
backing member and parallel rows of shock absorbing material on the
back of backing member overlying the rows of ribbons. Each of the
parallel rows of shock absorbing material has a height between
about 4 mm and about 15 mm and a width between about 0.5 inches and
about 1.5 inches. The parallel rows of shock absorbing material are
spaced apart by an uncoated gap between about 0.1 inches and about
0.3 inches.
[0013] In preferred embodiments, the parallel rows of shock
absorbing material are formed by depositing an adhesive material.
Preferably, no additional adhesive is applied between the parallel
rows of shocking absorbing material and the back of backing number.
In certain desirable embodiments, the shock absorbing material is a
frothed foam comprising polyether, polyurethane, polyester
polyurethane, latex, or mixtures thereof. In some desired
embodiments, each of the parallel rows of shock absorbing material
overlies a single row of the ribbons. In other embodiments, each of
the parallel rows of shock absorbing material overlies two rows of
the ribbons.
[0014] A method of manufacturing a shock absorbing artificial
surface is also provided. Parallel rows of ribbons are tufted
through a backing member. A predetermined volume of an adhesive
material is deposited on a back side of the backing member
overlying the rows of ribbons. The predetermined volume is
sufficient to provide an integrated shock absorbent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Various features of examples and embodiments in accordance
with the principles described herein may be more readily understood
with reference to the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference
numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an artificial
surface of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view taken along line 2-2
in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present system and method will be described in
connection with the figures, it being understood that the
description and figures are for illustrative, non-limiting
purposes.
[0019] Systems, methods, and structures are provided that integrate
shock absorption into manufactured artificial turf that can be laid
on a field for forming an artificial turf field as part of an
overall artificial turf system for a field. During the manufacture
of artificial turf, a foam adhesive, such as frothed polyurethane
foam can be deposited to the backing along the row of artificial
fiber. The foam can integrate adhesive and shock absorption into
the artificial turf that can bind to the backing to hold the
artificial turf fibers and attach a deposit of the foam material
having the physical characteristics to absorb shock from foot
traffic or use of the surface, per for example a specified
requirement (e.g., standard shock absorption requirements). The
shock absorbing characteristic can reduce or eliminate the need for
other forms of shock absorbing solutions in artificial turf
installations such as underlying shock absorbing panels and/or
infill particles that provide shock absorption to the artificial
turf system. The rows or deposits of artificial (contemplating
configurations other than rows) are configured on the backing to be
spaced apart. The spacing is configured to be sufficient to allow
for drainage of water in expected field applications through water
permeable areas of the backing, which may be from punctured holes,
weaved surface of backing without any adhesive or other treatment
to block water, or other form of water permeability. The approach
can for example reduce time and cost which can significantly
advantage the installer and customer. The deposited material can be
an adhesive that is deposited directly on the backing of the
artificial turf (e.g., the weaved material substrates through which
artificial turf ribbons are tufted) and can adhesive can adhere
directly to the backing (and/or the material of the fibers). This
can for example include first deposit of adhesive directly on the
material to be bound and a second deposition directly on top of the
first deposit.
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a shock
absorbing artificial surface. The shock absorbing artificial
surface comprises a flexible, porous, backing member and parallel
rows of ribbons projecting through and upwardly from the backing
member. The shock absorbing artificial surface further comprises
parallel rows of shock absorbing material on the backside of the
backing member overlying the rows of ribbons. Overlying the rows of
ribbons refers to the relative position of the shock absorbing
material with a reference point of the surface being viewed for a
side where the surface is horizontal and the shock absorbing
material is on the top and the fibers on the direct opposite side
(visually extending down). When, for example, the surface is
installed the shock absorbing material will be underlying the rows
of ribbons (e.g., a row of shock absorbing material is directly
corresponding and generally aligned and underlying a row of
ribbon).
[0021] The present technology described in embodiments of the
invention meets and maintains industry/FieldTurf standard
requirements for drainage. The froth/foam line technology is
expected to supply improvement in surface hardness and provide the
necessary level of shock absorbance (e.g., the same or
substantially the same as the shock pad) with or without other
elements that are provided as a part of the structure that provides
shock absorbance such as the infill particles. Thus, the artificial
turf can be installed without a separate shock pad layer
conventionally placed underneath the turf to absorb shock forces,
or the artificial turf can consist essentially of backing, shock
absorbing bumps adhered to the backing, turf fibers, and infill
particles. Accordingly, the ground does not need to be groomed to
be flat, which is conventionally required before installing the
shock pad layer on the ground. Embodiments of the invention provide
that when the artificial turf is laid over the ground, the
compression from the weight of structure results in such a flat
surface to the view of the eye and physical landing of shoes of
players (e.g., no special grooming to the ground is needed to
adjust for the existence of the bumps). The flatness and texture of
the artificial turf described herein is the same or substantially
the same to players.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the surface 1 has a thin, flexible,
backing member 3 with parallel rows 5 of strips or ribbons 7
projecting upwardly from the backing member 3. The flexible,
backing member 3 comprises two backing layers 11, 13. The bottom
layer 11 can be a woven or needle punched polypropylene fabric. The
top layer 13 can be also a woven or needle punched polypropylene
fabric. Other suitable polymers can be used for the bottom layer 11
and the top layer 13. The plastic strips or ribbons 7 are tufted
through the backing member 3 passing through both layers. In some
embodiments, a relatively thick layer of infilled particulate
material can be provided on the backing member 3 supporting the
ribbons 7 in a relatively upright position on the backing member
3.
[0023] While the backing member 3 has been shown as comprising two
layers, it can also be formed from one layer or more. One or more
of the layers in the backing member 3 can be a needle punched woven
fabric to provide better drainage, the fabric being relatively
thick if used only as a single layer. At least one of the layers 11
in the backing member 3 can be needle punched with synthetic, fuzzy
fibers to provide means to wick moisture through the layer. The
fuzzy fibers further improve drainage of the surface.
[0024] The ribbons 7 are made from suitable synthetic plastic
material which is extruded in a strip that is relatively wide and
thin. The preferred plastic material is polyethylene which is soft
and has good abrasion resistance. Polypropylene can also be used in
making the ribbons. The strip can have a width ranging between
about a half inches and about one and a half inches but is
preferably around about one-half inch wide. The thickness of the
strip ranges between 65 microns and 150 microns. The ribbons 7 are
cut from the extruded strip and fastened by tufting in the backing
member 3 in parallel rows 5. Between 2 to 8 tufts are formed per
inch of row with 4 tufts per inch being preferable. The strips are
mechanically fibrillated or split to about one-eighth of an inch or
more. The fibrillation, which is done mechanically during the
manufacturing of the strip, provides a ribbon which resembles a
hair net, that is, the resulting fibers are interconnected.
[0025] The spacing of the rows of ribbons is dependent on the
activity to be performed on the field. For instance, cleats worn on
the shoes of athletes for different sports have a spacing on the
average of about three-quarters of an inch. Football cleats or
soccer cleats may be wider than baseball cleats. The spacing is in
relation to the type of sport to be played on the field and is a
consequence of the spacing of the cleats on the shoes of the
players. Likewise, in sports such as horse racing, it is
contemplated that much wider spacing will be required between the
rows to accommodate the wider hooves of the horses.
[0026] The layer of particulate material, for example, comprises a
mixture of a hard sand, such as silica, and cryogenically ground
crumb rubber. The particles can range in size between four mesh and
seventy mesh, but preferably are between fifteen and thirty mesh
for sports where abrasion of the players contacting the surface is
a factor and between four and thirty mesh where abrasion is not a
factor. The silica sand could be replaced by graded small rocks,
hard and heavy granulated plastics, or other hard sand. The
cryogenically ground crumb rubber could be replaced by other
resilient materials, such as cork, styrene, EPDM rubber, neoprene,
or other similar materials, if the particulate shape equates the
shape of cryogenically ground rubber. In some cases, some or all of
the resilient material could be replaced by other materials which
perform specific roles. An example would be using perlite to
replace the resilient material so as to reduce compaction and
possibly absorb moisture.
[0027] The mix of sand and resilient material can vary depending on
the end use of the surface. More rubber is used if the surface
requires more resiliency. In relatively thick surfaces the layer of
particulate material can be divided in sub-layers with the lower
sub-layer adjacent the backing member 3, having smaller particles
and the upper sub-layer having larger particles to initiate good
drainage. The particles in the lower sub-layer could be mainly sand
with a mesh size of about forty to seventy mesh. The upper
sub-layer would comprise larger particles of sand combined with the
rubber particles. Using mainly, or only, sand in the lower layer
reduces the cost of the surface.
[0028] The artificial or synthetic surface 1 is manufactured by
attaching the ribbons 7 by tufting them through the backing member
3 in rows 5. Once the ribbons 7 are tufted in place, the backing
member 3 can be coated as described herein on its back side to
adhere the ribbons to the backing member.
[0029] Preferably, in one embodiment of this invention, using a
porous backing member, only portions of the backing member are
coated to provide better drainage and to reduce costs. In
accordance with this embodiment, the backing member 3, after the
ribbons 7 have tufted in place, is passed, upside down, through a
coating machine. Conventional coating methods can be applied to the
present invention. For example, a portion 43 of the back side 11 of
the backing member 3 not overlying the parallel rows 5 of ribbons 7
is covered by an array of parallel fingers. Applicator means are
provided for applying or depositing shock absorbing material "M"
onto the back side of the backing member. The shock absorbing
material "M" is then spread and laid down against the parallel rows
5 of ribbon ends without coating the portion 43.
[0030] The shock absorbing material "M" forms strips or bumps 45 of
shock absorbing material "M" covering the ribbon rows 5, but
adjacent areas 43 of backing member 3 are uncovered, because of the
fingers, to provide a very porous surface which easily drains.
While each of the shock absorbing material "M" strips or bumps 45
covers or overlies a single row of the ribbon rows 5 in FIG. 1, it
is also possible for each of the strips or bumps 45 to cover or
overlie more than one single row of the ribbon rows 5. For example,
in some embodiments, the strips or bumps 45 cover or overlie two
rows of the ribbon rows 5.
[0031] The ribbon ends in these rows are covered with shock
absorbing material "M" to adhere the ribbons 7 to the backing
member 3. Because the shock absorbing material "M" is an adhesive
material, no additional adhesive may be applied between the
parallel rows of shocking absorbing material and the back of
backing member. In preferred embodiments, the adhesive material is
a foam including a mechanically frothed foam comprising polyether,
polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, latex, or mixtures thereof.
The material sufficiently holds the ribbons 7 in place for an
extended period (e.g. a number of years) of being subject to foot
traffic or game play.
[0032] The adhesive froth/foam coating row can be made using a
two-part polyurethane system or single part latex system with
injected N.sub.2 or compressed air to attain the desired froth/foam
density. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art of
synthetic grass surfaces, a wide variety of methods of
manufacturing the froth/foam coating row are possible. In other
embodiments, there can be two or more layers of adhesive. For
example, a first layer and one or more bump layers over it can be
provided. The multiple layers can be integrated into a single step
or component. Conventional adhesives applied to the backing member
to adhere to tufts are not capable of absorbing and dissipating
forces experienced on the surface of infilled artificial turf while
adhesives disclosed in embodiments of the past invention are
configured to both adhere to tufts and absorb and dissipate such
forces. The fingers 37 prevent shock absorbing material "M" from
covering the narrow areas 43 of the backing member 3 adjacent the
ribbon rows 5.
[0033] While one form of applying or depositing the coating in
strips on the rows of ribbons has been described, the coating could
be applied by other means. For example, a series of nozzles could
apply thin lines of coatings onto the rows of ribbons and a doctor
blade could flatten the lines of coating onto the back of the mat
while leaving relative wide, elongated areas of the backing member
uncoated and thus capable of fast drainage. The coating process can
be modified to allow simultaneous control over both height and
width of strips or bumps 45.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the parallel rows of strips or
bumps 45 of shock absorbing material is half-cylinder shaped, dome
shaped, or in any shape facilitating shock absorption. Preferably,
each of the parallel rows of strips or bumps 45 of shock absorbing
material may have a height that is sufficient to completely
encapsulate the height of the tufted ribbons making the ribbons
invisible after coating. Preferably, the height is between about 4
mm and about 15 mm. Alternatively, each of the parallel rows of
strips or bumps 45 of shock absorbing material may partially
encapsulate the height of the tufted ribbons making the ribbons
visible.
[0035] Each of the parallel rows of strips or bumps 45 of shock
absorbing material may have a width such that the strips or bumps
45 do not impede drainage. Preferably, the width is between about
0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches. The strips or bumps 45 may be
spaced apart across the adjacent areas 43 of backing member 3 by an
uncoated gap between about 0.1 inches and about 0.3 inches.
Alternatively, the parallel rows of shock absorbing material may
not be spaced apart. If not spaced apart, the strips or bumps 45
can be punctured or holed to allow for drainage. The arrangement of
the half-cylinder shaped or dome shaped strips or bumps 45 ensures
that separation between adjacent bumps is always provided.
[0036] While each of the shock absorbing material "M" strips or
bumps 45 covers or overlies a single row of the ribbon rows 5 in
FIG. 2, it is also possible for each of the strips or bumps 45 to
cover or overlie more than one single row of the ribbon rows 5. For
example, in some embodiments, the strips or bumps 45 cover or
overlie two rows of the ribbon rows 5.
[0037] Different types of bumps and arrangements can be made. The
dimensions, spacing, or frequency of the bumps (i.e. tuft gauge)
and the dimensions, weight and composition of the infill materials
are controllable. The use of the frequency of bumps (i.e. tuft
gauge), the weight of the infill material and dimensions of bumps,
and the mechanical dampening responses of artificial tuft can be
configured, and preferably the weight of infill, pile height, or
combinations of two can be reduced (e.g., in comparison to
conventional applications).
[0038] Certain known technology involved depositing an adhesive in
rows on the backing to provide the binding to the rows of fibers,
which is also involved here but that prior art approach involved
simply a liquid flat deposit of the adhesive. This approach sought
to create a generally flat backing. Embodiments of the present
invention are directed to include an adhesive comprising the foamed
material that adds height to the backing or projections that extend
above the backing when formed and correspondingly creates valleys,
which are not consistent with the "flat" approach of the above
mentioned known design.
[0039] In implementation, embodiments of the present invention
integrate adhesion (for the ribbons) and shock pad creation in the
same or single step.
[0040] In some embodiments, the function of shock absorption that
is a specific requirement for a particular field (e.g., there are
different standards by sport) is provided only, substantially only,
or substantially by the shock absorbing material attached to the
back of the backing as part of the artificial turf system (the
system meaning the overall system of turf and related components
that is installed on a particular surface to provide the field and
meet the various requirements). For example, shock absorbing
material that is attached to the back, as per embodiments herein,
provides 75% or more of the shock absorption functionality of the
artificial turf system
[0041] In some embodiments, implementation can be with or without
the installation of a shock pad that is rolled on the field or
placed in panels as an underlayment before the artificial turf is
rolled over the underlayment as part of the installation.
[0042] Other types of spacing are contemplated, for example, there
can be abutting deposited material, followed by a break for water
drainage, and another two abutting deposits.
[0043] In some embodiments, the deposited material that provides
the integrated adhesive and mechanical dampening functions is made
only from a single foamed adhesive. In some embodiments, the
deposited material is substantially only or substantially made of
the single foamed adhesive (e.g., frothed polyurethane foam). In
some embodiments, over 75%, 80%, or 90% of the deposited material
is the foamed adhesive (e.g., frothed polyurethane foam).
[0044] It should be understood that combinations of described
features or steps are contemplated even if they are not described
directly together or not in the same context.
[0045] It should be also contemplated that one skilled in the art
would understand the present invention may not be limited only to
the height and width of strips or bumps and distance therebetween
described in the embodiments.
[0046] It should be understood that claims that include fewer
limitations, broader claims, such as claims without requiring a
certain feature or process step in the appended claim or in the
specification, clarifications to the claim elements, different
combinations, and alternative implementations based on the
specification, or different uses, are also contemplated by the
embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] The term "about" herein specifically includes .+-.10% from
the indicated values in the range.
[0048] It should be understood that a reference to layer or
deposited material does not necessarily mean that it is a single
layer or material and/or there can be overlying or intermediary
material.
[0049] Other terms or words that are used herein are directed to
those of ordinary skill in the art in this field of technology and
the meaning of those terms or words will be understood from
terminology used in that field or can be reasonably interpreted
based on the plain English meaning of the words in conjunction with
knowledge in this field of technology. This includes an
understanding of implicit features that for example may involve
multiple possibilities, but to a person of ordinary skill in the
art a reasonable or primary understanding or meaning is
understood.
[0050] It should be understood that the above-described examples
are merely illustrative of some of the many specific examples that
represent the principles described herein. Clearly, those skilled
in the art can readily devise numerous other arrangements without
departing from the scope as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *