CA1300955C - All weather surfaces - Google Patents
All weather surfacesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1300955C CA1300955C CA000584765A CA584765A CA1300955C CA 1300955 C CA1300955 C CA 1300955C CA 000584765 A CA000584765 A CA 000584765A CA 584765 A CA584765 A CA 584765A CA 1300955 C CA1300955 C CA 1300955C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sand
- fibres
- mixture
- fibre
- weight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
ALL WEATHER SURFACES
A surface suitable for equestrian and other use such as ball games is formed using a sand mixture which comprises a selected sand within which is distributed in a homogenous and randomly oriented manner a relatively small percentage by weight of straight (uncrimped) polymeric fibres, the fibres serving to hold the sand together under the weight of the horses hooves or players feet or other users such as wheeled vehicles or implements. A sand mixture comprising a selected sand containing a small percentage by weight of elongate fibres, the fibres being homogenously mixed into the sand in a high intensity mixer and in which the elongate fibres are of a polymeric material and are in uncrimped form, is also claimed per se.
ALL WEATHER SURFACES
A surface suitable for equestrian and other use such as ball games is formed using a sand mixture which comprises a selected sand within which is distributed in a homogenous and randomly oriented manner a relatively small percentage by weight of straight (uncrimped) polymeric fibres, the fibres serving to hold the sand together under the weight of the horses hooves or players feet or other users such as wheeled vehicles or implements. A sand mixture comprising a selected sand containing a small percentage by weight of elongate fibres, the fibres being homogenously mixed into the sand in a high intensity mixer and in which the elongate fibres are of a polymeric material and are in uncrimped form, is also claimed per se.
Description
i300955 ALL WEATHER SURFACES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to all weather surfaces and more particularly to surfaces suitable for equestrian events.
8ACXGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION
. .
The natural surface for most sporting events, particularly horse jumping, is grass. This is acceptable for large areas such as race courses where the usage is low and the grass therefore has time to recover between race meetings. Where the surface is used more extensively for example in training areas grass particularly in the autumn and winter period becomes worn and muddy patches appear. These patches form dusty hard surfaces in dry conditions. In the summer turf can become hard and this may lead to an unacceptable incidence of leg injuries.
This also applies to frosty weather. Thus for an exercise and/or all weather race track area grass is not acceptable, As an alternative to grass a number of artificial surfaces have been used. A first known surface comprises natur~l wood fibre and this when new provides a good surface. It is however a natual material and therefore deteriorates with age. Thus it has to be replaced and since it is fairly expensive the replacement cost is high.
A second known surface comprises finely chopped P.V.C.
often from used cable electrical cable insulation material. This produces a good surface but if laid deeply the surface is rather loose and the cost of the material is very high. A third known surface comprises ashes from power stations. The ashes provide a surface which drains readily when newly laid in wet weather but in dry conditions the surface produces dust and becomes compacted becoming hard especially after prolonged use. An - alternative surface is silica sand which provides a good i300955 -æ-surface in wet weather conditions but in dry weather conditions the sand provides an extremely difficult surrace for both jumping and landing particularly for an e~uestrian practise ring. The principal problem of silica sand is that it lacks cohesion therefore providing a surface which is described as riding too deep and loose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an all weather surface which is acceptable in both wet and dry conditions for all types of practise arenas.
The present invention therefore provides an all weather surface for equestrian events comprising a layer of material laid on top of a prepared drainage base, the material comprising a mixture of sand and elongate synthetic fibres, the fibres being randomly dispersed as separate individual fibres throughout the sand to produce a relatively soft surface and in which the fibres are in the range of one to three inches (25 to 75mm) in length and are of an uncrimped form.
P_eferably the sand particles are in the range from 100 to 1000 ~m. A selected range of fibre length is between 35 to 50 mm.
Preferably the layer is between 75 mm and 150 mm thick. The diameter of fibres is 50 to 150 denier. A
preferred value is in the region of 100 denier and a depth of layer of 100 mm.
The fibres are preferably of any polymeric or inorganic material but preferably polypropylene in an uncximped form commonly referred to as straight staple fibre. The percentage of fibre in the mixture is preferably in the region of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight with a preferred value of 0.3% and a preferred range of 0.25 to .45%.
The sand may be silica sand, or a sand bonded with water activated clay or a sand bonded with an organic li~uid activated clay.
When a silica sand mixture is ùsed the percentage of fibres preferred is in the range from 0.25 to 0.45~ by ~30095S
weight. For a sand bonded with water activated clay or an organic liquid activated clay the percentage of fibres preferred is in the range from 0.1 to 0.4% by weight.
The fibres may be coloured to conform to the colour of the sand and thereby being substantially invisible in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
There are three main types of sand which are suitable for riding surfaces namely silica sand, sand bonded with water activated clay and sand bonded with an organic fluid activated clay. Each of these types of sand, when combined with the fibres in a substantially homogenous manner produces a good surface for a horse riding practise area but each has its own characteristic making it more suitable for certain conditions. Each type has been tried in practical tests as follows:-1. Silica Sand This is a sand which is relatively clean is clay freeand is a well graded sand produced by a wet classification method. In practise when mixed with the fibre the mixture is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The mixture requires a relatively high fibre content and a preferred range is between 0.25 to 0.45% by weight of fibre. This is because the sand prior to mixing with the~ fibre is relatively free to move and therefore requires a relatively high fibre content to effect the desired result.
The silica sand and fibre mixture is particularly suited to outdoor use in high rainfall areas because it drains freely, especially if laid on a well draining sub layer. It may be used indoors where it benefits from regular spraying with water to produce a good surface for riding. Alternatively a water retaining agent such as calcium chloride may be applied to the sand to assist in retaining the moisture within the sand.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to all weather surfaces and more particularly to surfaces suitable for equestrian events.
8ACXGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION
. .
The natural surface for most sporting events, particularly horse jumping, is grass. This is acceptable for large areas such as race courses where the usage is low and the grass therefore has time to recover between race meetings. Where the surface is used more extensively for example in training areas grass particularly in the autumn and winter period becomes worn and muddy patches appear. These patches form dusty hard surfaces in dry conditions. In the summer turf can become hard and this may lead to an unacceptable incidence of leg injuries.
This also applies to frosty weather. Thus for an exercise and/or all weather race track area grass is not acceptable, As an alternative to grass a number of artificial surfaces have been used. A first known surface comprises natur~l wood fibre and this when new provides a good surface. It is however a natual material and therefore deteriorates with age. Thus it has to be replaced and since it is fairly expensive the replacement cost is high.
A second known surface comprises finely chopped P.V.C.
often from used cable electrical cable insulation material. This produces a good surface but if laid deeply the surface is rather loose and the cost of the material is very high. A third known surface comprises ashes from power stations. The ashes provide a surface which drains readily when newly laid in wet weather but in dry conditions the surface produces dust and becomes compacted becoming hard especially after prolonged use. An - alternative surface is silica sand which provides a good i300955 -æ-surface in wet weather conditions but in dry weather conditions the sand provides an extremely difficult surrace for both jumping and landing particularly for an e~uestrian practise ring. The principal problem of silica sand is that it lacks cohesion therefore providing a surface which is described as riding too deep and loose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an all weather surface which is acceptable in both wet and dry conditions for all types of practise arenas.
The present invention therefore provides an all weather surface for equestrian events comprising a layer of material laid on top of a prepared drainage base, the material comprising a mixture of sand and elongate synthetic fibres, the fibres being randomly dispersed as separate individual fibres throughout the sand to produce a relatively soft surface and in which the fibres are in the range of one to three inches (25 to 75mm) in length and are of an uncrimped form.
P_eferably the sand particles are in the range from 100 to 1000 ~m. A selected range of fibre length is between 35 to 50 mm.
Preferably the layer is between 75 mm and 150 mm thick. The diameter of fibres is 50 to 150 denier. A
preferred value is in the region of 100 denier and a depth of layer of 100 mm.
The fibres are preferably of any polymeric or inorganic material but preferably polypropylene in an uncximped form commonly referred to as straight staple fibre. The percentage of fibre in the mixture is preferably in the region of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight with a preferred value of 0.3% and a preferred range of 0.25 to .45%.
The sand may be silica sand, or a sand bonded with water activated clay or a sand bonded with an organic li~uid activated clay.
When a silica sand mixture is ùsed the percentage of fibres preferred is in the range from 0.25 to 0.45~ by ~30095S
weight. For a sand bonded with water activated clay or an organic liquid activated clay the percentage of fibres preferred is in the range from 0.1 to 0.4% by weight.
The fibres may be coloured to conform to the colour of the sand and thereby being substantially invisible in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
There are three main types of sand which are suitable for riding surfaces namely silica sand, sand bonded with water activated clay and sand bonded with an organic fluid activated clay. Each of these types of sand, when combined with the fibres in a substantially homogenous manner produces a good surface for a horse riding practise area but each has its own characteristic making it more suitable for certain conditions. Each type has been tried in practical tests as follows:-1. Silica Sand This is a sand which is relatively clean is clay freeand is a well graded sand produced by a wet classification method. In practise when mixed with the fibre the mixture is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The mixture requires a relatively high fibre content and a preferred range is between 0.25 to 0.45% by weight of fibre. This is because the sand prior to mixing with the~ fibre is relatively free to move and therefore requires a relatively high fibre content to effect the desired result.
The silica sand and fibre mixture is particularly suited to outdoor use in high rainfall areas because it drains freely, especially if laid on a well draining sub layer. It may be used indoors where it benefits from regular spraying with water to produce a good surface for riding. Alternatively a water retaining agent such as calcium chloride may be applied to the sand to assist in retaining the moisture within the sand.
2. Sand bonded with water activated clay This is a sand in which the sand particles are coated with a water activated clay which imparts a degree of cohesive strength to the sand, the extent of the cohesive strength being dependent on the relative amounts of clay and water.
When sprayed with water during use this sand with the fibre mixed therein retains the water. Thus, it is suitable for indoor use where a single wetting operation will be sufficient to maintain the surface in a desired condition for a relatively long period of time. Dependent on the amount of clay the mixture may not be particularly suited to outdoor use especially in "wet" climates. In dry climates however, the water retentive property of the added clay may be beneficial in reducing the amount of spraying necessary if a heavier surface is required.
Because of the characteristic of the sand the amount of fibre included does not need to be as much as in the silica sand mixture, and a preferred range of 0.1 to 0.4%
by weight is found to be most practical.
When sprayed with water during use this sand with the fibre mixed therein retains the water. Thus, it is suitable for indoor use where a single wetting operation will be sufficient to maintain the surface in a desired condition for a relatively long period of time. Dependent on the amount of clay the mixture may not be particularly suited to outdoor use especially in "wet" climates. In dry climates however, the water retentive property of the added clay may be beneficial in reducing the amount of spraying necessary if a heavier surface is required.
Because of the characteristic of the sand the amount of fibre included does not need to be as much as in the silica sand mixture, and a preferred range of 0.1 to 0.4%
by weight is found to be most practical.
3. Sand bonded with an organic liquid activated clay This is a sand in which the particles are coated with an organo-clay complex - that is activated by an.organic chemical such as oil. The degree of cohesive strength produced in the sand is dependent upon the amounts of organo-clay complex and oil.
This type of clay when combined with the fibre as a mixture is not substantially affected by water. Thus, the mixture is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. When used indoors it does not require watering and when used outside rain will not substantially affect the surface because the water will drain through or run off but will not cause the sand to bind more closely together. In climates where frost is common this mixture is particularly advantageous because it does not freeze in i300955 the same manner as the sand with water activated clay or the silica sand. Dependent on the oil selected the freezing point will normally be below minus twenty degrees Centigrade and therefore when used outside any practise area can be made greater use of in cold weather without risk of damage to, for example, horses due to frozen ground.
A disadvantage with the sand bonded with an organic liquid activated clay is in the cost, since this type of mixture will be more expensive than the silica sand or sand with water activated clay.
Because the sand is bonded with a clay the fibre content required for a good surface is not as high as for silica sand and a preferred range of from 0.1 to 0.4% by weight is found to give good practical results.
The sand and fibre need to be mixed to a substantially homogenous mixture to thereby distribute the fibre evenly and randomly throughout the sand. Though a low density ratio by weight is used the fibre being of a significantly lower bulk density is present in a random dispersion throughout the mixture.
The all weather surface is prepared in a first example by digging out turf and top soil to a depth of approximately 10 cm (100 mm) layer from a turf surface. A
mixture of sand and fibre is used to replace the removed soil. A greater depth of soil may be removed particularly if the drainage characteristics are poor and the lower layer may be replaced with a drainage base comprising clean crushed rock or gravel of appropriate size laid to an appropriate thickness in accordance with normal drainage engineering design rules.
The mixture is prepared by taking a ~uantity (usually several tons) of sand which is in a fairly moist condition and mixing into the sand a quantity of polypropylene fibres which are 35 to 50 mm in length. The sand is .
~30095S
preferably selected to be between 100 to 1000 um in particle size with particles of rounded to sub-angular shape and the fibres are mixed for example in a high intensity mixer of the contra rotating type which mixes the fibres homogenously in a randomly oriented distribution throughout the sand.
The random dispersion of fibres reinforces the sand imparting resistance to particle movement under load from the horses hooves etc. thus minimizing spreading and hoof penetration such that a sure footing is obtained. This effect is obtained under both wet or dry conditions.
The fibre lengths require to be long enough such that a "cross-linking" effect is produced thereby preventing the sand from moving under the pressure of the horses hooves.
Thus the particle size of the sand and the diameter and length of the fibres requires to be carefully selected to produce the desired effect.
Relatively straight (i.e. uncrimped) fibres need to be used since crimped fibres are not readily mixed to produce a substantially "homogenous" mixture. The length of the fibres is of particular importance since this provides, in the homogenous mixture, the cross-linking which is necessary to prevent the mixture from spreading under the shock loading produced by horses hooves.
; Following mixing in the contra rotating high intensity or other high intensity type mixer the mixture is delivered to the prepared site and laid out to a depth of between 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) or more preferably 307.5 to 12.5 cm to give the desired surface characteristic.
The characteristic of the surface can be altered by the choice of sand particle size and the percentage of fibre mixed into the sand.
- Further drainage may be obtained in the normal manner 35by providing a layer of gravel beneath the sand layer.
This type of clay when combined with the fibre as a mixture is not substantially affected by water. Thus, the mixture is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. When used indoors it does not require watering and when used outside rain will not substantially affect the surface because the water will drain through or run off but will not cause the sand to bind more closely together. In climates where frost is common this mixture is particularly advantageous because it does not freeze in i300955 the same manner as the sand with water activated clay or the silica sand. Dependent on the oil selected the freezing point will normally be below minus twenty degrees Centigrade and therefore when used outside any practise area can be made greater use of in cold weather without risk of damage to, for example, horses due to frozen ground.
A disadvantage with the sand bonded with an organic liquid activated clay is in the cost, since this type of mixture will be more expensive than the silica sand or sand with water activated clay.
Because the sand is bonded with a clay the fibre content required for a good surface is not as high as for silica sand and a preferred range of from 0.1 to 0.4% by weight is found to give good practical results.
The sand and fibre need to be mixed to a substantially homogenous mixture to thereby distribute the fibre evenly and randomly throughout the sand. Though a low density ratio by weight is used the fibre being of a significantly lower bulk density is present in a random dispersion throughout the mixture.
The all weather surface is prepared in a first example by digging out turf and top soil to a depth of approximately 10 cm (100 mm) layer from a turf surface. A
mixture of sand and fibre is used to replace the removed soil. A greater depth of soil may be removed particularly if the drainage characteristics are poor and the lower layer may be replaced with a drainage base comprising clean crushed rock or gravel of appropriate size laid to an appropriate thickness in accordance with normal drainage engineering design rules.
The mixture is prepared by taking a ~uantity (usually several tons) of sand which is in a fairly moist condition and mixing into the sand a quantity of polypropylene fibres which are 35 to 50 mm in length. The sand is .
~30095S
preferably selected to be between 100 to 1000 um in particle size with particles of rounded to sub-angular shape and the fibres are mixed for example in a high intensity mixer of the contra rotating type which mixes the fibres homogenously in a randomly oriented distribution throughout the sand.
The random dispersion of fibres reinforces the sand imparting resistance to particle movement under load from the horses hooves etc. thus minimizing spreading and hoof penetration such that a sure footing is obtained. This effect is obtained under both wet or dry conditions.
The fibre lengths require to be long enough such that a "cross-linking" effect is produced thereby preventing the sand from moving under the pressure of the horses hooves.
Thus the particle size of the sand and the diameter and length of the fibres requires to be carefully selected to produce the desired effect.
Relatively straight (i.e. uncrimped) fibres need to be used since crimped fibres are not readily mixed to produce a substantially "homogenous" mixture. The length of the fibres is of particular importance since this provides, in the homogenous mixture, the cross-linking which is necessary to prevent the mixture from spreading under the shock loading produced by horses hooves.
; Following mixing in the contra rotating high intensity or other high intensity type mixer the mixture is delivered to the prepared site and laid out to a depth of between 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) or more preferably 307.5 to 12.5 cm to give the desired surface characteristic.
The characteristic of the surface can be altered by the choice of sand particle size and the percentage of fibre mixed into the sand.
- Further drainage may be obtained in the normal manner 35by providing a layer of gravel beneath the sand layer.
Claims (6)
1. An all weather surface for equestrian events comprising a layer of material laid on top of a prepared drainage base, the material comprising a mixture of sand and elongate synthetic fibres. the fibres being randomly dispersed as separate individual fibres throughout the sand to produce a relatively soft surface and in which the fibres are in the range of one to three inches (25 to 75mm) in length and are of an uncrimped form.
2. An all weather surface as claimed in Claim 1 in which the sand is silica and in which the sand particles are in the range from 100 to 1000 µm.
3. An all weather surface as claimed in Claim 1 in which the layer is between 75mm and 150mm and in which the diameter of fibres is 50 to 150 denier and in which the fibre length is between 35 and 50mm.
4. An all weather surface as claimed in Claim 1 in which the percentage of fibre in the mixture is in the region of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight.
5. An all weather surface as claimed in Claim 1 in which the range of percentage weight of fibre to sand is 0.25 to 0.45%.
6. A sand mixture for forming an equestrian riding surface the mixture comprising a selected sand containing a percentage of between 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of elongate fibres of between one to three inches (25mm to 75mm) in length and the fibres being of a diameter in the range 50 to 150 denier in which the elongate fibres are of a polymeric material and are in an uncrimped form and in which the fibres are homogenously mixed into the sand in a high intensity mixer.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000584765A CA1300955C (en) | 1988-12-01 | 1988-12-01 | All weather surfaces |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000584765A CA1300955C (en) | 1988-12-01 | 1988-12-01 | All weather surfaces |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1300955C true CA1300955C (en) | 1992-05-19 |
Family
ID=4139212
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000584765A Expired - Fee Related CA1300955C (en) | 1988-12-01 | 1988-12-01 | All weather surfaces |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1300955C (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-12-01 CA CA000584765A patent/CA1300955C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |