CA2521150A1 - Modular surface covering assembly - Google Patents
Modular surface covering assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2521150A1 CA2521150A1 CA002521150A CA2521150A CA2521150A1 CA 2521150 A1 CA2521150 A1 CA 2521150A1 CA 002521150 A CA002521150 A CA 002521150A CA 2521150 A CA2521150 A CA 2521150A CA 2521150 A1 CA2521150 A1 CA 2521150A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- assembly
- surface covering
- panels
- panel
- covering assembly
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
- E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C19/00—Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
- A63C19/04—Mats or carpets for courts
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/16—Flooring, e.g. parquet on flexible web, laid as flexible webs; Webs specially adapted for use as flooring; Parquet on flexible web
- E04F15/166—Flooring consisting of a number of elements carried by a common flexible web, e.g. rollable parquet
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C2201/00—Paving elements
- E01C2201/16—Elements joined together
- E01C2201/167—Elements joined together by reinforcement or mesh
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
This invention relates to an improved surface covering assembly. The assembly consists of a plurality of elongated adjacent panels which, in a preferred embodiment, are attached to an elongated sheet of flexible material. The sheet can further comprise covering such as synthetic turf, carpet, etc. The surface covering assembly can thus be rolled/folded and unrolled/unfolded as desired. Multiple assemblies can be joined together to cover larger areas.
Description
Field of invention This invention relates to an improved surface covering assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a rollable/foldable surface covering assembly made of a plurality of adjacent panels.
Background of the invention In soccer or any other field sport, the use of synthetic turf has been growing steadily in recent years. The advantages of synthetic turfs are numerous. For example, synthetic turfs do not need to be cared as much as real grass. Moreover, synthetic turfs are more durable and in some case, even removable.
However, synthetic turfs can rarely be used directly on the floor or ground and they usually require an underpading of some sort. As it is known in the art, these underpads can be made of different resilient materials and can have single or multiple layers. The synthetic turf and its attached underpad usually come in the form of large rectangular panels that are placed, one adjacent to the next, in a way to cover the desired surface.
There are however some drawbacks with this particular arrangement. First, the material used to manufacture the synthetic turf, or any other similar surface, is usually not the same as the one or ones used to manufacture the underpad. When there are shifts in temperature, the material of the underpad can expand or contract more than the material of the top surface, resulting in raised corners or edges or in openings between adjacent panels.
These unevenness or cracks in the playing surface can create injuries if a player stumbles upon them.
Another problem arises when a large area of ground or floor has to be covered.
The installation of each panel can be a long and painstaking process. Each panel must indeed be precisely placed and adjusted with its adjacent panels in order to have an even surface. There must be no crack or space between contiguous panels. Otherwise, people walking or playing on the panels could injure themselves.
Furthermore, when the installation is not meant to be permanent, it means that each panel may have to be removed.
Another minor problem is an aesthetic one. Indeed, since these panels are usually rectangular in shape, when they are installed, they can create a chess-board like pattern.
Even though not a structural problem, this chess-board like pattern may be unpleasant to the eye.
One possible way to solve these aforementioned problems would be to use larger panels. This would reduce to number of panels required to cover a certain area but would add a burden on the persons charged to install these larger but heavier panels. This solution would also reduce the chess-board like pattern but only to a certain extent.
Another possible solution to solve these aforementioned problems is to use rolls. However, since the underpad material or materials are not as flexible as the turf material, the underpad would crack or at least be permanently damaged from the rolling and unrolling of the underpad.
There is thus a need for an improved rollable/foldable surface covering assembly that is easy to manipulate and faster to install.
There may be also a need for installing such underpads separately from the top surface or to install the "underpad" such that it becomes the top surface.
Summary of the Invention Thus, one embodiment of the surface covering assembly of the present invention comprises:
~ an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
~ a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said panels may be folded in relation to the other.
In another embodiment of the invention, the surface covering assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being resiliently attached to its neighboring panels and each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other.
Background of the invention In soccer or any other field sport, the use of synthetic turf has been growing steadily in recent years. The advantages of synthetic turfs are numerous. For example, synthetic turfs do not need to be cared as much as real grass. Moreover, synthetic turfs are more durable and in some case, even removable.
However, synthetic turfs can rarely be used directly on the floor or ground and they usually require an underpading of some sort. As it is known in the art, these underpads can be made of different resilient materials and can have single or multiple layers. The synthetic turf and its attached underpad usually come in the form of large rectangular panels that are placed, one adjacent to the next, in a way to cover the desired surface.
There are however some drawbacks with this particular arrangement. First, the material used to manufacture the synthetic turf, or any other similar surface, is usually not the same as the one or ones used to manufacture the underpad. When there are shifts in temperature, the material of the underpad can expand or contract more than the material of the top surface, resulting in raised corners or edges or in openings between adjacent panels.
These unevenness or cracks in the playing surface can create injuries if a player stumbles upon them.
Another problem arises when a large area of ground or floor has to be covered.
The installation of each panel can be a long and painstaking process. Each panel must indeed be precisely placed and adjusted with its adjacent panels in order to have an even surface. There must be no crack or space between contiguous panels. Otherwise, people walking or playing on the panels could injure themselves.
Furthermore, when the installation is not meant to be permanent, it means that each panel may have to be removed.
Another minor problem is an aesthetic one. Indeed, since these panels are usually rectangular in shape, when they are installed, they can create a chess-board like pattern.
Even though not a structural problem, this chess-board like pattern may be unpleasant to the eye.
One possible way to solve these aforementioned problems would be to use larger panels. This would reduce to number of panels required to cover a certain area but would add a burden on the persons charged to install these larger but heavier panels. This solution would also reduce the chess-board like pattern but only to a certain extent.
Another possible solution to solve these aforementioned problems is to use rolls. However, since the underpad material or materials are not as flexible as the turf material, the underpad would crack or at least be permanently damaged from the rolling and unrolling of the underpad.
There is thus a need for an improved rollable/foldable surface covering assembly that is easy to manipulate and faster to install.
There may be also a need for installing such underpads separately from the top surface or to install the "underpad" such that it becomes the top surface.
Summary of the Invention Thus, one embodiment of the surface covering assembly of the present invention comprises:
~ an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
~ a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said panels may be folded in relation to the other.
In another embodiment of the invention, the surface covering assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being resiliently attached to its neighboring panels and each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other.
To cover an area larger than the covering surface of a single assembly, multiple assemblies can be adjacently disposed to cover the area.
The invention also comprises a method for covering an area having boundaries with surface covering assemblies, each said assembly comprising an elongated sheet made of flexible material and a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other, each said assembly being rollable, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an assembly in rolled form;
b) unrolling said assembly on said area;
c) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and said boundaries;
d) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and other already installed assemblies;
e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until said area is covered.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
Brief description of figures Figure 1 is an isometric view of an improved surface covering assembly in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the improved surface covering assembly is its rolled form;
Figure 3 is a isometric view of another embodiment of the improved surface covering assembly;
Figure 4 is a partial isometric view of another embodiment of the improved surface covering assembly;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 4 wherein one panel has been folded;
The invention also comprises a method for covering an area having boundaries with surface covering assemblies, each said assembly comprising an elongated sheet made of flexible material and a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other, each said assembly being rollable, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an assembly in rolled form;
b) unrolling said assembly on said area;
c) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and said boundaries;
d) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and other already installed assemblies;
e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until said area is covered.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
Brief description of figures Figure 1 is an isometric view of an improved surface covering assembly in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the improved surface covering assembly is its rolled form;
Figure 3 is a isometric view of another embodiment of the improved surface covering assembly;
Figure 4 is a partial isometric view of another embodiment of the improved surface covering assembly;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 4 wherein one panel has been folded;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 4 wherein all the panels have been folded.
Figure 7 is a top view showing a partial staggered row arrangement of surface covering assemblies.
Figure 8 is an underside view of a single assembly of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a assembly of the embodiment of Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the joining panel.
Figure 11 is a top view showing a partial staggered row arrangement of surface covering assemblies of the embodiment of Fig. 8.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments As can be best shown if Fig. 1, the surface covering assembly, generally indicated as 10, is mainly composed a plurality of underpad panels 20 attached to a flexible oversurface 30. The panels 20 are preferably glued to the oversurface 30 but other means of attachment can be envisaged. For example, if both the panels 20 and the oversurface 30 are made of polymer, they could heated to be bonded together.
One of the main particularity of a first embodiment of this invention is that the panels 20 of a single assembly 10 are not attached to each other otherwise than via the oversurface 30. This characteristic allows the assembly 10 to be rolled as shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, we can see that the flexible oversurface 30 bends at the junction of two adjacent panels 20. However, since adjacent panels 20 are not attached to each other, adjacent panels 20 can separate upon rolling the assembly 10.
Figure 7 is a top view showing a partial staggered row arrangement of surface covering assemblies.
Figure 8 is an underside view of a single assembly of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a assembly of the embodiment of Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the joining panel.
Figure 11 is a top view showing a partial staggered row arrangement of surface covering assemblies of the embodiment of Fig. 8.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments As can be best shown if Fig. 1, the surface covering assembly, generally indicated as 10, is mainly composed a plurality of underpad panels 20 attached to a flexible oversurface 30. The panels 20 are preferably glued to the oversurface 30 but other means of attachment can be envisaged. For example, if both the panels 20 and the oversurface 30 are made of polymer, they could heated to be bonded together.
One of the main particularity of a first embodiment of this invention is that the panels 20 of a single assembly 10 are not attached to each other otherwise than via the oversurface 30. This characteristic allows the assembly 10 to be rolled as shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, we can see that the flexible oversurface 30 bends at the junction of two adjacent panels 20. However, since adjacent panels 20 are not attached to each other, adjacent panels 20 can separate upon rolling the assembly 10.
The person skilled in the art will understand that the length of the assembly 10, and thus the number of panels 20, are chosen as to best fit the specific use of the assembly 10. Each panel can be made more or less wide and the assembly can be made more or less long.
The weight of the assembly 10 and the ease of manipulation can thus be controlled for specific applications.
The skilled addressee will also understand that the oversurface 30 can be any useful surface covering such as carpet, synthetic turf, linoleum, rubber sheet, geotextile fabric, etc. As long as the oversurface 30 is sufficiently flexible and resilient to be rolled and unrolled without being damaged.
Moreover, it is also to be understood that if the application requires it, the surface covering assembly can be installed "upside down". Thus, the oversurface 30 would then be an "undersurface" 30 and the underpad panels 20 would become "overpad" panels 20.
Such a configuration would be very useful when the panels 20 are made of a rigid material such as wood.
As mentioned before, when the panels 20 of the assembly 10 serve as underpad for the assembly, the panels 20 are preferably made of shock absorbent material. In fact, panels 20 can be made of a plurality of layers (not shown) made of different materials, each having different shock absorbing characteristics.
The layer or layers of panels 20 are thus preferably made of expanded or extruded polypropylene products, foam products, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene products, ethylene propylene dime monomer (EPDM) products, crumb rubber tire products, plastic products, natural and or synthetic rubber products, polyurethane products. Combinations of different materials could also be used.
The use of other materials, such as wood, could also be envisaged in certain applications, especially when the panels 20 are to be placed on top of the flexible surface 30.
In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 3, the assembly 100 comprises a flexible oversurface 130 an a plurality of underpad panels 120. Assembly 100 has the particularity that some panels 120 are laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly 100. These offset panels 120 generate openings 140 (the outline of which is shown as dotted lines 142) and exterior portions 121. The length of the exterior portions 121 generally matches the depth of openings 140. Thus, two adjacent assemblies 100 can be interlocked together by inserting the exterior portions 121 of the first assembly 100 in the openings 140 of the second assembly 100. In the preferred embodiment, exterior portions 121 do not completely fill the opening 140. A small gap is left in order to accommodate expansion and contraction of the panels with respect to variation of the temperature.
When an opening 140 is adjacent to the boundary of the area to be covered, small inserts (not shown), preferably made of the same material or materials as the panels and preferably having a shape matching the opening's, are inserted in the opening 140. This prevent the oversurface 130 from sagging under the weight of a person standing over the opening 140.
The person skilled in the art will understand that the pattern of offset panels 120 shown in Fig.
3 is only an example and that numerous other patterns are possible. Moreover, the number of panels shown in Fig. 3 is for illustrative purpose only. The number of panels, their dimensions and the dimension of the assembly can be chosen as to best fit the proposed application.
To further secure adjacent assemblies 100, VelcroTM patches 122 and 132 can be attached to the upper side of exterior portions 121 and the underside of oversurface 130 located in openings 140. It is to be understood that the type of patches 122 installed on the upper side of the exterior portions 121 are complementary to the type of patches 132 installed to the underside of oversurface 130 located in openings 140.
As for the pattern of the offset panels 120, the pattern of offset panels 120 and openings 140 equipped with VelcroTM patches can be chosen as to best fit a particular application as long as the pattern of offset panels 120 equipped with patches and the pattern of openings 140 equipped with patches complement each other.
Furthermore, other permanent or non-permanent locking means could also be used instead of VelcroTM without departing from the scope of the invention.
The weight of the assembly 10 and the ease of manipulation can thus be controlled for specific applications.
The skilled addressee will also understand that the oversurface 30 can be any useful surface covering such as carpet, synthetic turf, linoleum, rubber sheet, geotextile fabric, etc. As long as the oversurface 30 is sufficiently flexible and resilient to be rolled and unrolled without being damaged.
Moreover, it is also to be understood that if the application requires it, the surface covering assembly can be installed "upside down". Thus, the oversurface 30 would then be an "undersurface" 30 and the underpad panels 20 would become "overpad" panels 20.
Such a configuration would be very useful when the panels 20 are made of a rigid material such as wood.
As mentioned before, when the panels 20 of the assembly 10 serve as underpad for the assembly, the panels 20 are preferably made of shock absorbent material. In fact, panels 20 can be made of a plurality of layers (not shown) made of different materials, each having different shock absorbing characteristics.
The layer or layers of panels 20 are thus preferably made of expanded or extruded polypropylene products, foam products, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene products, ethylene propylene dime monomer (EPDM) products, crumb rubber tire products, plastic products, natural and or synthetic rubber products, polyurethane products. Combinations of different materials could also be used.
The use of other materials, such as wood, could also be envisaged in certain applications, especially when the panels 20 are to be placed on top of the flexible surface 30.
In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 3, the assembly 100 comprises a flexible oversurface 130 an a plurality of underpad panels 120. Assembly 100 has the particularity that some panels 120 are laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly 100. These offset panels 120 generate openings 140 (the outline of which is shown as dotted lines 142) and exterior portions 121. The length of the exterior portions 121 generally matches the depth of openings 140. Thus, two adjacent assemblies 100 can be interlocked together by inserting the exterior portions 121 of the first assembly 100 in the openings 140 of the second assembly 100. In the preferred embodiment, exterior portions 121 do not completely fill the opening 140. A small gap is left in order to accommodate expansion and contraction of the panels with respect to variation of the temperature.
When an opening 140 is adjacent to the boundary of the area to be covered, small inserts (not shown), preferably made of the same material or materials as the panels and preferably having a shape matching the opening's, are inserted in the opening 140. This prevent the oversurface 130 from sagging under the weight of a person standing over the opening 140.
The person skilled in the art will understand that the pattern of offset panels 120 shown in Fig.
3 is only an example and that numerous other patterns are possible. Moreover, the number of panels shown in Fig. 3 is for illustrative purpose only. The number of panels, their dimensions and the dimension of the assembly can be chosen as to best fit the proposed application.
To further secure adjacent assemblies 100, VelcroTM patches 122 and 132 can be attached to the upper side of exterior portions 121 and the underside of oversurface 130 located in openings 140. It is to be understood that the type of patches 122 installed on the upper side of the exterior portions 121 are complementary to the type of patches 132 installed to the underside of oversurface 130 located in openings 140.
As for the pattern of the offset panels 120, the pattern of offset panels 120 and openings 140 equipped with VelcroTM patches can be chosen as to best fit a particular application as long as the pattern of offset panels 120 equipped with patches and the pattern of openings 140 equipped with patches complement each other.
Furthermore, other permanent or non-permanent locking means could also be used instead of VelcroTM without departing from the scope of the invention.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 4-6, the surface covering assembly 200 comprises a plurality of panels 220 alone or to be attached to an oversurface (not shown) after the installation of the panels 220. In this embodiment, adjacent panels 220 are attached together with at least one resilient fastening means 250 such as an elastic band.
Preferably, a plurality of resilient fastening means are used. In their normal or "at rest"
position, the resiliency of the fastening means forces neighbouring panels toward each other, thus creating adjacent panels without gap between them. However, if someone wants to roll or fold assembly 200, the resilient fastener 250 allows for the creation of a gap between two adjacent panels 220. Fasteners 250 are preferably embedded into panels 220.
When no oversurface is pre-attached to the panels, the panels may be folded as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 or rolled similarly as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 shows an assembly 200 in its folded configuration. Although the sides of the panels 220 are shown as straight lines, when no oversurface is pre-attached to the panels, the panels 220 may have non-parallel or non-straight sides It is to be understood that Figs. 4 and 5 show the embodiment in its "stretch"
position in order to show the resilient fasten means. In the normal "at-rest" position, there are no gaps between adjacent panels 220.
In Fig. 8, we can see yet another embodiment of the present invention. As best shown in Figs.
8 and 9, the assembly 300 (shown upside-down) of this embodiment comprises a plurality of adjacent underpad panels 320 fixedly attached to an oversurface 330. As for the first and second embodiments, the panels 320 are not attached to each other otherwise than via the oversurface 330. This embodiment is relatively similar to the first and second embodiments.
However, the major difference with this embodiment is that the oversurface 330 extends beyond the area covered by the underpad panels 320. These extensions, identified with the numeral 335, allow for fastening means, preferably VelcroTM bands 337, to be fixedly attached to the underside of the portion 335 of the oversurface 330 that extends beyond the underpad panels 320. The skilled addressee will understand that is it not mandatory that the oversurface 330 extends beyond all four sides of the assembly.
When multiple assemblies 300 are needed to cover a given area, adjacent assemblies 300 are connected together with the use of joining underpad panels 350. As shown in Fig. 10, the joining underpad panel 350 is a single underpad panel which has a upper side 352 and an underside 354. The upper side 352 comprises fastening means, preferably VelcroTM band 357 complementary of the VelcroTM band 337 used on the assemblies 300. Other fastening means 337 and 357 could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
The width of the joining panel 350 generally corresponds to twice the width of the extension 335. Thus, to join two adjacent assemblies 300 together, one or more joining panels 350 must be installed between each assembly as shown in Fig. 11. The complementary VelcroTM bands 337 and 357 of the assemblies 300 and the joining panels 350 generate a strong connection between adjacent assemblies 300 and thus prevent any gap to be created between adjacent assemblies 300.
It is to be understood that the length of each joining panel 350 may differ to allow different combinations of connection. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 11, we can see two types of joining panel 350, the "regular" joining panel 350a, which preferably extends at least the full length of the oversurface 330, and the "transverse"
joining panel 350b, which preferably extends the full length of the panels 320. In this preferred embodiment, the regular joining panels 350a are preferably installed in an overlapping arrangement which increases the overall strength of the total installation. It is however to be understood that other arrangements of joining panels 350 and assemblies 300 could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, joining panels 350 of other lengths could also be envisaged if useful for specific terrains and/or applications.
Moreover, special "half width" joining panels 350 could be used to fill the gap generated by the extension 335 when a side of the assembly is adjacent to the physical boundaries of the area to be covered. Without those "half-width" joining panels 350, the portion 335 of the oversurface 330 that extends beyond the panels 320 would sag under the weight of a player for example.
Since all these embodiments 10, 100, 200 and 300 may be used outside, oversurfaces 30, 130 and 330 and panels 20, 120, 220 and 320 may further comprise draining holes (not shown). In embodiments 10, 100 and 300, the draining holes in the oversurfaces 30, 130 and 330 are preferably aligned with the draining holes in the panels 20, 120 and 320 respectively.
Preferably, a plurality of resilient fastening means are used. In their normal or "at rest"
position, the resiliency of the fastening means forces neighbouring panels toward each other, thus creating adjacent panels without gap between them. However, if someone wants to roll or fold assembly 200, the resilient fastener 250 allows for the creation of a gap between two adjacent panels 220. Fasteners 250 are preferably embedded into panels 220.
When no oversurface is pre-attached to the panels, the panels may be folded as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 or rolled similarly as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 shows an assembly 200 in its folded configuration. Although the sides of the panels 220 are shown as straight lines, when no oversurface is pre-attached to the panels, the panels 220 may have non-parallel or non-straight sides It is to be understood that Figs. 4 and 5 show the embodiment in its "stretch"
position in order to show the resilient fasten means. In the normal "at-rest" position, there are no gaps between adjacent panels 220.
In Fig. 8, we can see yet another embodiment of the present invention. As best shown in Figs.
8 and 9, the assembly 300 (shown upside-down) of this embodiment comprises a plurality of adjacent underpad panels 320 fixedly attached to an oversurface 330. As for the first and second embodiments, the panels 320 are not attached to each other otherwise than via the oversurface 330. This embodiment is relatively similar to the first and second embodiments.
However, the major difference with this embodiment is that the oversurface 330 extends beyond the area covered by the underpad panels 320. These extensions, identified with the numeral 335, allow for fastening means, preferably VelcroTM bands 337, to be fixedly attached to the underside of the portion 335 of the oversurface 330 that extends beyond the underpad panels 320. The skilled addressee will understand that is it not mandatory that the oversurface 330 extends beyond all four sides of the assembly.
When multiple assemblies 300 are needed to cover a given area, adjacent assemblies 300 are connected together with the use of joining underpad panels 350. As shown in Fig. 10, the joining underpad panel 350 is a single underpad panel which has a upper side 352 and an underside 354. The upper side 352 comprises fastening means, preferably VelcroTM band 357 complementary of the VelcroTM band 337 used on the assemblies 300. Other fastening means 337 and 357 could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
The width of the joining panel 350 generally corresponds to twice the width of the extension 335. Thus, to join two adjacent assemblies 300 together, one or more joining panels 350 must be installed between each assembly as shown in Fig. 11. The complementary VelcroTM bands 337 and 357 of the assemblies 300 and the joining panels 350 generate a strong connection between adjacent assemblies 300 and thus prevent any gap to be created between adjacent assemblies 300.
It is to be understood that the length of each joining panel 350 may differ to allow different combinations of connection. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 11, we can see two types of joining panel 350, the "regular" joining panel 350a, which preferably extends at least the full length of the oversurface 330, and the "transverse"
joining panel 350b, which preferably extends the full length of the panels 320. In this preferred embodiment, the regular joining panels 350a are preferably installed in an overlapping arrangement which increases the overall strength of the total installation. It is however to be understood that other arrangements of joining panels 350 and assemblies 300 could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, joining panels 350 of other lengths could also be envisaged if useful for specific terrains and/or applications.
Moreover, special "half width" joining panels 350 could be used to fill the gap generated by the extension 335 when a side of the assembly is adjacent to the physical boundaries of the area to be covered. Without those "half-width" joining panels 350, the portion 335 of the oversurface 330 that extends beyond the panels 320 would sag under the weight of a player for example.
Since all these embodiments 10, 100, 200 and 300 may be used outside, oversurfaces 30, 130 and 330 and panels 20, 120, 220 and 320 may further comprise draining holes (not shown). In embodiments 10, 100 and 300, the draining holes in the oversurfaces 30, 130 and 330 are preferably aligned with the draining holes in the panels 20, 120 and 320 respectively.
The improved surface covering assemblies described above are given for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of the improved surface covering assemblies could also be envisaged given the need for different surface covering characteristics and behaviour.
Thus, even though preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention.
Thus, even though preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention.
Claims (27)
1. A surface covering assembly comprising:
a) an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
b) a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other.
a) an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
b) a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other.
2. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said panels is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly, said at least one offset panel having an exterior portion and said at least one offset panel creating an opening in said assembly.
3. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one offset panel comprises an upper side and said opening defining a panel-free area on the underside of said sheet, said offset panel upper side and said panel-free area.
4. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 3, further comprising complementary fastening means.
5. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said complementary fastening means are male and female Velcro .TM. patches.
6. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panels are made of material chosen in the list of following products: expanded or extruded polypropylene, foam, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), crumb rubber tire, plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane.
7. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panels are made of a rigid material.
8. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panels are made of wood.
9. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panels are made of a combination of materials chosen in the list of following products: expanded or extruded polypropylene, foam, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene, ethylene propylene dime monomer (EPDM), crumb rubber tire, plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane, wood.
10. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet is a flexible floor covering.
11. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet is synthetic turf.
12. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet and said panels further comprise generally aligned draining holes.
13. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface defined by said flexible sheet is greater than the surface defined by said adjacent panels and wherein said surface defined by said flexible sheet defines a portion which extends beyond at least one side of said surface defined by said adjacent panels.
14. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said portion of said surface of said flexible sheet that extends beyond said surface of said adjacent panels further comprises fastening means.
15. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said fastening means are Velcro.TM. patches.
16. A surface covering assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being resiliently attached to its neighboring panels and each pair of said adjacent panels forming a joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other.
17. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said panels are made of material chosen in the list of following products: expanded or extruded polypropylene, foam, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), crumb rubber tire, plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane.
18. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said panels are made of a rigid material.
19. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said panels are made of wood.
20. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said panels are made of a combination of materials chosen in the list of following products: expanded or extruded polypropylene, foam, expanded or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded or extruded polyethylene, ethylene propylene dime monomer (EPDM), crumb rubber tire, plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane, wood.
21. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the joints form straight lines.
22. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the joints are jagged.
23. A surface covering assembly as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a sheet and wherein said panels further comprise generally aligned draining holes.
24. A surface covering system for covering an area, said system comprising a plurality of surface covering assemblies, each said assembly comprising:
a) an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
b) a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other;
wherein said assemblies are adjacently disposed to cover said area.
a) an elongated sheet made of flexible material;
b) a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other;
wherein said assemblies are adjacently disposed to cover said area.
25. A surface covering system for covering an area as claim in claim 24, further comprising at least one joining panel, said joining panel comprising fastening means.
26. A method for covering an area, having boundaries, with surface covering assemblies, each said assembly comprising an elongated sheet made of flexible material and a plurality of adjacent panels, each said panel being fixedly attached to said sheet, each pair of said adjacent panels forming a linear joint about which one of said pair of adjacent panels may be folded in relation to the other, each said assembly being rollable, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an assembly in rolled form;
b) unrolling said assembly on said area;
c) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and said boundaries;
d) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and other already installed assemblies;
e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until said area is covered.
a) providing an assembly in rolled form;
b) unrolling said assembly on said area;
c) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and said boundaries;
d) adjusting, if necessary, said assembly to remove gaps between said assembly and other already installed assemblies;
e) repeating steps a), b), c) and d) until said area is covered.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein each said assembly is attached to its neighboring assemblies with the use at least one joining panel comprising fastening means and wherein said method further comprises the step of installing at least one said joining panel between said neighboring assemblies.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002521150A CA2521150A1 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2005-09-26 | Modular surface covering assembly |
| PCT/CA2006/001303 WO2007016782A2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-08-04 | Modular surface covering assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002514684A CA2514684A1 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2005-08-05 | Modular surface covering assembly |
| CA2,514,684 | 2005-08-05 | ||
| CA002521150A CA2521150A1 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2005-09-26 | Modular surface covering assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2521150A1 true CA2521150A1 (en) | 2007-02-05 |
Family
ID=37727657
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002521150A Abandoned CA2521150A1 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2005-09-26 | Modular surface covering assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2521150A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2007016782A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9011740B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2015-04-21 | Textile Management Associates, Inc. | Method of recycling synthetic turf and infill product |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL219008A (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2017-11-30 | Nizzar Farah | Protection sheets for surfaces and a manufacturing method thereof |
| RU2603036C2 (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2016-11-20 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Дальневосточный государственный университет путей сообщения" (ДВГУПС) | Flexible protective concrete pavement and method of its laying |
| CN105971234A (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2016-09-28 | 广州曼廷新材料有限公司 | Roll floor capable of being spliced |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX150659A (en) * | 1978-03-16 | 1984-06-19 | S Manuel Enriquez Savignac | METHOD FOR MAKING A DECORATIVE NATURAL STONE PANEL FROM NATURAL STONE BLOCKS |
| WO1987005067A1 (en) * | 1986-02-13 | 1987-08-27 | James Haralampou | Coilable structural members |
| AR036986A1 (en) * | 2002-01-03 | 2004-10-20 | Javier Eduardo Pursall | WOOD AND RUBBER-FLEXIBLE-NON-SLIP COMPOSITE FLOOR |
| US6802159B1 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2004-10-12 | Snap Lock Industries, Inc. | Roll-up floor tile system and the method |
| US7090430B1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2006-08-15 | Ground Floor Systems, Llc | Roll-up surface, system and method |
| US20050063780A1 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2005-03-24 | Thorne Michael B. | Flexible panel |
| CA2502746A1 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2006-09-29 | Murray Banting | Roll-up mat for roadways and the like |
-
2005
- 2005-09-26 CA CA002521150A patent/CA2521150A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2006
- 2006-08-04 WO PCT/CA2006/001303 patent/WO2007016782A2/en active Application Filing
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9011740B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2015-04-21 | Textile Management Associates, Inc. | Method of recycling synthetic turf and infill product |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2007016782B1 (en) | 2007-08-02 |
| WO2007016782A2 (en) | 2007-02-15 |
| WO2007016782A3 (en) | 2007-04-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20140318 |