CA2753555A1 - Artificial turf cover - Google Patents
Artificial turf cover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2753555A1 CA2753555A1 CA2753555A CA2753555A CA2753555A1 CA 2753555 A1 CA2753555 A1 CA 2753555A1 CA 2753555 A CA2753555 A CA 2753555A CA 2753555 A CA2753555 A CA 2753555A CA 2753555 A1 CA2753555 A1 CA 2753555A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- artificial turf
- layer
- protective cover
- cover
- major surfaces
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- A63C19/12—Removable protective covers for courts, rinks, or game pitches or the like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention is directed to, in combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, the protective cover permitting air and water to pass through the cover and reduce bacteria growth in artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from artificial turf and to protect markings or indicia on the artificial turf from sunlight. The cover comprises a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of the major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of at least one major surface.
Description
ARTIFICIAL TURF COVER
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a protective cover for artificial turf.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Artificial turf is used for various types of playing fields, such as for football, soccer, or the like. It also finds use in other applications such as parks or the like.
Artificial turf is generally made from synthetic materials and structurally, it is normally comprised of a base material with filaments or strands of material (normally polymeric) standing upwardly from the base. There are several different types of known structures of artificial turf; today such artificial turf in later generations of the same have a somewhat compressive base material with the strands or filaments projecting from the base. One particular type of artificial turf utilizes a substrate composed of e.g. sand with the turf itself including a sand and rubber polymeric mixture.
One of the problems with known synthetic artificial turf materials, when formed into a layer applied to a substrate, for use in playing fields or parks, is the fact that the artificial turf normally carries indicia or markings particularly when used as a playing field for e.g.
football or soccer. Such indicia or markings, in the case of e.g. a football field include stripes of painted or applied material providing markings for yardage measurements; as well, designs marking the center of the field on the artificial turf are employed to provide visual identification of different indicia.
Issues have arisen with the use of artificial turf relating to the dissipation of heat from the artificial turf structure which involves the fact that sunlight will tend to fade or reduce the visibility of the markings or indicia from the surface of the artificial turf. Moreover, during the course of rain falling on the artificial turf, and with drainage occurring and passing through the layer of artificial turf, this will permit the rain to remove contaminants to be dissipated into the substrate. Notwithstanding that, problems can still arise with the artificial turf structure including bacteria growth in the artificial turf. In addition, contamination by e.g. animals, bird droppings, etc. can occur and as well, bacteria can arise from the fact that the artificial turf is contacted by humans - and the turf may develop bacteria from blood, perspiration or for other general environmental reasons. This is highly undesirable from a sanitation point of view and it would be desirable to provide some means to reduce contamination and bacterial growth in the artificial turf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the present invention, applicant has developed a protective cover for use with artificial turf; more particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, the protective cover permitting air and water to pass through the cover and reduce bacteria growth in the artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from the artificial turf and to protect markings or indicia on the artificial turf from sunlight. The cover comprises a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of said at least one major surface.
By permitting moisture such as rain to pass through the protective cover, a reduction in contamination and bacterial growth in the artificial turf is achieved. Thus, the protective cover of the present invention will not add to any contamination or bacterial issues since passage of the rain through the protective cover will tend to "wash" the artificial turf and remove any contaminants or bacterial issues through to the substrate.
The warp and weft strips of the protective cover can include a coloring agent to render the protective cover to have different properties. For example, if the warp and weft strips are made from a synthetic material which is black, the protective cover will block out the sun and thus prevent fading or deterioration of the markings or indicia on the artificial turf. Likewise, the layer of lace coating on at least one of the major surfaces of the protective cover may be colored for different purposes - again, the lace coating coloring can enhance the reduction of light transmission through to the artificial turf.
The choice of color for the warp and weft strips as well as the lace coating, can vary depending on the properties that one would impart to the protective cover.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lace coating covers between 5% to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the warp and weft strips are formed of a polyolefin. In another preferred embodiment, the polyolefin is polyethylene and the lace coating is a polyethylene compatible with said poly olefin.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a novel use of a protective cover structure in which the use involves utilizing the protective cover for protecting artificial turf, comprises placing said cover over artificial turf, wherein the cover structure comprises at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of at least one major surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover for protecting artificial turf has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
In a still further preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes a lace coating covering between 5% to 60% of one of the major surfaces.
In another preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes warp and weft strips formed of a polyolefin.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a protective cover for artificial turf.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Artificial turf is used for various types of playing fields, such as for football, soccer, or the like. It also finds use in other applications such as parks or the like.
Artificial turf is generally made from synthetic materials and structurally, it is normally comprised of a base material with filaments or strands of material (normally polymeric) standing upwardly from the base. There are several different types of known structures of artificial turf; today such artificial turf in later generations of the same have a somewhat compressive base material with the strands or filaments projecting from the base. One particular type of artificial turf utilizes a substrate composed of e.g. sand with the turf itself including a sand and rubber polymeric mixture.
One of the problems with known synthetic artificial turf materials, when formed into a layer applied to a substrate, for use in playing fields or parks, is the fact that the artificial turf normally carries indicia or markings particularly when used as a playing field for e.g.
football or soccer. Such indicia or markings, in the case of e.g. a football field include stripes of painted or applied material providing markings for yardage measurements; as well, designs marking the center of the field on the artificial turf are employed to provide visual identification of different indicia.
Issues have arisen with the use of artificial turf relating to the dissipation of heat from the artificial turf structure which involves the fact that sunlight will tend to fade or reduce the visibility of the markings or indicia from the surface of the artificial turf. Moreover, during the course of rain falling on the artificial turf, and with drainage occurring and passing through the layer of artificial turf, this will permit the rain to remove contaminants to be dissipated into the substrate. Notwithstanding that, problems can still arise with the artificial turf structure including bacteria growth in the artificial turf. In addition, contamination by e.g. animals, bird droppings, etc. can occur and as well, bacteria can arise from the fact that the artificial turf is contacted by humans - and the turf may develop bacteria from blood, perspiration or for other general environmental reasons. This is highly undesirable from a sanitation point of view and it would be desirable to provide some means to reduce contamination and bacterial growth in the artificial turf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the present invention, applicant has developed a protective cover for use with artificial turf; more particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, the protective cover permitting air and water to pass through the cover and reduce bacteria growth in the artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from the artificial turf and to protect markings or indicia on the artificial turf from sunlight. The cover comprises a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of said at least one major surface.
By permitting moisture such as rain to pass through the protective cover, a reduction in contamination and bacterial growth in the artificial turf is achieved. Thus, the protective cover of the present invention will not add to any contamination or bacterial issues since passage of the rain through the protective cover will tend to "wash" the artificial turf and remove any contaminants or bacterial issues through to the substrate.
The warp and weft strips of the protective cover can include a coloring agent to render the protective cover to have different properties. For example, if the warp and weft strips are made from a synthetic material which is black, the protective cover will block out the sun and thus prevent fading or deterioration of the markings or indicia on the artificial turf. Likewise, the layer of lace coating on at least one of the major surfaces of the protective cover may be colored for different purposes - again, the lace coating coloring can enhance the reduction of light transmission through to the artificial turf.
The choice of color for the warp and weft strips as well as the lace coating, can vary depending on the properties that one would impart to the protective cover.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lace coating covers between 5% to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the warp and weft strips are formed of a polyolefin. In another preferred embodiment, the polyolefin is polyethylene and the lace coating is a polyethylene compatible with said poly olefin.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a novel use of a protective cover structure in which the use involves utilizing the protective cover for protecting artificial turf, comprises placing said cover over artificial turf, wherein the cover structure comprises at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of at least one major surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover for protecting artificial turf has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
In a still further preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes a lace coating covering between 5% to 60% of one of the major surfaces.
In another preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes warp and weft strips formed of a polyolefin.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes a cover wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene and the lace coating is a polyethylene compatible with the said poly olefin.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes a protective cover in juxtaposition with said artificial turf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover used in the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the structure of the protective cover showing the scrim comprised of warp and weft strips without the lace coating; and Figure 3 is a cross-section of the protective cover placed in juxtaposition with an artificial turf substrate.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a protective cover used in the present invention for protecting artificial turf (illustrated in Figure 3 and described hereinafter).
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover consists structurally of a scrim layer indicated generally by reference numeral (16) with opposed major surfaces (22) and (26), and a discontinuous plastic polymer lace coating (14). Lace coating (14) is provided, in one embodiment, only on one surface (22) and comprises a calendared polymeric material in the form of connected elongated "islands" (14a) of coating material as seen in Figure 1. Adjacent islands (14a) are interconnected by strands or small lengths of coating material (14b), in a random fashion. These islands (14a) will have varying widths and lengths but in general, the total surface area coverage of the lace coating in the embodiment illustrated is in the range of 5 to 60% of the surface on which it is located.
Desirably, the overall cover is lightweight and flexible to allow for easy manipulation of the protective cover (10) over an artificial turf substrate such as would be found in a playing field.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the above use, the protective cover includes a protective cover in juxtaposition with said artificial turf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover used in the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the structure of the protective cover showing the scrim comprised of warp and weft strips without the lace coating; and Figure 3 is a cross-section of the protective cover placed in juxtaposition with an artificial turf substrate.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a protective cover used in the present invention for protecting artificial turf (illustrated in Figure 3 and described hereinafter).
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover consists structurally of a scrim layer indicated generally by reference numeral (16) with opposed major surfaces (22) and (26), and a discontinuous plastic polymer lace coating (14). Lace coating (14) is provided, in one embodiment, only on one surface (22) and comprises a calendared polymeric material in the form of connected elongated "islands" (14a) of coating material as seen in Figure 1. Adjacent islands (14a) are interconnected by strands or small lengths of coating material (14b), in a random fashion. These islands (14a) will have varying widths and lengths but in general, the total surface area coverage of the lace coating in the embodiment illustrated is in the range of 5 to 60% of the surface on which it is located.
Desirably, the overall cover is lightweight and flexible to allow for easy manipulation of the protective cover (10) over an artificial turf substrate such as would be found in a playing field.
In a preferred embodiment, the cover material (including the lace coating layer (14)) is a polyolefin polymer, provided with a suitable colouring agent for reducing the transparency of the cover material.
Referring now to Figure 3 showing the present invention, a synthetic layer of artificial turf indicated by reference numeral (30) and comprised of conventional material (actually the artificial turf as illustrated includes an upper layer (32) of grass-like structure with two underlying layers fixed thereto indicated by reference numerals (34) and (36)). The artificial turf (30) is in juxtaposition with a substrate layer (38) according to conventional standards. On top of the artificial turf the protective cover indicated generally by reference numeral (40) of the present invention and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is located; Figure 3 illustrates the protective cover spaced from the artificial turf for the purposes of illustration only since the cover (40) would lie normally in juxtaposition with the upper layer (32) of the artificial turf.
An associated advantage of the use of the protective cover for artificial turf is the fact that the protective cover may be cut or trimmed for specific application to an artificial turf field - for example, a typical football or soccer field would include structural elements (e.g. goal posts) and, the protective cover may be provided with holes for mounting the protective cover around goal posts. With the structure of the protective cover, apertures or openings can be made in the cover material and, the cover material will not fray due to the structure of the lace coating over the scrim layer.
Having described preferred embodiments it will be understood that various modifications can be made to the invention as illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Referring now to Figure 3 showing the present invention, a synthetic layer of artificial turf indicated by reference numeral (30) and comprised of conventional material (actually the artificial turf as illustrated includes an upper layer (32) of grass-like structure with two underlying layers fixed thereto indicated by reference numerals (34) and (36)). The artificial turf (30) is in juxtaposition with a substrate layer (38) according to conventional standards. On top of the artificial turf the protective cover indicated generally by reference numeral (40) of the present invention and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is located; Figure 3 illustrates the protective cover spaced from the artificial turf for the purposes of illustration only since the cover (40) would lie normally in juxtaposition with the upper layer (32) of the artificial turf.
An associated advantage of the use of the protective cover for artificial turf is the fact that the protective cover may be cut or trimmed for specific application to an artificial turf field - for example, a typical football or soccer field would include structural elements (e.g. goal posts) and, the protective cover may be provided with holes for mounting the protective cover around goal posts. With the structure of the protective cover, apertures or openings can be made in the cover material and, the cover material will not fray due to the structure of the lace coating over the scrim layer.
Having described preferred embodiments it will be understood that various modifications can be made to the invention as illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (11)
1. In combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, said protective cover permitting air and water to pass through said cover and reduce bacteria growth in said artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from said artificial turf and to protect markings or indicia on said artificial turf from sunlight, said cover comprising a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, said layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of said at least one major surface.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said protective cover has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
3. The combination of claims 1 or 2 wherein said lace coating covers between 5%
to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
4. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the warp and weft strips are formed of a polyolefin.
5. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene and the lace coating is a polyethylene compatible with said poly olefin.
6. Use of a protective cover structure for protecting artificial turf, the use comprising placing said cover over artificial turf, wherein said cover structure comprises at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of said major surfaces, said layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of said at least one major surface.
7. The use according to claim 6, wherein said protective cover has a thickness of between 1 to 20 mils.
8. The use according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said lace coating covers between 5%
to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
to 60% of one of said major surfaces.
9. The use according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the warp and weft strips are formed of a polyolefin.
10. The use according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene and the lace coating is a polyethylene compatible with said poly olefin.
11. The use according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the protective cover is in juxtaposition with said artificial turf.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2753555A CA2753555A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2011-09-27 | Artificial turf cover |
| CA2790364A CA2790364A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2012-09-19 | Artificial turf cover |
| US13/628,083 US20130079181A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2012-09-27 | Artificial turf cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2753555A CA2753555A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2011-09-27 | Artificial turf cover |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2753555A1 true CA2753555A1 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
Family
ID=47911910
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2753555A Abandoned CA2753555A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2011-09-27 | Artificial turf cover |
| CA2790364A Abandoned CA2790364A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2012-09-19 | Artificial turf cover |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2790364A Abandoned CA2790364A1 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2012-09-19 | Artificial turf cover |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20130079181A1 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2753555A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1348058B1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2014-05-21 | Avturf L.L.C. | Airports and airfields with artificial turf system |
| CA2364195C (en) * | 2001-11-30 | 2007-09-25 | Peter Hinsperger | Method and cover for grass protection and restoration and for seed germination |
-
2011
- 2011-09-27 CA CA2753555A patent/CA2753555A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-09-19 CA CA2790364A patent/CA2790364A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-09-27 US US13/628,083 patent/US20130079181A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20130079181A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 |
| CA2790364A1 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20140929 |
|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20140929 |