GB2221617A

GB2221617A - Interconnectable artificial lawn sections

Info

Publication number: GB2221617A
Application number: GB8819019A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-10
Filing date: 1988-08-10
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Also published as: GB8819019D0

Abstract

An artificial lawn section capable of interconnection with similar sections comprising a substantially rectangular base member (1) having first and second pairs of adjacent sides, said first pair of adjacent sides having a plurality of connecting members (11) projecting outwardly therefrom, each connecting member having an upstanding projection member formed thereon, the base member (1) having a plurality of throughbores formed therein, said throughbores being of two different sizes and being arranged in rows wherein each row consists of bores of the same size, clusters of artificial grass (12, 12') insertable from above into, and retainable in, said throughbores, wherein the row of throughbores adjacent the two sides forming the second pair of adjacent sides consists of the larger sized bores which are each capable of receiving an upstanding projection member formed on a second section (2) pushed upwardly thereinto and a plurality of projecting cushioning members projecting from the underside of the base member (1). <IMAGE>

Description

"Lnterconnectable artificial lawn sections" The present invention relates to an artificial lawn section and, more particularly, to an artificial lawn section which is interconnectable to other identical sections so as to produce a lawn of a desired size.

As the world becomes more industrialised, increasing urbanisation has become inevitable. The migration of people into cities means that the number of buildings and other constructions are ever increasing, whilst the number and size of open spaces are decreasing. Accordingly, open green spaces are highly prized by city dwellers.

Moreover, such increasing urbanisation means that there is a deficiency or space for leisure activities.

For example, in some schools and kindergartens, there is no suitable outdoor area for some activities and hence these activities must be carried out indoors, if at all.

Even if an outdoor area is available, it is often not possible to provide a natural grass area and, accordingly, artificial grass surfaces have become popular.

Conventional artificial lawns are produced from a plurality of identical sections. Each section comprises a base portion formed form transversely and longitudinal frame members with the spaces thus defined having clusters of artificial grass inserted therein. Each section has connecting members arranged along each of two adjacent sides and circular bores formed in projection members arranged along the edges of the other two adjacent sides for connection of the section to other identical sections so as to rotn an artificial lawn. However, these known artificial grass sections have the certain disadvantages.

Firstly, it is difficult to match the sections of artificial grass to form an artificial lawn. Alternatively or additionally, the artificial lawn can not be smoothly laid or rolled up. More particularly, the fitting of the connecting members into the circular bores Is time-consuming and labour-intensive.

Secondly, the connecting members and the projecting members in which the bores are formed both protrude beyond the periphery of the section. Accordingly, above each connection, no clusters of artifical grass can be arranged thereon. Once the artificial lawn has been laid, therefore, a gap exists between each adjoining pair of sections which is not aesthetically pleasing.

Thirdly, the base member of each artificial grass section is made from a hard plastic material, as are the clusters of artificial grass. The artificial lawn thus produced is, therefore, not soft on the feet.

Fourthly, since the sections are made of hard plastics material, it is difficult to lay the artificial lawn over uneven ground.

According to the present invention, there is provided an artificial lawn section capable of interconnection with similar sections comprising a substantially rectangular base member having first and second pairs of adjacent sides, said said fist pair of adjacent sides having a plurality of connecting members projecting outwardly therefrom, each connecting member having an upstanding projection member fonned thereon, the base .'::ietnber having a plurality of throughbores formed therein, said throughbores being of two different sizes and being arranged in rows wherein each row consists of bores of the saline sizes, clusters of artificial grass insertable from above into, and retainable in, said throughbores, wherein the row of throughbores adjacent the two sides forming the second pair of adjacent sides consists of the larger sized bores which are each capable of receiving an upstanding projection member formed on a second section pushed upwardly thereinto and a plurality of projecting cushioning members projecting from the underside of the base member.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of artificial grass in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 1-1 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but on a scale relative thereto of the detail ringed in Fig. 1; and Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from below of the interconnection of two sections of the type shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, there is shown a substantially square section of artificial grass. The section comprises a base 1 made of soft polyvinyl chloride material. Projecting outwardly from the underside of two adjacent sides of the square are connecting members 11 which have upstanding projections 111 formed thereon. The base 1 has throughbores 121 and 121' formed therein. From above, different sized clusters of artificial grass, 12 and 12' are inserted into the throughbores 121 and 121'. It will be noted that each bore 121 has a generally octagonal shape and each bore 121' .has a generally hexagonal shape, the bores 121 being larger in size than the bores 121', to facilitate the drainage of rain or other water.Each section of grass has a plurality of downwardly projecting cushioning members 13, 23 fonned on its underside to maintain the section slightly elevated above the ground for easy drainage of water. The artificial lawn thus may be always kept in a dry and clean condition.

When surfacing an area with the sections of artificial lawn in accordance with the present invent ion, it Is usually necessary to interconnect the sections. This is effected as shown in Fig. 2. The two sections are aligned so that one of the two sides carrying connecting members of the first section is aligned with a side not carrying connecting members or an identical section. The projections 111 are then inserted, fran below, into the octagonal bores 221 of the second section. This procedure can be followed as many times as desired. It should be pointed out that the arrangement of the clusters and associated throughbores is not random. Thus, in each section, the rows adjacent the edges which do not carry connecting members 11 consist exclusively of clusters 12 and throughbores 121.In use, an artificial lawn produced fran sections in accordance with the present invention can provide the following advantages over known artificial lawn arrangements.

(1) The connection and disconnection of the sections to and from one another can be effected in a simple manner.

This can save both time and manpower.

(2) All of the sections can be perfectly aligned with one another without any gaps being formed. Accordingly, the artificial lawn appears, at first sight, to be made in one piece.

(3) Since the sections are made or a soft polyvinyl chloride material, it feels soft underfoot and will not be deformed, even if it is trampled upon.

(4) Since the sections are of soft PVC material, the artificial lawn can be laid over uneven ground, a feature which is not possible with conventional artificial lawn sections.

(5) The dense clusters of the artificial grass help to.clean the shoes of persons walking thereon and the various drainage bores let rain and other water pass therethrough for further drainage. Accordingly, an accunulation of dirt and water does not collect on the artificial lawn and it always remains in a dry and clean condition.

(6) The clusters of artificial grass can be arranged in a style which is aesthetically pleasing.

Claims

CLAL'S

1. An artificial lawn section capable of incerconnection with similar sections comprising a substantially rectangular base member having first and second pairs of adjacent sides; said first pair or adjacent sides having a plurality of connecting menbers projecting outwardly therefrom, each connecting member having an upstanding projection member formed thereon, the base member 'naving a plurality of throughbores formed therein; said throughbores being of two different sizes and being arranged in rows wherein each row consists of bores of the same sizes, clusters of artificial grass insertable from above into, and retainable in, said throughbores;; wherein the row of throughbores adjacent the two sides forming the second pair of adjacent sides consists of the larger sized bores which are each capable of receiving an upstanding projection member formed on a second section pushed upwardly thereinto and a plurality of projecting cushioning members projecting from the underside of the base member.

2. An artificial lawn section as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the larger sized throughbores has a crosssectional shape corresponding substantially to that of the upstanding projection members to facilitate the insertion of the projection members and to provide retention thereof.

3. An artificial lawn section as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each section is made of soft polyvinyl chloride material and is molded in a single integral unit.

4. An artificial lawn section as claimed in claim 1, cotlstructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accanpanying drawings.

5. An artificial lawn fonned fran a plurality of interconnected lawn sections as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.