JP3739055B2 - Synthetic turf surface and synthetic roof top or patio or deck surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A synthetic turf surface for golf courses, tennis courts and other grass-surfaced game playing fields is formed of a synthetic grass carpet having a flexible base sheet (14) with closely spaced-apart upright, blade-like strands (12) of plastic material forming a dense grass-like surface. The carpet is supported upon a cushioning underpad (18) which is formed of a thick, molded sheet of open cell, expanded bead polypropylene. The resiliently compressible polypropylene underpad combined with the synthetic grass carpet closely simulates the feel of a natural grass covered playing surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improved synthetic turf for glass-type game play fields.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Synthetic turf game play surfaces are formed, for example, from a carpet with upright piles secured to a base or backing sheet. The strands may be formed from thin, flat, narrow strips of suitable plastic material that may be assembled in tufts secured in a base sheet. Typically, the base sheet is formed from a woven fabric made from a suitable plastic cloth and a resilient coating or binder is applied to the base sheet to secure the strands to the base sheet. The detailed structure of such a pile carpet is quite different. However, it generally comprises a weatherproof or outdoor structure.
Such carpets are usually placed on a leveled flat ground surface to form a game play field that resembles a natural glass play field surface. In one type of game, a resilient under pad is placed under a carpet on a solid ground support surface to achieve a shock absorbing effect. In some cases, a layer of sand or other particulate material is placed on top of the carpet base sheet and around the strands. An example of this type of construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,435 issued Jun. 21, 1983 to Frederick T. Haas, Jr. Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,942 issued on Jan. 20, 1987 to Seymour A. Tomarin.
In addition, an example of an artificial turf formed of a glassy carpet placed on a resilient under pad is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,332,828 issued December 29, 1970 to Carter, et al. Discloses a polyurethane foam under pad; U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,828 issued July 25, 1967 to Faria et al. Describes PVC foam plastic or polyurethane foam plastic underpad. Disclosure; U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,942 issued on Jan. 20, 1987 to Seymour A. Tomarin discloses a rubbery underpad; Hans-Urich Blissiedel -Urich Brietschidel) published on November 21, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,208 US Pat. No. 3,597,297, published August 3, 1971, by Theodore Buchholz, et al. Discloses a polyurethane underpad with voids. James W. Leffingwell, published on 19 March 1988, US Pat. No. 4,505,960, is a shock absorber made from foamed polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, etc. A sex pad is disclosed.
As these various prior patents show, there has been research into underpad materials and their construction so far, and when combined with an appropriate synthetic blade forming carpet, It provided a game play surface that closely resembled the feel, behavior and reaction. This indicates that no such synthetic turf play surface has been found in the various materials disclosed in the various patents mentioned above.
The present invention relates to a specific plastic underpad surface in combination with an artificial glass forming carpet, which is particularly close in feel and performance to the natural glass section of a typical golf course and very close to the natural glass field. It is similar and very similar to other natural glass game play fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to combining a specific elastic polypropylene molded underbud with a synthetic glass carpet, the underpad being a natural glass formed specifically for golf courses with a synthetic glass carpet. It produces an effect very similar to the glass play surface. Accordingly, the present invention molded polypropylene expanded beads having a density of about 1.3 to 2.8 pounds / cubic foot into a thick sheet or pad of open cell structure having a density of about 1.5 to 3 pounds / cubic foot. The purpose is to use things. The combined effect of the turf carpet and supporting under pad can be improved by sandblasting the free end of the synthetic glass blade. Sandblasting cuts the end of the blade into fine slivers, and slicers. They are entangled with each other and entangled to form a dense matte top surface on the carpet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial turf having a specific elastic underpad formed of open cell foam beaded polyethylene plastic, the underpad being a natural glass plate as part of the turf surface.・ It produces an effect very similar to the field.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, and the accompanying drawings constitute a part of the description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a synthetic turf / pile / carpet.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing a carpet placed on a resilient, open-cell, foamed beaded polyethylene underpad.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the process of sandblasting the upper end of the blade forming strand of the carpet.
FIG. 4 schematically shows an artificial turf surface with a dense mat formed of shredded sliver and a layer of sand deposited by sandblasting on the top surface of the carpet base sheet.
FIG. 5 shows spraying the carpet with water to further tear the sliver on the strands, and at the same time additionally entangle or entangle the adjacent sliver to form a dense mat surface, and further, the top surface of the mat is rotary brushed. An optional process is schematically shown.
FIG. 6 schematically shows a single U-shaped strand whose upper end is shredded into a fine sliver by sandblasting.
FIG. 7 shows a portion of a golf course where golfers use tees.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional schematic view showing a tee inserted into a slit in an artificial turf having a mat formed on the upper surface thereof.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the tee inserted into the slit formed in the turf where the upper end sliver and the mat surface are not formed.
Detailed Description FIG. 1 shows a synthetic turf / pile / carpet section. The carpet has a myriad of closely spaced tufts 11 formed of U-shaped flat flat narrow bend strips or strands 12, which form an artificial glass blade. Turf is secured on a base or backing sheet 14. The sheet is made from a woven or similar fabric made of a stable weather resistant plastic, such as polypropylene or nylon fibers, and the like. Certain fabrics require flexibility, but can vary with regard to their composition.
As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the tuft is inserted around or through the fibers forming the base sheet. Appropriate binder layer 16 is applied and bonded to the turf and base sheet. The binder can be used in a polyurene adhesive or some other outdoor and consists of an adhesive that maintains its elasticity or flexibility.
The carpet is placed on a resilient cushion underpad 18. The underpad is resilient and consists of a relatively thick molded sheet or pad of open cell foam bead polypropylene. The sheet is about 1/2 to 2 inches thick with a preferred density of about 2.36 pounds / cubic foot. Density can vary from about 1.5 to 3 pounds / cubic foot. The thickness of the pad depends on the specific purpose result, but can vary from about 1/4 inch to a maximum of 12 inches thick.
A carpet is placed on the elastic cushion underpad 18 and a blast of sand 20 or similar sandy particulate material is sprayed from the pressure nozzle 21 onto the top of the strand or blade. With this sand blasting, the upper ends of the strands are each cut into innumerable slivers 23 (see FIG. 6). The sliver spreads in the lateral direction and is entangled with each other and entangles to form a dense mat 24.
The spray nozzle 21 can move back and forth from one side to the other in a scanner-like motion across the upper end of the blade formed by the strand. While the exact pressure of the sand blast spray can be varied, the preferred blast pressure is in the range of 100 to 120 pounds per square inch. Silica sand having a particle size range of about 16 to 40 mesh, preferably about 20 to 24 mesh, more preferably about 24 mesh is used for blasting. Sand blasting is performed at a moving speed and time that can be chopped into slivers that are sufficiently divided at the ends of the strands. For example, about 1/5 of the upper part of the blade can be shredded into a fine sliver and left attached to each blade.
The force of sand blasting depends on how long the blast moves across the carpet surface, i.e. how slowly it moves, and not only shreds the blade, but the sprayed sand moves between the strands. Passing downward, the sand adheres to the base sheet surface of the carpet. The sand layer 25 thus formed is maintained on the carpet base sheet and is held in place by a tightly entangled or entangled sliver mat formed on the upper end of the blade.
For example, a blade height of about 5/8 inch above the base sheet (which is useful for golf green surfaces) is chopped into fine slivers in the upper 20-23% of its length. In this embodiment, the strand is about 1/16 inch, that is, about 0.07 inch wide, about 0.002 inch thick, and has a substantially rectangular cross section. The strands are folded in half to form two blades that are gathered to form a tuft of about 9-11 strands. From these strands, 18 to 22 blades per tuft are formed. Approximately 4 slivers are torn from the upper approximately 20% portion of each blade. Thus, each tuft has a maximum of about 70-80 slivers and remains attached to the lower end brace body, with its upper portion extending laterally and entangled with the sliver of adjacent strands. The sliver is about 0.02 inches wide and about 0.075 to 0.125 inches long.
After the sand blasting process, the carpet is further treated with a high pressure water spray 27 used for the pressure nozzle 28. For example, a water spray with a nozzle pressure of about 100-150 pounds / cubic inch has been chopped, but acts as a wash to further separate adjacent slivers that are not well separated from each other on the same strand, and at the same time one strand The sliver is further twisted, bent, and entangled with the sliver on its adjacent strand to make the mat entangled with the sliver more dense.
The mat surface is further brushed with, for example, a rotating brush 29 to make the mat surface more uniform. The water jet and brushing can be performed sequentially or simultaneously as shown schematically in FIG.
The sand blasting force is well absorbed by the elastic cushioning pad under the carpet, preventing the strands from being crushed or permanently deformed or compressed by this force. This is significant. That is, the strand retains its upright position or returns to this position even after its upper end is sandblasted. Part of the upright position is held by the deposited sand layer 25. Similarly, the strand and mat 24 hold the sand layer 25 in place.
The filled sand layer is held in place, and the matted carpet is rolled up and transported to a place to be spread for use with the sand layer. This allows sand blasting to be performed either at the game play field location or at a work site or factory site where sand, water, and brushing can be applied more conveniently. Therefore, the treated carpet can be unrolled and installed on the desired game surface, the sand layer remains held in that position, and no additional sand for sand filling at the place of use is required.
As noted above, the specific pile carpet construction can vary, but one example of a carpet useful for golf green is about 7,600 denier, an approximate density of 42 ounces per square yard, and a fiber height of about 5 It consists of / 8 inch synthetic glass and is combined with an underpad with a thickness of 1/2 to 2 inches.
Similarly, an example of a golf course fairway section is about 7,600 denier synthetic glass with an approximate density of 42-55 ounces per square yard and a fiber height in the range of about 5 / 8-2 inches. , Having an underpad of at least about 1 inch in thickness.
Another example of synthetic glass is a woven fabric standard with materials ranging from 3,600 to 10,000 denier, 13 to 22 stitches per 3 inches, 3/16 gauge, and a density of about 34 to 65 ounces per square yard. It is.
The raw beaded polypropylene material is commercially available and is formed into an underpad having a required density. For example, expanded polypropylene beads are available from BASF under the trade name NEOPOLENP (trade name of BASF). This material is available in densities of 1.3, 1.9, 2.8 pounds / cubic foot and the BASF is specified by its trade name EPERAN PP, type PP45, PP30, LBS20. When beads are molded on a suitable slab molding machine at a time and pressure known to those skilled in the art, pads made with the desired thickness can range in density from 1.5 to 3 pounds / cubic foot. . The molded slab or sheet is an open cell structure. The specific density chosen can be varied for a specific sport activity. For example, a satisfactory density for golf greens is in the range of about 2.36 pounds / cubic foot.
Particular techniques useful for sand blasting include sand blasting under pressure using commercially available sand blasting equipment. A pressure in the range of 100 to 120 pounds per square inch is preferred, but the pressure can vary slightly. For example, a low pressure of about 80 pounds per square inch. As the spray nozzle is moved back and forth across the carpet surface, the spray spray is continuously concentrated on a small portion of the carpet. Although the spray spray angle can be varied, the preferred angle that appears to be effective in the least amount of time is about 70-80 degrees to the carpet surface. The distance of the nozzle from the strand can be varied. An operator of the device selects the optimum distance by observing the shredding behavior of the spray with the naked eye. An example of this distance is in the range of about 4 to 5 feet, depending on the moving speed of the nozzle across the carpet.
The synthetic turf produced in this manner is particularly useful for golf courses, for example, green parts, approach parts, tee-off parts, and fairways. Turf surfaces are also used for tennis courts, foot balls or football, as well as other sports that utilize glass surfaces. Examples of these are glass hockey, croquet, glass bowling, children's playgrounds, baseball, etc. The artificial turf surface produced by this method is very similar to the feel, action or rebound obtained in a natural glass playing field. The finished matte surface closely resembles the natural glass surface required for golf courses and similar play fields. This turf or turf is also useful for rooftops and patio or deck surfaces that provide an insulating waterproof coating.
As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the turf is used on a golf course in a tee-off location, that is, where the golfer uses the tee to support the ball for driving. At this location, many slits 30 are provided in the turf carpet base sheet and underpad to receive a standard tee that is inserted by hand. The slit 30 is sized to receive the tee 31 in close contact. To help the golfer find a particular slit, the colored mark 32 is applied to the surface of the turf with an appropriate ink or paint mark. FIG. 8 shows a turf with a sliver forming mat, and FIG. 9 shows a turf molded body without a surface mat. In either case, a golfer's tee can be received using a slit.
The invention can be further developed within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, the above description is merely illustrative of the embodiments of the invention and is not meant to be strictly limiting.

Claims (22)

Made of synthetic glass carpet with a flexible base sheet, the flexible base sheet has upright braided strands arranged at close intervals of plastic material fixed to the sheet, For golf and other glassy game play surfaces, with a close-filled exposed top surface and a base seat placed on a resilient cushion underpad placed on the membrane support surface On the synthetic turf surface, the underpad foams into molded open cells and consists of a relatively thick sheet of elastic polypropylene bead, while the carpet and its supporting underpad are green or tee-off Or close to parts of natural glass golf course surfaces such as fairways and similar glass playing surfaces It consists and which had been improved synthetic turf surface. The synthetic turf surface of claim 1, wherein the polypropylene beads have a density of about 1.3 to 2.8 pounds / cubic foot and the underpad has a thickness of about 1/4 to 12 inches. . The polypropylene material has a density of about 1.3 to 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and a thickness of about 1 inch to 2 inches, which is similar to that of natural golf greens or golf courses. The synthetic turf surface according to claim 2, which forms a tee-off portion. The polypropylene material has a density of about 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and a thickness of about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick to form a natural glass tennis court play surface. Synthetic turf surface as described in. The synthetic of claim 2, wherein the density of the polypropylene material is about 1.3 pounds / cubic foot and the underpad forms a tee-off portion of a natural golf surface resembling approximately 1-2 inches thick. Turf surface. 3. The natural golf green surface of claim 2 wherein the density of the polypropylene material is in the range of about 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and the underpad thickness approximates about 1-2 inches. Synthetic turf surface. The above underpad is molded from expanded polypropylene beads having a density of approximately 1.3 to 2.8 pounds / cubic foot, has a thickness of approximately 1/2 inch to 2 inches, and a density of approximately 1.5. The synthetic turf surface of claim 1, which is padded with ˜3 pounds / cubic foot unitary open cell. 8. The synthetic turf surface of claim 7 wherein said molded under-bud density forms a similar surface to a natural golf green or golf course surface resembling approximately 2.36 pounds / cubic foot. The upper end of the strand is chopped into a small sliver, the sliver is matted and entangled, and a layer of sandy particulate material is on the top surface of the base sheet, generally below the entangled sliver The synthetic turf surface of claim 1, wherein the synthetic turf surface is applied to substantially fill the gap between the strands and the layer is covered with the entangled sliver. Applied on the lower surface of the base sheet and on the upper surface of the underpad, and is applied with a flexible, adhesive-like reinforcement layer of a synthetic plastic material such as polyurethane plastic The synthetic turf surface of claim 1 comprising: Short slits with numerous spacings are formed in the carpet, and the slits are sized to temporarily receive a standard size golf tee inserted below, thereby allowing the golf player to tee. The synthetic turf surface of claim 1 including manually inserting into any selected slit to support the golf ball for driving. Made of synthetic glass carpet with a flexible base sheet, the flexible base sheet has upright braided strands arranged at close intervals of plastic material fixed to the sheet, In a synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface, which has a tightly packed exposed top surface and the base sheet is disposed on a resilient cushion underpad disposed on the membrane support surface
The above underpad is foamed into molded open cells and consists of a relatively thick sheet of elastic polypropylene beads.
On the other hand, the carpet and its supporting underpads are made to closely resemble parts of natural glass surfaces such as green or tee-off or fairway sections and similar glassy play surfaces.
Improved synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface. The synthetic rooftop of claim 12, wherein the polypropylene beads have a density of about 1.3 to 2.8 pounds / cubic foot and the underpad has a thickness of about 1/4 to 12 inches. Or patio or deck surface. The polypropylene material has a density of about 1.3 to 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and a thickness of about 1 to 2 inches, thereby resembling a natural glass surface that resembles the surface. Item 14. A synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface according to Item 13. 14. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface of claim 13, wherein the polypropylene material has a density of about 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and a thickness of about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick. 14. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface of claim 13, wherein the density of the polypropylene material is about 1.3 pounds / cubic foot and the underpad is about 1-2 inches thick. 14. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface of claim 13, wherein the density of the polypropylene material is in the range of about 1.9 pounds / cubic foot and the thickness of the underpad is about 1-2 inches. The above underpad is molded from expanded polypropylene beads having a density of about 1.3 to 2.8 pounds / cubic foot, has a thickness of about 1/2 inch to 2 inches, and a density of about 1.5. 13. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface of claim 12, wherein the synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface is .about.3 lb / cu. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface of claim 18, wherein the density of the molded under pad is about 2.36 pounds / cubic foot. A synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface according to claim 12, wherein the upper ends of the strands are cut into small slivers, the slivers being matted and entangled. The upper end of the strand is chopped into a small sliver, the sliver is matted and entangled, and a layer of sandy particulate material is on the top surface of the base sheet, generally below the entangled sliver 13. The synthetic rooftop or patio or deck of claim 12, wherein the synthetic rooftop or patio or deck is applied to substantially fill the gap between the strands and the layer is covered with the entangled sliver. surface. Applied on the lower surface of the base sheet and on the upper surface of the underpad, and is applied with an adhesive-like reinforcing layer of a flexible plastic material made of a synthetic plastic material such as polyurethane plastic A synthetic rooftop or patio or deck surface according to claim 12 comprising:

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