US20050250421A1

US20050250421A1 - Artificial turf fibrillating apparatus and methods thereof

Info

Publication number: US20050250421A1
Application number: US10/841,918
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Monko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-10
Filing date: 2004-05-10
Publication date: 2005-11-10

Abstract

Artificial turf fibrillating apparatus have been disclosed. Methods for providing fibrillated artificial grass turf derived from artificial grass turf have been disclosed. The apparatus comprise a rotating rigid support member having a plurality of removable fibrillating members coupled to the support member. The apparatus are coupled to a power source. A plurality of broad artificial grass blades of an artificial grass turf are impacted by the fibrillating members when the support member is rotated with sufficient torque to provide a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of fibrillated artificial grass blades of random width having the appearance, feel and playing characteristics of a real grass turf.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to synthetic turf that appears realistic and more particularly to artificial turf fibrillating apparatus and methods thereof for improving the appearance, feel and playing characteristics of artificial grass turf to simulate natural grass turf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, artificial grass turf has been made in a variety of ways. Typically artificial grass turf is formed from piles or strands coupled to a backing or base sheet to make a pile carpet. The piles are usually thin strands of plastic material colorized to appear like natural grass turf. The synthetic grass blades may comprise any suitable plastic that is sufficiently flexible, non-crimping and durable to withstand the demands that are placed on the intended use of the artificial grass turf. Examples of suitable plastics are various polypropylenes, nylons and polyesters.
More recently, it has been recognized that currently available artificial grass turfs still appear synthetic because of the lack of randomness in the shape and appearance of the artificial grass blades forming the pile. Such currently available grass turfs are also too glossy and feel too smooth and greasy in comparison to natural grass blades. These properties of artificial grass turf originate from the chemical and mechanical properties of the polymers that make up artificial grass blades.
There have been several attempts to improve on making artificial grass more natural in appearance. In one example Pettigrew, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,780 suggested using a surface treatment apparatus comprising a rotating shaft and bristles mounted on the shaft for dislodging particulate matter form the artificial grass turf. Pettigrew, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,780 disclosed the use of the apparatus for cleaning up artificial grass turf used in playing field areas such as tennis courts to freshen up the matted appearance of the artificial grass turf in addition to dislodging the particulate matter.
In a second example disclosed by Prévost, U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,527 a process of laying synthetic grass includes a pile carpet having coarse granules inserted therein and splitting synthetic grass blades using a stiff wire brush. No details were provided regarding the nature of the wire brush or the effectiveness of the splitting process, since the main emphasis of Prévost, U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,527 was on providing for granules within the artificial grass turf.
In a third example, Lemieux, U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,113 disclosed the use of sand-like particular blasting of the upper portion of artificial grass turf grass blades. The blasting is applied for a sufficient time and a sufficient pressure to shred the artificial grass blade upper end portions into fine slivers, which remain joined to their respective blades and become intertwined with adjacent slivers to form a dense mat upon the surface of a pile artificial grass turf carpet. Lemieux, U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,113 further disclosed that after sandblasting, the artificial grass blades may be sprayed with high pressure water or brushed to further separate intertwined artificial grass blade slivers.
While Lemieux, U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,113 discloses a procedure that provides a more realistic and useful artificial grass turf, the use of sandblasting equipment to achieve the result is beyond the scope of the average consumer. In addition, sandblasting usually requires fairly strenuous health consideration because of all the particulate matter that is used in the process.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to provide artificial turf fibrillating apparatus and methods thereof. This invention provides artificial turf fibrillating apparatus that may be used by an average consumer or on a large scale without producing obnoxious particulates. The resulting artificial grass turf of this invention has the appearance, feel and playing characteristics of artificial grass turf which simulates natural grass turf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved artificial turf fibrillating apparatus.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved artificial turf fibrillating apparatus that are easy to use and to maintain.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved artificial grass turf using the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus of this invention.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide methods for improving the appearance of artificial grass turf using the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus of this invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf is disclosed. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus comprises, in combination a rotatable support member coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members; and power source means for rotating the support member for impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that the fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.
At least an end portion of the support member has a plurality of openings, each one of the openings receive one of the fibrillating members and each one of the fibrillating members is selectively coupled to the support member. A portion of each one of the fibrillating members comprises a threaded portion of a bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating members to an upper portion of the support member and a second nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating members to a lower portion of the support member. Alternatively, the fibrillating members comprise a bolt having a head, a threaded portion of the bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating members to a lower portion of the support member and the head is sized to couple to an upper portion of the support member to prevent each one of the fibrillating members from decoupling from the support member.
The support member has a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of the shaft coupled to the support member and a second end of the shaft coupled to the power source means for rotating the support member and the power source means provides sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when the fibrillating member impacts the artificial grass turf. The power source means is selected from the group consisting of an electric lawn mower, a gas lawn mower and a lawn trimmer.
The support member is rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf, and the fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades. The support member comprises a metal, and the fibrillating members comprise a metal. The metal comprises a steel alloy.
The plane of rotation of the support member is at an acute angle to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus. The plane of rotation of the support member is less than 45° to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus. The broad artificial grass blades are reduced in width to a plurality of narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades each one of the narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades having a random width of less than about 0.15 inches.
In accordance with a second embodiment, an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf is disclosed. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus comprises, in combination a plurality of rotatable support members coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members, each one of the support members coupled to a neighboring support member; and power source means for rotating the support member for impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that the fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.
At least an end portion of each one of the support members has a plurality of openings, each one of the openings receive one of the fibrillating members and each one of the fibrillating members is selectively coupled to each one of the support members. At least one of the support members has a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of the shaft is securely coupled to one of the support members and a second end of the shaft is coupled to the power source means for rotating the support members, the power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf.
The support members are rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf, and the fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades.
In accordance with a third embodiment, a method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a rotatable support member coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members; providing power source means for rotating the support member; and impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that the fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.
The method further comprises providing at least an end portion of the support member has a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of the fibrillating members; providing a portion of each one of the fibrillating members comprises a threaded portion of a bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating members to an upper portion of the support member and a second nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating members to a lower portion of the support member; and selectively coupling each one of the fibrillating members to the support member.
Alternatively, the method further comprises providing each one of the fibrillating members comprises a bolt having a head, a threaded portion of the bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of the fibrillating member to a lower portion of the support member, the head sized to couple to an upper portion of the support member to prevent each one of the fibrillating members from decoupling from the support member; and selectively coupling each one of the fibrillating members to the support member.
The method further comprises providing the support member has a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of the shaft coupled to the support member and a second end of the shaft coupled to the power source means; rotating the support member with the power source means, the power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when the fibrillating member impacts the artificial grass turf; providing the support member is rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf; providing the fibrillating members are rigid to randomly fibrillate each one of the artificial grass blades; providing the plane of rotation of the support member is at an acute angle to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus; and providing the broad artificial grass blades are reduced in width to a plurality of narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades each one of the narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades having a random width of less than about 0.15 inches.
In a fourth embodiment, a method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of rotatable support members coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members, each one of the support members coupled to a neighboring support member; providing power source means for rotating the support member; and impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that the fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.
The method further comprises providing at least an end portion of each one of the support members has a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of the fibrillating members; selectively coupling each one of the fibrillating members to the support members; providing at least one of the support members has a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of the shaft securely coupled to one of the support members and a second end of the shaft coupled to the power source means; rotating the support members with the power source means, the power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf; providing the support members are rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when the fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf; and providing the fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a portion of an artificial grass turf according to the prior art of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a portion of a fibrillated artificial grass turf produced according to this invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus according to this invention for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a second example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus according to this invention for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a third example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus according to this invention for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIG. 1 a portion of a prior art artificial grass turf 10 comprises a plurality of substantially uniformly sized broad artificial grass blades 12 coupled to a backing 18. By comparison, according to FIG. 2 a portion of a fibrillated artificial grass turf 14 comprises a plurality of randomly sized fibrillated artificial grass blades 16 coupled to the backing 18. Each one of the broad artificial grass blades 12 may be fibrillated along the broad artificial grass blade 12 randomly from an upper portion of the broad artificial grass blade 12 to a lower portion of the broad artificial grass blade 12. A plurality of the fibrillated artificial grass blades 16 is formed by fibrillating a plurality of the broad artificial grass blades 12. The fibrillated artificial grass turf 14 having a plurality of randomly produced fibrillated artificial grass blades 16 with the appearance of a realistic grass turf is formed, when the prior art artificial grass turf 10 is fibrillated as described above. It is understood that the broad artificial grass blades 12 may be fibrillated from the upper portion of the broad artificial grass blades 12 to a lower portion of the broad artificial grass blades 12 proximate to the backing 18.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf 14. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 comprises a support member 22 having an opening located substantially at the centre of the support member 22. The support member 22 is substantially planar. The planarity of the support member 22 limits turbulence and suction when the support member 22 rotates at a rapid rate. The opening of the support member 22 receives a shaft 24 coupled to the support member 22. The shaft 24 is rotated by a power source 26. The shaft 24 is coupled securely to the support member 22 using a retainer nut 32. The support member 22 further comprises a plurality of holes for receiving a fibrillating member 28 in each one of the holes of the support member 22. Each one of the holes of the support member 22 is located at an end portion of the support member 22. The fibrillating members 28 randomly impact the plurality of broad artificial grass blades 12 to produce the fibrillated artificial grass turf 14. Each one of the fibrillating members 28 is substantially perpendicular to the support member 22. According to FIG. 3, the fibrillating member 28 comprises a threaded portion of a bolt having no head, which is coupled to the support member 22 using a pair of nuts 30. A first nut 30 supports the fibrillating member 28 on an upper portion of the support member 22. A second nut 30 locks the fibrillating member 28 on a lower portion of the support member 22. When any one of the fibrillating members 28 is worn out, the worn fibrillating member 28 is easily replaced by unthreading either the first nut 30 or the second nut 30.
FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a second example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf 14. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 is identically described as above in all respects except for details regarding each one of the fibrillating members 28. Each one of the fibrillating members 28 comprises a threaded bolt having a slotted screw head. It is to be understood that any bolt head would suffice for use as the fibrillating member 28. The fibrillating member 28 is supported on the upper portion of the support member 22 by a lower portion of the slotted screw head of the threaded bolt. A nut 30 securely couples the fibrillating member 28 to a lower portion of the support member 22. When any one of the fibrillating members 28 is worn, the worn fibrillating member 28 is easily replaced by unthreading the nut 30.
FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a third example of an artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 for producing the fibrillated artificial grass turf 14. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20 is identically described as above in all respects except for details regarding each one of the fibrillating members 28. Each one of the fibrillating members 28 comprises a portion of a partially threaded bolt having no head. Sufficient thread is provided on the fibrillating member 28 to permit coupling of a first nut 30 and a second nut 30 to the threaded portion of the fibrillating member 28. Although the fibrillating member 28 is shown to be cylindrical in shape (see FIGS. 3,4,5), it is understood that the unthreaded portion of the fibrillating member 28 may be any shape that results in fibrillation of broad artificial grass blades 12 producing fibrillated artificial grass blades 16. The fibrillating member 28 is supported on the upper portion of the support member 22 by the first nut 30. The second nut 30 securely couples the fibrillating member 28 to a lower portion of the support member 22. When any one of the fibrillating members 28 is worn, the worn fibrillating member 28 is easily replaced by unthreading the first nut 30 or the second nut 30.
The shaft 24 is preferably coupled to a power source 26 such as an electric or a gas powered lawn mower, a WEEDWACKER® (SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO. CORP., ILLINOIS), or a powered edge trimming tool that provides rotary motion. It is understood that any power source 26 to which the support member 22 may be coupled by a shaft 24 is suitable. The power source 26 must provide sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the broad artificial grass blades 12. It is understood that sufficient torque depends on the revolution rate, distance between the fibrillating members 28 and the force produced by the power source 26.
The support member 22 is preferably rigid. Suitable choices for the rigid material of the support member 22 are metals such as iron or steel alloys. The fibrillating members 28 are preferably rigid. Suitable choices for the rigid material of the fibrillating members 28 are metals such as iron or steel alloys. It is understood that the choice of rigid material is not limited to iron or steel alloys, but rather that these are merely examples of possible material choices. Typically, steel fibrillating members 28 are replaced after treating several hundred square yards of artificial grass turf 10.
The plane of rotation of the support member 22 is less than at a right angle to the plane of the backing 18 of the artificial grass turf 10 during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20. More preferably the plane of rotation of the support member 22 is substantially an acute angle to the plane of the backing 18 of the artificial grass turf 10 during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20. Most preferably, the plane of rotation of the support member 22 is between 0° and 45° to the plane of the backing 18 of the artificial grass turf 10 during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus 20.
The support member 22 can be of various lengths and widths. A preferable length of the support member 22 for use with lawn mowers is about 21 inches. The fibrillating portion of the fibrillating members 28 may also be of various lengths and widths. A preferable length for the fibrillating portion of the fibrillating members 28 is about 2 inches below the lower portion of the support member 22.
When the support member 22 is coupled to a lawn mower, the support member 22 is readily coupled to the lawn mower in the same manner as a conventional mower blade, thereby requiring no special skills for an average consumer. The height of the lawn mower is readily adjustable, allowing different depths of fibrillation of the broad artificial grass blades 12 and adjusting for wear of the fibrillating members 28 by lowering the lawn mower settings.
The broad artificial grass blades 12 are reduced in width to the fibrillated artificial grass blades 16 having random widths less than about 0.15 inches. Preferably the widths of the fibrillated artificial grass blades 16 have random widths of less than about 0.1 inches.
In summary, artificial turf fibrillating apparatus have been disclosed. Methods for providing fibrillated artificial grass turf derived from artificial grass turf have been disclosed. The apparatus comprise a rotating rigid support member having a plurality of removable fibrillating members coupled to the support member. The apparatus are coupled to a power source. A plurality of broad artificial grass blades of an artificial grass turf are impacted by the fibrillating members when the support member is rotated with sufficient torque to provide a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of fibrillated artificial grass blades of random width having the appearance, feel and playing characteristics of a real grass turf.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, artificial grass turf comprising artificial rocks and/or artificial sand particles embedded in the backing of the artificial grass turf may be fibrillated to provide a more realistic fibrillated grass turf. A plurality of support members may be coupled to one another on a substantially central shaft to provide a plurality of fibrillating members, thereby increasing productivity rates. Alternatively, a plurality of support members may be coupled to one another on a plurality of shafts to provide a plurality of fibrillating members. Additionally, the fibrillating member may comprise a flexible material such as plastic, fiberglass or twine coupled to a member that may be coupled to the support member.

Claims

1. An artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising, in combination: a rotatable support member coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members; and power source means for rotating said support member for impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that said fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.

2. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 further comprising at least an end portion of said support member having a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of said fibrillating members, each one of said fibrillating members selectively coupled to said support member.

3. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 2 wherein a portion of each one of said fibrillating members comprises a threaded portion of a bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating members to an upper portion of said support member and a second nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating members to a lower portion of said support member.

4. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 2 wherein said fibrillating members comprise a bolt having a head, a threaded portion of said bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating members to a lower portion of said support member, said head sized to couple to an upper portion of said support member to prevent each one of said fibrillating members from decoupling from said support member.

5. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 further comprising said support member having a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of said shaft coupled to said support member and a second end of said shaft coupled to said power source means for rotating said support member, said power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when said fibrillating member impacts the artificial grass turf.

6. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein said power source means is selected from the group consisting of an electric lawn mower, a gas lawn mower and a lawn trimmer.

7. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein said support member is rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf, and said fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades.

8. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a metal, and said fibrillating members comprise a metal.

9. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 8 wherein said metal comprises a steel alloy.

10. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein the plane of rotation of said support member is at an acute angle to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus.

11. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein the plane of rotation of said support member is less than 45° to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus.

12. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 1 wherein the broad artificial grass blades are reduced in width to a plurality of narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades each one of the narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades having a random width of less than about 0.15 inches.

13. An artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising, in combination: a plurality of rotatable support members coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members, each one of said support members coupled to a neighboring support member; and power source means for rotating said support member for impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that said fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.

14. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 13 further comprising at least an end portion of each one of said support members having a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of said fibrillating members, each one of said fibrillating members selectively coupled to each one of said support members; at least one of said support members having a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of said shaft securely coupled to one of said support members and a second end of said shaft coupled to said power source means for rotating said support members, said power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf.

15. The artificial turf fibrillating apparatus for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 13 wherein said support members are rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf, and said fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades.

16. A method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising the steps of:

providing a rotatable support member coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members;

providing power source means for rotating said support member; and

impacting the artificial grass turf comprising a plurality of broad artificial grass blades so that said fibrillating members produce a fibrillated artificial grass turf having narrow artificial grass blades.

17. The method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing at least an end portion of said support member having a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of said fibrillating members;

providing a portion of each one of said fibrillating members comprises a threaded portion of a bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating members to an upper portion of said support member and a second nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating members to a lower portion of said support member; and

selectively coupling each one of said fibrillating members to said support member.

18. The method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing each one of said fibrillating members comprises a bolt having a head, a threaded portion of said bolt for receiving a nut to securely couple each one of said fibrillating member to a lower portion of said support member, said head sized to couple to an upper portion of said support member to prevent each one of said fibrillating members from decoupling from said support member; and

19. The method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing said support member having a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of said shaft coupled to said support member and a second end of said shaft coupled to said power source means;

rotating said support member with said power source means, said power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when said fibrillating member impacts the artificial grass turf;

providing said support member is rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf;

providing said fibrillating members are rigid to randomly fibrillate each one of the artificial grass blades;

providing the plane of rotation of said support member is at an acute angle to the plane of a backing of the artificial grass turf so that said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf during operation of the artificial turf fibrillating apparatus; and

providing the broad artificial grass blades are reduced in width to a plurality of narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades each one of the narrow fibrillated artificial grass blades having a random width of less than about 0.15 inches.

20. A method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of rotatable support members coupled to a plurality of fibrillating members, each one of said support members coupled to a neighboring support member;

providing power source means for rotating said support member; and

21. The method for transforming artificial grass turf having broad artificial grass blades to a fibrillated artificial grass turf according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

providing at least an end portion of each one of said support members having a plurality of openings, each one of the openings for receiving one of said fibrillating members;

selectively coupling each one of said fibrillating members to said support members;

providing at least one of said support members having a hole for receiving a shaft, a first end of said shaft securely coupled to one of said support members and a second end of said shaft coupled to said power source means;

rotating said support members with said power source means, said power source means providing sufficient torque to cause visible fibrillation of the plurality of broad artificial grass blades when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf;

providing said support members are rigid and substantially planar so that turbulence and suction are minimized when said fibrillating members impact the artificial grass turf; and

providing said fibrillating members are rigid to provide random fibrillation of each one of the artificial grass blades.