WO1994012254A1

WO1994012254A1 - A playing surface construction

Info

Publication number: WO1994012254A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/002447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Dean
Original assignee: Stephen Dean
Priority date: 1992-11-26
Filing date: 1993-11-26
Publication date: 1994-06-09
Also published as: GB9224813D0

Abstract

A playing surface (2) construction such as for a golf green and a foot, and similar playing areas (1). The playing surface is formed of a porous synthetic turf (4, 5) laid over a prepared sand base (3) with natural turf (6) laid on the synthetic turf at the boundaries (5) of the playing surface such that the roots extend through the porous synthetic material (5) to the earth beneath to secure the synthetic turf in place. This avoids the present requirement which involves positioning a wooden frame around the periphery of the playing surface and then physically securing the synthetic turf to the wooden frame as with metal fixing pins. With this present procedure it is expensive to replace the synthetic turf if, for example, it is ripped. This problem, amongst others, is avoided with the present invention since replacement is a more simple procedure.

Description

A PLAYING SURFACE CONSTRUCTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a playing surface construction such as a golf green, a football pitch and the like, formed of synthetic turf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The normal method of laying a synthetic turfed surface involves preparing the existing ground to whatever shaped contour is required, positioning a wooden frame around the periphery of the playing area, and then laying the synthetic turf over the prepared ground and securing same as by screws to the wooden frame.

This method has disadvantages particularly when used to construct a golf green in that due to the hardness of the ground beneath the turf, it becomes impossible to play a full approach shot to the green without any resulting excessive bounce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided a playing surface construction comprising a prepared ground base, the base including a growing medium at least around the boundary or boundaries of the playing surface, an area of synthetic turf laid over the prepared base, said synthetic turf having a porous section at least over an area thereof disposed over the growing medium, and grass turf laid over said porous section around the said boundary or boundaries of the said playing surface such that the roots thereof extend through the porous section thereby to secure the synthetic turf in place.

The above construction is ideal for golf greens and football pitches and other similar playing surfaces which have heavy wear areas. It is extremely wear tolerant and can be laid back in place quite simply if ripped. Preferably the prepared ground base is made of sand which is able to absorb the energy of a golf ball, for example, so that the synthetic turf simulates in a more accurate manner the reaction that would be expected from a natural grass turf green.

The porous section of the synthetic turf may be in the form of a fibre membrane fastened to its periphery and corresponding to the total playing area of the playing surface.

The natural turf may be a soil-less turf laid over the fibre membrane to enable the roots to extend to the earth beneath so that the synthetic turf is anchored in place.

By this means the use of a wooden frame as in the prior art is avoided.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a playing surface construction comprising a sand base, an area of synthetic turf laid on the sand base, a fibre membrane fastened to the periphery of the synthetic turf corresponding to the total playing area of the playing surface, and a soil-less turf laid over the fibre membrane such that the roots thereof extend through the membrane to the earth beneath thereby to secure the synthetic turf in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in cross-sectional view a playing surface construction according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As a first step in constructing the playing surface shown in the accompanying drawing, a prescribed area 1 corresponding to the periphery of the playing surface 2 is first excavated and filled with sand 3. The sand 3 is then compacted and die resulting surface contoured if required. Layers of synthetic turf 4 are placed over the sand 3 and immediate surrounding area and then glued together at their seams.

The resulting structure is then cut to the size of the prescribed playing area 1 and to the resulting periphery is glued a width of fibre membrane 5 which rests on the earth E surrounding the same.

The fibre membrane 5 is covered with soil-less turf 6, the roots of which in time grow through the fibre membrane 5 to secure the synthetic turf 4 in position.

Although sand has been mentioned above to replace the excavated earth, other suitable materials would be possible so long as they act to absorb the energy of objects moving or falling on the playing surface as would be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.

With regard to the synthetic turf used, various proprietary types are available on the market, for example those of the porous variety. If such were employed then it would not be necessary to provide the membrane 5 since the natural turf, preferably in the form of a soil-less turf, may simply be laid on the synthetic turf around the prescribed boundaries of the playing surface to be provided thereby.

The above description refers to a preferred method of constructing a playing surface according to the present invention which has wide applicability and is particularly suitable for constructing playing surfaces such as, for example, golf greens in garden environments where space is at a premium.

Claims

1. A playing surface construction comprising a prepared ground base, the base including a growing medium at least around the boundary or boundaries of the playing surface, an area of synthetic turf laid over the prepared base, said synthetic turf having a porous section at least over an area thereof disposed over the growing medium, and grass turf laid over said porous section around the said boundary or boundaries of the said playing surface such that the roots thereof extend through the porous section thereby to secure the synthetic turf in place.

2. A playing surface construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prepared ground base is made of sand surrounded by earth.

3. A playing surface construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the entire area of the prepared ground base and the growing medium is covered with a porous synthetic turf.

4. A playing surface construction as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the porous section is formed by a fibre membrane attached to d e synthetic turf.

5. A playing surface construction as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the grass turf is soil-less turf.

6. A playing surface construction comprising a sand base, an area of synthetic turf laid on die sand base, a fibre membrane fastened to the periphery of the synthetic turf corresponding to die total playing area of the playing surface, and a soil-less turf laid over the fibre membrane such that the roots thereof extend dirough the membrane to the earth beneath thereby to secure the synthetic turf in place.

7. A method of foirning a playing surface comprising preparing a ground base to the contours of the playing surface, providing a growing medium in the prepared ground base at least around the boundary or boundaries of die playing surface, covering the prepared ground base witii a synthetic turf, providing the synthetic turf with a porous section at least over die area of the growing medium formed in the ground base, and laying grass turf over said porous section such tiiat the roots thereof grow to extend ti rough the porous section d ereby to secure the synthetic turf in place.

8. A method of forming a playing surface construction as claimed in claim 7 wherein the synthetic turf is entirely porous over the area of the prepared ground base and d e growing medium.

9. A method of forming a playing surface construction as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ground base is sand infill surrounded by earth.

10. A method of forming a playing surface substantially as hereinbefore described witii reference to the preferred embodiments of d e invention.

11. A playing surface construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the preferred embodiments of die invention and as illustrated in the drawing.