US4946719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drainable artificial turf assembly
Assignee: Textile Management Asscociates Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An artificial turf assembly has a permeable section formed of an upper layer of artificial turf and a lower layer of shock absorbing material positioned below the upper layer. An impermeable layer is positioned below the permeable section for collecting water flowing downward through the permeable section. The permeable section is separable from the impermeable layer to form a space for the water flow away from the assembly. The space may be formed by having the permeable section lying on the impermeable layer so that it lifts off the impermeable layer and floats on the water that flows through the permeable section. Alternatively, rigid spacing members may be provided for maintaining space between the permeable and impermeable layers in the absence of water.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry J. Dempsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:02
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C13/00; E01C13/08; B; B32; B32B; B32B25/00; B32B25/04; B32B27/00; B32B27/30; B32B27/304; B32B27/32; B32B27/34; B32B27/36; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B3/266; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/06; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/726; B32B2323/00; B32B2323/04; B32B2323/10; B32B2327/00; B32B2327/06; B32B2367/00; B32B2377/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/13; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An artificial turf system, comprising: (a) a permeable section comprising: (i) a water-permeable upper layer of artificial turf, and (ii) a water-permeable lower layer of shock absorbing material positioned below said upper layer; and (b) a layer of water-impermeable material positioned below said permeable section for collecting water passing through said permeable section, said permeable section resting on said water-impermeable layer in the absence of water passing through said permeable section and whereby space is formed by water being collected between said permeable section and said water-impermeable layer so as to cause said permeable section to float on said water within said space to form a space through which said collected water can be transported away from said assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An artificial turf system, comprising: (a) a permeable section comprising: (i) a water-permeable upper layer of artificial turf, and (ii) a water-permeable lower layer of shock absorbing material positioned below said upper layer; and (b) a layer of water-impermeable material positioned below said permeable section for collecting water passing through said permeable section, said permeable section resting on said water-impermeable layer in the absence of water passing through said permeable section and whereby space is formed by water being collected between said permeable section and said water-impermeable layer so as to cause said permeable section to float on said water within said space to form a space through which said collected water can be transported away from said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material has a plurality of perforations through which water may flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material is an open-cell foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said water-permeable section has a specific gravity less than water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said water-impermeable layer is comprised of rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said water-impermeable layer is comprised of polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said assembly is capable of being positioned on a base, and further comprising a venting layer positioned between said water-impermeable section and said base to provide means for venting water which might rise through said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial turf system of claim 7, wherein said venting layer comprises a sheet of venting fabric.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein said permeable section has a plurality of holes through which water may pass through.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
An artificial turf playing field, comprising: (a) a base which laterally slopes downwardly along the longitudinal axis of said field; and (b) an artificial turf system positioned upon said base comprising: (1) a permeable section comprising: (i) a water-permeable upper layer of artificial turf, and (ii) a water-permeable lower layer of shock absorbing material positioned below said upper layer; and (2) a layer of water-impermeable material positioned below said permeable section for collecting water flowing through said permeable section, said permeable section resting on said water-impermeable layer in the absence of water passing through said permeable section and whereby space is formed by water being collected between said permeable section and said water-impermeable layer so as to cause said permeable section to float on said water within said space to form a space through which said collected water can be transported from said field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
An artificial turf playing field, comprising: (a) a base which laterally slopes downwardly along the longitudinal axis of said field; and (b) an artificial turf system positioned upon said base comprising: (1) a permeable section comprising: (i) a water-permeable upper layer of artificial turf, and (ii) a water-permeable lower layer of shock absorbing material positioned below said upper layer; and (2) a layer of water-impermeable material positioned below said permeable section for collecting water flowing through said permeable section, said permeable section resting on said water-impermeable layer in the absence of water passing through said permeable section and whereby space is formed by water being collected between said permeable section and said water-impermeable layer so as to cause said permeable section to float on said water within said space to form a space through which said collected water can be transported from said field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said base is comprises of packed subgrade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The artificial turf system of claim 11, wherein said subgrade is stabilized with an agent selected from the group consisting of lime, fly ash, cement, bituminous material, crushed stone, and a mixture thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, where said permeable section has a specific gravity less than 1.0.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, and further comprising means adjacent the longitudinal edges of said field for collecting water flowing through said permeable section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material has a plurality of perforations through which water may permeate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material is an open-cell foam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said water-impermeable layer is comprised of rubber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said water-impermeable layer is comprised of polymeric material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said is base an further comprising a venting layer positioned between said water-impermeable layer and said base to provide means for venting vapor and water which might raise vertically through said base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial turf system of claim 19, wherein said venting layer comprises a sheet of venting fabric.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial turf assembly of claim 20, wherein said spaced portrusions are secured to said water-impermeable layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said base is comprised of natural subgrade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material is a closed-cell foam.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The artificial turf system of claim 10, wherein said permeable section has a plurality of holes through which water may pass through.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4405665A
Cited
US4535021A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |