US5020936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animal running surface
Assignee: AMERICAN TIRE RECYCLERS Inc
•
Filing: 1989-07-28
•
Granted: 1991-06-04
•
Expires: 2009-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An animal running surface composition and optimization technique is described. The surface provides a firm in-place foundation layer above which is spread a surface layer. The surface layer intermixes earthen material and rubber particles which may be sized from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch. These particles may also be shredded rubber from scrap tires to assist in waste disposal. The ratio of the amount of rubber particles to earthen material in the surface, the size of the rubber particles, and the depth of the surface layer can be varied to optimize the surface for particular uses ranging from horse or equestrian tracks to dog tracks to arenas, etc. Several other variations such as the avoidance of organic material, removal of any metallic materials, and inclusion of other layers are also provided for. The present invention provides resiliency, optimizes water use, is porous for drainage, and can be reasonably constructed, among other advantages.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Malmgren
- 👤 Jan Cipra
- 👤 Edward L. Umlauf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:22
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C13/00; E01C13/06; E01C13/065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An animal running surface comprising: a. a foundation layer comprised of indigenous, firm in-place soil; and b. a non-compacted surface layer extending for a specified depth which comprises a mixture of: (1) non-foam, solid rubber particles having a size in the range of about 0.25 to 0.75 inch in diameter; and (2) earthen material; wherein said rubber particles comprise about 15 to 40% by volume of said surface layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An animal running surface comprising: a. a foundation layer comprised of indigenous, firm in-place soil; and b. a non-compacted surface layer extending for a specified depth which comprises a mixture of: (1) non-foam, solid rubber particles having a size in the range of about 0.25 to 0.75 inch in diameter; and (2) earthen material; wherein said rubber particles comprise about 15 to 40% by volume of said surface layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 1 wherein said non-foam, solid rubber particles comprise pieces of scrap tire rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 2 wherein said pieces of scrap tire rubber contain no more than insignificant amounts of metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 3 wherein said pieces of scrap tire rubber comprise fragments predominately five-sixteenths of an inch in size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An animal running surface as described in claims 1, 3, or 4 wherein the percentage of the rubber particles to the volume of said surface layer is 25% to 30%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An animal running surface as described in claims 1, 3, or 4 wherein the depth of said surface as described in claims 1, 3, or 4 wherein the depth of said surface layer ranges from one to eight inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An animal running surface as described in claims 1, 3, or 4 wherein the depth of said surface layer ranges from four to six inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An animal running surface as described in claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the depth of said surface layer is six inches and wherein the volume percentage of the rubber particles to the volume of said surface layer ranges from 15% to 25%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 1 wherein said earthen material comprises uncompacted indigenous soil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 1 wherein said earthen material comprises uncompacted, non-clay soil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 10 wherein said earthen material contains insignificant amounts of organic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 8 wherein said earthen material comprises uncompacted, non-clay soil and contains insignificant amounts of organic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An animal running surface as described in claims 1, 3, 5, wherein said surface mixture further comprises an oil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An animal running surface as described in claim 13 wherein said surface layer mixture further comprises a dust retardant oil.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface comprising the steps of: a. evaluating the existing surface on which said animal running surface is to be prepared; and then b. preparing a foundation layer; c. determining an appropriate level of resiliency for said running surface; and then d. creating the appropriate level of resiliency by intermixing both non-foam, solid rubber particles having a predominant size and uncompacted earthen material; wherein said rubber particles have a size in the range of about 0.25 and 0.75 inch in diameter and wherein said rubber particles comprise about 15 to 40% by volume of said surface layer; e. spreading said intermixture upon the foundation layer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface comprising the steps of: a. evaluating the existing surface on which said animal running surface is to be prepared; and then b. preparing a foundation layer; c. determining an appropriate level of resiliency for said running surface; and then d. creating the appropriate level of resiliency by intermixing both non-foam, solid rubber particles having a predominant size and uncompacted earthen material; wherein said rubber particles have a size in the range of about 0.25 and 0.75 inch in diameter and wherein said rubber particles comprise about 15 to 40% by volume of said surface layer; e. spreading said intermixture upon the foundation layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 15 wherein said step of evaluating comprises measuring the hardness of the existing surface; and wherein said hardness is utilized to ascertain the proper percentage of said rubber particles to be intermixed with said earthen material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 16 wherein said step of measuring the hardness is accomplished by means of a penetrometer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 16 wherein said step of measuring the hardness is accomplished by means of an impact tester.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 15 wherein said rubber particles have a size of about five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and wherein said intermixture has a depth in the range of about 1 to 8 inches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 16 wherein said step of evaluating further comprises the step of sampling the existing surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 20 wherein said step of evaluating further comprises the step of testing said existing surface to ascertain the organic matter fraction of said existing surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 20 wherein said step of evaluating further comprises the step of testing the portion of the existing surface that is a clay material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 15 and further comprising the step of ascertaining the climatic conditions encountered by the existing surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 23 and further comprising the step of assessing the drainage present for the existing surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claim 24 wherein said step of ascertaining the climatic conditions comprises the step of determining the amount of moisture deposited upon the existing surface annually.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of preparing an animal running surface as described in claims 15 or 16 wherein said step of determining an appropriate level of resiliency minimizes the amount of rubber utilized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE920487C
Cited
US2848840A
Cited
US3446122A
Cited
US3575780A
Cited
US3713253A
Cited
US4073753A
Cited
US4166340A
Cited
US4082888A
Cited
US4369054A
Cited
CA1159668A
Cited
US4822026A
Cited
US4522389A
Cited
US4549897A
Cited
US4420513A
Cited
US4501420A
Cited
US4557475A
Cited
US4571116A
Cited
US4563207A
Cited
US4564310A
Cited
JPS61123693A
Cited
US4819933A
Cited
US4792133A
Cited
US4790691A
Cited
JPS63105615A
Cited
US4830532A
Cited
US8203396B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |