Patent US5120158A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5120158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for heating a playfield
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A pipe arrangement for a playfield is disclosed which includes a surface layer and a filter layer beneath the surface layer. In the filter layer, there is situated an arrangement of pipes, divided into several sections. In each section, there are numerous perforated multi-purpose pipes to dry the field and to circulate warm air into it. These multi-purpose pipes are connected at intervals by their ends to a distribution pipe and these in their turn at intervals by their ends to a main pipe, which is finally connected to blowing machinery by means of a feed pipe. The invention is primarily intended to be used in connection with grassy playfields, but it can also be applied to the construction of other types of fields.
Inventors
- 👤 Aarne Husu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/06; E; E01; E01C; E01C13/00; E01C13/02; E01C13/08; E01C13/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of removing moisture from a playfield having a surface layer and filter layer beneath the surface layer; the filter layer including at least two sloped pipes having perforations and which define first and second sections of a pipe network, the method comprising the sequential and continual steps of: blowing air in a first direction through the first section for a first predetermined period to remove moisture from the surface layer; stopping the blowing in the first section for a second predetermined period sufficient to collect the removed moisture by accumulating it in the first section through the perforations thereof; blowing air in a first direction through the second section during the second predetermined period to remove moisture from the surface layer; flowing the accumulated moisture in the first section via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield during the second determined period; and flowing the accumulated moisture in the second section via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield during the first predetermined period.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of removing moisture from a playfield having a surface layer and filter layer beneath the surface layer; the filter layer including at least two sloped pipes having perforations and which define first and second sections of a pipe network, the method comprising the sequential and continual steps of: blowing air in a first direction through the first section for a first predetermined period to remove moisture from the surface layer; stopping the blowing in the first section for a second predetermined period sufficient to collect the removed moisture by accumulating it in the first section through the perforations thereof; blowing air in a first direction through the second section during the second predetermined period to remove moisture from the surface layer; flowing the accumulated moisture in the first section via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield during the second determined period; and flowing the accumulated moisture in the second section via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield during the first predetermined period.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of de-freezing and removing moisture from a playfield having a snow covered surface layer and a filter layer beneath the surface layer; the filter layer including a sloped pipe having perforations comprising the steps of: blowing heated air in one direction through the pipe for a predetermined period to thaw and remove moisture from the surface layer, said period being sufficiently limited so as to initially preserve any snow covering; stopping the blowing for a second predetermined period sufficient to collect the removed moisture by accumulating it in the pipe through the perforations thereof; and flowing the accumulated moisture via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of de-freezing and removing moisture from a playfield having a snow covered surface layer and a filter layer beneath the surface layer; the filter layer including a sloped pipe having perforations comprising the steps of: blowing heated air in one direction through the pipe for a predetermined period to thaw and remove moisture from the surface layer, said period being sufficiently limited so as to initially preserve any snow covering; stopping the blowing for a second predetermined period sufficient to collect the removed moisture by accumulating it in the pipe through the perforations thereof; and flowing the accumulated moisture via sloped flow in a direction opposite to the one direction for removal of the moisture from the playfield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the playfield includes at least two sloped pipes having perforations that define two sections of a pipe network and said steps of blowing, stopping and flowing are sequentially alternated between the sections until the field is entirely unfrozen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |