US20020136846A1 - Hook and loop attachment for artificial grass - Google Patents
Hook and loop attachment for artificial grass Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020136846A1 US20020136846A1 US10/104,030 US10403002A US2002136846A1 US 20020136846 A1 US20020136846 A1 US 20020136846A1 US 10403002 A US10403002 A US 10403002A US 2002136846 A1 US2002136846 A1 US 2002136846A1
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- Prior art keywords
- primary backing
- turf
- artificial grass
- backing fabric
- artificial
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Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
- E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
Definitions
- This invention relates to an improved artificial grass surface, and especially a simplified installation thereof. More specifically, it is concerned with a hook and loop attachment system for seaming roll sections of synthetic grass.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,269 issued Apr. 8, 1986 to Tilman, discloses a means for fastening roll sections of carpeting, such as artificial turf, to each other or to an anchoring device using an extruded flexible plastic rib and groove fastener which is thermoplastically bonded to a backing scrim.
- the hooked side of the tape has a covering to prevent the premature attachment of the hooks to the carpet backing layer.
- This disclosure is concerned uniquely with adhering carpet to a floor for indoor wall-to-wall carpeting, and uses a loop needled secondary backing layer laminated to the primary backing layer.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,462 issued to Pacione on Jan. 17, 1995, discloses an improved hooked carpet tape having an adhesive underside for attachment to the floor, as well as holes in the tape material which reduce seam telegraphing and allow moisture to be released from beneath the tape. A covering on the hooked side of the tape provides integrity prior to installation.
- the tape comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive and hook areas on the same top surface.
- the adhesive is located on an area substantially free of hooks down the center of the tape.
- the bottom side of the tape also has pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the tape to the floor.
- the hooks of the carpet tape engage loops on the underside of the carpet in the regions immediately adjacent the seamed edges.
- the added adhesive on the top side of the tape disclosed in this invention is intended to solve the problem of curling carpet seam edges, caused by an inadequate strength of engagement between the carpet loops and tape hooks.
- a synthetic grass surface, easily removable if required, which has an installation method that eliminates the need for sewing or the use of adhesives to fasten roll sections together has not been uncovered in any prior art.
- Many sport or non-sport applications could benefit from the quick installation of artificial grass using this seaming method, for example, playing fields, airport landscaping, and roadside landscaping.
- Even growing food in artificial grass adapted for such a purpose could benefit from the present invention, as this application can cover a vast expanse of land at a more viable installation and maintenance cost.
- an artificial grass turf comprising: roll sections of artificial turf having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outward therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; and an underlying roll section attachment means having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of said hook and loop fastening system, for engagement with the underside of the primary backing fabric.
- a method of joining roll sections of an artificial turf comprising the steps of: providing adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, each having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; providing an underlying roll section attachment ribbon having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system; and laying the underlying roll section attachment ribbon beneath abutting edges of both adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, such that said roll sections substantially equally overlap the underlying roll section attachment ribbon, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to seam the adjacent roll sections of artificial turf together.
- the underlying fabric ribbon when secured to the abutting edges of the roll sections, is intended to prevent relative lateral movement and separation between the roll sections, while permitting easy separation of the roll sections when lifted apart vertically, if the artificial grass turf assembly is temporary.
- the vertical displacement of the roll sections, when in use, may be prevented by infill such as that disclosed in the existing art.
- a method of adding inlaid markers to the artificial grass turf comprising the steps of: providing an inlaid marker having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending therefrom and manufactured with one of a hook portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; cutting out a portion of said roll sections of artificial turf, the portion having a shape corresponding to that of the inlaid marker to be added and a surface area slightly larger than that of the inlaid marker; removing the cut-out portion from the roll sections of artificial turf, creating a void therein; laying the underlying roll section attachment means at least partially within the void, such that the underlying roll section attachment means underlies the surrounding roll sections substantially around a perimeter of said void; and laying the inlaid marker into the void, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to retain the inlaid marker in place within the surrounding roll sections.
- hook and loop system While mention is made to a hook and loop system, it is to be understood that this comprises any equivalent fastening system. Any hook and loop system substitute, providing the same function, can similarly be used.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the artificial turf roll section according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the seaming of two artificial turf roll sections using a hook fabric ribbon
- FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of an alternative method of seaming two artificial turf roll sections according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a seam between two artificial turf roll sections according to FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having multiple backing layers
- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention for fixing inlaid markers within the artificial turf roll sections;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate artificial turf roll section
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternate artificial turf roll section.
- the principal elements of the preferred embodiments of the invention include roll sections of artificial turf 8 and underlying fabric ribbon with hooks 26 .
- the primary backing 10 of the artificial turf roll section 8 is a flexible, longitudinal, knitted, woven or non-woven substrate having an upper surface 13 and a lower surface 12 . Evenly spaced rows of individual synthetic grass tufts 16 are tufted through the backing 10 , protruding vertically upwards from the upper surface 13 of the backing 10 .
- the rows of tufts 16 are preferably 3 ⁇ 4 of an inch apart, however can be as little as 1 ⁇ 8 of an inch apart or as large as 2.5 inches apart.
- the individual tufts 16 are comprised of upstanding synthetic fibrillated ribbons 18 of polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, monofilament, or other similar plastic or polymer materials, which simulate natural grass blades.
- the tufts can also comprise monofilament or split film yarn that does not exactly simulate grass blades as described above, but is nonetheless used for synthetic grass playing fields.
- the lower surface 12 of backing roll section 10 is selectively coated along the rows of tufts 16 with a coating material 24 to lock the tufts 16 into the primary backing material 10 .
- the rows of loop covered areas 15 between the sealed rows of tufts 16 remain permeable, permitting adequate water drainage.
- the loop covered surface 15 is also at least provided near the edges 22 of the roll sections 8 .
- the hook covered surface 28 comprises the contact face on the seaming fabric ribbon 26 .
- the fabric ribbon 26 has hooks 30 on the upper surface 28 of fabric ribbon 26 .
- the backing 10 can be a non-stretchable fabric.
- the backing material 10 itself can be entirely made of a looped fabric without the need for a separate coating to lock in the tufts. This happens when the fibers are tufted or knitted directly through the loop fabric. However, in this case descending loops 20 are useable only in the areas 15 of the lower surface 12 between the rows of grass tufts 16 , where no adhesive coating is applied. A separate loop fabric can also be sewn directly to the areas 15 of the backing material 10 during its manufacture. Alternately, the loops 20 can be tufted through the lower surface 12 in the areas 15 between the rows of synthetic grass tufts 16 in backing roll section 10 . The loops 20 provide the attachment points for the hooks 30 of the seaming fabric ribbon 26 , which is loosely laid on the ground substrate 29 , and is described in further detail below. The loop covered surface 15 is also at least provided near the edges 22 of the roll sections 8 .
- a looped fabric layer 84 comprising a plurality of individual loops 20 , covers the full width of each roll of the primary backing material.
- the looped fabric layer 84 is laminated to the full width coating layer 24 . This creates a fully looped under-surface for the artificial turf roll 8 c .
- through perforations 86 are perforated through the loop fabric and the coating in order to ensure sufficient drainage of the artificial turf surface.
- adhesive coating 24 is provided only on the rows of tufts 16 as in FIG.
- looped fabric layer substrate 84 can additionally be provided by laminating only to the coated tuft portions.
- the looped fabric layer 84 can equally be sewn directly to the primary backing fabric as an integral part of the manufacturing process, either before or after the coating application.
- These embodiments comprising a looped fabric substrate layer 84 that run the full width of the artificial turf roll provide a greater surface area for fastening to the hooks 26 of the underlying seaming fabric.
- the descending loops 20 of all embodiments must protrude sufficiently from the artificial turf roll to ensure adequate adhesion to the upstanding hooks 30 of the seaming fabric ribbon 26 .
- two abutting edges 22 of artificial turf roll sections 8 are seamed using the underlying hooked fabric ribbon 26 which has an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 27 .
- the lower surface 27 is laterally free-moving on top of substrate surface 29 on which the entire artificial grass turf is being laid.
- the entire upper surface 28 has hooks 30 protruding vertically upward, for engagement with the descending loops 20 on the lower surface 12 of the primary backing roll section 10 .
- the fabric ribbon 26 is of a width to provide, while the edges 22 of both primary backing roll sections 10 overlap the upper surface 28 of fabric ribbon 26 by an even amount, a sufficient amount of contact surface 31 between the hooked surface 28 and the looped surface 12 .
- the seam 32 formed between the two roll sections of primary backing 10 , is ensured by applying downward pressure or vibration to the local area of the seam 32 , causing further interlocking connection between the hooks 30 and loops 20 .
- This seaming method provides very strong resistance to lateral sheer forces between the primary backing roll sections 10 , but nonetheless can create an easily vertically removable joint, as the resistance of the hook and loop system to a separation force applied perpendicularly to the primary backing roll sections 10 can be much less if designed that way.
- This seaming method can also provide a very strong and even permanent vertical bond if so desired, depending on the hook and loop characteristics chosen for the specific use.
- the hooked fabric ribbon can be integral with an edge of one of the two adjacent roll sections 8 , eliminating the need for a separate mobile hooked fabric ribbon.
- Such an integral seam edge strip 35 could simply be an extended portion of the primary backing fabric 10 with a hooked fabric 37 rather than grass tufts 16 thereon.
- the strip of hooked fabric 37 having hooks 30 thereon, would preferably be integrally manufactured with the non-grassed edges of the roll sections, and engaged thereto by lamination, sewing, or by tufting through it. This would permit an adjacent roll section having loops on the underside, to be overlapped over the hooked edge strip, and engaged therewith. This eliminates the need for a separate hooked seaming ribbon 26 , which would significantly facilitate and speed up the installation process of the artificial turf.
- the newly joined primary backing roll sections 10 can then be covered with an infill 11 which prevents both the lateral movement of the entire artificial field surface and the possibility of the primary backing roll sections 10 lifting off the ground substrate when in use or curling at the seams.
- the use of a synthetic grass assembly using infill 11 eliminates both the need for the seaming fabric ribbon to be adhered to the ground and the need for further adhesives added on the top side of the fabric ribbon to provide supplemental downward restraint of the primary backing roll sections 10 at the seams.
- the artificial grass turf assembly described above for seaming roll sections together can be equally used to add inlaid coloured markers 54 within the roll sections of artificial turf 8 .
- This method of adding inlaid markers would eliminate the need of painting non-permanent markers directly onto the synthetic field surface, therefore providing a method of field marking which would further save on installation time, and permit quick changes to a multi-use playing surface if it is necessary.
- Permanent markers could equally be inlaid using permanent hook and loop fabrics.
- Inlaid markers necessary on sports playing fields could include lines, numbers, hash marks, team and sponsor logos. Markers necessary in any alternate uses of the synthetic grass surface, such as in airport landscaping, could include runway number designations, distance indications, airline and advertising logos, and other various lettering.
- FIG. 4 refers to an alternate embodiment where two layers of backing fabric are required.
- the second primary backing fabric roll section 40 having an upper surface 46 and an under surface 42 and holes 44 through the fabric to ensure water permeability, is generally similar to the first primary backing roll section 10 in size.
- the upper surface 46 of the second backing roll section 40 has a plurality of upstanding hooks 48 protruding vertically, for mating with the descending loops 20 of the first primary backing 10 .
- the two backing fabrics can, therefore, be fastened together using this hook and loop system, such that the second backing roll section 40 lies parallel to but beneath the first primary backing roll section 10 , and has edges 52 immediately superimposed by the edges 22 of first primary backing roll section 10 .
- the under surface 42 of the second primary backing 40 has a plurality of descending loops 50 .
- This lower surface 42 then becomes the bottom of the laminated double layer primary backing roll section, which can be attached to an underlying fabric ribbon, using the hook and loop system, for seaming abutting roll sections as described above for single layer primary backing roll sections.
- the second primary backing fabric 40 could be laminated or needle punched to the first primary backing fabric 10 , and therefore eliminating the loops 20 and hooks 48 .
- a second primary backing already having loops on a lower surface thereof could be laminated to the first primary fabric 10 .
- the second primary backing fabric could be further laminated to a looped fabric substrate with an intermediate coating layer between the two.
- Multiple primary backing fabric can also be used.
- an inlaid coloured marker 54 would be similar to joining roll sections together as described above. Once the infill 11 of the local area is removed, an appropriately shaped area of the artificial turf roll section 8 is cut out creating an opening 58 .
- An underlying fastener 56 identical to the seaming fabric ribbon 26 described above in function, but not necessarily having the constant width and long straight edges of the ribbon form, would then be laid underneath the opening 58 , such that the surrounding edges 60 of the roll section 8 overlap the underlying fastener 56 a sufficient amount to permit adequate adhesion between the hooks 57 on the top surface of the underlying fastener 56 and the descending loops 62 on the underside of the inlaid coloured marker 54 .
- the inlaid coloured marker 54 of the same shape as the opening 58 cut in the primary backing 10 of the turf roll section 8 can then be inserted in the opening 58 , filling it such that all edges 64 of the inlaid coloured marker 54 abut the edges 60 of the surrounding artificial turf roll section 8 , and the upstanding hooks 57 on the top surface of the underlying fastener 56 adhere to the descending loops 62 on the underside of the inlaid coloured marker 54 .
- Infill 11 is then added to the inlaid marker 54 and the surrounding areas of the turf roll sections 8 .
- markers 54 Some possible applications for these inlaid markers 54 include their use on athletic playing fields as lines, numbers, hash marks and logos, on airport or highway landscaping as runway numbers, distance indications, logos, advertising and other lettering. This method could equally be used to remove and replace a damaged section of regular turf. The added benefit of this system is that it could be used to repair a section of any type of artificial grass surface.
- hook and loop attachment means of this invention are known by themselves in the art and are comparable to those sold under the name VelcroTM.
- the hooks used in this invention can have a mushroom or palm-tree type flared head.
- a permanent hook and loop system could equally be used.
- any type of hook and loop system would suffice for use in the present invention, depending on the designed features necessary for the intended seam.
Abstract
An artificial grass turf comprises roll sections of artificial turf which have a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outwards therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric. An underlying roll section attachment means has a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system, for engagement with the underside of the primary backing fabric. This system eliminates the need for sewing synthetic turf roll sections together, or the need for the use of adhesives to fasten the field surface to the solid substrate, permitting easy installation of the artificial grass surface and simplified disassembly if required.
Description
- This invention relates to an improved artificial grass surface, and especially a simplified installation thereof. More specifically, it is concerned with a hook and loop attachment system for seaming roll sections of synthetic grass.
- Various simplified methods of installation for carpets which address the problems of seaming and anchoring roll sections of the carpet are already known. Several of these comprise a hook and loop system to secure the carpet to the floor, generally employing an adhesive-backed hooked tape which is permanently adhered to the base flooring material and engages a loop system laminated or sewn onto the backing surface of the carpet. However, there is little prior art which addresses a seaming means for artificial grass turf. While it is known to use hook and loop systems which must be sewn or glued to the artificial grass turf, there is no suggestion to employ a laminated hook and loop construction modified and intended solely for the installation of synthetic grass turf, and no suggestion of an artificial grass surface that is manufactured with these hook and loop features built into the grass system.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,527 entitled “Process of Laying Synthetic Grass”, issued Sep. 28, 1999, and Canadian Patent Application 2,247,484, published Mar. 21, 2000, the same inventor describes an artificial grass turf assembly which combines the feel of natural turf with the durability of synthetic turf. Joining roll sections of this synthetic grass turf together required sewing or gluing the edges together in order to prevent lateral movement and separation of the roll sections. Additionally, to replace removed roll sections that require repair, the roll sections have to be re-sewed or fastened down using adhesives.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,269, issued Apr. 8, 1986 to Tilman, discloses a means for fastening roll sections of carpeting, such as artificial turf, to each other or to an anchoring device using an extruded flexible plastic rib and groove fastener which is thermoplastically bonded to a backing scrim.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,658, issued Apr. 18, 1989, and the corresponding Canadian Patent 1,314,379, issued Mar. 16, 1993, both to Pacione, disclose a carpet backing and installation system, in which a secondary backing layer incorporates downwardly depending loops which can serve as an undersurface and secure the laminated carpet structure to the floor when used in combination with an adhesive-backed hooked tape. The hooked side of the tape has a covering to prevent the premature attachment of the hooks to the carpet backing layer. This disclosure is concerned uniquely with adhering carpet to a floor for indoor wall-to-wall carpeting, and uses a loop needled secondary backing layer laminated to the primary backing layer.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,462, issued to Pacione on Jan. 17, 1995, discloses an improved hooked carpet tape having an adhesive underside for attachment to the floor, as well as holes in the tape material which reduce seam telegraphing and allow moisture to be released from beneath the tape. A covering on the hooked side of the tape provides integrity prior to installation.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,596, issued Jul. 4, 2000, and Canadian Patent Application 2,205,283, published Nov. 14, 1998, both to Pacione, disclose a hooked tape with adhesive for fastening carpet seams. The tape comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive and hook areas on the same top surface. The adhesive is located on an area substantially free of hooks down the center of the tape. The bottom side of the tape also has pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the tape to the floor. The hooks of the carpet tape engage loops on the underside of the carpet in the regions immediately adjacent the seamed edges. The added adhesive on the top side of the tape disclosed in this invention is intended to solve the problem of curling carpet seam edges, caused by an inadequate strength of engagement between the carpet loops and tape hooks.
- In the case of synthetic grass such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,527, the infill layer which is disposed interstitially between the synthetic grass tuft ribbons is heavy enough to prevent vertical movement of the entire surface. Equally, the infill prevents most movement of the artificial grass roll sections laterally. However, curling at the glued edges can occur over time by the infill getting under the edges of the grass and combining with water to erode the glued seam integrity. The only restraint necessary is required to prevent the roll sections from laterally separating from each other. This has been previously done by sewing the roll section edges together. This proves to be a slow, expensive and labor intensive method of joining roll sections of the synthetic grass.
- A synthetic grass surface, easily removable if required, which has an installation method that eliminates the need for sewing or the use of adhesives to fasten roll sections together has not been uncovered in any prior art. Many sport or non-sport applications could benefit from the quick installation of artificial grass using this seaming method, for example, playing fields, airport landscaping, and roadside landscaping. Even growing food in artificial grass adapted for such a purpose could benefit from the present invention, as this application can cover a vast expanse of land at a more viable installation and maintenance cost.
- As a result of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved synthetic grass turf assembly which has a simplified method of installation and seaming, and which also permits easy addition of inlaid markers. By using a hook and loop system manufactured into the artificial turf, a solution to the aforementioned need is presented herein.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved artificial grass surface allowing for simplified and cost efficient installation.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simplified method of removably joining roll sections of synthetic grass.
- Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an artificial grass turf comprising: roll sections of artificial turf having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outward therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; and an underlying roll section attachment means having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of said hook and loop fastening system, for engagement with the underside of the primary backing fabric.
- There is also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a method of joining roll sections of an artificial turf, comprising the steps of: providing adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, each having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; providing an underlying roll section attachment ribbon having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system; and laying the underlying roll section attachment ribbon beneath abutting edges of both adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, such that said roll sections substantially equally overlap the underlying roll section attachment ribbon, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to seam the adjacent roll sections of artificial turf together.
- The underlying fabric ribbon, when secured to the abutting edges of the roll sections, is intended to prevent relative lateral movement and separation between the roll sections, while permitting easy separation of the roll sections when lifted apart vertically, if the artificial grass turf assembly is temporary. However, the use of the present invention for a permanent installation is equally practical. The vertical displacement of the roll sections, when in use, may be prevented by infill such as that disclosed in the existing art.
- There is additionally provided, in accordance with the present invention, a method of adding inlaid markers to the artificial grass turf, comprising the steps of: providing an inlaid marker having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending therefrom and manufactured with one of a hook portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; cutting out a portion of said roll sections of artificial turf, the portion having a shape corresponding to that of the inlaid marker to be added and a surface area slightly larger than that of the inlaid marker; removing the cut-out portion from the roll sections of artificial turf, creating a void therein; laying the underlying roll section attachment means at least partially within the void, such that the underlying roll section attachment means underlies the surrounding roll sections substantially around a perimeter of said void; and laying the inlaid marker into the void, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to retain the inlaid marker in place within the surrounding roll sections.
- While mention is made to a hook and loop system, it is to be understood that this comprises any equivalent fastening system. Any hook and loop system substitute, providing the same function, can similarly be used.
- These objects of the present invention will become fully apparent by referring to the following detailed description, claims, and the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the artificial turf roll section according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the seaming of two artificial turf roll sections using a hook fabric ribbon;
- FIG. 2b is a perspective view of an alternative method of seaming two artificial turf roll sections according to the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a seam between two artificial turf roll sections according to FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having multiple backing layers;
- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention for fixing inlaid markers within the artificial turf roll sections;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate artificial turf roll section; and
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternate artificial turf roll section.
- Referring to the drawings, the principal elements of the preferred embodiments of the invention include roll sections of
artificial turf 8 and underlying fabric ribbon withhooks 26. Theprimary backing 10 of the artificialturf roll section 8 is a flexible, longitudinal, knitted, woven or non-woven substrate having anupper surface 13 and alower surface 12. Evenly spaced rows of individualsynthetic grass tufts 16 are tufted through thebacking 10, protruding vertically upwards from theupper surface 13 of thebacking 10. The rows oftufts 16 are preferably ¾ of an inch apart, however can be as little as ⅛ of an inch apart or as large as 2.5 inches apart. Theindividual tufts 16 are comprised of upstanding synthetic fibrillated ribbons 18 of polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, monofilament, or other similar plastic or polymer materials, which simulate natural grass blades. The tufts can also comprise monofilament or split film yarn that does not exactly simulate grass blades as described above, but is nonetheless used for synthetic grass playing fields. - In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
lower surface 12 ofbacking roll section 10 is selectively coated along the rows oftufts 16 with acoating material 24 to lock thetufts 16 into theprimary backing material 10. The rows of loop coveredareas 15 between the sealed rows oftufts 16 remain permeable, permitting adequate water drainage. The loop coveredsurface 15 is also at least provided near theedges 22 of theroll sections 8. The hook coveredsurface 28 comprises the contact face on the seamingfabric ribbon 26. Thefabric ribbon 26 hashooks 30 on theupper surface 28 offabric ribbon 26. Thebacking 10 can be a non-stretchable fabric. Other retention methods for locking the rows oftufts 16 into theprimary backing material 10 could equally be used, such as fusion of the tuft fibers to a polyethylene needle-punched fabric, or laminating a plastic film to the rows of tufts using a hot plate, ultrasound, or any heat activation means. - The
backing material 10 itself can be entirely made of a looped fabric without the need for a separate coating to lock in the tufts. This happens when the fibers are tufted or knitted directly through the loop fabric. However, in thiscase descending loops 20 are useable only in theareas 15 of thelower surface 12 between the rows ofgrass tufts 16, where no adhesive coating is applied. A separate loop fabric can also be sewn directly to theareas 15 of thebacking material 10 during its manufacture. Alternately, theloops 20 can be tufted through thelower surface 12 in theareas 15 between the rows ofsynthetic grass tufts 16 inbacking roll section 10. Theloops 20 provide the attachment points for thehooks 30 of the seamingfabric ribbon 26, which is loosely laid on the ground substrate 29, and is described in further detail below. The loop coveredsurface 15 is also at least provided near theedges 22 of theroll sections 8. - In the alternate embodiments depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a looped
fabric layer 84 comprising a plurality ofindividual loops 20, covers the full width of each roll of the primary backing material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the loopedfabric layer 84 is laminated to the fullwidth coating layer 24. This creates a fully looped under-surface for the artificial turf roll 8 c. In this case, throughperforations 86 are perforated through the loop fabric and the coating in order to ensure sufficient drainage of the artificial turf surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7,adhesive coating 24 is provided only on the rows oftufts 16 as in FIG. 1, which ensures permeability between the tufts to provide drainage, however a full-width loopedfabric layer substrate 84 can nevertheless be provided by laminating only to the coated tuft portions. The loopedfabric layer 84 can equally be sewn directly to the primary backing fabric as an integral part of the manufacturing process, either before or after the coating application. These embodiments comprising a loopedfabric substrate layer 84 that run the full width of the artificial turf roll provide a greater surface area for fastening to thehooks 26 of the underlying seaming fabric. - The descending
loops 20 of all embodiments must protrude sufficiently from the artificial turf roll to ensure adequate adhesion to theupstanding hooks 30 of the seamingfabric ribbon 26. - Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, two abutting
edges 22 of artificialturf roll sections 8 are seamed using the underlying hookedfabric ribbon 26 which has anupper surface 28 and alower surface 27. Thelower surface 27 is laterally free-moving on top of substrate surface 29 on which the entire artificial grass turf is being laid. The entireupper surface 28 hashooks 30 protruding vertically upward, for engagement with the descendingloops 20 on thelower surface 12 of the primarybacking roll section 10. Thefabric ribbon 26 is of a width to provide, while theedges 22 of both primarybacking roll sections 10 overlap theupper surface 28 offabric ribbon 26 by an even amount, a sufficient amount of contact surface 31 between thehooked surface 28 and the loopedsurface 12. Theseam 32, formed between the two roll sections ofprimary backing 10, is ensured by applying downward pressure or vibration to the local area of theseam 32, causing further interlocking connection between thehooks 30 andloops 20. This seaming method provides very strong resistance to lateral sheer forces between the primarybacking roll sections 10, but nonetheless can create an easily vertically removable joint, as the resistance of the hook and loop system to a separation force applied perpendicularly to the primarybacking roll sections 10 can be much less if designed that way. This seaming method can also provide a very strong and even permanent vertical bond if so desired, depending on the hook and loop characteristics chosen for the specific use. - Alternately, as shown in FIG. 2b the hooked fabric ribbon can be integral with an edge of one of the two
adjacent roll sections 8, eliminating the need for a separate mobile hooked fabric ribbon. Such an integralseam edge strip 35 could simply be an extended portion of theprimary backing fabric 10 with ahooked fabric 37 rather thangrass tufts 16 thereon. The strip ofhooked fabric 37, havinghooks 30 thereon, would preferably be integrally manufactured with the non-grassed edges of the roll sections, and engaged thereto by lamination, sewing, or by tufting through it. This would permit an adjacent roll section having loops on the underside, to be overlapped over the hooked edge strip, and engaged therewith. This eliminates the need for a separate hooked seamingribbon 26, which would significantly facilitate and speed up the installation process of the artificial turf. - The newly joined primary
backing roll sections 10 can then be covered with aninfill 11 which prevents both the lateral movement of the entire artificial field surface and the possibility of the primarybacking roll sections 10 lifting off the ground substrate when in use or curling at the seams. The use of a synthetic grassassembly using infill 11 eliminates both the need for the seaming fabric ribbon to be adhered to the ground and the need for further adhesives added on the top side of the fabric ribbon to provide supplemental downward restraint of the primarybacking roll sections 10 at the seams. - The artificial grass turf assembly described above for seaming roll sections together can be equally used to add inlaid
coloured markers 54 within the roll sections ofartificial turf 8. This method of adding inlaid markers would eliminate the need of painting non-permanent markers directly onto the synthetic field surface, therefore providing a method of field marking which would further save on installation time, and permit quick changes to a multi-use playing surface if it is necessary. Permanent markers could equally be inlaid using permanent hook and loop fabrics. Inlaid markers necessary on sports playing fields could include lines, numbers, hash marks, team and sponsor logos. Markers necessary in any alternate uses of the synthetic grass surface, such as in airport landscaping, could include runway number designations, distance indications, airline and advertising logos, and other various lettering. - FIG. 4 refers to an alternate embodiment where two layers of backing fabric are required. The second primary backing
fabric roll section 40, having anupper surface 46 and an undersurface 42 and holes 44 through the fabric to ensure water permeability, is generally similar to the first primarybacking roll section 10 in size. Theupper surface 46 of the secondbacking roll section 40 has a plurality ofupstanding hooks 48 protruding vertically, for mating with the descendingloops 20 of the firstprimary backing 10. The two backing fabrics can, therefore, be fastened together using this hook and loop system, such that the secondbacking roll section 40 lies parallel to but beneath the first primarybacking roll section 10, and hasedges 52 immediately superimposed by theedges 22 of first primarybacking roll section 10. Using the hook and loop fastening system between layers of primary backing eliminates the need for laminating the layers together using adhesives, therefore providing a removable primary backing laminating method. This also allows, if necessary, the replacement of roll sections of the second primary backing layer without having to replace whole roll sections. The undersurface 42 of the secondprimary backing 40 has a plurality of descendingloops 50. Thislower surface 42 then becomes the bottom of the laminated double layer primary backing roll section, which can be attached to an underlying fabric ribbon, using the hook and loop system, for seaming abutting roll sections as described above for single layer primary backing roll sections. In alternate embodiments, the secondprimary backing fabric 40 could be laminated or needle punched to the firstprimary backing fabric 10, and therefore eliminating theloops 20 and hooks 48. For example, a second primary backing already having loops on a lower surface thereof could be laminated to the firstprimary fabric 10. Additionally, the second primary backing fabric could be further laminated to a looped fabric substrate with an intermediate coating layer between the two. Multiple primary backing fabric can also be used. - As shown in FIG. 5, the installation method of an inlaid
coloured marker 54 would be similar to joining roll sections together as described above. Once theinfill 11 of the local area is removed, an appropriately shaped area of the artificialturf roll section 8 is cut out creating anopening 58. Anunderlying fastener 56, identical to the seamingfabric ribbon 26 described above in function, but not necessarily having the constant width and long straight edges of the ribbon form, would then be laid underneath theopening 58, such that the surroundingedges 60 of theroll section 8 overlap the underlying fastener 56 a sufficient amount to permit adequate adhesion between thehooks 57 on the top surface of theunderlying fastener 56 and the descendingloops 62 on the underside of the inlaidcoloured marker 54. The inlaidcoloured marker 54 of the same shape as theopening 58 cut in theprimary backing 10 of theturf roll section 8, can then be inserted in theopening 58, filling it such that all edges 64 of the inlaidcoloured marker 54 abut theedges 60 of the surrounding artificialturf roll section 8, and theupstanding hooks 57 on the top surface of theunderlying fastener 56 adhere to the descendingloops 62 on the underside of the inlaidcoloured marker 54.Infill 11 is then added to the inlaidmarker 54 and the surrounding areas of theturf roll sections 8. Some possible applications for theseinlaid markers 54 include their use on athletic playing fields as lines, numbers, hash marks and logos, on airport or highway landscaping as runway numbers, distance indications, logos, advertising and other lettering. This method could equally be used to remove and replace a damaged section of regular turf. The added benefit of this system is that it could be used to repair a section of any type of artificial grass surface. - The hook and loop attachment means of this invention are known by themselves in the art and are comparable to those sold under the name Velcro™. In an alternate embodiment of this hook and loop system, the hooks used in this invention can have a mushroom or palm-tree type flared head. For applications where a lasting joint is required, a permanent hook and loop system could equally be used. As previously mentioned, any type of hook and loop system would suffice for use in the present invention, depending on the designed features necessary for the intended seam.
- Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing specification in detail, it is to be understood that minor modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope and purview of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (27)
1. An artificial grass turf comprising:
roll sections of artificial turf having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outwards therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric; and
an underlying roll section attachment means having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of said hook and loop fastening system, for engagement with the underside of the primary backing fabric.
2. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said underlying roll section attachment means is used for seaming abutting edges of said roll sections to each other, at least one of said roll sections overlapping said underlying roll section attachment means, preventing relative lateral movement between said roll sections.
3. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 2 , wherein said underlying attachment means is a non-adhesive fabric ribbon.
4. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said underside of said primary backing fabric comprises loops, and said top surface of said underlying roll section attachment means comprises hooks.
5. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 4 , wherein said loops are created by one of tufting, knitting, needling and weaving loops through said primary backing fabric.
6. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 4 , wherein said loops are part of a looped fabric substrate layer laminated to said underside of said primary backing fabric.
7. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 4 , wherein said loops are components of the primary backing fabric material itself, created during the manufacturing process.
8. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 6 , wherein said looped fabric substrate layer is laminated to a backing coating on the underside of said primary backing fabric.
9. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 4 , wherein said underlying roll section attachment means can also be used for securing the outside edges of said roll sections to perimeter anchors.
10. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said primary backing fabric has at least a second primary backing layer attached thereunder and comprises loops thereon.
11. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 10 , wherein said loops are one of tufted or laminated to said second primary backing layer.
12. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 10 , wherein said second primary backing layer has a hooked top surface and a looped underside, and is fastened below said primary backing fabric, the hooks of said second primary backing layer adhering to the loops of said primary backing fabric.
13. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 4 , wherein said roll sections of primary backing fabric contain inlaid markers, having looped undersides and which are fastened to said roll sections of primary backing fabric using said underlying roll section attachment means.
14. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 13 , wherein said inlaid markers comprise those for playing fields including lines, numbers, hash marks and logos, and those for airport and highway landscaping including runway numbers, distance indication, logos, advertising and lettering.
15. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said artificial grass turf comprises those used for sport playing fields, any landscaping applications, and growing uses.
16. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said primary backing fabric is generally permeable, but can be non-permeable for applications such as indoor use.
17. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 16 , wherein said primary backing fabric is perforated.
18. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said primary backing fabric is non-stretchable.
19. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein said primary backing fabric comprises a non-woven material attached by needle-punching means.
20. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein a coating is applied to the underside of the primary backing fabric only along rows of said synthetic grass ribbons.
21. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , wherein a looped fabric substrate layer is laminated to said underside of said primary backing fabric.
22. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 21 , wherein said looped fabric substrate layer covers the full width of said roll sections.
23. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 22 , wherein said roll sections of artificial turf are perforated.
24. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 21 , wherein an intermediate coating layer is located between said primary backing fabric and said looped fabric substrate layer.
25. A method of adding inlaid markers to the artificial grass turf as defined in claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
providing an inlaid marker having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outwards therefrom and manufactured with one of a hook portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric;
cutting out a portion of said roll sections of artificial turf, the portion having a shape corresponding to that of the inlaid marker to be added and a surface area slightly larger than that of the inlaid marker;
removing the cut-out portion from the roll sections of artificial turf, creating a void therein;
laying the underlying roll section attachment means within the void, such that the underlying roll section attachment means underlies the surrounding roll sections substantially around a perimeter of said void; and
laying the inlaid marker into the void, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to retain the inlaid marker in place within the surrounding roll sections.
26. The artificial grass turf as defined in claim 2 , wherein said underlying roll section attachment means is integral with the primary backing fabric along an edge of one of said roll sections.
27. A method of joining roll sections of an artificial turf, comprising the steps of:
providing adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, each having a primary backing fabric comprising synthetic grass ribbons extending outwards therefrom, and manufactured with one of a loop portion and a hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system integral with an underside of the primary backing fabric;
providing an underlying roll section attachment ribbon having a top surface including the other of the hook portion and loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system; and
laying the underlying roll section attachment ribbon beneath abutting edges of both adjacent roll sections of artificial turf, such that said roll sections substantially equally overlap the underlying roll section attachment ribbon, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system engaging to seam the adjacent roll sections of artificial turf together.
Priority Applications (1)
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US10/104,030 US20020136846A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-25 | Hook and loop attachment for artificial grass |
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US27800601P | 2001-03-23 | 2001-03-23 | |
US10/104,030 US20020136846A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-25 | Hook and loop attachment for artificial grass |
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US10/104,030 Abandoned US20020136846A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-25 | Hook and loop attachment for artificial grass |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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AU2002245971A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 |
WO2002076560A3 (en) | 2002-12-05 |
WO2002076560A2 (en) | 2002-10-03 |
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