Technology Licensing Corporation

Other

Darwin Enterprises, Inc.

Linville, Steve

Steve Linville

Joseph E Motz

Mark A Heinlein

Donald A Irwin, Sr

A stabilized turf (,) particularly suitable for athletic fields includes a mat (,) interposed between upper (,) and lower (,) layers of growth media, the mat (,) having a horizontally disposed, biodegradable primary backing (,) and generally upwardly extending fibers (,) secured thereto, wherein the fibers (,) extend above the upper layer (,) of growth media. Natural grass plants (,) extend upwardly above the upper layer (,), with the roots extending down through the backing (,) and into the lower layer (,). The mat (,) stabilizes root growth, particularly during initial grow in. The biodegradability of the primary backing (,) results in a loss of all or most of its horizontal structural integrity within a predetermined time period. The primary backing (,) may be treated with a decomposition agent to control the predetermined time period for decomposition, a stabilizing agent to assist in holding the upright fibers (,) or a growth agent for the natural turf grass. The mat (,) may also include a reinforcement primary backing (,), to which the fibers (,) may be secured along with the biodegradable primary, or the reinforcement primary could stand alone, above or below the biodegradable primary. Aerating helps to disperse, i.e., reorient and vertically distribute, the fibers (,) within a subsurface vertical band (,) greater in vertical dimension than the upper layer of growth media. The stabilized turf (,) can also be topdressed. Thus, this turf (,) is adapted to accommodate both aeration and topdressing, two well-recognized and advocated turf management practices.

Method for stabilizing natural turf with dual primary stabilizer

A stabilized turf (10) particularly suitable for athletic fields includes a mat (18) interposed between upper (24) and lower (16) layers of growth media, the mat (18) having a horizontally disposed, biodegradable primary backing (22) and generally upwardly extending fibers (20) secured thereto, wherein the fibers (20) extend above the upper layer (24) of growth media. Natural grass plants (26) extend upwardly above the upper layer (24), with the roots extending down through the backing (22) and into the lower layer (16). The mat (18) stabilizes root growth, particularly during initial grow in. The biodegradability of the primary backing (22) results in a loss of all or most of its horizontal structural integrity within a predetermined time period. The primary backing (22) may be treated with a decomposition agent to control the predetermined time period for decomposition, a stabilizing agent to assist in holding the upright fibers (20) or a growth agent for the natural turf grass. The mat (18) may also include a reinforcement primary backing (122a), to which the fibers (20) may be secured along with the biodegradable primary, or the reinforcement primary could stand alone, above or below the biodegradable primary. Aerating helps to disperse, i.e., reorient and vertically distribute, the fibers (22) within a subsurface vertical band (22a) greater in vertical dimension than the upper layer of growth media. The stabilized turf (10) can also be topdressed. Thus, this turf (10) is adapted to accommodate both aeration and topdressing, two well-recognized and advocated turf management practices.

Stabilized turf for athletic field

A temporarily stabilized natural turf conforms to a foundation of uniform or nonuniform topography, for instance a golf course green, and includes a flexible biodegradable primary backing with biodegradable fibers tufted thereto, an upper sand-based fill layer extending above the primary to about the tops of the fibers, and natural grass plants supported within the fill layer. The natural grass plants have blades which extend above the fill layer and the fibers to form a natural grass playing surface. The crowns of the natural grass plants reside just beneath the fill layer. The roots of the natural grass plants extend downwardly through the fill layer and through the root permeable and water permeable primary backing. The stabilized turf is grown at a sod farm and transplanted to the use site, and the primary backing helps to carry the sand-based fill layer. Once installed, the roots grow into the foundation relatively quickly, reducing the time needed to achieve a durable natural turf. Neither the backing nor the fibers impede the natural play characteristics of the natural turf surface. Because the backing and the fibers biodegrade over a period of time, the turf may be aerated.

Temporarily stabilized natural turf

A carpet is tufted with a two-part primary backing. The upper, or face, backing is a conventional woven or non-woven polypropylene, and the lower, or back, backing is a stronger, open weave fabric. The tufts of yarn are sewn through both parts of the primary backing, which holds the parts together, and causes some of the back stitches to protrude for better coating with adhesive. The resulting carpet may be fully back coated, and may have a secondary backing adhered thereto. The lower backing prevents elongation, stretching and shrinking of the carpet during manufacture and subsequent processing.

Growing community of inventors

Rydal, GA, United States of America

Steve Linville