Abstract: Apparatus and methods that use shearing machines operate to revitalize artificial turf fields. In one exemplary apparatus, the apparatus may comprise a support frame, a plurality of shearing machines installed on the support frame, and a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame. The support frame may be configured to position the shearing machines parallel to each other, to tilt the shearing machines with respect a surface of the artificial turf field, and to position the shearing machines above a surface of the field at a distance such that the shearing machines cut fibers to produce trimmed fibers that have a length that can extend above infill or topmost layer of the artificial turf field.

Abstract: A device for twisting a flat, fibrillated strip for producing artificial turf is disclosed. The device includes a hollow shaft having a central axis of rotation, a deflecting element that is mounted on the hollow shaft and that has a swing region, and a limiting element that is disposed on the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft allows the strip to be continuously passed through a hollow space of the hollow shaft. The deflecting element includes a swing pivot that is offset from the central axis. When the hollow shaft is rotated around its central axis, the swing region of the deflecting element is swung outward from the central axis to a swung-out position. As a result, the strip is rested against the swing region. When the deflecting element is in its swung-out position, the strip is rested against the limiting element that limits the outward deflection of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for revitalizing artificial turf fields may comprise a support frame, a plurality of shearing machines installed on the support frame, and a plurality of wheels installed on the support frame. The support frame may be configured to position the shearing machines parallel to each other, to tilt the shearing machines with respect a surface of the artificial turf field, and to position the shearing machines above a surface of the field at a distance such that the shearing machines cut fibers to produce trimmed fibers that have a length that can extend above infill or topmost layer of the artificial turf field. Methods for revitalizing artificial turf fields involves the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: A floor panel having a foam pad and a laminated surface is contemplated. The foam pad includes a plurality of male and female fastening mechanisms. The laminated surface is attached to the foam pad and exposed to foot traffic. The panel is configured to be installed on an installation surface and interconnect with additional floor panels via the male and female fastening mechanisms to form a sports floor for a sports activity. Interconnections between the panel and the additional panels have no gaps or gaps small enough without interfering the sports activity. The panel is configured to be removable from the installation surface by disengaging the male and female fastening mechanisms interconnected with the additional floor panels. The panels can be easily installed and removed and have improved shock absorbency. The panels are portable and have a simple structure that aids in manufacturing, reduces cost, and are easy to clean.

Abstract: An artificial paver comprises a physical member adapted to have a structure shape of a paver and located on the top surface of a paving area. The physical member may be made of a two-component polyurethane material, and the two-component material may be formulated to characterize the artificial paver to be softer than a stone or concrete paving object and to exhibit higher shock absorbing properties than the stone or concrete paving object. A method for manufacturing the artificial paver is also contemplated. The method may comprise pouring the two-component polyurethane material into molds, allowing the two-component polyurethane material in the molds to cure, demolding the cured two-component polyurethane material, and applying an UV stable polyurethane and slip-resistant coating to a surface of the demolded two-component polyurethane material.

Abstract: A filament for use in an artificial grass field, wherein the filament has a front and a back surface and at least one of the front surface and back surface includes a plurality of adjacent concave indentations extending generally from a first end to a second end.

Abstract: A method and system for processing and recycling infill material of artificial turf. The invention includes drying extracted infill material through a fluid bed dryer, the fluid bed dryer passes a process gas through a bed of solids via a perforated plate. The dried infill material is processed using a plurality of vibrating screens to remove excessively large or small particles from the infill material. The plurality of vibrating screens may be a set of progressively finer mesh screens. The processed infill material is separated by density. The density of the infill material may be determined by a high intensity, uniform sheet of laminar airflow. The separated infill material is discharged and is ready to be used again in another artificial turf. In one embodiment, the infill material includes at least one of graded sand, granulated styrene-butadiene rubber, cork, organic infill, thermoplastic elastomers, or ethylene propylene diene monomers.

Abstract: A roll of a sheet material such as a sheet vinyl floor covering and a process of manufacturing the roll to prevent the leading edge of the floor covering from causing damage to succeeding layers. The process comprises winding the sheet material about the surface of a roll core and inserting a thin sheet of a relatively stiff material, such as paperboard, between the leading edge of the sheet material and the next succeeding layer of sheet material. The relatively stiff material is inserted under tension so that the leading edge of sheet material is pulled down against the surface of the roll core.

Abstract: A roll of a sheet material such as a sheet vinyl floor covering and a process of manufacturing the roll to prevent the leading edge of the floor covering from causing damage to succeeding layers. The process comprises winding the sheet material about the surface of a roll core and inserting a thin sheet of a relatively stiff material, such as paperboard, between the leading edge of the sheet material and the next succeeding layer of sheet material. The relatively stiff material is inserted under tension so that the leading edge of sheet material is pulled down against the surface of the roll core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic turf system including a backing member having a plurality of monofilament ribbons—soft and stiff—projecting there from. A layer of particulate material lies above the backing member and among the monofilament ribbons wherein the soft monofilament ribbons facilitates the stabilization or trapping of the particulate material.

Abstract: Surface covering tiles made using synthetic materials employ junction strips which enable the tiles to be connected to one another. The connections can be made with or without adhesive. When the tiles are connected, a space is left between adjacent decorative surfaces to permit the application of grout or simulated grout therein. When the tiles are used as floor covering they can be used to make floating floors. As wall coverings, the tiles are adhered to the walls using conventional means.

Abstract: A filament for use in an artificial grass field, wherein the filament has a front and a back surface and at least one of the front surface and back surface includes a plurality of adjacent concave indentations extending generally from a first end to a second end.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber for use in association with an artificial turf system, as well as an artificial turf system having such a fiber. The fiber is made by extruding a fiber, fibrillating the fiber, and storing the fiber, wherein the fiber is not cut longitudinally between the step of extruding the fiber and storing the fiber. After being extruded the fiber may be folded and wrapped with a wrapping yarn.

Abstract: An artificial turf system that includes a plurality of pellets in an infill disposed on a backing material and between individual synthetic fibers extending away from the backing material, wherein the pellets are a fire retardant material, for example, a salt, and more particularly an inorganic salt, encapsulated in a water insoluble material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: An arrestor system and method of decelerating an aircraft. The arrestor system has a base with at least one tile made of a plurality of particles being arranged such that the particles form a plurality of water drainage passageways and wherein the at least one tile has a compressive strength which will fatigue upon a force being imparted thereto which is greater than the compressive strength of the tile.

Abstract: A portable synthetic grass turf assembly—that is capable of being assembled, transported, disassembled, and stored—includes a plurality of synthetic grass module units that can be laid side by side atop a base surface to provide a continuous synthetic grass surface for various activities. Each module unit includes a synthetic grass turf with an infill layer of particulate materials disposed among the synthetic grass ribbons and atop a base sheet. A barrier of synthetic ribbons extends about the perimeter of the module unit to retain the particulate material within the module unit during its transportation and storage.

Abstract: A portable synthetic grass turf assembly—that is capable of being assembled, transported, disassembled, and stored—includes a plurality of synthetic grass module units that can be laid side by side atop a base surface to provide a continuous synthetic grass surface for various activities. Each module unit includes a synthetic grass turf with an infill layer of particulate materials disposed among the synthetic grass ribbons and atop a base sheet. A barrier of synthetic ribbons extends about the perimeter of the module unit to retain the particulate material within the module unit during its transportation and storage.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the relative stiffness of a synthetic turf system's synthetic ribbons. A stiffening agent is applied to the synthetic turf system such that the synthetic ribbons that are responsive to the stiffening agent will stiffen subsequent to the application of the stiffening agent. The synthetic turf system may include synthetic ribbons that are not responsive to the stiffening agent.