SURFACE COVERING PANEL, SURFACE COVERING PANEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF INSTALLING THE SAME

Info

Publication number: 20150024150
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2014
Publication Date: Jan 22, 2015
Inventors: Frédéric Vachon (Ste-Dorothee), Richard DiPietro (Laval)
Application Number: 14/336,568

Abstract

The present document relates to surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer. The surface covering panel assembly includes substantially identical surface covering panels. Each one of the surface covering panels includes a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface, a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface, and an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to one of the at least other substantially identical surface covering panel.

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35USC§119(e) of US provisional patent application 61/856,342 filed Jul. 19, 2013, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to playing fields and more particularly to artificial sports and amusement playing fields. The subject-matter disclosed may also relate to artificial surface covering panels of all kinds (i.e., artificial sports playing fields, artificial amusement playing fields, gymnasium surfaces, backyard surfaces, driveway surfaces and the like).

(b) Related Prior Art

In soccer or any other field sport, the use of synthetic turf has been growing steadily in recent years. The advantages of synthetic turf are numerous. For example, synthetic turf does not need as much care as real grass. Moreover, synthetic turf is more durable and in some cases, even removable using panel systems.

However, synthetic turf without resilient infill can rarely be used directly on the floor or ground and they usually require padding layer panels of some sort. As it is known in the art, these padding layer panels can be made of different resilient materials and can have single or multiple layers. The synthetic turf and its attached padding layer panel usually come in full size rolls of 12′ or 15′ width. This width of roll creates heavy rolls especially when rolls are longer than 50′ and requires fork lift or heavy equipment to be transported. An option to overcome this problem is to create smaller pieces like panels in the form of large rectangular panels that are placed, one adjacent to the next, in such a way as to cover the desired surface.

However, when the installation is not meant to be permanent, all the panels will need to be removed and reinstalled individually. This can be a long and expensive process depending of the frequency of installation of the panels.

One possible way to solve these aforementioned problems would be to use larger panels. This would reduce the number of panels required to cover a certain area but would add a burden on the persons charged with the installation of these larger but heavier panels.

There exists panels, such as the one found in FIG. 1. The panel includes a sheet member and a padding layer panel. The padding layer panel includes a plurality of padding layer panel elements, for allowing the panel to be rolled and unrolled. However, the materials used for the fabrication of such panels may be damaged on the site of installation and when manipulating, rolling and unrolling the panels. Moreover, the process to fabricate these panels can be complex and expensive.

On the other hand, for a plurality of other applications, artificial surface covering panels of all kinds (i.e., artificial sports playing fields, artificial amusement playing fields, gymnasium surfaces, backyard surfaces, driveway surfaces and the like) may be used. These panels need to be easy to install and reinstall, easy to manufacture, easy to roll and unroll, durable, fast to install and easy to manipulate. Many panels exist on the market to cover such surfaces. However, these panels are usually hard to manipulate, necessitate to be installed by more than one person, and are long and heavy to install.

There is therefore a need for improved surface covering panel assemblies and surface covering panels that are easy to manipulate, more flexible, more durable and fast to install.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, there is provided a surface covering panel for assembly with at least another substantially identical surface covering panel for forming a surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

According to another embodiment, the second flexible material comprises at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

According to a further embodiment, the top layer comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer and a snow melt top layer.

According to yet another embodiment, the edge comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

According to a further embodiment, the surface covering panel further comprises an extension member outwardly extending from the sheet member for releasably attaching with the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

According to yet another embodiment, the top layer and the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded together.

According to another embodiment, the edge comprises at least one of: a fastening material and a mating connector.

According to a further embodiment, the fastening material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro™ hook material, a Velcro™ loop material, a Velcro™ mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

According to yet another embodiment, the sheet member, the padding layer panel and the top layer are configured to be one of: rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a surface covering position.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly comprising: substantially identical surface covering panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels comprising: a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface; a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels.

According to a further embodiment, the surface covering panel assembly further comprises joining padding layer panels, each one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of the substantially identical surface covering panels with a corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.

According to yet another embodiment, a width, defined by each one of the joining padding layer panels, substantially corresponds to a sum of a first width defined by the edge of the one of the substantially identical surface covering panels and a second width defined by the corresponding edge of the adjacent surface covering panel.

According to another embodiment, the second flexible material and the joining padding layer panels comprise at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

According to yet another embodiment, the edge and one of: an upper side and an underside of the joining padding layer panels comprise at least one of: a fastening material and a mating connector.

According to another embodiment, the fastening material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro™ hook material, a Velcro™ loop material, a Velcro™ mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

According to a further embodiment, the one of: the upper side and the underside of the joining padding layer panels, comprises a Velcro™ loop material and the edge comprises a Velcro™ hook material with a laminated textile material.

According to yet another embodiment, the top layer comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer and a snow melt top layer.

According to a further embodiment, the edge comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels.

According to yet another embodiment, the top layer and the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded together.

According to another embodiment, the sheet member, the padding layer panel and the top layer of each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels are configured to be one of: rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a surface covering position.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly comprising:

- substantially identical surface covering panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels comprising:
- a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface;
- a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and
- an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels; and
- joining padding layer panels, each one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of the substantially identical surface covering panels with a corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.

Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a surface covering panel in its partially rolled position in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an artificial sports playing field in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of an artificial amusement playing field in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation exploded view of a surface covering panel in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a surface covering panel assembly in accordance with another embodiment, the surface covering panel assembly being in its rolled position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel assembly in accordance with another embodiment, the surface covering panel assembly being in its covering position;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a joining padding layer panel in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a surface covering panel in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a surface covering panel assembly in accordance with another embodiment, where the padding layer panels are shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a surface covering panel assembly in accordance with another embodiment, showing a surface covering panel and its adjacent joining padding layer panel; and

FIG. 11 is a front elevation exploded view of a surface covering panel in accordance with another embodiment.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In embodiments there are disclosed surface covering panels, surface covering panel assemblies and methods of installing the same. The surface covering panel and/or the surface covering panel assembly can be rolled and unrolled as desired.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 2A, there is shown an artificial sports playing field 100 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of aligned and/or adjacent surface covering panels 12 forms the artificial sports playing field 100. It is to be noted that the artificial sports playing field 100 on FIG. 2A represents an artificial sports playing field 100 used for football, but that the artificial sports playing field 100 may be any other type of artificial sports playing field such as, without limitation, an artificial soccer playing field, an artificial track and field playing field, an artificial basketball playing field, an artificial tennis playing field, and the like. It is to be noted that the surface covering panels 12 of FIG. 2A are not drawn to scale; their dimensions in FIG. 2A relative to other references in the figure (e.g., the references to yard positions on the sports playing field) are not representative of reality. Thus, if FIG. 2A represented reality, the surface covering panels 12 would be drawn smaller in size for most embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2B, there is shown an artificial amusement playing field 200 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of aligned and/or adjacent surface covering panels 12 form the artificial amusement playing field 200. It is to be noted that the artificial amusement playing field 200 on FIG. 2B represents an artificial sports playing field 200 used for hopscotch, but that the artificial amusement playing field 200 may be any other type of artificial amusement playing field such as, without limitation, an artificial snakes and ladders playing field, an artificial amusement playing field in a children area, an artificial gymnasium playing field area, an artificial backyard playing field, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a surface covering panel 12 in more details. The surface covering panel 12 is for assembly with other substantially identical surface covering panels 12 for forming a surface covering panel assembly 10 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5, 9 and 10) for installation over a receiving surface 14 and under a top layer 16 (i.e., here a carpet-like top layer 16). As shown, the surface covering panel 12 includes a sheet member 18 which is made of a first flexible material. The sheet member 18 defines a first surface 20 which is for interfacing with the top layer 16 or carpet-like top layer 16 and a second surface 22. The surface covering panel 12 further includes a padding layer panel 24 which is made of a second flexible material. The padding layer panel 24 defines a first surface 26 which is for partially covering the second surface 22 which is defined by the sheet member 18. The padding layer panel 24 further defines a second surface 28 which is for interfacing with the receiving surface 14 (i.e., a ground surface, a sport field, a playground, a backyard environment, and the like). The surface covering panel 12 also includes edges 30a, 30b. At least one of the edges 30a, 30b is adapted for attaching or connecting with one of the other substantially identical surface covering panels 12. It is to be noted that the top layer 16 or carpet-like top layer 16 and the sheet member 18 may be integral such as to form one layer of material only.

According to one embodiment, the second flexible material of the padding layer panel 24 may include, without limitation, one of an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a PVC mixed with an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), any combination and the like. It is also to be noted that the first flexible material of the sheet member 18 can correspond to the second flexible material of the padding layer panel 24.

According to a further embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a surface covering panel assembly 10 which is in its rolled position. As shown, the surface covering panel assembly 10 is composed of a plurality of padding layer panels 24 attached to a plurality of sheet members 18. The plurality of surface covering panels 12 are releasably attached or fastened together via a joining padding layer panel 32, which will be described hereinbelow in more details.

According to one embodiment, the padding layer panels 24 are preferably glued to the sheet members 18 but other suitable means of attachment can be used. According to another embodiment, if both the padding layer panels 24 and the sheet members 18 are made of a polymeric material, they may be bonded together. In certain examples, they may be bonded together by heat.

It is to be noted that the length and width of the surface covering panel 12 may be selected as to best fit the specific use of the surface covering panel 12. Each sheet member 18 and padding layer panel 24 may be made more or less wide and the surface covering panel 12 may be made more or less long. The weight of the surface covering panel 12 and the ease of manipulation can thus be controlled for specific applications.

It is also to be noted that that the sheet member 18 may receive any carpet-like top layer 16 such as, without limitation, any useful surface covering such as carpet, synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, geotextile fabric, and the like. As long as the sheet member 18 with or without its respective carpet-like top layer 16 is sufficiently flexible and resilient to be rolled and unrolled without being damaged.

As mentioned above, when the padding layer panel 24 of the surface covering panel 12 serves as an underpad for the surface covering panel 12, the padding layer panel 24 is preferably made of a shock absorbent material. Thus, padding layer panels 24 may be made of any suitable materials, each of the suitable materials including different shock absorbing characteristics.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a surface covering panel assembly 10 which includes a plurality (three) surface covering panels 12 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown, each surface covering panel 12 includes a padding layer panel 24 made of the second flexible material which is fixedly attached to a sheet member 18 made of the first flexible material. Each surface covering panel 12 further defines edges 30a, 30b for allowing the connection of adjacent surface covering panels 12.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a surface covering panel 12 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown, the surface covering panel 12 includes a padding layer panel 24 made of the second flexible material which is fixedly attached to a sheet member 18 made of the first flexible material. Additionally, the sheet member 18 includes extension members 34 which extend in the fore sides beyond the area covered by the padding layer panel 24. These extension members 34 may be used as fastening means. The surface covering panel 12 further defines edges 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d for allowing the connection of adjacent surface covering panels 12. For example, the extension members 34 and edges 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d may include Velcro™ bands to be fixedly attached to an underside of the extension members 34 of the sheet member 18 that extends beyond the padding layer panel 24. The Velcro™ bands are preferably made of a porous material allowing glue penetration for a better mechanical bonding. The Velcro ™ bands may be similar to Velcro ™ 3001 bands or Velcro ™ 1000 bands with a polyurethane binder coat. It is to be noted that it is not a need that the sheet member 18 extends beyond all four sides of the surface covering panel 12. Only, one, two, three or more edges 30a, 30, 30c or 30d of the surface covering panel 12 may be uncovered by the padding layer panel 24.

When a plurality of surface covering panels 12 are needed to cover a given receiving surface 14, adjacent surface covering panels 12 are connected together to provide a user with a surface covering panel assembly 10. Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a surface covering panel assembly 10 for installation over a receiving surface 14 and a top layer 16 or under a carpet-like top layer 16. The surface covering panel assembly 10 includes a plurality of substantially identical surface covering panels 12 as defined above. Each one of the surface covering panels 12 includes one or more edges 30, where at least one of the edges 30 is to be connected to an adjacent surface covering panel 12. The surface covering panel assembly 10 further includes a plurality of joining padding layer panels 32 (FIGS. 7 and 10). Each one of the plurality of joining padding layer panels 32 connects an edge 30 of one surface covering panel 12 with a corresponding edge 30 of an adjacent surface covering panel 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the joining padding layer panel 32 may be a single padding layer panel which has an upper side 38 and an underside 40. The upper side 38 includes a fastening material, preferably a Velcro™ band which is complementary with the Velcro™ band of the edges 30 of the surface covering panel 12.

According to an embodiment, the Velcro ™ is preferably a hook and loop material with a laminated textile material. The fastening material may include any suitable material, such as, without limitation, nylon, polyester or polypropylene of type HTH 868 or equivalent, any suitable combination, and the like. For permanent installation of the surface covering panel assembly 10, the Velcro™ hook may have a mushroom-like shape of brand Velcro™ 87-S or similar. It is to be noted that the fastening material of the joining padding layer panel 32 and the fastening material of the edges 30 of the surface covering panel 12 may include any suitable material, such as to allow a releasable connection between the upper side 38 of the joining padding layer panel 32 and the surface covering panel 12. It is also to be mentioned that the fastening materials of the joining padding layer panel 32 and of the surface covering panel 12 may be interchangeable.

According to another embodiment and referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown that the sheet member 18 extends beyond two sides only of the surface covering panel 12 such as to allow the sheet member 18 to be offset from the padding layer panel 24. This configuration eliminates the need of additional fastening material on the edges other than edges 30a, 30b of the sheet member 18 of the surface covering panel 12. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the edges 30a, 30b of the surface covering panel 12. The edges 30a, 30b are simply defined by the padding layer panel 24 glued offset from the sheet member 18. The edges 30a, 30b may include, as defined above, Velcro™ bands. The Velcro™ bands preferably include a Velcro™ hook material with a laminated textile material. The band edges may include any suitable material, such as, without limitation, nylon, polyester or polypropylene of type HTH 868 or equivalent. For permanent installation, Velcro™ hook can include a mushroom-like shape of brand Velcro™ 87-S or similar. Other fastening material could be used. For example, edges 30a, 30b may include a mating connector for releasably connecting with corresponding mating connectors on other edges 30a, 30b of another surface covering panel 12 or with corresponding mating connectors on the upper side 38 of the joining padding layer panel 32. Although not shown in FIG. 8, it is to be noted that the top plan view of the surface covering panel 12 would be very similar to the bottom plan view. There would also be an edges 30a, 30b. However edges 30a, 30b would be on the padding layer panel 24 and include the corresponding material to edges 30a, 30b on the sheet member 18; i.e., edges on top comprise the hook material while those on the bottom comprise the loop material corresponding thereto (or vice versa).

It is to be noted that there is a need to glue the fastening materials of the surface covering panel 12 or of the joining padding layer panel 32 on the sheet member 18 or on the joining padding layer panel 32. To facilitate some specific applications, the fastening material could be a sheet of a fastening material glued on the joining padding layer panel 32 and/or on the sheet member 18 of the surface covering panel 12.

The width of the joining padding layer panels 32 generally corresponds to the width of edges 30 of adjacent surface covering panels 12 (i.e., the sum of a first width (one of the edges 30) and a second width (another one of the edges 30)). Thus, to join two adjacent surface covering panels 12 together, one or more joining padding layer panels 32 should be installed between each adjacent surface covering panel 12 as shown in FIG. 10. The complementarities of the fastening materials of the joining padding layer panels 32 and of the surface covering panel 12 generate a strong connection between adjacent surface covering panels 12 and thus prevent any gap to be created between adjacent surface covering panels 12.

It is to be understood that the length of each joining padding layer panel 32 may differ to allow any suitable combination of connections between the surface covering panels 12. For example, in FIG. 10, there are shown two different types of joining padding layer panels 32, a regular joining padding layer panel, which preferably extends at least the full length of the sheet member 18, and the transverse joining padding layer panel, which preferably extends the full width of the surface covering panels 12.

It is to be noted that the surface covering panels 12 and the surface covering panel assemblies 10 may be used for indoor applications, outdoor applications or both. Thus, sheet members 18 and padding layer panels 24 may further include draining holes and channels (not shown) for allowing drainage of the surface covering panel assembly 10 when installed on the receiving surface 14 to be covered. The draining holes in the sheet members 18 may be preferably aligned with the draining holes in the padding layer panels 24.

It is also to be noted that the surface covering panel 12 and/or the surface covering panel assemblies 10 may be rolled and unrolled between a rolled position (i.e., to be transported, to be stored and the like) and a covering position (i.e., for covering the receiving surface). For example, a user can decide to install a surface covering panel assembly 10 to cover a receiving surface 14, such as, for example, a sports field or an amusement field. When the user needs to transport, or to store the surface covering panel assembly 10, the user may decide to roll the entirety of the surface covering panel assembly 10. However, this can lead to a huge rolled surface covering panel assembly 10. Thus, the user may decide to disconnect some surface covering panels 12 or adjacent surface covering panel assemblies 10 with their adjacent surface covering panel 12 for allowing him to roll a much smaller and lighter surface covering panel assembly 10. The user can also decide to manipulate each panel individually as a panel system.

According to another embodiment, the sheet member 18 may be a flexible floor covering.

According to another embodiment, the sheet members 18 and the padding layer panels 24 may be glued together using a flame treatment process prior application of glue or an adhesive. The glue may include one of: urethane with one or two components, acrylic, an olefin base hot melt, any combination and the like.

According to another embodiment, the surface defined by the sheet member 18 may be greater than the surface defined by the padding layer panel 24. Furthermore, the surface defined by the sheet member 18 may define a portion which extends beyond at least one side of the surface defined by the padding layer panel 24.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a surface covering panel 12 in accordance with another embodiment for creating an artificial amusement playing field 200 (FIG. 2A). The surface covering panel 12 is for assembly with other substantially identical surface covering panels 12 for forming a surface covering panel assembly 10 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5, 9 and 10) for installation over a receiving surface 14 and under a top layer 17 (i.e., here an amusement top layer 17). As shown, the surface covering panel 12 includes a sheet member 18 which is made of a first flexible material. The sheet member 18 defines a first surface 20 which is for interfacing with the top layer 17 (or amusement top layer 16 in previous figures) and a second surface 22. The surface covering panel 12 further includes a padding layer panel 24 which is made of a second flexible material. The padding layer panel 24 defines a first surface 26 which is for partially covering the second surface 22 which is defined by the sheet member 18. The padding layer panel 24 further defines a second surface 28 which is for interfacing with the receiving surface 14 (i.e., a ground surface, a sport field, a playground, a backyard environment, and the like). The surface covering panel 12 also includes edges 30a, 30b. At least one of the edges 30a, 30b is adapted for attaching or connecting with one of the other substantially identical surface covering panels 12. It is to be noted that the top layer 17 or amusement top layer 17 and the sheet member 18 may be integral such as to form one layer of material only.

According to one embodiment, the top layer or amusement top layer 17 may include, without limitation, a rubber-like top layer (i.e., for covering playground areas), a water-resistant top layer (i.e., for swimming pool areas), a mat-like type top layer (i.e., for replacing gymnastic mat), a snow melt top layer (i.e., for driveway and around the house areas), a roof top layer, and the like

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for covering an area having boundaries with a surface covering panel assembly 10. The method includes the steps of: providing a surface covering panel assembly 10 in a rolled position; unrolling the surface covering panel assembly 10 on the area; adjusting, if necessary, the surface covering panel assembly 10 to remove gaps between the plurality of surface covering panels 12 and the boundaries; adjusting, if necessary, the surface covering panel assembly 10 to remove gaps between the surface covering panel assembly 10 and an adjacent surface covering panel assembly 10 already installed. The steps may be repeated until complete installation of the surface covering panel assembly 10 or of a plurality of surface covering panel assemblies 10.

It is also to be mentioned that each surface covering panel assembly 10 or surface covering panel 12 is to be attached to an adjacent surface covering panel assembly 10 or surface covering panel 12 with the use of one or more joining padding layer panel 32 which includes the fastening material.

Depending on the size of the artificial sports playing field 100 (FIG. 2A) or of the size of the artificial amusement playing field 200 (FIG. 2B) and the available equipment on site, the surface covering panel assembly 10 can be used in surface covering panels 12 or in rolls in custom lengths and widths depending of the need of the user (i.e., For example, the surface covering panel/surface covering panel assembly may be a 3′×3′, 4′×6′. 10′×10′, and the like).

It is to be noted that the joining padding layer panel 32 may be of the same material of the second flexible material of the padding layer panel 24 such as to roll and unroll easily.

While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A surface covering panel for assembly with at least another substantially identical surface covering panel for forming a surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel comprising:

a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface;

a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and

an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

2. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the second flexible material comprises at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

3. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the top layer comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer and a snow melt top layer.

4. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the edge comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

5. The surface covering panel of claim 1, further comprising an extension member outwardly extending from the sheet member for releasably attaching with the at least another substantially identical surface covering panel.

6. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the top layer and the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded together.

7. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the edge comprises at least one of: a fastening material and a mating connector.

8. The surface covering panel of claim 7, wherein the fastening material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro™ hook material, a Velcro™ loop material, a Velcro™ mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

9. The surface covering panel of claim 1, wherein the sheet member, the padding layer panel and the top layer are configured to be one of: rolled and unrolled between a rolled position and a surface covering position.

10. A surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly comprising:

substantially identical surface covering panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels comprising:

a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface;

a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and

an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels.

11. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, further comprising joining padding layer panels, each one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of the substantially identical surface covering panels with a corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.

12. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein a width, defined by each one of the joining padding layer panels, substantially corresponds to a sum of a first width defined by the edge of the one of the substantially identical surface covering panels and a second width defined by the corresponding edge of the adjacent surface covering panel.

13. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the second flexible material and the joining padding layer panels comprise at least one of: an expanded polypropylene, an extruded polypropylene, a foam, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, an extruded polytetrafluoroethylene, an expanded polyethylene, an extruded polyethylene, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a crumb rubber tire, a plastic, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a shock absorbent material, a PVC mixed with a acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

14. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the edge and one of: an upper side and an underside of the joining padding layer panels comprise at least one of: a fastening material and a mating connector.

15. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the fastening material comprises at least one of: a hook and loop material, a Velcro™ hook material, a Velcro™ loop material, a Velcro™ mushroom-like shape material, nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

16. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the one of: the upper side and the underside of the joining padding layer panels comprises a Velcro™ loop material and the edge comprises a Velcro™ hook material with a laminated textile material.

17. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the top layer comprises at least one of: a carpet-like top layer, a synthetic turf, PVC, PVC mixed with NBR rubber sheet, a geotextile fabric, a rubber-like top layer, a water-resistant top layer, a mat-like type top layer and a snow melt top layer.

18. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the edge comprises more than two edges for releasable attachment to more than two of the at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels.

19. The surface covering panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the top layer and the sheet member are one of: integral, glued together and bonded together by heat.

20. A surface covering panel assembly for installation over a receiving surface and under a top layer, the surface covering panel assembly comprising:

substantially identical surface covering panels, each one of the substantially identical surface covering panels comprising:

a sheet member made of a first flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the top layer and a second surface;

a padding layer panel made of a second flexible material, the padding layer panel defining a first surface for partially covering the second surface defined by the sheet member and a second surface for interfacing with the receiving surface; and

an edge being adapted for releasable attachment to at least another one of the substantially identical surface covering panels; and

joining padding layer panels, each one of the joining padding layer panels connecting the edge of one of the substantially identical surface covering panels with a corresponding edge of an adjacent surface covering panel.