Abstract: The invention relates to a ground covering in the form of an artificial turf material with lasting playing field marking lines. In accordance with the invention, the marking lines are formed by separately manufactured material strips and attached to the adjacent turf material using the elements of a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: A conventional broad-band camouflage material comprising a base layer, a reflective metal layer and a paint layer which imitates the visible and near IR spectral reflective properties of a natural background and contains binders which are transparent in the far IR range, is improved in the radar spectral range by providing the metal layer in the form of spaced squares or rectangles whose long dimension is smaller than 1/2 lambda of the largest radar wavelength used for reconnaissance and larger than 1/2 lambda of the radar wavelength used for homing missiles and bullets. The base layer consists of woven strips of polyethylene material forming squares or rectangles which are metallized on both sides and then covered with polyethylene film coated with liquid polyethylene adhesive. The adhesive fills in the spaces between the strips thus isolating the squares or rectangles from each other and preventing conductivity.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simulated thatched roofing which closely approximates the appearance and durability of thatched roofs. The roof structure includes a supporting roof structure formed of a roof frame and a base underlayment and a natural or synthetic fiber outer covering laid thereover which is formed of a base sheet, which can be woven or unwoven fabric, with or without a laminated layer of a synthetic resin, or can be a layer of a natural or synthetic resin in which a plurality of discontinuous loops of a synthetic or natural, raw bast or leaf fiber are embedded. The loops are cut to the ends of the fibers as tufts which are closely spaced across the entire surface of the roof covering, and which simulate the cut ends of reeds used in traditional roof thatching.

Abstract: An artificial vine, ornamental in appearance and form, arranged for carrying articles, where the latter, as a doll, for example, is selectively stored and removed from a pod which forms part of the artificial vine. The pods, which are also selectively removable from the stem of the vine, are each slitted so that, when open, a receiving cavity is presented. Opening may be accomplished by the use of a flexible material which resumes a closed position after release of flexing or, on the other hand, material which is readily movable from a closed to an opened condition, and conversely. In any event, whatever material is used should compliment the vine so as to present a total ornamental effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial grass, in particular for sports and playing areas, having a filling of free-flowing bulk material, in particular sand, provided between its pile threads such that the free ends of the pile threads project above the filling. According to the invention, the filling is fixed in relation to the pile threads by a bonding agent.

Abstract: An artificial structure for attracting fish, which structure includes a ballast and anchoring subassembly having an elongated trunk detachably and pivotally connected thereto and extending in a generally vertical direction therefrom. A plurality of elongated leaf fronds are each centrally engaged with the trunk at longitudinally spaced intervals along the trunk.

Abstract: To provide the perfume carrier of an artificial flower both with a high absorption capacity and with high mechanical stability, a random-fiber fleece of rayon staple fibers is mechanically stabilized by needle punching and then compressed in a press of which all the forming surfaces are heated.

Abstract: The back-loops of the stitches of pile yarn of a tufted carpet are fastened to the backing by thermal bonding, obviating the need for applying an adhesive coating to the underside of the backing. By preference, the thermal bonding is accomplished by using as the pile yarn a yarn made of or incorporating a synthetic thermoplastic material which becomes tacky at a temperature below that at which the backing is adversely affected. For instance, yarn made of or containing polyethylene may be thermally bonded to a backing made of nylon. The backing acts as a sufficient thermal barrier or heat sink as to prevent damage to the face pile during application of heat to the underside of the backing while conducting the thermal bonding step. Where other backings and coatings are omitted, a tufted carpet of superior porosity may be made, e.g. for use as a sand-filled artificial turf.

Abstract: Reconsolidated wood product (22) formed by compressing and bonding natural wood which has been rended to form open lattice work webs (14) of naturally interconnected wood strands. The webs (14) are laid over each other in overlapping fashion so as to extend at an angle to the direction of extent of the product (22), with opposite ends of the webs being closest to respective opposed surfaces (60, 64) of the product.

Abstract: Ornamental artificial foliage for placement within an aquarium. The foliage formed of a material which is not harmful to the aquatic life within the aquarium. The ornamental foliage has a rough, granular surface texture over and above that normally required for the aesthetic appearance of the foliage. The rough, granular surface provides an increase in the surface area presented by the unmodified foliage to support increased growth and propagation of organisms which are active in causing biological filtration, thereby providing an effective source of biological filtration within the aquarium.

Abstract: A bark camouflage cloth mimics the rough bark of a tree. The camouflage pattern on the cloth consists basically of rough, highly elongated vertical ribs of a first light or countershaded earth tone, vertical channels of a second, darker earth tone, and black vertical shadow edge markings along one side edge of each of the ribs. Islands of a third color, e.g., a greenish hue, are interspersed among the vertical ribs. The pattern of vertical shadow edge markings changes from left to right across the pattern to create the illusion of curvature of a tree trunk.

Abstract: A gymnastic floor structure comprising a panel board assembly, lower floor members spacedly secured to the bottom of the panel board assembly and placed on the gymnasium base floor, an upper floor member, and tighteners which prevent panels of the board assembly from loosening in the connecting directions, wherein the lower floor members are made of synthetic resin foam, the connectors have an almost I-shaped cross section composed of two U-shaped channels integrated back to back, one channel of the connectors is used as a fitting part between two adjacent panels, the fixing part of the connectors is fitted to the side edge portion of one unit panel board and secured with fasteners, and the fitting part is fitted to the side edge portion of the other unit panel board. The upper floor member is an elastic mat and carpet which covers the panels.

Abstract: A conventional broad-band camouflage material comprising a base layer, a reflective metal layer and a paint layer which imitates the visible and near IR spectral reflective properties of a natural background and contains binders which are transparent in the far IR range, is improved in the radar spectral range by providing the metal layer in the form of spaced squares or rectangles whose long dimension is smaller than 1/2 lambda of the largest radar wavelength used for reconnaissance and larger than 1/2 lambda of the radar wavelength used for homing missiles and bullets.

Abstract: A playing field surface for active running and body contact type sports, such as football and the like, is formed of a stabilized, flat base surface covered by an underpad, over which is laid a synthetic pile fiber carpet. A covering of sand-like granules is applied upon the carpet to substantially fill the spaces between the fibers. The underpad is made of reclaimed rubber, sliver-like small particles which are bonded together into a thick, water pervious mat. The lower surface of the underpad is formed with widely and regularly spaced apart, dimple-like indentations and downwardly extending, rounded hills that contact the base surface. The hills are separated by rounded indented ridges which are of a lesser depth than the indentations. Each of the indentations is surrounded by a number of hills and ridges to provide resilient dome-like, interconnected, downwardly open pockets in the bottom surface of the underpad.

Abstract: A process of making a cut pile, tufted carpet that is non-directional is disclosed. It comprises the steps of:(a) knitting a yarn composed of thermoplastic fiber, e.g., continuous filament polypropylene ribbon, into a deknittable fabric,(b) heating the fabric to a temperature at which the curves and bends generated in the yarn by its knitted configuration are established in the yarn's memory,(c) cooling the fabric to about room temperature,(d) deknitting the cooled fabric and rewinding the yarn under enough tension to restraighten it,(e) tufting the yarn as facing yarn into a primary carpet backing material, forming a cut pile carpet,(f) coating the underside of the carpet with a heat-settable adhesive that, when cured, will help anchor the tufts of yarn in the backing material, and(g) heating the adhesive-coated carpet to a temperature at which the adhesive will set and the facing yarn will reconform to the bends and twists in its memory.

Abstract: A process of making a cut pile, tufted carpet that has the tightly curled appearance of Persian lamb is dislcosed. It comprises the steps of:(a) knitting a synthetic carpet facing yarn, e.g., a continuous filament nylon, into a deknittable fabric,(b) heating the fabric to a temperature at which the curves and bends generated in the yarn by its knitted configuration are established in the yarn's memory,(c) cooling the fabric to about room temperature,(d) deknitting the cooled fabric and rewinding the unravelled yarn under enough tension to restraighten it,(e) tufting the yarn as facing yarn into a primary carpet backing material, forming a cut pile carpet, which then can be dyed,(f) coating the underside of the carpet with a heat-settable adhesive that, when cured, will help anchor the tufts of yarn in the backing material, and(g) heating the adhesive-coated carpet to a temperature at which the adhesive will set and the facing yarn will reconform to the bends and twists in its memory.

Abstract: The thermal emission characteristics of a camouflage material are predetermined to match closely the known thermal emission characteristics of the natural environment in which the particular camouflage material is intended to be used. This control is accomplished by the combination of a reflecting thin metallic layer covered on at least the exposed side by a layer of plastic comprising at least two different plastic materials each having respectively different emissivity properties. The reflecting layer both minimizes the heating of the camouflage material from sources covered by the material and reflects incident heat from meteorological sources such as solar warming. The plastic layer controls and determines the radiation of heat from all parts of the exposed surface of the camouflage in order to present to surveillance equipment a thermal-picture closely simulating that of the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cushion for use on top of a hard paving material in a race track or playing field and comprises three rubber coated coconut husk fiber bodies superimposed on each other. The fibrous bodies are adhesively bonded to each other by rubber adhesive and the middle layer has the coconut fibers compressed to a lesser extent than the compression of the fibers in the upper and lower layers.

Abstract: A device for reducing splash and spray thrown from vehicle wheels comprising a high density polyethylene substrate layer fusion-bonded to a three-dimensional layer comprises a plurality of balde-like elements extending from a base layer. To improve break resistance at low temperture the three-dimensional layer comprises linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simulated thatched roofing which closely approximates the appearance and durability of thatched roofs. The roof structure includes a supporting roof structure formed of a roof frame and a base underlayment and a natural fiber outer covering laid thereover which is formed of a coextensive sheet of woven fibers with a plurality of discontinuous loops of a natural, raw bast or leaf fiber having the loops cut to expose the ends of the fibers as tufts which are closely spaced across the entire surface of the roof covering.

Abstract: A survival blanket especially intended for transporting and holding injured and sick persons consists of a surface element divided into four areas, i.e., a centrally disposed, substantially rectangular body section, an adjacent, also substantially rectangular, smaller or inner fold flap, a similarly adjacent, also substantially rectangular, larger or outer fold flap, and a head section disposed at one end of the body section. On the outside surface of the blanket, along fold lines and between the middle area and the side areas, respectively, carrying straps with loops are provided, said straps being secured, preferably by sewing, to reinforcing strips provided along the fold lines.

Abstract: The thermal emission characteristics of sheet form camouflage material is predetermined to match closely the known thermal emission characteristics of the natural environment in which the particular camouflage material is intended to be used. This control is accomplished by the combination of a reflecting thin metallic layer covered on at least the exposed side by a layer of plastic material comprising at least two different plastic materials each having different emissivity properties. The reflecting layer both minimizes the heating of the camouflage material from sources covered by the material and reflects incident heat from meteorological sources such as solar warming and the plastic layer controls and determines the radiation of heat from all parts of the exposed surface of the camouflage to present to surveillance equipment a thermal-picture closely simulating that of the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: An activity field is surfaced with a cushioned, resilient rubber mat over a hard undersurface. One area of the field is subject to participant impact potentially resulting in injury. That area is provided with a closed cell shock absorbing foam pad between the rubber mat and the hard undersurface to permit the mat to flex restrained by the foam pad to attenuate an impact. The rubber mat is bonded to the pad by a flexible adhesive and both the mat and the pad are bonded to said undersurface. The mat extends beyond the perimeter of the pad.

Abstract: The incorporation of organic and FD&C pigments that meet FDA specifications for food packaging materials into resinous articles is accomplished by dispersing the pigments into a non-toxic mineral or vegetable oil formulation which contains glycerol monooleate and zinc stearate, the formulation then being added to the resin and mixed. Resinous articles colored in this manner can be utilized safely as direct food contact packaging, for example, decorative grass, which enables candies to be placed directly on the grass without incurring the expense of overwrapping the candies with a resin film which meets FDA and USDA requirements and which eliminates the hazard involved when candies are inadvertently or unknowingly placed on the decorative grass. The resinous materials which may be colored by the organic and FD&C pigments include polyolefin resins.

Abstract: A drapeable decorative sheet material having a natural mossy-looking appearance has a flexible film substrate, a coating of a flexible adhesive bonded onto the film substrate, and fragments of sphagnum moss adhering to and substantially covering the adhesive layer. The fragments comprise relatively large fibrous moss fragments upstanding from the adhesive layer and having spacings between them, and relatively smaller particulate moss fragments distributed on the adhesive layer between the relatively large fragments.

Abstract: A backing mat for a water-permeable artificial grass having a grid-like structure consisting of elastically pliable foamed plastic sections and openings arranged therebetween. To improve the qualities of the artificial grass with regard to tread elasticity bulbous projections are formed of foamed plastic on the underside of the backing mat at the edges of the openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal camouflage material comprising a supporting layer (4), e.g. a woven material, on which a polyethylene film layer (1), metallized on one side, has been laminated with the aid of fusion adhesive (3). The exposed surface of the plastic film is embossed to make it matte. Polyethylene is highly transparent to infrared radiation and has low emissivity, self radiation. By means of the metal layer (2) there is also obtained radiation insulation so that the outer layer (1) is in a thermal equilibrium which is hardly affected, e.g. by a warm object which is covered with the material, and the outer layer has a low emission ability of about 0.4-0.95, depending on thickness and pigmentation. By applying further patchy layers (5) patchy images will be obtained in image-forming by infrared sensitive instruments in the wavelength ranges 3-5 .mu.m and 8-14 .mu.m. The camouflage material may also include a layer of plastic foam insulating material arranged inwardly of the supporting layer.

Abstract: An artificial leaf for camouflaging a hunter's clothing and equipment by providing a three dimensional effect to destroy his silhouette and making him less visible and suspicious to game. A piece of polyester fabric material is formed into the shape of a leaf and a stem of monofilament nylon is attached to the simulated leaf by seamtape. A plurality of the artificial leaves are permanently attached to a strip of separable fastening material. Another strip of separable fastening material is permanently attached to the hunter's clothing or equipment for removably attaching the other strip of fastening material thereto. The leaf stems have memory and are bent so that the leaves extend outwardly from the hunter or equipment to provide the three dimensional camouflage effect thereto.

Abstract: A permeable asphaltic concrete composition comprising a gradated mixture of aggregate rock which is skip-gradated. A 25 millimeter thick layer of the asphaltic concrete composition has a permeability to accommodate at least 40 centimeters per hour of rainfall. Such asphaltic concrete compositions are useful as a base for vertically-draining artificial turf systems.

Abstract: Unitary, shock-absorbing polymeric pads having a vertically asymmetric compression resistance which are useful for recreational surfaces, for instance under artificial turf.

Abstract: A method of constructing a playing surface for sports such as soccer, cricket and tennis is disclosed, comprising the steps of laying one or more flexible water-permeable envelopes containing an unbonded base material comprising sand on a drained or water-permeable surface, and placing a sheet of resilient material on to the envelope. In a preferred embodiment, a second sheet of resilient material having different bounce characteristics from the first is placed on the first sheet, and an artificial turf material is laid on top.

Abstract: An artificial surface for simulated cross-country skiing comprising an elongate flat flexible base and a multiplicity of extruded strips of synthetic resin material forming relatively stiff smooth-surfaced blade-like members secured to and substantially covering one face of the base. The blade-like members project generally perpendicularly from the base except in two generally parallel spaced-apart zones extending longitudinally of the base where the blade-like members are bent over in one direction extending generally lengthwise of the base to provide a pair of generally parallel ski tracks along the base. The base is adapted to be placed on the ground with the blade-like members facing upwardly and the bent-over blade-like members pointing in a direction opposite the direction of ski movement along said tracks.A method of making the artificial surface, and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic pile carpet athletic game playing surface, such as for golf and the like, is formed with a relatively thick, loosely felted, springy fiber mat laid upon a stabilized base, with the pile carpet laid over the mat. The mat is filled with generally coarse, sand granules to provide a shock absorbent, compact resistant layer. The carpet is also filled with a sand granule layer of substantially the height of its pile fibers, and a flexible water barrier sheet is arranged between the carpet and the upper surface of the mat.

Abstract: The incorporation of organic and FD&C pigments that meet FDA specifications for food packaging materials into resinous articles is accomplished by dispersing the pigments into a non-toxic mineral or vegetable oil formulation which contains glycerol monooleate and zinc stearate, the formulation then being added to the resin and mixed. Resinous articles colored in this manner can be utilized safely as direct food contact packaging, for example, decorative grass, which enables candies to be placed directly on the grass without incurring the expense of overwrapping the candies with a resin film which meets FDA and USDA requirements and which eliminates the hazard involved when candies are inadvertently or unknowningly placed on the decorative grass. The resinous materials which may be colored by the organic and FD&C pigments include polyolefin resins.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apertured camouflage material where the apertures are made as arcuate slits so that tongues are formed (FIGS. 4A, 4B). The material is a laminate of a supporting layer to which is applied a plastics layer which is initially under internal tensional stress, the tongues curling outwards when the internal stresses are activated by the slitting and heat (see FIG. 4B) thus forming a three-dimensional camouflage sheet. The pre-stressed material is blown low density polyethylene film.

Abstract: A system and method for forming flat temporary seams between two sections of synthetic turf are disclosed. The synthetic turf includes a synthetic turf material having a polymeric backing thereon. A strip of the polymeric backing is removed along a first edge of a first section of synthetic turf and a first web of mated surface fastener material is fastened to the underside of the synthetic turf material along that edge. A strip of synthetic turf material is removed from the polymeric backing along a second edge of a second section of synthetic turf and a thickness of polymeric backing substantially equal to two mated webs of mated surface fastener material is removed from the exposed lip of polymeric backing. A second web of mated surface fastener material is then fastened to the exposed lip of polymeric backing along the second edge. A flat temporary seam may then be formed by overlapping and mating the first and second web of mated surface fastener material.

Abstract: The invention is a novel covering and optical embellishing of surfaces and edges of furniture structures, particularly legs and/or portions of frames and/or bodies of seats or resting furniture, tables, cupboards, shelves, mirrors and the like. The decoration element is comprised substantially of a plurality of long strands having a constant cross sectional area, made from the core of a tropical creeper or palmyra. The ligneous, fibrous strands are free of knots and very flexible, and are arranged with most of them adjacent, parallel, and touching each other without any space, thus forming a complete optical covering on the visible surfaces and edges of the structure. The element made, for example, from "Palmyra" creepers is, because of its inner structure of small channels and absence of knots, substantially perfectly homogeneous on its entire length with respect to its structure and physio-mechanical properties.

Abstract: A fur-like article having three dimensionally varied piles characterized in that at least one part of piles varies at least one of color, length and fineness along a surface, the distance of which varies with respect to a substrate fabric of said fibrous article is produced by rotating a fibrous structure having piles fixed on a supporting body to raise the piles owing to centrifugal force caused by the rotation and contacting the raised piles with a treating liquid for fibers which is retained in a rotary container and forms a cylindrical interface due to the centrifugal force, so that the distance of the interface of the treating liquid from a substrate fabric of said pile article varies according to place, to vary at least one of the color, length and fineness of the piles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground covering for open spaces, with which a water-permeable filter mat impervious to granular material is bonded to the underside of a water-permeable artificial grass so that a filling of granular material in the pile of the grass will not be swept away to the edges of the surface covered by the ground covering even in heavy rain since the water may drain immediately through the artificial grass and the filter mat to the underside of the ground covering.

Abstract: A wall decoration in the shape of a pine tree; including a base made of plywood panels glued one upon another, pine cone scales glued on the front side thereof, and a gold panel applied to the front of this assembly.

Abstract: For producing tufted carpeting, especially for use as artificial turf for football fields and the like, the pile is stitched through two or more layers of woven backing fabric and then what will become the underside is coated with a pile-anchoring adhesive. The backing layers are of progressively finer gauge toward the face, with that closest to the face being sufficiently fine to prevent adhesive from leaking through to the face during application of the adhesive. By preference the backing layers range in gauge from 11 picks per inch to 20 picks per inch.

Abstract: An artificial plant is assembled from a main stem member and a plurality of similar auxiliary stem assemblies which are separately molded and have their end portions secured to respective portions of the main stem member at locations spaced apart along the latter. A connector securing each such end portion of an auxiliary stem assembly to said main stem member is in the form of a strip of malleable sheet metal wrapped about the secured together stem portions and having tapering end portions overlapping in side-by-side relation to an extent depending on the thicknesses of the portion of the main stem member and the end portion of the auxiliary stem assembly about which the strip is wrapped.

Abstract: An artificial turf consists of a pile of filaments or strips of propylene or like weather-resistant material bonded to a support which can be doubled and which is provided on its reverse with an array of synthetic resin material projections disposed discontinuously along the underside. These projections are in the form of truncated pyramids with substantially rectangular bases and prevent migration of the covering because of walking on the ground covering.

Abstract: This invention relates to a loop pile fabric comprising a backing fabric and resilient pile yarns interengaged with said backing fabric at spaced intervals and extending from one face thereof to form a pile comprised of a multiplicity of pile loops. The fabric is characterized by the pile loops extending substantially upright from the backing fabric and being randomly oriented relative to one another to provide a random appearance and a substantially non-directional grain to the pile. The fabric is further characterized by the density of the pile loops and the size of the pile yarns forming the pile loops being such that each pile loop has the major portion thereof out of contact with the adjacent surrounding pile loops and substantially the totality of each pile loop is readily visible to provide substantial void volume within the pile of the fabric.

Abstract: The incorporation of organic and FD&C pigments that meet FDA specifications for food packaging materials into resinous articles is accomplished by dispersing the pigments into a non-toxic mineral or vegetable oil formulation which contains glycerol monooleate and zinc stearate, the formulation then being added to the resin and mixed. Resinous articles colored in this manner can be utilized safely as direct food contact packaging, for example, decorative grass, which enables candies to be placed directly on the grass without incurring the expense of overwrapping the candies with a resin film which meets FDA anmd USDA requirements and which eliminates the hazard involved when candies are inadvertently or unknowingly placed on the decorative grass. The resinuous materials which may be colored by the organic and FD&C pigments include polyolefin resins.

Abstract: An artificial shrub comprises a central trunk and a plurality of branches connected thereto by a loop at the end of each branch which is receivable directly on the trunk. Shrubs of this construction are easily user assembled and adjusted for aesthetic effect, particularly where the branches are of appreciable axial extent and downwardly, outswept from the loops. A branch rest in the form of a serrated hoop may be provided to give lateral and radial support for the branch ends.

Abstract: A playing field surface is formed of a synthetic fiber carpet, having generally upright pile fibers, upon which is applied a particulate covering. The covering is formed of a lower layer of resilient, rubber-like particles such as crumb rubber, and an upper layer of relatively coarse sand-like particles. A binder material may be used for binding together at least some of the rubber-like particles. The upper layer sand-like particles cooperate with the exposed upper end portions of the fibers to provide a simulated grass-like field surface. The relatively large sand-like particles resist excessive compacting of the covering as well as form a stabilizing cover for the layer of rubber-like particles which provide an inner resiliency to the field surface.

Abstract: A playing surface for athletic games comprising a stable subsurface, a resilient underpad of specified character, a pile fabric resembling grass and a sand top dressing. The inventive surface is particularly suited for use as a golf green which properly facilitates control of an approach shot and also provides a true putting surface. The playing surface simulates the feel and appearance of natural turf, but has much greater durability and requires less maintenance. By appropriately varying the construction of the surface, it is possible to control its character to provide for a desired type of play.

Abstract: A water-permeable, grass-like sport surface is provided. The sport surface comprises a solid, porous, resilient base mat and a thermoplastic, synthetic fiber, grass-like mat placed over the base mat. The grass-like mat is prepared by tufting synthetic fibers into a water-permeable fabric to obtain a fabric having loops of the synthetic fibers on the fabric's bottom side and a grass-like pile on its top side, then placing on the loops on the bottom side of the fabric a water-permeable, heat-resistant membrane, composed of high melting-point fibers or a mixture of high melting-point fibers, followed by heating the membrane to fuse the synthetic fibers to the membrane.

Abstract: The tiles define a succession of vaults on which protrude fingers or piles. One side of each plate has eyelets at the top of the vaults while the other side forms lugs able to be slidably engaged under the vaults of the contiguous tile. The plates are besides provided, on one of their end edges, with protruding rings corresponding to mating tongues formed beneath the opposite edge of a contiguous tile.