Abstract: The present invention is directed to 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 its synthetic ribbons that are responsive to the stiffening agent will stiffen subsequent to the application of the stiffening agent.

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 floorcovering they can be used to make floating floors. As wall coverings, the tiles are adhered to the walls using conventional means.

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: A repairable synthetic turf field having a plurality of phases of use and a method for revitalizing the same, the repairable synthetic turf including a plurality of synthetic fibers extending from a backing and having an infill interspersed between the synthetic fibers, the synthetic fibers having a portion extending above the infill forming a first field surface during a first phase of use, wherein at least a part of the portion of the synthetic fibers extending above the infill may be removed creating a second phase of use wherein a new portion of the synthetic fibers extends above the infill forming a second field surface.

Abstract: A tile for a synthetic grass system having a top surface with a plurality of trusses, a bottom surface with a plurality of legs extending therefrom. The trusses intersect and form apertures. The top surface has a plurality of sections which are hingedly attached to adjacent sections with expansion members.

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: An array of tiles for use in a synthetic grass system. The array includes a plurality of tiles wherein a first tile has attachment members on three sides and complementary attachment members on the fourth side and a second tile includes two sets of adjacent sides, the first set having attachment members and the second set having complementary attachment members.

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 athletic surface having a resilient layer operatively positioned on the supporting structure including a top playing surface; and a bottom surface associated with the supporting base structure. The bottom surface associated with the supporting base structure includes a first side surface and a second side surface, both of which extend in the longitudinal direction of the layer. The said bottom surface also includes a first end surface and a second end surface, both of which extend in the transverse direction of the layer. The top playing surface of the athletic flooring system includes a drainage facilitating means associated with the top surface.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a synthetic grass surface, the system having a base having a center portion with a first depth and a perimeter channel with a second depth being greater than the first depth, a plurality of tiles above the base, and a synthetic grass above the plurality of tiles. Also, a business method facilitates installation of a synthetic grass system which utilizes drainage tiles positioned between a stone base and the bottom of the synthetic turf, wherein a mold for manufacturing the tile is provided from the turf company to a manufacturing company located in relatively close proximity to where the synthetic turf system is to be installed.

Abstract: An airstrip shoulder-bordering surface arrangement for extending the width of existing runway and taxiway shoulders comprising a flexible water-impermeable surfacing material extending laterally of a side edge of an airstrip shoulder, an artificial grass surface adjacent the water-impermeable surfacing material, and an edge-fastening system for securing the surfacing material in position relative to the airstrip shoulder to prevent water migration therebetween, the surfacing material having a relatively smooth top surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to 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 its synthetic ribbons that are responsive to the stiffening agent will stiffen subsequent to the application of the stiffening agent.

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: 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 tile for use in a synthetic grass system. The tile is intended to be laid in the center of an area upon which the synthetic grass assembly will be installed. This allows additional tiles to be installed in a faster amount of time by creating two areas from which the tiles may be installed.

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: A tile for a synthetic grass system having a top surface with a plurality of trusses, a bottom surface with a plurality of legs extending therefrom. The trusses intersect and form apertures. The top surface has a plurality of sections which are hingedly attached to adjacent sections with expansion members.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a synthetic grass surface, the system having a base having a center portion with a first depth and a perimeter channel with a second depth being greater than the first depth, a plurality of tiles above the base, and a synthetic grass above the plurality of tiles. Also, a business method facilitates installation of a synthetic grass system which utilizes drainage tiles positioned between a stone base and the bottom of the synthetic turf, wherein a mold for manufacturing the tile is provided from the turf company to a manufacturing company located in relatively close proximity to where the synthetic turf system is to be installed.

Abstract: Safety improvements of airport runways and taxiways are achieved by providing a flexible, water-impermeable surfacing material on a compacted soil base directly adjacent to an edge of airstrip shoulders. A synthetic grass surface is provided on the area beyond the surfacing material so that foreign objects such as loose particles of the airstrip shoulder materials will be driven by jet blasts and run-off across the relatively smooth texture of the surfacing material and will be trapped by the synthetic grass, thereby minimizing foreign object damage to aircraft engines, particularly to those overhanging engines which extend well beyond the existing runway and taxiway shoulders.