Base for turf system with vertical support extensions at panel edges
First Claim
1. A turf underlayment layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly, the turf underlayment layer comprising a plurality of panels assembled together, each panel including a top side, a bottom side, and edges extending substantially vertically from the top side to the bottom side, the edges having one or more drainage projections spacing abutting panel edges apart to form a drainage path therebetween, the drainage projections being compressible to absorb relative movement of abutting panels, at least one of the panel edges including at least one vertical support extension having an upper surface that is coplanar with the top side of the panel and defines a deviation between linear segments of the drainage path between adjacent panels, the upper surface configured to support the artificial turf assembly overlying the turf underlayment layer, and the panel edges having one or more complementary indentations corresponding to vertical support extensions of the adjacent panels wherein the vertical support extensions are received in the corresponding indentations and permit relative panel movement parallel to and perpendicular to the drainage paths.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An underlayment layer is configured to support an artificial turf assembly. The underlayment layer comprises plurality of panels, each panel comprising a core with a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of top projections. The top projections form top side water drainage channels. The panels have edges, with the edges of one panel abutting the edges of adjacent panels, thereby forming a drainage path between adjacent panels. The panel edges have vertical support extensions that extend into the drainage paths between adjacent panels. The vertical support extensions have an upper surface for supporting an artificial turf assembly overlying the turf underlayment layer, and the panel edges having one or more complementary indentations corresponding to vertical support extensions of adjacent panels. When the panels move toward each other, thereby closing drainage paths between adjacent panels, the vertical support extensions are received in the corresponding indentations.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A turf underlayment layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly, the turf underlayment layer comprising a plurality of panels assembled together, each panel including a top side, a bottom side, and edges extending substantially vertically from the top side to the bottom side, the edges having one or more drainage projections spacing abutting panel edges apart to form a drainage path therebetween, the drainage projections being compressible to absorb relative movement of abutting panels, at least one of the panel edges including at least one vertical support extension having an upper surface that is coplanar with the top side of the panel and defines a deviation between linear segments of the drainage path between adjacent panels, the upper surface configured to support the artificial turf assembly overlying the turf underlayment layer, and the panel edges having one or more complementary indentations corresponding to vertical support extensions of the adjacent panels wherein the vertical support extensions are received in the corresponding indentations and permit relative panel movement parallel to and perpendicular to the drainage paths.
Specification