Synthetic runway surface system

• US 20050129903A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Act Global Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: AvTurf, LLC (Sportexe Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Carr, Patrick J., Collett, Dale L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/85
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 9/00 Special pavings specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/00, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields pavement lights E01C17/00; manholes or like covers or frames E02D29/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/19 Sheets or webs edge spliced or joined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/197 with noncoplanar reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/198 Pile or nap surface sheets connected

Abstract

The present invention provides an artificial turf runway surface suitable for supporting take off, landing and taxiing of aircraft. The turf system cures many of problems and pitfalls associated with natural sand or grass systems, such as rutting, bare spots, erosion, unevenness, standing water as well as other problems associated with natural grass airstrips. The synthetic surface also removes nesting materials and food and thereby dissuades birds and other animals from landing and congregating thereon. The system includes a synthetic covering, such as an artificial turf covering, one or more sheeting or flow through membranes, a compacted rock base suitable for supporting the aircraft when landing, tacking off and taxiing.

Claims

1. A synthetic runway system comprising:

a soil or sand surface;

a base overlying the surface, the base compacted to at least ninety-five percent; and

artificial turf overlying the base, the artificial turf sized so that at least one aircraft can take off and land on the turf.

2. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, wherein the surface has at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of:

being compacted and being graded.

3. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, wherein the compacted base includes crushed rock.

4. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, which includes at least one of a weed barrier and an impermeable membrane located between at least one of (i) the artificial turf and the base and (ii) the surface and the base.

5. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, wherein the artificial turf is infilled with at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

sand, rock, rubber and polymer fibers.

6. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, which includes an edge of the artificial turf, the edge including a composite header connected to a concrete anchor, the anchor imbedded into the soil or sand.

7. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, which includes a seam between the artificial turf and a natural border, the seam including a section of artificial turf folded between areas of soil or sand.

8. The synthetic runway system of claim 1, wherein the aircraft is selected from the group consisting of:

an airplane, glider, helicopter, balloon and unmanned aerial vehicle.

9. A synthetic runway system comprising:

a soil or sand surface;

artificial turf overlying the surface, the artificial turf sized so that at least one aircraft can take off and land on the turf; and

the artificial turf connected to an edge, the edge including a composite header connected to a concrete anchor, the anchor imbedded into the soil or sand.

10. The synthetic runway system of claim 9, which includes a compacted base between the soil or sand surface and the artificial turf.

11. The synthetic runway system of claim 9, wherein the aircraft is selected from the group consisting of:

an airplane, glider, helicopter, balloon and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

12. The synthetic runway system of claim 9, which includes two strips of artificial turf, the strips glued or sown together.

13. The synthetic runway system of claim 12, wherein the two strips are connected to the edge.

14. The synthetic runway system of claim 9, wherein the artificial turf is connected to the edge via at least one of a pinning device and glue.

15. A synthetic runway system comprising:

a soil or sand surface;

artificial turf overlying the surface, the artificial turf sized so that at least one aircraft can take off and land on the artificial turf; and

a seam between the artificial turf and a natural border, the seam including a section of artificial turf folded between areas of soil or sand.

16. The synthetic runway system of claim 15, which includes a compacted base between the soil or sand surface and the artificial turf.

17. The synthetic runway system of claim 15, wherein the aircraft is selected from the group consisting of:

an airplane, glider, helicopter, balloon and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

18. The synthetic runway system of claim 15, which includes two strips of artificial turf, the strips glued or sown together.

19. The synthetic runway system of claim 18, wherein the two strips each include a section folded between the areas of soil or sand.

20. The synthetic runway system of claim 15, which includes at least one pinning device extended through the artificial turf towards the soil or sand surface.