Method and apparatus for stabilized artificial turf

Abstract

An artificial turf field comprises a mat with artificial grass stitched to the mat and rubber granules combined with powdered latex or other suitable powdered binding agent activated by water. Mats with the artificial grass affixed are laid on an athletic field. Rubber granules mixed with a bonding agent and the coated rubber granules are poured over the mats and raked until a depth of ½ to ¾ inches is achieved. Water is then misted onto the surface activating the bonding agent. The first layer is allowed to set. The first level of infil material will be bound particle to particle, to the grass and to the mat by the agent, thus ensuring a stablized shock absorbency pad. Additionally, the stabilized layer eliminates substantial migration of loose infil material. Next, uncoated rubber granules are applied to the field and raked in until only the tops of the grass shows providing a finished appearance, the feel of a playing surface that is uniform, and a surface that is prevented from becoming thicker and harder in various places due to migration. The artificial grass fibers are brushed to fibrillate the ends of the artificial grass fibers.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . An artificial turf field comprising: 
 a mat;    a plurality of fibers fixedly engaged to said mat; and    a first mass of infil particles bonded to each other and to said mat and to said fibers by a bonding agent.    
     
     
         2 . The first mass of infil particles wherein said mass is porous.  
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf field of  claim 1  further comprising a second mass of infil particles wherein said second mass is unbonded.  
     
     
         4 . The bonding agent of  claim 1  further comprising a self crosslinking solid binding polymer based on polyvinyl acetate with reactive groups activated by water.  
     
     
         5 . The first infil mass of  claim 1  further comprising rubber granules.  
     
     
         6 . The fibers of  claim 1  further comprising a polyethelene fiber.  
     
     
         7 . The fibers of  claim 1  further comprising crimped and twisted polyethelene.  
     
     
         8 . The bonding agent of  claim 4  comprising Vinnex LL 3350 powdered latex and chalk.  
     
     
         9 . An artificial turf field comprising: 
 a mat;    a plurality of fibers fixedly engaged to said mat;    a first mass of infil particles bonded to each other and to said mat and to said fibers by a bonding agent comprising a self crosslinking solid binding polymer based on polyvinyl acetate with reactive groups activated by water;    a second mass of infil particles on top of said first mass; 
 wherein said second mass is unbonded;  
 wherein said first mass is porous; and  
 wherein said fibers are polyethelene.  
   
     
     
         10 . The bonding agent of  claim 7  comprising Vinnex LL 3350 powdered latex and chalk.  
     
     
         11 . A method of making an artificial playing field comprising: 
 mixing a bonding agent and rubber granules to create coated rubber granules;    applying coated rubber granules to turf consisting of polyethelene fibers; mixing butyl with water in a mister;    applying the water and butyl mixture to the infil mixture with the mister until saturated setting the infil mixture;    adding uncoated rubber granules; and    brushing the artificial turf.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the bonding agent is powdered latex and chalk.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the proportions of the bonding agent to rubber granules is approximately 3 pounds of bonding agent to 100 pounds of rubber granules.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the proportion of butyl to water is approximately 1:16.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of laying mats on a prepared surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of raking said coated rubber granules to a depth of between approximately ½ inch and ¾ inch.