Vertical to horizontal draining synthetic turf

Abstract

Vertical to horizontal draining system and a synthetic turf having such a system. The draining system of the present invention prevents water from accumulating on the turf surface, which could cause the top-dressing layer to “float” and be moved by water inundation. The draining system of the present invention also obviates the need for extensive excavation, underdrain systems and free-draining replacement materials. The draining system of the present invention incorporates a dynamic drainage blanket, preferably sandwiched between two permeable porous geosynthetic or non-woven materials. The synthetic turf system of the present invention allows the use of an infilled synthetic turf over impermeable or semi-permeable surfaces, including impermeable soils, asphalt and concrete without having to remove such surfaces.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A synthetic turf comprising: 
 a sub-surface layer;    a drainage blanket over said sub-surface layer, said drainage blanket comprising fused entangled filaments sandwiched between permeable fabric;    a pile fabric over said drainage blanket; and    an infill for said pile fabric.    
     
     
         2 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein said infill comprises non-resilient particles.  
     
     
         3 . The synthetic turf of  claim 2 , wherein said drainage blanket extends into a trench drain.  
     
     
         4 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein said pile elements comprise polyethylene.  
     
     
         5 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein said drainage blanket further comprises a permeable geotextile fabrics sandwiching a core which allows for the free flow of water.  
     
     
         6 . The synthetic turf of  claim 5 , wherein said pile fabric is tufted to a backing, said backing comprising two fibrillated outer woven layers enclosing an open weave, dimensionally stable center layer.  
     
     
         7 . A method of creating a playing field formed of a synthetic turf, comprising: 
 forming a sub-surface layer;    positioning a drainage blanket over said sub-surface layer, said drainage blanket comprising fused entangled filaments sandwiched between permeable fabric;    positioning a pile fabric over said drainage blanket;    providing an infill for said pile fabric;    providing a drainage trench for draining water away from said playing field; and    creating a path for the flow of water from said drainage blanket to said drainage trench.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said path is created by extending said drainage blanket into said drainage trench.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said drainage trench includes a perforated pipe.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising forming lines in said playing field by tufting a portion of backing material and leaving abutting portions of said backing untufted, and adhering said untufted portions to said pile fabric.