Synthetic turf system and method

Abstract

This invention relates to a synthetic turf comprised of a backing, a synthetic grass-like surface which is comprised of textured and non-textured grass-like fibers that are secured to the backing. The synthetic turf is variable according to weight, composition and/or configuration to provide flexibility according to the needs of the particular application

1 . A synthetic turf comprising: 
 (a) a backing;    (b) a synthetic grass like surface comprised of grass-like fibers secured to the backing; and    (c) wherein the synthetic turf is comprised of strips variable according to weight, quality of composition and length, with increases in length of the strips corresponding to decreases in at least one of weight or quality of composition at least to a portion of the strips.    
   
   
       2 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the synthetic turf is in a range between about 40 oz./Sq. Yd to about 80 oz./Sq. Yd.  
   
   
       3 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the synthetic turf is in a range between about 55 oz./Sq. Yd to about 60 oz./Sq. Yd.  
   
   
       4 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , further comprising a fill layer spread substantially uniform throughout said textured and non-textured grass-like fibers.  
   
   
       5 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein said backing comprises a primary backing and a secondary backing.  
   
   
       6 . The synthetic turf of  claim 5 , wherein said primary backing has a weight of about 3 to about 15 oz/Square yard.  
   
   
       7 . The synthetic turf of  claim 5 , wherein said secondary backing weight has a weight of about 5 to about 30 oz/Square yard.  
   
   
       8 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic grass-like surface has a pile height, a defined number of fibers per Square foot and a density, wherein quality of composition is decreased by reducing at least one of the density, the number of fibers per square foot or pile height.  
   
   
       9 . The synthetic turf of  claim 8 , wherein quality of composition is reduced by decreasing at least two of the density, number of fibers per square foot or pile height.  
   
   
       10 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein both the weight and quality of composition are reduced corresponding to increases in length of the synthetic turf strips.  
   
   
       11 . A synthetic turf comprising: 
 (a) a backing; and    (b) a synthetic grass like surface comprised of textured and non-textured grass-like fibers;    (c) the synthetic turf further being represented by a formula w=q/c, where w is the weight of the synthetic turf in oz./Sq. Yd, q is the quality of the composition of the turf represented by density, number of fibers per square foot and length of pile and c is the configuration of the synthetic turf in square yards, wherein an increase in c corresponds to a decrease in at least one of ww or q.    
   
   
       12 . The synthetic turf of  claim 11 , wherein the synthetic turf is provided in a roll for installation.  
   
   
       13 . The synthetic turf of  claim 11  further comprising a dressing layer comprised of rubber particles spread substantially uniform throughout said synthetic turf.  
   
   
       14 . A method for providing synthetic turf for one or more installation areas comprising: 
 (a) providing a synthetic turf comprising: 
 a backing; and  
 a synthetic grass like surface comprised of grass-like fibers;  
   (b) regulating the size of the synthetic turf; and    (c) varying the weight of the synthetic turf in response to the size desired of the synthetic turf, wherein the weight is regulated by adjusting one or more of the length of fibers, number of fibers per square foot and density of fibers    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing the synthetic turf in strips sized large enough to extend at least one of the entire width or length of one or more installation areas.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising reducing the weight of the synthetic turf as the size of the synthetic turf is increased.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing the synthetic turf initially in a roll and then un rolling the synthetic turf as it is installed.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the weight of the synthetic turf is in a range between about 40 oz./Sq. Yd to about 80 oz./Sq. Yd.  
   
   
       19 . The synthetic turf of  claim 18 , wherein the weight of the synthetic turf is in a range between about 55 oz./Sq. Yd to about 60 oz./Sq. Yd.  
   
   
       20 . The synthetic turf of  claim 17 , wherein the length of the strips are in a range between about 50 yards to about 130 yards.  
   
   
       21 . The synthetic turf of  claim 17 , wherein said backing comprises a primary backing and a secondary backing, with said primary backing having a weight of less than or equal to about 8 oz/Square yard.  
   
   
       22 . The synthetic turf of  claim 21 , wherein said secondary backing weight has a weight of less than or equal to about 20 oz/Square yard.  
   
   
       23 . The synthetic turf of  claim 22 , wherein said synthetic grass-like surface has a pile weight of less than or equal to about 55 oz/Square yard.  
   
   
       24 . The synthetic turf of  claim 23 , wherein said synthetic grass-like surface has a pile height of less than or equal to about 4 inches.  
   
   
       25 . The synthetic turf of  claim 23 , wherein said synthetic grass-like surface has a density of less than or equal to about 15,000 denier.  
   
   
       26 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the weight or quality of composition of a first portion of a given strip varies from at least one of the weight or quality of composition of a second portion of said given strip.  
   
   
       27 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein the weight, quality of composition and length are varied to minimize an amount of seams on a surface to be covered with the turf.  
   
   
       28 . The synthetic turf of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of w or q vary within a given piece of turf.  
   
   
       29 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein “q” is the density of each blade multiplied by the number of blades per area unit multiplied by the length per blade of the blades.  
   
   
       30 . The synthetic turf of  claim 1 , wherein “c” is the configuration of a strip of turf, defined by the length of the strip multiplied by the width of the strip.  
   
   
       31 . A synthetic turf comprising: 
 (a) a backing;    (b) a synthetic grass like surface comprised of grass-like fibers secured to the backing; and    (c) wherein the synthetic turf is comprised of strips variable according to weight, quality of composition and length, with increases in length of the strips corresponding to decreases in at least one of weight or quality of composition at least to a portion of each strip.    
   
   
       32 . A system for customizing synthetic turf for a desired application, the turf having a backing and a synthetic grass like surface comprised of textured and non textured grass-like fibers; 
 wherein the turf is characterized by a formula w=q/c where w is the weight of the synthetic turf in oz./Sq. Yd, q is the quality of the composition of the turf represented by density, number of fibers per square foot and length of pile and c is the configuration of the synthetic turf in square yards, wherein an increase in c corresponds to a decrease in at least one of w or q.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the turf is customized according to limitations of an intended use of a surface that the turf is being customized to cover.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the turf is customized according to limitations of the configuration of a surface that the turf is being customized to cover.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the turf is customized according to delivery limitations.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the turf is customized according to the number of seams allowable on an intended surface to be covered.