Joint construction for artificial turf substrate

Abstract

An interlocking substrate for artificial turf that includes a base pad having an interlocking tab-and-notch structure that is operable to lock one piece of the base pad to an adjacent piece of the base pad and including channels formed in the upper surface of the substrate to provide drainage and to carry heating and cooling tubes to regulate the temperature of the artificial turf.

1 . A substrate for artificial turf, said substrate comprising:
 a base pad having an interlocking tab-and-notch structure operable to interlock said base pad to an adjacent base pad;   said interlocking tab-and-notch structure having at least one tab extending from said base pad and at least one notch adjacent to said at least one tab;   said interlocking tab having an outer portion and an inner portion, said inner portion proximate said base pad and said outer portion extending from said inner portion; said outer portion having a width dimension greater than a width dimension of said inner portion.   
   
   
       2 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said interlocking tab-and-notch structure has two interlocking tabs spaced apart from each other that define an interlocking notch therebetween, said interlocking notch having an inner portion and an outer portion, said interlocking notch inner portion having a width dimension greater than a width dimension of said outer portion. 
   
   
       3 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein an interlocking tab of an adjacent base pad fits within said interlocking notch of said base pad. 
   
   
       4 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said base pad includes an upper surface and at least one channel formed in and extending across said upper surface of said base pad to provide drainage for the artificial turf. 
   
   
       5 . The substrate of  claim 4 , wherein said channel is a generally U-shaped in cross-section. 
   
   
       6 . The substrate of  claim 4 , wherein said base pad has a plurality of said channels. 
   
   
       7 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said base pad includes an upper surface and at least one channel formed in and extending across said upper surface of said base pad, a tube disposed in said channel to provide for circulation of a heating or cooling fluid. 
   
   
       8 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said base pad is made from elastomeric foam material. 
   
   
       9 . A substrate for artificial turf, said substrate comprising:
 a base pad having a structure operable to interlock said base pad to an adjacent base pad;   said base pad having a channel extending across an upper surface of said base pad in alignment with a channel formed on said adjacent base pad to provide a path for drainage.   
   
   
       10 . The substrate of  claim 9 , including a tube carried in at least one of said channels. 
   
   
       11 . The substrate as defined in  claim 9  and including a radiant heating wire carried in at least one of said channels 
   
   
       12 . The substrate of  claim 9 , wherein said base pad is made from elastomeric foam material.