Artificial turf

Abstract

An artificial turf for a synthetic field system includes a flexible, water-permeable backing, a pile fabric woven into the backing, and a limited layer of water-absorbent, eco-friendly and light reflective infill deposited within voids formed in the pile fabric. The pile fabric is constructed with a plurality of separate, upwardly standing, reduced height tufts, each tuft including a plurality of synthetic filaments that resemble individual blades of natural grass. The tufts are arranged into parallel rows, with the spacing between rows being fixed and equal to the spacing between successive tufts in each row so as to yield an artificial field surface with an increased density of filaments. The dimensional aspects and high filament density of the artificial turf introduces a number of notable advantages over conventional artificial turfs including better performance, less surface heat retention, improved aesthetics, reduced infill maintenance requirements, and greater compliance with environmental standards.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial turf comprising:
 (a) a flexible backing;   (b) a pile fabric woven into the flexible backing, the pile fabric including a plurality of separate, upwardly standing tufts that are arranged in a series of parallel rows, wherein adjacent tufts within each of the series of rows are spaced apart a fixed width, wherein adjacent rows in the series of parallel rows are spaced apart a fixed spacing; and   (c) an infill deposited on the flexible backing between the plurality of tufts;   (d) wherein the width between adjacent tufts within each of the series of rows is equal to the spacing between adjacent rows in the series of parallel rows.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pile fabric comprises a plurality of individual yarns that is woven through the backing to form the plurality of tufts, each of the plurality of yarns forming a corresponding row in the series of parallel rows. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of individual yarns includes a plurality of synthetic filaments. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the spacing between adjacent rows is at most 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the width between adjacent tufts within each of the series of rows is at most 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each of the plurality of tufts has an overall height that is not to exceed 1.75 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the infill has a depth that is not to exceed 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of tufts has a relief value of 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the pile fabric has a face-weight of at least 60 ounces. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the infill is a mixture consisting of:
 (a) microporous, aluminosilicate minerals; 
 (b) rubber particles; and 
 (c) ground walnut shell. 
 
     
     
         11 . The artificial turf as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the flexible backing is constructed as a unitary, water-permeable member. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial turf as claimed in claim x wherein the backing comprises:
 (a) an upper layer in the form of a woven fabric; and   (b) a lower layer in the form of a polymeric coating.