Synthetic Turf Border System

Abstract

A synthetic turf border system that utilizes multiple turf border elements of the same or different lengths and shapes to provide a flexible synthetic turf border system that cleanly affixes synthetic turf around an entire area regardless of the shape of the area is presented herein. The presented synthetic turf border system conforms to the shape of a given area by either providing pre-shaped angular and non-angular components, or by allowing individual elements, namely turf border bases, to rotate through degrees of arc in relationship to each other as necessary to fit the area. Synthetic turf is attached to the border bases then cut before final securement to the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 clamping components that secure synthetic turf in a desired position by applying a clamping pressure to the synthetic turf; a means for temporarily securing the synthetic turf to one of the clamping components before the clamping pressure is applied to the synthetic turf; a means for securing the clamping components to the ground; a means present on at least one of the clamping components that allows users to cut the synthetic turf to a desired length; and a means present on at least one of the clamping components that allows users to secure impact attenuating safety padding to the clamping component.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping components are a turf border base and a turf border top clamp and the turf border base possess a drain groove. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for temporarily securing the synthetic turf to one of the clamping components before the clamping pressure is applied to the synthetic turf comprises a plurality of fasteners that pass through the synthetic turf and into one of the clamping components. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for securing the clamping components to the ground comprises a border ground attachment device that passes through at least one of the clamping components and secures the apparatus to the ground or a hard surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means present on at least one of the clamping components that allows users to cut the synthetic turf to a desired length comprises a turf cut groove that accommodates the passing of a cutting tool to cut the synthetic turf. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means present on at least one of the clamping components that allows users to secure impact attenuating safety padding to the clamping component comprises a turf border base padding flange that allows the impact attenuating safety padding to be secured to the clamping component. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a design that allows other apparatus of a synthetic turf border system to be placed adjacent to each at the same or different angles of orientation thereby forming a complete synthetic turf border. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of turf border bases that form part of a means for securing synthetic turf; a plurality of turf border top clamps; a plurality of border ground attachment devices that secure the turf border bases to the ground or a hard surface; a means that connect each of the turf border top clamps and each of the plurality of turf border bases together; and the plurality of turf border top clamps and the plurality of turf border bases either capable of being rotated through degrees of arc to allow the system to fit a given area, or comprising angled and non-angled components that allow the system to fit a given area.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a turf cut groove that allows users to cut the synthetic turf to a desired length is formed as part of each turf border base. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the turf cut groove extends the length of each turf border base and allows cuts made on one turf border base to properly align with cuts made on an adjacent turf border base. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a tongue and groove system connects the plurality of turf border bases and a drain groove is formed in the bottom of the plurality of turf border bases. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of turf border bases and plurality of turf border top clamps are used to form a clamping pressure that secure the synthetic turf. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the synthetic turf is secured to the plurality of turf border bases by fasteners that pass through the synthetic turf and into the plurality of turf border bases. 
     
     
         14 . A synthetic turf border system comprising:
 a plurality of turf border bases; a plurality of turf border top clamps; a plurality of border ground attachment devices; each turf border base having a turf cutting groove along which a cutting tool can be passed to cut synthetic turf to a desired length, each turf border base having a padding flange to which impact attenuating safety padding is attached; each turf border top clamp having attachment points through which fasteners pass that connect the turf border bases to the turf border top clamps, the fasteners being used to hold the turf border top clamp in place so that the turf border top clamp protects the edge of the synthetic turf, the synthetic turf being held in a desired position by fasteners that connect the synthetic turf to the turf border bases; each border ground attachment device being used to secure the turf border bases to the ground or a hard surface; and each turf border base and each turf border top clamp forming a unit when combined where each unit is configured to either: rotatably connect to other units comprised of turf border bases and turf border top clamps to allow the synthetic turf border system to fit a given area, or are shaped to form angular and non-angular units that allow the synthetic turf border system to fit a given area.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein each turf border base further comprises attachment points for fasteners that secure the synthetic turf to the turf border base before the edge of the synthetic turf is covered by the plurality of turf border top clamps. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the turf border top clamps finish the turf border system and protect the edge of the synthetic turf from tampering or damage. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the impact attenuating padding is secured to each turf border base by fasteners that connect the impact attenuating padding to the padding flange of the turf border base. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the turf cutting groove is a groove that extends the length each turf border base and allows a cut made along a first turf border base to properly align with a cut made along an adjacent turf border base. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a tongue and groove system connects components of the turf border system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the units formed by combining the turf border base and turf border top clamp are rotatably connected to other units comprised of the turf border bases and the turf border top clamps. 
     
     
         21 . A synthetic turf border apparatus comprising:
 clamping components that secure synthetic turf in a desired position by applying a clamping pressure to the synthetic turf; the clamping components being a turf border top clamp that is attached to a hinge, a turf border base that is attached to the hinge; where the hinge allows the synthetic turf to be inserted between the turf border top clamp and the turf border base, and where the hinge further allows the turf border top clamp to be closed upon the synthetic turf once the synthetic turf has been placed between the turf border top clamp and the turf border base.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the turf border top clamp, hinge, and turf border base are a one-piece design constructed from the same piece of material. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the material is a type of plastic. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the turf border top clamp, hinge, and turf border base are individual components. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the hinge allows the turf border top clamp to be swung open through a wide degree of arc relative to the turf border base. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the hinge is a limited movement hinge that allows for minimal movement between the turf border top clamp and the turf border base.