Synthetic Turf Seaming with Adhesive Mesh Components

Abstract

Novel adhesive scrim and application methods using polyurethane and polyurea adhesives are provided for joining segments of artificial turf.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mesh of fiberglass textile having weft and warp oriented strands of filaments less than 1/25 th  inch in diameter and a pick count of between four and eight, wherein the face of the mesh has pressure sensitive adhesive applied along the longitudinal edges of the mesh, spaced inward from the longitudinal edges by at least 0.25 inches, the pressure sensitive adhesive having a width of about 0.25 to 0.5 inches and a thickness of about 0.125 inches, and a peel away front sheet covering the pressure sensitive adhesive before use. 
     
     
         2 . The mesh of  claim 1  further comprising a central pressure sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         3 . The mesh of  claim 2  further comprising a center marker in the central pressure sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         4 . The mesh of  claim 3  wherein the center marker is a colored yarn. 
     
     
         5 . The mesh of  claim 1  having a peel away tack strength of at least 30 ounces per inch. 
     
     
         6 . The mesh of  claim 1  provided in a roll. 
     
     
         7 . The mesh of  claim 1  provided in a segment between 5 and 12 inches in length. 
     
     
         8 . The mesh of  claim 1  provided in a width of between 3 and 10 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The mesh of  claim 2  wherein the central pressure sensitive adhesive strip has a width of between 0.5 and 1.0 inches and a thickness of about 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The mesh of  claim 1  used to join first and second sections of artificial turf. 
     
     
         11 . An inlay comprising a first artificial turf segment having a first curved edge contour and a second artificial turf segment having a second curved edge contour that matches the first edge contour and is positioned proximate thereto, each artificial turf segment having a top surface with upstanding filament material and an opposite bottom surface, an open mesh scrim having a pressure sensitive adhesive along its left edge attaching the scrim to the bottom surface of the first artificial turf segment and a pressure sensitive adhesive along its right edge attaching the scrim to the bottom surface of the second artificial turf segment, and a pressure sensitive adhesive along the center of the scrim joining the first and second edges. 
     
     
         12 . The inlay of  claim 11  wherein the scrim has a width of between about 3 to 10 inches and is woven with weft and warp oriented strands with between about 4 and 8 picks per inch. 
     
     
         13 . The inlay of  claim 11  wherein the scrim is a fiberglass textile. 
     
     
         14 . The inlay of  claim 11  wherein the polyurethane or polyurea encasing a central portion of the scrim has a thickness of less than 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The inlay of  claim 11  wherein the polyurethane or polyurea encasing a central portion of the scrim has a hardness of less than 70 durometer. 
     
     
         16 . The inlay of  claim 11  wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive along the center of the scrim has a center marker.