Playing Surface

Abstract

A playing surface comprising a supportive base layer, an intermediate layer such as a foam layer, and a surface layer, wherein the base layer is configured to provide the playing surface with a first predetermined amount of stability and the intermediate layer, e.g. foam layer, is configured to provide the playing surface with an additional, second predetermined amount of stability, the intermediate layer, e.g. foam layer, being further configured to conform to a required performance standard. And a method of constructing a playing surface.

1 . A playing surface comprising a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer, wherein the base layer is configured to provide the playing surface with a first predetermined amount of stability and the intermediate layer is configured to provide the playing surface with an additional, second predetermined amount of stability, the intermediate layer being further configured to conform to a required performance standard. 
     
     
         2 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises one or more energy dissipating formations, optionally wherein the energy dissipating formations are configured to dissipate energy of an impact on the playing surface through deformation. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The playing surface of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a plurality of downwardly extending energy dissipating projections, optionally wherein at least two of the plurality of projections have a height of at least approximately 10 mm, and optionally, the majority or all of the plurality of projections have a height of at least approximately 10 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a plurality of tiles, optionally wherein the plurality of tiles comprise a plurality of interlockable tiles, each tile having formations for cooperating with formations on the other tiles for interlocking the tiles together. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a top surface that contacts the surface layer, the top surface of the foam layer being configured to provide high frictional resistance to the relative movement between the top surface and surface layer, optionally wherein the top surface of the intermediate layer is rough, uneven, or irregular. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the surface layer is or comprises a layer of artificial turf. 
     
     
         10 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises or consists essentially of a foam layer, optionally wherein the foam layer is formed of or comprises expanded polypropylene, and further optionally wherein the density of the foam layer is at least approximately 30 grams per litre, and more optionally, the density of the foam layer is approximately 30 to 60 grams per litre. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of approximately 40 mm to 65 mm. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the supportive base layer comprises clean stone or dusty stones or a combination of both. 
     
     
         16 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is approximately 150 mm thick. 
     
     
         17 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer further comprises one or more holes extending from the top surface to a bottom surface of the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         18 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , further comprising an impervious layer between the intermediate layer and the base layer, optionally wherein the impervious layer is formed of or comprises an impermeable membrane, optionally wherein the impervious layer is configured to direct liquid to a preferred edge, edges or portion(s) thereof of the intermediate layer, optionally further comprising a drainage means or drainage system configured to collect fluid from the surface of the impervious layer, optionally wherein the playing surface is configured such that the playing surface has a horizontal drainage flow capacity of 0.4 litres per metre per second or more. 
     
     
         19 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of constructing a playing surface comprising the steps of:
 partially filling a vacant space to form a base layer;   placing an intermediate layer above the base layer; and   placing a surface layer above the foam layer;   wherein the base layer is configured to provide the playing surface with a first predetermined amount of stability and the intermediate layer is configured to provide the playing surface with a second predetermined amount of stability, and the intermediate layer being further configured to conform to a required performance standard.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of excavating the layer of soil to form the vacant space. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the vacant space has a depth of no more than 300 mm. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the foam layer comprises one or more energy dissipating formations, optionally wherein the energy dissipating formations are configured to dissipate energy of an impact on the playing surface through deformation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises or consists essentially of a foam layer, optionally wherein placing the intermediate layer comprises placing a plurality of foam tiles on top of the base layer, each tile comprising one or more energy dissipating formations, optionally wherein the energy dissipating formations are configured to dissipate energy of an impact on the playing surface through deformation. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein partially filling the vacant space comprises partially filling the vacant space with stones, wherein the stones may be clean stones or dusty stones or a combination of both. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of placing an impervious layer between the base layer and the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of providing a drainage means or drainage system to collect fluid from the surface of the impervious layer.