Pre-Cut Synthetic Turf Grids

Abstract

My invention modifies synthetic turf in its traditional solid roll turf form for distribution and sale by adding a manual or machine design cutting process to change the overall look and shape of the finished turf material offering a new and improved method of design and application allowing seamless integration and use with other materials for hardscape installations.

1 ) A synthetic turf system configured for placement atop a supporting sub-base, said synthetic turf system configured to simulate an elongate walkway, and comprising:
 A) an elongate turf layer configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form such as by rolling or folding and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling or unfolding when in said placement atop said supporting surface, said elongate turf layer itself comprising:
 1) an elongate substantially planar backing layer having an upper side and a lower side, said lower side configured for placement atop said supporting sub-base; and 
 2) a plurality of elongate turf fibers, 
 wherein each of said elongate turf fibers has one end attached proximate said elongate substantially planar backing layer, and each fiber also has a free end extending from said upper side of said elongate substantially planar backing layer, such that said elongate turf fibers extend in a generally coparallel manner such that they and said elongate substantially planar backing layer combine to simulate said elongate turf layer, 
   wherein said elongate turf layer defines a plurality of cut-out voids extending completely through said elongate turf layer,   B) a plurality of elements each configured to be placed into a corresponding one of said plurality of cut-out voids and atop said supporting sub-base, such that said turf layer combines with said plurality of elements to provide a finished product simulating an elongate walkway.   
     
     
         2 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elongate turf layer in subsection “A” is configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form by rolling and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling. 
     
     
         3 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said cut-out voids are arranged in a recognizable repeating pattern. 
     
     
         4 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cut-out voids are arranged in a recognizable repeating pattern. 
     
     
         5 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elongate turf layer in subsection “A” replicates the look of grass. 
     
     
         6 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elongate turf layer in subsection “A” is tufted polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 ) The synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of elements in subsection “B” are pavers, stones, bricks, tiles, or wood members. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system configured for placement atop a supporting sub-base, said method comprising
 A) providing an elongate turf layer configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form such as by rolling or folding and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling or unfolding when in said placement atop said supporting surface, said elongate turf layer itself comprising:
 1) an elongate substantially planar backing layer having an upper side and a lower side, said lower side configured for placement atop said supporting sub-base; and 
 2) a plurality of elongate turf fibers, 
 wherein each of said elongate turf fibers has one end attached proximate said elongate substantially planar backing layer, and each fiber also has a free end extending from said upper side of said elongate substantially planar backing layer, such that said elongate turf fibers extend in a generally coparallel manner such that they and said elongate substantially planar backing layer combine to simulate said elongate turf layer, 
   wherein said elongate turf layer defines a plurality of cut-out voids extending completely through said elongate turf layer,   B) providing a plurality of elements each configured to be placed into a corresponding one of said plurality of cut-out voids and atop said supporting sub-base, such that said turf layer combines with said plurality of elements to provide a finished product simulating an elongate walkway.   
     
     
         9 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” is configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form by rolling and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said cut-out voids are provided to be arranged in a recognizable repeating pattern. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said cut-out voids are provided to be arranged in a recognizable repeating pattern. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” replicates the look of grass. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” is tufted polypropylene. 
     
     
         14 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of elements provided in subsection “B” are pavers, stones, bricks, tiles, or wood members. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing a synthetic turf system atop a supporting sub-base, said method comprising
 A) providing an elongate turf layer configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form such as by rolling or folding and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling or unfolding when in said placement atop said supporting surface, said elongate turf layer itself comprising:
 1) an elongate substantially planar backing layer having an upper side and a lower side, said lower side configured for placement atop said supporting sub-base; and 
 2) a plurality of elongate turf fibers, 
 wherein each of said elongate turf fibers has one end attached proximate said elongate substantially planar backing layer, and each fiber also has a free end extending from said upper side of said elongate substantially planar backing layer, such that said elongate turf fibers extend in a generally coparallel manner such that they and said elongate substantially planar backing layer combine to simulate said elongate turf layer, 
   wherein said elongate turf layer defines a plurality of cut-out voids extending completely through said elongate turf layer,   B) providing a plurality of elements each configured to be placed into a corresponding one of said plurality of cut-out voids and atop said supporting sub-base, such that said turf layer combines with said plurality of elements;   C) manipulating said elongate turf layer into an installed form such as by unrolling or unfolding said turf layer such that it is laid in a single thickness atop said supporting sub-base; and   D) placing each of said plurality of elements into a corresponding one of said plurality of cut-out voids and atop said supporting sub-base, to provide a finished product simulating an elongate walkway.   
     
     
         16 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” is configured to be manipulated into an uninstalled form by rolling and also configured to be manipulated into an installed form such as by unrolling. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said cut-out voids are provided to be arranged in a recognizable repeating pattern. 
     
     
         18 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” replicates the look of grass. 
     
     
         19 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said elongate turf layer provided in subsection “A” is tufted polypropylene. 
     
     
         20 ) The method of manufacturing a synthetic turf system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of elements provided in subsection “B” are pavers, stones, bricks, tiles, or wood members.