Modular turf sports field and appurtenant assemblies, equipment and methods

Abstract

A turf sports field with a plurality of turf modules ( 100 ) having an upper turf surface and peripheral turf edges ( 5 ). The turf modules are deployed by means of a remotely operated or autonomously operated lifting and transport vehicle ( 103 ), which is provided with a lifting arrangement. When installed, the turf modules ( 100 ) are positioned adjacent previously installed turf modules, with a tolerance gap ( 105 ) between adjacently positioned turf edges ( 5 ) of different turf modules.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A turf sports field system comprising:
 a turf sports field constituted at least in part of a plurality of turf modules with peripheral turf edges;   gone or more remotely operated or autonomously operated lifting and transport vehicles that are configured to lift and move the turf modules;   wherein when the turf modules are in installed positions, the positions of the turf edges of respective turf modules are adjacent turf edges of adjacent turf modules; and   wherein there is a tolerance gap between the adjacent turf edges.   
     
     
         7 . The turf sports field system according to  claim 6 , wherein the tolerance gap is between 0.5 and 30 millimeters, and wherein gaps between facing turf edges are configured to be closed by creeping of the turf edges towards each other. 
     
     
         8 . The turf sports field system according to  claim 6 , wherein the turf field sports system further comprises a turf edge resetting assembly configured to reset turf edges towards a template shape. 
     
     
         9 . The turf sports field system according to  claim 6 , wherein the turf field sports system further comprises a positioning system configured to deliver turf module position information of a turf module being lifted and moved by the remotely operated or autonomously operated lifting and transport vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The turf sports field system according to  claim 9 , further comprising position indication elements arranged on the turf modules. 
     
     
         11 . A turf edge resetting assembly comprising:
 a turf edge resetting means; and   wherein the turf edge resetting means comprises a turf edge resetting profile.   
     
     
         12 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the turf edge resetting means is in the form of turf edge resetting plates which are configured to be moved with an actuation device, into and out from engagement with the turf edge. 
     
     
         13 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the turf edge resetting assembly further comprises turf edge resetting plates on four sides of a turf module receiving area. 
     
     
         14 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the turf edge resetting means comprises a turf edge resetting roll, which is configured to roll along the direction of the turf edge, while exerting a force onto the turf edge. 
     
     
         15 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one turf edge resetting roll is arranged on opposite sides of a turf module receiving area. 
     
     
         16 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the axis of rotation of the turf edge resetting roll or rolls is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. 
     
     
         17 . The turf edge resetting assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein a set of turf edge resetting rolls are arranged along one line, configured for resetting one turf edge of a turf module, and wherein succeeding turf edge resetting rolls of one such set have axis of rotation with different angles. 
     
     
         18 . A method of method of resetting one or more turf edges of a turf module, the method comprising:
 i) moving a turf module into a module receiving area of a turf edge resetting assembly;   ii) forcing a turf edge resetting profile against a turf edge; and   iii) removing the turf module from the module receiving area.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , the method comprising moving a turf module through a turf edge resetting assembly provided with turf edge resetting rolls, so that one or more turf edges of a turf module pass and engage one or more turf edge resetting rolls. 
     
     
         20 . A turf module assembling system comprising:
 a plurality of movable support bases with rigid wall portions and configured to carry a soil layer in a position horizontally between the rigid wall portions; and   a turf module assembling station comprising a turf module receiving area and a plurality of turf edge template walls peripherally arranged around the turf module receiving area, wherein the turf edge template walls extend vertically up beyond the rigid wall portions when a movable support base is positioned in the turf module receiving area.   
     
     
         21 . The turf module assembling system according to  claim 20 , wherein the turf module assembling station comprises a removable level beam configured to elevate the effective height of the turf edge template wall. 
     
     
         22 . A movable turf module having a turf edge of a turf layer, wherein the turf layer has a turf reinforcement layer arranged on top of a lower soil layer, wherein the turf reinforcement layer comprises a mat up from which a plurality of synthetic fibers extend, wherein an upper soil layer is positioned above the mat, and wherein an exposed root zone of the turf edge is confined to the upper soil layer, as natural turf is arranged in the upper soil layer. 
     
     
         23 . A removable turf edge support arrangement, which comprises
 a main body;   a plurality of support fingers;   a plurality of anchoring pins; and   
       wherein the plurality of support fingers are arranged with a distance from the plurality of anchoring pins, and wherein the main body has an upper portion with apertures that are configured to let light pass through. 
     
     
         24 . A flexible root barrier sheet comprising an external face and an internal face, wherein the external face has a more smooth surface than the internal face, and wherein the internal face has a more porous surface than the external face, and wherein the internal face is configured to receive turf roots into a surface thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A flexible root barrier sheet arranged along the turf edge of a movable turf module, comprising fringed upper portion with upwardly extending flaps. 
     
     
         26 . A composite elongated turf edge element comprising an elongated root barrier sheet joined to an elongated water absorbing layer, wherein the root barrier sheet and the water absorbing layer are fixed together via an attachment means, such as an adhesive or a weld.