Patent ID: 8236392
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: D10B,E01C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A turf underlayment layer configured to support an artificial turf assembly, the turf underlayment layer having panels including edges configured to interlock with the edges of adjacent panels to form a plurality of vertical interlocking connections capable of substantially preventing relative vertical movement of one panel with respect to an adjacent connected panel, where the panels are made from a plurality of beads bonded together to produce a substantially water-impervious surface, where the plurality of vertical interlocking connections have alternating top side and bottom side flaps along the edge, the alternating flaps substantially allowing horizontal thermal expansion and further substantially restricting non-thermally generated relative horizontal movement of one panel with respect to an adjacent connected panel, and where the edges include cooperating projections and grooves on the top side flaps and the bottom side flaps forming the interlocking connection between two adjacent panels, and where at least one of the cooperating projections is a protruding dovetail on one of the top side flap and bottom side flap that is configured to engage a cooperating recessed dovetail on a corresponding mating flap.