Apparatus, systems, and methods for turf trim strip

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a turf trim strip. The apparatus includes a first panel having first top and bottom surfaces, first and second edges, and first and second ends and a second panel having a second top and bottom surfaces, third and fourth edges, and third and fourth ends. The second top surface is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first top surface and the second edge is adjacent to the third edge. The apparatus includes a plurality of turf tabs that have a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface and a second position that is at an acute angle with respect to the first top surface. In the second position, the plurality of turf tabs extends towards the second top surface and may secure turf to the strip. A plurality of wall tabs may be used with fasteners to connect the apparatus to a wall.

Field of the Disclosure

The embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for a turf trim strip that may be used to secure turf. The turf may be used on various fields, which may be, but is not limited to, a soccer field.

BACKGROUND

Description of the Related Art

It may be important to have local sporting fields to permit individuals to exercise, engage in sporting contests, and/or engage in various outdoor activities. Sporting fields may use turf instead of grass. The turf is stretched to the edges of the fields, but over time may develop wrinkles and/or may move away from the perimeter of the field. Other disadvantages may exist.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for a turf trim strip that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages discussed above. The turf trim strip may be used with, but is not limited to, a soccer field. The tuft trim strip may be connectable to walls of a modular field.

One embodiment of the disclosure is an apparatus having a first panel and a second panel. The first panel having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. The second panel having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a third edge, a fourth edge, a third end, and a fourth end. The second top surface of the second panel is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first top surface of the first panel and the second edge of the first panel is adjacent to the third edge of the second panel. The apparatus includes a plurality of turf tabs along the first panel, the plurality of turf tabs being positioned between the first and second edges and between the first and second ends of the first panel. The plurality of turf tabs having a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface of the first panel and a second position that is at an acute angle with respect to the first top surface of the first panel. In the second position, the plurality of turf tabs extends away from the first top surface of the first panel and toward the second panel. The acute angle may be between approximately 10 degrees and 60 degrees. The acute angle may be between 30 degrees and 45 degrees.

The first and second edges of the apparatus may have a first length and the first and second ends may have a second length with the second length being less than the first length. The third and fourth edges of the apparatus may have the first length and the third and fourth ends of the apparatus may have a third length with the third length being less than the second length. The second edge of the first panel may be connected to the third edge of the second panel. The apparatus may include a bend, the bend forming the second edge of the first panel and the third edge of the second panel.

Each turf tab of the plurality of turf tabs of the apparatus may include a plurality of teeth. The apparatus may include a plurality of wall tabs, each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs includes a slot. The slot of each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs may be formed in both the first panel and the second panel. The plurality of wall tabs may have an initial position and a bent position. In the initial position, a first portion of each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs may be substantially parallel to the second panel and a second portion of each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs may be substantially parallel to the first panel. In the bent position, the second portion of each wall tab may be substantially perpendicular to the first bottom surface of the first panel and may extend away from the first bottom surface of the first panel. Each turf tab of the plurality of turf tabs may include two elongated openings formed in the first panel.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a system having a first panel, a second panel, a portion of turf, and a plurality of turf tabs. The first panel includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. The second panel includes a second top surface, a second bottom surface, third edge, a fourth edge, a third end, and a fourth end, wherein the second top surface of the second panel is oriented perpendicular to the first top surface of the first panel and the second edge of the first panel is adjacent to the third edge of the second panel. The plurality of turf tabs are along the first panel. The plurality of turf tabs are positioned between the first and second edges and between the first and second ends of the first panel. The plurality of turf tabs have a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface of the first panel and a second position that is at an acute angle with respect to the first top surface of the first panel. The plurality of turf tabs extend away from the first top surface of the first panel in the second position and secure the portion of turf to the first panel.

The system may include a portion of a pad layer. The first panel may be positioned between the portion of the pad layer and the portion of the turf. The system may include a first plurality of fasteners that secure the portion of the turf to the first panel. The first panel and the second panel may be a unitary member. The system may include a plurality of wall tabs positioned between the first and second ends of the first panel and between the third and fourth ends of the second panel. Each wall tab may include a slot. The slot of each wall tab may be formed in both the first panel and the second panel. The system may include a wall portion. The wall portion may be connected to the second panel via a second plurality of fasteners. Each fastener of the second plurality of fasteners may be positioned through a respective one of the slots of the plurality of wall tabs. Each turf tab may include a plurality of teeth.

One embodiment of the disclosure is a method. The method comprises cutting a plurality of turf tabs into a member. The method includes cutting a plurality of wall tabs into the member. The method includes cutting a slot in each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs. The method includes bending the member to form a first panel and a second panel.

The first panel includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. The second panel includes a second top surface, a second bottom surface, third edge, a fourth edge, a third end, and a fourth end. The second top surface of the second panel is oriented perpendicular to the first top surface of the first panel and the second edge of the first panel is adjacent to the third edge of the second panel. The plurality of turf tabs have a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface of the first panel and a second position that is at an acute angle with respect to the first top surface of the first panel. A first portion of each slot is in the first panel and a second portion of each slot is in the second panel. The plurality of wall tabs have an initial position and a bent position. In the initial position, a first portion of each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs is substantially parallel to the second panel and a second portion of each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs is substantially parallel to the first panel. In the bent position, the second portion of each wall tab is substantially perpendicular to the first bottom surface of the first panel and extends away from the first bottom surface of the first panel.

The method may include cutting teeth and two adjacent elongated openings for each turf tab of the plurality of turf tabs. The method may include using a laser cutter to cut the plurality of turf tabs, cut the plurality of wall tabs, and cut the slot in each of the wall tabs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus100, also referred to herein as a turf trim strip. The apparatus100includes a first panel110and a second panel120. The first panel110has a first top surface111, a first bottom surface112, a first edge113, a second edge114, a first end115, and a second end116. The second panel120includes a second top surface121, a second bottom surface122, a third edge123, a fourth edge124, a third end125, and a fourth end126.

The second top surface121of the second panel120is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first top surface111of the first panel110. The second edge114of the first panel110is adjacent to the third edge123of the second panel120. The second edge114of the first panel110and the third edge123of the second panel120may be formed by a bend150between the panels110,120. In other words, the first and second panels110,120may be comprised of a unitary member and may be formed by bending the unitary member to form the first and second panels110,120as well as the second edge114and the third edge123. Alternatively, the first and second panels110,120may be separate members that are connected together along the second edge114and the third edge123as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The apparatus100includes a plurality of turf tabs130along the first panel110. The plurality of turf tabs130are positioned between the first and second edges113,114and between the first and second ends115,116of the first panel110. The plurality of turf tabs130having a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface111of the first panel110as shown inFIG.1. The plurality of turf tabs130have a second position (shown inFIGS.2-5) that is at an acute angle133(best shown inFIG.5) with respect to the first top surface111of the first panel110. In the second position, the plurality of turf tabs130extends away from the first top surface111of the first panel110. The turf tabs130in the second position may be used to secure turf used in a playing field. Turf may be stretched from wall to wall on a field. Over time, the turf may tend to contract and move away from the exterior walls. The turf tabs130of the apparatus100may be used to secure the turf when in the second position.

The first and second edges113,114of the apparatus100have a first length117and the first and second ends115,116have a second length118. The second length118is less than the first length117. The third and fourth edges123,124of the apparatus100may also have the first length117or may a length less than the first length117. The third and fourth ends125,126of the apparatus100have a third length127with the third length127being less than the second length118.

Each turf tab130includes a plurality of teeth131. The teeth131may be used to secure a portion of turf. The configuration of the teeth131are shown for illustrative purposes and may be varied as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the number, shape, configuration and/or location of the teeth131may be varied. Other shapes may be used in connected with the turf tab130to secure turf to the apparatus100. The turf tabs130in the first panel110may include two elongated openings132through the first panel110adjacent to the teeth131. The elongated openings132are configured to aid in bending the turf tabs130from the first position (shown inFIG.1) to the second position (shown inFIG.2). The size, shape, number, and/or configuration of the elongated openings132may be varied as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The apparatus100includes a plurality of wall tabs140. Each wall tab140includes a slot141. The slot141of each wall tab140is formed in both the first panel110and the second panel120. The wall tabs140have an initial position (shown inFIG.1) and a bent position (shown inFIG.5). In the initial position, a first portion140A of each wall tab140is substantially parallel to the second panel120and a second portion140B of each wall tab140is substantially parallel to the first panel110. In the bent position (shown inFIG.5), the second portion140B of each wall tab140is substantially perpendicular to the first bottom surface112of the first panel110and may extend away from the first bottom surface112of the first panel110. A fastener may be inserted into the slot141of the wall tab140to secure the apparatus100to a wall as discussed herein. The wall tab140in the bent position enables a fastener to be inserted into the slot141below the first panel110if needed due to the thickness of a pad layer as discussed herein.

FIGS.2-4show an embodiment of a system500of the present disclosure. The system includes a turf trim strip100that includes first panel110, a second panel120, and a plurality of turf tabs130A,130B, and130C (collectively130). The turf trim strip100also includes a one or more wall tabs140. The system500includes at least a portion of turf400(shown inFIGS.3and4), at least a portion of a pad layer200, and one or more walls300.

The first panel110of the turf trim strip100includes a first top surface111, a first bottom surface112(shown inFIG.1), a first edge113, a second edge114, a first end115(shown inFIG.1), and a second end116(shown inFIG.1). The second panel120includes a second top surface121, a second bottom surface122(shown inFIG.1), third edge123, a fourth edge124, a third end125(shown inFIG.1), and a fourth end126(shown inFIG.1). The second top surface121of the second panel122is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first top surface111of the first panel110. The second edge114of the first panel110is adjacent to the third edge123of the second panel120. As discussed herein, the first and second panels110,120may be formed by bending a unitary member to create the first and second panels110,120.

The turf trim strip100includes a plurality of turf tabs130along the first panel110. The plurality of turf tabs130are positioned between the first and second edges113,114and between the first and second ends115,116of the first panel110. The plurality of turf tabs130have a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface111of the first panel110and a second position that is at an acute angle133with respect to the first top surface111of the first panel110. As used herein, the acute angle133is an angle that is less than 90 degrees and more than 0 degrees measured between the first top surface111of the first panel110and the bottom surface of the turf tab130. In one embodiment, the acute angle133is between 30 and 45 degrees. In another embodiment, the acute angle133is between approximately 10 and approximately 60 degrees. The plurality of turf tabs130extend away from the first top surface111of the first panel110and toward the second panel120in the second position and may be used to secure the portion of turf400to the first panel110. The turf tabs130om the second position may prevent the turf400from pulling or moving away from the wall300. Turf tab130A is shown in the first position and turf tabs130B,130C are shown in the second position. The teeth131of turf tabs130B,130C are extended away from the first panel110and may be used to secure the turf400.

The system500include a portion of a pad layer200. The pad layer200is used to provide cushion to the playing field as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The first panel110of the turf trim strip100is positioned between the portion of the pad layer200and the portion of the turf400. The system500includes a first plurality of fasteners401(shown inFIG.4) that secure the portion of the turf400to the first panel110of the turf trim strip100. As discussed herein, the turf tabs130may be used to prevent the turf400from contracting away from the wall300, which is connected to the turf trim strip100as discussed herein. In addition, the plurality of fasteners401may be used to also secure the turf400to the turf trim strip100. The fasteners may be screwed down through the turf400and into the first panel110, which may be made of aluminum or the like. The plurality of fasteners401are shown for illustrative purposes and may be varied as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the size, shape, location, number, and/or configuration may be varied.

The turf trim strip100includes a plurality of wall tabs140positioned between the first and second ends115,116of the first panel110and between the third and fourth ends125,126of the second panel120. Each wall tab140includes a slot141. The slot141of each wall tab140is formed in both the first panel110and the second panel120. A wall300of the system500is connected to the second panel120of the turf trim strip via a second plurality of fasteners142. Each fastener142of the second plurality of fasteners142is positioned through a respective one of the slots141of the plurality of wall tabs140.

As the thickness of the padding layer200may vary depending on the application, it may be necessary to connect the wall300to the turf trim strip100below the first panel110rather than above the first panel110. The wall tabs140are configured to have an initial position (shown inFIG.2) and a bent position (shown inFIG.5).FIG.2shows a fastener142inserted through the slot141of the wall tab140above the first panel110of the turf trim strip100. In this instance, the wall tab140remains in the initial position. However, it may be necessary to bend the wall tab140to the bent position so that a fastener142may be inserted through the slot141below the first panel110as shown inFIG.5. The elongated slot141enables the turf trim strip100to be used to connect to a wall300of a playing field having various thickness of padding layer200.

FIG.4shows a portion of turf400being positioned against the wall300and turf trim strip100of a system500. The turf tab130has been bent to the second position to secure the turf400in place adjacent to the wall300.FIG.5shows a portion of turf400in place on the turf trim strip100against the wall300. In addition to the turf tabs130, a second plurality of fasteners401secure the turf400to the turf trim strip100, which is connected to the wall300via fasteners142through slots141in the wall tabs140.

FIG.5shows a closeup view of a portion of the turf trim strip100.FIG.5shows a turf tab130in the second position with the teeth131extending away from the first top surface111of the first panel110.FIG.5also shows a wall tab140in the bent position. The second portion140B of the wall tab140has been bent downward so that the second portion140B of the wall tab140is substantially parallel with the second panel120and extends away from the first bottom surface112of the first panel110. In this configuration, the slot141extends both above and below the first panel110and enables a fastener (not shown inFIG.5) to be inserted into the slot141at various heights include below the first panel110.

FIG.6is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method600of the present disclosure. The method600includes cutting a plurality of turf tabs into a member, at610. The method600includes cutting a plurality of wall tabs into the member, at620. The method600includes cutting a slot in each wall tab of the plurality of wall tabs, at630. The method600includes bending the member to form a first panel and a second panel, at640. The method600may include cutting teeth and two adjacent elongated openings, at615.

As discussed above, the first panel includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. The second panel includes a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a third edge, a fourth edge, a third end, and a fourth end. The second top surface of the second panel is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first top surface of the first panel.

The second edge of the first panel is adjacent to the third edge of the second panel. The plurality of turf tabs have a first position substantially parallel to the first top surface of the first panel. The plurality of turf tabs have a second position that is at an acute angle with respect to the first top surface of the first panel. In the second position, the plurality of turf tabs extends away from the first top surface of the first panel. The turf tabs in the second position may be used to secure turf used in a playing field.

The slot of each wall tab is formed in both the first panel and the second panel. The wall tabs have an initial position and a bent position. In the initial position, a first portion of each wall tab is substantially parallel to the second panel and a second portion of each wall tab is substantially parallel to the first panel. In the bent position, the second portion of each wall tab is substantially perpendicular to the first bottom surface of the first panel extends away from the first bottom surface of the first panel. A fastener may be inserted into the slot of the wall tab to secure the member to a wall.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.