Synthetic support base for modular flooring

Abstract

A flooring system configured to accommodate sports play and other activities, wherein the flooring system comprises a support base having a synthetic component, such as a synthetic support structure, wherein the support base is configured to provide a support surface for receiving and supporting a flooring configuration. The support base may further comprise a filler material operable with the synthetic support component, wherein the synthetic support component is integrated into the filler material.

1 . A method for constructing a flooring system configured to accommodate sports play and other activities, said method comprising: 
 preparing a portion of ground to comprise a substantially flat subgrade;    situating a synthetic support structure about said ground to form a support base having a support surface of a generally planar configuration;    preparing said support base and said support surface; and    overlaying said flooring configuration on said support surface.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising anchoring said support structure to said ground in at least one location.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising relating at least a portion of said flooring configuration to at least a portion of said support base.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising situating an intermediate layer situated between said support surface and said flooring configuration, said intermediate layer being configured to facilitate a proper functioning relationship between said support base and said flooring configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 depositing a filler material about said synthetic support structure prior to overlaying said flooring configuration, thus integrating said support structure with said filler material;    compacting said filler material and said synthetic support structure to form said support base; and    preparing said filler material and said synthetic support structure to form said support surface, and to receive said flooring configuration.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising adding a binding agent to at least a portion of said filler material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising adding a soil solidifier to at least a portion of said filler material.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 removing said flooring configuration from said support surface;    removing said synthetic support structure from said ground;    relocating said synthetic support structure to a new location; and    repeating said steps of preparing, situating, leveling, and overlaying to construct said flooring system at said new location.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of preparing comprises leveling at least a portion of said support surface once formed.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of situating comprises interconnecting a plurality of synthetic support structure modules together to form said synthetic support structure.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of situating comprises: 
 obtaining a plurality of synthetic panels, each having at least one through slot formed therein;    aligning at least two slots from at least two different synthetic panels;    interconnecting said at least two synthetic different panels together by mating said at least two slots from said at least two different synthetic panels, said interconnecting forming a three-dimensional layout;    repeating said steps of aligning and mating as often as necessary to construct said synthetic support structure.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said obtaining comprises: 
 obtaining said synthetic panels in a bundled package configured to be unpackaged on site; and    unpackaging said synthetic panels on site to perform said steps of aligning, interconnecting, and repeating.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling said support base to an adjacent structure selected from the group consisting of an adjacent synthetic support base, a building structure, a retaining wall, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operably associating one or more reinforcing means with said support base to increase the overall strength of said support base.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of overlaying comprises interconnecting a plurality of modular synthetic floor tiles together to form said flooring configuration.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring said support base to receive and absorb all or a portion of a load as distributed from and acting on said flooring configuration, said flooring configuration thus transferring said load, said support base operating with said flooring configuration to provide said flooring system with an increased impact absorbing capacity.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a specific type of synthetic support structure to operate with a specific flooring configuration to provide a desired ratio of distributed shock absorption between said flooring configuration and said support base.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising extending said flooring system a distance by tying said synthetic support structure into a second support structure, and repeating said step of preparing to form an extended support base, and said step of overlaying to extend said flooring configuration, said second support structure being selected from the group consisting of an existing concrete slab, an existing asphalt slab, an existing synthetic support base, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       19 . A method for constructing a flooring system configured to accommodate sports play and other activities, said method comprising: 
 locating a portion of ground;    preparing said portion of ground to comprise a soil composition having suitable friability;    applying a synthetic soil solidifier to said soil composition;    preparing said soil composition containing said soil solidifier to form a support base having a support surface of a generally planar configuration;    curing said support base to cause said soil solidifier to bond with said soil; and    overlaying said flooring configuration on said support surface.    
   
   
       20 . A flooring system configured to accommodate sports play and other activities, said flooring system comprising: 
 a support base configured to receive and support a flooring configuration, said support base comprising a synthetic support structure situated about a prepared portion of ground, said support base being configured to provide a support surface having a generally planar configuration; and    a flooring configuration disposed about said support surface of said support base.    
   
   
       21 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , wherein said synthetic support structure comprises a plurality of synthetic panels interconnected together to form a three-dimensional layout, said synthetic panels each having at least one through slot formed therein configured to be aligned and mated with a through slot of a different synthetic panel to form said synthetic support structure.  
   
   
       22 . The flooring system of  claim 21 , wherein said through slot extends laterally from an edge of said synthetic panel, partially through said synthetic panel.  
   
   
       23 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , further comprising a filler material operable with said synthetic support structure to form said support surface, said filler material being selected from the group consisting of rocks, gravel, loose soil or dirt, sand, rubber, CHAT, baseball mix, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       24 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , further comprising means for securing said synthetic support structure to said ground.  
   
   
       25 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , further comprising an intermediate layer situated between said support surface and said flooring configuration, said intermediate layer being configured to facilitate a proper functioning relationship between said support base and said flooring configuration.  
   
   
       26 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein said intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of a solid, a synthetic panel, and a geotextile fabric pervious to water drainage.  
   
   
       27 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , wherein said portion of ground is prepared to comprises a suitable subgrade.  
   
   
       28 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , wherein said synthetic support structure comprises: 
 an upper surface being configured to facilitate formation of said support surface;    a lower surface opposite said upper surface and being configured to be positioned adjacent said portion of ground; and    means for supporting said first and second surfaces in a spaced apart orientation with respect to one another.    
   
   
       29 . The flooring system of  claim 28 , wherein said upper and lower surfaces comprise a series of apertures formed therein to facilitate water drainage.  
   
   
       30 . The flooring system of  claim 28 , wherein said synthetic support structure comprises a plurality of individual, support structure modules fittable together to form an assembled support structure.  
   
   
       31 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , wherein said upper surface is configured to function as said support surface.  
   
   
       32 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , wherein said means for supporting comprises a plurality of extension members extending between said upper and lower surfaces, and defining a plurality of apertures therethrough.  
   
   
       33 . The flooring system of  claim 20 , further comprising a flexible membrane disposed about said lower surface and configured to stabilize said support structure and to facilitate water drainage.  
   
   
       34 . A sports flooring system comprising: 
 a support base configured to receive and support a flooring configuration, said support base comprising a synthetic support structure situated about a portion of ground and configured to receive and absorb a force acting thereon, said support base being configured to provide a support surface having a generally planar configuration;    a flooring configuration disposed about said support surface of said support base, said flooring configuration being configured to receive and absorb a force acting thereon; and    a force transfer element for transferring at least a portion of said force acting on said flooring configuration to said support base, said flooring configuration operable with said support base to absorb shock by distributing loads acting within said flooring system.    
   
   
       35 . The sports flooring system of  claim 34 , wherein said force transfer element comprises a mechanical interface existing between said flooring configuration and said support base.