Surface structure for athletic fields

Abstract

A surface structure for athletic fields capable of performing a drainage function and a shock-absorbing function at the same time is disclosed. The surface structure for athletic fields includes an underdrain ( 100 ) to drain groundwater and penetrating water to a sewer, a freezing prevention layer ( 200 ) to prevent the athletic field from freezing during the winter season, and a pebbled subsurface layer ( 300 ) spread on the upper surface of the freezing prevention layer ( 200 ). The surface structure further includes a shock-absorbing and drainage layer ( 400 ) placed on the upper surface of the subsurface layer ( 300 ) to drain rainwater and irrigation water and perform a shock-absorbing function to protect players.

1 . A surface structure for an athletic field, comprising: 
 (a) an underdrain to drain water to a sewer;    (b) a freezing prevention layer to prevent an athletic field from freezing during a winter season, said freezing layer having an upper surface;    (c) a pebbled subsurface layer spread on the upper surface of the freezing prevention layer; and    (d) a shock-absorbing and drainage layer placed on the subsurface layer that is adapted to drain rainwater and irrigation water and that provides a shock-absorbing surface to protect players on said athletic field.    
   
   
       2 . The surface structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the shock-absorbing and drainage layer comprises: 
 a lower plate placed on an upper surface of the subsurface layer to drain the rainwater and the irrigation water;    a plurality of lower support columns provided on an upper surface of the lower plate and being spaced out at regular intervals, with a bore having a predetermined length formed through a center of each of the lower support columns to contain a shock-absorbing member therein, the shock-absorbing member contained in the bore of each of the lower support columns adapted to absorb shocks when a player applies pressure thereto;    a plurality of longitudinal lower reinforcing ribs having a predetermined length and protruding upwards on the upper surface of the lower plate at positions between the lower support columns, said ribs supporting the lower plate and guiding water drained from a plurality of drainage holes of the upper plates, the upper plate being placed above the upper surface of the lower plate;    a plurality of water guide grooves having a predetermined length formed on an upper surface of the upper plate to define a lattice pattern that guide the rainwater and the irrigation water to drainage holes to allows water to drain smoothly, the drainage holes formed through the upper plate at positions along the water guide grooves and being spaced out at regular intervals;    a plurality of upper support columns provided on a lower surface of the upper plate and being spaced out at regular intervals, with a bore having a predetermined length formed through a center of each of the upper support columns to receive therein each of the lower support columns containing the shock-absorbing member; and    a plurality of longitudinal upper reinforcing ribs having a predetermined length and protruding downwards on the lower surface of the upper plate at positions between the upper support columns.    
   
   
       3 . The surface structure for athletic fields according to  claim 2 , wherein the shock-absorbing members contained in the bores of the lower support columns have different heights.  
   
   
       4 . The surface structure for athletic fields according to  claim 2 , wherein the bore of each of the upper support columns has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of each of the lower support columns, so that the lower support columns are inserted into the bores of the upper support columns.  
   
   
       5 . The surface structure for athletic fields according to  claim 2 , wherein the shock-absorbing members contained in the bores of the lower support columns have different heights, so that the shock-absorbing members absorb the shock in a stepwise manner.