Filler for artificial turf system

Abstract

Artificial turf for use with an artificial turf system, which may also include a base layer and a support layer. The artificial turf comprising a backing supporting pile tufts of between ¼′ to 4″ in length, in position on its upper surface. The backing may comprise a porous synthetic foam or backing sheet. A filler of particles shaped to have no sharp edges and of substantially equal size are interspersed over the backing and about the tufts up to at least half thick length. The artificial turf substantially retains its resiliency, porosity and equal density throughout.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An artificial turf for an athletic field, comprising:
 a backing having pile tufts secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom, said backing comprising one of a porous synthetic foam and a porous backing sheet;   a filler consisting essentially of substantially rounded beads shaped to have no sharp edges, wherein the beads resist mounding, repel water, resist compacting, and are of a restricted size profile, the beads interspersed over said backing and about said pile tufts up to at least about half of said tuft length so that said pile tufts extend substantially above the top of the filler, the filler being substantially homogenous and presenting an angle of repose of about 30 degrees;   the filler comprising silicon dioxide beads coated with a sealer, the beads being non-flammable;   at least one other substance combined with the beads, to affect at least one of the use, texture, odor, and the color of the beads;   wherein the artificial turf retains a relatively low G-max throughout extended use; and   wherein the beads are coated with an acrylic polymer sealer and the other substance is combined with the acrylic polymer sealer.   
     
     
         32 . An artificial turf for an athletic filed or a landscaped area, comprising:
 a backing having pile tufts secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom;   a filler consistently essentially of substantially rounded beads of a restricted size profile, wherein the beads resist compacting and are environmentally safe, the beads interspersed over the backing and about the pile tufts such that the pile tufts extend substantially above the top of the filler;   the substantially rounded beads comprising silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) beads coated with an acrylic coating so as to seal the beads to make the beads water repelling and dust free;   at least one other substance combined with the beads, to affect at least one of the use, texture, odor, and the color of the beads; and   wherein the artificial turf retains a relatively constant G-max throughout extended use.   
     
     
         33 . The artificial turf of  claim 32  wherein the beads are non-flammable. 
     
     
         34 . The artificial turf of  claim 32  wherein the beads have an angle of repose of about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         35 . The artificial turf of  claim 32  wherein the at least one other substance is combined with the acrylic coating. 
     
     
         36 . The artificial turf of  claim 32  wherein the coating provides an outer surface for the beads which is both water proof and slick. 
     
     
         37 . An infill for an artificial turf, the infill comprising:
 substantially round silicon dioxide beads (SiO 2 ) of a restricted size profile, the beads coated with an acrylic coating so as to be water repelling and dust free;   the coated beads having a relatively hard outer surface with a hardness in the range of at least about six on the Mohls scale, so as to resist compacting; and   at least one other substance combined with the coating of the coated beads so as to affect at least one of the use, texture, odor, and the color of the beads.   
     
     
         38 . The infill of  claim 37  wherein the coated beads are non-flammable and environmentally safe. 
     
     
         39 . The infill of  claim 37  wherein the coated beads resist mounding and present an angle of repose of about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         40 . The infill of  claim 37  wherein the coating provides an outer surface for the beads which is both water proof and slick