Support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly, and artificial turf system

Abstract

A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. The support layer is further included in an artificial turf system, that includes an artificial turf assembly with the support layer supported on a base surface such as a layer of sand, wherein the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.

1 . A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly, said support layer comprising a polymeric foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the lower side of the support layer is configured for placement on a base surface and the upper side is configured to support the artificial turf assembly thereon, the support layer comprising a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also comprising a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         2 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels extend mutually parallel and are fluidly connected to each other by a plurality of cross channels. 
     
     
         3 . The support layer according to  claim 2 , the plurality of cross channels have a smaller cross sectional area than the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         4 . The support layer according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of channels extend in a length direction of the support layer, the plurality of cross channels extending, mutually parallel, at an angle (a) ranging from  20  to  90  degrees relative to the length direction. 
     
     
         5 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially planar upper side of the support layer. 
     
     
         6 . The support layer according to  claim 5 , wherein the substantially planar upper side of the support layer has sloped or recessed portions formed on the upper side of the support layer that are angled and extend towards a drainage hole of the plurality of drainage holes to facilitate drainage from the upper side of the support layer to the lower side of the support layer. 
     
     
         7 . The support layer according to  claim 5 , wherein each drainage hole is immediately adjacent to an arm that is formed on an upper side of the support layer and is configured to direct water towards the drainage hole. 
     
     
         8 . The support layer according to  claim 7 , wherein each arm is spaced apart from and discontinuous relative to another arm that is immediately adjacent to another drainage hole formed on the upper side of the support layer. 
     
     
         9 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage holes have a widened entrance portion at the upper side of the support layer. 
     
     
         10 . The support layer according to  claim 9 , wherein each drainage hole is surrounded by a widened entrance portion that is star-shaped or cross-shaped in plan view. 
     
     
         11 . The support layer according to  claim 5 , wherein each widened entrance portion is formed of a plurality of arms adjacent to and sloped towards a drainage hole of the plurality of drainage holes, with each arm of one widened entrance portion being spaced apart and discontinuous relative to another arm of another widened entrance portion. 
     
     
         12 . The support layer of  claim 11 , wherein the arms from each widened entrance portion are axially aligned with arms from another widened entrance portion but are spaced apart and are not fluidly connected to one another on the upper side of the support layer. 
     
     
         13 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein a maximum thickness of the support layer ranges from  10  to  80  mm. 
     
     
         14 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the support layer ranges from  20  to  80  mm. 
     
     
         15 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the support layer ranges from  20  to  65  mm. 
     
     
         16 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the plurality of channels ranges from  25  to  75  percent of a total thickness of the support layer. 
     
     
         17 . The support layer according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting elements at a circumferential edge thereof for connecting the support layer to further support layers such that the support layers are flush with respect to each other. 
     
     
         18 . An artificial turf system, comprising
 an artificial turf assembly, and   a support layer according to  claim 1 , supported on a base surface, wherein:   the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.