Tee-block

Details Tee-block Tee-block

2000-10-30

2002-05-07

Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Golf

Tee setting device

C473S398000, C473S278000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06383094

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an artificial turf product designed to simulate the basic properties of natural turf and a method for making it.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Artificial turf athletic mats for use for golf practice, or on a golf driving range, desirably have a particular set of physical properties. First, it is desirable to utilize a grass-like surface to simulate a grass golf course natural turf and surface. Second, the underlying such a mat is very important because golfers swing long, relatively heavy clubs, with great force. Should the club head ground on an unyielding surface, the surface, the club, and the golfer, may be injured. Third, on practice ranges, the surfaces of golf mats are subject to great wear because of the high level of use and frequent abuse. Previously disclosed mats have been found to be less than entirely satisfactory because they do not effectively simulate natural conditions and they wear too rapidly when in use.
Golf tee shots require the golf club to be swung so that the head passes cleanly through the position of the ball without impacting the ground surface. Practice surfaces used at driving ranges for tee shots should, however, deform to allow passage of the club head should the golfer strike the ball inexpertly and the club head inadvertently make contact with the practice surface. The surface should remain substantially undamaged so that a golfer may put in the hours of practice needed to obtain the desired level of proficiency. Previously disclosed mats have not satisfactorily met this need.
Golf fairway shots require the golf club to be swung so that the head passes through the position of the ball and on into the ground surface so as to displace a portion of turf, a “divot.” Practice surfaces for fairway shots should deform to allow passage of the club head, provide sufficient resistance to give the “feel” of taking a divot, and remain undamaged so that a golfer may put in the hours of practice need to obtain the desired level of proficiency.
Natural turf has a structure that can be described as four general layers. Each layer has properties that affect the performance of the overall playing surface. The layers differ by function and the type of material they have in them. The layers are described herein as the grass layer, the vegetative layer, the root-biomass layer and the root-soil layer. The grass layer consists largely of the grass blades on which the ball lies when in play. The primary variable characteristic of this layer is the length of the grass blades. On a golf course fairway, grass is generally maintained at a uniform level that varies depending upon the species of grass used on the course. For example, “Bent grass” courses are maintained at about 0.6 cm (¼ inch) and rye grass courses at about 1.25 cm (½ inch). In the rough, the grass blade length may vary widely as discussed below.
The vegetative layer is the layer where the grass blades join into the main vegetative meristem (“stem”) of the grass plant and is the region from which the plant grows. The vegetative layer is thin, firm, springy and supportive. The support is formed by the connections between the grass blades of the first layer, the stems of the second layer and the roots of the third layer. The vegetative layer is generally 0.3 cm (⅛ inch) to 0.6 cm (¼ inch) high with stems about 2 mm ({fraction (3/32)} inch) in diameter depending on the grass species and the mown height of the grass. The overall height of the vegetative layer is directly proportional to the grass blade length, e.g., in 5 cm (2 inch) high rough the vegetative layer might be 1.25 cm (½ inch) high and composed of stems 0.45 cm ({fraction (3/16)} inch) thick. Such rough offers substantial resistance to the passage of a club head. If grass grows past 1.9 cm (¾ inch) in height, it begins to form a thatch, a build-up of interwoven live and dead grass, which increases the depth and density of this layer to an extent unsuitable for golf. Thatch is one reason why rough is so difficult to play. Keeping the grass 1.25 cm (½ inch) or less in height prevents the development of thatch and maintains direct access to the root-soil layer.
The structural integrity of the vegetative layer of the fairway offers little resistance to the passage of the club head because of the lack of thatch. The club head has sufficient mass and speed, and also has a sharp leading edge that enables it to cut through the turf. The integrity of the vegetative layer provides a vertical support matrix that holds a divot together and maintains the structure of the turf surrounding the divot until it is replaced. Without this structure a divot would fragment into its individual components. Dynamically, the divot flies just after and along the same relative path as the ball until air resistance slows it down.
The root-biomass layer of natural turf is extremely complex and is composed of the grass roots, living and dead organic material, mineral particles, air, water, and a variety of living organisms. The activities of the living organisms of the root-biomass layer (the biomass constantly work to break down minerals and other materials to particles of critical size. The action of living organisms has a significant effect on the health of soil and plant life, and also has important effects on the performance characteristics of the turf.
On a golf course the root-biomass layer is usually about 50-percent space and 50-percent solid material. Grass roots help living organisms break up the soil and allow air and water to penetrate into the ground. Roots also establish vertical and horizontal integrity. They grow down to access water and out to increase their surface area for absorbing nutrients. The natural growth of roots gives turf its ability to repair itself. The 50-percent of space is about half filled with water which forms a thin film over almost all particles and materials in the layer. Through the playing season decaying material builds up, and constant activity compacts the turf. Golf courses aerate the turf twice a year to remove a percentage of the solid material so as to alleviate compaction and maintain the 50/50 ratio. Below the first 5 cm (2 inches) the amount of space decreases with increasing depth.
The grass roots provide a structural integrity that holds the turf together in the face of natural forces and that holds a divot together when it is displaced by stroke of a golf club. In a divot struck from natural grass, the soil stays trapped in the roots of a divot so that turf rapidly regrows when the divot is replaced. However, the degree to which the other materials are present affects how a club head will cut through the soil. The root-biomass layer is usually 2-3 cm (an inch or so) thick, depending on the grass species and the soil type. The horizontal growth of roots forms a matrix throughout the biomass layer that keeps the soil consistently loose and elastic. Most horizontal root growth occurs in the top 3.8 cm (1½ inches) and takes advantage of the nutrients present in the biomass layer. Roots penetrate significantly into the fourth layer. In summer, healthy grass roots grow 20-35 cm (8-14 inches) or more into the soil, depending on the species, the health of the soil, and the availability of water. Roots help link the third and fourth layers of the soil together and increase the flexibility of the root-soil layer. The third and fourth layers are also linked together by the physical interactions of the inorganic materials.
The fourth, or root-soil layer, consists of the soil below the horizontal roots of the root-biomass layer. Other than the roots, this layer is compositionally similar to the third layer. However, incidence of living organisms declines with depth and the density of the soil increases with depth due to increased packing of the soil. The root-soil layer provides a firm base that supports the flexibility of the top the layers. The root-soil layer extends indefinitely below the surface, but meaningful texture and air

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