Angled Grip Spikes for Artificial Turf Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for marking artificial turf surfaces, such as field turf, damage the weave layer when attempting to secure items due to the inability of rubber particles to compact around sharp implements, leading to premature wear.

Innovation Solution

A turf accessory placement device with angled grip spikes that project from a base, allowing the spikes to grip the turf without penetrating the weave layer, utilizing friction from compressed rubber particles for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If sharp implements (nails, spikes, stakes) are used to secure items to artificial turf, then the implement can be driven into the surface, but the weave layer is impaled and damaged causing premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration forceVSAvoidweave layer damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the gripping elements by using angled spikes (at angles between 10-45 degrees from vertical) rather than vertical nails. This parameter change allows the spikes to compress rubber particles laterally and grip turf blades at an angle, preventing vertical penetration that would impale the weave layer while still providing sufficient holding force through friction and mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the securing system: the angled spikes provide localized compression and gripping force on the surface layer (rubber particles and turf blades), while the base plate distributes weight across a larger area. This local differentiation allows secure attachment without concentrating force in a way that would penetrate and damage the weave layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If sharp implements are driven into the turf, then the implement can be held in place through soil compaction, but rubber particles cannot compact around the implement so it does not hold securely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidparticle compaction failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the gripping elements from vertical to angled (10-45 degrees from vertical). This angular parameter allows the spikes to compress rubber particles laterally against the base plate, creating friction-based holding stability without relying on vertical compaction that would be ineffective with incompressible rubber particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The angled spikes act as intermediaries that transfer the holding function from the base plate to the surface layer. By compressing rubber particles and gripping turf blades at an angle, the spikes create a mechanical interlocking mechanism that provides holding stability without requiring the rubber particles to compact vertically around a vertical implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If vertical spikes are used to secure items, then the implement can penetrate the surface, but the spikes impale through the weave layer causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip strengthVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the angular parameter of the gripping elements from vertical (90 degrees from horizontal) to angled (10-45 degrees from vertical, or 45-80 degrees from horizontal). This parameter change allows the spikes to engage the surface layer at an oblique angle, creating grip strength through lateral compression and friction while preventing the vertical penetration that would impale the weave layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having spikes penetrate vertically downward through the weave layer (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by having angled spikes compress laterally against the surface layer. The spikes point upward or outward rather than straight down, gripping the turf blades and compressed rubber particles without impaling the protective weave layer beneath.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively secures items to artificial turf without damaging the surface, reducing premature wear by distributing the weight and using angled spikes to interlock with the turf blades and rubber particles, ensuring stable placement without penetrating the weave layer.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing friction from compressed rubber particles for secure attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7935007B1Turf accessory placement device

Publication Date: 2011.05.03 THE PIONEER MFG

AI summary

A turf accessory placement device adapted for use with turf. The turf accessory placement device has a base. The base has a top, bottom and sides between the top and bottom. The turf accessory placement device has grip spikes extending from the bottom of the base which are adapted to grip the turf. The grip spikes have spike shanks projecting from the base in the same direction at an angle between one degree and eighty-eight degrees downward from a plane along the bottom of the base.