Pre-cut Synthetic Turf Grids for Hardscape Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current synthetic turf installation methods are time-consuming and expensive, requiring experienced contractors to cut and seam solid rolls into intricate patterns around pavers, stones, bricks, and wood, as pre-cut grids are not commercially available, leading to labor-intensive and error-prone processes.

Innovation Solution

Pre-cut synthetic turf kits with pre-sized, patterned grids and templates (paper or foam) that include voids for inserts, allowing for easier and quicker installation by eliminating the need for on-site cutting and seaming, available in various sizes and configurations to fit common hardscape materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional solid rolls of synthetic turf are used and manually cut on-site, then flexibility in design is achieved, but installation time and labor complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The synthetic turf is pre-cut into grid sections with voids at the manufacturing location before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site cutting and seaming, reducing installation time from days to hours while maintaining design flexibility through available configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The synthetic turf is divided into modular grid sections with standardized void sizes that can accommodate common hardscape materials. These segmented sections can be easily assembled on-site without complex cutting or seaming operations, resolving the contradiction between design flexibility and installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual cutting and seaming of synthetic turf is performed on-site, then custom patterns can be created, but installation complexity and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern customizationVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turf grids are pre-configured with voids in specific patterns at the manufacturing location. Common hardscape patterns (square, circle, rectangle, diagonal) are predetermined, eliminating the need for complex on-site measurements and cutting while maintaining pattern customization options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Paper or foam templates are provided as disposable guiding elements that show the installation pattern. These simple, inexpensive templates replace complex measurement and marking procedures, reducing installation complexity while maintaining pattern customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If experienced contractors perform manual turf installation, then installation quality can be maintained, but labor costs and training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation qualityVSAvoid contractor expertise requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-configured grid sections are designed to be self-explanatory and easy to assemble. The templates and standardized sections allow DIY installers to achieve professional-quality results without specialized training, eliminating the need for expensive specialty turf contractors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Quantity of substance

If solid rolls of synthetic turf are used, then material availability is ensured, but material waste from errant cuts and mistakes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The turf is pre-cut into grid sections with voids at the manufacturing location. This preliminary action ensures that only the necessary amount of turf is produced for each specific application, eliminating material waste from errant cuts and mistakes that occur during on-site installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The turf is divided into modular grid sections that can be precisely configured for different project sizes. This segmentation allows for efficient use of material by matching the number and arrangement of sections to the specific installation requirements, reducing waste while ensuring material availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10927510B2Preformed synthetic turf grids and methods and apparatuses for providing same

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 PAVERTURF LLC

AI summary

Pre-cut (or pre-formed) synthetic turf kits and methods of installing same are provided. Kits or methods may or may not include installation templates of paper, foam or other suitable materials with corresponding insert material spaces and patterns printed or already cut out and removed providing a faster and easier install method. The pre-formed turf can be installed either before or after the paver, stone, brick, tile, or wood insert materials are in place to make beautiful square, circle, rectangular and diagonal patterned turf grid designed hardscapes. This makes installation possible without needing an expensive specialty turf contractor.