A reconfigurable device comprises flexible bladder that encloses a jammable material. The geometry of the device can be altered by unjamming the jammable material (making it flexible), changing the shape of the device while it is flexible, and then jamming the jammable material (making it rigid). In some applications of this invention, a joint connects rigid arms. The ends of the rigid arms are enclosed in the bladder. By varying the stiffness of the jammable material in the bladder, the stiffness of the joint can be controlled.

A court tile for an athletic event and method of marking and installing the same. A court tile includes a plurality of playing surface boards, a plurality of first sub floor members are disposed between surface boards and a second sub floor layer. Resilient pads are provided for cushioning of the court tile. A sliding pad covers the resilient pads to permit positioning of the court tile on the venue floor. A system and method of marking a court pre-printing a segment of the court markings on a court tile. A method of creating a court with markings includes pre-marking each of a plurality of court tiles with a selected segment of a court marking for which the court tile is intended and assembling a court surface according to a predetermined placement of the pre-marked court tiles.

A court tile for an athletic event and method of marking and installing the same. A court tile includes a plurality of playing surface boards, a plurality of first sub floor members are disposed between surface boards and a second sub floor layer. Resilient pads are provided for cushioning of the court tile. A sliding pad covers the resilient pads to permit positioning of the court tile on the venue floor. A system and method of marking a court pre-printing a segment of the court markings on a court tile. A method of creating a court with markings includes pre-marking each of a plurality of court tiles with a selected segment of a court marking for which the court tile is intended and assembling a court surface according to a predetermined placement of the pre-marked court tiles.

A playing surface assembly that defines at least a portion of a playing surface. The playing surface assembly has a backing, a plurality of reinforcement elements secured to and extending upwardly from the backing, and an infill material defining a top surface of the playing surface assembly. Each reinforcement element has a top end and a reveal distance corresponding to a vertical spacing between the top surface of the playing surface assembly and the top end of the reinforcement element. The reveal distance of each reinforcement element is less than 0.5 inches. In use, the reinforcement elements restrict lateral and vertical migration of the infill material, and the infill material is the primary source of performance characteristics of the playing surface assembly.

Disclosed herein is a method of resurfacing a sports court. This method involves applying a first adhesive to an existing sports court; curing the first adhesive to a tacky state; applying a thin fabric onto the first adhesive, wherein the thin fabric has a first side applied to the first adhesive and a second side opposite the first side and wherein the thin fabric is capable of releasing from the tacky state of the first adhesive; applying a second adhesive to the second side of the fabric; applying an elastic mat on top of the second adhesive, wherein the elastic mat has a first side applied to the second adhesive and a second side opposite the first side; and applying a sealer to the second side of the elastic mat.

A modular tile is disclosed configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes improved grip and bounce characteristics. The tile may include an upper contact surface having rib with top edges that are sharp. Protrusions may extend from the upper contact surface to provide grip and increase ball bounce performance. The tile may be made of a composite of rigid plastic and rubber to improper bounce characteristics, including by increasing the degree to which the tile conforms with a subfloor.

An impact-absorbing assembly includes a covering layer being one or more of artificial turf, rubber mats, polymer mats, short pile carpeting, particulate infill, wood chips, and ground rubber chips. Also included is a layer of underlayment panels positioned beneath the covering layer. The panels have a panel section with a plurality of drain holes formed therethrough. A top surface of the panels is configured to support the covering layer. A bottom surface of the panels has a plurality of bottom projections that cooperate to define bottom channels suitable to permit water flow across the bottom surface, the bottom channels being in fluid communication with the panel drain holes. The bottom projections define a first spring rate characteristic that is part of a first stage and a second spring rate characteristic is part of a second stage, the first stage having a smaller volume of material than the second stage.

An impact-absorbing assembly includes a covering layer being one or more of artificial turf, rubber mats, polymer mats, short pile carpeting, particulate infill, wood chips, and ground rubber chips. Also included is a layer of underlayment panels positioned beneath the covering layer. The panels have a panel section with a plurality of drain holes formed therethrough. A top surface of the panels is configured to support the covering layer. A bottom surface of the panels has a plurality of bottom projections that cooperate to define bottom channels suitable to permit water flow across the bottom surface, the bottom channels being in fluid communication with the panel drain holes. The bottom projections define a first spring rate characteristic that is part of a first stage and a second spring rate characteristic is part of a second stage, the first stage having a smaller volume of material than the second stage.

A method of installing a binder-based overlay system may include contacting a layer of geotextile fabric to a surface of a substrate and applying a primer layer to a surface of the geotextile fabric. Two or more binder layers including infill particles may be applied over the primer layer. A resurfacer layer followed by one or more color layers may be applied over the two or more binder layers. The primer layer, one or more binder layers, resurfacer layer, and two or more color layers may cure upon application to form a monolithic layer upon the substrate.

A sports court can include a set of modular floor panels or tiles that are interconnected with each other and that have material compositions configured to provide increased friction when a ball or other game piece comes into contact with the top surface of the panels or tiles. The sports court can be used to decrease the speed or otherwise affect bounce behavior of a game ball as compared to a concrete slab or similar underlying surface on which the floor panels are positioned, thereby giving the court performance characteristics more similar to a conventional court used for ball sports such as tennis and pickleball and that are improved as compared to conventional rigid floor tiles. The material compositions can include rubberized or elastomeric materials with coefficients of friction measured using standardized testing procedures.