A fastening system comprises a fastening mechanism having a transition member and a ramp member. The transition member has a lower planar element, and an upper planar element, and a central portion disposed therebetween. The ramp member has a lower planar component, a first upper planar component, a forwardly angled component disposed between the lower planar component and the first upper planar component, and a backwardly angled component extending outwardly from the first upper planar component. The ramp member upper planar component is disposed above the transition member upper planar element, and the transition member lower planar element is at least partially disposed above the ramp member lower planar member.

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 lightweight universal panel mat made of plastic or elastomeric material and having a first section that provides a relatively flat, textured or structured top surface to facilitate movement over the mat and a second section having geometry that includes a plurality of cells having top surfaces that support the first section. The panel mats have first, second, third and fourth sides that are configured to matingly engage or connect to the second, third, fourth and first sides, respectively. The connection can be by insertion or snap-locking of one side to another, or by the use of fastening elements that more securely holds the sides together. Thus, similarly configured panel mats can be connected by interlocking to form a temporary support surface, deck, walkway or roadway. Additional side ramps and adapters can be used to facilitate installation of the mats and access to the upper surfaces of the joined mats.

The present subject matter relates to a method and system for synthetic turf and the installation thereof. Modular turf sections are formed by attaching a turf section to a corresponding base structure of any desired size and shape. The base structure has a smooth top surface and smooth edges, and can be cut to any desired shape, angle or cutout. The base structure may include a PVC flushing system. The modular turf sections are laid side by side to cover a surface having any size and shape. The modular turf sections are portable and can be individually lifted after having been installed, thereby allowing for cleaning, repair and/or access under one or more selected modular turf sections, or for the replacement of selected modular turf sections which become worn or damaged.

Various embodiments for a panel that may be combined with other similar panels to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system includes a male locking element configured to form a dove-tail connection with at least one adjacent panel. The dove-tail connection includes a male locking element of the panel coupling with a female locking element of the at least one adjacent panel and forming an interference fit between the male locking element and the female locking element. A space is proved between the male locking element and the female element when coupled that permits thermal expansion of the panel.

Various embodiments for a panel that may be combined with other similar panels to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system includes a male locking element configured to form a dove-tail connection with at least one adjacent panel. The dove-tail connection includes a male locking element of the panel coupling with a female locking element of the at least one adjacent panel and forming an interference fit between the male locking element and the female locking element. A space is proved between the male locking element and the female element when coupled that permits thermal expansion of the panel.

A fall protection tile for playgrounds includes an upper layer of granulated rubber selected from non-aromatic thermoset elastomers, non-aromatic thermoplastic elastomers, cork, or combinations thereof, the upper layer having a thickness ranging from 5 to 75 mm, and a lower layer of a crosslinked foamed polyolefin layer, the lower layer having a thickness ranging from 10 to 150 mm, wherein the upper and lower layers being joined, and wherein the thickness ratio of i) to ii) ranges from 0.03 to 2.5. A structure and an arrangement including such a fall protection tile as well as a method of manufacturing such a tile are also provided.

A sports exercise area comprising a landing area comprising an impact attenuating system for attenuating impact when landing on the landing area is provided. An impact attenuating system (1; 2) is provided for attenuating impact onto a landing area, for example when exercising freestyle sports, gymnastics or athletics. The impact attenuating system (1) comprises a first inflatable structure (14). The first inflatable structure (14) comprises a first sheet (101) and a sheet (102). A first side (111) of the first sheet is in contact with and connected to a first side (112) of the second sheet along a first plurality of parallel first connection lines (103-1, 103-2, 103-2) to form a first plurality (104) of parallel first air chambers (104-1, 104-2, 104-3). The first plurality of parallel first air chambers is inflatable to form a first plurality of parallel first tubular airbags arranged side-by-side in a first plane substantially parallel to the top surface of the landing area. A top layer (110) may be provided. A second inflatable structure (24) may be provided on top of the first inflatable structure (14).

A sports exercise area comprising a landing area comprising an impact attenuating system for attenuating impact when landing on the landing area is provided. An impact attenuating system (1; 2) is provided for attenuating impact onto a landing area, for example when exercising freestyle sports, gymnastics or athletics. The impact attenuating system (1) comprises a first inflatable structure (14). The first inflatable structure (14) comprises a first sheet (101) and a sheet (102). A first side (111) of the first sheet is in contact with and connected to a first side (112) of the second sheet along a first plurality of parallel first connection lines (103-1, 103-2, 103-2) to form a first plurality (104) of parallel first air chambers (104-1, 104-2, 104-3). The first plurality of parallel first air chambers is inflatable to form a first plurality of parallel first tubular airbags arranged side-by-side in a first plane substantially parallel to the top surface of the landing area. A top layer (110) may be provided. A second inflatable structure (24) may be provided on top of the first inflatable structure (14).