There is described a panel assembly to be laid over a base surface and under a carpet-like top layer to install a multi-layered sports-playing field. The padding assembly comprises a panel comprising a top face and a bottom face, with the top face of the panel facing the carpet-like top layer and the panel further comprising drainage holes fluidly connecting the top face to the bottom face. The padding assembly also comprises a drain mat affixed to the bottom face of the panel with the drain mat operating as a fluid-permeable layer distancing the bottom face from the base surface. A method of installing a multi-layered sports-playing field is also described.

There is described a panel assembly to be laid over a base surface and under a carpet-like top layer to install a multi-layered sports-playing field. The padding assembly comprises a panel comprising a top face and a bottom face, with the top face of the panel facing the carpet-like top layer and the panel further comprising drainage holes fluidly connecting the top face to the bottom face. The padding assembly also comprises a drain mat affixed to the bottom face of the panel with the drain mat operating as a fluid-permeable layer distancing the bottom face from the base surface. A method of installing a multi-layered sports-playing field is also described.

A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. The support layer is further included in an artificial turf system, that includes an artificial turf assembly with the support layer supported on a base surface such as a layer of sand, wherein the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.

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.

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.

Fall protecting flooring element that comprises a flat rectangular body of a resilient Material having a lower face, an upper face, four sides, patterns at its four sides that enable interlocking several similar flooring elements by form-fitting connections. Respective short straight corner sections are provided that constitute a part of the side of the concerned side. The patterns comprise alternating sequence of connection tabs and connection recesses. The connection tabs have identical profiles but inverse of the profiles of the connection recesses. A plurality of fall protecting floor elements can be connected together to form a flooring.

Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface. The drainage hole may be at least partially coupled to projection channels on the bottom-side projections, where the projection channels act as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole.

A method for treating a plastic block comprising using heat to embed a UV resistant material into an outer face of the plastic block wherein, once embedded, the UV resistant material provides a coating on the outer face. A method for treating a plastic block comprising using compressive force to embed a UV resistant material into an outer face of the plastic block wherein, once embedded, the UV resistant material provides a coating on the outer face.

A modular heated surface system which can quickly be assembled from several pieces. The system can be designed to fit sidewalks and driveways of any size and includes durable surfaces for driving vehicles across the platforms. A drain assembly is included to ensure that the water produced from melted ice and snow is properly drained away from the heated surface. The system is powered by plugging the system into a standard 120V outlet.

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.