Playground play surface
View Patent ↗A unique playground play surface that is safe and suitable for use by physically challenged individuals and those that require the assistance of wheelchairs or other devices. The playground play surface consists of a base layer, a covering layer, a bag layer, a loose particles layer, and a top layer. The bag layer consists of a plurality of bags each filled with loose or shredded rubber. The bags are aligned side by side forming a single layer of rows and columns. A retaining border defines the playground play surface and contains the layers.
1. A play surface for installation on the ground, comprising:
a first layer of course drainage material;
a second layer of water permeable material is placed on the first layer;
a third layer of closed bags having flexible walls, the bags filled with multiple fragments of resilient material placed on the second layer, the bags placed adjacent to each other to restrict lateral movement;
a fourth layer of the multiple fragments of resilient material placed on the third layer; and
a top mat layer of resilient material placed on the fourth layer;
whereby, the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, the fourth layer, and the top mat layer coact for providing a rigid and resilient play surface that allows wheeled apparatus to easily move over the top mat layer.
2. The play surface of claim 1 and further comprising a retaining border, the retaining border defining the boundary of the play surface and containing the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer.
3. The play surface of claim 2 wherein the top mat layer is attached to the retaining border by glue.
4. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the first layer of course drainage material is placed on top of the ground.
5. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the first layer of course drainage material is placed in an excavated hole in the ground.
6. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the course drainage material comprises gravel or stone.
7. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the water permeable material is a geo textile fabric material.
8. The play surface of claim 1 wherein each of the bags is filled with substantially thirty pounds of multiple fragment of resilient material.
9. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the multiple fragments of resilient material is shredded rubber.
10. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the top mat layer of resilient material is a rubberized compound.
11. The play surface of claim 1 wherein the top mat layer of resilient material displays multi colored inlay designs.
12. A method for installing a play surface, comprising the steps of:
(a) installing a first layer of course drainage material;
(b) installing a second layer of water permeable material on the first layer;
(c) installing a third layer of closed bags having flexible walls, the bats filled with multiple fragments of resilient material placed on the second layer, the bags placed adjacent to each other to restrict lateral movement;
(d) installing a fourth layer of the multiple fragments of resilient material on the third layer; and
(e) installing a top mat layer of resilient material placed on the fourth layer;
whereby, the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, the fourth layer, and the top mat layer coact for providing a rigid and resilient play surface that allows wheeled apparatus to easily move over the top mat layer.
13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising the step of installing a retaining border defining the boundary of the play surface and containing the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer.
14. The method of claim 12 and further comprising the step of compacting each layer into a leveled, uniform surface.