IP Library Granted Patent US 10,563,361
Granted Patent B2
US 10,563,361 · App. 16/114,113 · Granted Feb 18, 2020

System and method for customizing a playing field

Inventors: Steve White, Jr. (Dalton, GA); Ron Bennett (Dalton, GA)
Assignee: CH3 SOLUTIONS, LLC
E01C13/02E01C5/003E01C5/20E01C11/02E01C13/04E01C13/045E01C13/08E01C13/083E01C17/00E01C2201/10E01C2201/16E01C2201/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,563,361
App. No.
16/114,113
Granted
Feb 18, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A customizable playing field includes a turf system comprising a tile with a turf layer. The tile overlays a subfloor, defining a reservoir thereunder. A forced air system includes a pipe disposed within the reservoir and operatively coupled to a pump; and a sensor. A control system controls the pump, and includes a processor in data communication with at least one input/output device and computer memory. The computer memory has a program with machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps: if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold as measured by the sensor, forcing a cool fluid through the pipe; and if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold as measured by the sensor, forcing a warm fluid through the pipe.

Claims (46)

1. A customizable playing field, comprising:

a turf system comprising a tile having a turf layer disposed thereon, the tile overlaying a subfloor defining a reservoir;

a first pipe disposed within the reservoir and operatively coupled to a pump;

a second pipe operatively connected to the pump, the second pipe being operatively connected to a bladder, wherein the bladder is selectively inflatable;

a first sensor; and

a control system operable to control the pump, the control system comprising a processor in data communication with at least one input/output device, and computer memory, the computer memory comprising a program having machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps:

a. if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a cool fluid through the first pipe;

b. if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a warm fluid through the first pipe; and

c. selectively inflate the bladder by forcing a fluid through the second pipe.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first pipe has a plurality of openings formed therein, the cool or warm fluid being forced out of the first pipe through the openings.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the openings are selectively closable via an actuating system.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger receives a fluid having an ambient temperature and outputs the cool fluid or the warm fluid.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the cool or warm fluid forced through the first pipe is a gas.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the cool or warm forced through the first pipe fluid is a liquid.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor, wherein the second sensor determines a location of a player on the turf system.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second sensor is a plurality of sensors, and wherein the bladder is a plurality of bladders.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second sensors are operatively connected to the plurality of bladders, and wherein the program has machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps:

c. predict a location of an impact by the player upon the turf system;

d. inflate at least one of the bladders within a predetermined radius of the predicted location of the impact.

10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a flexible support extending from the subfloor to the tile to support the tile.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor, wherein the second sensor determines a location of a player on the turf system.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the turf layer comprises a plurality of light emitting fibers woven therein, the light emitting fibers being selectively activated based on the location of the player.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the turf layer further comprises a plurality of solar fibers operatively coupled to an energy storage device for storing solar energy.

14. A customizable playing field, comprising:

a turf system comprising a tile having a turf layer disposed thereon, the tile overlaying a subfloor defining a reservoir, and a hydraulic actuator extending between the subfloor to the tile to support the tile;

a forced air system comprising a first pipe disposed within the reservoir and operatively coupled to a pump;

a first sensor; and

a control system operable to control the pump, the control system comprising a processor in data communication with at least one input/output device, and computer memory, the computer memory comprising a program having machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps:

a. if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a cool fluid through the first pipe; and

b. if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a warm fluid through the first pipe.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the turf layer comprises a plurality of light emitting fibers woven therein.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a second sensor for determining a location of a player on the turf system, wherein the light emitting fibers are selectively activated based on the location of the player.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control system is further operable to adjust a resistance of the hydraulic actuator, and wherein the program has machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps:

a. receive a threshold value of tension for the hydraulic actuator for a first sport via the input/output device;

b. receive a threshold value of tension for the hydraulic actuator for a second sport via the input/output device;

c. receive a request to set the threshold value of resistance for the first sport via the input/output device; and

d. adjust the resistance in the hydraulic actuator to correspond to the threshold value for the first sport.

18. A customizable playing field, comprising:

a turf system comprising a tile having a turf layer disposed thereon, the tile overlaying a subfloor defining a reservoir, and a compression spring extending between the subfloor to the tile to support the tile;

a forced air system comprising a first pipe disposed within the reservoir and operatively coupled to a pump;

a first sensor; and

a control system operable to control the pump, the control system comprising a processor in data communication with at least one input/output device, and computer memory, the computer memory comprising a program having machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, perform the following steps:

a. if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a cool fluid through the first pipe; and

b. if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold as measured by the first sensor, forcing a warm fluid through the first pipe.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the turf layer comprises a plurality of light emitting fibers woven therein.

20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a second sensor for determining a location of a player on the turf system, wherein the light emitting fibers are selectively activated based on the location of the player.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (ASSIGNS REEL 058447 FRAME 0150) Recorded May 5, 2022
From: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS RETIRING AGENT
To: APOGEM CAPITAL LLC, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 062834/0664 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2021
From: CH3 SOLUTIONS, LLC; EASY GRASS DISTRIBUTING, LLC; SWISSTRAX, LLC; XGRASS, LLC
To: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058447/0150 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2021
From: TRUIST BANK (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SUNTRUST BANK)
To: XGRASS, LLC; CH3 SOLUTIONS, LLC; SWISSTRAX, LLC
Reel/Frame 058452/0303 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2020
From: CH3 SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: TRUIST BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SUNTRUST BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051595/0097 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2019
From: VERSACOURT, LLC
To: CH3 SOLUTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 051122/0119 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2019
From: WHITE, STEVE, JR; BENNETT, RON
To: VERSACOURT, LLC
Reel/Frame 049122/0042 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 15404527 · Jan 12, 2017
Provisional Application 62277661 · Jan 12, 2016
Related Publication 20190017230A1 · Jan 17, 2019