Padding layer for athletic field for water retention and drainage
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 at least one water accumulation region positioned at or near a perimeter of the panel. The at least one water accumulation region is defined by a pyramidal surface that slopes downwards from a center of the panel to distal edges of the panel such that the center has a height relative to a ground surface greater than the distal edges of the panel, a plurality of projections projecting from the pyramidal surface, and a ridge projecting from the pyramidal surface, the ridge extending along a perimeter of the panel, wherein the ridge has a projection height sufficient to retain water at the perimeter of the panel.
1 . A panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system, comprising:
at least one water accumulation region positioned at or near a perimeter of the panel, the at least one water accumulation region being defined by:
a pyramidal surface that slopes downwards from a center of the panel to distal edges of the panel such that the center has a height relative to a ground surface greater than the distal edges of the panel;
a plurality of projections projecting from the pyramidal surface; and
a ridge projecting from the pyramidal surface, the ridge extending along a perimeter of the panel and formed integrally with at least a portion of the plurality of projections positioned at or near the perimeter of the panel, wherein the ridge has a projection height sufficient to retain water at the perimeter of the panel.
2 . The panel of claim 1 , wherein a height of the ridge extending along the perimeter of the panel is the same as a height of at least a portion of the plurality of projections.
3 . The panel of claim 1 , wherein the pyramidal surface comprises a first region having a first directional slope, a second region having a second directional slope, a third region having a third directional slope, and a fourth region having a fourth directional slope being distinct relative to one another.
4 . The panel of claim 3 , further comprising:
a horizontally-extending rib extending from a first side of the panel to a second side of the panel; and
a vertically-extending rib extending from a third side of the panel to a fourth side of the panel.
5 . The panel of claim 4 , wherein:
the first region is defined as an area above the horizontally-extending rib and left of the vertically-extending rib;
the second region is defined as an area above the horizontally-extending rib and right of the vertically-extending rib;
the third region is defined as an area below the horizontally-extending rib and left of the vertically-extending rib; and
the fourth region is defined as an area below the horizontally-extending rib and right of the vertically-extending rib.
6 . The panel of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of drainage holes.
7 . The panel of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of drainage holes are positioned within individual ones of the plurality of projections.
8 . The panel of claim 1 , wherein the panel is formed of a closed-cell, hydrophobic material.
9 . A method, comprising:
providing the panel for use in the padding layer of the panel system according to claim 1 .
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein:
a height of the ridge extending along the perimeter of the panel is the same as a height of at least a portion of the plurality of projections; and
the pyramidal surface comprises a first region having a first directional slope, a second region having a second directional slope, a third region having a third directional slope, and a fourth region having a fourth directional slope being distinct relative to one another.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
a horizontally-extending rib extending from a first side of the panel to a second side of the panel;
a vertically-extending rib extending from a third side of the panel to a fourth side of the panel, wherein:
the first region is defined as an area above the horizontally-extending rib and left of the vertically-extending rib;
the second region is defined as an area above the horizontally-extending rib and right of the vertically-extending rib;
the third region is defined as an area below the horizontally-extending rib and left of the vertically-extending rib; and
the fourth region is defined as an area below the horizontally-extending rib and right of the vertically-extending rib.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of drainage holes positioned within individual ones of the plurality of projections, and wherein the method further comprises forming the panel of a closed-cell, hydrophobic material.
13 . A panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system, comprising:
a flat surface;
at least one water accumulation region positioned at or near a perimeter of the panel, the at least one water accumulation region being defined by:
a plurality of projections projecting from a pyramidal surface; and
a ridge projecting from the pyramidal surface, the ridge extending along a perimeter of the panel and formed integrally with at least a portion of the plurality of projections positioned at or near the perimeter of the panel, wherein the ridge has a projection height sufficient to retain water at the perimeter of the panel.
14 . A panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system, comprising:
a flat surface;
a plurality of water accumulation regions positioned on the flat surface, the plurality of water accumulation regions being defined by:
a horizontally-extending rib extending from a first side of the panel to a second side of the panel;
a vertically-extending rib extending from a third side of the panel to a fourth side of the panel; and
a ridge projecting from the flat surface, the ridge extending along a perimeter of the panel, wherein the ridge has a projection height sufficient to retain water at the perimeter of the panel and wherein the projection height is the same as a height of at least a portion of a projection projecting from the flat surface.
15 . The panel of claim 1 , wherein individual ones of the plurality of projections gradually increase in height from near the center of the panel to the distal edges of the panel.