Method for realizing a tennis court, and such a tennis court

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a method for realizing a tennis court, and to such a tennis court. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of:
- providing a first court part, forming a playing surface, on a substrate suitable for the purpose by placing an underlayer provided with a first thickness in which a first set of fibres of a first length is provided; and
- providing a second court part, forming a line marking for the first court part, by placing an underlayer provided with a second thickness in which a second set of fibres of a second length is provided,

wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness such that the second set of fibres extends in a direction substantially perpendicularly of the plane of the tennis court to a height greater than that of the first set of fibres, and wherein the second length is at most equal to the first length of the fibres.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for realizing a tennis court. The method relates more particularly to realizing a tennis court provided with fibres tufted into a ground layer.

[0002] Among the known tennis courts are gravel courts, wherein line markings are arranged on such a gravel court. Provided in practice as an alternative to such gravel courts is an underlayer, wherein fibres are tufted into the underlayer. Such an alternative court then has for instance sand spread therein in order to approximate the effect of a gravel court in respect of playing characteristics. Although such alternative courts have some advantages compared to gravel courts in respect of maintenance, the playing characteristics are still found to be different in practice.

[0003] The present invention has for its object to provide a method for realizing a tennis court, whereby a tennis court that is an alternative to a gravel court is obtained in efficient manner.

[0004] The present invention provides for this purpose a method for providing a tennis court, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• providing a first court part, forming a playing surface, on a substrate suitable for the purpose by placing an underlayer provided with a first thickness in which a first set of fibres of a first length is provided; and
• providing a second court part, forming a line marking for the first court part, by placing an underlayer provided with a second thickness in which a second set of fibres of a second length is provided,

wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness such that the second set of fibres extends in a direction substantially perpendicularly of the plane of the tennis court to a height greater than that of the first set of fibres, and wherein the second length is at most equal to the first length of the fibres.

[0005] A tennis court is understood to mean the whole playing surface and the associated line marking. In the case of a tennis court the playing surface is also understood to mean the space provided with the same substrate which lies outside the outermost line markings. A first court part forming a playing surface is provided on a suitable substrate. Such a suitable substrate comprises for instance a foundation layer wherein use can be made of for instance drainage sand and lava. Use is preferably also made of a drainage system. The line marking is provided using a second court part. A court part comprises an underlayer into which fibres of a certain length are tufted. Such an underlayer is formed by a tuft substrate provided with a so-called backing. The fibres are preferably provided with a yarn of the type 5000/1 Dtex and a width of about 5 mm, a thickness of about 110 µm and a pile height of about 12-15 mm. The underlayer preferably comprises a polypropylene web which functions as carrier fabric such that the fibres can be tufted therein. Selecting a thickness of the underlayer for the second court part forming the line marking that is slightly greater than the thickness of the first court part achieves that in efficient manner the fibres at the position of the line markings extend to a height which is slightly greater than the height for the first court part. This achieves that a certain similarity is realized in respect of the playing characteristics, including the bouncing behaviour of the ball at the position of the line marking, which corresponds to the more traditional gravel court. The second length of the second set of fibres is provided here at most equal to or, if desired, slightly shorter than the first length of the first set of fibres. The desired line behaviour is hereby achieved, including said playing characteristics, visibility and uniformity.

[0006] The bounce behaviour at the position of the line marking according to the present invention is comparable to that in the case of a gravel court, particularly as a result of the thicker underlayer at the position of the line marking. This behaviour therefore differs to some extent from that of the rest of the playing surface and supports the definition of "in" or "out". In addition, because the upper sides of the fibres protrude slightly further at the position of the line marking, less so-called "infill" is present on the surface and the fibres of the line marking become less concealed such that the visibility of the line marking is enhanced.

[0007] Also realized according to the invention is that the line marking is more stable, whereby so-called line-dancing, i.e. movement of the line marking, is prevented. This is brought about inter alia by the use of a thicker so-called backing at the position of the line marking as described above. This results in a greater strength, whereby deformation of the artificial turf is reduced.

[0008] The sand covering is preferably carried out using a ceramic industrial sand up to a height of about 15 mm, the height depending on, among other factors, the pile height used. The fibres for the line marking are preferably embodied with a white colour so as to be distinct from the colour of the playing surface, which is preferably given a reddish-brown colour in order to thereby resemble as closely as possible the more traditional gravel court. Other colours are of course also possible.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment according to the present invention the length of the first set of fibres is substantially equal to the length of the second set of fibres.

[0010] By selecting substantially the same length for the first and second pair of fibres for respectively the first and second underlayer, the material for the playing surface and the line marking can be manufactured on the same tufting machine without it being necessary to change settings. This achieves that production of the top layer with the carrier fabric and fibres can be carried out in efficient manner. This contributes for instance toward reducing costs of purchase and laying of a tennis court according to the invention, such that application thereof is still more advantageous.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment according to the present invention the second underlayer is provided with a coating with a thickness greater than the coating thickness provided for the first underlayer.

[0012] Providing a coating, for instance a latex coating on styrene and/or butadiene basis, imparts stability, as well as some damping, to the tennis court. In combination herewith or as alternative hereto, the second underlayer can be provided with a greater thickness by using a thicker adhesive layer and/or thicker tuft substrate. Providing the underlayer with a different thickness for the different court parts achieves in efficient manner that for instance the fibres for the line markings extend slightly further in upward direction in the height than the fibres of the playing surface itself. By preferably providing the fibres for the different court parts with the same length, the fibres of the line marking protrude slightly above the fibres of the playing surface. By making the fibres at the position of the line marking slightly higher than the fibres on the remaining part of the tennis court the desired line behaviour is realized corresponding to the behaviour in conventional gravel courts. In this embodiment the most faithful possible reproduction of the known playing characteristics is therefore achieved, as well as the other aspects of the line behaviour, including said visibility, uniformity and stability of the line marking.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention, after providing the first court part, a part thereof is removed over substantially the whole tennis court at the position of the desired line marking, after which the second court part is provided at the position of this desired line marking.

[0014] "Remove" is also understood to mean that the first court part is not arranged at the position of this desired line marking.

[0015] Removing and/or not placing a part of the first court part at the position of desired line marking achieves that the second court part can then be placed at this location in efficient manner. The second court part is preferably placed here provided with an underlayer with a slightly greater thickness than the underlayer of the first court part. It is particularly the case for straight line marking as found in tennis courts that it is possible not to provide the first court part at all at the position of the line markings. During laying of the first court part a recess is therefore provided with the dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the line markings. In the case of for instance a non-straight form of line marking it is possible to remove a part of the first court part by cutting this desired line marking out of the first court part. This part can then be filled with a second court part corresponding to the desired line marking.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the present invention the fibres are removed from a part of the underlayer after the first court part has been provided, after which the second court part is arranged on the underlayer of the first court part.

[0017] By removing the fibres from the first court part, followed by providing the second court part on the underlayer of the first court part, the overall underlayer for this second court part is provided with a thickness which is by definition greater than the thickness of the underlayer of the first court part. This achieves in efficient manner that, if the fibres for the two court parts are preferably given the same length, the fibres at the position of the line marking extend slightly further in height than the fibres of the first court part. This results in the above stated advantages.

[0018] The invention further also relates to a tennis court, comprising:

• a first court part forming a playing surface and provided with an underlayer with a first thickness, in which fibres are provided; and
• a second court part connected to the first court part and forming the line marking for the playing surface and provided with an underlayer with a second thickness, in which fibres are provided,

wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness.

[0019] Such a tennis court provides the same effects and advantages as stated in respect of the method. In an advantageous embodiment the lengths of the first and second set of fibres for respectively the first and second court part are substantially equal to each other. The first and second underlayer are therefore preferably provided with differing thicknesses, preferably realized by providing a thicker coating on the second underlayer.

[0020] With such a tennis court the desired playing characteristics, such as bounce behaviour at the position of the line marking, visibility of the line marking and preventing line deformation, are realized as described in respect of the method.

[0021] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• fig. 1 shows a view of a tennis court according to the present invention;
• fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the tennis court of fig. 1; and
• fig. 3 shows a view of conventional line marking with line deformation.

[0022] A tennis court 2 (fig. 1) consists of a playing surface 4 and line markings 6. A part 8 of tennis court 2 lies outside the outer line markings formed by rear line 10 and outermost side lines 12. Tennis court 2 is also provided with a net 14.

[0023] On a first side an outer line marking 10, 12 (fig. 2) distinguishes a court part 4 located inside this outermost line marking 12 and a court part 8 located outside this outer line marking 12. Tennis court 2 is placed on a foundation layer 16 comprising drainage sand and lava. The shown embodiment is an underlayer 18 provided for a first court part 4, 8 forming the playing surface. This underlayer is a latex coating on the basis of styrene and/or butadiene with a weight of about 1000 g per m², wherein a number of perforations with a diameter of about 4 mm are provided. A sufficient degree of water-permeability is hereby realized for tennis court 2. On the upper side of underlayer 18 is situated a carrier fabric 20 of a polypropylene web reinforced with polyester. In the shown embodiment the weight of the carrier fabric amounts to about 200-250 g/m². In the shown embodiment the layer thickness of the underlayer is shown exaggerated to some extent. Fibres 22 which are mechanically fibrillated in the shown embodiment are tufted into carrier fabric 20. In the shown embodiment fibres 22 are provided with a width of 5 mm and a thickness of about 110 µm. In the shown embodiment the height of the pile amounts to about 12-15 mm. The thickness of underlayer 18 amounts to about 1-3 mm. This results in an overall weight of the tennis court, including underlayer 18, carrier fabric 20 and fibres 22, of about 2250-2500 g/m². Provided on top of foundation layer 16 at the position of the line marking is a second underlayer 24 with a slightly greater thickness than underlayer 18 of the court part forming the playing surface. The width of such line markings amounts to about 5 to 10 cm. Underlayer 24 comprises a tuft substrate or carrier fabric 26 into which fibres 28 are tufted. In the shown embodiment these are made from the same material as the court parts forming playing surface 4, 8. The colour of fibres 28 is preferably white, while the colour of fibres 22 is preferably gravel red. A sand covering of preferably a ceramic industrial sand with a thickness of about 15 mm is arranged between fibres 22, 28. The number of stitches per m² of tennis court 2 amounts to about 70, 000-90, 000.

[0024] During laying of tennis court 2 a foundation layer 16 is first provided. First court parts 4, 8 are then arranged on this foundation layer 16, followed by second court parts 6, 10, 12. A recess can be provided here for line markings 6, 10, 12, or they can be cut out of first court parts 4, 8. An alternative is to remove the fibres from first court parts 4, 8 at the position of line markings 6, 10, 12, after which these line markings are arranged on the original underlayer 18 of court parts 4, 8.

[0025] During placing of line markings 6, 10, 12 use is made of an adhesive connection, wherein a two-component PUR adhesive is usually applied.

[0026] A tennis court 30 (figure 3A) is provided with a conventional line marking 32 for an artificial turf. The conventional line marking 32 has a deformation 34. This is also referred to as "line dancing" and is caused by deformation of the artificial turf. A tennis court 36 (figure 1) is provided with a line marking 38 according to the invention at the same position as conventional line marking 32. The absence of deformations is clearly visible. This is realized inter alia with the thicker so-called backing (figure 2) for line marking 38 according to the invention.

[0027] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. It is thus for instance possible to also apply the method according to the invention to surfaces other than just tennis courts. It is possible here to envisage hockey fields and football fields.

Claims

1. Method for realizing a tennis court, comprising the steps of:

- providing a first court part, forming a playing surface, on a substrate suitable for the purpose by placing an underlayer provided with a first thickness in which a first set of fibres of a first length is provided; and

- providing a second court part, forming a line marking for the first court part, by placing an underlayer provided with a second thickness in which a second set of fibres of a second length is provided,

wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness such that the second set of fibres extends in a direction substantially perpendicularly of the plane of the tennis court to a height greater than that of the first set of fibres, and wherein the second length is at most equal to the first length of the fibres.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the second underlayer is such that line movements are prevented.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the second underlayer is such that bounce behaviour of the second court part differs relative to bounce behaviour of the first court part.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the length of the first set of fibres is substantially equal to the length of the second set of fibres.

5. Method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-4,
wherein providing the second underlayer comprises of arranging a coating with a thickness greater than the coating thickness arranged for the first underlayer.

6. Method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-5,
wherein providing the second underlayer comprises of providing a thicker adhesive layer and/or providing a thicker tuft substrate.

7. Method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-6, wherein, after providing the first court part, a part thereof is removed and/or not placed at the position of a desired line marking, after which the second court part is provided at the position of the desired line marking.

8. Method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the removal of a part of the first court part comprises of cutting out the desired line marking.

9. Method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-6,
wherein the fibres on a part of the underlayer are removed after the first court part has been provided, after which the second court part is arranged on the underlayer of the first court part.

10. Tennis court, comprising:

- a first court part forming a playing surface and provided with an underlayer with a first thickness, in which a first set of fibres of a first length are provided; and

- a second court part connected to the first court part and forming the line marking for the playing surface and provided with an underlayer with a second thickness, in which a second set of fibres of a second length are provided, wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness and wherein the second length is at most equal to the first length of the fibres.

11. Tennis court as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lengths of the first and second set of fibres are substantially equal.

12. Tennis court as claimed in claim 10 or 11, the first and second underlayer comprising a coating and/or adhesive layer and/or tuft substrate such that the thickness of the first underlayer is smaller than the thickness of the second underlayer such that desired playing characteristics are realized.

Drawing