US 11,885,077 B2
Playing surface assemblies and systems, and methods of making and using same
Philipe Aldahir, Chattanooga, TN (US); and Cab Bramlett, Dalton, GA (US)
Assigned to Columbia Insurance Company, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed by COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on May 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/826,710.
Application 17/826,710 is a continuation of application No. 17/025,148, filed on Sep. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,346,063.
Application 17/025,148 is a continuation of application No. 16/667,439, filed on Oct. 29, 2019, granted, now 10,794,013, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/752,093, filed on Oct. 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0290380 A1, Sep. 15, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E01C 13/08 (2006.01); A63C 19/04 (2006.01)
CPC E01C 13/08 (2013.01) [D10B 2505/202 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A playing surface assembly that defines at least a portion of a playing surface, the playing surface assembly comprising:
a backing having a top surface;
a plurality of reinforcement elements secured to and extending upwardly from the backing; and
infill material defining a top surface of the playing surface assembly and having a height measured from the top surface of the backing,
wherein each reinforcement element of the plurality of reinforcement elements has a top end and a reveal distance corresponding to a vertical spacing between the top surface of the playing surface assembly and the top end of the reinforcement element, wherein the height of the infill material is greater than the reveal distance of each reinforcement element, wherein the plurality of reinforcement elements are configured to restrict lateral and vertical migration of the infill material, and
wherein the infill material comprises clay, and wherein the clay has a sieve size ranging from 10 to 60 mesh.