초록

A lightweight polymer-based load bearing platform preferably including artificial turf for use as a synthetic turf block for easy installation, easy maintenance, and long term durability.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lightweight load-bearing platform comprising: a. a unitary polymeric base structure including at least a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall, a top plate, and a plurality of interior wall structures providing support under the top plate;b. the top plate includ

1. A lightweight load-bearing platform comprising: a. a unitary polymeric base structure including at least a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall, a top plate, and a plurality of interior wall structures providing support under the top plate;b. the top plate including a plurality of indentations, an upper surface of each indentation defining an engagement surface, the engagement surface defining an area of A cm2;c. a section of artificial turf secured to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the plurality of indentations;d. a plurality of apertures wherein at least one respective aperture is located through each one respective indentation of the top plate;e. a first male attachment device located along an outer surface of the first sidewall;f. a second male attachment device located along an outer surface of the second sidewall;g. a first female attachment device located along an outer surface of the third sidewall; andh. a second female attachment device located along an outer surface of the fourth sidewall. 2. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 further comprising at least five full engagement surfaces, each full engagement surface defining the area of approximately A cm2; and at least four half engagement surfaces, each half engagement surface defining an area of approximately (0.5)·A cm2. 3. The load-bearing platform of claim 2 wherein the at least five full engagement surfaces comprise approximately identical shapes. 4. The load-bearing platform of claim 2 wherein five separate sections of artificial turf are attached to each of the at least five full engagement surfaces, wherein the sections of artificial turf do not extend beyond the edge or edges of the respective full engagement surfaces. 5. The load-bearing platform of claim 3 wherein five separate sections of artificial turf are attached to each of the at least five full engagement surfaces, and wherein the sections of artificial turf do not extend beyond the edge or edges of the respective full engagement surfaces. 6. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 further comprising at least four quarter engagement surfaces, each quarter engagement surface defining an area of approximately (0.25)·A cm2, and wherein the edges of the top plate define a substantially square shape. 7. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 wherein the plurality of interior wall structures further comprises a plurality of channels defined by channel wall structures oriented orthogonally from a lower surface of the top plate, wherein each channel wall structure extends from a respective area along the lower surface of the top plate within which one of the respective apertures is located, thereby providing a path for fluid to migrate from the upper surfaces of the indentations to locations below the load-bearing platform. 8. The load-bearing platform of claim 7 wherein the channels comprise a substantially cylindrical shape. 9. The load-bearing platform of claim 7 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall each further comprises six substantially planar sub-wall portions, and wherein each adjacent pair of sub-wall portions are oriented at an interior angle ranging from about 135 degrees to about 270 degrees. 10. The load-bearing platform of claim 9 wherein the plurality of interior wall structures further comprises at least four branch walls extending at approximately 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees from each of the channel wall structures and extending to adjacent channel wall structures. 11. The load-bearing platform of claim 10 wherein the plurality of interior wall structures further comprises at least eight branch walls extending at approximately 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315 degrees from at least one of the channel wall structures and wherein the branch wall structures extending at approximately 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees, and 315 degrees from the channel wall structures all extend to adjacent channel wall structures. 12. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 further comprising a support pad including a base and a groove defined between a pair of pad sections, the pad removably attached along one of the interior wall structures, wherein the groove is defined orthogonal to the base whereby the pad can be removably engaged along the bottom of a load bearing platform by pressing a first side of the pad that includes the groove against an interior wall structure of the load-bearing platform such that the interior wall is jammed between the pair of pad sections. 13. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 wherein the first female attachment device further comprises an elongate slot extending from a bottom edge of the third sidewall to from about 20% to about 80% the height of the third sidewall. 14. The load-bearing platform of claim 1 wherein the first female attachment device further comprises a vertically oriented narrow appendage including a cap extending orthogonal from a distal end of the appendage, wherein the appendage extends outward from a bottom edge of the first sidewall to from about 20% to about 80% the height of the first sidewall. 15. The load-bearing platform of claim 3 wherein the at least five full engagement surfaces comprise square shapes and wherein the outer edges of the engagement surfaces are oriented substantially parallel to each other, thereby defining a crisscross pattern of bar shaped sections along the top plate. 16. The load-bearing platform of claim 15 wherein the upper surfaces of the bar shaped sections have the appearance of a surface consisting essentially of a member selected from the group consisting of concrete, brick, rock, and sand.