- Number
- 11686042
- Published
- 2023-06-27
- Filed
- 2020-11-12
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Porter; Steven J.
- CPC
- A41G1/009; A41G3/00; A41G3/0083; D06M15/55; D06M15/564
- Verdict
- Low Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Artificial-terrain/hair surface-covering material for sets/costumes (granted).
Abstract
A surface covering for use as a moss covering or patch of grass via application to a surface or substrate. The surface covering provides a decorative and durable and easily maintained surface covering. The covering is fabricated using groups of fibers, such as metallic, plastic, or other material fibers, e.g., stainless steel fibers or strands available commercially as steel wool or the like. The fibers or strands provide a core of a body of each blade or piece of the surface covering, which is useful to replicate a blade of grass or moss or to mimic a strand of hair. Each body of the strands further includes an outer layer or coating, which can be formed by painting, e.g., with an epoxy or other useful material that may be colored, the mesh of metal fibers to provide a durable body with a desired look and feel.
Background
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description (1) The present description relates, in general, to artificial coverings used to replicate nature such as artificial turf, topiaries, and the like, and, more particularly, to a surface covering (and the method of making such a covering) for use in place of natural coverings of surfaces and objects, e.g., in place of moss, grass, air plant roots, robotic and other figure hair, and so on. 2. Relevant Background (2) In amusement parks, water parks, resorts, and many other facilities, there is an ongoing demand for ways to create inviting and welcoming settings that are also easy and less expensive to maintain. Also, it is desirable for the settings to include features that are natural and often match the theme of a space such as with plants from a particular part of the world. (3) Today, facility designers and operators often use manufactured or fabricated elements to replace plants and other natural features. For example, artificial turf may be used in place of grass, and plastic-leaved plants may be used in place of bushes, trees, and the like. The challenge continues to be how to fabricate these items so that they are durable while also appearing to the observer to be real or non-artificial. (4) As another specific example, moss is a common feature in natural landscapes. It grows on a variety of surfaces and has a distinctive organic appearance that can make otherwise sterile environments come to life. Replacing a grown and growing moss
Claims
1. A surface covering, comprising: a base for attaching the surface covering to a substrate or surface; and a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the elongated body includes a core and an outer layer coating the core, wherein the core is formed of a metal fiber, wherein the metal fiber comprises a steel wool fiber, and wherein the steel wool fiber comprises a stainless steel wool fiber with a coarseness in the range of 50 to 120 microns. ||
8. A surface covering, comprising: a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the elongated body includes a core and an outer layer coating the core, wherein the core is formed of a metal fiber, wherein the outer layer comprises a layer of paint, wherein the paint comprises an automotive urethane, wherein a plurality of the strands each further comprises a head stippled onto the second end, and wherein the head comprises an integrally colored epoxy. ||
10. A surface covering, comprising: a base for attaching the surface covering to a substrate or surface; and a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein a plurality of the strands each further comprises a head stippled onto the second end, and wherein the head comprises an integrally colored epoxy. ||
16. A surface covering, comprising: a base for attaching the surface covering to a substrate or surface; and a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the elongated body includes a core and an outer layer coating the core, wherein a plurality of the strands each further comprises a head stippled onto the second end, and wherein the head comprises an integrally colored epoxy. ||
24. A surface covering, comprising: a base for attaching the surface covering to a substrate or surface; and a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the elongated body includes a core and an outer layer coating the core, and wherein the base comprises a colored epoxy. ||
30. A surface covering, comprising: a base for attaching the surface covering to a substrate or surface; and a plurality of strands, wherein the strands each include an elongated body with a first end attached to the base and a second end distal to the first end, wherein a plurality of the strands each further comprises a head stippled onto the second end, and wherein the base comprises a colored epoxy.