IMPACT ABSORBING LAMINATE AND ARTICLES FABRICATED THEREFROM

• US 3,816,234 A
• Filed: 03/22/1971
• Issued: 06/11/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Armand Gordon Winfield
• Original Assignee: Armand Gordon Winfield
• Inventors: Winfield, Armand Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Van Balen, William J.
• Application Number:
  US05/126,421
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 260/2.5HA 161/160,161,93,190,247 52/309 117/72,138.8D,138.8E,138.8F
• US Class Current: 428/317.9
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/00 Seats or covers for all kinds of closets dog or cat toilets adapted to fit on conventional toilets A01K1/0121
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/001 Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00 bath lifting devices for sick persons and invalids A61G7/10; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/025 Polyolefin vinyl or acrylic copolymers B32B2266/0221, B32B2266/0242
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2439/00 Containers; Receptacles closures therefor B32B2435/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2607/00 Walls, panels
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/065 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/98 against vibrations or shocks on foundations E02D31/08; against mechanical destruction, e.g. by air-raids against incendiary damage only E04B1/94; finishing work therefor E04F; buildings withstanding earthquake or the like, shelters, arrangements of splintercatching walls E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/22 Resiliently-mounted floors, e.g. sprung floors laid as webs E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/00 Swimming or splash baths or pools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249981 Plural void-containing components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249986 Void-containing component contains also a solid fiber or solid particle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/254 Polymeric or resinous material

Abstract

The laminate comprises (i) a layer of impact absorbing foam, (ii) a flexible, resinous finishing layer affixed to the foam layer, and (iii) a continuous, flexible thin layer of a substantially water impermeable resin affixed to the finishing layer. In one embodiment, impact absorbing polypropylene or polyethylene foam is provided with a finishing layer of either a cross-linked polyethylene ionomeric foam or a mixture of a ground impact absorbing foam dispersed throughout an acrylic resin binder. A thin vinyl or acrylic resinous layer is affixed to the finishing layer to complete the laminate. The laminate is rigidified by affixing a stiff, self-supporting backing layer, such as a reinforced polyester or epoxy resin, to the impact absorbing foam to sandwich the foam between the backing and finishing layer. Numerous impact absorbing articles such as walls, floors, ceilings, bathtubs, swimming pools, sinks, shower stalls, can be fabricated from the laminate. Pre-existing surfaces are rendered impact absorbing by covering such surfaces with the laminate. In addition to the safety feature arising from its impact absorbing properties, the laminate is water resistant, easy to clean and maintain, substantially dent resistant, of light weight, and attractive to the eye.

Claims

2. A finishing layer, a first surface of which is attached to said layer of impact absorbing foam, said finishing layer being a mixture comprising from about 5 to 60 percent by weight, on a dry basis, of a ground impact absorbing foam dispersed in a resinous binder wherein the weight ratio of binder to foam is about 0.5 to 6, and wherein substantially all of said ground foam has an average particle size of - 20 mesh to + 325 mesh;

and

3. an outer skin layer of a continuous, flexible, substantially water impermeable resinous material affixed to a second surface of said finishing layer.

4. An impact absorbing laminate, and articles fabricated therefrom, consisting essentially of:

5. The laminate of claim 4 wherein the polyethylene has a density of about 4 to 6 pounds per cubic foot, the polypropylene has a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot and wherein the foam finishing layer is an ionomeric foam.

6. The laminate of claim 3 further including a rigid, self-supporting backing layer affixed to said layer of impact absorbing foam to sandwich the layer of impact absorbing foam between the backing layer and finishing layer.

7. The laminate of claim 4 further including a rigid, self-supporting backing layer affixed to said layer of impact absorbing foam to sandwich the layer of impact absorbing foam between the backing layer and finishing layer.

8. The laminate of claim 5 further including a rigid, self-supporting backing layer affixed to said layer of impact absorbing foam to sandwich the layer of impact absorbing foam between the backing layer and finishing layer.