Impact and energy absorbing product for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces

• US 6,598,365 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl J. Abraham, Henry D. Cross
• Original Assignee: Carl J. Abraham, Henry D. Cross
• Inventors: Cross, Henry D., Abraham, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US09/975,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20030070376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 524/031, 521/671, 521/674, 521/697, 482/121, 482/23, 482/26, 482/14, 482/30, 482/32, 482/25, 482/148, 292/65, 267/160, 267/179, 267/170
• US Class Current: 52/403.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/225 Shock absorber members therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/026 specially adapted for cushioning impacts
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/128 with motion-limiting means, e.g. with a full-length guide element or ball joint connections; with protective outer cover F16F1/121 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12

Abstract

An impact and energy absorbing product for floors, walls, panels, crash mats and other flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium or steel, to help absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with said flat surfaces. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or metals such as titanium or steel—lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon a flat surface to hold the spring in place. Thus, a floor or wall surface may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein. The springs may be spread throughout the area to be protected, providing a completely controlled protected area to help effectively absorb and dissipate forces upon impact. As such, the assembly of the present invention may be utilized for items such as crash mats for many sports, wall mats in gymnasiums, or wall boards in indoor or outdoor rinks and arenas.

Claims

1. An impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, crash mats and other flat surfaces comprising:

a spring (12);

which comprises a spring first end (12A) and spring second end (12B);

a first flared insert (14) affixed to spring (12) at the spring first end (12A), the flared insert (14) generally conical in configuration, tapered such that an outer edge of the first flared insert (14) is of a greater diameter than an inner edge of the first flared insert (14) which comes in contact with the spring first end (12A);

a second flared insert (46) affixed to spring (12) at the spring second end (12B), the flared insert (16) generally conical in configuration, tapered such that an outer edge of the second flared insert (16) is of a greater diameter than an inner edge of the second flared insert (16) which comes in contact with the spring second end (12B);

a receiving member (18), comprising a top surface (18A), bottom surface (18B), and molded female slot (20), molded female slot (20) in the form of a tapered, generally conical aperture, functioning to slidingly receive first flared insert (14) therein, receiving member (18) rigidly affixed to a previously determined flat surface; and

an outermost panel (22) which covers the plurality of springs of the assembly, the outermost panel exposed and functioning to receive primary forces of humans and object coming in contact therewith, with the plurality of springs receiving secondary forces, the flat surface receiving additional forces, and only remaining dissipated forces distributed to the body of one coming in contact with the outermost panel (22).

2. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is used in connection with a floor of an in-ground style swimming pool.

3. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 2, wherein the spring assembly is adapted to a riser portion of a floor of a swimming pool, adjacent a diving board used in connection therewith.

4. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is used in connection with a floor of an above-ground style swimming pool.

5. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is adapted to a floor of a swimming pool by a plurality of suction cups, wherein water is allowed to pass through the assembly.

6. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the presence of springs within the assembly significantly reduces a quantity of padding and board material needed, thus reducing weight and manufacturing costs.

7. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the assembly is used in conjunction with previously existing boards of indoor sporting arenas.

8. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the assembly is used for an activity selected from the group consisting of diving, swimming, ice hockey, roller hockey, roller skating, skateboarding, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse;

football, arena football, gymnastics, baseball, auto racing, motorcycle racing, cycling, and track and field events.

9. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein each spring is tailored to absorb and dissipate foreseeable forces of humans and objects coming in contact with the spring assembly.

10. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the springs are manufactured of polymeric materials.

11. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the springs are manufactured of metal materials, including steel and titanium.

12. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the flared insert is removably attached to the spring.

13. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the flared insert is rigidly attached to the spring.

14. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is retrofitted to previously-existing floors, walls, and other flat surfaces.

15. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring is of a width of a range of one sixteenth inch to one half inch.

16. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the flared insert is of a width of a range of one-quarter inch to three quarter inch.

17. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is manufactured in a variety of previously determined sizes, functioning to render the spring assembly effective for multiple previously determined sporting events and hazardous activities.

18. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly is manufactured in a variety of previously determined colors and designs, functioning to match a dé

cor of flat surfaces upon which the spring assembly is utilized.

19. The impact and energy absorbing assembly for floors, walls, and other flat surfaces as described in claim 1, wherein the spring assembly attaches to the flat surface without significant modification to the flat surface.