Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Underlying compressible layer or pad
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-12
2003-07-29
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Underlying compressible layer or pad
C052S167100, C052S167400, C267S160000, C267S179000, C482S023000, C482S026000, C482S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06598365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is 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 assist in the absorption and dissipation of forces from humans and other objects coming in contact with said floors, walls, panels, and other flat surfaces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for improved floor and board designs have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to the invention at hand, as well a description outlining the differences between the features of the present invention and those of the prior art.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,779, invented by Jewett, entitled “Tippable Sunken Baffles For Diver Protection In Pools”
In the patent to Jewett, novel baffles are provided for safeguarding divers from severe head, neck or back injuries due to unexpected collisions with bottom walls of pools, and operate on the principle of “rolling with the punches” rather than taking them head-on, with the buoyant force of the layer of pool water immediately underlying the frontward platform-like impact-receiving portion of the baffle serving to cushion the downward or downward-frontward tipping movement which results from collision therewith of the body of a descending diver and aid in returning said platform-like portion to its initial position; whereby difficulties with excessive rebound or whiplash action of the baffle are obviated. In step-wise series or cascades, two or more may act sequentially and independently, so that rebound force generated by one comes too late to affect the diver, his body meanwhile having passed out of range of such rebound force and into cushioned contact with the next. Special further arrangements of the new baffles are also disclosed for protecting the heads of slide-divers doing unexpected somersaults, as well as for permitting divers to intentionally convert their divers into partial or full dive rolls to be terminable on cushioned slideways sloping from the water level immediately in front of the slide and in a downwardly-forwardly manner, without incurring risk of paraplegic injury in the process.
2. U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,198, invented by Jewett, entitled “Safety Baffling And Related Equipment For Swimming Pools”
The Jewett patent provides novel safety baffling or baffles for placement in swimming pools at loci underlying the forwardly protruding fronts of poolside slides, diving boards, and diving platforms, and extending any desired distance rearwardly of said fronts as well as forwardly thereof at least a typical diver-body length of 3 to 5 feet but advantageously more. Advantageously each baffle comprises a relatively dense and slippery skid-surfaced lamina carrying “streamlined” slippery-surfaced, cushioning “shingles” plus a less dense subjacent cushioning medium or lamina, e.g., of polyurethane foam or the equivalent, so placed as to obliquely, i.e. glancingly, intercept the trajectory of a headfirst slider or diver sufficiently to at once control or change its direction and reduce his momentum—this process being successively repeated via new such interceptions engendered by change in angularity of said skid surface or of obliquity of downwardly dangling arms of a slide diver along it when it is comprised in a buoyantly floating said baffle; in which latter case characteristic danger of a neck-breaking somersault will be precluded.
3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,351, invented by Watson, entitled “Above-Ground Pool Underlayment Panels”
In the patent to Watson, a group of modular planar structural foam sections are laid on the ground directly underneath the liner of an above-ground pool. The foam panels are cut so that they fit tightly side-by-side covering all areas within the frame. The joints between the panels are then filled by caulking and taped over to smooth the top surface of the joints. The result is an improved pool underlayment system which provides many advantages, including cushioning of swimmer impact to help prevent shallow diving injuries.
4. U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,626, invented by Grosser et al., entitled “Exercise Floor”
In the patent to Grosser, et al., 4×8 Plywood sections are interconnected by a system of tabs and latches, and a spring suspension system is provided beneath the interconnected sections.
5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,932, invented by Trotter, Jr., entitled “Aerobic Exercise Floor System”
The Trotter, Jr. patent describes a resilient wood floor for aerobic exercise. The boards of the floor are free to pivot in tongue and groove joints. The wood is laid on a foam pad which will always yield during ordinary human exercises. The boards are held together by spring clips which lengthen when a load is applied to the boards, while holding the boards close together in a manner to prevent pinching.
6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,819, invented by Gooding, entitled “Adaptive, Energy Absorbing Structure”
The patent to Gooding describes an adaptive, energy absorbing body which includes a plurality of fluid filled cells joined together by fluid flow passageways so as to establish an intercommunicating structure which provides effective cushioning. The cells also include pressure responsive seals which restrict fluid flow between the cells when the cells are subjected to a mechanical force above a pre-selected level. Closure of the seals converts the material from open cell, to a closed cell structure, allowing it to absorb and dissipate high levels of kinetic energy. The structure is particularly useful as a shock absorbing element for footwear.
7. U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,267, invented by Burley, entitled “Dasher Board System”
In the patent to Burley, an ice rink dasher board system having an adjustable shock absorbing mechanism for providing a desired degree of resiliency of the dasher board panels is disclosed. The dasher board system may also have a rink seal gasket located between the dasher board frame and the dasher board panels, the gasket extending beneath the system to permit installation of the system even on uneven surfaces. The dasher board system may also include a door having a push-button latch that can be actuated from either side of the door.
8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,942, invented by Carol, III et al., entitled “Modular Energy Absorbing Assembly”
The patent to Carol, III et al. describes an energy absorbing assembly is provided for decelerating an object that impacts the assembly. The assembly comprises at least one energy absorbing member for accommodating deformation of the assembly. The assembly comprises a base and at least energy absorbing module associated therewith. The at least one energy absorbing module is formed from a group consisting of structure “A” and structure “B”. Structure “A” is a metal lattice which supported by the thermoformed base. Structure “B” comprises of plurality of recesses, each having a floor and a wall. Together, structures “A” and “B” and combinations thereof afford a user-determinable resistance to impact.
9. U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,217, invented by Johnston et al., entitled “Flexible Dasher Board System”
The patent to Johnston describes a flexible dasher board assembly that utilizes four aspects for providing shock absorbing features to absorb any of four types of forces imparted thereon by players. In a first aspect, the entire dasher board assembly is provided with rotational flexibility such that the board assembly will pivot about a point near the bottom of the dasher board and close to the ice. In a second aspect, the entire dasher board system is provided with translational flexibility, such that the board assembly can be pushed substantially parallel with and away from the ice. In a third aspect
Abraham Carl J.
Cross Henry D.
Friedman Carl D.
Nguyen Chi Q
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