Athletic Floor Panel System

Abstract

A spring-biased floor for gymnastic and cheerleading competitions is formed from a plurality of interlocked panels having overlapping edges. Springs are mounted on the bottom of the panels, including beneath the overlapped edges. The primary panels include L-shaped ledges extending along two adjacent sides, while finishing panels include a ledge along only one side. The springs mount onto heads extending downwardly from the panels and having a 360.degree. lip over which the springs are snap fit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved athletic floor panel system. The floor is spring-biased so as to be particularly useful for gymnastic and cheerleading competitions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various types of athletic floors are known in the prior art that utilize interlocking panels. The panels are connected by various means, such as tongue and groove fit, pins, cams, overlapping tabs, keys, hooks, and straps. Such panel floor systems are commonly made of plastic, and are used for such games as basketball, tennis, and other court sports which do not require any spring-bias. Such floor systems are sold commercially under the trademarks Sport Court, Spider Court, and Mate Flex.

[0003] Spring supported floors are also known for use in gymnastic and cheerleading competitions. Such floors normally are made of wood, covered with one or more layers of padding. The wood panels are abutted side by side and retained by various hardware. Such floors absorb substantial forces from gymnasts and cheerleaders tumbling and jumping on the panels. The joints of adjacent panels are typically the weakest points in the floor, due to such forces. Therefore, some floors utilize dual board layers having offset joints. These prior art spring biased floors also utilize many pieces, which require substantial time for set up and disassembly, which is labor intensive, time consuming and costly, particularly for weekend competitions wherein the floors are temporarily installed at a venue. Also, the weight of the wood and size of the wood panels often requires at least two people for moving the panels, and results in a substantial overall weight of the floor system for transportation. Spring supported plastic floors are unknown in the prior art.

[0004] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved athletic floor panel system.

[0005] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved spring biased athletic floor system.

[0006] Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor made of lightweight and durable plastic.

[0007] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system comprised of a plurality of panels having overlapped edges defining strong and stable joints between adjacent panels.

[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor panel system comprised of a plurality of lightweight plastic panels which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

[0009] Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system having a plurality of primary panels and finishing panels which overlap and interlock with one another.

[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system comprised of molded plastic panels having integrally formed heads on the bottom surface for snap-fit mounting of springs to the panels.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system having a minimum number of different plastic molded pieces.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system having panels with integral ledges to strengthen the floor joints.

[0013] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor panel system having springs mounted beneath the floor panel joints.

[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor panel system having a plurality of male and female connectors for connecting the panels together.

[0015] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spring-biased athletic floor system having a plurality of panels which are releasably secured together.

[0016] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved spring-biased athletic floor system which is economical to manufacture, lightweight, and durable in use.

[0017] These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The spring-biased athletic floor system of present invention includes a plurality of interlocked panels with adjacent panels having overlapping edges. The primary panels have an L-shaped ledge extending along two adjacent sides, while finishing panels have a ledge only along one side. The L-shaped ledges of each primary panel interlock the panel to three adjacent panels. Adjacent panels have mating beveled surfaces to simplify and facilitate assembly of the panels. The panels are plastic, so as to be lightweight. A plurality of springs are mounted on heads molded onto the bottom of the panels, with some springs being located beneath the overlapped edges of the panels. The spring-mount heads have a 360.degree. lip to retain the springs on the head. Male and female couplings with locking pins interlock the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spring-biased athletic floor panel system according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of four assembled primary panels used in the floor system of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of four assembled primary panels shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the four panel assembly of FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the four panel assembly of FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top plan exploded view of the four panel assembly of FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom plan view of the four panel assembly of FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the four panel assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 2.

[0028] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of four primary panels with springs and locking pins.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a primary panel according to the present invention, without springs or locking pins.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a finishing panel according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a finishing panel according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a finishing panel according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a finishing panel according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a locking pin used in the spring-biased athletic floor system of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the locking pin shown in FIG. 16.

[0036] FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the locking pin, taken at 90.degree. from the view shown in FIG. 17.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a spring adaptor used in the athletic floor system of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the spring adaptor shown in FIG. 19.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the spring adaptor shown in FIG. 19.

[0040] FIG. 22 is a section view showing two adjacent panels without interlocking pins, and with one panel loaded so as to compress the springs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] The spring-biased athletic floor system of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The floor 10 comprises a plurality of rows and columns of panels. FIG. 1 shows four rows and four columns of panels for illustration purposes, though it is understood that a typical athletic or gymnastic floor will include many rows and columns of panels. For example, a floor 10 used for gymnastic competition may be 40'.times.40', using 20 rows and 20 columns of panels wherein the top surface is a 2'.times.2' square. A floor 10 used for cheerleading competition may be larger. The exact size and shape of the floor 10 and individual panels may vary, as needed or desired.

[0042] The floor 10 includes a plurality of primary panels 12 and finishing panels 14. In FIG. 1, the primary panels are labeled as A-I, while the finishing panels are labeled J-P. The finishing panels 14 extend along two adjacent sides of the floor 10.

[0043] The primary panels 12 are best shown in FIGS. 2-11. Each primary panel 12 is made of molded plastic so as to be lightweight yet strong. Each primary panel 12 includes a main body 16, and an L-shaped ledge 18 extending along two adjacent sides. In a preferred embodiment, the body 16 of the panel is 24 inches square. Each leg of the ledge 18 has a length of 24 inches, such that the ends of the ledge terminate inwardly from the opposite sides of the body 16, as best seen in FIG. 6. Again, these dimensions are preferred, and may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0044] As seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the bottom of the primary panels 12 have a honeycomb grid pattern to provide structural rigidity for the panels. Other patterns may be used to provide strength and rigidity for the panels.

[0045] Each panel 12 also has a plurality of projections extending downwardly from the bottom of the panels. More particularly, a first set of locking tubes 20A-C extend downwardly from the body 16 adjacent to edges opposite the ledge 18. Female locking tubes 22A-C extends downwardly from the L-shaped ledge 18. The male locking tubes 20 are adapted to be received in the female locking tubes 22 when the primary panels are assembled. For example, the four primary panels 12A, B, D and E shown in FIGS. 4-7, are interconnected as follows: male tube 20A of panel 12B is received in the female tube 22C of panel 12A; male tube 20C of panel 12D is received in the female tube 22A of the panel 12A; male tube 20B of panel 12E is received in the female tube 22B of the panel 12A; the male tube 20A of panel 12E is received in the female tube 22C of panel 12D; and the male tube 20C of panel 12D is received in the female tube 22A of the panel 12B. Thus, the ledge 18 of the panel 12A is interlocked with the body 16 of the panels 12B, D and E; and the body 16 of the panel 12E is interlocked with the ledges 18 of the panels 12A, B and D.

[0046] The lower end of each of the male and female tubes 20, 22 are provided with a keyed slot 24 to receive the lower end of a locking pin 26, best shown in FIGS. 16-18. The locking pin 26 extends downwardly through the male tube 20 and female tube 22, and with the foot 28 of the pin 26 extending through the slots 24 of the tubes 20, 22. The pin 26 is then turned or rotated approximately 90.degree. such that a shoulder 30 on the foot 28 of the pin 26 overlappingly engages the bottom of the female tube 22, thereby locking the overlapped panels together.

[0047] The upper end of each pin 26 includes an enlarged diameter head 32 with a recess 34 adapted to receive a tool (not shown), such as an allen wrench or torque bit, for turning the pin 26 between locked and unlocked positions. An arrow or other indicia 36 is provided on the head 32 to indicate the orientation of the foot 28 relative to the key slot 24. Indicia 38, 39 indicating a locked and unlocked position of the pin 26 may also be provided on the body 16 of each panel 12, 14. Thus, the pin 26 can be oriented with the arrow 36 aligned with the unlocked indicia 38 when inserting or removing the pin 26 from the panel 12. When the pin 26 is rotated to a locked position, the arrow 36 will align with the "locked" indicia 39 on the body 16 of the panel 12.

[0048] Another set of tubes 40A-D extend downwardly from the bottom of the body 16 of each panel 12 for receipt in corresponding holes 42A-D in the ledge 18 of the panels 12. Thus, the holes 42A, B of panel 12A receive the tubes 40C, D, respectively of panel 12D; the holes 42C, D of panel 12A receive the tubes 40A, B of panel 12B; the tubes 40A, B of panel 12E are received in the holes 42C, D of panel 12D; and the tubes 40C, D of panel 12E are received in the holes 42A, B of panel 12B.

[0049] It is understood that the male tubes 20, 40 may have a friction fit in the female tubes 22 and holes 42, respectively, for a permanent assembly of the panels 12, 14. Alternatively, the tubes 20, 40 may have a loose fit within the female tubes 22 and holes 42, respectively, for floors 10 that are intended to be disassembled.

[0050] Each panel 12 also has a plurality of heads 44 extending downwardly therefrom and upon which springs 46 are mounted. "Spring" is broadly defined herein as a device that returns energy. Thus, the springs 46 may be coil springs, as shown in the drawings, or other devices that provide a return of energy, such as leaf springs, air springs, rubber or foam.

[0051] More particularly, three heads 44 are provided on each ledge 18, while another head 44 is provided on the bottom of the body 16. For the perimeter panels, such as panels 12A, B and D, an adaptor head 48 is mounted on the tubes 40 on the bottom of the body 16 for receiving springs 46. The spring mount heads 44 and the adaptor heads 48 each include a neck 50, and a large diameter lip or bead 52 preferably extending 360.degree. around the heads 44 and 48, and a downwardly tapered end 54. The springs 46 can thus be slid onto the end 54 of the head 44 and adaptor 48 and snap fit over the lip 52 for retention on the head 44 and adaptor 48. Once mounted, the springs 46 do not need to be removed. Preferably, the adaptor 48 is friction fit on the tubes 40 for permanently mounting along the perimeter edge of the floor 10.

[0052] Thus, in the preferred embodiment, edge panels 12B and D and the interior panels 12E are supported by seven springs, while the corner panel 12A is supported by eight springs, as best seen in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the spring locations have been labeled as 46A-X. Panel 12A is supported by springs 46A, B, E, F, G, J, K and L; panel 12B is supported by springs 46C, D, G, H, I, M and N; panel 12D is supported by springs 46K, O, P, Q, T, U and V; and panel 12E is supported by springs 46L, M, Q, R, S, W, and X. Thus, the corner panel 12A is supported by eight springs, while the remaining panels 12B, D and E are supported by seven springs. Springs 46 are spaced approximately one foot apart in the preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 3. The edges 17 of each panel body 16 are preferably midway between the spring heads 44 on the ledge 18 and the body 16.

[0053] The finishing panels 14 have a body 56 and a ledge 58 formed only along one side of the panel, as seen in FIGS. 11-15. Other than the single ledge 58, the finishing panels 14 are similar to the primary panels 14, and include tubes 20, 22, and 40, holes 42, heads 44, adaptors 48, locking pins 26 and springs 46. The outer edges of the ledges 18 and 58 are provided with a beveled surface 60 which matingly engages a beveled surface 62 on the bottom of the bodies 16 and 56 of the panels 12 and 14, respectively. The beveled surfaces 60, 62 facilitate positioning and assembly of the panels 12, 14.

[0054] The floor 10 is assembled, in a preferred method, in the order of panels A-P. In other words, in a preferred method, the floor 10 is assembled in the following order: row 1, panels A-C; then row 2, panels D-F; then row 3, panels G-I; then row 4, panels J-L; and then lastly column 4, panels M-P. It is noted that finishing panels 14J-P are identical in construction, but in assembly, the panels 14M-P are rotated 90.degree. compared to the panels 14J-L, as seen in FIG. 1. The last finishing panel 14P assembled into the floor 10 will need to have the ledge 58 trimmed or cut therefrom. Alternatively, a final corner panel (not shown) can be manufactured without any ledge 58, but otherwise having a similar structure to the finishing panels 14.

[0055] Preferably, the locking pins 26 are used for both permanent and temporary installations of the floor system 10. However, to save assembly and disassembly time in a temporary installation, the pins 26 are not required.

[0056] FIG. 22 shows panels 12A and 12B joined together, but without the use of locking pins 26. The panel 12A is loaded so as to compress the spring 46. Since the panels are not locked with pins 26, the load force is not transmitted to the panel 12B. As seen in this figure, the male tube 20 on the panel 12B does not disengage from the female tube 20 on the panel 12A, even though the springs 46 on the panel 12A are fully compressed. Thus, even without the locking pins 26, the panels remain joined at the overlapping edges during use.

[0057] Once the floor panels 12, 14 are assembled, the floor 10 is covered with an appropriate padded layer in any convenient manner, prior to use for gymnastic and cheerleading competitions.

[0058] The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claims

1. An athletic floor, comprising: a plurality of interlocked panels, with adjacent panels having overlapping edges; a plurality of springs mounted on the bottom of the panels to provide bias for the floor; and some of the springs being located beneath the overlapped edges.

2. The athletic floor of claim 1 wherein each panel is one piece molded plastic.

3. The athletic floor of claim 1 further comprising pins extending downwardly through the overlapped edges to lock adjacent panels together.

4. The athletic floor of claim 3 wherein the pins twist lock to secure the panels together.

5. The athletic floor of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of heads on the bottom of the panels for mounting the springs.

6. The athletic floor of claim 1 wherein the panels include primary panels and finishing panels.

7. The athletic floor of claim 6 wherein each primary panel locks to at least three adjacent panels.

8. The athletic floor of claim 6 wherein the primary panels each have an L-shaped ledge extending from two adjacent sides.

9. The athletic floor of claim 8 wherein each L-shaped ledge of each primary panel locks to three adjacent panels.

10. The athletic floor of claim 6 wherein each finishing panel includes a ledge extending from only one side.

11. The athletic floor of claim 1 wherein the overlapping edges include male and female connections.

12. The athletic floor of claim 1 wherein the springs snap fit onto the bottom of the panels.

13. The athletic floor of claim 1 wherein the overlapped edges of adjacent panels have mating beveled surfaces.

14. A spring-biased floor, comprising: a plurality of primary panels each having L-shaped ledges extending along two adjacent sides; adjacent panels having overlapping edges; and springs mounted on the bottom of each panel.

15. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of finishing panels each having a ledge extending along only one side for connection to one of the primary panels.

16. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 wherein each primary panel locks to three adjacent panels.

17. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 wherein the overlapping edges include male and female connections.

18. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 wherein the springs press fit onto the bottom of the panels.

19. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 further comprising pins extending downwardly through the overlapped edges to lock adjacent panels together.

20. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 wherein each panel includes a body having an edge which extends approximately midway between the springs.

21. The spring-biased floor of claim 14 wherein the overlapped edges of adjacent panels have mating beveled surfaces.

22. A spring-biased floor, comprising: a plurality of interlocked panels; a plurality of heads on the bottom of the panels; and a plurality of springs mounted on the heads.

23. The spring-biased floor of claim 22 wherein each of the heads has a lip extending 360.degree. to retain one of the springs on the head.

24. The spring-biased floor of claim 22 wherein the springs are snap fit on the heads.

25. The spring-biased floor of claim 22 wherein the heads are integrally formed on the panels.