U.S. patent application number 11/967429 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for athletic floor panel system.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRI-TEK INDUSTRIES. Invention is credited to LARRY K. BURK, RYAN BURK.
Application Number | 20090165414 11/967429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40796447 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090165414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BURK; LARRY K. ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
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.
Inventors: |
BURK; LARRY K.; (Dubuque,
IA) ; BURK; RYAN; (Dubuque, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE, SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Assignee: |
TRI-TEK INDUSTRIES
Dubuque
IA
|
Family ID: |
40796447 |
Appl. No.: |
11/967429 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/403.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2203/06 20130101;
E04F 15/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/403.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/22 20060101
E04F015/22 |
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.
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.
* * * * *