U.S. patent application number 13/188838 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for board cover and board covering system.
Invention is credited to Zdenek Studnicka.
Application Number | 20120042594 13/188838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45525135 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120042594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Studnicka; Zdenek |
February 23, 2012 |
BOARD COVER AND BOARD COVERING SYSTEM
Abstract
A cover for a board is disclosed and comprises a sheet. The
sheet has a pair of sides and a pair of ends. The sheet, in use, is
disposed lengthwise upon said board. For and extending from each
side of the sheet is provided a flange, the flange being either
fixed at about 90 degrees to or pivotably attached to the sheet.
The flanges, in use, extend in a common direction from the sheet,
on opposite sides of said board.
Inventors: |
Studnicka; Zdenek;
(Mississauga, CA) |
Family ID: |
45525135 |
Appl. No.: |
13/188838 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61366990 |
Jul 23, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.1 ;
52/309.4; 52/588.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 2/20 20130101; E04C
2/326 20130101; E04C 2/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.1 ;
52/588.1; 52/309.4 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/70 20060101
E04B001/70; E04C 2/20 20060101 E04C002/20; E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A cover for a board, the cover comprising: a sheet having a pair
of sides and a pair of ends, the sheet, in use, being disposed
lengthwise upon said board; and for and extending from each side of
the sheet, a flange, the flange being either fixed at about 90
degrees to or pivotably attached to the sheet, the flanges, in use,
extending in a common direction from the sheet, on opposite sides
of said board.
2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flanges are each movable
between an extended position, whereat the flanges extend from the
sheet in substantially coplanar relation to the sheet, and a use
position, whereat the flanges extend in the common direction in
substantially perpendicular relation to the sheet.
3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flanges are sized and
dimensioned such that, in use, the flanges substantially cover the
sides of the board.
4. The cover of claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion
projecting from the sheet such that, in use, the protrusion and the
flanges all extend in the common direction.
5. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
protrusions projecting from the sheet such that, in use, the
protrusion and the flanges all extend in the common direction, the
protrusions, in use, supporting the sheet above the board for foot
traffic while permitting air flow beneath the sheet and board and
drainage.
6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the flanges are shaped such that,
if a pair of covers are disposed in side by side relation on
adjacent boards, with the adjacent flanges thereof abutting, voids
are defined between the abutting flanges to permit drainage.
7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the sheet and flanges are
injection-molded as a single unit.
8. The cover of claim 1, wherein each side of the sheet has a
single flange.
9. The cover of claim 1, wherein: the cover has ends that
correspond with the ends of the sheet; one end of the cover is
adapted to be mechanically secured to said board in use; and the
ends of the cover are adapted such that, if a pair of the covers
are disposed in use with one of the pair of covers secured to said
board by the one end thereof, and the other of the pair of covers
is disposed adjacent the one end of the one of the pair such that
the sheets of the pair are in end to end close fitting relation,
the abutting end of the other of the pair of covers is secured held
against said board by the one end of the one of the pair of
covers.
10. The cover of claim 9, wherein the one end of the cover is
adapted to be mechanically secured to the board by screws.
11. The cover of claim 1, wherein the ends of the cover are
provided with a locking arrangement such that, if a pair of the
covers are disposed in spaced end to end relation on a board and
urged together, the proximal ends engage one another in snap fit
relation.
12. The cover of claim 11, wherein the snap fit relation provides
for spaced, close-fitting relation between the adjacent sheets, the
spaced relation allowing for the covers to expand lengthwise
without buckling in normal hot weather conditions.
13. The cover of claim 1, wherein the sheet is substantially
rectangular.
14. A system for covering a plurality of boards, the system
comprising: covers, each cover including: a substantially
rectangular sheet having a pair of sides and a pair of ends; and,
for and extending from each side of the sheet, a flange, the flange
being either fixed at about 90 degrees to or pivotably attached to
the sheet, the covers being deployed in use such that, on each of
said plurality of boards, a plurality of covers is disposed with
the sheets thereof in close fitting end-to-end relation and the
flanges thereof extending from the sheets and between the boards;
and strip foam material, the foam material being wider than the
board width and deployed in use such that, on each of said
plurality of boards, foam material is fitted between the boards and
the covers so as to cover the surface of the board on which the
sheets are positioned and to extend at least partially along each
side of the board beneath the flanges.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/366,990 filed Jul. 23, 2010, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to building products.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] The deleterious effects of moisture upon structures
constructed from wooden boards, such as decks, docks and walkways,
are well known. Moisture can progressively deteriorate wood. There
are other problems associated with the deterioration of wooden
structures. Such structures can be extremely costly, especially in
a climate of increasing costs for natural resources. In view of
these factors, innovations to prevent wood deterioration, such as
pressure treating have become prevalent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Forming one aspect of the invention is a cover for a board.
The cover comprises: a sheet having a pair of sides and a pair of
ends, the sheet, in use, being disposed lengthwise upon said board;
and for and extending from each side of the sheet, a flange, the
flange being either fixed at about 90 degrees to or pivotably
attached to the sheet. The flanges, in use, extend in a common
direction from the sheet, on opposite sides of said board.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the flanges
can each be movable between an extended position, whereat the
flanges extend from the sheet in substantially coplanar relation to
the sheet, and a use position, whereat the flanges extend in the
common direction in substantially perpendicular relation to the
sheet.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the flanges
can be sized and dimensioned such that, in use, the flanges
substantially cover the sides of the board.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover can
further comprises at least one protrusion projecting from the sheet
such that, in use, the protrusion and the flanges all extend in the
common direction.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover can
further comprise a plurality of protrusions projecting from the
sheet such that, in use, the protrusions and the flanges all extend
in the common direction, the protrusions, in use, supporting the
sheet above the board for foot traffic while permitting air flow
beneath the sheet and board as well as drainage.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the flanges
can be shaped such that, if a pair of covers are disposed in side
by side relation on adjacent boards, with the adjacent flanges
thereof abutting, voids are defined between the abutting flanges to
permit drainage.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the sheet and
flanges can be injection-molded as a single unit.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, each side of
the sheet can have a single flange.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the one end of
the cover can be adapted to be mechanically secured to the board by
screws.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the sheet can
be substantially rectangular.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover can
have ends that correspond with the ends of the sheet; one end of
the cover can be adapted to be mechanically secured to said board
in use; and the ends of the cover can be adapted such that, if a
pair of the covers are disposed in use with one of the pair of
covers secured to said board by the one end thereof, and the other
of the pair of covers is disposed adjacent the one end of the one
of the pair such that the sheets of the pair are in end to end
close fitting relation, the abutting end of the other of the pair
of covers is secured held against said board by the one end of the
one of the pair of covers.
[0015] According to other aspects of the invention: the ends of the
cover can be provided with a locking arrangement such that, if a
pair of the covers are disposed in spaced end to end relation on a
board and urged together, the proximal ends engage one another in
snap fit relation; and the snap fit relation can provides for
spaced, close-fitting relation between the adjacent sheets, the
spaced relation allowing for the covers to expand lengthwise
without buckling in normal hot weather conditions.
[0016] A system for covering a plurality of boards forms another
aspect of the invention. The system comprises covers and strip foam
material. Each cover includes: a substantially rectangular sheet
having a pair of sides and a pair of ends; and, for and extending
from each side of the sheet, a flange, the flange being either
fixed at about 90 degrees to or pivotably attached to the sheet.
The covers are deployed in use such that, on each of said plurality
of boards, a plurality of covers is disposed with the sheets
thereof in close fitting end-to-end relation and the flanges
thereof extending from the sheets and between the boards. The foam
material is wider than the board width and deployed in use such
that, on each of said plurality of boards, foam material is fitted
between the boards and the covers so as to cover the surface of the
board on which the sheets are positioned and to extend at least
partially along each side of the board beneath the flanges.
[0017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter being briefly described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will now be
described by reference to the following drawings, which illustrate
by way of example only preferred embodiments of the invention:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the cover with the
flanges in a first extended position;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cover with the
flanges in a second use position;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cover with the
flanges in a first extended position;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cover;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the cover;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the cover;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG.
4;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cover along section
B-B of FIG. 4;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a plurality of covers
covering a plurality of boards;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a further top perspective view of a plurality of
covers covering a plurality of boards;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a plurality of covers covering
a plurality of boards;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a front plan view of a plurality of covers
covering a plurality of boards; and
[0032] FIG. 14 is a side plan view of a plurality of covers
covering a plurality of boards.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a board cover according
to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of FIG.
15;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the board cover of FIG.
15;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the board cover of FIG.
15;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a side view of the board cover of FIG. 15;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a view along 20-20 of FIG. 17;
[0039] FIG. 21 is an end view of the board cover of FIG. 15;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a view along 22-22 of FIG. 17;
[0041] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 15,
configured for use;
[0042] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a plurality of the covers of
FIG. 23, in use;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 24; and
[0044] FIG. 26 is an end view of the structures of FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0045] The present invention will now described for the purposes of
illustration only in connection with certain embodiments. However,
it is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the
present invention will be made apparent by the following
description of the drawings according to the present invention.
While an exemplary embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to
be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are
considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the present
invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes
may be made without straying from the scope of the present
invention.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown in perspective view an
exemplary embodiment of a cover 100 according to the present
invention.
[0047] The cover 100 is manufactured from a rigid yet pliable
material. The material comprising the cover 100 is also preferably
water-resistant or waterproof. Examples of the material from which
the cover 100 is manufactured include plastic, non corrosive sheet
metal, and rubber. The cover 100 may also be manufactured from a
combination of materials, for example by co-molding rubber over
plastic, or rubber over formed sheet metal.
[0048] The cover 100 has a sheet 110. FIG. 1 depicts the sheet 110
as having a rectangular shape so as to correspond with a board (not
shown) having substantially straight edges. Those having ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the sheet 110 could be shaped
in any manner to correspond with the shape of a board beneath the
sheet 110.
[0049] The width of the sheet 110 is at least the width of the
board being covered. Thus, for structures constructed from four
inch wide boards, the sheet 110 is at least four inches wide. For
structures constructed from five and one half inch wide boards, the
sheet 110 is at least five and one half inches wide.
[0050] As may be better appreciated from a consideration of FIG.
13, the width of the sheet 110 may be slightly greater than the
width of a top surface a board 120 covered by the cover 100.
[0051] In this exemplary embodiment of the cover 100, the sheet 110
includes a means for creating friction on an outer surface 144 of
the sheet 110. The means for creating friction shown in FIG. 1 is a
series of protuberances 150 formed in the outer surface 144 of the
sheet 110. It will be recognized by a person skilled in the art
that other means for creating friction could be utilized, such as a
series of alternating grooves and ridges.
[0052] The protuberances 150 are equally distributed upon the outer
surface 144 of the sheet 110 in a grid pattern. Further, as may be
better appreciated from consideration of FIGS. 6 and 7, the
protuberances 150 are bevelled.
[0053] FIG. 3 shows an inner surface 156 of the sheet 110. The
inner surface 156 of the sheet 110 includes at least one protrusion
for engaging the top surface 124 of the board 120. It will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that the purposes of the
invention may be achieved if one employs any number of protrusions
shaped and arrayed so as to separate the inner surface 156 of the
sheet 110 and the top surface 124 of the board 120. As shown in
FIG. 3, the protrusions are a plurality of ribs 160. These ribs 160
are orientated parallel to one another and in two series 164 and
168 that define a channel 170.
[0054] Near a first end 180 of the cover 100, four short ribs 162
are orientated across the width of the sheet 110 and parallel to
the ribs 160. The ribs 160 and the short ribs 162 are formed in the
inner surface 156 of the sheet 110.
[0055] The first end 180 of the sheet 110 and a second end 190 of
the sheet 110 are adapted to include attachment means. It will be
appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the purposes of the
invention may be achieved by employing any attachment means
including hooks, clasps, or the like. In the embodiment described
herein, the attachment means consist of two outer female tabs 200
and two inner female tabs 206 situated at the first end 180 of the
sheet 110 and two outer male tabs 210 and an inner male tab 216
situated at the second end 190 of the sheet 110. The female tabs
200 and 206 and the male tabs 210 and 216 are formed in the inner
surface 156 of the sheet 110.
[0056] The distance between the inner female tabs 206 is equal to
the distance between each inner female tab 206 and an adjacent
outer female tab 200. The outer female tabs 200 are slightly wider
than the inner female tabs 206. Each of the female tabs 200 and 206
correspond with a short rib 162 such that the distances between
adjacent female tabs 200 and 206 match corresponding distances
between short ribs 162.
[0057] The distance between the inner male tab 216 and each outer
male tab 210 is at least equal to the width of inner female tabs
206. The distance between each outer male tab 210 and the closest
of the first edge 130 of the sheet 110 and the opposing edge 136 of
the sheet 110 is at least equal to the width of the outer female
tabs 200.
[0058] Each male tab 210 and 216 defines an aperture 220 sized so
as to receive a fastener (not shown) such as a screw, a nail or the
like.
[0059] The cover 110 includes a plurality of flanges. In the
preferred embodiment depicted herein, the cover 110 has two
flanges. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that
the purposes of the invention can be achieved by incorporating two
or more flanges.
[0060] A first flange 300 is attached adjacent to the first edge
130 of the sheet 110 and a second flange 310 is attached to the
sheet 110 adjacent to the second edge 136 of the sheet 110. The
length of the flanges 300 and 310 is equal to the length of the
sheet 110. The height of the flanges 300 and 310 is preferably
equal to or greater than the height of sides 124 and 126 of board
120.
[0061] The flanges 300 and 310 are either fixed at about 90 degrees
as in FIG. 2 (for sheet metal and plastic made parts without fold
line-live hinge) or pivotably attachable to the sheet 110 (for
plastic parts with fold line-live hinge). It will be appreciated by
a person skilled in the art that the purposes of the invention may
be achieved employing any conventional means for pivotably
attaching the flanges 300 and 310 to the sheet 110. A top edge of
each flange is bevelled as demonstrated by top edge 304 of flange
300 shown in FIG. 7.
[0062] As may be appreciated by considering FIGS. 7 and 9, the
flanges 300 and 310 are each attached to the sheet 110 by a hinge
320. In this embodiment, the hinge 320 extends along the entire
length of the sheet 110 so as to create an integral attachment.
[0063] The first edges 324 of each hinge 320 are bevelled so as to
permit the hinge 320 to pivot downward from a first extended
position wherein the hinge flares away from the sheet 110 to a
second use position where, upon rotation of the hinge 320 about a
point where the hinge 320 attaches to the sheet 110, the hinge 320
is orientated more proximate to the sheet 110. Similarly, a second
edge 328 of each hinge 320 is bevelled so as to permit, for
example, the first flange 300 to rotate about a point at which the
hinge 320 attaches to the first flange 300 from a first position
wherein the first flange 300 is parallel to the plane of the sheet
110 to a second position wherein the first flange 300 is
perpendicular to the plane of the sheet 110.
[0064] Each flange may have a series of bosses 330 on an outer
surface 304 of the flange. Each boss 330 is integrally formed in
the flange. The bosses 330 can be equally spaced along the length
of each flange. Further, as seen in FIG. 1, the bosses 330 may be
equally sized. If necessary, narrow bosses 334 at ends of the
flanges may be smaller sized than bosses 330 so as to preserve the
uniform spacing between the bosses.
[0065] FIGS. 11 to 14 depict the cover 100 in operation with other
covers 100. Multiple covers 100 may be attached to create a system
for covering the board 120. Alternatively or additionally, one or
more covers 100 may be positioned upon adjacent boards 120 to
create a system for covering multiple boards.
[0066] Before affixing the cover 100 upon the board 120 the flanges
300 and 310 are pivoted about hinges 320 from the first position to
the second position so that the flanges 300 and 310 are orientated
perpendicular to the plane of the sheet 110 and the hinges 320 are
orientated so as to permit the cover 100 to fit snugly upon the
board 120. The cover 100 is then placed upon the board 120. The
cover 100 can be placed upon the board 120 in a snug fit as best
depicted in FIG. 13 such that each flange engages a side 126 or 128
of the board 120 and the ribs 160 engage the top surface 124 of the
board 120. Accordingly, the cover 100 is centered upon the board
120.
[0067] The cover 100 is then fastened to the board 120. Fasteners
(not shown) are placed within apertures 220 of male tabs 210 and
216 and attached to the board 120.
[0068] A second cover 104 is then attached to the first cover 100.
The flanges of the second cover 104 are pivoted to the second
position wherein the flanges are perpendicular to the plane of the
sheet of the second cover 104. The second cover 104 is then
slidably placed upon the board 120 such that the female tabs 200
and 206 of the cover 100 receive the male tabs of the second cover
104.
[0069] As seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, preferably, a second end 184 of
the second cover 104 is placed slightly distal from the first end
180 of the sheet 110 of the cover 100 so as to define a space 340
between a second end 184 of the second cover 104 and the first end
180 of the sheet 110 of the cover 100 and a first end 180 of the
second cover 104. The width of the space 340 may be 0.1 inches to
permit thermal expansion of the cover 100 and the second cover 104
without causing damage to the covers or deterioration of the board
120.
[0070] Similarly, further covers may be affixed to the board 120 to
cover a desired length of the board 120.
[0071] As best shown in FIG. 13, adjacent cover 108 may be affixed
to an adjacent board 122 to create a system for covering multiple
boards. The flanges 314 and 318 of the adjacent cover 108 are
pivoted to the second position so that the flanges 314 and 318 of
the adjacent cover 108 are perpendicular to the sheet 114 of the
adjacent cover 108. The adjacent cover 108 is then slidably placed
upon the adjacent board 122 and positioned such that adjacent
bosses 336 of the flange 314 of the adjacent cover 108 are adjacent
to the corresponding bosses 330 of the flange 310 of cover 100, as
depicted in FIG. 12. The adjacent cover 108 is then fastened to the
adjacent board 122 in a manner similar to that described above in
respect of the fastening of the cover 100 to the board 120. The
flange 314 of the adjacent cover 108 and the flange 310 of the
cover 100 define a gap 350. One or more additional covers may be
placed upon adjacent board 120 and fastened. One or more additional
covers may be affixed to further adjacent boards.
[0072] Persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that the foregoing
arrangement has substantial advantage:
[0073] the covers can be injection molded as a single piece
[0074] the pivotable nature of the flanges allow the covers to be
densely flat packed
[0075] the bosses ensure that, in use, drainage passages remain
between the covers
[0076] the upper protuberances provide stable footing to foot
traffic, even when wet
[0077] the ribs ensure airflow between the cover and board, to
resist rot
[0078] FIGS. 15-26 show a cover according to another exemplary
embodiment of the invention, which cover is designated with general
reference numeral 400. This cover 400 has functionality
substantially similar to the covers previously disclosed. For
simplicity, to the extent that this cover 400 is similar to the
previously-described covers, a detailed description is neither
required nor provided: reference is simply made at this time to the
reference numerals on FIGS. 15-26 which correspond to those found
in the previous description, and it is hereby confirmed that
structures on FIGS. 15-26 which share reference numerals with
structures on FIGS. 1-14 operate in an identical or substantially
similar fashion. The structure of FIGS. 15-26 does differ somewhat
from the structure of FIGS. 1-14, and these differences are
described hereinbelow.
Locking Arrangement
[0079] As best seen in FIGS. 15-16, this cover 400 includes a
locking arrangement, which is defined by, on one end of the cover
[the end which includes outer male tabs 210], a pair of resilient
locking fingers 502 provided with notches 504 and, on the other end
of the cover, a pair of locking detents 506. The fingers 502 are
arranged to slide along the female tabs 206, ride up over the
detents 506 and then snap back into their original positions once
the detents 506 can occupy the notches 504. This snap-fit
engagement spaces the longitudinally-adjacent sheets slightly apart
from one another to permit thermal expansion without buckling, as
discussed earlier.
Pilot Holes
[0080] As best seen in FIGS. 15 and 20, the cover 400 includes a
plurality of pilot holes 508 on the upper surface which align with
stud protuberances 510 that extend from the lower surface of the
cover. The stud protuberances 510 function in a manner analogous to
ribs 164, but have a girth that is sufficient to allow a finishing
nail to pass therethrough. This arrangement allows, inter alia, the
cover to be cut to length and secured in place.
Flange Insets
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 15, this cover 400 has flange insets
512 which are shaped and dimensioned such that, when another cover
is disposed upon the same board in longitudinally end to end close
fitting relation, the flanges of the adjacent cover are received in
and overlap the flange insets 512.
System
[0082] The cover of this embodiment can be used in a manner similar
to that shown in FIG. 10, as evidenced by FIGS. 24-26. However, as
a yet further embodiment, this cover, as well as the cover of FIGS.
1-14, can be used as part of a system which includes strip foam
material strip foam material, the foam material being wider than
the board width and deployed in use such that, on each of said
plurality of boards, foam material is fitted between the boards and
the covers so as to cover the surface of the board on which the
sheets are positioned and to extend at least partially along each
side of the board beneath the flanges. This system provides even
better protection for the boards from the elements, in that the
entire upper surface of the board is shielded from precipitation.
This system also has advantage, in that it provides a cushion for
the covers, which reduces noise production in use.
Variants
[0083] In a yet further alternative embodiment, not shown, the
strip foam material can be omitted, and the stud protuberances and
ribs can be faced on their lower surface with foam material. This
increases cost but increases airflow beneath the covers. This also
allows water infiltration at the junction of the longitudinally
adjacent covers, but this can be ameliorated, for example, by foam
tape at the joints.
[0084] In a yet further alternative embodiment, not shown, the ribs
can be removed and the stud protuberances can be pointed,
lengthened and made more plentiful. The reduced contact area,
coupled with the potential for slight penetration of the
protuberances into the wood surface, will reduce noise production,
but will slightly damage the wood, which may not be desirable in
all situations.
[0085] As yet further options, the cover can itself be covered with
carpeting. In one embodiment, polypropylene outdoor carpet is fused
via an overmolding process to the cover, such that the covers
function as `carpet tiles`. In another embodiment, outdoor carpet
can be secured, by self-adhesive backing on the carpet, after the
covers have themselves been installed.
[0086] It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the
art that various modifications and variations may be made to the
embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present
invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, the specification is to be
considered exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the
invention being disclosed by the following claims, purposively
construed.
* * * * *