U.S. patent application number 14/250585 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for reversible resilient wall padding apparatus and methods for releasably attaching same to a wall.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wayne P. OLIVER.
Application Number | 20150292213 14/250585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54106971 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150292213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OLIVER; Wayne P. |
October 15, 2015 |
REVERSIBLE RESILIENT WALL PADDING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR
RELEASABLY ATTACHING SAME TO A WALL
Abstract
A reversible resilient wall padding apparatus includes a
reversible resilient wall pad and at least one pad connector. The
pad includes front, rear, and peripherally-extending sides, and at
least one side connector disposed along the peripheral-extending
side. The pad connector includes a first portion releasably
attachable to the side connector, and a second portion attachable
to a vertical surface of a wall. The pad is attachable in a first
orientation with the front side facing outwardly and the first
portion of the pad connector being attached to the side connector,
and the second portion of the pad connector being disposed adjacent
to the rear surface of the pad and the vertical surface of the
wall, and a second orientation with the rear side of the pad facing
outwardly and the first portion of the pad connector being attached
to the side connector, and the second portion of the pad connector
being disposed adjacent to the front surface of the pad and the
vertical surface of the wall.
Inventors: |
OLIVER; Wayne P.; (Delhi,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. |
Delhi |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sportsfield Specialties,
Inc.
Delhi
NY
|
Family ID: |
54106971 |
Appl. No.: |
14/250585 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.05 ;
52/747.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/081 20130101;
E04F 13/0883 20130101; E04F 13/0875 20130101; E04F 13/18 20130101;
E04F 13/0801 20130101; E04F 2290/044 20130101; E04F 13/075
20130101; E04B 1/40 20130101; E04H 3/14 20130101; E04F 13/0882
20130101; E04F 2201/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/075 20060101
E04F013/075; E04F 13/08 20060101 E04F013/08; E04F 13/30 20060101
E04F013/30; E04F 13/26 20060101 E04F013/26; E04F 13/24 20060101
E04F013/24; E04H 3/14 20060101 E04H003/14; E04B 1/41 20060101
E04B001/41; E04F 13/22 20060101 E04F013/22 |
Claims
1. A reversible resilient wall padding apparatus releasably
attachable to a vertical surface of a wall, said reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus comprising: a reversible resilient
wall pad comprising a front side, a spaced-apart rear side, and a
peripherally-extending side disposed between said front side and
said rear side, and at least one resilient side connector disposed
along said peripherally-extending side; and at least one pad
connector comprising a connector strap or a generally T-shaped
connector tab, said connector strap comprising a pair of first
portions releasably attachable to a pair of resilient side
connectors, and a second portion extending between said pair of
first portions and attachable to the vertical surface of the wall,
said T-shaped connector tab comprising a first portion releasably
attachable to said at least one resilient side connector and
releasably attachable to a resilient side connector of an adjacent
reversible resilient wall pad, and a second portion attachable to
the vertical surface of the wall; and wherein said reversible
resilient wall pad being attachable to the vertical surface of the
wall in: a first orientation with said front side of said
reversible resilient wall pad facing outwardly from the vertical
surface of the wall and said first portion of said pad connector
attached to said at least one resilient side connector disposed
along said peripherally-extending side of said reversible resilient
wall pad, and said second portion of said pad connector being
disposed adjacent to said rear side of said reversible resilient
wall pad and the vertical surface of the wall; and a second
orientation with said rear side of said reversible resilient wall
pad facing outwardly from the vertical surface of the wall and said
first portion of said pad connector attached to said at least one
resilient side connector disposed along said peripherally-extending
side of said reversible resilient wall pad, and said second portion
of said pad connector being disposed adjacent to said front side of
said reversible resilient wall pad and the vertical surface of the
wall.
2. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said at least one pad connector comprises said connector
strap, said pair of resilient side connectors being disposed along
different portions of said peripherally-extending side of said
reversible resilient wall pad, and wherein in said first
orientation said second portion of said pad connector being
disposed between said rear side of said reversible resilient wall
pad and the wall, and in said second orientation said second
portion of said pad connector being disposed between said front
side of said reversible resilient wall pad and the wall.
3. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said at least one pad connector comprises a pair of
connector straps, said at least one resilient side connector
comprises a first pair of resilient side connectors disposed along
different portions of said peripherally-extending side of said
reversible resilient wall pad and a second pair of resilient side
connectors disposed along different portions of said
peripherally-extending side of said reversible resilient wall pad,
and wherein a first one of said connector straps releasably
attachable to different ones of said first pair of resilient side
connectors, and said second portion extending between said first
pair of first portions, a second one of said connector straps
releasably attachable to different ones of said second pair of
resilient side connectors, and said second portion extending
between said second pair of first portions, and wherein in said
first orientation said second portions of said pair of connector
straps being disposed between said rear side of said reversible
resilient wall pad and the wall, and in said second orientation
said second portions of said connector straps being disposed
between said front side of said reversible resilient wall pad and
the wall.
4. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said at least one pad connector comprises said generally
T-shaped connector tab, said first portion comprising a main
portion and said second portion comprising an outwardly-extending
leg, one of the outer side portions of said leg being releasably
attachable to said side connector of said reversible resilient wall
pad and the other of the outer side portions of said leg being
releasably attachable to a side connector of an adjacent reversible
resilient wall pad, and said main portion being releasably
attachable to the wall.
5. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein a portion of said pad connector being fixedly attached to
said peripherally-extending side of said reversible resilient wall
pad.
6. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said side connector comprises at least one portion of a
hook-and-loop fastener, and said first portion of said pad
connector comprises the other portion of the at least one
hook-and-loop fastener.
7. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said second portion of said pad connector comprises a
magnet.
8. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said second portion of said pad connector comprises at
least one hook-and-loop fastener.
9. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said second portion of said pad connector comprises at
least one of a hole and a grommet.
10. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said reversible resilient wall pad comprises a resilient
foam core and an outer cover.
11. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 10
wherein said reversible wall pad further comprises a scrim layer
disposed between said foam core and said outer cover.
12. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 10
wherein said outer cover comprises a fabric material stretchable in
4 directions.
13. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said apparatus comprises a thickness of about 4-inches, a
width of about 4-feet, and a height between about 2-feet and about
10 feet.
14. An outdoor wall panel system comprising: a plurality of
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1 disposed
generally side-by-side along a field of an outdoor stadium.
15. The outdoor wall panel system of claim 14 further comprising a
wall having a plurality of wall connectors operably connectable to
said pad connectors.
16. The outdoor wall panel system of claim 15 wherein said
plurality of wall connectors comprise a plurality of elongated
metallic members.
17. A method of protecting athletes in an outdoor stadium, the
method comprising: providing a plurality of reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus of claim 1 disposed side-by-side along a
field of an outdoor stadium.
18. A method for releasably attaching a reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus to a vertical surface of a wall for providing
protection to athletes upon contact with the reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus, the method comprising: providing a
reversible resilient wall pad comprising a front side, a
spaced-apart rear side, and a peripherally-extending side disposed
between the front side and the rear side; first attaching the
reversible resilient wall pad to the wall in a first orientation by
supporting portions of the peripherally-extending side of the
reversible resilient wall pad from the wall so that the front side
of the reversible resilient wall pad is disposed vertically and
faces outwardly for providing protection to athletes upon contact
with the front side of the reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus; detaching the reversible resilient wall pad from the
wall; and second attaching the reversible resilient wall pad to the
wall in a second orientation by supporting portions of the
peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall pad
from the wall so that the rear side of the reversible resilient
wall pad is disposed vertically and faces outwardly for providing
protection to athletes upon contact with the rear side of the
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first attaching comprises
attaching a first portion of a pad connector to the
peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall pad,
and attaching a second portion of the pad connector to the wall
with the second portion of the pad connector being disposed
adjacent to the rear side of the reversible resilient wall pad and
the wall, and the second attaching comprises attaching the first
portion of the pad connector to the peripherally-extending side of
the reversible resilient wall pad, and attaching the second portion
of the pad connector to the wall with the second portion of the pad
connector being disposed adjacent to the front side of the
reversible resilient wall pad and the wall.
20. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said resilient side connector and said first portion of
said pad connector being spaced away from said front side of said
reversible resilient wall pad when said reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus is disposed in said first orientation, and
wherein said resilient side connector and said first portion of
said pad connector being spaced away from said rear side of said
reversible resilient wall pad when said reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus is disposed in said second orientation.
21. The reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 1
wherein said reversible resilient wall pad consists of an outer
resilient cover disposed over a resilient core, and said at least
one side connector.
22. The method of claim 18 wherein the first attaching comprises
solely supporting portions of the peripherally-extending side of
the reversible resilient wall pad from the wall, and the second
attaching comprises solely supporting portions of the
peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall pad
from the wall.
23. The method of claim 18 wherein the reversible resilient wall
pad comprises an outer resilient front cover disposed over a padded
member defining the front side, and an outer resilient rear cover
disposed over a padded member defining the spaced-apart rear
side.
24. An outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus
releasably attachable to a vertical surface of an outdoor wall for
providing protection to athletes upon contact with said reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus, said outdoor reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus comprising: a reversible resilient wall pad
comprising an outer resilient front cover disposed over a padded
member defining a front side, an outer resilient rear cover
disposed over a padded member defining a spaced-apart rear side,
and a peripherally-extending side disposed between said front side
and said rear side, and at least one side connector disposed along
said peripherally-extending side; and at least one pad connector
comprising a first portion releasably attachable to said at least
one side connector, and a second portion attachable to the vertical
surface of the outdoor wall; and wherein said reversible resilient
wall pad being attachable to the vertical surface of the outdoor
wall in: a first orientation with said front side of said
reversible resilient wall pad facing outwardly from the vertical
surface of the outdoor wall for providing protection to athletes
upon contact with said front side of said reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus, said first portion of said pad connector
attached to said at least one side connector disposed along said
peripherally-extending side of said reversible resilient wall pad,
and said second portion of said pad connector being disposed
adjacent to said rear side of said reversible resilient wall pad
and the vertical surface of the outdoor wall; and a second
orientation with said rear side of said reversible resilient wall
pad facing outwardly from the vertical surface of the outdoor wall
for providing protection to athletes upon contact with said rear
side of said reversible resilient wall padding apparatus, said
first portion of said pad connector attached to said at least one
side connector disposed along said peripherally-extending side of
said reversible resilient wall pad, and said second portion of said
pad connector being disposed adjacent to said front side of said
reversible resilient wall pad and the vertical surface of the
outdoor wall.
25. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
claim 24 wherein said resilient side connector and said first
portion of said pad connector being spaced away from said front
side of said reversible resilient wall pad when said reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus is disposed in said first
orientation, and wherein said resilient side connector and said
first portion of said pad connector being spaced away from said
rear side of said reversible resilient wall pad when said
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus is disposed in said
second orientation.
26. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus claim
24 wherein reversible resilient wall pad is solely supported by
portions of the peripherally-extending side of the reversible
resilient wall pad from the wall in said first orientation and said
second orientation.
27. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
claim 24 wherein said pad connector comprises a C-shaped connector
strap, a T-shaped connector tab, or an L-shaped connector tab.
28. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
claim 24 further comprising a protective sheet disposable between
the wall and said reversible resilient wall pad.
29. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
claim 24 wherein a portion of said pad connector being fixedly
attached to said peripherally-extending side of said reversible
resilient wall pad.
30. The outdoor reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
claim 24 wherein said side connector comprises at least one portion
of a hook-and-loop fastener disposed along said
peripherally-extending side and spaced between said front side and
said rear side, and said first portion of said pad connector
comprises the other portion of the at least one hook-and-loop
fastener.
31. An outdoor wall panel system comprising: a plurality of outdoor
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 24 disposed
generally side-by-side along a field of an outdoor stadium.
32. The outdoor wall panel system of claim 31 further comprising a
wall having a plurality of wall connectors operably connectable to
said pad connectors.
33. A method of protecting athletes in an outdoor stadium, the
method comprising: providing a plurality of outdoor reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus of claim 24 disposed side-by-side
along a field of an outdoor stadium.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wall padding,
and more particularly to reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus and methods for releasably attaching reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus to a wall.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Outdoor stadium wall padding has been a fixture since the
1970's, protecting athletes at all levels from dangerous impacts
with solid wood and/or concrete walls. The padding is typically
constructed of 3 materials, a 3/4-inch plywood backer board, a
3-inch polyurethane foam padding adhered to the board, and a
laminated or coated UV resistant vinyl cover.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 8,082,696, issued to Oliver et al., and U.S.
Pat. No. 8,424,249, issued to Oliver, disclose a temperature
compensating outdoor wall padding apparatus, which in one
embodiment includes a rigid backing, padded material, and
incorporates a stretch fabric into the edges of a vinyl cover to
provide a tension on the vinyl cover minimizing the possibility of
wrinkling of the vinyl cover due to a change in temperature. In
another embodiment, the temperature compensating outdoor wall
padding apparatus employs a rigid backing, padded material, a
resilient cover, stretchable in 4 directions and pre-tensioned to
provide tension on the resilient cover minimizing the possibility
of wrinkling of the resilient cover due to a change in temperature.
Z-shaped clips are attached to and extend horizontally across rear
side of the backing and cooperate with corresponding horizontally
disposed Z-shaped clips attached to a fence or wall of a
stadium.
[0004] Conventional safety fence and railing padding attach to a
fence. Such safety pads have a generally curved, U-shaped, or
L-shaped cross-section that are positionable horizontally over the
top rail of a fence. Such safety pads include grommets for securing
the safety pad to the top of the fence with cable ties. Other
safety pads, attachable in front of the poles supporting the fence,
have a rear portion defining outwardly extending flaps with
grommets that are secured with cable ties.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,189, issued to Wilson, discloses a
removable wall panel which includes a decorative wall panel having
a fabric covering on a board removably secured to an existing wall.
The rear of the board carries a plurality of "VELCRO" fasteners for
cooperation with corresponding fasteners on the wall. The panels
may be easily secured to the wall, such as a drywall partition, and
may be easily removed whenever desired.
[0006] There is a need for further wall padding, and more
particularly to reversible resilient wall padding apparatus and
methods for releasably attaching reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus to a wall.
SUMMARY
[0007] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus releasably attachable
to a vertical surface of a wall. The reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus includes a reversible resilient wall pad and at
least one pad connector. The reversible resilient wall pad includes
a front side, a spaced-apart rear side, and a
peripherally-extending side disposed between the front side and the
rear side, and at least one resilient side connector disposed along
the peripheral-extending side. The at least one pad connector
includes a first portion releasably attachable to the at least one
resilient side connector, and a second portion attachable to the
vertical surface of wall. The reversible resilient pad is
attachable to the vertical surface of the wall in a first
orientation with the front side of the reversible resilient pad
facing outwardly from the vertical surface of the wall and the
first portion of the pad connector attached to the at least one
resilient side connector disposed along the peripheral extending
side of the reversible resilient pad, and the second portion of the
pad connector being disposed adjacent to the rear surface of the
reversible resilient pad and the vertical surface of the wall. The
reversible resilient pad is attachable to the vertical surface of
the wall in a second orientation with the rear side of the
reversible resilient pad facing outwardly from the vertical surface
of the wall and the first portion of the pad connector being
attached to the at least one resilient side connector disposed
along the peripheral extending side of the reversible resilient
pad, and the second portion of the pad connector disposed adjacent
to the front surface of the reversible resilient pad and the
vertical surface of the wall.
[0008] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method
for releasably attaching a reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus to a vertical surface of a wall. The method includes
providing a reversible resilient wall pad comprising a front side,
a spaced-apart rear side, and a peripherally-extending side
disposed between the front side and the rear side, attaching the
reversible resilient wall pad to the wall in a first orientation by
supporting portions of the peripherally-extending side of the
reversible resilient wall pad from the wall so that the front side
of the reversible resilient pad is disposed vertically and faces
outwardly, detaching the reversible resilient wall pad from the
wall, and attaching the reversible resilient wall pad to the wall
in a second orientation by supporting portions of the
peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall pad
from the wall so that the rear side of the reversible resilient pad
is disposed vertically and faces outwardly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding
portion of the specification. The disclosure, however, may best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description of
various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stadium having a plurality
of reversible resilient wall padding apparatus in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of some of the
plurality of reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of one of
the plurality of reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
FIG. 1 releasably attachable to a vertical surface of a wall;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, partially cut-away,
of the reversible resilient wall pad of the reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views of the pad
connector of the reversible resilient wall padding apparatus of
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the reversible
resilient wall pad and attached pad connectors of the reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the reversible resilient
wall pad and the pad connectors of FIG. 3 attached to the vertical
surface of the wall with the front side of the reversible resilient
wall pad facing outwardly;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the reversible resilient
wall pad and the pad connectors of FIG. 3 attached to the vertical
surface of the wall with the rear side of the reversible resilient
wall pad facing outwardly;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus,
releasably attachable to a vertical surface of a wall, in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus,
releasably attachable to a vertical surface of a wall, in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus,
releasably attachable to a vertical surface of a wall, in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus,
releasably attachable to a vertical surface of a wall, in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view, partially cut-away,
of the reversible resilient wall pad of the reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus of FIG. 13;
[0023] FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of walls in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 17-19 are perspective views of further embodiments of
pad connectors in accordance with aspects the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 20 and 21 are a cross-sectional views of reversible
resilient wall pad in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for
releasably attaching a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus
to a wall in accordance with aspects the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of an exemplary
outdoor stadium 10 having a plurality of reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus 12 disposed side-by-side along the field of the
stadium in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0028] In aspects of the present disclosure, the reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus may incorporate a reversible
resilient wall pad and at least one pad connector or pad connector
means so that the reversible resilient wall pad is releasably
attachable to a support structure with either of its main sides or
surfaces facing outwardly. For example, as described in greater
detail below, a reversible resilient wall pad may include cover, a
resilient core, and one or more resilient side connectors, and the
pad connector may comprise one or more pad connector straps or pad
connector tabs. The pad connectors may act as intermediate
connectors operably attachable to the peripherally-extending side
of the reversible resilient wall pad and operably attachable to a
vertical surface of a wall. For example, the resilient side
connectors may comprise fasteners that cooperate with corresponding
or substantially aligned resilient fasteners on the pad connectors.
The pad connectors may be attached to a vertical surface of a wall
or comprise fasteners that cooperate with corresponding or
substantially aligned fasteners on the vertical surface of the
wall. The reversible resilient wall pad may be easily secured to
the vertical surface of the wall, and may be easily removed,
reversed or flipped around and, easily resecured to the vertical
surface of the wall.
[0029] Such a technique of the present disclosure of the reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus may eliminate the rigid backing
board found in conventional outdoor wall padding. In addition, the
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus may increase the life
of the wall pad as both main surfaces or sides may be employed
compared to conventional wall padding in which only one side is
usable. Further, the reversible resilient wall padding apparatus
may include a reversible resilient wall pad having a resilient
cover which is pre-tensioned. In addition, the reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus may include a reversible resilient wall pad
having a resilient cover which is pre-tensioned to provide a
tension on the cover to minimize the possibility of wrinkling of
the cover due to a change in temperature.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of reversible resilient
wall padding apparatus 12 which generally includes a reversible
resilient wall pad 20 and one or more pad connectors or pad
connector straps 60. In this illustrated embodiment, the pad
connector straps are releasably attachable to the reversible
resilient wall pad and may also be releasably attachable to a
vertical surface of a wall 14. For example, as disclosed further
below, pad connector straps 60 may be releasably attachable to
reversible resilient wall pad 20 via hook-and-loop fasteners, and
pad connector straps 60 may be releasably attachable to the
vertical surface of wall 14 via a magnetic strip magnetically
attachable to a wall connector such an embedded metallic member
16.
[0031] Reversible resilient wall pad 20 may generally include a
main front surface or side 22, a main rear surface or side (not
shown in FIG. 3), and a peripherally-extending surface or side 24
disposed between front side 22 and the main rear side.
Peripherally-extending side 24 may include a horizontal top side
26, a horizontal bottom side (not shown in FIG. 3), a vertical
right side 28, and a vertical left side (not shown in FIG. 3). In
this illustrated embodiment, the reversible resilient wall pad may
be generally rectangular such as in the form of a cuboid or
rectangular prism. The front side and the rear side may be
generally evenly spaced apart so that the releasable pad has a
generally constant thickness.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, reversible resilient wall pad 20 may
generally include a padded member 30, a cover 40, and a plurality
of resilient side connectors 50 (only two of which are shown in
FIG. 4).
[0033] Padded member 30 may include a main front surface or side
32, a main rear surface or side (not shown in FIG. 4), and a
peripherally-extending surface or side 34. Peripherally-extending
edge 34 may include a horizontal top side 36, a horizontal bottom
side (not shown in FIG. 4), a vertical right side 38, and a
vertical left side (not shown in FIG. 4). In this illustrated
embodiment, the padded member may be generally rectangular such as
in the form of a cuboid or rectangular prism. The front side and
the rear side may be generally evenly spaced apart so that the
releasable pad has a generally constant thickness.
[0034] Cover 40 may include a first main surface or side 42 and a
second main surface or side (not shown in FIG. 4) which extend over
the main sides of the padded member, and a peripherally-extending
surface or side 44 may include a horizontal top side 46, a
horizontal bottom side (not shown in FIG. 4), a vertical right side
48, and a vertical left side (not shown in FIG. 4). The cover may
be formed from one or more cover portions. For example, the cover
may be formed from two cover portions that extend over respective
main portions of the padded member and are attached to each other
along the peripherally-extending side. In another embodiment, the
cover may be a single cover which is folded or wrapped along a
portion of the peripherally-extending side and attached along the
remaining portion of the peripheral extending side. For example,
portions of the resilient cover may be sewn together along portions
that extend along the peripheral extending side. In still other
embodiments, the various portions may be attached together along
portions of the main first and second sides.
[0035] Resilient side connectors 50 may be operable for releasably
connecting to pad connectors 60 (FIG. 3). For example, resilient
side connectors 50 may be a hook portion or a loop portion of a
quick disconnect fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener.
Resilient side connectors 50 may extend over portions of the
peripherally-extending side such as the vertically extending sides
of reversible resilient wall pad 20. For example, resilient side
connectors 50 maybe disposed adjacent to a top portion of the
peripherally-extending side, and adjacent to a bottom portion of
the peripherally-extending side. Resilient side connectors 50 may
extend the entire thickness of reversible resilient wall pad 20, or
extend less that the width of reversible resilient wall pad 20. For
example, vertical edges of resilient side connector 50 may be
spaced away from the front side and/or the rear side of reversible
resilient wall pad 20.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, pad connector strap 60, in one
embodiment, may have a generally C-shaped configuration and
comprise an elongated member having a main portion 62 sized to
extend over a main side of reversible resilient wall pad 20 (FIG.
4), and ends 64 which are sized and configured, and/or flexible, to
be positionable at an angle, for example normal or 90 degrees from
main side 62, and extend over a portion of the
peripherally-extending side of reversible resilient wall pad 20.
Inner facing portions of ends 64 may have attached thereto a hook
portion or a loop portion 66 (only one shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) of a
hook-and-loop fastener so that ends 64 may be releasably attachable
to resilient side connector 50 (FIG. 4), e.g., the opposite hook
portion or a loop portion disposed on reversible resilient wall pad
20 (FIG. 4). A magnetic strip 68 may be attached along a back side
of main portion 62. Main portion 62 and ends 64 of pad connector
strap 60 may be formed from a generally thin material sheet or
layer, for example, a vinyl material or fabric material. Hook
portion or loop portion 66 may be operably attached to end portions
64 of pad connector strap 60 such by sewing or with adhesive, or
other suitable attachment means. Magnetic strip 68 may be operably
attached to main portion 62 such as retained in a pocket formed by
the thin material sheet or layer. The pocket may be sewn to inhibit
removal of the magnetic strip from the pocket. Alternatively, the
magnetic strip may be attached to the main portion 66 with an
adhesive or other suitable attachment means. In other embodiments,
the magnetic strip may have other configurations or shapes, such as
round or other suitable configurations, and may comprise a single
magnetic element or a plurality of magnetic elements. It will be
appreciated that the main portion of the pad connectors may be
formed from a generally rigid material while the ends are formed
from a resilient material. The main portion of the pad connector
strap may be sized to extend behind the reversible resilient wall
pad when the reversible resilient wall pad is disposed on a
vertical surface of a wall.
[0037] With reference again to FIG. 3, wall 14 may include wall
connectors such as metallic members 16 attached to the vertical
surface of wall 14. For example, metallic members 16 may be angle
irons embedded in wall 14 such as a concrete wall. In other
embodiments, metallic member may be a metal strip such as a steel
strip operably attracted to wall such as by bolts or other means.
In other embodiments, magnetic members may be disposed in or
attached to the vertical surface of wall 14. In some aspects of the
disclosure, the metallic member may be disposed in or attached
horizontally to the vertical surface of the wall.
[0038] As shown In FIG. 7, pad connector straps 60 may be
attachable along a main rear side 23 of reversible resilient wall
pad 20. The magnetic strip 68 of the pad connector strap is
operably releasably connectable to the metallic member 16 of wall
14 (FIG. 3) to retain reversible resilient wall pad 20 in a fixed
position on wall 14. With reference again to FIG. 3, in one
embodiment, the vertical height H1 of main portion 62 of pad
connector 60 may be greater than the vertical height H2 of the
metallic member attached to the wall. Alternatively, the vertical
height of the metallic member attached to the wall may be the same
or greater than the vertical height of main portion 62 of pad
connector strap 60. As will be appreciated, the configuration of
the pad connector strap and the metallic members allow for
adjusting the vertical positioning the wall pad on the wall. The
elongated horizontally extending metallic members also allow for
adjustably and movably horizontally positioning the reversible
resilient wall pad, and thus, positioning the locations of abutting
peripherally-extending sides of the reversible resilient wall pads.
The angle iron may be readily installed during forming of the wall,
e.g., between layers of bricks or positioned and formed in a
concrete form in which the uncured concrete is poured.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrated reversible resilient wall pad 20 attached
to the vertical surface of wall 14 via pad connector 60 with main
rear side disposed adjacent to the vertically-extending surface of
wall 14, and with main front side 22 of reversible resilient wall
pad 20 disposed vertically and facing outwardly. FIG. 9 illustrated
reversible resilient wall pad 20 attached to the vertical surface
of wall 14 via pad connector 60 with main front side disposed
adjacent to the vertically-extending surface of wall 14, and with
main rear side 23 of reversible resilient wall pad 20 disposed
vertically and facing outwardly.
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment
of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus 112 in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure which generally includes a
reversible resilient wall pad 120 and a pad connector 160, which
are generally similar to the reversible resilient wall pad 20 (FIG.
3) and pad connector 60 (FIG. 3) described above, with the
exception that pad connector 160 may be fixedly attached to
reversible resilient wall pad 120.
[0041] Pad connector 160, in one embodiment, may generally comprise
an elongated member having a first end 164, a main portion 162
sized to extend over a main side portion of reversible resilient
wall pad 120, and a second end 165. First end 164 may comprise an
edge 167 fixedly attached to reversible resilient wall pad 120. In
this illustrated embodiment, an edge 167 may be sewn or otherwise
operable attached to reversible resilient wall pad 120 such as sewn
or otherwise operably attached to a peripherally-extending side
124. For example, edge 167 may be sewn or otherwise operable
attached in the center of a vertical right side 128 of
peripherally-extending side 124 of reversible resilient wall pad
120.
[0042] In this embodiment, the pad connector may swing about fixed
end 164 in the direction of double headed arrow S to be
positionable against or adjacent to either the front side or the
rear side of the reversible resilient wall pad. It will be
appreciated that with this configuration, with the pad connected to
the reversible resilient wall pad, the likelihood of the pad
connector being misplaced is eliminated.
[0043] Pad connector straps 160 may be releasably attachable to the
reversible resilient wall pad and also attachable to wall 14. For
example, end 165 of pad connector straps 160 may be releasably
attachable to reversible resilient wall pad 120 via hook-and-loop
fasteners 166, and pad connector straps 160 may be releasably
attachable to wall 14 via a magnetic strip magnetically attachable
to a wall connector such as an embedded metallic member 16.
[0044] For example, first end 164 and second end 165 may be sized
and configured, and/or flexible to be positionable at an angle, for
example normal or 90 degrees from main side 162, and extend over a
portion of the peripherally-extending side of reversible resilient
wall pad 120. Inner facing portion of end 165 may have attached
thereto a hook portion or a loop portion 166 of a hook-and-loop
fastener so that end 165 may be releasably attachable to a
resilient side connector (not shown in FIG. 10), e.g., the opposite
hook portion or a loop portion disposed on the
peripherally-extending side of reversible resilient wall pad 120.
The opposite side of end 165 may also include a hook portion or a
loop portion (not shown in FIG. 10) of a hook-and-loop fastener so
that the opposite side of end 165 may be releasably attachable to
the resilient side connector (not shown in FIG. 10) when pad
connector strap 165 is flipped around to the opposite main side of
reversible resilient wall pad 120. A magnetic strip may be attached
along a back side of main portion 162.
[0045] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment
of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus 212 in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure, which generally includes
reversible resilient wall pad 20 such as described above, and a
plurality of releasably attachable pad connector tabs 260, such as
four pad connector tabs (only three of which are shown in FIG. 11).
In this illustrated embodiment, the pad connector tabs are
releasably attachable to two adjacent pads (only one pad being
shown in FIG. 11) and also attachable to wall 14. For example, pad
connector tabs 260 may be releasably attachable to reversible
resilient wall pad 20 via hook-and-loop fasteners, and pad
connector tabs 260 may be releasably attachable to wall 14 via a
magnetic strip to wall connectors such as embedded metallic members
16.
[0046] Releasable pad connector tabs 260, in one embodiment, may
generally comprise a T-shaped configuration. For example, pad
connector tab 260 may include a main portion 262 and an
outwardly-extending leg 264 which are sized to be positionable at
an angle, for example normal or 90 degrees from main portion 262,
and extend over and between side edge portions of two adjacent
reversible resilient wall pads 20. The two outer side portions of
leg 264 may have attached thereto a hook portion or a loop portion
266 of a hook-and-loop fastener so that leg 264 may be releasably
attachable to a first resilient side connector, e.g., the opposite
hook portion or a loop portion disposed on reversible resilient
wall pad 20, and releasably attachable on the opposite sides to a
second resilient side connector, e.g., the opposite hook portion or
a loop portion disposed on an adjacent reversible resilient wall
pad 20. Main portion 262 and leg 264 of pad connector tab 260 may
be formed from a generally thin material sheet or layer, for
example, a vinyl material or fabric material. The hook portion or
loop portion may be operably attached to end portions of the pad
connector tab such by sewing or with adhesive, or other suitable
attachment means. The main portion of the pad connector tab may be
sized to extend behind one or more adjacent reversible resilient
wall pads when the reversible resilient wall pads are disposed on a
vertical surface of a wall. From the present discussion, it will be
appreciated that in other embodiments, the pad connectors may be
L-shaped.
[0047] A magnetic strip 268 may be attached along a back side of
main portion 262. Magnetic strip 268 may be operably attached to
main portion 262 such as retained in a pocket formed by the thin
material sheet or layer. The pocket may be sewn to inhibit removal
of the magnetic strip from the pocket. Alternatively, the magnetic
strip may be attached to the main portion with an adhesive or other
suitable attachment means. The exposed magnetic side of the pad
connector tab is operably releasably connectable to the metallic
member 16 of wall 14 to retain reversible resilient wall pad 20 in
a fixed position on wall 14. The vertical height H3 of main portion
262 may be greater than the vertical height H2 of the metallic
member attached to the wall. Alternatively, the vertical height of
the metallic member attached to the wall may be the same or greater
than the vertical height of the main portion of pad connector tab
260. As will be appreciated, the configuration of the pad connector
tab and the metallic members allow for adjusting the vertical
positioning the wall pad on the wall. The elongated horizontally
extending metallic members also allows for adjustably horizontally
positioning the pad and thus the location of the seams between the
pads. In other embodiments, the magnetic strip may have other
configurations or shapes, such as round or other suitable
configurations, and may comprise a single magnetic element or a
plurality of magnetic elements. It will be appreciated that the
main portion of the pad connectors may be formed from a generally
rigid material while the ends are formed from a resilient
material.
[0048] In another embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, one
of more pad connector tabs may be fixedly attached to reversible
resilient wall pad 20. For example, a distal edge of leg 264 may be
sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to reversible resilient wall pad
20. In this configuration, the pad connector may be rotated to
either main side of the reversible resilient wall pad for
supporting the reversible resilient wall pad with either of the
main surfaces facing outwardly. For example, each reversible
resilient wall pad 20 may have pad connector tabs 260 fixedly
attached to one side of the reversible resilient wall pad, and the
other side having just a resilient side connector. When such
reversible wall padding apparatus are disposed side-by-side, a
connector tab will be disposed between adjacent wall pads.
[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment
of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus 312 in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure which generally includes a
reversible resilient wall pad 320, and a plurality of releasably
attachable pad connector tabs 360. In this illustrated embodiment,
the pad connector tabs are releasably attachable to two adjacent
pads (only one pad being shown in FIG. 12) and also attachable to a
wall 314. For example, pad connector tabs 360 may be releasably
attachable to reversible resilient wall pad 320 via hook-and-loop
fasteners, and pad connector tabs 360 may be releasably attachable
to wall 314 via a magnetic strip to a wall connector such as
embedded metallic members 316.
[0050] Pad connector tabs 360, in one embodiment, may generally
comprise a T-shaped configuration. For example, pad connector tab
360 may include a main portion 362 and an outwardly-extending leg
364 which are sized to be positionable at an angle, for example
normal or at 90 degrees from main portion 362, and extend over and
between side edge portions of two adjacent reversible resilient
wall pads 320. The two outer side portions of leg 364 may have
attached thereto a hook portion or a loop portion 366 (only one of
which is shown in FIG. 12) of a hook-and-loop fastener so that leg
364 may be releasably attachable to resilient side connector 350,
e.g., the opposite hook portion or a loop portion disposed on
reversible resilient wall pad 320, and on an opposite side
releasably attachable to another resilient side connector, e.g.,
the hook portion or a loop portion disposed on an adjacent
reversible resilient wall pad.
[0051] A magnetic strip 368 may be attached along a back side of
main portion 362. The exposed magnetic side of the connector tab is
operably releasably connectable to metallic member 316 of wall 314
to retain reversible resilient wall pad 320 in a fixed position on
the vertical surface of wall 314. The horizontal width W1 of main
portion 362 may be greater than the horizontal width W2 of metallic
member 316 attached to wall 314. Alternatively, the horizontal
width of the metallic member attached to the wall may be the same
or greater than the horizontal width of the main portion of
connector tab 360. As will be appreciated, the configuration of the
connector tab and the metallic members allow for adjusting the
vertical and horizontal positioning the reversible resilient wall
pad on the vertical surface of the wall. The metallic member may be
readily installed during forming of the wall or installing in an
existing wall with fasteners such as bolts. Pad connector tabs 360
may be formed from materials and constructed similar to connector
tab 260 described above.
[0052] In another embodiment of a reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, one
of more pad connector tabs may be fixedly attached to a reversible
resilient wall pad 320. For example, a distal edge of leg 364 may
be sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to reversible resilient wall
pad 320. In this configuration, the pad connector may be rotated to
either main side of the reversible resilient wall pad for
supporting the reversible resilient wall pad with either of the
main surfaces facing outwardly. For example, each reversible
resilient wall pad 320 may have one pad connector tab 360 fixedly
attached to one side, the other side having only a resilient side
connector. When such reversible wall padding apparatus are disposed
side-by-side, a connector tab will be disposed between adjacent
wall pads.
[0053] FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment
of a reversible resilient wall padding apparatus 412 in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure which generally includes a
reversible resilient wall pad 420. In this illustrated embodiment,
the reversible resilient wall pad is releasably attachable to a
vertical surface of wall 14. For example, as explained below,
reversible resilient wall pad may be releasably attachable to wall
14 via a magnetic strip magnetically attachable to a wall connector
such as an embedded metallic member 16.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 14, reversible resilient wall pad 420 may
generally include a padded member 430, a resilient cover 440, and
at least one magnetic member 460. The magnetic member may be a
resilient magnetic member. Padded member 430 may include a main
first side 432, a main rear side (not shown in FIG. 14), and a
peripherally-extending side 434. Peripherally-extending side 434
may include a horizontal top side 436, a horizontal bottom side
(not shown in FIG. 14), a vertical right side 438, and a vertical
left side (not shown in FIG. 14).
[0055] Magnetic strip 460 may be operably installed in padded
member 430. For example, the magnetic strip may be disposed between
the front and rear main sides of the padded member. The magnetic
strip may be secured or attached to the padded member with, for
example, an adhesive. The vertical height H4 of the magnetic strip
may be greater than the vertical height H2 (FIG. 13) of the
metallic member 16 (FIG. 13) attached to wall 14 (FIG. 13).
Alternatively, the vertical height of the metallic member attached
to the wall may be the same or greater than the vertical height of
the magnetic strip. As will be appreciated, the configuration of
the magnetic strip and the metallic members allow for adjusting the
vertical and horizontal positioning of the reversible resilient
wall pad on the wall. In other embodiments, the magnetic strip may
have other configurations or shapes, such as round or other
suitable configurations, and may comprise a single magnetic element
or a plurality of magnetic elements.
[0056] With reference again to FIG. 13, a protective sheet 470 may
be disposed between the back of wall pad 420 and the vertical
surface of wall 14 to reduce abrasion and/or damage to the main
surfaces or sides of the reversible resilient wall pad. The
protective sheet may be separate or operably attached to the wall
pad.
[0057] In other embodiments, for example, with reference to FIGS.
3, 10, 11, and 12, the magnetic strip of the pad connectors may be
replaced with a hook portion or a loop portion of a hook-and-loop
fastener, and the metallic members attached to the wall may be
replaced with the other of the loop portion or a hook portion. The
hook portion or the loop portion of the hook-and-loop fastener
attached to the wall may be disposed horizontally, vertically, or
at any suitable angles, or combinations thereof. For example, as
shown in FIG. 15, a wall 514 may include a plurality of
horizontally-extending hook portion or loop portion 516 of a
hook-and-loop fastener. As shown in FIG. 16, a wall 614 may include
a plurality of vertically-extending hook portion or loop portion
616 of a hook-and-loop fastener.
[0058] In still other embodiments, for example, with reference to
FIGS. 3, 10, 11, and 12, the magnetic strip of the pad connectors
may be replaced with holes or grommets extending through the main
portion of the pad connector. For example, the grommets may be a
ring inserted into a hole through the main portions of the pad
connector such as a thin material, fabric, etc. The grommets may be
generally flared or collared on each side to keep them in place,
and may be made of metal, plastic, or rubber. The grommets may be
operable to inhibit tearing or abrasion of the main portion of the
pad connector. As shown in FIG. 17, a pad connector 760 may include
a plurality of grommets 780. As shown in FIG. 18, a pad connector
860 may include a plurality of grommets 880. As shown in FIG. 19, a
pad connector 960 may include a plurality of grommets 980. The pad
connectors may be fixedly or releasably attached to a wall with a
screw or bolt extending though the grommet such as the screw or
bolt being connectable to a threaded sleeve or molly installed in
the wall.
[0059] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate vertical correctional-views
through reversible resilient wall pads 1000 and 1200 in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, features of
reversible resilient wall pads 1000 and 1200 may be incorporated
into the above described reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus. Reversible resilient wall pad 1000 may includes a padded
material 1030, a cover 1040, and reinforcing material layers 1100
and 1102 disposed between the padded material and the cover. For
example, reinforcing material layer 1100 may be a scrim material
layer, a strong coarse fabric, a durable plain-woven fabric, or
other suitable material layer. As shown in FIG. 20, reinforcing
material layer 1100 may extend across the main front side of the
padded material and the inner surface of the main front side of the
cover, and reinforcing material layer 1102 may extend across the
main rear side of the padded material and the inner surface of the
main rear side of the cover. In this embodiment, two reinforcing
material layers may be employed. The reinforcing material layers
may be secured or attached to the padded member and/or to the cover
with an adhesive or other suitable attachment means. As shown in
FIG. 21, reversible resilient wall pad 1200 may includes a padded
material 1230, a cover 1240, and a reinforcing material layer 1300.
For example, reinforcing material layer 1300 may be a scrim
material layer, a strong coarse fabric, a durable plain-woven
fabric, or other suitable material layer. Reinforcing material
layer 1300 may be draped over the top of the padded material and
extend over the front side and the rear side. The draped
reinforcing material layer may or may not need to be secured or
attached to the padded member and/or to the cover with an adhesive
or other suitable attachment means. The reinforcing material layer
or layers may provide an anti-tear component to the reversible
resilient wall pad, e.g., when baseball outfielders climb the wall
to snag a fly ball or homerun ball. For example, when a baseball
outfielder digs their cleats into and penetrates the cover such as
a vinyl cover, the reinforcing layer reduces the extent of the
cover from tearing. In still further embodiments, the wall pad may
include a cover having a reinforcing layer. For example, a suitable
cover may include an integrally formed reinforcing material layer
such as a reinforced vinyl cover.
[0060] In other embodiments of the various reversible wall padding
apparatus, the portions of resilient side connectors and the pad
connectors that attach to the peripherally-extending sides of the
reversible resilient sides may have a length that is less than the
thickness of the reversible resilient wall pad. With such a
configuration, the pad connector will be neither visible nor extend
over the outwardly extending main surface or side of the reversible
resilient wall pad when the reversible resilient wall pad is
attached to a vertical surface of a wall.
[0061] In addition, in other embodiments of the various reversible
wall padding apparatus, the portions of the resilient side
connector and the pad connectors that attach to the
peripherally-extending sides of the reversible resilient sides may
be resilient and deformable along with the peripherally-extending
sides in the event that an athlete contacts, with force, the
peripherally-extending side at the location of the resilient side
connector and pad connector.
[0062] In other embodiments of the various reversible wall padding
apparatus, the reversible wall pad may consist solely of a
resilient core such as resilient foam, an outer resilient cover,
and one or more resilient side connectors, i.e., the reversible
wall pad does not comprise a rigid backing.
[0063] In still other embodiments of the various reversible wall
padding apparatus, the one or more pad connectors may be disposed
adjacent to the top and the bottom of the reversible resilient wall
pad. In other embodiments, the one or more pad connectors may
attach to the reversible resilient wall pad in other locations. For
example, the pad connectors may be disposed adjacent to the center
of the wall pad. In addition, any number of wall pad connectors may
be employed.
[0064] In still other embodiments of the various reversible wall
padding apparatus, the reversible wall padding may include one or
more side connectors that extend around the peripherally-extending
side of the reversible wall pad, and the edges of the at least one
resilient side connector attach to edges of the cover portions that
extend over the front main surface or side and the rear main
surface or side of the reversible wall pad. For example, the one or
more resilient side connectors may be sandwiched between the front
main cover and the rear main cover so that the covers do not extend
or extend only over a portion of the peripherally-extending side
portions of the wall panel. The front and rear main covers may be
formed from a single monolithic piece of material or fabric, or may
be formed from two or more monolithic pieces operable connected
together. While the reversible resilient wall pads are illustrated
as having a resilient core and an outer cover, the reversible
resilient wall pads may be formed solely from a resilient core.
[0065] While generally rectangular reversible wall padding
apparatus are describe and illustrated, it will be appreciated that
the teaching of the present disclosure may be applied to other
configurations of the reversible wall padding apparatus. While the
various reversible resilient wall pads are illustrated and
described as having a planar rectangular configuration, it will be
appreciated that the reversible resilient wall pads may have other
configurations.
[0066] The hook-and-loop fasteners employed in the various
embodiments may be quick disconnect fasteners. For example, the
portions of the resilient side connectors and pad connectors may
employ VELCRO brand fasteners.
[0067] In the various embodiments, the main portion of pad
connectors may be of suitable thickness so as to space the main
surfaces or sides of the wall pad away from the vertical surface of
the wall, e.g., to provide an air gap between the main surfaces or
sides facing the vertical surface or side of the wall and the
surface of the wall when the wall pad is installed on the wall.
[0068] With the technique of the present disclosure, the reversible
resilient wall panels may be easily secured to a wall with the
meshing or cooperating engagements of the wall pad, pad connector,
and wall connector, and the wall panels may be easily removed from
the wall by manually pulling or disconnecting the meshing or
cooperating engagements of the pad connector with the resilient pad
and/or with the wall connectors. Manual pulling or disconnecting
the meshing or cooperating engagements of the pad connector with
the reversible resilient wall pad, allows the reversing or flipping
around of the pad connector relative to the reversible resilient
wall pad, and reconnecting, meshing or engaging the cooperating
portions of the pad connector with the reversible resilient wall
pad. Thereafter, the reversible resilient wall pad in the reversed
orientation may be reinstalled on the wall by reconnecting, meshing
or engaging the cooperating portions of the pad connector and the
wall.
[0069] Where the wall connector is fixedly attached to the wall,
manual pulling or disconnecting the meshing or cooperating
engagements of the pad connector with the reversible resilient wall
pad, allows the reversing or flipping around of the resilient wall
pad relative to wall, and thereafter, reconnecting, meshing or
engaging the cooperating portions of the pad connector with the
resilient wall pad.
[0070] For stadium padding, the pad maybe about 4-inches thick,
about 4-feet wide, and between about 2-feet and about 10-feet high.
The vertical sides of the reversible resilient wall padding
apparatus are typically disposed adjacent to another reversible
resilient wall padding apparatus when installed, for example, in a
stadium.
[0071] The padded member may be formed from an expanded
polyethylene (EPE) or other suitable foam or resilient material.
For example, the padded member may be a 1.3 pounds per cubic foot
ARPAK expanded polyethylene available from JSP Corporation.
Desirably, the padded foam has sufficient rigidity so that the pad
is supported without sagging, and not requiring a rigid backing
board. The padded member may be formed from one-piece for may be
formed from a plurality of pieces. For example, the padded member
may comprise a single layer, or may comprise a plurality of layers.
The layers may comprise the same material or may be formed from a
plurality of different materials. For example, the padded member
may comprise an inner layer and two outer layers, and the inner
layer may have greater rigidity than the outer layer, e.g., the
outer layers being more resilient than the inner layer. The
thicknesses of the layers may be different. For example, the inner
layer may be thinner than the outer layers, or the inner layer may
be thicker than the outer layers.
[0072] The cover may be a resilient cover fabricated from a
material or fabric which is stretchable (e.g., having a greater
than 50-percent stretch, and desirably greater than 100-percent) in
4 directions and/or in 360-degrees. Desirably the material is able
to retain its shape and return back to its original structure after
being stretched. The material may also include a high UV protection
as well as TEFLON coating for water resistance. When pre-tensioning
the resilient cover, the resilient cover may be stretched about or
greater than 10-percent, 20-percent, 40-percent, or greater over
its normal unstretched size.
[0073] One suitable stretchable material is sold under the
trademark ALLSPORT 4-Way Stretch Vinyl manufactured and available
from Morbern, Inc. of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. For example, the
ALLSPORT material has a nominal total thickness of 0.040.+-.0.005
inches (45.+-.5 mils), a standard weight of 32.25.+-.1.5 ounces per
linear yard, and greater than 100-percent stretch in both
directions. LYCRA and SPANDURA, and combinations with other
materials, may also be configured to stretch in 4 directions. It
will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other
suitable material having 4-way expansion/contraction capabilities
may be employed in forming the resilient cover.
[0074] In other embodiments, the padded member may be formed from
polyurethane such as expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded
polyethylene (EPE), fused beaded EPE foam, or other foam or
resilient material for providing protection to, for example, an
athlete upon contact with the reversible resilient wall
padding.
[0075] In other embodiments, the cover may be a vinyl cover such as
a high ultraviolet (UV) 16-ounce or 25-ounce laminated or coated
vinyl. In still other embodiments, the cover may be water
impermeable or not permitting the passage of water to the padded
core.
[0076] In further embodiments, due to the materials forming the
padded member and the cover, the padded member likely comprises a
first coefficient of thermal expansion (e.g., linear thermal
expansion, area thermal expansion, and/or volumetric thermal
expansion) and the cover likely comprises a second coefficent of
thermal expansion (linear thermal expansion, area thermal
expansion, and/or volumetric thermal expansion) which is different
from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Thus, a change in
temperature may cause a wrinkling in the cover. In some aspects of
the present disclosure, the resilient cover may be integrated into
the apparatus in a pre-tensioned manner to ensure that when the
temperature drops the resilient cover is drawn tight to the face of
the apparatus. Conversely, when the temperature increases the
resilient cover allows the resilient cover to expand with the
growth of the apparatus. The present disclosure eliminates the
wrinkling and sagging problem without impacting the primary
functioning of the reversible resilient wall padding. For example,
the pre-tensioning inhibits the likelihood of wrinkles appearing on
the cover as the cover and the padded member expand and contract
over a change of temperatures between about 30-degrees Fahrenheit
to about 40-degrees Fahrenheit in a few hours, and desirably
between about 40-degrees Fahrenheit and 50-degrees Fahrenheit in a
few hours.
[0077] As suitable magnetic material may include rare earth type
magnets operable, for example, for holding the pad in place.
Alternatively, suitable magnetic material may include a flexible
magnetic material operable, for example, for holding the pad in
place. It will be appreciated that other high energy, magnets may
be operably employed to hold the pad in place.
[0078] From the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that the
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus allows use of the
reversible resilient wall padding apparatus with either main side
facing outwardly. Thus, the backing board and Z-shaped clips
attached to and extending horizontally across rear side of backing
board found in conventional wall padding may be eliminated.
[0079] From the present description, it will be appreciated that
while a wall such as a concrete or brick wall has been described,
it will be appreciated that the wall may be a fence such as a chain
link fence or other suitable structure having a
vertically-extending surface, and the reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus may be operably attachable to the
vertically-extending surface of the fence, chain link fence, or
other suitable structure. For example, the pad connectors may be
operably attached or attachable to the fence or chain link
fence.
[0080] FIG. 22 illustrates a flowchart describing one embodiment of
a method 2000 for releasably attaching a reversible resilient wall
padding apparatus to a vertical surface of a wall. The method may
include at 2100, providing a reversible resilient wall pad
comprising a front side, a spaced-apart rear side, and a
peripherally-extending side disposed between the front side and the
rear side. At 2200, the reversible resilient wall pad is first
attached to the wall in a first orientation by supporting portions
of the peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall
pad from the wall so that the front side of the reversible
resilient wall pad is disposed vertically and faces outwardly. At
2300, the reversible resilient wall pad is detached from the wall,
and at 2400, the reversible resilient wall pad is attached to the
wall in a second orientation by supporting portions of the
peripherally-extending side of the reversible resilient wall pad
from the wall so that the rear side of the reversible resilient
wall pad is disposed vertically and faces outwardly.
[0081] While the above reversible resilient wall padding apparatus
of the present disclosure may be operably employed outdoor such as
in outdoor stadiums or other outdoor locations, from the present
description it will be appreciated that reversible wall padding
apparatus of the present disclosure may be operably employed
indoors such as in indoor gymnasiums or other indoor locations.
Further, the techniques of the present disclosure may be applicable
to reversible wall panels that may be resilient, rigid, or
combinations thereof.
[0082] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments and/or aspects thereof may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the various embodiments without departing from their scope.
[0083] While the dimensions and types of materials described herein
are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments,
they are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary. Many other
embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reviewing the above description. The scope of the various
embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the
appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which
such claims are entitled.
[0084] In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which"
are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms
"comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the
terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as
labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on
their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are
not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to
be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph,
unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase
"means for" followed by a statement of function void of further
structure.
[0085] It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects
or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with
any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the
art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein
may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or
optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein
without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be
taught or suggested herein.
[0086] While the disclosure has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions,
or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure
may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly,
the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
[0087] This written description uses examples in the present
disclosure, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to
practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable
scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language
of the claims.
* * * * *