U.S. patent application number 15/936412 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-08 for rock climbing walls, fall safety pads, and accessories.
This patent application is currently assigned to Platypus IP LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Platypus IP LLC. Invention is credited to David Allan Jones.
Application Number | 20180318626 15/936412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64013518 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180318626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; David Allan |
November 8, 2018 |
ROCK CLIMBING WALLS, FALL SAFETY PADS, AND ACCESSORIES
Abstract
The inventions disclosed herein relate to designs of climbing
surfaces, fall safety pads and/or accessories related thereto.
According to some embodiments, different impact zones of a fall
safety pad can have different cushioning attributes. The different
cushioning attributes of the different impact zones of the safety
pad can be based on a vertical distance to a directly overlying
portion of the climbing surface. The different cushioning
attributes of the different impact zones of the safety pad can also
consider a predicted or measured frequency of falling from a
portion of the climbing surface directly overlying each impact zone
of the safety pad. Other intended climber attributes, enjoyment,
and safety concerns can be considered in the design of the climbing
surface(s), safety pad(s), and accessories disclosed. Further,
wear, replicability, customizations of enjoyment, and updates to
safety concerns in the climbing sport are further understood in
view of this disclosure.
Inventors: |
Jones; David Allan; (Salt
Lake City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Platypus IP LLC |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Platypus IP LLC
Salt Lake City
UT
|
Family ID: |
64013518 |
Appl. No.: |
15/936412 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0063 20130101;
A63B 6/02 20130101; A63B 71/0054 20130101; A63B 69/0048 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 6/02 20060101
A63B006/02; A63B 69/00 20060101 A63B069/00 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement comprising: a first
climbing arrangement, including: a first vertically extending
climbing surface; and a first fall safety pad disposed under the
first vertically extending climbing surface for protecting a
climber during a fall from the first vertically extending climbing
surface; and a second climbing arrangement, including: a second
vertically extending climbing surface; and a second fall safety pad
disposed under the first vertically extending climbing surface for
protecting a climber during a fall from the second vertically
extending climbing surface; wherein the second climbing arrangement
is disposed vertically above the first climbing arrangement.
22. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
1, wherein: the first vertically extending climbing surface further
extends in a horizontal direction over a distance of the first fall
safety pad; and the second vertically extending climbing surface
further extends in a horizontal direction over a distance of the
second fall safety pad.
23. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
22, wherein: the first fall safety pad extends a first horizontal
length; and the second fall safety pad extends in a second
horizontal length less than the horizontal length of extension of
the first fall safety pad.
24. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
23, wherein: the first vertically extending climbing surface
extends in a horizontal distance greater than a horizontal distance
of extension of the second vertically extending climbing
surface.
25. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
24, wherein the second vertically extending climbing surface
horizontally extends less than the horizontal extension of the
second fall safety pad such that a fall from the second vertically
extending climbing surface by a climber is directly over but not
beyond the length of the second fall safety pad.
26. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
24, wherein the horizontal length of the second fall safety pad is
less than the horizontal length of the first fall safety pad.
27. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
24, wherein the horizontal length of extension of the second
vertically extending climbing surface is less than the horizontal
length of the first vertically extending climbing surface.
28. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
24, further comprising a barrier preventing a climber from falling
over a horizontal edge of the second fall safety pad.
29. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
28, wherein the barrier includes a net.
30. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
24, wherein the first climbing surface, first fall safety pad,
second climbing surface, and second fall safety pad are supported
by a vertical support structure.
31. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
30, further comprising means for descending from a top of the
vertical support structure.
32. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
31, wherein the means for descending from a top of the vertical
support structure includes a repelling rope.
33. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
20, further comprising: a first impact zone of the first fall
safety pad being located directly below a first fall location of
the first climbing surface, the first impact zone including a first
cushioning property associated with a first vertical fall distance
of a climber falling from the first fall location of the first
climbing surface, the first fall location of the first climbing
surface being located directly over the first impact zone of the
first fall safety pad; and a second impact zone of the first fall
safety pad located directly below a second fall location of the
first climbing surface, the second impact zone including a second
cushioning property associated with a second vertical fall distance
of the climber falling from the second location of the first
climbing surface, the second fall location of the first climbing
surface being located directly over the second impact zone of the
first climbing safety pad, wherein: the first cushioning property
of the first impact zone of the first fall safety pad is different
than the second cushioning property of the second impact zone of
the first fall safety pad; and the difference between the first
cushioning property of the first impact zone and the second
cushioning property of the second impact zone of the first fall
safety pad is based at least in part on the different vertical fall
distances from the first fall location and the second fall location
of the first climbing surface.
34. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
33, further comprising: a first impact zone of the second fall
safety pad being located directly below a first fall location of
the second climbing surface, the first impact zone including a
first cushioning property associated with a first vertical fall
distance of a climber falling from the first fall location of the
second climbing surface, the first fall location of the second
climbing surface being located directly over the first impact zone
of the second fall safety pad; and a second impact zone of the
second fall safety pad located directly below a second fall
location of the second climbing surface, the second impact zone
including a second cushioning property associated with a second
vertical fall distance of the climber falling from the second
location of the second climbing surface, the second fall location
of the second climbing surface being located directly over the
second impact zone of the second climbing safety pad, wherein: the
first cushioning property of the first impact zone of the second
fall safety pad is different than the second cushioning property of
the second impact zone of the second fall safety pad; and the
difference between the first cushioning property of the first
impact zone and the second cushioning property of the second impact
zone of the second fall safety pad is based at least in part on the
different vertical fall distances from the first fall location and
the second fall location of the second climbing surface.
35. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
34, wherein: the first location of the first climbing surface is
immediately adjacent to the first impact zone of the first climbing
safety pad; and the first location of the second climbing surface
is immediately adjacent to the first impact zone of the second
climbing safety pad.
36. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
35, wherein: the first location of the first climbing surface is
disposed above the first location of the second climbing surface;
and the first location of the second climbing surface is disposed
above the first location of the second climbing surface.
38. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
33, wherein the first impact zone of the first fall safety pad
includes a foam or inflated cushion and the second impact zone of
the second fall safety pad includes a loose fill cushion.
39. A multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement according to claim
20, wherein: a maximum fall distance from the first climbing
surface to the first fall safety pad is less than 20 feet high; and
a maximum fall distance from the second climbing surface to the
second fall safety pad is less than 20 feet high.
40. A method of utilizing vertical space in an indoor climbing gym,
comprising: providing a multi-tiered indoor climbing arrangement
comprising: a first climbing arrangement, including: a first
vertically extending climbing surface; and a first fall safety pad
disposed under the first vertically extending climbing surface for
protecting a climber during a fall from the first vertically
extending climbing surface; and a second climbing arrangement,
including: a second vertically extending climbing surface; and a
second fall safety pad disposed under the first vertically
extending climbing surface for protecting a climber during a fall
from the second vertically extending climbing surface; wherein the
second climbing arrangement is disposed vertically above the first
climbing arrangement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/288,560 filed Oct. 7, 2016 now
U.S. Pat. No. 9,925,444 issued Mar. 27, 2018 which is a division of
and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/822,631
filed Aug. 10, 2015 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,725 issued Nov. 15,
2016, the contents of each of the aforementioned applications and
patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Rock climbing first emerged as a sport in the mid-1800s.
Early records describe climbers engaging in what is now referred to
as bouldering, not as a separate discipline, but as a form of
training for larger ascents. In the early 20th century, the
Fontainebleau area of France established itself as a prominent
climbing area, where some of the first dedicated bleausards (or
"boulderers") emerged. The specialized rock climbing shoe was
invented by one such athlete, Pierre Allain.
[0003] In the 1960s, the sport was pushed forward by American
mathematician John Gill, who contributed several important
innovations. Gill's previous athletic pursuit was gymnastics, a
sport which had an established scale of difficulty for particular
movements and body positions. He applied this idea to bouldering,
which shifted the focus from reaching a summit to navigating a
specific sequence of holds. Gill developed a closed-ended rating
system: B1 problems were as difficult as the most challenging roped
routes of the time, B2 problems were more difficult, and B3
problems were those that had only been completed once.
[0004] Two important training tools emerged in the 1980s:
Bouldering mats and artificial climbing walls. The former, also
referred to as "crash pads," prevented injuries from falling, and
enabled boulderers to climb in areas that would have been too
dangerous to attempt otherwise. Indoor climbing walls helped spread
the sport to areas without outdoor climbing, and allowed serious
climbers to train year-round regardless of weather conditions.
[0005] As the sport grew in popularity, new bouldering areas were
developed throughout Europe and the United States, and more
athletes began participating in bouldering competitions. The
visibility of the sport greatly increased in the early 2000s, as
YouTube videos and climbing blogs helped boulderers around the
world to quickly learn techniques, find hard problems, and announce
newly completed projects.
[0006] In early 2010, two American climbers claimed first ascents
on boulder problems that have come to be regarded as the most
difficult in the world: The Game near Boulder, Colo., established
by Daniel Woods; and Lucid Dreaming near Bishop, Calif.,
established by Paul Robinson. The following year, fellow American
Carlo Traversi claimed the second ascent of The Game and in January
2014, American Daniel Woods completed the second ascent of "Lucid
Dreaming." In 2011, Czech climber Adam Ondra claimed the second
ascent of Gioia, originally established three years earlier by
Italian boulderer Christian Core, and suggested that it was among
the world's most challenging boulder problems.
[0007] Unlike other climbing sports, bouldering can be performed
safely and effectively with very little equipment, an aspect which
makes the discipline highly appealing to many climbers.
[0008] Bouldering is a form of rock climbing which takes place on
boulders and other small rock formations, usually measuring less
than 20 feet (6.1 m) from ground to top, but in some cases can
measure up to 30+ ft. Unlike top rope climbing and lead climbing,
no ropes are used to protect or aid the climber. Bouldering routes
or "problems" require the climber to reach the top of a boulder,
usually from a specified start position. Some boulder problems,
known as "traverses," require the climber to climb horizontally
from one position to another.
[0009] Bouldering movements are described as either "static" or
"dynamic" which can add to the level of skill required, and/or
likelihood of falling, using such bouldering movements. Static
movements are those that are performed slowly, with the climber's
position controlled by maintaining contact on the boulder with the
other three limbs. Dynamic movements use the climber's momentum to
reach holds that would be difficult or impossible to secure
statically, with an increased risk of falling if the movement is
not performed accurately. And, in the case of a bouldering race,
dynamic movements may be accentuated over static movements with a
corresponding increase of required skill and/or
likelihood/frequency of falling as speed, dynamic movement, and/or
difficulty of climbing route and holds are increased.
[0010] Again, boulder problems are generally (but not always)
shorter than 20 feet (6.1 m) from ground to top. And, in a
commercial indoor rock climbing wall environment, may be less. This
may be so, in particular, with lower-skill, introductory, or
younger climbers. The vertically shorter climbing wall (and fall
therefrom) makes the sport significantly safer than free solo
climbing, which is also performed without ropes, but with no upper
limit on the height of the climb. However, minor injuries are
common in bouldering, particularly sprained ankles and wrists. Two
factors contribute to the frequency of injuries in bouldering:
first, boulder problems typically feature more difficult moves than
other climbing disciplines, making falls more common. Second,
without ropes to arrest the climber's descent, every fall will
cause the climber to hit the ground. And, considering a possible
miss-hap with traditional top-roped indoor climbing, free solo
climbing, and even bouldering--fall impact can vary greatly due to
the height at which the un-obstructed fall began.
[0011] To prevent injuries, boulderers position crash pads near the
base of the boulder to provide a softer landing, as well as one or
more spotters to help redirect the climber towards the pads. Upon
landing, boulderers employ falling techniques similar to those used
in gymnastics: spreading the impact across the entire body to avoid
bone fractures, and positioning limbs to allow joints to move
freely throughout the impact.
[0012] Artificial (i.e. human made, designed, or manufactured)
climbing walls are often used to simulate boulder problems in an
indoor environment, usually at climbing gyms. These walls are
generally constructed with wooden panels, polymer cement panels,
concrete shells, or precast molds of actual rock walls. Holds,
usually made of plastic, are then bolted onto the wall to create
problems. The walls often feature steep overhanging surfaces,
forcing the climber to employ highly technical movements while
supporting much of their weight with their upper body strength.
And, the wall surface can be further complicated by attaching
various "volumes" to the wall to which holds are then subsequently
attached.
[0013] Climbing gyms often feature multiple problems within the
same section (or route) of wall. In the US the most common method
Routesetters use to designate the intended route for a particular
problem is by placing colored tape next to each hold--for example,
holds with red tape would indicate one bouldering problem, while
green tape would be used to set off a different problem in the same
area.
[0014] Across much of the rest of the world problems and grades are
usually designated by using a set color of plastic hold to indicate
a particular problem. For example, green may be v0-v1, blue may be
v2-v3 and so on. Setting via color has certain advantages, the most
notable of which are that it makes it more obvious where the holds
for a problem are, and that there is no chance of tape being
accidentally kicked off of footholds. Smaller, resource-poor
climbing gyms may prefer taped problems because large, expensive
holds can be used in multiple routes simply by marking them with
more than one color of tape.
[0015] Bouldering competitions occur in both indoor and outdoor
settings. There are several other formats used for bouldering
competitions. Some competitions give climbers a fixed number of
attempts at each problem with a timed rest period in between each
attempt, unlike the International Federation of Sport Climbing
(IFSC) format, in which competitors can use their allotted time
however they choose. In an open-format competition, all climbers
compete simultaneously, and are given a fixed amount of time to
complete as many problems as possible. More points are awarded for
more difficult problems, while points are deducted for multiple
attempts on the same problem.
[0016] In 2012, the IFSC submitted a proposal to the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) to include lead climbing in the 2020 Summer
Olympics. The proposal was later revised to an "overall"
competition, which would feature bouldering, lead climbing, and
speed climbing. In May 2013, the IOC announced that climbing would
not be added to the 2020 Olympic program.
[0017] Thus, to-date, a rock climbing, or bouldering, pad has had a
simple consistent design with common properties across a length and
width. Further, climbing walls did not anticipate a varied, and
updatable, design of a safety pad. And, variously other desired,
but unrecognized problems and advantages addressed by the inventive
embodiments and teachings discussed below were not previously
addressed or considered.
SUMMARY
[0018] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to climbing walls,
surfaces, fall safety pads and/or accessories as well as methods of
design and manufacture thereof. For example, a climbing safety pad
can include a first impact zone of the climbing safety pad. The
first impact zone can include a first cushioning property
associated with a first vertical fall distance of a climber falling
from a first location of a climbing surface. The first location of
the climbing surface can be located directly over the first impact
zone of the climbing safety pad.
[0019] The climbing safety pad can further include a second impact
zone of the climbing safety pad. The second impact zone can include
a second cushioning property associated with a second vertical fall
distance of the climber falling from a second location of the
climbing surface. The second location of the climbing surface can
be located directly over the second impact zone of the climbing
safety pad.
[0020] The first cushioning property of the first impact zone of
the climbing safety pad can be different than the second cushioning
property of the second impact zone of the climbing safety pad.
[0021] The difference between the first cushioning property of the
first impact zone and the second cushioning property of the second
impact zone can be based at least in part on a difference between
the first vertical fall distance and the second vertical fall
distance.
[0022] Design of a safety pad, and/or climbing surface, and/or
routes of a climbing surface, can further consider an associated
climber skill level, an associated climber physical attribute, an
associated climbing surface difficulty level, an associated climber
experience level, and/or an associated fall frequency rate.
[0023] Design of a safety pad, and/or climbing surface, and/or
routes of a climbing surface, can further consider vertical climber
fall distances to the impact zones, impact frequency between the
impact zones, climbing surface complexity directly above the impact
zones, intended climber skill level regarding portions of the
climbing surface directly above the impact zones, intended climber
physical attributes regarding portions of the climbing surface
directly above the impact zones, particular climbing problems
placed on the climbing surface directly above the impact zones, a
particular range of vertical distances between the climbing surface
and the impact zones, a volume design directly above one or more of
the impact zones, a particular set of holds directly above one or
more of the impact zones, a climbing route above the first impact
zone as opposed to the second impact zone, an age of intended
climber associated with a climbing route above the first impact
zone as opposed to the second impact zone, a measured impact level
between the impact zones, and/or a measured impact frequency
between the impact zones.
[0024] Other safety pad designs are disclosed as well as other
climbing surface, climbing wall and accessories. And, further
methods of design and/or manufacture of safety pads and climbing
surfaces are also disclosed.
[0025] Indoor climbing arrangements are also disclosed. Some
climbing arrangements include a climbing wall with a climbing
surface, the climbing surface including a first climbing route and
a second climbing route, the first climbing route located directly
adjacent to the second climbing route, the first climbing route
being different from the second climbing route in that the first
climbing route is more difficult than the second climbing route,
associated with a climber having different physical attributes than
associated with the second climbing route, and/or associated with a
climber having a higher skill level than that associated with the
second climbing route.
[0026] A climbing arrangement can further include a climbing safety
pad. The climbing arrangement can include a first impact zone
directly underlying the first climbing route, the first impact zone
including a first cushioning property. The climbing arrangement can
further include a second impact zone directly underlying the second
climbing route. The second impact zone including a second
cushioning property.
[0027] The first cushioning property of the first impact zone of
the climbing safety pad can be different than the second cushioning
property of the second impact zone of the rock climbing safety
pad.
[0028] The difference between the first cushioning property of the
first impact zone and the second cushioning property of the second
impact zone can be based at least in part on the difference between
the first and second climbing routes.
[0029] Tiered climbing wall and safety pad arrangements are also
disclosed as well as designs and accessories and features adding to
social enjoyment thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate climbing safety pads, climbing walls,
and arrangements of both pads and walls along with certain climbing
accessories. Also illustrated by FIGS. 1-9 are customizations of
designs and manufacturing methods illustrated therein and explained
in the following detailed description.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS ILLUSTRATING THE INVENTION
[0031] As disclosed herein, a climbing surface can refer to a rock
climbing surface, a bouldering surface, a rock climbing wall and/or
a bouldering wall whether indoor or outdoor. Several of the
following embodiments of the invention relate to the variable
design of a safety pad dependent on the attributes of a climbing
surface. In some embodiments, the design of the safety pad can vary
across a length, width, and/or thickness depending on an
anticipated height from which a climber is likely to fall to a
particular fall location of the safety pad from the climbing
surface. Moreover, the safety pad can further vary with
construction, deformable property, and/or material composition
across a length, width, and/or thickness of the safety pad
depending on the height from which a climber is likely to fall from
a climbing surface. Other climber attributes, falling attribute,
climbing wall attribute, and/or safety pad properties and
attributes can also be considered in the design of a safety pad
and/or climbing wall as discussed hereinafter.
[0032] Thus, the design of the safety pad can be dictated by the
design of the climbing wall, or vice versa. And, the design of a
particular location of a climbing wall can be associated with a
particular fall location (or "fall zone") of a safety pad being
directly thereunder. Similarly, where the climbing wall is a
naturally occurring climbing surface, the safety pad can be defined
by the positions from which a climber will fall from the naturally
occurring climbing surface.
[0033] Several of the following described embodiments of the
invention relate to a safety pad for use with rock climbing,
bouldering, or falling where a fall characteristic can be
anticipated and the pad is designed based on such fall
characteristic. For example: more currently, rock climbing and
bouldering walls are made as opposed to being naturally occurring.
In such instances, manufactured rock climbing and bouldering walls
are specifically designed with predetermined routes for climbers of
an intended skill level. And, often, climbing such walls can result
in a climber falling from such walls at various locations of the
climbing walls.
[0034] Often, the designed and made walls include specifically
chosen geometries, holds, volumes, and (linear and non-linear)
angles of inclination resulting in multiple routes of relative
difficulty. This design of chosen geometries, holds, volumes,
inclines and difficulty of routes effect (often intentionally) the
difficulty of the climb, and thereby, the likelihood of a fall at
particular locations of the climbing wall.
[0035] One recognition of several embodiments disclosed herein is
that a climber tends to fall vertically from a wall. Thus,
according to the teachings herein, a location of a fall can be
anticipated. And, a fall characteristic of a fall at that location
can likewise be understood and a safety pad can be designed
according to this prediction. Moreover, in addition to a
predetermined prediction, a fall characteristic can also be
actively monitored (e.g. by impact, force, and strain sensors),
analyzed, and the safety pad can be continuously modified, updated,
optimized, or actively replaced. Thus, the safety pad can have
embedded or overlaid, or overlaying sensors at predetermined
positions across the length and width of the safety pad. Such
sensor locations can be defined by a center point (or other
determined location) of an impact zone of the safety pad and the
location can be an equidistant grid of sensor pad locations across
a length and width of the safety pad. Thus, the matrix of impact
sensors can be disposed in a matrix over, under, or within the
zones of the impact of the safety pad with interconnected
electronic connections there between. The sensors of each
individual impact zone may also be individually addressed and
individually access according to an active grid, such as that used
to access an individual pixels of an image display, but on a much
larger scale appropriate for the size of the safety pad. Thus, a
two dimensional grid of sensors spanning the length and width of
the impact zones is used according to some embodiments. Moreover,
as such, a pad characteristic (such as wear, anticipated or changed
use, change in resiliency, or other pad characteristic) that
changes over-time can likewise be monitored for compliance with a
safety design, calibration, or wear, application, or use
requirement.
[0036] Thus, according to several embodiments disclosed herein, a
safety pad to which a climber falls can be designed based on a
particular location from which the climber falls. The particular
location may be defined by a climbing wall location above which a
fall zone of the safety pad exists. As such, portions of the safety
pad at different fall zone(s) (or location(s)) to which the climber
falls) can be selected based on the design of the climbing wall.
Moreover, fall characteristics at each two dimensional fall zone of
a safety pad can be sensed and monitored to optimize the safety of
a falling climber over-time or post-manufacture or
post-installation of the safety pad. And, as a climbing wall is
modified, the corresponding fall zones of a safety pad can likewise
be updated to correspond to the design change of a corresponding
climbing wall.
[0037] Moreover, a safety pad characteristic can be dependent on a
climber attribute to which a fall zone of the safety pad is
designed. For example, a weight (e.g. lbs.) height (how tall), or
skill (e.g. experience related to climbing and/or falling) can be
considered for a corresponding intended fall zone(s).
[0038] To illustrate, referring to FIG. 1 a climbing wall 100 is
shown. The climbing wall 100 is entirely vertical and parallel to a
vertical Z-direction. This vertical Z-direction also defines a
thickness T of a safety pad 110. The Z-direction is parallel to the
force of gravity (g) of the Earth (i.e. straight down). The safety
pad 110 extends a length L in the X-direction which also extends a
width W (not shown) in the Y-direction. The X-, Y-, and
Z-directions are all three perpendicular to one another. And, it
follows that, the length L in the X-direction and the width W in
the Y-direction are perpendicular to the vertical Z-direction
parallel along which climbers fall.
[0039] The height of the climbing wall 100 is defined as the
distance between a ground level 130 of the climbing wall that meets
the safety pad. This ground level is a position from which a
climber begins climbing the climbing wall 100. The ground level 130
of the climbing wall can also be referred to as the "base" of the
climbing wall 100 where the climbing wall 100 meets the safety pad
120. And, while not shown, this first example assumes a constant
cross-sectional profile in the width W of the rock climbing wall
100 and the width W of the safety pad 110 in the Y-axis direction
(into the illustration of FIG. 1). Although not shown in FIG. 1,
however, the length and width of the safety pad need not always be
perpendicular to the force of gravity in the Z-direction. Rather,
the safety pad (or portions thereof) may be at an angle to the
Z-direction to thereby further reduce the distance from which a
climber falls off the climbing wall 100 to the safety pad 110.
[0040] The climbing wall 100 has a plurality of holds 120A-D. The
holds are of any form and include a protrusion and/or indentation.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the holds 120A-D are disposed directly
above one another and along the height H of the entirely vertical
climbing wall 100. Thus, a climber's fall from any of the holds
120A-D of the entirely vertical climbing wall 100 will impact the
safety pad 110 at substantially the same fall zone 140. This
location of impact 140 of a safety pad 100 is referred to herein as
an impact zone 140 or fall location 140. However, an impact
characteristic of a fall from the holds 120A-D will be different
based on a height H from which the fall began. In addition, an
impact characteristic (e.g. magnitude of force) from the holds
120A-D varies due to a weight characteristic of a climber falling
from each hold 120A-D. And, the safety pad's 110 characteristic in
the impact zone 140 can vary due to both the weight of the climber
and height H from which the climber fell.
[0041] Regarding the physics related to a climber's fall:
[0042] In 1687, English mathematician Sir Isaac Newton published
Principia, which hypothesizes the inverse-square law of universal
gravitation. In his own words, "I deduced that the forces which
keep the planets in their orbs must [be] reciprocally as the
squares of their distances from the centers about which they
revolve: and thereby compared the force requisite to keep the Moon
in her Orb with the force of gravity at the surface of the Earth;
and found them answer pretty nearly."
[0043] This observation means that the force of gravity on an
object at the Earth's surface is directly proportional to the
object's mass. Thus an object that has a mass of m will experience
a force:
{right arrow over (F)}=m{right arrow over (g)}
[0044] Where F is the force, m is the mass and g is the
gravitational constant. In free-fall, this force is unopposed and
therefore the net force on the object is its weight. For objects
not in free-fall, the force of gravity is opposed by the reactions
of their supports. For example, a person standing on the ground
experiences zero net force, since his weight is balanced by a
normal force exerted by the ground. The strength of the
gravitational field is numerically equal to the acceleration of
objects under its influence. The rate of acceleration of falling
objects near the Earth's surface varies very slightly depending on
elevation, latitude, and other factors (such as the friction of
air, which is negligible in regard to this invention). Other
analysis can be conducted regarding potential and kinetic energy
which are well known.
[0045] For purposes of weights and measures, a standard gravity
value is:
[0046] g=9.80665 m/s2 (32.1740 ft/s2).
[0047] Assuming the standardized value for g and ignoring air
resistance, this means that climber falling freely near the Earth's
surface (e.g. from 10-40 feet) increases its velocity by 9.80665
m/s (32.1740 ft/s or 22 mph) for each second of its descent. Thus,
a falling climber starting from rest (also assuming that the
climber does not "push-off" of the climbing wall) will attain a
velocity of 9.80665 m/s (32.1740 ft/s) after one second,
approximately 19.62 m/s (64.4 ft/s) after two seconds, and so on,
adding 9.80665 m/s (32.1740 ft/s) to each resulting velocity. This
falling velocity can also be easily calculated from a given
vertical distance. And, again ignoring air resistance, any and all
falling climbers, when falling from the same height, will hit the
safety pad at the same time. However, the force of impact
(deceleration of the falling body form the falling velocity to
rest) will also concern the falling climber's weight.
[0048] A modern statement of Newton's Second Law is a vector
equation:
F .fwdarw. = d p .fwdarw. dt , ##EQU00001##
[0049] where p is the momentum of the system, and F is the net
(vector sum) force. In equilibrium, there is zero net force by
definition, but (balanced) forces may be present nevertheless. In
contrast, the second law states an unbalanced force acting on an
object will result in the object's momentum changing over time.
[0050] By the definition of momentum,
F .fwdarw. = d p .fwdarw. dt = d ( m .upsilon. .fwdarw. ) dt ,
##EQU00002##
[0051] where m is the mass and v is the velocity.
[0052] Newton's second law applies only to a system of constant
mass, and hence m may be moved outside the derivative operator. The
equation then becomes
F .fwdarw. = m d .upsilon. .fwdarw. dt . ##EQU00003##
[0053] By substituting the definition of acceleration, the
algebraic version of Newton's Second Law is derived:
{right arrow over (F)}=m{right arrow over (a)}.
[0054] Newton never explicitly stated the formula in the reduced
form above.
[0055] However, it is important to note that the impact of a
falling climber with a safety pad is not a static analysis, but
rather, a dynamic deceleration of the moving climber in an impact
with the safety pad. In mechanics, an impact is a high force or
shock applied over a short time period when two or more bodies
collide. Such a force or acceleration usually has a greater effect
than a lower force applied over a proportionally longer period. The
effect depends critically on the relative velocity of the bodies to
one another. In this instance, the ground is stationary and the
falling climber has a velocity at impact.
[0056] At normal speeds, during a perfectly inelastic collision, an
object struck by a projectile will deform, and this deformation
will absorb most or all of the force of the collision. Viewed from
a conservation of energy perspective, the kinetic energy of the
projectile is changed into heat and sound energy, as a result of
the deformations and vibrations induced in the struck object.
However, these deformations and vibrations cannot occur
instantaneously. A high-velocity collision (an impact) does not
provide sufficient time for these deformations and vibrations to
occur. Thus, the struck material behaves as if it were more brittle
than it would otherwise be, and the majority of the applied force
goes into fracturing the material. Or, another way to look at it is
that materials actually are more brittle on short time scales than
on long time scales: this is related to time-temperature
superposition. Impact resistance decreases with an increase in the
modulus of elasticity, which means that stiffer materials will have
less impact resistance. Resilient materials will have better impact
resistance.
[0057] In further addition to the immediate discussion related to
force, acceleration, velocity, and impact: a frequency of fall and
wear characteristic can further depend on a level of difficulty
determined by the wall design, hold or route location
characteristic, and skill of the climber in addition to the
magnitude of fall impact at the impact zone of the safety pad based
on a height of the fall and weight of the climber. Thus, the safety
pad design and attributes of the climbing wall can together, or
individually in-view of the other, be designed to optimize the
safety and wear of the safety pad, as well as the enjoyment,
excitement and continued safety of the intended climber(s).
Moreover, discrete safety pad locations can be selectively replaced
or added-to to optimize the safety and/or wear characteristics of
the safety pad at one or more impact location zones of the safety
pad.
[0058] To further illustrate, FIG. 2 shows a climbing wall 200 with
a plurality of holds 220A-D disposed at an angle to a safety pad
210. In this embodiment, the climbing wall 200 is not perpendicular
to the safety pad 210. The climbing wall 200 is also not parallel
with the Z-direction, rather is at an angle to both the Z-direction
and the X-direction. Similar to FIG. 1, the holds 220A-D of the
climbing wall 200 in FIG. 2 are disposed above the safety pad 210
at different heights h1-4 above the safety pad 210. However, due to
the relative angle of the climbing surface 205 of the climbing wall
200 to the safety pad 210, the holds 220A-C are disposed above
different fall zones 240 A-D of the safety pad 210 along the length
L of the safety pad 210. And, as such, each fall zone 240A-D of the
safety pad 210 will experience a different fall characteristic due
to the corresponding height h1-4 from which a climber falls. That
is, for example, a first fall zone 240A of the safety pad 210 is
associated with a first hold 220A being at a first distance h1 from
the first fall zone 240A. As a result, the first fall impact zone
240A of the safety pad 210 is associated with a first impact
characteristic. The first impact characteristic of the first fall
zone 240A is different than a second impact characteristic of a
second fall zone 240B of the safety pad 210 related to a
corresponding second hold 220B at a second distance h2 from the
second fall zone 240B. A similar analysis is associated with the
third 220C, fourth 220D, and . . . additional (not shown) holds 220
and . . . additional impact zones 240.
[0059] Moreover, as discussed above, a difficulty defined by the
first hold 220A can be different than a difficulty defined by the
second hold 220B. For example, first hold 220A may be associated
with a static climbing move and second hold 220B may be associated
with a higher-skilled dynamic climbing move. Thus, a frequency of
impact at the first impact zone 240A can be different (i.e. higher,
or lower,) than the second impact zone 250B, or vice versa, and so
on for the third, fourth, and next hold. Thus, the frequency of
impact at the first impact zone 240A and the second impact zone
250B can be proportional to a difficulty associated with hold 220A
and 220B respectively. And, this impact characteristic (such as
frequency of impact, magnitude of impact, or likelihood of impact)
can also be attributed to the corresponding impact zone(s) 240 of
the safety pad 240 associated with (directly beneath) associated
holds 220 of the climbing wall 200. The width of an impact zone can
be determined based a margin of prediction of the accuracy to which
the climber falls to a particular location. Thus, the width of an
impact zone can be a matter of inches, feet, or yards in length and
width in the X- and Y-directions. And, regressions and
interpolations between estimated impact locations, impact force
applied to, and material properties of impact zones 240, from
impact zone 240 to an adjacent impact zone 240, and within an
impact zone 240, can likewise be made.
[0060] Moreover, as discussed with reference to any of the
embodiments disclosed herein, the skill level of a climber
associated with a hold or an impact zone of the safety pad can be
considered. For example, where the hold is attributed to a high
skill level, a fall characteristic of the impact zone of the safety
pad can be considered. Where a high skill level climber is more
likely to know how to fall according to correct technique, this
high skill level can be considered when designing the safety pad at
the corresponding impact location of the safety pad. As such,
according to some examples, the impact zone of the safety pad
associated with a high skill level climber may be less deformable
and/or more wear resistant than in an impact zone associated with
low level climbers. An impact zone associated with a similarly high
skill level climber can also consider an impact from a higher fall
height above the safety pad and, as a result, a corresponding
larger impact and wear property from a higher impact characteristic
associated with a higher skill level climber.
[0061] For another example, where the hold is attributed to a
relatively low skill level climber, the impact zone corresponding
the hold can consider a more frequent low skill level fall from a
low skill level climber. And, the impact zone corresponding to the
same hold can also consider an impact characteristic associated
with a less experienced and less technically correct fall within
the safety pad zone. So, a cushioning, deforming, and wear
characteristic of the safety pad in the impact zone corresponding
to a less experienced can be more "forgiving" or designed for a
more frequent impact from less experienced climbers.
[0062] In addition to, or separate from, the height of a hold and
skill level of a climber discussed above, the design and
construction of a safety pad can consider a weight of an associated
climber above a particular impact zone of the safety pad. For
example, a body type of an associated climber can be considered
when designing a safety pad or impact zone(s) characteristics of a
safety pad. Where the climber to which the climbing wall is
designed is a relatively old, young, heavy, light, tall, short,
etc., and somewhere in-between, the associated safety pad (or
safety pad zone(s)) can take into account this difference in body
type to enhance climbing enjoyment and/or safety. For example, a
safety pad, or safety pad zone(s), can be designed for a relatively
short and low-weight child with low skill level of climbing ability
and a low level of falling skills.
[0063] Thus, a safety pad, or one or more zone(s) of a safety pad,
associated with a level 5 skill level (SL) climber having a level 5
weight (LB s), falling from a level 5 height (H), with a level 5
frequency (F), from a level 5 difficulty level (DL) hold will be
designed differently than a level 1 skill level (SL) climber having
a level 1 weight (LBs), falling from a level 1 height (H), with a
level 1 frequency (F), from a level 1 difficulty level (DL)
hold.
[0064] In addition to an even consideration of such impact
attributes associated with a safety pad (or one or more safety pad
zone(s)), these impact attributes can be individually weighted
according to a predetermined, or optimized over time, algorithm.
For example, a weighted algorithm can assign a relative weight to
SL, LBs, H, F, DL, and DL in designing the safety pad, or safety
pad zone(s). And, even, a desired safety level can be considered to
maximize enjoyment by a relevant climber. For example, it might be
more important to a child (or inexperienced climber) being
introduced to rock climbing to enjoy a more pleasant (if possible)
fall from a climbing wall than a more skilled adult climber.
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, different geometries of
climbing walls 300 400 with different locations of holds 320 420
are illustrated. The climbing wall 300 can include different
inclinations that may be linear or non-linear as shown in FIG. 3.
The climbing wall 400 can include different volumes 450A-C attached
to the climbing wall 400 further complicating the climbing wall's
geometry and location of holds 420A-G thereon. The hold 320 420 in
each climbing wall 300 400 design can define different impact zones
340 440 of a corresponding safety pad 310 410. And, each of the
impact zones 340 440 can consider impact characteristics associated
thereto by holds 320 420 and other challenged directly above.
[0066] Moreover, the geometry of a climbing wall can vary across a
width W (direction Y) of the climbing wall. For example, a climbing
wall may include a first cross-sectional geometry according to FIG.
1, a second cross-sectional geometry according to FIG. 2, a third
cross-sectional geometry according to FIG. 3, a fourth
cross-sectional geometry according to FIG. 4, and so forth. The
different sections of a climbing wall can have different geometries
and can be adjacent to one another with a predetermined distance
there between. The transition from the geometry of one section of a
climbing wall to a second section of the climbing wall can be
smooth, interpolated abrupt, semi-abrupt, linear, non-linear, or a
combination thereof along a width and height of the climbing
wall.
[0067] And, as discussed above, the attributes of the different
impact zones of the safety pad can be determined based upon the
particular region (e.g. holds and location) of the climbing wall
directly there above. And, the attributes of each impact zone of
the safety pad can consider other attributes of the associated
climber thereto as further discussed above.
[0068] Thus, as a result of that discussed above and illustrated in
the figures, an attribute of the safety pad can be varied across a
width, length, and/or thickness of the climbing pad. For example,
the properties of the safety pad can be varied across the width,
length, and/or thickness of the climbing pad due to an impact
attribute (anticipated, experienced, or sensor measured impact
attribute) at that location of the safety pad. For example, a
deformation property of the climbing pad can be varied across a
width, length, and or thickness of the climbing pad. A wear
property can be varied across a width, length, and/or thickness of
the climbing pad. A safety pad property at a particular impact
location of the safety pad can be varied or changed by a change in
design of the association location of the climbing wall. And, the
portion of the safety pad at a particular impact location can be
changed, replaced, or improved as an impact property of the safety
pad changes, ages, or deteriorates over time.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, examples of safety pad 510 610 710
property profiles 560 660 760 are illustrated. The safety pads 510
610 710 can be designed and manufactured to include a plurality of
impact zones with different impact properties as discussed above
with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The impact properties can be defined
by the materials used within the safety pad at various impact
locations. A shown in FIG. 5, for example, the materials 510A and
510B of the safety pad 510 used can include a top layer material
510A and a bottom layer material 510B. The layers of the safety pad
510 can include the top layer with a relatively different
deformability property to the bottom layer. And, any number of
layers may be used as opposed to simply a top and bottom layer. The
safety pad can include a casing layer to which an impact is made
and the casing layer can distribute the impact to the top layer
which in-turn distributes the impact to the bottom layer (or
subsequent layer there between).
[0070] Thus, the top layer material 510A may be a relatively more
deformable layer made of a relatively more deformable material than
the bottom layer material 510B. Or, the top layer may be
substantially less deformable than the bottom layer but more widely
distribute an impact over a larger portion of the more deformable
bottom layer, or layers there between.
[0071] The top layer may be relatively more elastic than the bottom
layer, or layers there between. The top layer may be made of a
"crash" material--a material that plastically deforms in the
presence of a large impact. Or, the bottom layer may be a
plastically deformable material in the instance that the
"cushioning" of the relatively elastic top material is insufficient
to absorb a large impact.
[0072] The top and/or bottom layers can further include a
"fracturing" component according to a stress-strain curve. This
curve can show a relationship between stress (force applied) and
strain (deformation) of a safety pad material. And, the material
properties of a safety pad can vary along a length, width, and/or
thickness of the safety pad. The variation of material properties
from an impact zone(s) to another impact zone (s) can vary. The
variation in material properties can vary abruptly, linearly,
and/or non-linearly from zone(s) to zone(s) and/or within a zone.
And, the zone(s) may not be distinctly defined where impact zone(s)
can vary in size and shape across a length width and/or thickness
of a safety pad.
[0073] Regarding safety pad materials, as discussed above, the
material(s) can vary themselves in mechanical properties in
addition to size, location, and thickness of one or more
layers.
[0074] Elastic deformation (elasticity) is reversible. Once the
forces are no longer applied, the object returns to its original
shape. Elastomers exhibit large elastic deformation ranges, as does
rubber. However elasticity is nonlinear in these materials. Whereas
plastic deformation is irreversible. However, an object in the
plastic deformation range will first have undergone elastic
deformation, which is reversible, so the object will return part
way to its original shape. Soft thermoplastics have a rather large
plastic deformation range. Hard thermosetting plastics, rubber,
crystals, and ceramics have minimal plastic deformation ranges. One
material with a large plastic deformation range is wet chewing gum,
which can be stretched dozens of times its original length. And,
rubber elasticity, a well-known example of hyperelasticity,
describes the mechanical behavior of many polymers, especially
those with cross-links.
[0075] The bulk properties of a polymer are the properties that
dictate how the polymer actually behaves on a macroscopic scale.
The tensile strength of a material quantifies how much elongating
stress the material will endure before failure. This is very
important in applications that rely upon a polymer's physical
strength or durability (e.g. wear properties). For example, a
rubber band with a higher tensile strength will hold a greater
weight before snapping. In general, tensile strength increases with
polymer chain length and crosslinking of polymer chains.
[0076] Young's Modulus quantifies the elasticity of the polymer. It
is defined, for small strains, as the ratio of rate of change of
stress to strain Like tensile strength, this is highly relevant in
polymer applications involving the physical properties of polymers,
such as rubber bands and damping/cushioning properties related to
an impact. The modulus is strongly dependent on temperature.
Viscoelasticity describes a complex time-dependent elastic
response, which will exhibit hysteresis in the stress-strain curve
when the load is removed. Dynamic mechanical analysis or DMA
measures this complex modulus by oscillating the load and measuring
the resulting strain as a function of time.
[0077] Hysteresis is the time-based dependence of a system's output
on current and past inputs (e.g. wear over-time). The dependence
arises because the history affects the value of an internal state.
To predict its future outputs, either its internal state or its
history must be known. If a given input alternately increases and
decreases, a typical mark of hysteresis is that the output forms a
loop as in the figure. In the elastic hysteresis of rubber, the
area in the center of a hysteresis loop is the energy dissipated
due to material internal friction.
[0078] A simple way to understand it is in terms of a rubber band
with weights attached to it. If the top of a rubber band is hung on
a hook and small weights are attached to the bottom of the band one
at a time, it will get longer. As more weights are loaded onto it,
the band will continue to extend because the force the weights are
exerting on the band is increasing. When each weight is taken off,
or unloaded, the band will get shorter as the force is reduced. As
the weights are taken off, each weight that produced a specific
length as it was loaded onto the band now produces a slightly
longer length as it is unloaded. This is because the band does not
obey Hooke's law perfectly. The hysteresis loop of an idealized
rubber band is shown in the figure.
[0079] In terms of force, the rubber band was harder to stretch
when it was being loaded than when it was being unloaded. This is
also relevant to compression of a safety pad material. In terms of
time, when the safety pad is unloaded, the cause (the force of the
weight thereupon) lagged behind the effect (the thickness) because
a smaller value of weight produced the same length. In terms of
energy, more was required during the loading than the unloading,
the excess energy being dissipated as heat.
[0080] Elastic hysteresis is more pronounced when the loading and
unloading is done quickly (e.g. in an impact from falling) than
when it is done slowly (e.g. due to walking on it). Materials such
as rubber exhibit a high degree of elastic hysteresis.
[0081] When the intrinsic hysteresis of rubber is being measured,
the material can be considered to behave like a gas. When a rubber
band is stretched it heats up, and if it is suddenly released, it
cools down perceptibly. These effects correspond to a large
hysteresis from the thermal exchange with the environment and a
smaller hysteresis due to internal friction within the rubber. This
proper, intrinsic hysteresis can be measured only if the rubber
band is adiabatically isolated.
[0082] For example, small vehicle suspensions using rubber (or
other elastomers) can achieve the dual function of springing and
damping because rubber, unlike metal springs, has pronounced
hysteresis and does not return all the absorbed compression energy
on the rebound. Mountain bikes have made use of elastomer
suspension, as did the original Mini car.
[0083] And, rubber material cushioning materials in a safety pad
are only one example of the many types of cushioning materials (or
a combination thereof) used and disclosed herein for understanding
of the underlying teachings related to the disclosed
embodiments.
[0084] Additional cushioning materials can include:
[0085] Loose fill--Some cushion products are flowable and are
packed loosely. One example of a loose fill cushion is a "bean bag
chair." The safety pad, or a portion/layer thereof, can be filled
and then closed to tighten the pad at a particular section or
location thereof. This includes expanded polystyrene foam pieces
(foam peanuts), plastic or rubber bb's, similar pieces made of
starch-based foams, and common popcorn for example. The amount of
loose fill material required and the transmitted shock levels vary
with the specific type of material. And, the fill may also be
impregnated within a setting polymer to take a desired form.
[0086] Cellulose or paper--Paper can be manually or mechanically
wadded up and used as a cushioning material in a safety pad.
Heavier grades of paper provide more weight-bearing ability than
old newspapers. Creped cellulose wadding is also available.
[0087] Corrugated fiberboard pads--multi-layer or cut-and-folded
shapes of corrugated board-type material can be used as cushion
material in a safety pad. These structures are designed to crush
and deform under shock stress and provide some degree of
cushioning. Paperboard composite honeycomb structures are also used
for cushioning in some embodiments disclosed herein.
[0088] Foam structures--several types of polymeric foams are used
for cushioning in the embodiments disclosed herein. The most common
are: expanded Polystyrene (also Styrofoam), polypropylene,
polyethylene, and polyurethane. These can be molded engineered
shapes or sheets which are cut and glued into cushion structures of
safety pads. Some degradable foams are also available.
[0089] Foam-in-place is another method of using polyurethane foams.
These fill the safety pad, or pad layer and can also be used to
form engineered structures.
[0090] Molded pulp--pulp can be molded into shapes suitable for
cushioning.
[0091] Inflated products--One example of an inflatable cushion is
an automobile air-bag. Another example is an inflated balloon,
inflated bounce house, or inflatable bladder to which a stunt
person falls upon. Bubble wrap, for example, consists of sheets of
plastic film with enclosed "bubbles" of air. These sheets can be
layered as well and air communication between air-filled chambers
can create a controlled distribution of air from one chamber to
another in case of a large fall impact. In addition a designed
pressure release valve or engineered release air exhaust opening
can further be included to increase the cushioning effect. And,
replacement of the "blown-open" quick-release air exhaust door can
be done along with pumping air back into the inflatable chamber. A
variety of engineered inflatable air cushions are also
available.
[0092] Several other types of cushioning are available including
suspension cushions and shock mounts underlying the safety pad or
portions thereof.
[0093] Thus, any form of cushioning or a combination of cushioning
materials can be used in a safety pad as disclosed herein. In fact,
a safety pad may be referred to as a fall cushion. Cushioning is
used to help protect fragile items, such as the human body, such as
during a fall impact in the disclosed embodiments. A fall also
produces potentially damaging shocks to the human body. Thus,
cushioning pads help prevent, or reduce, injury due to a fall
impact.
[0094] Thus, referring again to FIGS. 5-7, a variation of such
properties can be designed in a safety pad. And, these material
properties can be varied across the width, length, and thickness of
the safety pad as well as from impact zone to impact zone (or group
of impact zones to group of impact zones) or within an impact zone
itself as shown by the safety pad 510 610 710 property profiles
570, 670A, 670B, 670C, and 770.
[0095] For example, referring to FIG. 5, a climbing wall 500 and
safety pad 510 similar to that of FIG. 1 is shown. In this example,
a property profile 570 of the safety pad 510 is illustrated across
a length L in direction X of the safety pad. As shown, the material
property of the safety pad 510 according to the property profile
570 is substantially consistent for a first portion 570A of the
safety pad's 510 length L, then is linearly reduced along a second
portion 570B to a lower level of the property of the safety pad,
then is held constant at that lower level of the safety pad for a
length 570C further away from the climbing wall 500. Thus, the
first section 570 can be most proximate (or immediately adjacent)
to the climbing wall 500, the second section 580 can be less
proximate (or more remote, and further away) to the climbing wall
500 and the third section 570C can be less proximate (and more
remote, and further away) to the climbing wall 500. This property
profile 570 can be a modulus of elasticity and/or wear property of
the safety pad as the distance from the wall is increased. And,
this difference of safety pad 510 property is also different
depending on impact properties, such as impact likelihood and
impact magnitude association with the location of the portion
570A-C of the safety pad 510.
[0096] FIG. 6 illustrates a climbing wall 600 and safety pad 610
similar to that of FIG. 2. In this example three property profiles
(profiles 610A, 610BB, and 610C) of different safety pads 610 (or
different impact locations of a safety pad 610) are illustrated. As
shown, the property profile 670A-C of the safety pad 610A-C can be
constant, increase or decrease linearly, increase or decrease
abruptly, and/or increase or decrease non-linearly across a length,
width or thickness of the safety pad. The change in property
profile 670A-C and be based in hold 620A-D attributes as discussed
herein.
[0097] Similarly, FIG. 7 illustrates a climbing wall 700 similar to
that of FIG. 4 that includes various volumes 780A-C that may be
associated with various difficulties related to skill level,
height, age, climber attributes, etc. As such, the material
properties of the safety pad 710 can likewise vary accordingly
between (and within) various impact zones (not shown) of various
dimensions of the safety pad 710. And, the material property
profile of the safety pad 710 can be varied according to various
configurations and layers.
[0098] The construction of a complicated safety pad, such as safety
pad 710 can be created using a large 3-D material disposition
apparatus, such as a large 3-D printing head extruding a cushioning
material upon safety pad support substrate. Distinct impact zone
quadrants can be created and interlocked together by interlocking
features of the underlying support substrate. Thus, a safety pad
zone can be considered a square, rectangular, or triangular
quadrant part of a larger safety pad that can be in individually
made, interlocked together, and individually replaced as needed,
desired, optimized, or in response to a rock climbing surface
redesign. Similar constructions may be used to make desired
climbing walls as disclosed herein as well as the climbing features
such as holds and volumes. And, these holds and volumes may also be
constructed so as to be interlockable and replaceable or
customizable as well.
[0099] According to embodiments disclosed herein, a climbing and/or
bouldering wall can include more than one portion with a fall-reset
flooring disposed there between. For example, referring to FIG. 8,
climbing walls 800A1, A2, B1, and B2 with multiple safety pads
810A1, A2, B1, and B2 are illustrated. This embodiment is
particular desirable in a multi-tiered bouldering wall environment
which may be adjacent to top-roped climbing walls in a common
climbing gym. In this example, a climber is allowed to climb a
first climbing wall 800A1 that may be without the aid of a climbing
rope--e.g. a first bouldering wall 800A1. While climbing the first
climbing wall 800A1, the climber is protected by a first safety pad
810A1. And, a predetermined safe height of the first climbing wall
800A1 is retained. The first, and subsequent, safety pads 810 can
have any configuration disclosed herein.
[0100] After climbing the first climbing wall 800A1, the climber
climbs onto a second safety mat 810A2 using a ladder 880A, for
example. The climber walks across the second safety mat 810A2 and
begins climbing the second climbing wall 800A2 also limited to a
safe second height above the second safety pad 810A2. The second
climbing wall 800A2 can be of increased angle relative to the
Z-vertical direction as opposed to the first climbing wall 800A1
such that a fall from the second climbing wall 800A2 to the second
safety pad 810A1 will not result in a fall beyond the edge of the
second safety pad 810A2. Additional measures, such as a net 880B,
can also be included to further prevent a fall from the second
safety pad 810A2 to the first safety pad 810A1. And, upon
successfully climbing to the top of the second climbing wall 800A2
(or an additional subsequent climbing wall) a climber can be
allowed to descend (e.g. by a repelling rope 890A) back to the base
floor of the climbing gym to begin climbing again. In this way, the
climber is not required to climb back down the climbing walls 800A1
and 800A2 and subsequent climbers may begin climbing without
waiting for the previous climber to climb down the climbing
wall(s). And, in-fact, a climber's enjoyment of climbing may be
increased with a lack of the need to climb back down a bouldering
climbing wall. And, an increased number of climbing routes can be
vertically added without the need of laterally introducing new
climbing obstacles.
[0101] In addition, according to such embodiments, a vertical
utilization of climbing gym space is used. For example, in an
indoor climbing gym, a rock climbing wall used for rope-secured
climbing may be 40+ feet high. However, a bouldering wall may only
be 15-20 feet high, or sometimes less. Thus, with a multi-tiered
bouldering wall design as illustrated in FIG. 8, this
vertical-space of an indoor climbing gym can be more fully utilized
by serially and vertically scalable boulder walls as shown in FIG.
8. A similarly tiered dual vertically disposed climbing walls 800B1
and 800 B2 and corresponding similarly tiered dual vertically
disposed climbing walls 810B1 and 810B2 maybe included where a
climber may be allowed to transition from climbing wall 800A1 to
climbing wall 800B2; and from climbing wall 800B1 to climbing wall
800A2, if desired to add additional variety to the experience. And,
adjacent climbing routes may be disposed across a width of climbing
walls 800A1, A2, B1, and B2 as previously discussed. Thus, any of
the teachings herein can be variously combined as disclosed
herein.
[0102] Regarding climbers who enjoy the thrill of a more "free"
climbing experience, such climbers will find additional excitement
and relative safety according to many of the embodiments disclosed
herein. That is--free solo climbing, also known as free soloing, is
a form of free climbing where the climber (the free soloist) goes
alone and does not use ropes, harnesses and other protective gear
while ascending, relying only on his or her climbing ability.
Unlike in bouldering, climbers go beyond safe heights and a fall
always means serious injury or death. Free solo climbing should not
be confused with normal free climbing, in which gear is used for
safety in case of a fall, but not to assist the climb. Thus, free
solo climbing is generally not used in commercial indoor climbing
gyms. However, one may well be able to increase the relative safety
of experienced bouldering, or free soloing, to a certain extent
using various teachings as disclosed herein.
[0103] Various embodiments disclosed herein can also benefit a
social aspect of climbing as consideration of a climbing wall
and/or a safety pad are designed. For example, a climbing
experience can be enhanced where climbers of different attributes
are considered with regards to enjoying the sport of climbing
together. In an embodiment of such example, a first climber having
first attributes may enjoy climbing adjacent to a second climber
having second attributes. The first climber may be a relatively
higher skill level than the second climber. The first climber may
be relatively older than the second climber (e.g. the first climber
may be a parent of the second climber; or, the first climber may be
a relatively more experienced friend of the second climber). The
first climber may be relatively heavier than the second climber.
The first climber may be relatively taller than the second climber.
The first climber may fall more frequently than the second climber,
enjoy a more difficult climbing experience than the second climber,
and/or be more skilled at falling than the second climber, and so
forth.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 9, according to the teachings disclosed
herein, a first route A of a climbing wall 900 can include a first
set of holds (not shown) designed for the first climber; and a
second route B of the same climbing wall includes a second set of
holds (not shown) designed for the second climber. However, the
first and second routes A and B can be intentionally located
adjacent to one another (as opposed to separate areas of a climbing
gym) as shown such that the first and second climbers can
individually enjoy their own particular climbing experience along
their own climbing route while also enjoying this experience in a
relatively close climbing vicinity. The climbing route A and holds
(not shown) associated with the first climber can be color
identifiable from the route B and holds (not shown) associated with
the second climber. And, as discussed above, the impact zone(s)
901A-D of the safety pad 910 associated with the first and second
climbers can be designed according to attributes of the particular
climber (e.g. considering corresponding impact attributes). And, as
such, increased enjoyment of climbing vicinity between two or more
climbers of different climbing abilities are enabled, and safety
enjoyed, with increased social value.
[0105] Due to this increased social value, social recordings can
similarly be made by simultaneous image and/or audio capture of
both climbers along the climbing experience. For example, one or
more video and/or audio recording devices 990A-G can be disposed
along, and adjacent to routes A-D so as to simultaneously capture
and record the climbing experience of any climbers scaling routes
A-D. The capture devices 990 can be located so as to capture a
perspective view of the climbers and the capture devices 990 can be
disposed at predetermined locations based on perspective or
identified challenges associated with the particular routes A-D. In
some instances the video and/or audio capturing devices 990 can be
located along the climbing routes A and B of the first and second
climbers. The routes A and B of the first and second climbers can
include climber proximity sensors that sense the proximity of each
climber to the recording devices 990A-E. The proximity sensor, such
as a camera or motion sensor, can be included in the capture
devices 990. Once both climbers are within a vicinity (or field of
video capture) of the recording devices 990 the video and/or audio
recording of both climbers can be recorded with both climbers
together within the image capture frame of the capture device
990.
[0106] In addition, the video and/or audio capture of one or more
climbers can be accomplished using an aerial vehicle 995 having an
audio and/or video capture device disposed thereon. The aerial
vehicle 995 can be an aerial drone 995 with an audio and/or video
capture device disposed upon the drone 995 with wireless proximity
sensing device disposed upon the drone. Regarding the wireless
proximity sending device, both the first and/or second climbers can
wear a proximity transmitting device in communication with the
proximity sensing device associated with the aerial recording
vehicle 995.
[0107] In some embodiments, the aerial recording vehicle 995 can
sense the proximity of both climbers and determine an optimized
aerial recording position relative to both climbers. For example,
the aerial vehicle 995 can consider a position which captures video
imagery of both climbers within a certain threshold of desired
margins of the recorded frame boundary. For example, the recorded
capture can consider a center point between both climbers as a
center point of a desired recording. The aerial vehicle can use a
leveling sensor and position sensor of the aerial vehicle to
optimize recording of the first and second climbers. An optimized
boundary may be considered to ensure an appropriate distance
between both climbers and a periphery of the capture view. And, the
aerial location of the aerial vehicle 995, and/or control of the
image capture device upon the aerial vehicle 995, can be determined
so as to capture an optimized recording of the first and second
climbers as they negotiate their particular climbing routes A and
B.
[0108] In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle 995 (or multiple
aerial vehicles) can include at least two coordinated audio and/or
video recording devices. These recording devices can be in
coordination with one another and assigned a particular one of the
first or second climbers. The images recorded by each of the first
and second recording devices can be rectified with respect to one
another. For example, an image taken by a first recording device
regarding a first climber can be rectified and coordinated with a
recording of the second climber made by a second recording device.
Where the recording of the first climber becomes unduly distanced
from the second recording of the second climber, the recording of
the first climber can be automatically isolated from the recording
of the second climber and no longer rectified or coordinated
together. For example, where the first climber's location differs
from the second climber less than ten feet the recording of the
first and second climbers can be presented together whether by a
single capture of both climbers together or by a coordination of
two separate recordings. Once the distance between the two climbers
increases beyond a particular predetermined amount, the recording
of each climber can be automatically reassigned to an independent
recording thereof by individual cameras disposed on the one or more
aerial vehicles. Then, when the vicinity of the climbers to one
another becomes less than the predetermined distance, the separate
recordings thereof can once again be coordinated or switched to a
common dual climber recording device. And, rectifying transmitters
or features 996, such as recognizable light transmitter (e.g. by
polarization or light modulation) can be sensed and used to rectify
adjacent images using sensing of the locations of the identifiable
transmitters 996.
[0109] The use of the aerial vehicle 995, such as a drone, has
advantages to various other static-based recording apparatus. For
example, a climber-mounted recording device such as a GOPRO does
not provide an exciting later review of the same perspective.
Rather, the GOPRO is captures from the position upon the climber
from which it is held.
[0110] Similarly, a land-mounted recording device is held to a
perspective from which it is located or constraints of the mount to
which it is attached. And, as an aerial vehicle is not generally
held to a three dimensional location, a wide array of recording
positions are thereby enabled including vertical and lateral
distance locations to simultaneously the first, second, and/or both
climbers. Similar advantages can also be considered with respect to
athletes enjoying other sports than climbing as well.
[0111] One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and
other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions
performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in
differing order. Moreover, the structures of apparatus may be
reorganized or variated used to accomplish a given feature or
function. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only
provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be
optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded
into additional steps and operations without detracting from the
essence of the disclosed embodiments.
[0112] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the
particular embodiments described in this application, which are
intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications
and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and
scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of
the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing
descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to
fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present
disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is
not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions
or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be
understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be
limiting.
[0113] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or
singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate
from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[0114] It is understood by those within the art that, in general,
terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g.,
bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open"
terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or
more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used
to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should
be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare
recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at
least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in
those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A,
B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C"
would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances
where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc."
is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense
one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,
"a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not
be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the
art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting
two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims,
or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities
of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms.
For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the
possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0115] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and
all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description,
all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible
subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range
can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling
the same range being broken down into at least equal halves,
thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, quadrants, thirds, etc. As a
non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily
broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.
As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language
such as "up to," "at least," and the like include the number
recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down
into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood
by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.
Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 routes refers to groups
having 1, 2, or 3 routes. Similarly, a group having 1-5 impact
zones refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 impact zones and
more or less, and so forth.
[0116] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein
are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit
being indicated by the following claims. All references recited
herein are incorporated herein by specific reference in their
entirety.
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