Elastic pad

#The present invention relates to a pad which is stuffed with an elastic body to provide protection against friction, pressure, shock, and the like.

#As shown in FIG. 1, an elastic pad 1 of the prior art is made of a casing 11 and an elastic block 12 of a rubber material. The elastic block 12 is confined by a support frame 13 of a rigid material. The prior art elastic pad 1 is defective in design in that the elastic block 12 is relatively poor at rebounding, and that the rigid support frame 13 undermines the softness of the elastic pad 1.

#As shown in FIG. 2, another prior art elastic pad 2 is made of a casing 21, and an elastic member 22 which is encased by the casing 21 and is provided with a plurality of carrying seats 23 for holding a spring 24 in conjunction with a spring holder 25. The springs 24 are confined by a support frame 26. The springs 24 serve to enhance the elasticity of the prior art elastic pad 2. The metal springs 24 give an added weight to the prior art elastic pad 2. In addition, the metal springs 24 are not uniformly distributed in the inside of the casing 21, thereby compromising the elastic quality of the prior art elastic pad 2. The metal springs 24 and the support frame 26 tend to undermine the quality of softness of the prior art elastic pad 2. The elastic member 22 is complicated in construction and is therefore not cost-effective. For example, it is time-consuming to assemble the spring holders 25 of the elastic member 22.

#FIG. 1 shows a sectional schematic view of a prior art elastic pad.

#FIG. 2 shows a sectional schematic view of another prior art elastic pad.

#FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the present invention.

#As shown in FIGS. 3-6, an elastic pad 3 of the present invention comprises a protective covering 4 and an elastic member 5which is encased by the protective covering 4.

#The elastic pad 3 of the present invention is characterized by the elastic member 5 which is formed of a first elastic body 51 and two second elastic bodies 52 sandwiching the first elastic body 51. The first elastic body 51 is a flat body with a plurality of arms 511 radiating from the center thereof. The arms 511 are provided at the free end with a retaining portion 512. The retaining portions 512 of the arms 511 of the embodiment of the present invention are through slots 512. The through slots 512 are preferably provided with two retaining surfaces 513 opposite to each other. The two second elastic bodies 52 are symmetrical to each other and have a starfish shape. The second elastic bodies 52 have a plurality of arms 522 radiating from a center 521 thereof. The arms 522 of the second elastic bodies 52 are corresponding in location and number to the arms 511 of the first elastic body 51. The first elastic bodies 51 is sandwiched between the two second elastic bodies 52 such that the free ends of the arms 522 of the second elastic bodies 52 are received in the through slots 512 of the arms 511 of the first elastic body 51. The retaining surfaces 513 of the through slots 512 serve to retain the free ends of the arms 522 of the second elastic bodies 52.

#As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic pad 3 of the present invention further comprises a frame 41 which is encased by the protective covering 4 and is used to confine the elastic member 5. As the elastic pad 3 of the present invention is exerted on by an external force, the first elastic body 51 and the two second elastic bodies 52 of the elastic member 5 are forced to expand, as shown in FIG. 7. As soon as the elastic pad 3 is relieved of the external force, the first elastic body 51 and the two second elastic bodies 52 spring back to their original shapes.