Load supporting panel having impact absorbing structure
AssigneeBrock USA, LLC
InventorSteven Lee Sawyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An impact absorption panel is adapted for playground use and comprises a panel section and a plurality of projections. The panel section is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. The plurality of projections extend from the bottom surface of the panel section. The plurality of projections have a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is configured to collapse initially when subjected to an impact load. The second stage is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first stage. The panel section is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first and second stages. The first stage can also be distinguished from the second stage by virtue of having a comparatively smaller volume.
Claims20
An impact absorption underlayment panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and edges, the top surface having a plurality of projections that define top drainage channels, the bottom surface having a plurality of bottom projections that define drainage channels, the edges having at least one standout spacer arranged to form a gap with an adjacent panel, the gap being configured to provide fluid communication with the bottom side drainage channels, the panel further having a plurality of drain holes arranged on the panel, the plurality of drain holes providing fluid communication between the top surface and the drainage channels of the bottom surface, wherein the panel has a resilient characteristic that provides for deflection under load sufficient to impart impact absorption to the panel.
An impact absorption underlayment panel comprising:
- a panel section having a plurality of drain holes formed therethrough;
- a top surface configured to support at least a layer of loose infill material, the top side further including a texture that maintains the general position of the loose infill material on the top surface;
- and
- a bottom surface having a plurality of projections that cooperate to define channels suitable to permit water flow across the bottom surface, the channels being in fluid communication with the panel drain holes, the projections having tapered sides such that the bottom side channels will retain up to 25 mm of water for a slower release rate into a substrate than a drainage rate across the channels, wherein the panel is made of a material that provides for deflection under load, thereby imparting impact absorption to the panel.
An impact absorption underlayment panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and edges, a plurality of drain holes connecting the top surface in fluid communication with the bottom surface, the edges having edge projections extending therefrom, the edge projections forming a gap between the edges and edges of abutting panels, the gap providing a second drainage path between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the panel is made of a material that provides for deflection under load, thereby imparting impact absorption to the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.