Air shock absorber for modular floor, and modular floor

Abstract

AIR SHOCK ABSORBER FOR MODULAR FLOORING AND MODULAR FLOORING refers to an air shock absorber specially designed for modular flooring, typically used on sports courts, installed on top of pre-existing flooring. As a novel technical effect, the air shock absorber provides increased impact absorption to the flooring in a continuous manner, since the air flows quickly into and out of the shock absorber, allowing it to return to its original position rapidly. The modular flooring, in turn, includes openings for fitting the shock absorbers, which contain internal protrusions that allow the air to move and perform effective impact absorption.

Description

Subject:

[0001] The present Invention Patent refers to an air shock absorber specially designed for modular flooring, typically used on sports courts, installed on top of pre-existing flooring. As a novel technical effect, the air shock absorber provides increased impact absorption to the flooring in a continuous manner, since the air flows quickly into and out of the shock absorber, allowing it to return to its original position rapidly. The modular flooring, in turn, includes openings for fitting the shock absorbers, which contain internal protrusions that allow the air to move and perform effective impact absorption.State of the Art:

[0002] Modular flooring installed in an overlapping manner is already known in the art, generally manufactured from plastic material with shock absorption, assembled by interlocking between pieces, usually square and / or rectangular.

[0003] Regarding patent references, document BR202014024725-0, filed on 9 / 29 / 2014, titled "Rubber Floor and Rubber Tactile Floor", by the same applicant, discloses a modular tactile rubber floor that is easy to install, as it is installed over a polymer base with a fish-scale-type pin system on the underside of the base for fixation on concrete, and side click-fit male-and-female interlocking with an expansion joint to connect one base to another.

[0004] Document BR202019028317-9, filed on 12 / 31 / 2019, titled "Impact-Absorbing Floor Plate", also by the same applicant, describes a modular plate with impact absorption used to compose flooring for various purposes. The impact-absorption function is achieved through a plurality of cylindrical pins made of thermoplastic elastomer rubber inserted into a structural base, absorbing the forces transmitted to the joints, reducing injuries in the user's knees, heels, and legs, and improving the athletic performance of athletes as well as general users. In this case, the rubberized shock-absorbing pin (7) has a circular shape and is provided with four cavities (11) evenly distributed around its perimeter, which serve the purpose of allowing its movement inside the circular opening (4). This movement occurs naturally as the rubberized material expands and contracts as it absorbs the impacts that occur on the flooring.

[0005] In general, these floors serve a specific purpose, such as in sports practice areas at schools, and may be installed indoors or outdoors. Other uses also occur, such as delimiting recreation and common-use areas, or even solely for decorative purposes.

[0006] Such modular plates are installed directly over the pre-existing floor, which must be rigid but is generally not in good condition, presenting uneven areas, cracks, and other natural damage resulting from use over time.

[0007] For this reason, the modular plates have expansion joints, formed directly in the male-and-female interlocks, which allow the absorption of unevenness and defects in the original floor, as well as the absorption of expansion and contraction movements of the plates themselves due to temperature variations, depending on the location where they are installed.

[0008] It turns out that rubber shock-absorbing pins have not proven to be the best form of impact absorption in cases where the flooring is installed on sports courts, especially in high-performance sports. This is because rubber pins take time to return to their original shape, which means that the impact absorption at the next movement of the athlete in the same area of the flooring is not adequate. Thus, the absorption does not occur continuously, since some time, even if minimal, is required for the rubber to return to its original shape and perform new impact absorption with maximum efficiency.

[0009] In addition, over time, situations occur in which the rubber pin becomes detached from the modular flooring, resulting in the need to replace the pin or even the flooring, depending on the situation.Inventive Concept:

[0010] The present Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring and Modular Flooring has been developed to meet the following main objectives: to provide efficient and continuous impact absorption for all forms of use of modular flooring, especially for high-performance sports, and to prevent the shock-absorbing pin from becoming detached from the modular flooring.

[0011] To this end, the shock absorption is achieved by a plurality of rubberized pins distributed along the underside of the modular flooring, each pin having a cylindrical shape and containing an open internal cavity that is naturally filled with air. On its lower portion, which remains in contact with the floor, each pin includes a protrusion that increases the stability of contact during impact absorption, and laterally each pin has uniformly distributed projections that assist in fixing the pins into the openings of the modular flooring.

[0012] Since the open, air-filled cavity is oriented upward, that is, opposite the protrusion that contacts the modular flooring, when force is applied, such as when an athlete jumps, the combination of the air and the rubberized pin automatically absorbs the impact, allowing the pin to return automatically to its initial state and be immediately activated again on the athlete's next movement. The modular flooring, to allow the shock-absorption effect and immediate return of the air shock absorber, includes openings for fitting the shock absorbers, the openings having internal protrusions that allow the air to move quickly and provide effective impact absorption.

[0013] The present shock-absorbing pin is preferably manufactured using recycled rubber material or virgin rubber material that is 100% recyclable.Summary:

[0014] The Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring is essentially characterized in that the rubberized pin has an internal open cavity that allows air circulation.

[0015] The Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring is additionally characterized in that the rubberized pin has a plurality of protrusions uniformly distributed on its lateral surface, a lower protrusion, and a recessed upper portion.

[0016] The Modular Flooring, in turn, is essentially characterized in that the opening on the underside of the modular flooring has a plurality of internal protrusions arranged so as to leave a gap between them, according to Models 1, 2, and 3 described below.Field of Application:

[0017] The present Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring and Modular Flooring is applied as an air-based shock absorption system for modular flooring installed in an overlapping configuration. Advantages:

[0018] The Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring and Modular Flooring presents the following advantages: It enables more efficient impact absorption due to the combined action of the air and the rubberized pin; It prevents the rubberized pin from becoming detached from the modular plate, due to the presence of lateral protrusions that assist in its fixation; It allows easy installation and removal for maintenance, since the lower protrusion enables better handling; As it is manufactured using recycled rubber as raw material, it reduces the existence of non-reused plastic waste, providing a durable application that benefits environmental matters and mitigates the damage caused by rubber waste. Illustrations:

[0019] To facilitate examination and provide understanding of the present patent, as recommended in the report, according to a basic and preferred embodiment prepared by the applicant, reference is made to the attached illustrations, which form part of and support the present descriptive report, wherein: FIG. 01 - shows a bottom perspective view, illustrating the shock absorber installed on the modular flooring; FIG. 02 - shows a front perspective view of the shock absorber; FIG. 03 - shows a side view of the shock absorber; FIG. 04 - shows a bottom view of the shock absorber; FIG. 05 - shows a top view of the shock absorber; FIG. 06 - shows Section A-A; FIG. 07 - shows a top perspective view of the shock absorber; FIG. 08 - shows a perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber; FIG. 09 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber; FIG. 10 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 1; FIG. 11 - shows a perspective view of the flooring with protrusions - model 1; FIG. 12 - shows a perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 1; FIG. 13 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 1; FIG. 14 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 2; FIG. 15 - shows a perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 2; FIG. 16 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 2; FIG. 17 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 3; FIG. 18 - shows a perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 3; FIG. 19 - shows an exploded perspective view of the flooring with transparency, illustrating the shock absorber - model 3. Description:

[0020] The Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring consists of a rubberized pin (1) inserted into specific openings located on the underside of the modular flooring (2).

[0021] The rubberized pin (1) preferably has a cylindrical shape and includes, on its lower portion, a protrusion (3) which, after installation on the modular flooring (2), remains projecting from it, facilitating handling and increasing the stability of the shock absorption. On the lateral surface of the rubberized pin (1), a plurality of protrusions (4) are uniformly distributed, which improve the fixation of the rubberized pin (1) to the underside of the modular flooring (2).

[0022] The recessed upper portion (5) assists the rubberized pin (1) in returning to its original position after shock absorption.

[0023] Internally, the rubberized pin (1) has an open cavity (6), which is automatically filled with air; the said open cavity (6) is oriented upward, with the air being confined between the open cavity (6) and the modular flooring (2).

[0024] For the air to move and enable the rubberized pin (1) to return quickly to its original position, becoming ready for the next immediate shock absorption, it is necessary that the interior of the opening on the modular flooring (2) include small internal protruding pins which, besides allowing air movement between them, also act as limiters, assisting and promoting the return of the rubberized pin to its original shape.

[0025] Depending on the application and on the type of modular flooring (2), these small protruding pins are arranged in different configurations, resulting in three models, detailed below.

[0026] Model 1 provides for the presence of protrusions (7) uniformly distributed inside the opening (8) on the underside of the modular flooring (2), said protrusions (7) being arranged so as to leave gaps (9) between them, allowing air circulation. The rubberized pin (1) is then positioned inside the opening (8) such that the recessed upper portion (5) contacts the protrusions (7).

[0027] Model 2 provides for the presence of a lower protrusion (10) on the upper edge of the opening (8) on the underside of the modular flooring (2), said lower protrusion (10) being arranged so as to leave gaps (11) to allow air circulation. The rubberized pin (1) is then positioned inside the opening (8) such that the recessed upper portion (5) contacts the lower protrusion (10).

[0028] Model 3 provides for the presence of protrusions (12) uniformly distributed inside the opening (8) on the underside of the modular flooring (2), said protrusions (12) having different dimensions but being positioned at the same height, suitable for application in access ramps for modular flooring (2), and also being arranged so as to leave gaps (13) between them, allowing air circulation. The rubberized pin (1) is then positioned inside the opening (8) such that the recessed upper portion (5) contacts the protrusions (12).

[0029] In all models, the gaps between the protrusions inside the opening (8) allow the circulation of air between the open cavity (6) and the interior of the opening (8), assisting in shock absorption and enabling the rubberized pin (1) to return more quickly to its original position, so that it may immediately perform new shock absorption.Conclusion:

[0030] In this manner, the Air Shock Absorber for Modular Flooring and Modular Flooring is supported by novel technical and functional characteristics and therefore deserves the legal protection sought.

Claims

1. AIR SHOCK ABSORBER FOR MODULAR FLOORING, characterized in that the rubberized pin (1) has an internal open cavity (6).

2. AIR SHOCK ABSORBER FOR MODULAR FLOORING, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubberized pin (1) has a plurality of protrusions (4) uniformly distributed on its lateral surface.

3. AIR SHOCK ABSORBER FOR MODULAR FLOORING, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubberized pin (1) has, on its lower portion, a protrusion (3), and a recessed upper portion (5).

4. MODULAR FLOORING, provided with a plurality of openings (8) on its underside, characterized in that each opening (8) includes a plurality of protrusions (7) arranged so as to leave gaps (9) between them.

5. MODULAR FLOORING, according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening (8) on the underside of the modular flooring (2) includes a lower protrusion (10) arranged so as to leave gaps (11), in place of the protrusions (7).

6. MODULAR FLOORING, according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening (8) on the underside of the modular flooring (2) includes protrusions (12) of different dimensions arranged at the same height, so as to leave gaps (13) between them, in place of the protrusions (7).

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