Support for sports floors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support for wooden sports floors that improves impact absorption, preventing physical trauma to users. Normally installed on reinforced concrete, these can be inefficient and uncomfortable. The resilient support is placed between the original floor and the sports floor, deforming in order to absorb impacts and returning gradually to its original shape, thereby increasing comfort. The novelty lies in the ability to adjust impact absorption using different types and quantities of filling, which can be adjusted as necessary. The filling material can be solid, liquid, gas or plasma. The stepped shape of the support ensures deformation in proportion to the pressure exerted, improving levelling of the floor without causing the user discomfort. The support comprises a base (2) that has an opening (2.1) and is coupled to the lower side of the sports floor, a body (3) on which the base (2) sits, and a cavity (4) that contains a filling inside it.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SUPPORT FOR SPORTS FLOOR COVERAGE

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The present invention falls within the technical field of resilient flooring for physical and sporting activities. In particular, it relates to a resilient support system, of the modular type, designed to be installed under a wooden platform, or other rigid material, forming a floating sports floor with high impact absorption capacity, energy restitution and adaptability to the type of physical effort applied.

[0005] Framework of the invention

[0006] Sports flooring, installed in sports areas, which may or may not be covered, is usually mounted directly over the original floor of the sports facility, which is typically made of reinforced concrete. However, being in most cases a generic sports floor that does not take into account the specific characteristics of each sport that may be practiced on it, the flooring sometimes ends up being inefficient and uncomfortable for the users of the pavilion. Due to the lack of cushioning elements, the impacts exerted on the sports flooring end up being returned to the user, and, through repetition over time, can cause physical trauma, namely musculoskeletal disorders, such as chronic pain in the feet, legs or back.

[0007] In order to overcome this deficiency, thus minimizing the possibility of physical trauma caused by sports flooring that is not suitable for the needs, resilient supports have emerged. These supports are placed under the sports floor, between the original floor of the sports equipment and the sports floor, thus avoiding direct contact between the sports floor and the original floor. Because they are made of resilient material, the energy transmitted by impacts causes deformation of the supports, which, when gradually released, causes the supports to gradually return to their original shape. This provides the user with greater comfort during the use of the sports floor, also reducing the possibility of physical trauma due to the absence of impact absorption.

[0008] Background of the invention

[0009] A variety of resilient support solutions for sports flooring are known in the state of the art, generally positioned under a wooden base and distributed in such a way as to give the floating floor certain biomechanical properties, namely with regard to its vertical deformation, shock absorption, energy restitution, slip resistance and ball rolling behavior.

[0010] The known solutions can be classified into two main groups:

[0011] • Continuous resilient supports, generally formed by synthetic foam sheets or plates with alveolar or grooved geometry;

[0012] • Discontinuous resilient supports, generally formed by small blocks of rubber, polyurethane or composite materials, in cylindrical, prismatic or truncated conical shape.

[0013] These solutions, while effective in some applications, have significant limitations: a) The behavior of the flooring is generally homogeneous, which makes it difficult to adapt to different sports or specific areas of the field; b) The rigidity of the support is fixed, not allowing fine adjustments to the physical characteristics of the athletes or the type of effort expected; c) The installation and replacement of the supports is impractical, generally requiring the dismantling of the upper deck.

[0014] Several prior art documents refer to resilient supports for use in sports flooring.

[0015] Specifically, reference should be made to documents US7735280B2 and CN213449311U, which describe floor supports comprising a base that joins the sports floor and a body comprising a set of stepped pyramid-shaped segments. Unlike the present invention, the interior of the supports is completely filled, and therefore, unlike the present invention, they do not use air as an aid to absorb energy caused by impacts, nor do they allow for the regulation of floor stiffness through the possibility of filling the interior of the support with suitable filling material, which allows for varying the comfort / rebound ratio.

[0016] Document WQ2020044299 describes a pavement module comprising rigid support elements in its lower part, into which a resilient damper is fitted. These dampers have a hollow cylindrical shape, with the lower portion closed and the upper portion open. When fitted into the rigid support elements, the upper portion is oriented inwards, forming an air pocket inside the damper, which dampens the impacts exerted on the pavement module. However, this damper does not have a pyramidal structure, nor the ability to vary its capacity for absorbing and dissipating impact energy.

[0017] Document CN214034594U describes a floor support comprising a base that joins the sports floor and a body comprising a set of overlapping segments with a semicircular and conical shape. This support has a completely filled interior, without the possibility of adjusting rigidity through variable filling, thus not allowing the floor to be adapted to different sports practices or different areas of the floor.

[0018] Advantages of the invention

[0019] Although the inventions mentioned are efficient in absorbing impacts on sports flooring, none of them has the ability to vary the absorption and dissipation capacity of impact energy by placing a filler inside, in the desired quantity, that allows the flooring to adapt to the specific sporting activity to be performed on it. Similarly, it is possible to place supports with different types and / or quantities of filler or fillers in different areas of the floor. In this way, the sports flooring is even better adapted to the specific sporting activity, by altering the stiffness according to the area of ​​the floor, thus also allowing control of the sport / area of ​​the field where the rebound occurs, and thus managing the balance between comfort and rebound.

[0020] Given that the filling material can be in any of the physical states of matter: solid, liquid, gaseous, or plasma, it is always possible to determine which material or mixture of materials, and in what quantity, is placed inside the cavity. Additionally, because the equipment of the invention has a stepped shape, the deformation of the support is not uniform, being greater in the zone where the pressure exerted is greater and less in the zone where the pressure exerted is lower. The deformation of the resilient support is proportional to the force exerted in each area of ​​impact on the floor module, in order to better level the floor module without causing discomfort to the user.

[0021] Unlike the support described in document CN214034594U, which has a fully filled interior and fixed rigidity, the support of the present invention allows for the regulation of the absorption and dissipation capacity of impact energy through the possibility of selecting the type and quantity of filling placed inside. This innovative feature allows the flooring to adapt to the specific sporting activity that will be performed on the sports floor, providing a level of customization and adaptability unattainable with prior art supports.

[0022] Brief description of the figures

[0023] These and other characteristics can be easily understood through the attached drawings, which should be considered as mere examples and in no way restrictive of the scope of the invention. In drawings, and for illustrative purposes, the measurements of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale. The absolute dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to the actual relationships for carrying out the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the support for sports flooring. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the support for sports flooring.

[0025] Figure 3 shows one embodiment, where it is possible to observe the use of a sealant in the support for sports flooring.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment in which the cavity is completely filled with a filler.

[0027] The figures show the elements and components of the equipment of the present invention, as well as elements necessary for the operation of the invention:

[0028] 1 - support

[0029] 2 - base

[0030] 2.1 - opening

[0031] 3 - body

[0032] 3.1 - step

[0033] 3.1.1 - top step

[0034] 3.1.2 - base step

[0035] 3.1.3 - intermediate step

[0036] 4 - cavity

[0037] 5 - sealant

[0038] 6 - filling

[0039] Detailed description of the invention

[0040] By "substantially" it is understood that the description of the shape or position of an element of the present invention is not mathematically or geometrically exact, but that the shape or position of an element of the present invention is recognized by a person skilled in the art as having generically or approximately the shape or position described.

[0041] The terms "stepped pyramid," "substantially cylindrical," "elliptical paraboloid," and "half-capsule," "pyramidal," "conical," "truncated," "truncated conical," "prismatic," and "cylindrical" refer to various possible forms or shapes of the components of the invention, which may function with other forms or shapes.

[0042] By "substantially concentric", "substantially normal", "substantially perpendicular", "lower", "interior" and "top" are meant various possible embodiments of the components of the invention, which may function in other positions.

[0043] The terms "lower," "inner," "top," and "complementary" used in the description are for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions. It should be noted that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of functioning in orientations other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0044] A "right regular prism" is any prism with any number of sides equal to or greater than three, which are substantially perpendicular to the bases. For example, a cube is considered a right regular prism.

[0045] "Resilient supports" refers to supports that are able to return to their original shape after suffering an impact or deformation.

[0046] For a better understanding of the invention's equipment, figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are inverted, that is, the bottom side is the one that faces upwards, i.e., in contact with the sports floor.

[0047] The application of the principles described here is not limited to the forms of implementation presented.

[0048] The principles described here can be applied to any type of flooring.

[0049] Additionally, although some embodiments present multiple novel features, all features can be independent, and it is not essential that all of them be used in a single embodiment.

[0050] Floor supports conforming to the principles described herein may comprise any number of the features presented.

[0051] Referring to the figures, the present invention relates to a support (1) used in floors, more specifically in sports floors, which comprises inside a cavity (4) containing a filling (6) for absorbing impacts exerted on the floor which, in one embodiment, is constituted by a product that is in any of the states of matter: solid, liquid, gaseous or plasma, or by a mixture of products that can be in any of the states of matter: solid, liquid, gaseous or plasma.

[0052] The support (1) has a base (2). The base (2) is attached to the underside of a sports floor by means of a suitable fastening means, namely, glue, adhesives, Velcro, fasteners or any other method suitable for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment, the base (2) has the shape of a regular right prism. In another embodiment, the base (2) has a substantially cylindrical shape. The base (2) has an opening (2.1) that runs through its entire height. In a preferred embodiment, the opening

[0053] (2.1) has a substantially cylindrical shape. In a second embodiment, the opening (2.1) has the shape of a regular right prism. In other embodiments, the opening (2.1) has a truncated or truncated cone shape. In a preferred embodiment, the opening

[0054] (2.1) and the basis (2) are substantially concentric.

[0055] The support (1) is further constituted by a body (3) on which rests the base (2). The body (3) has a stepped pyramid-shaped structure, with levels that resemble steps, comprising a plurality of steps (3.1), more specifically at least two steps (3.1), with dimensions that decrease from the top step (3.1.1) to the base step (3.1.2) and that are substantially concentric with respect to an axis substantially normal to the base (2) and that passes through the center of the base (2). The interior of the body (3) is hollow.

[0056] The base step (3.1.2) corresponds to the step (3.1) that is furthest from the base (2). In a preferred embodiment, the top step (3.1.1) has its interior filled with a filler material. In a second embodiment, the interior of the top step (3.1.1) is hollow. In a preferred embodiment, the steps that make up (3.1) have a substantially equal height.

[0057] The base (2) rests on the body (3) via the top step.

[0058] (3.1.1), which is the step with the largest dimensions. In one embodiment, the top step (3.1.1) is directly on the base step (3.1.2). In a preferred embodiment, the body (3) has three steps, with an intermediate step (3.1.3) between the top step (3.1.1) and the base step (3.1.2). In another embodiment, there is more than one intermediate step (3.1.3). Due to the stepped pyramid shape of the body (3), the intermediate steps (3.1.3) that are present must have dimensions that are:

[0059] - smaller than the dimensions of the top step (3.1.1),

[0060] - larger than the dimensions of the base step (3.1.2), and

[0061] - the dimensions of the intermediate steps (3.1.3) are consecutively larger the closer they are to the top step (3.1.1).

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the steps (3.1) have a substantially cylindrical shape. In a second embodiment, the steps (3.1) have the shape of a regular right prism. In a third embodiment, the steps (3.1) have the shape of a truncated cone or truncated cone, straight or inverted.

[0063] Since the body (3) is hollow, its interior comprises a cavity (4). That is, the body (3) defines the cavity (4) by the inner sides of the steps (3.1). The top step (3.1.1) corresponds to the top of the cavity (4). The cavity (4) has any shape that allows the body (3) to deform when pressure is exerted on the support (1). In a preferred embodiment, the cavity (4) and the body (3) are substantially concentric. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity (4) has an elliptical paraboloid shape. In other embodiments, the cavity (4) has a half-capsule, pyramidal, stepped pyramid, conical, truncated, truncated conical, prismatic, cylindrical shape, or any other shape that proves suitable. The cavity (4) comprises an opening which, in one embodiment, coincides with the opening (2.1) of the base (2). That is, the cavity (4) extends to the opening (2.1). In another embodiment, the opening (2.1) and the cavity opening (4) are in communication.

[0064] As can be seen in figure 4, the filling (6) is placed inside the cavity (4). Depending on the intended purpose of the support (1), the quantity and type or types of filling (6) to be placed inside the cavity (4) are defined. If at least one filling (6) to be placed inside the cavity (4) is a fluid, the number of bags necessary to accommodate at least one fluid are placed inside the cavity (4).

[0065] If there is only one type of filling (6), or if at least one filling (6) is solid, the bag is the cavity (4).

[0066] If at least one filling (6) is solid, in a first embodiment, the filling (6) is placed inside the cavity (4) in a non-removable manner. In a second embodiment, the filling (6) is placed in the cavity (4) in a removable manner. This placement is carried out by any method known in the prior art, namely, but not exclusively, by pressing and deforming the filling (6), by fitting the filling (6) into the cavity (4) and / or the opening (2.1) through protrusions and recesses, by polymerizing the filling (6) in the cavity (4) or by any other method that proves suitable. In a preferred embodiment, the filling (6) has a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the cavity (4). If at least one filling (6) is solid, in one embodiment, the filling (6) incorporates a sealant (5).

[0067] In the case where at least one filling (6) is fluid, in one embodiment, a sealant (5), as shown in Figure 3, is placed in the opening (2.1) by fitting. This fitting is carried out by any method known in the state of the art, including, but not limited to, pressing and deforming the sealant (5), fitting protrusions and recesses placed in the sealant (5) and in the opening (2.1), or by any other method that proves suitable.

[0068] The placement of the sealant (5) in the opening (2.1) has the function of preventing the filling (6) inside the cavity (4) from flowing out, thus allowing its pressurization. Thus, the sealant (5) has a shape that complements the shape of the opening (2.1) so that they fit together and, together, prevent the filling (6) contained in the cavity (4) from escaping.

[0069] Additionally, the sealant (5) has an opening that allows regulation of the amount of filling (6) in the cavity (4).

[0070] In the embodiment in which the filling (6) is a fluid, the fluid quantity regulator is a valve. In another embodiment, the sealant (5) is made of a material that can be punctured and returns to its original shape after being punctured, such as shape-memory polymers.

[0071] Since the purpose of the filling (6) is to strengthen the body (3), making it more resistant to deformation, the filling (6) is placed in the cavity (4). Thus, when the filling (6) is placed in the cavity (4), the volume of the cavity (4) decreases, and its shape and position may change. In one embodiment, the filling (6) partially occupies the opening (2.1), causing it to decrease in size, and its shape and position may be altered. When the filling (6) partially fills the opening (2.1), the chosen sealant (5) must be substantially complementary to the altered opening (2.1) in order to prevent fluid leakage from the cavity (4) during the use of the support (1).

[0072] Support selection

[0073] When the support (1) is subjected to an impact, the body (3) reacts through a temporary deformation in its shape, which allows it to absorb and dissipate the impact energy. The degree of deformation is related to the hardness of the material from which it is made, with harder materials giving the body (3) a lower capacity for deformation, returning a greater percentage of the impact energy to the user, making its use less comfortable. Conversely, a less hard material allows for greater deformation and consequently better absorption of impact energy, returning a smaller percentage of this energy to the user, making its use more comfortable. This differentiation allows different fillings (6) to be used for different sports. And even for the same sport, different fillings can be used depending on the area of ​​the floor. The balance between comfort and rebound can thus be managed.As an example, consider basketball, where rebounding ability is much more important in the area near the basket and the key than in the rest of the court, where, although necessary, it is less relevant.

[0074] Due to the presence of a pressurized filling (6) in the cavity (4), impacts exerted on the floor cause less deformation of the body (3). This occurs because, with the cavity (4) closed by the sealant (5), the amount of filling (6) inside the cavity (4) remains constant. As the volume of the cavity (4) decreases, due to deformation of the body (3), the pressure increases, also increasing the resistance to volume changes. This follows from the definition of pressure, which states that pressure is a force applied to the surface of an object per unit area over which the force is applied. When a closed system, i.e., a system that does not allow exchanges of matter with the outside, is under pressure, the filling (6) contained within it applies a force to the surface of the system. Thus, for the body (3) to deform, it is necessary to apply a force that exceeds the force applied by the filling (6) contained in the cavity (4) on the inner sides of the body (3).In the embodiment in which the filling (6) is a fluid, the possibility of adding or removing fluid from the cavity (4) through the sealant (5) allows increasing or decreasing the pressure inside the cavity (4), making the body (3) more or less resistant to deformation.

[0075] The use of filler (6) provides the body (3) with greater resistance to deformation, by increasing the rigidity of the body (3) and, consequently, of the support (1). The addition of filler (6) thus decreases the deformation capacity of the support (1), which is directly related to the amount that is placed. The greater the amount of filler (6), the smaller the volume not filled by filler (6) in the cavity (4), which makes the support (1) more suitable for conditions in which the pavements must respond with less alteration to the impacts exerted.

[0076] By altering the material used in the manufacture of the substrate (1), the use of sealant (5), the addition of filler (6) and the pressure existing in the cavity (4), it is possible to create a substrate (1) that is ideal for any condition, the preference depending on the priority of the sporting activity that will take place on the floor. If a more comfortable floor is desired, a substrate (1) that is less resistant and more easily adaptable to impacts exerted on the floor will be chosen. If a floor conducive to ball bounces or vertical impulses made by users is desired, a substrate (1) that is more resistant and hard will be chosen, which will return most of the energy caused by the impact to the object or user that caused the impact.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the base (2), the body (3), the sealant (5) are made of a resilient material, namely, but not exclusively, an elastomer such as rubber or silicone. Many other suitable resilient materials are possible.

[0078] In the embodiment in which the filling (6) is solid, it may also be made of a resilient material, namely, but not exclusively, an elastomer such as rubber or silicone.

Claims

MODIFIED CLAIMS Received by the International Secretariat on November 4, 2025 (04.11.2025) 1. Support (1) for sports floors comprising: - a base (2) configured to be coupled to the underside of a sports floor, the base (2) comprising an opening (2.1) that runs through the base (2) along its entire height; a body (3) on which the base (2) rests, the body (3) having a stepped pyramid-shaped structure comprising a plurality of steps (3.1) whose dimensions decrease from a top step (3.1.1) to a base step (3.1.2) and which are substantially concentric with respect to an axis substantially normal to the base (2) and passing through the center of the base (2); - a cavity (4) defined by the hollow interior of the body (3), the cavity (4) comprising the opening (2.1) of the base (2); characterized by: - a filling (6) contained in the cavity (4), the filling (6) being constituted by a product that is in one of the physical states of matter: solid, liquid, gaseous or plasma, or by a mixture of products that can be found in any of the states of matter; a sealant (5) fitted into the opening (2.1) of the base (2) to seal the cavity (4) and retain the filling. (6) and have an opening that allows the amount of filling (6) in the cavity (4) to be adjusted. 2.0 support (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that the body (3) comprises at least 2 steps (3.1), a top step (3.1.1) and a base step. (3.1.2) . 3.0 support (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that the steps (3.1) comprise additionally at least one intermediate step (3.1.3) placed between the top step (3.1.1) and the base step (3.1.2).

4. The support (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that the intermediate step (3.1.3) has dimensions: smaller than the dimensions of the top step (3.1.1); - larger than the dimensions of the base step (3.1.2); and - if there is more than one intermediate step (3.1.3), these have dimensions that are consecutively larger the closer they are to the top step (3.1.1).

5. The support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steps (3.1) have a substantially cylindrical shape. 6.0 support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the body (3) defining the cavity (4) on the inside sides of the steps (3.1). 7.0 support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (4) has an elliptical paraboloid shape.

8. The support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening of the cavity (4) coincides with the opening (2.1). 9.0 support (1) in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized by the opening of cavity (4) being in communication with opening (2.1). 10.0 support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling (6) is a fluid and the sealant (5) is placed in the opening (2.1) by fitting, the chosen sealant (5) is substantially complementary to the altered opening (2.1) in order to prevent fluid leakage from the cavity (4) during the use of the support (1). 11.0 support (1) in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized by the filling (6) being solid and being placed inside the cavity (4) in a non-removable manner. 12.0 support (1) in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized by the filling (6) being solid and being placed inside the cavity (4) in a removable manner.

13. 0 support (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stepped shape of the body (3) ensures that the deformation of the support (1) is proportional to the pressure exerted on each area of ​​the impact.

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