Use of abrasive material as a non-slip and non-skid article; method for providing a non-slip and non-skid coating; non-slip and non-skid article; and products coated with a non-slip and non-skid article

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of abrasive material as a non-slip and non-skid article for coating objects. The present invention proposes a non-slip and non-skid article made from abrasive synthetic foam, which retains its effectiveness even when used under adverse conditions, such as in the presence of oily substances. The present invention discloses a new functional purpose for the compressibility, formability, and abrasiveness of abrasive synthetic foams. It has now been found that abrasive synthetic foams exhibit characteristics that confer properties on them making them suitable for the preparation of an article to be used as a non-slip and non-skid coating.

Description

[0001] USE OF ABRASIVE MATERIAL AS AN ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE; METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP COATING; ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE; AND PRODUCTS COATED WITH AN ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE.

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the use of abrasive material as a non-slip and anti-skid coating for objects. More particularly, a method for providing a non-slip and anti-skid coating on objects is presented, as well as a non-slip and anti-skid article, and also products coated with a non-slip and anti-skid coating.

[0004] Fundamentals of the invention

[0005] Desirable non-slip and anti-slip surfaces on objects are obtained through grooves or serrations made in the surface material of the objects, or by attaching sandpaper or rubber coatings, smooth or textured, to the surface of the objects. These coatings are generally made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), silicone rubbers, or PVC, materials that offer good anti-slip, flexible, durable, and moisture-resistant properties. Patent BR 102014023949-9 discloses one such rubber coating.

[0006] On anti-slip and non-slip surfaces, resistance to slipping results from the increased frictional force between the surface and the user's contact element. On rigid, incompressible, and non-conformable surfaces with grooves, serrations, or geometric irregularities, the increased friction is predominantly due to the geometric interlocking provided by the conformation of the user's contact element to the surface geometry. On surfaces made of deformable or compressible materials, elastic deformation and the conformation of the surface material to the contact element promote a more distributed mechanical interlocking, expanding the actual contact area, intensifying the mechanical interlocking and, consequently, increasing static friction and resistance to relative movement.

[0007] The anti-slip and non-slip surfaces obtained in this way are quite effective when used dry. However, they lose their effectiveness when exposed to oily substances such as body sweat, lubricating oils, greases, soaps, tanning oils, moisturizing creams, and sunscreens.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve this problem by proposing a non-slip and anti-skid coating for objects, capable of maintaining its effectiveness even when used under adverse conditions such as those described above, namely, in the presence of oily substances.

[0009] The objectives of the present invention are achieved by using an abrasive material as a non-slip and anti-skid article, this abrasive material consisting of synthetic abrasive foam, a material of general knowledge in the state of the art and belonging to the public domain, generally made of synthetic polyester foams, synthetic polyurethane foams, or synthetic rubber foams, impregnated with abrasive grains directly mixed into the foam during its manufacture or bonded by water-resistant resins or adhesives, widely used in industry for deburring, cleaning, finishing and surface polishing of metal parts, wood, plastic, among other materials, and also in the manufacture of sponges for heavy-duty cleaning of pans and surfaces in general. These foams have an open cell structure, which allows the passage of air and residues during the abrasive process.This helps reduce clogging of abrasive particles and improves work efficiency. Abrasive grains may include, among other components, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. The abrasive particle size can vary depending on the application, from a smoother finish to more aggressive grinding. Depending on the desired use, the foam can be manufactured in different degrees of hardness. Softer foams are indicated for fine finishes and polishing, while harder foams are used for grinding or removing thicker layers. Synthetic abrasive foams are designed to resist wear during continuous use and under high friction conditions. Resistance to the heat generated during the abrasive process is also an important characteristic, especially in industrial applications.These foams are known for their flexibility, compressibility, and ability to conform to different shapes and contours during sanding and finishing processes, and also for not becoming saturated, due to their aerated and open structure. Because of these characteristics, they replace paper and cloth sandpaper with enormous advantages.

[0010] The present invention relates to a new field of application for known abrasive synthetic foams. It has now been found that abrasive synthetic foams possess characteristics that give them properties making them suitable for preparing an article to be used as a non-slip and anti-skid coating.

[0011] In their original purpose, synthetic abrasive foams, due to their compressibility and excellent conformability, easily mold to the surfaces to be sanded. And due to the abrasiveness provided by the mineral grains firmly attached to the foam, they can sand even hard materials without harming the user's hands.

[0012] The present invention reveals a new purpose for the compressibility, conformability, and abrasiveness of abrasive synthetic foams.

[0013] Due to their compressibility and high conformability, abrasive synthetic foams, when compressed by the user's hands or feet against a firm base, deform elastically and mold to the anatomical contours of the palms, fingers, or soles of the feet. This elastic deformation increases the actual contact area between the user's contact element and the foam surface, intensifying mechanical interlocking. This effect is enhanced by the presence of abrasive mineral grains firmly attached to the foam, which constitute geometric irregularities capable of contributing to mechanical engagement and increased friction.The combination of the material's elastic conformability and surface abrasiveness results in a synergistic effect stemming from a dual-conformation mechanism. Simultaneously, the surface material conforms to the anatomical contours of the user's hands or feet, while the surfaces of the user's hands or feet conform to the geometric irregularities formed by the abrasive mineral grains adhered to the foam. This dual conformation promotes intensified mechanical interlocking on multiple scales, increasing the actual contact area and static friction, resulting in high slip resistance, even under adverse conditions such as the presence of oily substances. The technical effect identified here reveals a new functional purpose for known properties of abrasive synthetic foams, previously unexplored for enhancing mechanical interlocking and slip resistance.

[0014] Description of the invention

[0015] Consequently, the present invention relates to the use of this known abrasive material as a non-slip and anti-skid article, namely, to the use of abrasive synthetic foams in the preparation of an article to be used as a non-slip and anti-skid coating on the surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; on the surfaces of sports board decks; on the palms and backs of sports gloves; and on the palms of gymnastic hand protectors.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for providing a non-slip and anti-skid coating on a variety of objects, which consists of fixing abrasive synthetic foam onto the surfaces and faces of objects, such as the surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; the surfaces of sports board decks; the palms and backs of sports gloves; and the palms of gymnastic hand protectors. For fixing the abrasive synthetic foam to the surface of the objects, known fixing methods can be used, such as bonding with strong, high-strength adhesives, thermofusion bonding, ultrasonic or high-frequency vibration bonding, bonding by a combination of heat and pressure, and even stitching, depending on the material of the object's surface.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a non-slip and anti-skid article made of abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent non-slip and anti-skid coating on surfaces and faces of objects, such as the surfaces of handles, grips and handles of artifacts; the deck surfaces of sports boards; the palms and backs of sports gloves; and the palms of gymnastic hand protectors. In this non-slip and anti-skid article, the abrasive synthetic foam, which is devoid of a backing when intended for direct attachment to the surface of the object to be coated (by thermofusion, for example), has a waterproof adhesive backing, protected by a non-stick lining, for fixing the non-slip and anti-skid article to the surface of the object to be coated.Alternatively, instead of an adhesive backing, the abrasive synthetic foam has a reinforced substrate backing to enable the anti-slip and anti-slip article to be attached to objects using various fastening methods, such as adhesive bonding, stitching, staples, screws, or rivets. This substrate can be an engineering plastic (except foams); a metal alloy; wood; leather; a textile fabric; or a composite, depending on the object to which the anti-slip and anti-slip article will be applied. The substrate is attached to the abrasive synthetic foam by known fastening methods, such as thermofusion bonding, ultrasonic or high-frequency vibration bonding, heat and pressure bonding, bonding with strong, high-strength adhesives, and stitching, depending on the substrate material.

[0018] This anti-slip and non-slip article made of abrasive synthetic foam may comprise a sheet, for whole-piece attachment, or for cutting into sized and contoured parts to the surfaces to be covered on the objects to which they will be attached; or it may comprise a wrapping tape, for whole-piece attachment or for cutting sized and contoured parts to the surfaces to be covered on the objects to which they will be wrapped and attached; or it may also comprise a ready-made cutout, sized and contoured to the surface to be covered on the object to which it will be attached.

[0019] The present invention also relates to the handle, grip and grip of an artifact, having its surface coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent anti-slip and non-slip coating.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a sports surfboard deck, having its surface coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent anti-slip and non-slip coating.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a sports glove, having its palm and back covered, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent anti-slip and non-slip coating.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a palm protector for gymnastics, having its palm coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent anti-slip and non-slip coating.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a product having a handle or grip, coated, wholly or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, including at least one of the following: hand tools, power tools, combustion tools, firearms, bladed weapons, wheelbarrows, cargo carts, handles, grips, bicycle handlebars, motorcycle handlebars, automotive steering wheels, nautical rudders, wheelchair push rims, walking sticks, canes and crutches, selfie sticks, umbrellas, suitcases, toothbrushes, disposable razors, cleaning brushes, brooms, mops, scouring pads, dustpans, paint roller holders, police batons, police batons, ballistic shields, rescue poles, sports rackets, sports sticks, sports clubs, ice axes, Olympic poles, Olympic darts, Olympic rings, rowing machines, dumbbells, exercise equipment, weight training equipment, jump ropes,Rope ladders, sporting and hunting bows, fishing rods, pots, binoculars, telescopes, cameras.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a sports board equipped with a deck whose surface is coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam, which acts, as a novel and advantageous technical effect, as an excellent anti-slip and non-slip coating.

[0025] Example of embodiment of the invention: In an example of an embodiment of the anti-slip and anti-skid coating according to the present invention, which is absolutely not limiting and is carried out only to demonstrate its effectiveness, a 6 kg cast iron dumbbell was used, comprising a cylindrical central bar 13 cm long and 4 cm in diameter, with a 9 cm diameter sphere at each of its ends. The 13 cm of the central bar were completely covered by a cutout of abrasive synthetic foam sheet, consisting of polyester foam and abrasive grains of aluminum oxide fused into the foam, which was fixed to the central bar with waterproof adhesive, to function as an anti-slip and anti-skid coating.

[0026] For a comparative test, a 6 kg cast iron dumbbell was also used, comprising a cylindrical central bar 13 cm long and 4 cm in diameter, with a 9 cm diameter sphere at each end, but covered with a non-slip, anti-skid rubber coating.

[0027] The dumbbells were supported on a base, arranged in a vertical position, configured as a vertical bar with a sphere at its lower end and another sphere at its upper end.

[0028] Initially, the lifting and holding of each dumbbell in this vertical position was tested, with the user's hand firmly gripping the central bar at its lower portion, resting against the lower sphere, to test the vertical sliding of the hand along the bar when initiating the lifting movement of the dumbbells from the base, and for the duration that they would be held suspended by the user's hand.

[0029] In both dumbbells, the user's hand did not slide along the central bar, remaining on its lower portion, resting on the lower sphere, both when initiating the lifting movement of the dumbbells from the base, and throughout the 10 seconds that they were held suspended by the user's hand.

[0030] Next, the central bars of both dumbbells were coated with a thin layer of lubricating oil. The lifting and holding of both dumbbells was then tested again. On the dumbbell with the non-slip rubber coating, as soon as the lifting motion began, the user's hand immediately slid vertically along the bar to its upper portion, stopping when it touched the upper sphere, and was unable to lift the dumbbell from the base.

[0031] In the dumbbell with the non-slip and anti-slip coating made of abrasive synthetic foam, according to the present invention, the user's hand remained stationary on the lower portion of the central bar, resting on the lower sphere, both when initiating the lifting movement of the dumbbell from the base, and for the entire 10 seconds that it was held suspended by the user's hand.

[0032] The result obtained with the anti-slip and anti-skid coating according to the present invention is explained by the synergy resulting from the double conformation mechanism, in which the abrasive synthetic foam conforms to the anatomical contours of the hand, and, simultaneously, the surface of the palm of the hand conforms to the geometric irregularities formed by the abrasive mineral grains adhered to the abrasive synthetic foam, which promoted an intensified mechanical interlock, on multiple scales, with an increase in the actual contact area and an increase in static friction, which increased the resistance to slippage under the adverse condition of the presence of the oily substance.

[0033] The test demonstrated the effectiveness of the anti-slip and non-slip coating made of abrasive synthetic foam, according to the present invention, as well as its superiority compared to rubberized coatings.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. USE OF ABRASIVE MATERIAL AS AN ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP SURFACE, to coat the surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; surfaces of sports board decks; palms and backs of sports gloves;and palm protectors for gymnastics, characterized by the fact that the abrasive material consists of an abrasive synthetic foam, a material of general knowledge in the state of the art and belonging to the public domain, generally made of synthetic polyester foams, synthetic polyurethane foams, or synthetic rubber foams, impregnated with abrasive grains directly mixed into the foam during its manufacture or bonded by water-resistant resins or adhesives, widely used in industry for deburring, cleaning, finishing and surface polishing of metal parts, wood, plastic, among other materials, and also in the manufacture of sponges for heavy-duty cleaning of pans and surfaces in general, due to its flexibility, compressibility and ability to conform to different shapes and contours during sanding, cleaning and finishing processes.

2. USE OF ABRASIVE SYNTHETIC FOAM, material defined in claim 1, characterized by being in the preparation of an article to be used as a non-slip and anti-skid coating on surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; on surfaces of sports board decks; on palms and backs of sports gloves; and on palms of palm protectors for gymnastics.

3. METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP COATING, for coating surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; surfaces of sports board decks; palms and backs of sports gloves; and palms of gymnastic hand protectors, characterized by consisting of fixing, using known means of fixation, abrasive synthetic foam, material defined in claim 1, onto surfaces of handles, grips and grips of artifacts; surfaces of sports board decks; palms and backs of sports gloves; and palms of gymnastic hand protectors.

4. ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE, for coating the surfaces of handles, cables and grips of artifacts; surfaces of sports board decks; palms and backs of sports gloves; and palms of gymnastic hand protectors, characterized in that it is made of abrasive synthetic foam, the material defined in claim 1.

5. ANTI-SLIP AND NON-SLIP ARTICLE, according to claim 4, characterized in that the abrasive synthetic foam has a waterproof adhesive backing, protected by a non-stick lining; or, alternatively, the abrasive synthetic foam has a reinforced substrate backing, chosen from an engineering plastic, except foams; a metal alloy; wood; leather; a textile fabric; a composite.

6. ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the abrasive synthetic foam comprises a sheet, for whole fixation, or for being cut into parts sized and shaped to the surfaces to be coated on the objects to which they will be attached.

7. ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the abrasive synthetic foam comprises a wrapping tape, for fixing in whole or for cutting sized and delineated parts to the surfaces to be covered on the objects to which they will be wrapped and fixed.

8. ANTI-SLIP AND ANTI-SLIP ARTICLE, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the abrasive synthetic foam comprises a ready-made cutout, sized and outlined to the surface to be coated on the object to which it will be attached.

9. HANDLE, GRIP AND GRIP OF ARTIFACTS, characterized in that its surface is coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam defined in claim 1.

10. SPORTS BOARD DECK, characterized in that its surface is coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam as defined in claim 1.

11. SPORTS GLOVE, characterized in that its palm and back are coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam as defined in claim 1.

12. PALM PROTECTOR FOR GYMNASTICS, characterized in that its palm is coated, totally or partially, with abrasive synthetic foam as defined in claim 1.

13. PRODUCT, including at least one of the following: hand tools, power tools, combustion tools, firearms, bladed weapons, wheelbarrows, handcarts, handles, grips, bicycle handlebars, motorcycle handlebars, automotive steering wheels, nautical rudders, wheelchair push rims, walking sticks, canes and crutches, selfie sticks, umbrellas, suitcases, toothbrushes, disposable razors, cleaning brushes, brooms, mops, scouring pads, dustpans, paint roller holders, police batons, police sticks, ballistic shields, rescue poles, sports rackets, sports batons, sports clubs, ice axes, Olympic poles, Olympic darts, Olympic rings, oars, dumbbells, gymnastic equipment, weight training equipment, jump ropes, rope ladders, hoops sporting and hunting equipment, fishing rods, pots and pans, binoculars, telescopes, cameras,characterized by having a handle or grip, or loop, as defined in claim 9.

14. SPORTS BOARD, characterized by having a deck as defined in claim 10.