Anti- vibration mat

Abstract

An anti-vibration mat (1), the particularity of which consists in that it comprises an upper surface (2) and a lower surface (39) which are adapted to face each other and be connected by connecting elements, the upper surface and the lower surface being provided with cavities so that a cavity in the upper surface faces a solid portion on the lower surface and vice versa.

Description

[0001] ANTI- VIBRATION MAT

[0002] The present invention relates to an anti-vibration mat. More specifically, the invention relates to an anti-vibration mat particularly for use in sports, such as a high-performance draining mat for supporting synthetic grass, or for use in construction, the rail / industrial sectors, gardens etc.

[0003] As is known, with reference to for example playing fields, there are shock-absorbing mats which are adapted to be placed under the synthetic grass of the playing field, which must have a certain shock-absorbing and draining effect in order to provide the required level of performance.

[0004] However, conventional mats, in addition to offering a high energy absorption power with subsequent energy return, must ensure these characteristics are maintained over time. The most significant particularity of these mats is that they eliminate or in any case reduce the vibrations of the athletes moving over the grassy surface above, so ensuring both the athletes' physical well-being and aiding their performance during their activity.

[0005] However, with conventional mats it is not possible to ensure optimal absorption of vibrations and also ensure always-constant performance for the entire duration of the useful life of the mat proper.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration mat that has a high power to absorb energy and subsequently return it, so improving the characteristics of conventional mats.

[0007] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration mat that makes it possible to eliminate or substantially reduce the vibrations owing to the movement of persons walking on the upper portion of the mat.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration mat that can be used, as well as in playing fields, also in construction, the rail sector, the industrial sector, gardens etc.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration mat that can be easily recycled.Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration mat that is highly reliable, easily and practically implemented and low cost.

[0010] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by an anti-vibration mat, characterized in that it comprises an upper surface and a lower surface which are adapted to face each other and be connected by connecting elements, said upper surface and said lower surface being provided with cavities so that a cavity in the upper surface faces a solid portion on said lower surface and vice versa.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a first embodiment of the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the anti-vibration mat of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the anti -vibration mat according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of connecting elements of the antivibration mat according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of connecting elements of the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of a variation of the antivibration mat according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective partial view of a detail of the mat of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a front elevation view of a detail of the mat of Figures 7 and 8;Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of an additional variation of the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 11 is a perspective view from above of the anti-vibration mat of Figure 10;

[0021] Figure 12 is a perspective partial view of a detail of the anti-vibration mat of Figures 10 and 11;

[0022] Figure 13 is a front elevation view of a detail of the anti-vibration mat of Figures 10-12;

[0023] Figure 14 is a perspective partial view of a detail of the connection between adjacent anti-vibration mats, with a dilator element;

[0024] Figure 15 is a plan view from above of a detail of Figure 14;

[0025] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a variation of the connection between adjacent anti-vibration mats;

[0026] Figure 17 is a front elevation view of a detail of the connection between anti-vibration mats of Figure 16.

[0027] With reference to the figures, the anti-vibration mat according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a first, upper surface 2 and a second, lower surface 3, which are arranged facing each other and are connected by a plurality of connecting elements 4.

[0028] The surfaces 2 and 3 are conveniently provided with a plurality of cavities 5, for example hexagonal in shape, as shown in the figures, or with different shapes, where the cavities in the upper surface 2 are arranged staggered with respect to the cavities in the lower surface 3, so that a cavity in the upper surface 2 faces a solid portion on the lower surface 3, and vice versa.

[0029] In substance, a configuration of facing voids and solids is obtained. The two surfaces, upper and lower 2 and 3, are mutually coupled by means of the connecting elements 4 which constitute spacers between the surfaces 2 and 3.At least one of the two surfaces 2 and 3 (in Figures 7-9 it is the upper surface 2) can have cambered portions 2a which are adapted to increase the absorption and return of energy with a spring effect.

[0030] Conveniently, the spacers or connecting elements 4 are provided as shown in Figures 5 and 6, which illustrate two possible embodiments thereof.

[0031] Figure 5 shows how the spacer or connecting element 4 can be provided via the intersection of two tapered elements 6 and 7 which have, in the case of Figure 5, a base 10 which is rectangular in shape, with the element 6 penetrating into the element 7 and therefore flipped by 180° with respect to the element 6, therefore with the two tapered portions arranged in opposite directions, and with the two tapered elements 6 and 7 furthermore rotated by 90° with respect to each other.

[0032] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the connecting elements or spacers 4, where in this case the tapered elements are indicated by the reference numerals 8 and 9 and are constituted by elements that have a lobeshaped base 10, with the tapered part of the elements arranged at opposite ends, and with the elements 8 and 9 engaged in each other, flipped by 180° and rotated by 90° with respect to each other.

[0033] The shape of the base of the connecting elements can be different from the shape illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0034] The configuration of connecting elements or spacers 4 makes it possible to have a high absorption of vibrations, deflecting them in all directions.

[0035] The dimension, i.e. the cross-section and length of the connecting elements 4, and the number of those elements can be modified at will.

[0036] The connecting elements 4 are arranged at vertices of solid portions of the first and the second surface 2, 3.

[0037] The connecting elements 4 are furthermore advantageously arranged mutually aligned.Therefore, it is possible to calibrate the mat at will based on the end use and on the performance levels that it is desired to reach.

[0038] Similarly, the solids and the voids of the upper and lower surfaces 2, 3 can be made with different shapes than those shown in the figures.

[0039] The mat thus provided can be used, as mentioned, in addition to in playing fields, placed below synthetic grass, for example also in areas of the workplace where people walk and / or remain. For example, the mat can be used for workstations, lathes, milling cutters etc., so as to deaden vibrations and not cause pain in the joints of the machine operators, even if the latter remain standing for the entire working day.

[0040] The upper and lower surfaces 2 and 3 joined by the connecting elements or spacers 4 form a single elastic structure, so facilitating the absorption of vibrations which are dispersed within the structure.

[0041] The lower surface 3 can furthermore be provided with a containment edge 20 arranged perpendicular to the lower surface 2 and blended with it, as shown in Figures 11-13.

[0042] Returning to the example of playing fields, the mat according to the present invention makes it possible to combine a low-thickness synthetic grass with the capacity to reduce the amount of clogging by rubber granules and sand, so maintaining the required performance levels.

[0043] The mat thus provided, coupled to synthetic grass, enables applications in various sports and uses in demanding contexts with dry climate or high rainfall, by ensuring the outflow of rainwater (as the mat is by its nature draining) so as to prevent the creation of puddles, so ensuring the field is always playable.

[0044] Furthermore, the mat thus provided ensures excellent energy absorption and release, in conformance with international standards.

[0045] The mat thus provided can also be paired with a non-woven fabric placed on the upper surface so as to render the latter uniform, without empty spaces, to act as an underlay for a surface layer of resins, so ensuring anexcellent absorption of impact, passage of air, and drainage of water underneath. This is particularly important not only in playing fields for sports, but also, for example, in playing fields for children.

[0046] The mat is conveniently provided using a compound made with a percentage of between 20 and 80% of ELTs bound with virgin and / or recycled thermoplastic polymers, which can be customized according to requirements.

[0047] The high percentage of ELTs used gives the mat excellent elasticity, similar to an elastomer.

[0048] The connection between adjacent anti-vibration mats can be effected with a dilator element 30, conveniently T-shaped for example, which allows slight displacements of one mat with respect to the adjacent mat (see Figures 14 and 15).

[0049] The anti-vibration mat according to the present invention can further comprise a system for connecting adjacent anti-vibration mats, which tilts and oscillates and comprises an arm 40 connected between the connecting elements 4 and adapted to be engaged in retention means 41 connected to one of the connecting elements 4 of adjacent anti-vibration mats, respectively (see Figures 16 and 17). This allows a certain flexibility of connection between adjacent anti-vibration mats, a useful characteristic for example if the anti-vibration mats are laid on ground that is not flat, such as for example happens in the case of gardens.

[0050] In practice it has been found that the draining anti-vibration mat according to the present invention fully achieves the set aim and objects, in that an anti-vibration mat has been provided that is capable of absorbing vibrations, to the benefit for example of safeguarding the athletes' wellbeing.

[0051] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0052] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes anddimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

[0053] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102025000000753 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and / or signs, those reference numerals and / or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and / or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and / or signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anti -vibration mat (1), characterized in that it comprises an upper surface (2) and a lower surface (3) which are adapted to face each other and be connected by connecting elements (4), said upper surface (2) and said lower surface (3) being provided with cavities (5) so that a cavity in the upper surface (2) faces a solid portion on said lower surface (3) and vice versa.

2. The anti-vibration mat according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting elements (4) comprise a pair of tapered elements (6, 7; 8, 9) which are adapted to be mated so as to penetrate each other with the tapered portions arranged at opposite ends of said connecting element.

3. The anti-vibration mat according to claim 2, characterized in that said tapered elements (6, 7; 8, 9) are coupled rotated by 90° with respect to each other.

4. The anti-vibration mat according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting elements (4) are arranged at vertices of solid portions of said first and said second surface (2, 3).

5. The anti-vibration mat according to claim 1, characterized in that said tapered elements (6, 7) each have a rectangular base.

6. The anti-vibration mat according to claim 1, characterized in that said tapered elements (8, 9) each have bases that are substantially lobeshaped.

7. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a percentage of between 20 and 80% of ELTs bound with virgin and / or recycled thermoplastic polymers.

8. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connecting elements (4) are arranged so as to be mutually aligned.

9. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said upper surface (2) and saidlower surface (3) is provided with cambered portions (2a) to increase energy absorption and return.

10. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower surface (3) is provided with a containment edge (20) arranged perpendicular to said lower surface (3) and blended with it.

11. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a dilator element (30) adapted to enable a connection between two adjacent anti-vibration mats.

12. The anti-vibration mat according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a system for connecting adjacent anti-vibration mats, which tilts and oscillates and comprises an arm (40) connected between said connecting elements (4) and adapted to be engaged in retention means (41) connected to one of said connecting elements (4) of adjacent anti -vibration mats, respectively.

13. A playing field, characterized in that it comprises a mat according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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