Sports Flooring With Elliptical Cavities for Uniform Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports floorings face issues with inconsistent Force Reduction (FR) values due to variations during installation, affecting the uniformity and performance of the surface, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential injuries for athletes.
Innovation Solution
A sports flooring design featuring a supporting layer with a first arrangement of elliptical cross-section cavities oriented in the direction of running, and a second arrangement of orthogonal elliptical cavities, creating a uniform and homogeneous mesh to maintain consistent FR values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-uniform mesh with different types of ribbings is used, then the compliance characteristics are differentiated according to the direction of running, but the Force Reduction (FR) values become inconsistent due to variations during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different types of cavities (first cavities and second cavities) with different orientations and shapes in different regions of the supporting layer. The first cavities have their major axis in the longitudinal direction while the second cavities have their major axis in the transverse direction, providing direction-specific compliance characteristics while maintaining overall FR value consistency through proper design of the cavity arrangement.
2Reliability
If inclined ribbings are used to form suction-cup anchorage structures, then the flooring achieves adequate anchorage, but the elastic compliance characteristics are only marginally contributed to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the supporting layer into multiple functional zones with different cavity arrangements. The first cavities provide anchorage and structural support, while the second cavities provide transverse compliance. This segmentation allows each cavity type to specialize in its function, reducing the need for complex ribbing configurations and simplifying the overall structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cavities are arranged in a non-homogeneous mesh, then the flooring achieves differentiated compliance in different directions, but the manufacturing precision and consistency of FR values deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately creating non-uniform cavity arrangements where the first cavities and second cavities have different orientations, shapes, and distributions. This asymmetric design provides differentiated compliance characteristics in longitudinal and transverse directions while the overall pattern is designed to maintain consistent FR values across the flooring surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures consistent FR values across varying installation conditions, enhancing athletic performance by maintaining optimal shock absorption and support characteristics, reducing the risk of injury and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a supporting layer, which is also constituted by an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
a shock-absorption function, for the underside
Data Source
AI summary
A sports flooring has a treading layer that includes at least one layer of elastomeric material and a supporting layer with at least one layer of elastomeric material, wherein the supporting layer has a first arrangement of cavities with elliptical cross section.