Column segment

Abstract

A column segment comprising a body having at least one external channel, an upper protrusion extending from a top side of the body, and a lower protrusion extending from a bottom side of the body, wherein the at least one external channel further comprises an outer angled wall arranged to receive a securing means and direct said securing means through the at least one external channel, wherein the upper protrusion includes a domed portion and a plurality of locating slots, wherein the lower protrusion includes a domed recess and a plurality of projections, and wherein a first column segment is stackable with a second column segment by the domed portion and the locating slots of the first column segment matingly engaging with the domed recess and the projections of the second column segment.

1 . A column segment comprising:
 a body having at least one external channel;   an upper protrusion extending from a top side of said body; and,   a lower protrusion extending from a bottom side of said body.   
     
     
         2 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said at least one external channel further comprises an outer angled wall arranged to receive a securing means and direct said securing means through said at least one external channel. 
     
     
         3 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a plurality of locating slots located about said upper protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The column segment of  claim 3  wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a domed portion with a flat top extending away from said body and located radially inward of said locating slots. 
     
     
         5 . The column segment of  claim 4  wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a first partially weakened groove located radially outward of said locating slots and a second partially weakened groove located about said generally flat top. 
     
     
         6 . The column segment of  claim 5  further comprising a cap segment located in a top portion of said body upon removal of said first partially weakened groove. 
     
     
         7 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said lower protrusion further comprises a plurality of projections located about an outer portion of said lower protrusion. 
     
     
         8 . The column segment of  claim 7  wherein said lower protrusion further comprises a partially weakened groove located radially outward of said plurality of projections. 
     
     
         9 . The column segment of  claim 7  further comprising a spacer segment located in a lower portion of said body upon removal of said partially weakened groove. 
     
     
         10 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said lower protrusion further includes a domed recess. 
     
     
         11 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said upper protrusion includes a domed portion and a plurality of locating slots, wherein said lower protrusion includes a domed recess and a plurality of projections, and wherein a first column segment is stackable with a second column segment by said domed portion and said locating slots of said first column segment matingly engaging with said domed recess and said projections of said second column segment. 
     
     
         12 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said upper protrusion and said lower protrusion each further comprise a centrally located through hole, wherein said through holes for both said upper and lower protrusions are aligned with respect to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The column segment of  claim 12  wherein said through holes traverse the length of said column segment. 
     
     
         14 . The column segment of  claim 1  wherein said body is generally cylindrical and symmetrical. 
     
     
         15 . A column segment assembly comprising:
 at least one column segment, wherein each column segment includes an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, and a through hole, and wherein each subsequent column segment is stacked atop a preceding column segment if said column segment assembly includes more than one column segment;   a final column segment having an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, a through hole, an internal shoulder for securing a mounting plate, and a mounting nut;   a mounting rod; and,   wherein said final column is stacked atop said at least one column segment and said mounting rod traverses through said through holes in said at least one column segment and said lower protrusion of said final column segment, and wherein said mounting rod is secured within said final column segment to said mounting plate by said mounting nut.   
     
     
         16 . The column segment assembly of  claim 15  wherein said final column segment lower protrusion receives said at least one column segment upper protrusion. 
     
     
         17 . The column segment assembly of  claim 15  wherein said upper protrusion of said column segment includes a plurality of locating slots and said lower protrusion of said final column segment comprises a plurality of projections. 
     
     
         18 . The column segment assembly of  claim 17  wherein said plurality of projections matingly engages with said plurality of locating slots. 
     
     
         19 . A laser tag arena comprising:
 a plurality of column segments each having
 an upper protrusion; 
 a lower protrusion; and, 
 at least one external channel having an angled outer surface; 
   a final column segment having
 an upper protrusion; 
 a lower protrusion; 
 at least one external channel having an angled outer surface; 
 an internal shoulder securing a mounting plate; and, 
 a mounting nut; 
   a floor having at least one mounting rod extending thereform and traversing through said plurality of column segments, said lower protrusion of said final column segment, and said mounting plate, wherein said mounting nut secures said mounting rod in place through said column segments;   a retaining wall; and,   wherein said retaining wall is located in at least one external channel of at least one column segment in said plurality of column segments or in said final column segment.   
     
     
         20 . The laser tag arena of  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of fasteners securing said retaining wall in at least one of said external channels in at least one of said column segments.