US2023414991A1PendingUtilityA1

Physical support pads as paired pallet slip-lock systems

33
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: May 23, 2022Filed: May 23, 2023Published: Dec 28, 2023
Est. expiryMay 23, 2042(~15.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Timothy E. Bowers
A63B 21/4037A63B 2225/09A47G 27/0237A47G 27/0293
33
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Claims

Abstract

The present invention is directed to physical support pads constructed as paired pallet slip-lock systems that offer flexible sizing, adjustable shapes for changing fitness needs, as well as offer quick and secure re-configuration. The slip-lock systems of the present invention afford a longitudinal interlocking mechanism between paired structural pallet segments that offers not only fastening security, but also longitudinal separation. In particular, the present invention provides physical support pads with highly responsive fitness properties, such as energy return and joint protection, anti-slip characteristics, stack ability, and increased durability to withstand active and functional fitness needs.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A physical support pad constructed as a paired pallet slip-lock system comprising at least two structural pallet segments of expanded polyurethane foam wherein the two structural pallet segments comprise
 a first structural pallet segment shaped to incorporate a slip-lock cavity defined by a narrowing cavity with two anchor toggles positioned one on each side of the cavity; and   a second structural pallet segment shaped to incorporate a slip-lock anchor defined to match the slip-lock cavity comprising two anchor tabs on each side of the slip-lock anchor, wherein the anchor tabs are positioned such that the anchor toggles and the anchor tabs are adjacent when the paired pallet segments are in interlocked position;   
       wherein the first and second structural pallets are suitably flexible such that the slip-lock anchors of the second structural pallet segment may longitudinally slip past the anchor toggles of the first structural pallet segment to interlock as a paired pallet, and wherein the two segments longitudinally separate only when the release force exceeds the force required to longitudinally flex one or more of the anchor toggles or the anchor tabs. 
     
     
         2 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional structural pallet segments, wherein each additional structural pallet segment comprises at least one of:
 a second slip-lock cavity; or   a second slip-lock anchor.   
     
     
         3 . The physical support pad of  claim 2 , wherein each slip-lock cavity and slip-lock anchor are positioned on different facets of the structural pallet segments. 
     
     
         4 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the structural pallet segments are hexagonal. 
     
     
         5 . The physical support pad of  claim 2 , wherein the first structural pallet segment is shaped to incorporate a third slip-lock cavity defined by a narrowing cavity with two anchor toggles positioned one on each side of the third slip-lock cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The physical support pad of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the first structural pallet segment further comprises one or more additional slip-lock cavities. 
     
     
         7 . The physical support pad of  claim 5 , wherein the first structural pallet segment shaped to incorporate a third slip-lock anchor defined to match the second or third slip-lock cavity, comprising two anchor tabs on each side of the third slip-lock anchor, wherein the anchor tabs are positioned such that the anchor toggles of the second or third cavity and the anchor tabs of the third slip-lock anchor are adjacent when the paired pallet segments are in interlocked position. 
     
     
         8 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural pallet segment further comprises one or more additional slip-lock anchors. 
     
     
         9 . The physical support pad of  claim 7  wherein the second structural pallet segment shaped to incorporate a fourth slip-lock anchor defined to match the first, second, or third slip-lock cavity, comprising two anchor tabs on each side of the fourth slip-lock anchor, wherein the anchor tabs are positioned such that the anchor toggles of the first, second, or third slip-lock cavity and the anchor tabs of the fourth slip-lock anchor are adjacent when the paired pallets are in interlocked position. 
     
     
         10 . The physical support pad of  claim 2 , wherein the second structural pallet segment further comprises one or more additional slip-lock anchors. 
     
     
         11 . The physical support pad of  claim 9 , wherein the second structural pallet segment is shaped to incorporate a fourth slip-lock cavity defined by a narrowing cavity with two anchor toggles positioned one on each side of the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The physical support pad of  claim 2 , wherein the second structural pallet segment further comprises one or more additional slip-lock cavities. 
     
     
         13 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein all of the slip-lock anchors are shaped like an arrowhead. 
     
     
         14 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the physical support pad is a fitness mat. 
     
     
         15 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the physical support pad is a yoga mat or yoga accessory. 
     
     
         16 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad thickness may be selected from a thickness between about ⅜ inch and about 1 inch. 
     
     
         17 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad diameter across any axis of symmetry may be selected from a diameter between about 10 inches and about 24 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded polyurethane foam is characterized by at least one of the following properties
 (a) bulk density of foam beads is about 100 to 150 kg/m 3 ;   (b) particle size is about 2 to 12 mm;   (c) average bead weight is 26+/−3 mg;   (d) molded core density is 220-320 kg/m 3 ;   (e) rebound rate >about 63%;   (f) excellent cleanability;   (g) dimensional stability at low and high temperatures;   (h) anti-yellowing;   (i) excellent abrasion resistance;   (j) tensile strength kPa 600;   (k) elongation at break;   (l) low compression set;   (m) water uptake <1%;   (n) dual surface, anti-slip textures;   (o) various colors available;   (p) high elasticity >55% rebound; and   (q) eco-friendly material.   
     
     
         19 . The physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises an anti-slip surface. 
     
     
         20 . A travel physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad diameter across any axis of symmetry is about 10 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The travel physical support pad of claim  24 , wherein the pad thickness is about ⅜ inch. 
     
     
         22 . A physical support pad expansion kit comprising one or more expansion structural pallet segments for use in conjunction with the physical support pad of  claim 1 , wherein each expansion structural pallet segment comprises at least one of:
 a slip-lock cavity; or   a slip-lock anchor.

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