JP2009275374A - Shock-absorbing mat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shock-absorbing mat 2 which can be easily laid and which hardly causes warpage. <P>SOLUTION: This mat 2 comprises a base 4, a rigid plate 6, a cushion layer 8, and an artificial lawn 10. The base 4 is equipped with a body 16, a large number of loops 18, and a large number of hooks 20. A joint can be formed of the loop 18 and the hook 20. The rigid plate 6 is composed of three first pieces 12 and two second pieces 14. Each of the first and second pieces 12 and 14 has a substantially rectangular planar shape. Each of the first and second pieces 12 and 14 has a rib 28. The cushion layer 8 is composed of a polymer molding. The cushion layer 8 contains air bubbles 32. The artificial lawn 10 is superposed on the cushion layer 8. The artificial lawn 10 is composed of a base fabric 34, a pile 36 and a backing 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rug laid on the ground or the like on which play equipment is installed.

  The park has outdoor play equipment such as swings, slides, and jungle gyms. Children may crash from this playground equipment. When the ground is hard, the impact when falling is great. A big shock can cause children to have brain damage. From the viewpoint of safety, the ground is preferably soft.

  In March 2002, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism published “Guidelines for Ensuring the Safety of Playground Equipment in City Parks”. This guideline urges the installation of shock absorbers on hard ground. This guide also introduces the rules of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a reference. The CPSC stipulates that the head injury standard (HIC) is 1000 or less. The CPSC further defines that the force received by the head when subjected to an impact is 200 G or less.

  Rubber chips may be paved on the ground where play equipment is installed for the purpose of absorbing impacts when falling. Rubber chip pavement has a structure in which chips such as waste tires are connected by a binder. There is a rubber chip pavement that is constructed on site. Rubber chip blocks may be arranged on the ground.

  In the construction of the on-site construction type rubber chip pavement, the binder resin melted by heating and the rubber chip are kneaded to obtain a mixture thereof. This mixture is placed on the ground and leveled. Thereafter, the binder resin solidifies. This construction requires dedicated equipment and skilled workers. This construction takes time and cost.

  Since the rubber chip block is manufactured in advance in the factory, it is laid more easily than the on-site construction type rubber chip pavement. However, when this rubber chip block is exposed to sunlight, the rubber deteriorates. This deterioration may cause the block to warp. Warping causes the child to whisper.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an impact-absorbing rug that is easy to lay and is less likely to warp.

The shock-absorbing rug according to the present invention is
(1) a base capable of forming a joint with an adjacent base;
(2) A rigid plate laminated on the base and (3) a cushion layer laminated on the rigid plate.

  Preferably, the rigid plate is composed of a plurality of pieces whose planar shape is substantially rectangular. These pieces are juxtaposed along the width direction. Preferably, each piece comprises a rib extending along the longitudinal direction.

  Preferably, the cushion layer is made of a polymer molded body containing bubbles. Preferably, the rug further includes artificial turf laminated on the cushion layer. The cushion layer may include a binder and a rubber chip dispersed in the binder.

  Since the rug according to the present invention is connected to an adjacent rug by a joint, laying is easy. In this rug, since the cushion layer is laminated on the rigid plate, the rigid plate suppresses the warpage of the cushion layer even if the cushion layer is deteriorated.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an impact-absorbing rug 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. The rug 2 includes a base 4, a rigid plate 6, a cushion layer 8, and an artificial turf 10. The rigid plate 6 includes three first pieces 12 and two second pieces 14.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the base 4 of the rug 2 of FIG. The base 4 includes a main body 16, a large number of loops 18, and a large number of hooks 20. The main body 16, the loop 18 and the hook 20 are integrally formed. The planar shape of the main body 16 is substantially square. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 16 includes a plurality of strips 22 and a plurality of legs 24. Each strip 22 extends in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. Due to these strips 22, a mesh 26 is formed on the surface of the main body 16. The leg 24 is cylindrical. The loop 18 is located at the outer edge of the main body 16. The hook 20 is located on the outer edge of the main body 16. As shown in FIG. 3, a large number of loops 18 are formed on two adjacent sides of the body 16 that is a square, and a large number of hooks 20 are formed on the other two sides. The number of loops 18 per side is eight, and the number of hooks 20 per side is eight. The number of loops 18 and the number of hooks 20 can be selected as appropriate. The base 4 is made of a synthetic resin. Since the thickness of each strip 22 is thin, the base 4 is easily elastically deformed. The base 4 has a deformability enough to be deformed by its own weight when one end is gripped. This base 4 is commercially available. This base 4 is called a joint mat.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first piece 12 of the rug 2 of FIG. For convenience, in FIG. 4, the first piece 12 is shown in a state that is opposite to the state shown in FIG. 2. The planar shape of the first piece 12 is substantially rectangular. The direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4 is the longitudinal direction of the first piece 12. The first piece 12 includes three ribs 28. The rib 28 extends in the longitudinal direction of the first piece 12. Three ribs 28 are arranged in parallel in the width direction. The first piece 12 is made of a hard material. The first piece 12 has such a rigidity that it is not deformed by its own weight when one end is gripped. Specific examples of the material of the first piece 12 include synthetic resin, metal, ceramic material, and wood. From the viewpoint of light weight and corrosion resistance, a synthetic resin is preferable. From the viewpoint of light weight, a synthetic resin containing bubbles is preferable. When the first piece 12 is made of a synthetic resin containing bubbles, the expansion ratio is preferably 5 times or less, and particularly preferably 3 times or less from the viewpoint of rigidity. A particularly suitable synthetic resin for the first piece 12 is polystyrene. The first piece 12 is stacked on the base 4 and is fixed to the base 4. The first piece 12 can be fixed to the base 4 by means such as a tucker, a bolt, and an adhesive.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the second piece 14 of the rug 2 of FIG. For convenience, in FIG. 5, the second piece 14 is shown in a state opposite to the state shown in FIG. 2. The planar shape of the second piece 14 is substantially rectangular. The second piece 14 includes two ribs 28. The rib 28 extends in the longitudinal direction of the second piece 14. Two ribs 28 are juxtaposed in the width direction. The material of the second piece 14 is the same as the material of the first piece 12. The second piece 14 has such a rigidity that it is not deformed by its own weight when one end is gripped. The second piece 14 can be obtained by cutting the first piece 12 along the center line CL in the width direction (see FIG. 4). Two second pieces 14 can be obtained from one first piece 12. The width of the second piece 14 is approximately half the width of the first piece 12. The second piece 14 is stacked on the base 4 and is fixed to the base 4. The second piece 14 can be fixed to the base 4 by means such as a tucker, a bolt, and an adhesive.

  As apparent from FIG. 2, in the rug 2, three first pieces 12 and two second pieces 14 are arranged in parallel in the width direction. Each second piece 14 is located outside in the width direction.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the cushion layer 8 of the rug 2 of FIG. The planar shape of the cushion layer 8 is substantially square. The cushion layer 8 has a hole 30. The hole 30 penetrates the cushion layer 8 in the vertical direction. The number of holes 30 is appropriately selected. The cushion layer 8 may not have the holes 30. The cushion layer 8 is made of a polymer molded body. Examples of the base polymer of the cushion layer 8 include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber, and various synthetic rubbers. Two or more base polymers may be used in combination. From the viewpoint of easy molding, a thermoplastic resin is preferred. Polyolefin resins (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.) are preferable from the viewpoint that no harmful substances are generated when incinerated. preferable. An ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a main component and rubber may be used in combination. Preferred rubbers include polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene-propylene copolymer and ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer.

  The cushion layer 8 includes bubbles 32 (see FIG. 2). The cushion layer 8 may include closed cells or open cells. The bubble 32 is usually formed by foaming of a pyrolytic foaming agent. Examples of the thermally decomposable foaming agent used include azo compounds, nitroso compounds, and triazole compounds. A firing aid is preferably used together with the foaming agent.

  The cushion layer 8 may include a filler. Specific examples of the filler include silicon oxide, talc, clay, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, rubber powder and resin powder. The amount of the filler is adjusted appropriately. Additives such as deterioration inhibitors, ultraviolet absorbers, colorants, softeners, processing aids, crosslinking agents, extenders and antibacterial agents are added to the cushion layer 8 as necessary.

  In the production of the cushion layer 8, the base polymer, the foaming agent, the foaming aid and various additives are kneaded with a closed kneader to obtain a polymer composition. This polymer composition is formed into a sheet by a roll machine, a calendar, an extruder, or the like. This sheet-like polymer composition is heated and pressurized in a mold. The heating temperature is set to a temperature higher than the decomposition temperature of the foaming agent. By heating, the foaming agent foams and a base material is obtained. This base material has a skin layer (a layer not including the bubbles 32) on the surface. This base material is cut into a predetermined dimension, and the cushion layer 8 is obtained. Due to the cutting, bubbles 32 are exposed on the surface of the cushion layer 8. The base material may be further pressurized and heated in the secondary mold. The polymer composition may be continuously heated by irradiation with an electron beam or the like to foam the foaming agent.

  The cushion layer 8 is laminated on the rigid plate 6 and is fixed to the rigid plate 6. The cushion layer 8 can be fixed to the rigid plate 6 by means such as an adhesive.

  The cushion layer 8 may be provided with a film on its surface. A film made of a soft synthetic resin is preferred. A typical synthetic resin is a two-part curable polyurethane. The film may be made of polyvinyl chloride.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the artificial turf 10 includes a base cloth 34, a pile 36 and a backing 38. The base fabric 34 is water permeable. The pile 36 penetrates the base fabric 34. The backing 38 is applied to the lower surface of the base fabric 34. The lower end of the pile 36 is embedded in the backing 38. The backing 38 prevents the pile 36 from falling off the base fabric 34. The backing 38 is water permeable. The artificial turf 10 is joined to the cushion layer 8. Typically, the artificial turf 10 is bonded to the cushion layer 8 by an adhesive. The rug 2 may not include the artificial turf 10. The rug 2 may include a rubber chip block instead of the artificial turf 10.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the rug 2 of FIG. In FIG. 7, two rugs 2 are shown. In FIG. 7, the hook 20 of the right rug 2 is fitted in the loop 18 of the left rug 2. A joint 40 is formed by the loop 18 and the hook 20. Two bases 4 adjacent to each other are joined by a joint 40. In the rug 2 according to the present invention, various joints are employed in addition to the joint 40 including the loop 18 and the hook 20.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of use of the rug 2 of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. A number of rugs 2 are shown in FIGS. The rug 2 is laid on the ground G on which the playground equipment is installed. When laying, adjacent rugs 2 are joined together by a joint 40 (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a large number of rugs 2 are laid so as to surround the support 42 of the play equipment. A plurality of types of rugs 2 having different sizes may be combined and laid. Since the rug 2 includes the artificial turf 10, the rug 2 enhances the beauty of the surroundings of the play equipment.

  Since the rug 2 is easily connected by the joint 40, the laying operation of the rug 2 is easy. The laying of the rug 2 does not require specialized equipment and does not require skilled workers. Since this rug 2 is lightweight, the burden on the worker is small. Since this rug 2 is mass-produced in a factory and carried to a construction site, it can be obtained at low cost.

  When the child crashes from the play equipment, the body collides with the rug 2. The impact at this time is absorbed by the cushion layer 8. This rug 2 reduces the damage to the body during a crash. In particular, this rug 2 suppresses brain damage that may occur when a child falls from the head.

  From the viewpoint of shock absorption, the foaming ratio of the cushion layer 8 (ratio of density when bubbles 32 are not present to density when bubbles 32 are present) is preferably 1.5 times or more and 20 times or less. By setting the expansion ratio to 1.5 times or more, sufficient impact absorbability can be obtained. From this viewpoint, the expansion ratio is more preferably 3 times or more, and particularly preferably 5 times or more. By setting the expansion ratio to 20 times or less, sufficient strength can be obtained. From this viewpoint, the expansion ratio is particularly preferably 10 times or less.

  From the viewpoint of impact absorbability, the hardness of the cushion layer 8 is preferably 50 or less, and more preferably 30 or less. From the viewpoint of the strength of the cushion layer 8, the hardness is preferably 10 or more. Hardness is measured with an Asker C type hardness tester.

  In the rug 2, the artificial turf 10 protects the cushion layer 8. Even if the child runs around on the rug 2, the artificial turf 10 prevents the cushion layer 8 from being damaged. This rug 2 is excellent in durability. The artificial turf 10 further increases the friction coefficient of the rug 2. Even if a child runs around on the rug 2, slipping hardly occurs.

  There is a minute gap between the adjacent rugs 2. When it rains, rainwater is drained toward the ground through this gap. The rainwater is further drained toward the ground through the artificial turf 10 and the hole 30. In this rug 2, it is difficult to collect rainwater.

  Since a large number of rugs 2 are connected by the joint 40, the overall mass of these rugs 2 is large. Therefore, it is difficult for the rug 2 to be covered with wind. Even if the rug 2 is winded, the rug 2 surrounds the column 42 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, so that the column 42 serves as an anchor and the rug 2 does not blow off.

  As described above, the rigid plate 6 includes the first piece 12 and the second piece 14. The first piece 12 includes a rib 28 extending in the longitudinal direction. The rib 28 suppresses the warp of the first piece 12 in the longitudinal direction. Since the width of the first piece 12 is small, even when the warp of the first piece 12 occurs in the width direction, the degree is small. From the viewpoint of suppressing warpage, the width of the first piece 12 is preferably 12 cm or less, and more preferably 9 cm or less. The second piece 14 includes a rib 28 extending in the longitudinal direction. This rib 28 suppresses the warp of the second piece 14 in the longitudinal direction. Since the width of the second piece 14 is small, even when the warp of the second piece 14 occurs in the width direction, the degree is small. From the viewpoint of suppressing warpage, the width of the second piece 14 is preferably 12 cm or less, and more preferably 9 cm or less. The rigid plate 6 is difficult to warp.

  The cushion layer 8 undergoes molecular degradation due to exposure to sunlight. Since the cushion layer 8 is joined to the rigid plate 6, even if the cushion layer 8 deteriorates, the rigid plate 6 suppresses the warp of the cushion layer 8. This rug 2 prevents children from whispering.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the rigidity test of the rigid plate 6 of the rug 2 of FIG. In this test, the vicinity of one end of the first piece 12 or the second piece 14 has a length of 15 mm and is chucked by the jig 43. The deflection L of the piece at this time is measured at the other end. From the viewpoint of preventing the cushion layer 8 from warping, the deflection L is preferably 1.0 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm or less.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a shock-absorbing rug 44 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The rug 44 includes a base 4, a rigid plate 6, and a cushion layer 46. The rigid plate 6 includes three first pieces 12 and two second pieces 14. The structures of the base 4 and the rigid plate 6 of the rug 44 are the same as those of the rug 2 shown in FIGS.

  The cushion layer 46 is joined to the rigid plate 6 with an adhesive. The cushion layer 46 includes a rubber chip 48 and a binder 50. A large number of rubber chips 48 are dispersed in a binder 50 that is a matrix. There are also rubber chips 48 that are partially exposed from the binder. The rubber chip 48 is obtained by pulverizing a crosslinked rubber such as a waste tire. In this embodiment, the rubber chip 48 is granular. The particle size of the rubber chip 48 is preferably 0.2 mm or greater and 10.0 mm or less. A rod-like or fibrous rubber chip may be used. Typically, the binder 50 is made of a synthetic resin. A preferred constituent resin is polyurethane. The mass ratio between the rubber chip 48 and the binder 5 is 60/40 or more and 95/5 or less. Although not shown, the cushion layer 46 has a gap.

  This rug 44 is also laid on the ground G on which the playground equipment is installed. When laying, adjacent rugs 44 are joined together by a joint 40 (see FIG. 7). The laying work of the rug 44 is easy. The laying of the rug 44 does not require specialized equipment, and does not require skilled workers. Since this rug 44 is lightweight, the burden on the worker is small. Since this rug 44 is mass-produced in a factory and carried to a construction site, it can be obtained at low cost.

  When the child crashes from the play equipment, the body collides with the rug 44. The impact at this time is absorbed by the cushion layer 46. This rug 44 reduces the damage to the body during a crash. In particular, this rug 4 suppresses brain damage that may occur when a child falls from the head.

  As described above, since the rubber chip 48 is partially exposed from the binder, the rubber chip 48 increases the friction coefficient of the rug 44. Even if the child runs around on the rug 44, slipping is unlikely to occur.

  A minute gap exists between adjacent rugs 44. When it rains, rainwater is drained toward the ground through this gap. The rainwater is further drained toward the ground through the cushion layer 46. In this rug 44, rainwater is difficult to collect.

  Since a large number of rugs 44 are connected by the joint 40, the overall mass of these rugs 44 is large. Therefore, it is difficult for the rug 44 to be covered with wind. If the rug 44 is laid so as to surround the column 42 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), even if the rug 44 is winded, the column 42 serves as an anchor, and the rug 44 does not blow off.

  Even with this rug 44, the rigid plate 6 is unlikely to warp. Since the cushion layer 46 is laminated on the rigid plate 6, the cushion layer 46 is unlikely to warp even when exposed to sunlight. This rug 44 prevents children from whispering.

  The shock-absorbing rug according to the present invention can be laid on various bases.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a shock-absorbing rug according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the base of the rug of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first piece of the rug of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second piece of the rug of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cushion layer of the rug of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the rug of FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of use of the rug of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of a rigidity test of the rigid plate of the rug of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a shock-absorbing rug according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2, 44 ... Shock-absorbing rug 4 ... Base 6 ... Rigid plate 8, 46 ... Cushion layer 10 ... Artificial grass 12 ... First piece 14 ... Second Piece 16 ... Main body 18 ... Loop 20 ... Hook 22 ... Article 24 ... Leg 26 ... Mesh 28 ... Rib 30 ... Hole 32 ... Bubble 34 ... Base fabric 36 ... Pile 38 ... Backing 40 ... Joint 48 ... Rubber chip 50 ... Binder

Claims (3)

A base that can form a joint with an adjacent base,
A shock-absorbing rug comprising a rigid plate laminated on the base and a cushion layer laminated on the rigid plate.   The rug according to claim 1, wherein the rigid plate includes a plurality of pieces whose planar shape is substantially rectangular, and these pieces are arranged in parallel along the width direction.   The rug according to claim 2, wherein each piece includes a rib extending along a longitudinal direction.

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