US 11,834,847 B2
Load distribution and absorption underlayment system with transition features
Joel Matthew Cormier, Lathrup Village, MI (US); Jackson Alexander Elliott, Plymouth, MI (US); Richard Francois Audi, Dearborn, MI (US); and Donald Scott Smith, Commerce, MI (US)
Assigned to VICONIC SPORTING LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by VICONIC SPORTING LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on May 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/749,705.
Application 17/749,705 is a division of application No. 16/182,931, filed on Nov. 7, 2018, granted, now 11,585,102.
Prior Publication US 2022/0275654 A1, Sep. 1, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E04F 15/22 (2006.01); A47G 27/02 (2006.01); E04F 15/02 (2006.01); E04F 13/07 (2006.01); E04H 3/08 (2006.01); E04H 3/10 (2006.01); E04H 5/00 (2006.01); E04H 9/06 (2006.01); E01C 13/02 (2006.01); E02B 3/06 (2006.01); E04H 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC E04F 15/225 (2013.01) [A47G 27/0218 (2013.01); A47G 27/0231 (2013.01); A47G 27/0287 (2013.01); E01C 13/02 (2013.01); E02B 3/068 (2013.01); E04F 13/07 (2013.01); E04F 15/02038 (2013.01); E04H 1/02 (2013.01); E04H 3/08 (2013.01); E04H 3/10 (2013.01); E04H 5/00 (2013.01); E04H 9/06 (2013.01); E04F 2290/044 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a barrier layer which is exposed to percussive forces, the load distributing and absorbing system being interposed between an underside of the barrier layer and a foundation below, the load distributing and absorbing system comprising:
a plurality of load distributing and absorbing tiles, at least some of the tiles having
an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer, the underlayment infrastructure including
one or more hat-shaped absorbing members, at least some of the hat-shaped absorbing members having
a ceiling primarily for load distribution, the ceiling being positioned below the barrier layer;
a curvilinear wall primarily for load absorption extending from the ceiling, the curvilinear wall having a lower portion;
a floor that connects lower portions of the curvilinear wall of adjacent hat-shaped absorbing members, the floor lying above the foundation;
wherein the barrier layer of a first tile extends from two edges thereof and overhangs ceiling portions of two different adjacent tiles to create an L-shaped platform and promote inter-engagement of adjacent tiles without slippage,
a transition feature to smoothly graduate from one height and type of load distributing and absorbing tile to a load distributing and absorbing tile of another height and type,
wherein at least some tiles are joined together by mating registration features proximate the edges of the barrier layers, the mating registration features being defined by a male feature associated with an edge of a barrier layer that engages a female feature associated with an edge of a barrier layer in an adjacent tile, so that the overhang of the barrier layers and proximity of the absorbing members on adjacent tiles distribute a load applied to the barrier layer over a broad area, thereby distributing a load when applied either on a seam between adjacent tiles or within a tile.