Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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a
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BUMPERS FOR DASHER BOARD ASSEMBLIES
Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of dasher boards and
accessories for use in bounded sports arenas such as hockey and soccer
arenas. More specifically, the present invention pertains to bumpers for
absorbing player impact against dasher boards.
Background
Dasher boards are used in bounded sports arenas to demarcate a general
boundary line dividing a playing field from on-looking spectators and to
absorb impact from players as they maneuver the outer periphery of the
playing field. The dasher boards are typically designed to be secure and
stable in order to withstand vibration or shock while also providing the
spectators with a clear and unobstructed view of the game. In the design of
ice hockey rinks, for example, such dasher boards are designed to withstand
significant impacts caused by hockey players skating or being pushed into the
boards throughout the course of a game while also allowing spectators to view
the game without obstructions.
A typical dasher board for a hockey rink includes a lower frame, an
anchoring system for attaching the lower frame to the rink surface, an upper
shielding pane, and a support mechanism for connecting the upper shielding
pane to the lower frame. The dasher boards can be fabricated as either a
fixed, continuous frame forming the boundary, or in demountable sections
typically eight feet in length that are assembled together in an end-to-end
fashion to form the boundary. In some designs, an ice retainer or ice dam is
sometimes used on the bottom of the lower frame to prevent ice from creep-
ing away from the playing surface.
More recent trends have focused on imparting greater flexibility and
absorption capabilities to dasher boards in order to dampen the significant
impacts that can occur during play. The "flexibility" of the dasher board is
CA 02552340 2013-05-30
sometimes used on the bottom of the lower frame to prevent ice from creeping
away
from the playing surface.
More recent trends have focused on imparting greater flexibility and
absorption capabilities to dasher boards in order to dampen the significant
impacts
that can occur during play. The "flexibility" of the dasher board is generally
understood as the displacement of the dasher board in response to an impact,
which
can vary from as little as 1/16" for systems that utilize boards mounted to a
concrete
block wall to as much as 2" to 3" for demountable systems which employ loose
anchors and bolts and are constructed from aluminum frames. An illustrative
dasher
board system employing several features for absorbing player impact is
described in
greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,004,217 to Johnston et al.
Although many existing dasher board systems employ features to absorb
the energy from an impact, the surfaces of the dasher boards are typically
made from
hard materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or fiberglass which
are not
absorptive. Due to the more aggressive playing style and faster speeds
associated
with contact sports such as hockey, there is an ongoing need in the art for
dasher
boards having shock absorption features that lessen player impact while also
providing spectators with a clear and unobstructed view of the playing field.
Summary
The present invention relates generally to soft caps for absorbing player
impact against dasher boards. An illustrative soft cap for use with a dasher
board can
include an elongated body defining a number of absorption ribs which act to
absorb
impact forces exerted against the cap. The absorption ribs may be spaced apart
from
each other via a number of channels, and can extend lengthwise in a direction
either
parallel or transverse to the length of elongated body. A curved section
formed on
one or both sides of the elongated body can be configured to fit adjacent to
the hard
edges of the lower frame. In some embodiments, the elongated body can be
formed
from a soft material such as low-density polyethylene, which in contrast to
the harder
materials typically used in forming dasher boards, can be configured to
displace or
yield when compressed to absorb impact energy.
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The soft cap can be provided as part of a dasher board assembly including
a lower frame assembly and a number of upper shielding panes. The frame
assembly
can include an impact panel attached to a number of vertical posts and
stringers. An
upper section of the frame assembly may define an upper periphery that can be
configured to support the soft cap, In some dasher board systems, the soft cap
can be
coupled to the upper periphery of the frame assembly adjacent the impact-side
of the
upper shielding panes. In other dasher board systems, the soft cap can be
coupled to
the lower frame, either above or adjacent to an existing sill. In use, the
soft cap may
form a bumper along all or a portion of the upper periphery of the frame
assembly in
order to absorb impact forces caused when a player strikes the dasher board.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
flexible, compressible extruded elongate thermoplastic bumper cap to be
mounted to a
top sill over a hard upper 90 edge along the impact side of a lower frame
dasher
board for a rink, comprising: an elongate body having: a top flat first side;
a solid
vertical flat second side, the top flat first side being thicker than the
solid vertical flat
second side, the solid vertical flat second side being orthogonal to the first
side and
overlapping the impact side of the lower frame dasher board in flush
arrangement as
to not interfere with sports play; and a curved section between the first and
second
sides to be mounted adjacent the upper hard dasher board edge; wherein the
bumper
cap is formed of a soft material having a durometer of less than 90 Shore A
and being
adapted to absorb impact energy when a player strikes the dasher board.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a flexible, compressible extruded elongate thermoplastic bumper cap
to be
mounted to a top sill over a hard upper 900 edge along the impact side of a
lower
frame dasher board for a rink, comprising: an elongate body having: a top flat
first
side; a solid vertical flat second side, the top flat first side being thicker
than the solid
vertical flat second side, the solid vertical flat second side being
orthogonal to the first
side and overlapping the impact side of the lower frame dasher board in a
flush
arrangement as to not interfere with sports play; a curved section between the
first and
second sides to be mounted adjacent the upper hard dasher board edge; and a
void
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channel extending longitudinally in the body below the curved section to be
displaced
or yield when compressed to absorb and distribute impact energy when a player
strikes the cap; wherein the bumper cap is formed of a soft material having a
durometer of less than 90 Shore A and being adapted to absorb impact energy
when a
player strikes the dasher board.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a flexible, extruded elongate thermoplastic bumper cap to be mounted
to a
top sill over a hard upper 90 edge along the impact side of a lower frame
dasher
board for a rink, comprising: an elongate body having a top flat first side; a
solid
vertical flat second side, the top flat first side being thicker than the
solid vertical fiat
second side, the solid vertical flat second side being orthogonal to the first
side and
overlapping the impact side of the lower frame dasher board; a curved section
between the first and second sides to be mounted adjacent the upper hard
dasher board
edge; a void channel extending longitudinally in the body below the curved
section to
be displaced or yield when compressed to absorb and distribute impact energy
when a
player strikes the cap; and alternating ribs and void channels extending
longitudinally
in the body below the top flat surface to be displaced or yield when
compressed to
absorb and distribute impact energy when a player strikes the cap; and wherein
the
bumper cap is formed of a soft material having a durometer of less than 90
Shore A
and being adapted to absorb impact energy when a player strikes the dasher
board.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative dasher board system
employing a soft cap;
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Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the illustrative SOFTCAPTm bumper
depicted in Figures 7-8;
Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the illustrative
SOFTCAP bumper of Figures 7-9 attached to a dasher board assembly
without shielding panes;
Figure 11 is perspective view of an illustrative SOFTCAPTm bumper
having longitudinally oriented absorption ribs; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view of another illustrative SOFTCAPTm
bumper having longitudinally oriented absorptions ribs.
Detailed Description
The following description should be read with reference to the draw-
ings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like
fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected
embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Al-
though examples of construction, dimensions, and materials are illustrated for
the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the
examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.
Referring now to Figure 1, an illustrative dasher board system 10
employing a SOFTCAPTm bumper for absorbing player impact will now be
described. As shown in Figure 1, the dasher board system 10 can include a
series of modular dasher board assemblies 12 that can be flexibly connected
to each other in an end-to-end fashion to form a bounded area such as a
hockey rink or soccer arena. In the illustrative view of Figure 1, a single
dasher board assembly 12 is depicted, which, when attached to other dasher
board assemblies, forms a modularized dasher board system. It should be
understood, however, that the dasher board assembly could be part of a fixed,
continuous dasher board system, if desired.
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Each dasher board assembly 12 can include a lower frame assembly 14
adapted to vertically support a number of upper shielding panes 16,18. The
lower frame assembly 14 can include a first end section 20, a second end
section 22, a lower section 24, and an upper section 26. The lower section 24
of the frame assembly 14 can be anchored to the underlying playing surface
28 of the arena or rink via an anchoring mechanism in order to secure the
dasher board assembly 12 in place.
The impact side of the frame assembly 14 can be covered with a
high-density polyethylene or fiberglass impact panel 30, which can be sup-
ported to the frame assembly 14 using several vertical posts and stringers as
described in greater detail with respect to Figure 3. A kickboard 32 can be
connected to the lower portion of the panel 30 to further strengthen the panel
30 from hits with the players' skates. In some embodiments, an ice retainer
or ice dam 34 can also be connected to the lower section 24 of the frame
assembly 14 to prevent ice from creeping away from the playing surface 28.
The shielding panes 16,18 can be made from a variety of materials
including tempered glass, acrylic, Plexiglass, or other suitable material. In
dasher board systems 10 employing tempered glass, the shielding panes 16,18
will typically be about 1/2" thick on the sides of the arena and about 5/8"
thick on the ends and radius sections of the arena. Acrylic shielding panes
16,18, on the other hand, are typically about 1/2" thick at all locations. The
shielding panes 16,18 may have a horizontal length of about 4 feet, with two
such panels 16,18 typically forming an 8 foot length of dasher board. The
number and length of the shielding panes may vary, however, depending on
the dimensions of each dasher board assembly 12.
The shielding panes 16,18 can be vertically supported at least in part
using a sill 36 located on the upper periphery 38 of the frame assembly 14
adjacent to the non-impact or spectator side of the dasher board assembly 12.
The sill 36 may extend along all or a portion of the length of the frame
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assembly 14, and can be configured to abut the non-impact side of the shield-
ing panes 16,18 for support. The sill 36 may be formed from a relatively hard
material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which acts to support the
shielding panes 16,18 in place within the frame assembly 14 when deflected
in the direction indicated generally by the arrows 40.
As can be further seen in Figure 1, each dasher board assembly 12 can
further include a SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 extending longitudinally along the
upper periphery 38 of the frame assembly 14 between the ends 20,22. In the
illustrative embodiment depicted, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 is located
along the upper periphery 38 adjacent the impact side of the frame assembly
14 and shielding panes 16,18. During use, and as discussed in greater detail
below, the structure and material composition of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42
can be configured to provide impact absorption when a player strikes the
dasher board assembly 12, or when the player jumps a section of the dasher
board assembly 12 not containing shielding panes.
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of the
sill 36 and SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 to the frame assembly 14 of Figure 1. As
can be further seen in Figure 2, an upper channel 44 of the frame assembly 14
may include a slot or U-shaped support channel 46 adapted to support the
lower periphery 48 of each shielding pane 16,18 therein. A first edge 50 of
the sill 36 can overhang a portion of the upper channel 44, and can be config-
ured to engage the non-impact or spectator side of the shielding panes 16,18
for support. A second edge 52 of the sill 36, in turn, can be configured to
lie
flush with or extend at least in part beyond the spectator-side of the frame
assembly 14.
The SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 can be configured to cover the upper
periphery 38 of the frame assembly 14 adjacent to the impact side of the
shielding panes 16,18. A first edge 54 of the SOFTCAP bumper 42 can be
configured to overhang a portion of the impact panel 30, as shown, forming a
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bumper to cover the hard edges of the panel 30 during an impact. A second
edge 56 of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42, in turn, can be configured to engage
the impact side of the shielding panes 16,18, thereby supporting the impact
side of the shielding panes 16,18 opposite the second edge 50 of the sill 36.
In some embodiments, the slot or U-shaped support channel 46 can be spring
loaded against the second edge 56 of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 to provide
additional shock absorption during impact.
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the dasher board assembly 12
along line 3-3 in Figure 1. As shown further in Figure 3, the frame assembly
14 can further include a number of vertical posts 58 each connected or welded
at a lower end thereof to a lower base plate or bottom channel 60 anchored
into the playing surface 28 via bolts 62. The upper ends of the posts 58, in
turn, are connected to several upper stringers 64,66 via a welding plate 68. A
number of additional stringers 70,72 can be further connected to the vertical
posts 58 adjacent to the panel 30 to provide additional structural support to
the frame assembly 14, if desired. Several holes or openings 74 can be
provided in the vertical posts 58 to permit an adjacent dasher board assembly
to be fastened together in an end-to-end manner so as to define a bounded
enclosure such as a hockey rink or soccer arena.
Figures 4-5 are perspective views showing the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42
of Figure 1 in greater detail. In the illustrative embodiment depicted, the
SOFTCAP bumper 42 comprises an elongated body 74 having a first end
76, a second end 78, a first side 80, and a second side 82. The sides 80,82 of
the elongated body 74 may be oriented in a direction along a general longitu-
dinal axis L of the elongated body 74 which, when assembled to the dasher
board, are adapted to lie substantially parallel to the upper periphery 38 of
the
frame assembly 14.
The first edge 54 of the elongated body 74 can be oriented orthogonal
to the second edge 56 thereof via a curved section 84 of the elongated body
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74. During use, the curved section 84 of the elongated body 74 can be
configured to lie adjacent to the upper edge of the panel 30 via a semi-
circular
channel 86 oriented along the length of the elongated body 74. As can be
seen by reference back to Figure 3, for example, the semi-circular channel 86
permits the curved section 84 of the elongated body 74 to bend or flex about
the upper edge of the panel 30, which, during impact, helps to distribute the
impact forces over a wider area.
Figure 6 is a bottom plan view showing the bottom of the SOFTCAPTm
bumper 42 in greater detail. As can be further seen in Figure 6, the elongated
body 74 may further define a number of absorption ribs 88 which act to
further absorb forces exerted on the dasher board when struck by a player.
The ribs 88 can be spaced apart from each other via a number of channels 90
that can be oriented lengthwise in a direction transverse to the general
longitu-
dinal axis L of the elongated body 74. The width W1 of the ribs 88 as well as
the width W2 of the channels 90 can be selected so as to impart a desired
amount of flexibility to the elongated body 74. In certain embodiments, for
example, the ribs 88 may have a width W1 of about 3/4" whereas the chan-
nels 90 may have a width W2 of about 1". It should be understood, however,
that the dimensions of the ribs 88 and channels 90 can be varied to impart a
different flexibility characteristic to the SOFTCAPTm bumper 42.
In contrast to the sill 36, which may be formed from a relatively hard
material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the SOFTCAPTm bumper
42 can be fabricated from a soft material having a lower indentation hardness
to provide better absorption during impact. The term "soft" as used herein
generally indicates a material having a shore durometer lower than 90-100
Shore A. In certain embodiments, for example, the material used to form the
SOFTCAPTm bumper 42 can include a low-density polyethylene material
having a durometer of about 60-30 Shore A whereas the material forming the
sill 36 and other components of the dasher board assembly can have a
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durometer of about 90-100 Shore A or greater. The material used in forming
the SOFTCAP bumper 42 will typically have a hardness sufficient to
withstand cuts from the players' skates and to withstand repeated strikes
without permanently deforming.
Figures 7-8 are perspective views showing another illustrative
SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 for use with acrylic dasher board systems or for
portions of the dasher board without shielding panes. In the illustrative
embodiment depicted in Figures 7-8, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 can com-
prise an elongated body 94 having a first end 96, a second end 98, a first
side
100, and a second side 102. The sides 100,102 may be oriented in a direction
along a general longitudinal axis L of the elongated body 94 which, when
assembled to the dasher board, lies substantially parallel with the upper
periphery of the lower frame assembly.
The first side 100 of the elongated body 94 can include a first curved
section 104 forming a first edge 106 that extends along the length of the body
94. The second side 102, in turn, can include a second curved section 108
forming a second edge 110 that extends along the length of the body 94. A
number of semi-circular channels 112,114 oriented along the length of the
elongated body 94 can be provided to allow the curved sections 104,108 to
bend or flex about the upper edges of the frame assembly.
Figure 9 is a bottom plan view showing the bottom of the SOFTCAPTm
bumper 92 in greater detail. As can be further seen in Figure 9, the elongated
body 94 may further define a number of absorption ribs 116 which act to
further absorb forces exerted on the dasher board when struck by a player.
The ribs 116 can be spaced apart from each other via a number of channels
118, which may be oriented lengthwise in a direction transverse to the general
longitudinal axis L of the elongated body 94. As with other embodiments
herein, the width W1 of the ribs 116 as well as the width W2 of the channels
118 can be selected so as to impart a desired amount of flexibility to the
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elongated body 94. In certain embodiments, for example, the ribs 116 may
have a width W1 of about 3/4" whereas the channels 118 may have a width
W2 of about 1". Other dimensions are possible, however.
Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the illustrative
SOFTCAP' bumper 92 of Figures 7-9 attached to a dasher board assembly
120 without shielding panes. The dasher board assembly 120 may be similar
to that described above with respect to Figures 1-3, with like elements
labeled
in like fashion in the views. For example, the dasher board assembly 120 can
include a lower frame assembly 14 having a lower section attached to the
playing surface 28 via a number of bolts 62, and a number of vertical posts 58
connected to several upper stringers 64,66 via a welding plate 68. Other
features such as additional stringers 70,72 and connecting holes or openings
74 can be further provided, if desired.
In those dasher board systems where supported shielding panes are
employed, or in portions of the dasher board where shielding panes are not
present, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 can be configured to overly the entire
upper periphery 38 of the frame assembly 14, forming a soft surface which
acts to displace and absorb player impact. In the illustrative dasher board
assembly 120 of Figure 10, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 is shown overlying
an existing sill 122 connected to the frame assembly 14. In contrast to the
existing sill 122, which may be made from a relatively hard material such as
high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 can be
fabricated from a relatively soft material such as low-density polyethylene
which acts to absorb more energy during an impact. In certain embodiments,
for example, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 can be formed from low-density
polyethylene material having a durometer of about 60-30 Shore A whereas the
existing sill 122 may be formed from a high-density polyethylene material
having a durometer of about 90-100 Shore A or greater. The materials used to
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form the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 may vary, however, depending on the level
of absorption desired, manufacturing considerations, as well as other factors.
Although the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 in Figure 10 is shown overlying
an existing sill 122, other embodiments in which the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92
is adapted to fit underneath an existing sill, or alternatively is configured
to fit
onto a dasher board without an existing sill are also contemplated. When
installed underneath an existing sill, for example, the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92
can be configured to provide additional impact absorption while also reducing
damage to the material resulting from the skaters' blades being pushed against
the top surface of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92.
In some embodiments, one or more layers of harder material can be
formed over all or a portion of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 to prevent scuff-
ing and/or cutting of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 material during use. As
shown in Figure 10, for example, a layer 123 of material can be formed over
the outer portion of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92 that is generally harder than
the material forming the SOFTCAPTm bumper 92. In certain embodiments,
for example, the layer 123 can include a layer of high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) having a hardness that is greater than the material forming the
SOFTCAPTm bumper 92, which can comprise a low-density polyethylene.
Fabrication of the SOFTCAPTm bumpers described herein can be
accomplished using any number of suitable manufacturing methods such as
injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, or extrusion
molding. While thermoplastic materials such as low-density polyethylene can
be used to fabricate the SOFTCAPTm bumpers, it should be understood that
other types of moldable and/or extrudable materials can also be used to
fabricate the SOFTCAPTm bumpers, if desired.
In certain embodiments, the structure of the SOFTCAPTm bumpers,
including the orientation of the absorption ribs and channels, can be formed
as
a continuous piece of extruded material that can be later cut to a particular
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length, as needed. In one such embodiment depicted in Figure 11, for exam-
ple, a SOFTCAPTm bumper 124 for use in some supportless dasher board
systems can include a number of longitudinally oriented absorption ribs 126
to facilitate extrusion of the SOFTCAPTm bumper 124 as a single, continuous
piece via an extruder. The SOFTCAPTm bumper 124 can comprise, for
example, an elongated body 128 having a first end 130, a second end 132, a
first side 134, and a second side 136. The ribs 126, which are spaced apart
via channels 138, may be oriented lengthwise in a direction along a general
longitudinal axis L of the elongated body 128. In contrast to transversely
oriented ribs, the longitudinally oriented ribs 126 provide a degree of symme-
try along the length of the elongated body 128, allowing the SOFTCAPTm
bumper 124 to be extruded as a continuous piece of material.
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing another illustrative
SOFTCAPTm bumper 140 having longitudinally oriented absorption ribs. The
SOFTCAPTm bumper 140, which is configured for dasher board systems
employing supported shielding panes or no shielding panes, can include a
number of longitudinally oriented absorption ribs 142 to facilitate extrusion
of
the SOFTCAPTm bumper 140 as a single, continuous member via an extruder.
The SOFTCAPTm bumper 140 can comprise, for example, an elongated body
144 having a first end 146, a second end 148, a first side 150, and a second
side 152. The ribs 142, which are spaced apart via channels 154, may be
oriented lengthwise in the direction of a general longitudinal axis L of the
elongated body 144. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 11, the symmetry
of the elongated body 144 along its length allows the SOFTCAPTm bumper
140 to be extruded as a continuous piece of material.
Having thus described the several embodiments of the present inven-
tion, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments
may be made and used which fall within the scope of the claims attached
hereto. Numerous benefits of the invention covered by this document have
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been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood that this
disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in
details, particularly in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts
without
exceeding the scope of the invention.
