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Gymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured coverRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Vaulting Or Pommel HorseGymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured cover description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060276305, Gymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured cover. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to a gymnastics apparatus and, more particularly, to a gymnastics apparatus having a multi-layered textured cover. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the design and construction of gymnastics equipment, such as, for example, vault tables, vault boards, pommel horses, balance beams, landing mats, and other devices, there are a number of design considerations that should be taken into account, including the characteristics of the surface contacted by the user during a gymnastics routine. Of course, a slippery surface is typically undesirable for a host of reasons, as is a surface lacking the durability to withstand repeated use. Further, an overly hard surface may not be suitable for some devices. [0003] Many devices, including vault tables, vault boards, and pommel horses, typically are covered with leather or a synthetic leather material. Other devices, such as a balance beam, typically include an extruded aluminum beam covered with an expanded vinyl material, which is similar in many cases to suede. In any event, a gymnastics participant or other user typically desires freedom of motion while still expecting a certain level of grip and traction when using any particular device. In order to balance the desired freedom of motion with the desired level of grip and traction, it is well known that gymnastics participants typically use chalk. However, chalk creates a mess, and it is difficult to remove the chalk from the porous material. Moreover, chalk build-up can create a slick surface on the gymnastics device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a covered gymnastics apparatus includes a support component having a shape arranged to support a user and comprising a first material, an overlayer sized and shaped to be applied over the support component and having a textured surface arranged for contact by the user during a gymnastics routine, with the overlayer formed of a second material comprising a multi-layered material, the multi-layered material comprising polyurethane. [0005] In further accordance with a preferred example, the overlayer includes a non-woven fiber layer, and the polyurethane is impregnated into the non-woven fiber layer, or extruded onto the base layer. The textured contact surface may comprise a pebble-grained surface, and further may be formed of Zi/O.RTM.. The support component may comprise part of any one of a vault table, a vault board, a pommel horse, a balance beam, a landing mat, or any other suitable gymnastics device, and the overlayer may comprise at least one panel sized to cover at least a portion of the support component and securable to the support component. Preferably, the overlayer comprises a polyurethane impregnated non-woven fiber and the textured surface comprises a pebble-grained surface, and may have a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The overlayer may comprise a plurality of joined panels, with the panels sized and shaped to conform to at least a portion of the support component and securable to the support component. [0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a gymnastics component for use on a gymnastics apparatus includes a support component having a portion arranged to support a user during a gymnastics routine, with the portion comprising at least a first material. An overlayer is provided formed from a layered polyurethane material and includes a textured contact surface positioned for contact by the user during the gymnastics routine. The overlayer is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the support component and is securable to the support component. [0007] In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, a method of preparing a gymnastics apparatus for use comprises the steps of selecting a support component for supporting a user during a gymnastics routine, selecting an overlayer material having a textured contact surface and including a polyurethane layer, sizing and shaping the overlayer material to conform to a shape of at least a portion of the support component such that the textured contact surface is positioned for contact by a user during a gymnastics routine, and securing the overlayer material to the support component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of a gymnastics apparatus having an overlayer and assembled in accordance with the teachings of a disclosed example of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of an exemplary overlayer material; [0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of the overlayer material illustrating an exemplary surface having a pebble-grained texture; [0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating a pair of panels of the overlayer material joined to one another along a seam and applied to a landing mat; [0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the overlayer material applied to a balance beam; [0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a vault table constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary vault board constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an exemplary pommel horse constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary pommel horse constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form or forms disclosed. Instead, the following embodiments have been described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to follow the teachings of the invention. [0018] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a gymnastics apparatus 10. The gymnastics apparatus 10 includes a support component 12 and an overlayer 14 disposed on or attached to the support component 12. The support component 12 may form part of, by way of example rather than limitation, a landing mat 23 (FIG. 4), a balance team 16 (FIG. 5), a vault table 18 (FIG. 6), a vault board 20 (FIG. 7), or a pommel horse 22 (FIGS. 8 and 9). [0019] The overlayer 14 includes an upper contact surface 24, which, in accordance with the disclosed example, preferably includes a textured surface 26. It will be understood that, on each of the foregoing devices, the support component 12 is arranged to support, at least temporarily, the weight of a user during a gymnastics routine. Accordingly, the support component 12 is typically constructed of wood, fiberglass, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material commonly employed in the construction of a gymnastics apparatus. Continue reading about Gymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured cover... Full patent description for Gymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured cover Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gymnastics apparatus having multi-layered textured cover patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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