| Playground equipment with protective coating -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Playground equipment with protective coatingRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Play Area Climbing Or Traversing Arrangement (i.e., For Use By Children)Playground equipment with protective coating description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070082790, Playground equipment with protective coating. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to playground equipment with a protective coating and a method for applying a protective coating thereto. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Playground equipment, including the decks, steps and landings of the playground equipment, is subject to high levels of exposure and wear since the equipment is usually positioned outdoors and is climbed on during normal use. This results in degradation of the surfaces, particularly the wear surfaces, at a rapid pace. In addition, the sun's rays can heat up surfaces, such as decks and steps, and surface temperatures can easily exceed 200.degree. F. Contact with such hot surfaces by unprotected skin can result in burns. Another problem with most metal playground equipment surfaces in areas where high humidity is common is the growth of mold or fungus. Mold and fungus have been linked as a health risk to children. [0005] Conventionally, some type of protective coating is often applied to the surfaces of playground equipment to guard against wear, environmental degradation, and to provide for insulation from hot surfaces. For example, the coating used on playground equipment surfaces may be vinyl chloride or PVC applied by a dipping method. PVC is a synthetic polymer material (or resin). The PVC used in this application is typically a rigid material that is mechanically tough and resistant to water and chemicals. However, PVC is relatively unstable to heat and light (particularly ultraviolet ("UV") light). This instability can be improved by the addition of stabilizers. However, stabilizers are undesirable because they often contain toxic and/or expensive materials, such as heavy metals such as lead, barium, calcium or cadmium, or contain organotin compounds. Another way to stabilize PVC is through the addition of low molecular called plasticizers. While these compounds improve the properties of PVC, many contain esters of organic acids, such as phthalates and adipates, which can be toxic and may leach or volatilize into the environment, and again add to the cost of the PVC. [0006] While PVC provides a suitable surface coating for playground equipment, it thus has many undesirable characteristics related to durability, repair, UV stability, and environmental issues. During the manufacture of the building block ingredient of PVC (vinyl chloride monomer), dioxin and other pollutants are emitted and these can present health hazards. In addition, PVC products can leach toxic additives. For example, flooring can release plasticizers called phthalates. When PVC reaches the end of its useful life it can either be land filled, where it leaches toxic additives, or incinerated, again emitting dioxin and heavy metals. If burned, hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin are formed. [0007] As such, PVC is generally undesirable as a coating for playground equipment as it exhibits poor characteristics with regard to expense, stability, durability, and environmental safety. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides playground equipment including one or more structures covered with a protective coating that is a polyurea or other non-PVC material. Preferably, the polyurea is TuffShell.TM. M25 available from SafeStructure LLC of Solon Ohio. [0009] A protective coating according to this invention preferably exhibits, but is not limited to, the following characteristics: TABLE-US-00001 Tensile Strength 1500 to 3000 psi Elongation Percentage (at 25.degree. C.) 280 to 700 percent Hardness 40 to 95 Shore A Tear Strength 300 to 600 PLI Thermal Shock Rating +400 to -80.degree. F. Notched Izod Impact 65 to 85 inch-pounds/inch (285 to 375 J/m) [0010] The protective coating may be applied on a structure of playground equipment at a uniform thickness or may be applied on an exposed surface of a playground equipment structure at a first thickness, and applied to an unexposed surface of the playground equipment structure at a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness. If applied in this fashion, the first thickness is preferably between 25 and 50 mils and the second thickness is preferably between 5 and 15 mils. [0011] The protective coating may also include a crinkle finish (i.e., a textured or rough surface, as opposed to a smooth outer surface), and the crinkle finish may be solely on the exposed surface. [0012] It is to be understood that the descriptions of this invention herein are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 depicts an example of playground equipment in accordance with the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method for applying a protective coating to playground equipment in accordance the present invention. [0015] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a structure of playground equipment in accordance with the present invention. [0016] FIG. 4 depicts an example of protective coating with a crinkle finish in accordance with the present invention. [0017] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of a structure of playground equipment with an uneven application of coating in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [0019] FIG. 1 depicts one example of playground equipment according to the invention. Playground equipment 100 includes one or more structures 150 that are preferably formed from stamped metal. However, any type of metal, metal alloy, or other material suitable for forming playground equipment may be used. Playground equipment includes any type of recreational structure (e.g., slides, jungle gyms, see saws, climbers, swings, waterpark slides, etc.), as well as site amenities. Site amenities include structures such as shelters, benches, ramadas, bleachers, and bus stop structures (i.e., benches and shelters). Typical structures found in playground equipment or site amenities (hereinafter playground equipment and site amenities are collectively referred to as "playground equipment") include decks, landings, steps, railings, seating surfaces, roofs, handles and/or ladders. As shown in FIG. 1, structures 150 are the steps and deck of a slide. One or more of structures 150 are covered with protective coating 160. [0020] Protective coating 160 provides for a wear and weather resistant surface. In addition, protective coating 160 may exhibit non-skid characteristics, may reduce the temperature of the playground equipment surface to which it is applied, and may provide a degree of padding. Protective coating 160 is preferably formed from a two component system that, when mixed, creates a polyurea. The two components used to create a polyurea are typically a diisocyanate and a diamine, although a polyurea for use in the invention may be formed in any suitable manner. Continue reading about Playground equipment with protective coating... Full patent description for Playground equipment with protective coating Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Playground equipment with protective coating 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Playground equipment with protective coating or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: System and methodology for customized and optimized exercise routines Next Patent Application: Playground climbing structures Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Playground equipment with protective coating patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.23679 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
