AN ANTI-SLIP PAD

Abstract: An anti-slip pad (2) which is made of a compressible material (4) and in which the compressible material (4) is reinforced with an edging material (6), the compressible material (4) having first and second faces (8, 10) and a peripheral edge (12) between the first and second faces (8, 10), and the edging material (6) being such that it has a central portion (14) adjacent the peripheral edge (12), and first and second edge portions (16, 18) which are folded over the first and second faces (8, 10) respectively, and the edging material (6) being such that it is secured to the compressible material (4). The edging material (6) may be secured to the compressible material (4) by stitching (20) which passes through the first and second edge portions (16, 18) and the compressible material (4) between the first and second edge portions (16, 18). Alternatively or in addition, the edging material (6) may be secured to the compressible material (4) by an adhesive. This pad can be used between the back of a horse and a saddle.

Description: AN ANTI-SLIP PAD This invention relates to an anti-slip pad. Anti-slip pads are well known and they are used in various types of sport. Thus, for example, the anti-slip pads are used on the backs of horses where they are positioned between the back of a horse and a saddle in order to stop the saddle slipping. The anti-slip pads may also be used on the backs of animals such for example as greyhounds and camels . The anti-slip pads may also be used by humans, especially in areas of sport. Thus, for example, the anti-slip pads may form part of shin pads for use in football or hockey, protective boxes for use in cricket, gloves for use in all areas of sport, body armour for physical contact sports, and grips for example for golf clubs for use in golf, for cricket bats for use in cricket, and for rackets for use in racket sports. With gloves, the anti-slip pads may be stitched and/or stuck at one or more appropriate areas inside the gloves for giving a good grip with the gloves. With grips, for example for golf clubs, cricket bats and rackets, the grips may be in strip form which is wound in place or in sleeve form which is slid in place. The anti-slip pads, especially those for horses, were traditionally made of a cloth material, but in recent years, the anti-slip pads have been made of a compressible material such for example as a foam material. Anti-slip pads made of a compressible material are currently much in demand but they suffer from a disadvantage in that the compressible material is often weak and the anti-slip pads are prone to tearing around their edges. It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem. Accordingly, the present invention provides an anti-slip pad which is made of a compressible material and in which the compressible material is reinforced with an edging material, the compressible material having first and second faces and a peripheral edge between the first and second faces, and the edging material being such that it has a central portion adjacent the peripheral edge, and first and second edge portions which are folded over the first and second faces respectively, and the edging material being such that it is secured to the compressible material . The edging material may be such that it is secured to the compressible material by stitching which passes through the first and second edge portions and the compressible material between the first and second edge portions. Alternatively or in addition, the edging material may be such that it is secured to the compressible material by an adhesive. Particularly strong reinforcing of the compressible material may be achieved with the stitching and the adhesive both being used together. When an adhesive is used, either on its own or with the stitching, then the adhesive may be used all over the edging material, or just on the first and second edge portions of the edging material . The adhesive may be an acrylic adhesive. The acrylic adhesive is preferably a cross linkable acrylic based adhesive. Other adhesives may be employed. The stitching of the edge material to the anti- slip pad enables the compressible material to be reinforced along its periphery and this reinforcing helps to avoid the anti-slip pad from prematurely tearing. In a first embodiment of the invention, the anti- slip pad is one in which the compressible material is in the form of a single layer of the compressible material . The compressible material is preferably polyvinyl chloride. Other types of compressible material may however be employed. The compressible material preferably has at least one smooth surface. If desired, the compressible material may have both of its surfaces smooth. The smooth surface is preferably formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roller, or by ironing. In a second embodiment of the invention, the anti-slip pad is one in which the compressible material is in the form of two layers of the compressible material, the two layers of the compressible material being stuck together with an adhesive . The two layers of the compressible material are preferably two layers of the same compressible material. Different types of compressible material may however be employed if desired. The two layers of the same compressible material are preferably both polyvinyl chloride compressible layers. Other compressible materials may however be employed. When the two layers are polyvinyl chloride compressible layers, then the compressible layers preferably have a density of from 60-300Kg/m . In the second embodiment of the invention, the compressible material preferably has at least one smooth outer surface. If desired, the compressible material may have both of its outer surfaces smooth. The smooth outer surface is preferably formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roll, or by ironing. In a third embodiment of the invention, the anti- slip pad is one in which the compressible material is in the form of three layers of the compressible material, the three layers of the compressible material being stuck together with an adhesive, and the three layers being such that there is an inner layer sandwiched between two outer layers . The anti-slip pad may be one in which the inner layer is of a different compressible material to the two outer layers, the two outer layers being of the same compressible material . The two outer layers are preferably polyvinyl chloride compressible layers. Other compressible materials may however be employed. Where the two outer layers are polyvinyl chloride compressible layers, then the polyvinyl chloride compressible layers preferably have a density of 60-300Kg/m . In the third embodiment of the invention, the anti-slip pad is preferably one in which the compressible material of at least one of the outer layers has a smooth outer surface. Preferably the outer layers are such that both of the outer layers have a smooth outer surface . The smooth outer surface is preferably formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roller, or by ironing. Other methods may be employed if desired. The inner layer is preferably a layer of an impact-absorbing material. The use of the impact- absorbing material helps to create less impact, for example on a horse's back. The impact-absorbing material is preferably an ethylene polypropylene diene terpolymer. A presently preferred ethylene propylene diene terpolymer is that known as EPDM. Other types of impac -absorbing material may be employed if desired. The adhesive which is used between the layers of the foam material in the second and third embodiments of the invention is preferably an acrylic adhesive. The acrylic adhesive is preferably a cross linkable acrylic based adhesive. The cross linkable acrylic based adhesive has a medium tack and high cohesion. It has good resistance to solvents, chemicals, plasticizers and moisture. It is stable when exposed to ultra violet light. The adhesive is preferably mounted on silicone coated release paper. It is then able to be transferred as an unsupported adhesive on to the foam layer or layers as appropriate. Other suitable and appropriate types of adhesives may be employed. In all embodiments of the invention, the anti- slip pad may be from 2 -50mm thick. In all embodiments of the invention, the compressible material may act to absorb shocks. In all embodiments of the invention, the compressible material is preferably a foam material . Other types of compressible material that may be used include a mesh material, for example a plastics mesh material. The plastics mesh material may be made of interconnected strands of a plastics material, for example polyvinyl chloride . The strands may be extruded and then connected together by heat and/or an adhesive. Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first anti-slip pad of the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the part of the anti- slip pad shown in Figure 3 ; Figure 5 illustrates how the anti-slip pad of Figure 1 is produced; Figure 6 shows in detail part of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 ; Figure 7 is a cross section showing a needle stitching edging material to a foam material; Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 but shows the stitching completed; Figure 9 is like Figure 8 but without the edging material; Figure 10 is a plan view of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 for use in producing the anti-slip pad; Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a part of the apparatus shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of a second anti-slip pad of the invention; Figure 13 is an end view of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 12 ; Figure 14 is a plan view of part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 12; Figure 15 is an end view of the part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 14; Figures 16 - 20 correspond to Figures 5 - 9 with the exception that in Figures 16 - 20 the anti-slip pad of Figure 12 is being produced; Figures 21 - 24 illustrate how the part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figures 14 and 15 is produced; Figure 25 is a plan view of a third anti-slip pad of the invention; Figure 26 is an end view of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 25; Figure 27 is a plan view of part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 25; Figure 28 is an end view of part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 27; Figures 29 - 33 correspond to Figures 5 - 9 except that in Figures 29 - 33 the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 25 is being produced; and Figures 34 - 39 show how part of the anti-slip pad shown in Figure 27 is produced. Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown an anti-slip pad 2 which is made of a foam material 4. The foam material 4 is reinforced with an edging material 6. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the foam material 4 has a first face 8, a second face 10 and a peripheral edge 12 between the first and second faces 8, 10. The edging material 6 has a central portion 14 adjacent the peripheral edge 12. The edging material 6 has first and second edge portions 16, 18 which are folded over the first and second faces 8, 10 respectively. As shown in Figures 5 - 8, the edging material 6 is stitched by stitching 20 to the foam material 4. 10 The stitching 20 passes through the first and second edge portions 16, 18, and the foam material 4 between the first and second edge portions 16, 18. The foam material 4 is in the form of a single layer of the foam material. The foam material 4 is polyvinyl chloride. The polyvinyl chloride has the first face 8 shiny and the second face 10 matt. Figure 5 shows how the anti-slip pad 2 is laid on a bed 22, the bed 22 comprising a support 24 and a plurality of ball bearings 26. The anti-slip pad 2 is able to be rotated in the direction of the arrows 28 over the ball bearings 26 and under a needle 30 in the stitching head 32 forming part of a stitching machine 34. As can be seen from Figure 6, the edging material 6 is fed into the stitching head 32 in a flat form. In the stitching head 32, the edging material 6 passes along a neck portion 36 and then through a curved portion 38. In the neck portion 36 and the curved portion 38, the edging material 6 is accurately folded in half and it is accurately placed over the foam material 4 such that the central portion 14 of the edging material 6 correctly abuts against the peripheral edge 12 of the foam material 4. The first and the second edge portions 16, 18 of the edging material 6 are thus correctly and equally bent over the first and second faces 8, 10 respectively of the foam material 4. Figure 10 shows the bed 22 without the an anti- slip pad 2. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of one of the ball bearings 26. It will be seen that each ball bearing 26 is mounted in its own housing 40. Each ball bearing 26 is able to rotate freely in its housing 40. Each housing 40 is secured in the support 24 of the bed 22. Figures 12 - 20 correspond to Figures 1 - 9 and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. As will be appreciated from a comparison of Figures 18 - 20 with Figures 7 - 9, Figures 12 - 20 shows an anti- slip pad 42 having two layers 44, 46 of the foam material 4. The two layers 44, 46 are stuck together with an adhesive which is shown as an adhesive layer 48. The two layers 44, 46 are polyvinyl chloride foam layers. Each layer may have a density of from 60- 300Kf/m 3 . Both the faces 8, 10 are smooth faces. If desired however, the face 8 could be a smooth face and the face 10 could be a matt face. Figures 21 - 24 show how the first and the second layers 44, 46 are stuck together with the adhesive layer 48. More specifically, the foam layer 46 is provided with the adhesive layer 48. As shown in Figure 1, the adhesive layer 48 is provided with a silicone release sheet 50. The release sheet 50 enables the adhesive layer 48 to pass between two rollers 52, 54 and be pressed on to the layer 46. Figure 22 shows the layer 46 provided with the adhesive layer 48 and the release sheet 50. As shown in Figure 23, the arrangement shown in Figure 22 is then passed through rollers 56, 58. The release sheet 50 is removed prior to the layer 46 and the adhesive layer 48 passing through the rollers 56, 58. This enables the layer 44 to be stuck to the exposed adhesive layer 48 as shown in Figure 23. Figure 24 shows the finished foam material 4 that has passed through the rollers 56, 58. Figures 25 - 33 correspond to Figures 1 - 9. It will be appreciated from a comparison of Figures 31 - 33 with Figures 7 - 9 that Figures 25 - 29 show a an anti-slip pad 60 which has foam material 4 in the form of three layers 62, 64, 66 of the foam material. The three layers 62, 64, 66 are stuck together with an adhesive which is shown as adhesive layers 68, 70. The layer 64 forms an inner layer which is sandwiched between the layers 62, 66 which are outer layers. The inner layer 64 is of a different foam material to the two outer layers 62, 66. The two outer layers 62, 66 are both of the same foam material which is polyvinyl chloride. The polyvinyl chloride foam layers preferably have a density of 60-300kg/m 3 . The anti-slip pad 60 is such that the faces 8, 10 are both smooth faces. If desired, the face 8 could be a smooth face and the face 10 could be a matt face. The inner layer 64 is a layer of an impact - absorbing material. The impact-absorbing material is an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer known as EPDM. Other similar materials may however be employed. The adhesive layer 48 in the anti-slip pad 42 and the adhesive layers 68, 70 in the anti-slip pad 60 are acrylic adhesive layers. The acrylic adhesive is a cross linkable acrylic based adhesive. It has a medium tack and hi-cohesion. It has excellent resistance to solvents, chemicals, plasticizers and moisture. It is stable when exposed to ultra violet light . Figures 34 - 39 show how the foam material 4 shown in Figure 27 is produced. In Figure 34, the layer 66 is provided with the adhesive layer 70 by passing through the rollers 52, 54. The adhesive layer 70 is provided with a silicone release sheet 72 O 99/59913 14 as shown. Figure 35 shows the arrangement that has passed through the rolls 52, 54. In Figure 36, the arrangement shown in Figure 35 is being passed through the rollers 56, 58. The release sheet 72 is first removed and this enables the layer 64 to be stuck to the adhesive layer 70. Figure 37 shows the construction that has passed through the rollers 56, 58. As shown in Figure 38, the construction that is shown in Figure 36 is being passed through rollers 74, 76, with a release sheet 78 on the adhesive layer 68 first being removed. This enables the layer 62 to be stuck to the adhesive layer 68. Figure 39 shows the final construction for the foam material 4 as produced from the rollers 74, 76. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, a foam material other than polyvinyl chloride foam material may be used. A compressible material other than a foam may be used so that, for example, the compressible material may be a compressible mesh of inter-connected strands made of a plastics material such for example as polyvinyl chloride. The layer 64 may be other than EPDM. Adhesives other than the acrylic adhesive may be employed. The smooth surfaces may be produced by plate finishing, rolling, ironing or other suitable and appropriate methods. The shape of the anti-slip pad may be different from that shown in the drawings . Any suitable and appropriate edging material may be employed including webbing materials, fabric materials and plastics materials. The edging material may be stuck in position using an adhesive. The adhesive may be used as an alternative to the stitching or in addition to the stitching. The adhesive may be placed on the edging material and/or adjacent parts of the foam material prior to bringing the edging material into contact with the foam material . The anti-slip pad shown in the drawings is for going between a saddle and a horses's back. If desired, the anti-slip pad in an appropriate size and shape may alternatively be used as leg wraps for horses or as girth sleeve protectors. The anti-slip pad in an appropriate size and shape may also be used on animals other than horses, and it may also be used by humans. Usually, the anti-slip pad will be used by animals and humans in various types of sport, but the anti- slip pad may also be used in non-sporting activities if desired. Thus, for example, the anti-slip pad may be used as part of an anti-slip mouse mat for a computer in order to stop the mouse mat slipping during use. The anti-slip pad may also be used as part of an anti-slip table mat, an anti-slip mat for being walked on, an anti-slip mat for stopping general items such for example as plates from slipping during use of the items, an anti-slip mat for stopping food bowls for animals from slipping, an anti-slip animal blanket, and an anti-slip lining for use inside animal baskets .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An anti-slip pad which is made of a compressible material and in which the compressible material is reinforced with an edging material, the compressible material having first and second faces and a peripheral edge between the first and second faces, and the edging material being such that it has a central portion adjacent the peripheral edge, and first and second edge portions which are folded over the first and second faces respectively, and the edging material being such that it is secured to the compressible material. 2. An anti-slip pad according to claim 1 in which the edging material is such that it is secured to the compressible material by stitching which passes through the first and the second edge portions and the compressible material between the first and second edge portions. 3. An anti-slip pad according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the edging material is such that it is secured to the compressible material by an adhesive. 4. An anti-slip pad according to any one of the preceding claims in which the compressible material is in the form of a single layer of the compressible material . 5. An anti-slip pad according to claim 4 in which the compressible material is polyvinyl chloride. 6. An anti-slip pad according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the compressible material has at least one smooth surface . 7. An anti-slip pad according to claim 6 in which the smooth surface is formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roller, or by ironing. 8. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 1 - 3 in which the compressible material is in the form of two layers of the compressible material, the two layers of the compressible material being stuck together with an adhesive. 9. An anti-slip pad according to claim 8 in which the two layers of the compressible material are two layers of the same compressible material . 10. An anti-slip pad according to claim 9 in which the two layers of the same compressible material are both polyvinyl chloride layers. 11. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 8 - 10 in which the compressible material has a least one smooth outer surface. 12. An anti-slip pad according to claim 11 in which the smooth outer surface is formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roller, or by ironing. 13. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 1 - 3 in which the compressible material is in the form of three layers of the compressible material, the three layers of the compressible material being stuck together with an adhesive, and the three layers being such that there is an inner layer sandwiched between two outer layers . 14. An anti-slip pad according to claim 13 in which the inner layer is of a different compressible material to the two outer layers, the two outer layers being of the same compressible material . O 99/59913 20 15. An anti-slip pad according to claim 14 in which the two outer layers are polyvinvyl chloride compressible layers. 16. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 13 - 15 in which the compressible material of at least one of the outer layers has a smooth outer surface. 17. An anti-slip pad according to claim 16 in which the smooth outer surface is formed by plate finishing, by rolling over a roller, or by ironing. 18. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 13 - 17 in which the inner layer is a layer of an impact-absorbing material. 19. An anti-slip pad according to claim 18 in which the impact-absorbing material is an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. 20. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 8 - 19 in which the adhesive between the layers of the compressible material is an acrylic adhesive. 99/59913 21 21. An anti-slip pad according to claim 20 in which the acrylic adhesive is a cross linkable acrylic based adhesive . 22. An anti-slip pad according to any one of the preceding claims and which is from 2 - 50mm thick. 23. An anti-slip pad according to any one of the preceding claims in which the compressible material is a foam material . 24. An anti-slip pad according to any one of claims 1 - 22 in which the compressible material is a mesh material . 25. An anti-slip pad substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: BALDWIN BRIAN RICHARD, BALDWIN, BRIAN, RICHARD
Applicants: BALDWIN BRIAN RICHARD, BALDWIN, BRIAN, RICHARD
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B68C1
IPC codes: B68C1