Abstract:
A column segment comprising a body having at least one external channel, an upper protrusion extending from a top side of the body, and a lower protrusion extending from a bottom side of the body, wherein the at least one external channel further comprises an outer angled wall arranged to receive a securing means and direct said securing means through the at least one external channel, wherein the upper protrusion includes a domed portion and a plurality of locating slots, wherein the lower protrusion includes a domed recess and a plurality of projections, and wherein a first column segment is stackable with a second column segment by the domed portion and the locating slots of the first column segment matingly engaging with the domed recess and the projections of the second column segment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to improvements in arena barriers and structures. In particular, the invention relates to arena column segments easily adaptable to a variety of arrangements in order to create customizable arena structures with a small variety of components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Barriers and structures in arenas, laser tag arenas in particular, are well-known and are used for a variety of purposes, including preventing access to restricted areas, forming archways, defining pathways, or forming structures and fortifications for opposing teams competing in the arena. Of course other activities, primarily recreational in nature, such as paintball, may utilize such barriers and structures. When traditional barriers are used to form structural elements, the stacking and connection of the barriers is often cumbersome or difficult since the barrels do not securely lock together efficiently, and may require extraneous brackets, braces, or plates to connect the barriers, columns, and structures together. 
         [0003]    Traditionally, laser tag arenas have used large plastic barrels with hollow interiors as both arena barriers and structural elements. In order to connect multiple barriers, the barriers must be individually connected with screws at multiple places along the connection area for each barrier connection. The task of connecting multiple barriers in this way is difficult since the installer must place several screws at each barrier connection from a ladder. In addition, the above connection method requires screws to be installed at an angle with respect to the installation surface, thereby increasing difficulty. 
         [0004]    Another concern with traditional laser tag arenas is the connection of barrier walls at various locations within the play arena. In traditional laser tag arenas, barrier walls are forced against the barrier and connected to the barrier by screws installed at an angle such that the screw travels through the barrier wall and into the barrier. Installing screws at an angle is less convenient than perpendicularly installing a screw into a wall, but provides a better connection between the wall and barrier to which the wall is being attached. However, since the screws are being installed at an angle, the head of the screw may not completely press into the wall, leaving a portion of the screw protruding from the wall. If a competitor or player accidentally rubs or presses against the screw head, he or she could be injured. Player safety is paramount in the design of such arenas, and causes of injuries, such as protruding screws, must be prevented. Furthermore, it is important for the barriers and walls to be made of material which is fire resistant or includes self-extinguishing additives. In the event of a disaster, fire resistant materials will impede the spread of fire, and allow the players ample time to escape the arena. Traditional barriers are not easily made with flame resistant and self-extinguishing additives. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a long-felt need for a arena barrier which is easily adaptable to a variety of structures with minimal connection efforts and no brackets, braces, or plates, can easily and safely mount barrier walls, and can be produced from fire resistant materials. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention broadly comprises a column segment having a body with at least one external channel, an upper protrusion extending from a top side of the body, and a lower protrusion extending from a bottom side of the body. In one embodiment, the at least one external channel includes an outer angled wall arranged to receive a securing means and direct the securing means through the at least one external channel. In a preferred embodiment, the upper protrusion further includes a plurality of locating slots located the upper protrusion. In another embodiment, the upper protrusion includes a domed portion with a flat top extending away from the body and located radially inward of the locating slots. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the upper protrusion includes a first partially weakened groove located radially outward of the locating slots and a second partially weakened groove located about the flat top. In yet another embodiment, a cap segment is located in a top portion of the body upon removal of the first partially weakened groove. In yet another preferred embodiment, the lower protrusion further includes a plurality of projections located about an outer portion of the lower protrusion and a partially weakened groove located radially outward of the plurality of projections. In another embodiment a spacer segment is located in a lower portion of the body upon removal of the partially weakened groove. In a further embodiment, the lower protrusion includes a domed recess. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the lower protrusion includes a domed recess and a plurality of projections, and wherein a first column segment is stackable with a second column segment by the domed portion and the locating slots of the first column segment matingly engaging with the domed recess and the projections of the second column segment. In another embodiment, the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion each include a centrally located through hole wherein the through holes for both the upper and lower protrusions are aligned with respect to each other. In yet another embodiment, the body is generally cylindrical and symmetrical. 
         [0009]    The present invention also broadly comprises a column segment assembly including at least one column segment having an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, and a through hole and wherein each subsequent column segment is stacked atop a preceding column segment if the column segment assembly includes more than one column segment, a final column segment having an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, a through hole, an internal shoulder securing a mounting plate, and a mounting nut, a mounting rod, and wherein the final column is stacked atop the at least one column segment and the mounting rod traverses through the through holes in the at least one column segment and the lower protrusion of the final column segment, and wherein the mounting rod is secured within the final column segment to the mounting plate by the mounting nut. In a preferred embodiment, the final column segment lower protrusion receives the at least one column segment upper protrusion. In one embodiment, the at least one column segment includes a plurality of locating slots and the final column comprises a plurality of projections. In another embodiment, the plurality of projections matingly engages with the plurality of locating slots. 
         [0010]    The present invention further broadly comprises a laser tag arena including a plurality of column segments each having an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, and at least one external channel having an angled outer surface, at least one final column segment having an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, at least one external channel having an angled outer surface, an internal shoulder securing a mounting plate, and a mounting nut, a floor having at least one mounting rod extending thereform and traversing through the plurality of column segments, the lower protrusion of the final column segment, and the mounting plate, wherein the mounting nut secures the mounting rod in place through the column segments, at least one retaining wall, and wherein the at least one retaining wall is located in at least one external channel of at least one column segment in the plurality of column segments or the final column segment. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of fasteners secure the retaining wall in at least one external channel in at least one of the column segments. 
         [0011]    One object of the present invention is to provide a column segment which is easily installed in a variety of arrangements and easily mountable on an arena floor. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laser tag arena comprised of the aforementioned column segments in a manner so as to promote player safety. 
         [0013]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment column segment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the column segment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the column segment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the column segment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the column segment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a plurality of current invention column segments arranged into a representative structure for an arena; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of area  7  in  FIG. 6  illustrating a wall mounting arrangement; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a first current invention column segment stacked atop a second column segment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the first and second column segments of  FIG. 8  including a cut-out portion showing a mounting plate and nut inside the first column segment for connecting to the second, as well as mounting components for securing the columns to a floor; and, 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a front exploded view of a current invention column segment with its upper and lower portions removed and arranged to receive a cap and a spacer segment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of present invention column segment  100 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively of a preferred embodiment of present invention column segment  100 . The following should be read in light of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Column segment  100  includes body  102 , upper protrusion  104 , and lower protrusion  106 . In the shown embodiment, upper protrusion  104  extends generally away from the top side of body  102 . Also in the shown embodiment, lower protrusion  106  is generally cylindrical, having a smaller radius than body portion  102 , and extends away from the bottom side of body  102 . 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, body  102  is generally cylindrical in shape and symmetrical about any vertical plane which passes through the center of the body. However, it should be immediately apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that column segment  100  and more particularly body  102  could be any shape, such as rectangular, or polygonal, and need not necessarily be symmetrical so long as channels  108  of stacked column segments can be aligned. 
         [0030]    Body  102  also includes a plurality of channels  108  which are arranged along the vertical length of body  102 . In a preferred embodiment, channels  108  are symmetric and uniform so that each of the channels will line up with the channels of another column segment if several columns are stacked atop one another. Spaced circumferentially to each side of the channels are outer angled walls  110 . By spaced circumferentially, we mean that the angled walls are spaced away from the channels generally along the circumference of the column. Outer angled wall  110  is angled away from channel  108  to allow easy installation of a bolt or screw. When the bolt or screw is installed through outer angled wall  110 , the bolt or screw is then directed through channel  108 , thereby securing anything located within channel  108  to column segment  100 . Thus, if a wall is inserted into channel  108 , a screw installed perpendicular to outer angled wall  110  will enter the wall at an angle. As a result, it is extremely unlikely that a screw head will protrude out from the angled wall, thus reducing the chance of a player being injured. Additionally, the screw will enter the wall at an angle, thereby creating a better connection between the wall in channel  108  and the column segment. 
         [0031]    Body  102  also includes marking grooves  112 . Marking grooves  112  are vertically disposed along the length of body  102  and include a flat recessed portion adapted to receive paint or a sticker. The paint or sticker can be used for example, to designate differently colored or patterned zones within the arena. For example, in a laser tag arena, two opposing teams could be designated by the colors red and blue. Red paint or red stickers would then indicate that the column segments that are part of the red team&#39;s portion of the play field, while blue paint or blue stickers would indicate the blue team&#39;s portion of the arena. Similar to channels  108 , there are a plurality of marking grooves  112  which are symmetric and uniformly arranged so that players can quickly and easily ascertain where they are currently located within the arena based on the color of the marking grooves. 
         [0032]    Upper protrusion  104  includes base  114 , raised segments  116 , domed portion  118 , flat top  120 , and upper through hole  122 . Base  114  is generally flat with raised segments  116  incrementally located about the circumference of base  114  and extending inward until reaching the radially outward end of domed portion  118 . By radially outward, we mean a distance in a radial direction with respect to the center of the column segment. Raised segments  116  form locating slots  124  in base  114 , of which a plurality are shown. Locating slots  124  are circumferentially located about base  114  and are arranged to receive projections of lower protrusion  106  (described infra). Similar to other features of column segment  100 , in a preferred embodiment, locating slots  124  are symmetric and generally arranged in a circular pattern about the top of the column segment. It should be apparent that the locating slots need not be arranged circularly if the column segment is made which is not cylindrical. 
         [0033]    Domed protrusion  118  is radially inward of raised segments  116  and extends away from body  102  in a generally domed shape. At the peak of domed protrusion  118  is flat top  120 . Flat top  120  is arranged in generally horizontal plane and includes upper through hole  122  and inner partially weakened groove  126 . Upper through hole  122  is centrally located within both flat top  120  and column segment  100 . By centrally located, we mean that upper through hole  122  is located at the radially central portion of flat top  120 . Inner partially weakened groove  126  is radially located between upper through hole  122  and domed protrusion  118 . Inner partially weakened groove  126  is a generally circular groove about flat top  120 . since some of the material of the flat top is removed to form the groove, the thickness of the material about the groove is thinner, and therefore structurally weaker, than the surrounding material, thereby allowing easier removal, if necessary, of the portion of flat top  120  which is radially inward of inner partially weakened groove  126 . 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, upper protrusion  104  includes outer partially weakened perforations  128  located radially outward of domed protrusion  118 . Outer partially weakened perforations  128  are located within locating slots  124 , and interrupted by raised segments  116 . However, it should be apparent that outer partially weakened groove  128  could also be included in raised segments  116 . 
         [0035]    Lower protrusion  106  includes projections  130  circumferentially located about the bottom of the lower protrusion. Projections  130  are separated by spacers  132 . In a preferred embodiment, projections  130  are symmetrically located about the perimeter of lower protrusion  106  and aligned with locating slots  124  of upper protrusion  104 , while spacers  132  are aligned with raised segments  116 . Thus, when a first column segment is stacked on a second column segment, slots  124  and raised segments  116  of the first segment engage with projections  130  and spacers  132  of the second column segment, respectively. Lower protrusion  106  also includes a plurality of reinforcement slots  134  vertically displaced along lower protrusion  106 . Slots  134  are used to increase the durability and rigidity of lower protrusion  106  and column segment  100 . 
         [0036]    In general, lower protrusion  106  extends away from body  102  in a cylindrical shape having a smaller radius than the body portion of the column segment. Radially inward of projections  130  and spacers  132 , is domed recess  133 . Recess  133  includes flat portion  135 , which resembles flat top  120  on dome  118 . Recess  133  is arranged so that when a first column segment is stacked on a second column segment, dome  118  of the second column segment matingly within domed recess  133 . Lower partially weakened groove  136  is located radially outward of projections  130  while bottom through hole  138  is centrally located in lower protrusion  106 . Bottom through hole  138  is radially aligned with upper through hole  138 . By radially aligned, we mean that the bottom through hole and the upper through hole share the same central axis, with respect to the column segment. Since the bottom through hole and the upper through hole are radially aligned, column segment  100  can receive a vertical mounting rod through the entire length of the column segment, as will be discussed infra. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment column segment of the present invention. Column segment  100  is shown with top disc  140  removed at inner partially weakened groove  126 . Top disc  140  is the portion of flat top  120  that is radially inside of groove  126 . Upper protrusion  104  is shown removed from body  102  at outer partially weakened groove  128 . Lower protrusion  106  is shown removed from body  102  at lower partially weakened groove  136 . Advantageously, lower protrusion  106  also includes inner shoulders  144 , formed about slots  134 , which are used to secure a mounting plate (described infra). Although a plurality of inner shoulders are shown in  FIG. 5 , it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of shoulders could be used, or that the shoulder could be one continuous ring about the interior of the lower protrusion. 
         [0038]    The following should be view in light of  FIGS. 1 through 8 , where  FIGS. 6 and 7  are a front view of column segment assembly  150  and a detailed view of area  7  in  FIG. 6 , respectively.  FIG. 8  is a front view of a first column segment located atop a second column segment. In a preferred embodiment, multiple column segments  100  are stacked atop each other with the domed portions of each column segment located within the domed recess of the lower protrusion of the subsequent column segment. Advantageously, projections  130  of lower protrusion  106  align with locating slots  124  of upper protrusion  104 , thereby aligning channels  108  of each column segment  100 . Since column segments  100  are each similarly shaped and symmetrical, retaining wall  152  can be located within any channel  108  of a column segment. Retaining wall  152  could be located within any set of channels and therefore enables customization of the column segment assembly. The preceding embodiment is an illustrative example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed since any number of column segments and retainer walls can be used in various arrangements. 
         [0039]    Retainer wall  152  is removeably secured within channels  108  with securing means  154 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Securing means  154  may be screws, bolts, rivets, or the like, and are installed through outer angled wall  110 . As described supra, outer angled wall  110  includes a flat surface directed away from channel  108  at an angle so that securing means  154  can be easily installed without disturbance from the surrounding structure, and without leaving a screw or bolt head protruding from the column segment. In an alternative embodiment, column segment assembly  150  includes upper mounting structure  156  which connects the top column segment of each stack of column segments. Upper mounting structure  156  is attached to each top column segment upon removal of the upper protrusion at outer partially weakened groove such that upper mounting structure  156  can be located within the top of each body. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows first column segment  100 A stacked atop second column segment  100 B. It should be appreciated that column segments  100 A and  100 B are substantially identical, and given slightly different reference numerals for identification only. It can be seen that only domed portion  104 A can be seen, because the domed portion for second column segment  100 B is engaged in lower protrusion  106 A of the first column segment. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a exploded view of two column segments  162  and  164  being mounted on mounting rod  160 . Column segments  162  and  164  are the same as column segment  100 . Mounting rod  160  is fixedly secured to an arena floor (not shown) using any connection means known in the art and extends generally perpendicular from the floor. For example, in a preferred embodiment, anchor  184  is pounded into a hole in a concrete or cement floor, which engages ring  188  over plug  186 , tightly holding the anchor in the concrete. Threaded rod  190  secures into the anchor, and is tightened down by nut  192 . An elongated nut  194  is then threaded onto the remaining portion of threaded rod  190  so that approximately the top half of the elongated nut is unoccupied, so that mounting rod  160  can secure into the elongated nut. Since each column segment includes a domed recess, all of the mounting components are generally housed in the domed recess so that the lower protrusions of the column segments can rest flush against the floor. Mounting rod  160  is then passed through column segment  162  at the lower through hole (not shown) and upper through hole  122 . The bottom of column segment  162  rests on the arena floor, while the top of column segment  162  receives, or matingly engages with, column segment  164 . By this, we mean that the upper protrusion of column segment  162  is arranged to receive the lower protrusion of column segment  164 . In particular, locating slots  124 , raised segments  116 , and domed recess  133  (not shown) are arranged to receive projections  130 , spacers  132 , and domed portion  118 , respectively. 
         [0042]    Inner partially weakened groove  126  is removed to allow installation of mounting plate  166 . Mounting plate  166  rests on inner shoulder  144  (described supra). Mounting plate  166  includes a central through hole which is arranged to receive mounting rod  160 , when column segment  164  is located atop column segment  162  and on mounting rod  160 . Once mounting rod  160  passes through mounting plate  166 , washer  168  and nut  170  are removeably secured to mounting rod  160 . When nut  170  is secured to mounting rod  160 , both of the column segments are held by tension between mounting plate  166  and the arena floor. The preceding example is for illustrative purposes only, as it should be apparent to one or ordinary skill in the art that multiple column segments could be stacked atop one another so long as the final column segment includes mounting plate  166  and mounting nut  170 . Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , column segment  164  is the final column segment. In addition, the length of mounting rod  160  must be adjusted to accommodate the desired number of column segments, which is within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Advantageously, this arrangement allows multiple column segments to be mounted with only a single nut, such as nut  170 , thereby reducing installation time and difficulty. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a front exploded view of column segment  100  with the upper and lower protrusions removed at the outer partially weakened groove and the lower partially weakened groove, respectively. Spacer segment  172  is a generic column segment which does not include the elements and advantages of the current invention column segment. Spacer segment  172  may be included between current invention column segments, or where walls and other barriers do not need to be utilized. The spacer segment includes shoulder  175  and  177 , arranged generally about top and bottom protrusions  174  and  176 . Spacer segment  172  may also be used to connect two column segments (not shown), whereby protrusion  174  is located in the bottom of body  102  of the upper column segment and body  102  rests on shoulder  175  of the spacer segment. If the spacer segment were to placed atop a current invention column segment, protrusion  176  would engage within body  102 , while the spacer segment would rest on the column segment by shoulder  177 . Spacer segment  172  further includes a center through hole (not shown) centrally located similar to the through hole of column segment  100  to enable a mounting rod to pass through the segment. 
         [0044]    Cap segment  178  includes protrusion  179  located below top portion  182 , which forms shoulder  180 . Similar to the spacer segment, protrusion  179  of the cap segment engages within the top of body  102  upon removal of the upper protrusion at the outer partially weakened groove, and the cap segment rests on the column segment by shoulder  180 . Cap segment  178  is generally only used at the top of the upper most column segment of each column segment assembly for indicating that the cap is the top of a series of stacked column segments. Since cap segment  178  is only located atop the upper most column segment, mounting rod  160  does not need to reach cap segment  178  and the cap segment does not necessarily require a through hole. 
         [0045]    Column segment  100  can be composed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Since the primary application of the column segment is in arena barrier construction in laser tag arenas, flame-retardant additives are required by some state laws. Advantageously, column segment  100  can be manufactured with an additive to provide the required flame-retardant features, such that when the flame is removed, the column segment will self-extinguish. Such resin compositions are typically considered Class A or Class B resins after the addition of the aforementioned additive. In addition, since laser tag arenas are designed to be dark, column segment  100  may be composed of phosphorescent plastic compositions such that UV (or black light) lamps create a glow-in-the-dark type effect when the UV light is reflected off the column segment. Column segment  100  may also be composed of a material having a coloring additive, which would allow removal of the marking grooves described supra. 
         [0046]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.