Patent ID: 8356800

Claim:
A protective padding assembly covering a section of chain-link fence comprising a chain-link fence portion and a chain-link swinging gate connected to the chain-link fence portion by a pair of spaced apart hinges, said protective padding assembly comprising: (a) a first section connected to the chain-link fence portion, said first section comprising a foam pad having a vinyl coating and a tapered end portion; (b) a second section connected to the chain-link swinging gate, said second section comprising a foam pad having a vinyl coating and having a tapered end portion; (c) an intermediate portion connected to said first section and disposed between said first and second sections, said intermediate portion having an inner surface and being movable relative to said first and second sections between a first position overlaying the spaced apart hinges when the gate is closed and a second position spaced apart from the hinges when the gate is swung open, said intermediate portion comprising a foam pad having a vinyl coating and having a first tapered end portion disposed in close proximity to said tapered end portion of said first section when said intermediate portion is in said first position and a second tapered end portion disposed in close proximity to said tapered end portion of said second section when said intermediate portion is in said first position, wherein in the second position the second tapered end portion of the intermediate portion slidably disengages the tapered end portion of the second section such that the intermediate portion overlays the second section; and (d) biasing means for yieldably resisting movement of said intermediate portion toward said second position, said biasing means comprising: (i) a first elongate, stretchable cord having a first end connected to said tapered end portion of said first section and a second end connected to said inner surface of said intermediate portion; (ii) a second elongate, stretchable cord having a first end connected to said tapered end portion of said first section and a second end connected to said inner surface of said intermediate portion; and (iii) a third elongate, stretchable cord having a first end connected to said tapered end portion of said first section and a second end connected to said inner surface of said intermediate portion.