US5491015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slip control sheeting and articles covered with same
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1992-08-13
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Granted: 1996-02-13
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Expires: 2012-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A slip control sheeting can comprise a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on the first major surface. The protrusions can be pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases. Alternatively, the protrusions can comprise posts having non-planar sides and bases on the first major surface wherein the posts taper radially inwardly from their bases to their tops, e.g., cones or conical frustums with circular bases. The sheeting can further comprise at least one of a layer of adhesive on the second major surface, a reinforcing web, or a mechanical fastening component for fastening the backing to a substrate. The sheeting can be made so that it retroreflects less than about 10 percent of a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is incident at any angle to the second major surface, the electromagnetic radiation having any wavelength from about 0.39 microns to about 1,000 microns.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Reeves
- 👤 Margaret A. Hartfel
- 👤 Forrest J. Rouser
- 👤 Kenneth L. Smith
- 👤 Olester Benson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:02
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B3/30; B25; B25G; B25G1/00; B25G1/10; B29; B29C; B29C37/00; B29C37/0053; B32B27/00; B32B27/40; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/05; B32B7/12; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/0054; A63B2071/0063; A63B2209/00; A63B2209/10; A63B5/00; A63B5/12; B32B2305/00; B32B2305/08; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/744; B32B2475/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S16/00; Y10S16/12; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24174; Y10T428/24182; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/28; Y10T428/2813; Y10T428/2848; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/2078; Y10T74/20828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A slip control sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns, said sheeting further comprising at least one of (1) a layer of adhesive on said second major surface, (2) a reinforcing web, or (3) a mechanical fastening component for fastening said backing to a substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A slip control sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns, said sheeting further comprising at least one of (1) a layer of adhesive on said second major surface, (2) a reinforcing web, or (3) a mechanical fastening component for fastening said backing to a substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said adhesive layer, and said adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of heat-activated adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said reinforcing web, and said reinforcing web is at least partially embedded in said backing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said reinforcing web, and said reinforcing web is secured to said second major surface of said backing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said mechanical fastening component, and said mechanical fastening component comprises a plurality of hooks on said second major surface constituting part of a hook and loop fastening system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said mechanical fastening component, and said mechanical fastening component comprises a plurality of loops on said second major surface constituting part of a hook and loop fastening system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting includes said mechanical fastening component, and said mechanical fastening component comprises a structured surface which includes a plurality of tapered elements, each tapered element comprising a side which is inclined relative to the plane of the structured surface at an angle sufficient to form a taper such that each tapered element is adapted to mate with at least one corresponding element of a complementarily structured surface of a substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A slip control sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns, wherein said sheeting retroreflects less than about 10 percent of a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is incident at any angle to said second major surface, the electromagnetic radiation having any wavelength from about 0.39 microns to about 1,000 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A slip control sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns, wherein said sheeting retroreflects less than about 10 percent of a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is incident at any angle to said second major surface, the electromagnetic radiation having any wavelength from about 0.39 microns to about 1,000 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said polygonal bases of said protrusions are selected from the group consisting of triangular bases, quadrilateral bases, pentagonal bases, hexagonal bases, heptagonal bases, octagonal bases, nonagonal bases and decagonal bases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said protrusions are pyramids with triangular bases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said polygonal bases of said protrusions are immediately adjacent one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein the lengths of the line segments which define said polygonal bases are between about 125 and about 750 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein the lengths of the line segments which define said polygonal bases are between about 250 and about 500 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said protrusions have aspect ratios which are from about 0.3 to about 0.6.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said protrusions have a height of between about 125 and about 225 microns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said protrusions have a height of about 175 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said backing comprises a polymeric film selected from the group consisting of polyvinyls, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyacrylics, polycarbonates, polyolefins, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said backing comprises a film comprising polyurethane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said backing is between about 100 and about 500 microns thick.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sheeting of claims 1 or 8 wherein said sheeting is sufficiently flexible to be wound about itself on a 2.54 centimeter diameter mandrel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sheeting of claim 8, further comprising at least one of (1) a layer of adhesive on said second major surface, (2) a reinforcing web, or (3) a mechanical fastening component for fastening said backing to a substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sheeting of claims 1 or 8 applied to the handle of a tool, mallet, racquet, baseball bat, golf club, or sport stick, or to an eye glass support surface, or a diving board surface, or to the gripping surface of a glove.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gymnastic apparatus having a sheeting of claims 1 or 8 on at least a portion of the surface thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The gymnastic apparatus of claim 23 wherein said gymnastic apparatus is selected from the group consisting of vaulting horse, pommel horse, parallel bars, uneven bars, high bar, balance beam, vault spring board, vault runway, still rings and landing mats.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gymnastic apparatus having a sheeting of claim 10 on at least a portion of the surface thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The gymnastic apparatus of claim 25 wherein said structure is one of the following: vaulting horse, pommel horse, parallel bars, uneven bars, high bar, balance beam, vault spring board, vault runway, still rings and landing mats.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article adapted for interaction with hands or feet, having a slip control sheeting on at least a portion of the surface thereof, said sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article adapted for interaction with hands or feet, having a slip control sheeting on at least a portion of the surface thereof, said sheeting comprising a backing having a first and a second major surface and an array of protrusions on said first major surface, said protrusions being at least one of pyramids with polygonal bases or pyramidal frustums with polygonal bases, the height of said protrusions being between about 75 and about 750 microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 27 wherein said protrusions of said sheeting have aspect ratios from about 0.3 to about 0.6.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-12 | 1999-08-14 | 2000-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-12 | 2003-08-14 | 2004-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-12 | 2007-08-14 | 2008-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |