US20100011705A1 - Column segment - Google Patents
Column segment Download PDFInfo
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- US20100011705A1 US20100011705A1 US12/220,009 US22000908A US2010011705A1 US 20100011705 A1 US20100011705 A1 US 20100011705A1 US 22000908 A US22000908 A US 22000908A US 2010011705 A1 US2010011705 A1 US 2010011705A1
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- Prior art keywords
- column segment
- column
- segment
- protrusion
- lower protrusion
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/30—Columns; Pillars; Struts
- E04C3/36—Columns; Pillars; Struts of materials not covered by groups E04C3/32 or E04C3/34; of a combination of two or more materials
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Civil Engineering (AREA)
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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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment column segment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the column segment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the column segment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the column segment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the column segment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a front view of a plurality of current invention column segments arranged into a representative structure for an arena; -
FIG. 7 is a detailed view ofarea 7 inFIG. 6 illustrating a wall mounting arrangement; -
FIG. 8 is a front view of a first current invention column segment stacked atop a second column segment; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the first and second column segments ofFIG. 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, -
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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of presentinvention column segment 100.FIGS. 3 and 4 are a top view and a bottom view, respectively of a preferred embodiment of presentinvention column segment 100. The following should be read in light ofFIGS. 1 through 4 .Column segment 100 includesbody 102,upper protrusion 104, andlower protrusion 106. In the shown embodiment,upper protrusion 104 extends generally away from the top side ofbody 102. Also in the shown embodiment,lower protrusion 106 is generally cylindrical, having a smaller radius thanbody portion 102, and extends away from the bottom side ofbody 102. - 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 thatcolumn segment 100 and more particularlybody 102 could be any shape, such as rectangular, or polygonal, and need not necessarily be symmetrical so long aschannels 108 of stacked column segments can be aligned. -
Body 102 also includes a plurality ofchannels 108 which are arranged along the vertical length ofbody 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 outerangled walls 110. By spaced circumferentially, we mean that the angled walls are spaced away from the channels generally along the circumference of the column. Outerangled wall 110 is angled away fromchannel 108 to allow easy installation of a bolt or screw. When the bolt or screw is installed through outerangled wall 110, the bolt or screw is then directed throughchannel 108, thereby securing anything located withinchannel 108 tocolumn segment 100. Thus, if a wall is inserted intochannel 108, a screw installed perpendicular to outerangled 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 inchannel 108 and the column segment. -
Body 102 also includes markinggrooves 112. Markinggrooves 112 are vertically disposed along the length ofbody 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's portion of the play field, while blue paint or blue stickers would indicate the blue team's portion of the arena. Similar tochannels 108, there are a plurality of markinggrooves 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. -
Upper protrusion 104 includesbase 114, raisedsegments 116,domed portion 118,flat top 120, and upper throughhole 122.Base 114 is generally flat with raisedsegments 116 incrementally located about the circumference ofbase 114 and extending inward until reaching the radially outward end ofdomed portion 118. By radially outward, we mean a distance in a radial direction with respect to the center of the column segment. Raisedsegments 116form locating slots 124 inbase 114, of which a plurality are shown. Locatingslots 124 are circumferentially located aboutbase 114 and are arranged to receive projections of lower protrusion 106 (described infra). Similar to other features ofcolumn segment 100, in a preferred embodiment, locatingslots 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. -
Domed protrusion 118 is radially inward of raisedsegments 116 and extends away frombody 102 in a generally domed shape. At the peak ofdomed protrusion 118 isflat top 120. Flat top 120 is arranged in generally horizontal plane and includes upper throughhole 122 and inner partially weakenedgroove 126. Upper throughhole 122 is centrally located within bothflat top 120 andcolumn segment 100. By centrally located, we mean that upper throughhole 122 is located at the radially central portion offlat top 120. Inner partially weakenedgroove 126 is radially located between upper throughhole 122 anddomed protrusion 118. Inner partially weakenedgroove 126 is a generally circular groove aboutflat 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 weakenedgroove 126. - In a preferred embodiment,
upper protrusion 104 includes outer partially weakenedperforations 128 located radially outward ofdomed protrusion 118. Outer partially weakenedperforations 128 are located within locatingslots 124, and interrupted by raisedsegments 116. However, it should be apparent that outer partially weakenedgroove 128 could also be included in raisedsegments 116. -
Lower protrusion 106 includesprojections 130 circumferentially located about the bottom of the lower protrusion.Projections 130 are separated byspacers 132. In a preferred embodiment,projections 130 are symmetrically located about the perimeter oflower protrusion 106 and aligned with locatingslots 124 ofupper protrusion 104, whilespacers 132 are aligned with raisedsegments 116. Thus, when a first column segment is stacked on a second column segment,slots 124 and raisedsegments 116 of the first segment engage withprojections 130 andspacers 132 of the second column segment, respectively.Lower protrusion 106 also includes a plurality ofreinforcement slots 134 vertically displaced alonglower protrusion 106.Slots 134 are used to increase the durability and rigidity oflower protrusion 106 andcolumn segment 100. - In general,
lower protrusion 106 extends away frombody 102 in a cylindrical shape having a smaller radius than the body portion of the column segment. Radially inward ofprojections 130 andspacers 132, isdomed recess 133.Recess 133 includesflat portion 135, which resembles flat top 120 ondome 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 withindomed recess 133. Lower partially weakenedgroove 136 is located radially outward ofprojections 130 while bottom throughhole 138 is centrally located inlower protrusion 106. Bottom throughhole 138 is radially aligned with upper throughhole 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. -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment column segment of the present invention.Column segment 100 is shown withtop disc 140 removed at inner partially weakenedgroove 126.Top disc 140 is the portion of flat top 120 that is radially inside ofgroove 126.Upper protrusion 104 is shown removed frombody 102 at outer partially weakenedgroove 128.Lower protrusion 106 is shown removed frombody 102 at lower partially weakenedgroove 136. Advantageously,lower protrusion 106 also includesinner shoulders 144, formed aboutslots 134, which are used to secure a mounting plate (described infra). Although a plurality of inner shoulders are shown inFIG. 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. - The following should be view in light of
FIGS. 1 through 8 , whereFIGS. 6 and 7 are a front view ofcolumn segment assembly 150 and a detailed view ofarea 7 inFIG. 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 oflower protrusion 106 align with locatingslots 124 ofupper protrusion 104, thereby aligningchannels 108 of eachcolumn segment 100. Sincecolumn segments 100 are each similarly shaped and symmetrical, retainingwall 152 can be located within anychannel 108 of a column segment. Retainingwall 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. -
Retainer wall 152 is removeably secured withinchannels 108 with securing means 154, as shown inFIG. 7 . Securing means 154 may be screws, bolts, rivets, or the like, and are installed through outerangled wall 110. As described supra, outerangled wall 110 includes a flat surface directed away fromchannel 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 includesupper 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 thatupper mounting structure 156 can be located within the top of each body. -
FIG. 8 showsfirst column segment 100A stacked atopsecond column segment 100B. It should be appreciated thatcolumn segments domed portion 104A can be seen, because the domed portion forsecond column segment 100B is engaged inlower protrusion 106A of the first column segment. -
FIG. 9 is a exploded view of twocolumn segments rod 160.Column segments column segment 100. Mountingrod 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 engagesring 188 overplug 186, tightly holding the anchor in the concrete. Threadedrod 190 secures into the anchor, and is tightened down bynut 192. Anelongated nut 194 is then threaded onto the remaining portion of threadedrod 190 so that approximately the top half of the elongated nut is unoccupied, so that mountingrod 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. Mountingrod 160 is then passed throughcolumn segment 162 at the lower through hole (not shown) and upper throughhole 122. The bottom ofcolumn segment 162 rests on the arena floor, while the top ofcolumn segment 162 receives, or matingly engages with,column segment 164. By this, we mean that the upper protrusion ofcolumn segment 162 is arranged to receive the lower protrusion ofcolumn segment 164. In particular, locatingslots 124, raisedsegments 116, and domed recess 133 (not shown) are arranged to receiveprojections 130,spacers 132, anddomed portion 118, respectively. - Inner partially weakened
groove 126 is removed to allow installation of mountingplate 166. Mountingplate 166 rests on inner shoulder 144 (described supra). Mountingplate 166 includes a central through hole which is arranged to receive mountingrod 160, whencolumn segment 164 is located atopcolumn segment 162 and on mountingrod 160. Once mountingrod 160 passes through mountingplate 166,washer 168 andnut 170 are removeably secured to mountingrod 160. Whennut 170 is secured to mountingrod 160, both of the column segments are held by tension between mountingplate 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 mountingplate 166 and mountingnut 170. Thus, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 9 ,column segment 164 is the final column segment. In addition, the length of mountingrod 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 asnut 170, thereby reducing installation time and difficulty. -
FIG. 10 is a front exploded view ofcolumn 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 includesshoulder bottom protrusions Spacer segment 172 may also be used to connect two column segments (not shown), wherebyprotrusion 174 is located in the bottom ofbody 102 of the upper column segment andbody 102 rests onshoulder 175 of the spacer segment. If the spacer segment were to placed atop a current invention column segment,protrusion 176 would engage withinbody 102, while the spacer segment would rest on the column segment byshoulder 177.Spacer segment 172 further includes a center through hole (not shown) centrally located similar to the through hole ofcolumn segment 100 to enable a mounting rod to pass through the segment. -
Cap segment 178 includesprotrusion 179 located belowtop portion 182, which formsshoulder 180. Similar to the spacer segment,protrusion 179 of the cap segment engages within the top ofbody 102 upon removal of the upper protrusion at the outer partially weakened groove, and the cap segment rests on the column segment byshoulder 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. Sincecap segment 178 is only located atop the upper most column segment, mountingrod 160 does not need to reachcap segment 178 and the cap segment does not necessarily require a through hole. -
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. - 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.
Claims (20)
1. A column segment comprising:
a body having at least one external channel;
an upper protrusion extending from a top side of said body; and,
a lower protrusion extending from a bottom side of said body.
2. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said at least one external channel further comprises an outer angled wall arranged to receive a securing means and direct said securing means through said at least one external channel.
3. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a plurality of locating slots located about said upper protrusion.
4. The column segment of claim 3 wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a domed portion with a flat top extending away from said body and located radially inward of said locating slots.
5. The column segment of claim 4 wherein said upper protrusion further comprises a first partially weakened groove located radially outward of said locating slots and a second partially weakened groove located about said generally flat top.
6. The column segment of claim 5 further comprising a cap segment located in a top portion of said body upon removal of said first partially weakened groove.
7. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said lower protrusion further comprises a plurality of projections located about an outer portion of said lower protrusion.
8. The column segment of claim 7 wherein said lower protrusion further comprises a partially weakened groove located radially outward of said plurality of projections.
9. The column segment of claim 7 further comprising a spacer segment located in a lower portion of said body upon removal of said partially weakened groove.
10. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said lower protrusion further includes a domed recess.
11. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said upper protrusion includes a domed portion and a plurality of locating slots, wherein said 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 said domed portion and said locating slots of said first column segment matingly engaging with said domed recess and said projections of said second column segment.
12. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said upper protrusion and said lower protrusion each further comprise a centrally located through hole, wherein said through holes for both said upper and lower protrusions are aligned with respect to each other.
13. The column segment of claim 12 wherein said through holes traverse the length of said column segment.
14. The column segment of claim 1 wherein said body is generally cylindrical and symmetrical.
15. A column segment assembly comprising:
at least one column segment, wherein each column segment includes an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion, and a through hole, and wherein each subsequent column segment is stacked atop a preceding column segment if said 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 for securing a mounting plate, and a mounting nut;
a mounting rod; and,
wherein said final column is stacked atop said at least one column segment and said mounting rod traverses through said through holes in said at least one column segment and said lower protrusion of said final column segment, and wherein said mounting rod is secured within said final column segment to said mounting plate by said mounting nut.
16. The column segment assembly of claim 15 wherein said final column segment lower protrusion receives said at least one column segment upper protrusion.
17. The column segment assembly of claim 15 wherein said upper protrusion of said column segment includes a plurality of locating slots and said lower protrusion of said final column segment comprises a plurality of projections.
18. The column segment assembly of claim 17 wherein said plurality of projections matingly engages with said plurality of locating slots.
19. A laser tag arena comprising:
a plurality of column segments each having
an upper protrusion;
a lower protrusion; and,
at least one external channel having an angled outer surface;
a 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 said plurality of column segments, said lower protrusion of said final column segment, and said mounting plate, wherein said mounting nut secures said mounting rod in place through said column segments;
a retaining wall; and,
wherein said retaining wall is located in at least one external channel of at least one column segment in said plurality of column segments or in said final column segment.
20. The laser tag arena of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of fasteners securing said retaining wall in at least one of said external channels in at least one of said column segments.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/220,009 US20100011705A1 (en) | 2008-07-21 | 2008-07-21 | Column segment |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/220,009 US20100011705A1 (en) | 2008-07-21 | 2008-07-21 | Column segment |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20100011705A1 true US20100011705A1 (en) | 2010-01-21 |
Family
ID=41529038
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/220,009 Abandoned US20100011705A1 (en) | 2008-07-21 | 2008-07-21 | Column segment |
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US (1) | US20100011705A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD734825S1 (en) * | 2013-11-05 | 2015-07-21 | Lasertron, Inc. | Column segment |
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US4275524A (en) * | 1979-03-19 | 1981-06-30 | Matrix Toys, Inc. | Removable tire for construction set joint element |
US4341050A (en) * | 1979-03-23 | 1982-07-27 | Long Leonard L | Construction module |
US4641467A (en) * | 1986-01-21 | 1987-02-10 | Dupuis Jr Aurelian J | Column construction |
US5291700A (en) * | 1991-11-06 | 1994-03-08 | Keith Chew | Activities module |
US5704186A (en) * | 1995-01-24 | 1998-01-06 | Tiltan 3 Dimensional Technologies Ltd. | Construction element |
US5934035A (en) * | 1996-09-09 | 1999-08-10 | Anker Brick Pillars Ltd. | Modular pillar |
US20090120023A1 (en) * | 2007-11-08 | 2009-05-14 | Hoggan Steven C | Modular, Stackable Pillar |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD734825S1 (en) * | 2013-11-05 | 2015-07-21 | Lasertron, Inc. | Column segment |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LASERTRON, INC.,NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KESSLER, JAMES J.;REEL/FRAME:021582/0655 Effective date: 20080826 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |