The invention relates generally to the protection of entranceways and specifically to kits and methods for the protection of elevator entranceway frames and jambs.
In many buildings, one must pass through an entranceway to enter the building, or if already in the building, to enter another room of the building. By their very nature, entranceways typically have a finite vertical clearance and a finite horizontal clearance. The vertical and horizontal clearances limit the size of physical objects that may pass through the entranceways.
Often, it is desirable to pass an object through an entranceway, where the object has physical dimensions that are close to, but slightly less than, the horizontal and/or vertical clearance of the entranceway. For instance, when moving into or out of a building, large objects such as furniture, appliances, and office and/or laboratory equipment must often pass through at least one entranceway of limited clearance.
Sometimes, entranceways are constructed using materials, such as metals, wood, or stone that may be prone to damage, including scratches, dents, chips, and the like, induced by the impulse generated when an object that has substantial momentum collides with the entranceway. For example, when movers are transporting a large object through a doorway, the movers may inadvertently bang the object into surfaces or surrounding walls of the entranceway.
In such cases, padding may be employed to minimize damage sustained by various surfaces. However, in order to employ such prophylactic measures, the padding must be secured to the surfaces that require protection. In order to be of practical value, the effort required to affix padding to the surfaces must be minimal and the means employed to affix the padding must have less of a visual impact than any damage that may have occurred in the counterfactual case of no padding employed. For instance, requiring the installation of hooks, or other such fasteners, into the entranceway surfaces for each instance when an object is transported through the entranceway may not be an acceptable means of protection.
When padding is affixed to walls or surfaces, the coupling mechanism must be secure and stable enough to withstand the pad's weight and also any impact forces generated by a massive object colliding with the pad. Furthermore, it is desirable that the employed padding material not be too thick. Thick padding material may significantly reduce the effective clearance of the entranceway, minimizing the size of objects that may pass through the protected entranceway.
Additionally, because entranceways often include corners between inner and outer surfaces, multiple pads or at least a foldable pad may be required. Thick padding material may increase the difficulty associated with folding the pad around a corner of the entranceway.
One common example of an entranceway of limited clearance is an elevator entranceway. Relatively large objects must frequently pass through elevator entranceways. Many multistoried buildings, such as office buildings, research laboratories, apartments, and condominiums, often include at least one elevator. Moreover, because the occupancy of such buildings varies over time, the frequency of passing large objects through such elevator entranceways is relatively high. This high frequency significantly increases the need to provide practical and user-friendly means to protect such entranceways.
Furthermore, a gap often exists between the floor and an elevator, where the gap exposes a portion of the elevator shaft. Small objects such as hooks and other fasteners used to affix padding may inadvertently fall into the elevator shaft through such a gap. It is for the benefit of these and other concerns that the present disclosure is offered.
The present disclosure is generally directed to protection kits and protection methods for entranceways. In one embodiment, an entranceway protection kit is configured and arranged to protect at least a portion of an entranceway that includes a first entranceway surface. The entranceway protection kit includes a protective pad that has a first pad surface, a second pad surface in opposition to the first pad surface, and padding material disposed intermediate the first and the second pad surfaces. The protection kit also includes a first pad fastener surface coupled to the second pad surface; the first pad fastener surface being configured and arranged to removably couple to a first entranceway fastener surface that is removably coupled to the first entranceway surface. The first entranceway fastener surface is coupled to the first entranceway surface such that the protective pad is removably couplable thereto.
In some embodiments, the protection kit further includes a second pad fastener surface coupled to the second pad surface. The second pad fastener being configured and arranged to removably couple to a second entranceway fastener surface. The second entranceway fastener surface is coupled to a second entranceway surface such that the protective pad is removably couplable thereto. The first pad fastener surface is a first strip of fastener material that is disposed on the second pad surface. The first pad fastener surface is adjacent to and extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a first longitudinal edge of the protective pad. The second pad fastener surface is a second strip of fastener material that is disposed on the second pad surface. The second pad fastener is adjacent to and extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a second longitudinal edge of the protective pad.
In at least one of the various embodiments, the first strip of fastener material, the second strip of fastener material, the first longitudinal edge, and the second longitudinal edge of the protective pad are substantially parallel. Furthermore, each are oriented substantially vertical when the protective pad is removably coupled to the first entranceway surface and the second entranceway surface.
In at least some embodiments, the first pad fastener surface includes a first fastener material that covers at least a portion of a surface area of the second pad surface. The first pad fastener surface is further configured and arranged to simultaneously couple to a plurality of entranceway fastener surfaces that each includes a second fastener material.
The first pad fastener surface includes, in at least one embodiment, an area of a first fastener material. The first pad fastener surface is defined by a pad fastener length and a pad fastener width. The pad fastener length is substantially greater than the pad fastener width. The first entranceway fastener surface includes an area of a second fastener material. The first entranceway fastener surface is defined by an entranceway fastener length and an entranceway fastener width. The entranceway fastener width is larger than the pad fastener width.
In at least one embodiment, the pad fastener width is approximately 1 inch and the entranceway fastener width is approximately 2 inches. The pad fastener length is approximately equal to a length of the protection pad.
In various embodiments, a second pad fastener surface is coupled to the second pad surface. The second pad fastener surface is configured and arranged to removably couple to a second entranceway fastener surface. The second entranceway fastener surface is coupled to a second entranceway surface such that the protective pad is removably couplable to the second entranceway surface. The first entranceway surface and the second entranceway surface form a corner of the entranceway. The protective pad further includes a folding stitch line disposed intermediate the first pad fastener surface and the second pad fastener surface. The folding stitch line being configured and arranged to enable folding the protective pad around the corner of the entranceway. The folding stitch line may be closer to one of the first or the second pad fastener surfaces than the other first or second pad fastener surfaces.
In various embodiments, the entranceway further includes a door oriented substantially orthogonal to the first entranceway surface. The door is disposed adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the first entranceway surface. The protective pad further includes a longitudinal pad edge that, when the protective pad is coupled to the first entranceway surface, is disposed adjacent to both the door and the longitudinal edge of the first entranceway surface.
In at least one embodiment, the first entranceway surface is a first inner surface. The entranceway further includes a second inner surface in opposition to the first inner surface. The entranceway is defined by an entranceway clearance based on a distance separating the first inner surface and the second inner surface. When the protective pad is coupled to the first inner surface, the entranceway clearance remains substantially unchanged.
The entranceway protection kit, in some embodiments, further includes an indicator configured and arranged to provide information viewable from the first pad surface when the protective pad is coupled to the first entranceway surface. In various embodiments, the entranceway is an elevator entranceway. The first entranceway fastener surface is removably coupled to the first entranceway surface by an adhesive. The first pad fastener surface is coupled to the second pad surface by at least stitches. The protective pad further comprises baffles to stabilize the padding material.
In some embodiments, a method for protecting an entranceway includes coupling a first entranceway fastener to an inner entranceway surface. The method further includes coupling a second entranceway fastener to an outer entranceway surface. At least one of the first entranceway fastener or the second entranceway fastener may be a fastener surface. The inner and the outer entranceway surfaces form a corner of the entranceway such that the first entranceway fastener is oriented substantially orthogonal to the second entranceway fastener. Some embodiments further include aligning a protective pad that includes a first pad fastener and a second pad fastener, each of the pad fasteners being disposed on a second pad surface. The protective pad is aligned such that the first pad fastener is adjacent to the first entranceway fastener. The second pad fastener is adjacent to the second entranceway fastener. The protective pad substantially wraps around the corner of the entranceway. Some embodiments also include coupling the protective pad to the entranceway by removably coupling the first pad fastener to the first entranceway fastener and removably coupling the second pad fastener to the second entranceway fastener. At least one embodiment further includes folding the protective pad about a folding stitch line of the protective pad so that the protective pad substantially wraps around the corner of the entranceway.
At least one embodiment further includes coupling a third entranceway fastener to the inner entranceway surface such that the third entranceway fastener is below the first entranceway fastener. The method may also include, coupling a fourth entranceway fastener to the outer entranceway surface such that the fourth entranceway fastener is below the second entranceway fastener. Some embodiments further include removably coupling the first pad fastener to the third entranceway fastener, as well as removably coupling the second pad fastener to the fourth entranceway fastener.
The first entranceway fastener is coupled to the inner entranceway surface with an adhesive. The protective pad further includes a window that is at least partially transparent to enable viewing of at least a portion of at least one of the inner entranceway surface or the outer entranceway surface when the protective pad is coupled to the entranceway.
In various embodiments, the protective pad further includes a third pad fastener disposed on a first pad surface. The third pad fastener is configured and arranged to enable the coupling of an information-bearing surface to the first pad surface. The protective pad may further include a third pad fastener disposed on a first pad surface. The third pad fastener is configured and arranged to enable the coupling of an information-bearing surface to the first pad surface. The protective pad is a low-profile protective pad, such that when coupled to the entranceway, a clearance of the entranceway remains substantially constant.
In at least one embodiment, an entranceway protection kit is configured and arranged to protect an inner entranceway surface and an outer entranceway surface of an entranceway. The inner entranceway surface and the outer entranceway surface form a corner in the entranceway. The protection kit comprising a first entranceway fastener that is configured and arranged for coupling to the inner entranceway surface. The protection kit also comprising a second entranceway fastener that is configured and arranged for coupling to the outer entranceway surface. The protection kit further including a protective pad including a first pad fastener disposed on a second pad surface and adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the protective pad. The first pad fastener is configured and arranged to couple to the first entranceway fastener. The pad also includes a second pad fastener disposed on the second pad surface and adjacent to a second longitudinal edge of the protective pad, wherein the second pad fastener is configured and arranged to couple to the second entranceway fastener. The protective pad is coupled to the entranceway by employing the first and the second pad fasteners and the first and the second entranceway fasteners. At least one of the first or the second pad fasteners extends along the corresponding longitudinal edge of the protective pad.
In at least one embodiment, the protection kit also includes a folding stitch line oriented in a longitudinal direction of the protective pad. The folding stitch line disposed intermediate the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge and substantially parallel to each of the longitudinal edges. The folding stitch line is configured and arranged to enable folding the protective pad about the folding stitch line so that that the protective pad wraps around the corner of the entranceway.
In some embodiments, the protective pad is a low-profile protective pad, such that a clearance of the entranceway when the protective pad is coupled to the entranceway is substantially the same as a clearance of the entranceway remains when the protective pad is not coupled to the entranceway.
In at least one embodiment, the protection kit includes at least a total of three entranceway fasteners. In other, it may include at least five entranceway fasteners. In still other embodiments, the protection kit may include at least 10 total entranceway fasteners. In at least one embodiment, the protection kit includes a tailored lateral edge. In some embodiments, the protection kit includes at least one tailored longitudinal edge.
In various alternative embodiments, an entranceway protection kit is configured and arranged to protect at least a portion of an entranceway that includes a first entranceway surface. The entranceway protection kit includes a protective pad that includes a first pad surface, a second pad surface in opposition to the first pad surface, and padding material disposed intermediate the first and the second pad surfaces.
The entranceway kit may further include a first pad magnet that is coupled to the protective pad. The first pad magnet is configured and arranged to removably couple to the first entranceway surface. The protective pad may be removably couplable to the first entranceway surface. In at least one embodiment, the first pad magnet is coupled to the first pad surface by an adhesive.
In an alternative embodiment, the first pad magnet is disposed intermediate the first pad surface and the second pad surface and at least partially stabilized by stitches. The entranceway kit may further include a first plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart magnets that are aligned along a first longitudinal edge of the protective pad and a second plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart magnets that are aligned along a second longitudinal edge of the protective pad.
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not limit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.
As used here, the directional terms “left” and “right” refer to the perspective of an individual that is outside of the volume that the entranceway is providing ingress and the individual is facing the entranceway and the volume to be entered into.
Elevator entranceway 100 includes door 102. As shown in
Entranceway 100 includes an entranceway frame, such as an elevator entranceway frame, that may or may not be a load bearing structure. The elevator entranceway frame may be at least partially framed by left wall 108, right wall 118, floor 122, and upper wall 128. Elevator entranceway 100 may include outer elevator state indicator 112 that indicates at least one of a current floor position/location and/or direction of translation of the elevator included in the elevator shaft on the other side of elevator door 102.
Elevator entranceway 100 may include elevator external control panel 110, which may be employed to call the elevator. Additionally, external control panel 110 may be employed to input at least a direction, for instance up or down, that the user is intending to take the elevator in. In some embodiments, external control panel 110 allows the user to input the actual floor that the user intends to take the elevator. External control panel 110 may indicate a current floor position/location and/or direction of translation of the elevator. Information indicated by external control panel 110 and outer elevator state indicator 112 may inform the user of a current state of the elevator.
Elevator entranceway 100 may include entranceway floor indicator 158 that indicates the floor in the building the elevator entranceway 100 is on. Entranceway floor indicator 158 may indicate the floor via a traditional sign, a display such as a computer or light emitting diode (LED) display, or any other technology that may be employed to indicate a floor number, including braille. Entranceway floor indicator 158 is not limited to indicating information regarding a floor number, but may instead indicate any type of information that is displayable.
The elevator entranceway frame includes left inner jamb 104, which may include a left inner surface, and left outer jamb 106, which may include a left outer surface. Each of the left jambs are to the left of the exposed portion of elevator door 102. The elevator entranceway frame includes right inner jamb 114, which may include a right inner surface, and right outer jamb 116, which may include a right outer surface. Each of the right jambs are to the right of the exposed portion of elevator door 102. Additionally, in some embodiments, the elevator entranceway frame includes inner lintel 124, which may include an upper inner surface, and outer lintel 126, which may include an upper outer surface. Each of the lintels are above elevator door 102. Furthermore, the elevator entranceway may include sill 120. The sill is below elevator door 102. The elevator entranceway frame may be configured and arranged to frame elevator door 102.
In some embodiments, left inner jamb 104 and left outer jamb 106 may essentially be perpendicular in orientation and form a corner in elevator entranceway 100. Left outer jamb 106 may be substantially parallel with left wall 108. Left inner jamb 104 may be substantially perpendicular with left wall 108. Left outer jamb 106 may be flush with left wall 108 or may recessed forward or rearward of left wall 108. Left inner jamb 104 may extend forward of or rearward of left wall 108. Likewise, right inner jamb 114, right outer jamb 116, and right wall may be similarly configured. Additionally, inner lintel 124, outer liner 126, and upper wall 128 may include similar configurations.
As shown in
In various embodiments consistent with
The surfaces of the elevator entranceway frame may be constructed from any building material, including, but not limited to stainless steel, brushed aluminum, marble, granite, drywall, sheetrock, wood, brick, natural or synthetic paneling, ceramic tile, and the like.
In various embodiments, protective pad 200 is generally takes on a rectilinear shape, however other embodiments are not so constrained, and may take on curved or non-linear shapes. As shown in
In some embodiments, padding material is disposed between the front side 242 and the backside 240 of protective pad 200. The padding material absorbs a portion of the impulse generated by an impact to protective pad 200. The padding material may be constructed from any impact absorbing substance, such as foam or fibers.
In a preferred embodiment, protective pad 200 includes multiple padding stitch lines 232. Padding stitch lines 232 may include stitches that couple the backside 240 and the front side 242 of protective pad 200 to create padding baffles 230 or padding channels. Padding baffles 230 serve to stabilize, secure, or otherwise anchor the padding material in place. Anchoring the padding material may increase the uniformity in the distribution of padding material over the lifetime of protective pad 200, lengthen the lifetime of protective pad 200, and eliminate the formation of “soft” spots in protective pad 200.
As will be discussed in the context of
The view of protective pad shown in
As will become readily apparent in the discussion regarding
Protective pad 200 includes a first fastener, such as first pad fastener surface 234, and a second fastener, such as second pad fastener surface 236. Although fastener surfaces are discussed herein, the various embodiments are not so constrained and any fastener may be adapted for use in the various embodiments.
First pad fastener surface 234 may be disposed adjacent to, or nearly adjacent and/or substantially parallel with at least a portion of a first longitudinal edge of the backside 240 of protective pad 200. Second pad fastener surface 236 may be disposed adjacent to, or nearly adjacent, and/or substantially parallel with at least a portion of a second longitudinal edge of the backside 240 of protective pad 200. In various embodiments, at least one of the longitudinal edges or the lateral edges may be tailored for a specific entranceway geometry.
As shown in
Although first pad fastener surface 234 and second pad fastener surface 236 are shown nearly adjacent to their respective longitudinal edges, other embodiments are not so constrained. At least one of first pad fastener surface 234 and second pad fastener surface 236 may run along and parallel with the respective longitudinal edge but positioned away from or recessed from the longitudinal edge. Embodiments may vary the distance that first pad fastener surface 234 and/or second pad fastener surface 236 is recessed from the corresponding longitudinal edge by a percentage of the total width or lateral dimension of protective pad 200.
In
The width or lateral dimension of each of the pad fastener surfaces may be characterized as a percentage of the width or lateral dimension of protective pad 200. In preferred embodiments, the width of at least one of first pad fastener surface 234 or second pad fastener surface 236 ranges between 5%-20%. Likewise, the length or longitudinal dimension of each of the pad fastener surfaces may be characterized as a percentage of the length or longitudinal dimension of protective pad 200. In preferred embodiments, the length of at least one of first pad fastener surface 234 or second pad fastener surface 236 ranges from 80-100%.
In some embodiments, at least one of first pad fastener surface 234 or second pad fastener surface 236 is coupled to the backside 240 of protective pad 200 through the use of stitches. In at least one embodiment, at least one of first pad fastener surface 234 or second pad fastener surface 236 is coupled to the backside 240 of protective pad with at least an adhesive, such as an epoxy or glue.
Protective pad 200 may include folding stitch line 238. Folding stitch line 238 may include stitches that couple the backside 240 and the front side 242 of protective pad 200. Folding stitch line 238 enables the crisp bending or folding of protective pad 200, so that protective pad 200 may wrap around and cover corners, angled surfaces, and the like included in entranceways.
The gauge of folding stitch line 238, as well as the weight of the thread used to construct folding stitch line 238 may be varied to accommodate a wide variety of types and thicknesses of padding material, as well as the specific geometries that the pad must be folded and wrapped around. The gauge of the stitch lines and the weight of thread used to construct padding stitch lines 232 may be similarly varied to accommodate the padding material and specific geometry of protective pad 200.
Folding stitch line 238, as shown in
An embodiment of a protective pad 370 is shown partially coupled to and partially protecting right inner jamb 314 and right outer jamb 316. Various embodiments of a protection kit include at least one inner jamb fastener, such as inner jamb fastener surface 344. Two inner jamb fastener surfaces 344 are shown in
Some embodiments include at least one outer jamb fastener surface 346. As with inner jamb fastener surfaces 344, there are additional outer jamb fastener surfaces 346 that are obscured from view by partially installed protective pad 370. The outer jamb fastener surfaces 346 are coupled to outer jamb 316. Similarly with inner jamb surfaces 344, outer jamb fastener surfaces 346 may be positioned in substantial vertical alignment with respect to each other, or the vertical alignment may be staggered.
As shown in
In various embodiments, one or more of the jamb fastener surfaces may be a material fastener such hook or loop material. However, the disclosure is not so constrained, and any type of fastener may be employed. In at least one preferred embodiment, each of the inner jamb fastener surfaces 344 and the outer jamb fastener surfaces 346 includes a swatch of area of material. The swatch may be a symmetrical swatch, such as a 2 inch by 2 inch square of loop material. Although other embodiments may include more or less numbers of jamb fastener surfaces with other or dissimilar dimensions, such as non-symmetric configurations.
At least one of the jamb fastener surfaces, such as one of the inner jamb fastener surface 344 or outer jamb fastener surfaces, may be coupled to a jamb surface, such as those included in right inner jamb 314 or right outer jamb 316, with an adhesive epoxy, resin, or glue. In a preferred embodiment, an epoxy is used to couple each of the jamb fastener surfaces to one or more jamb surfaces. In some of the various embodiments, at least one of inner jamb fastener surfaces 344 or outer jamb fastener surfaces 346 are separate surfaces from any of the surfaces included in an entranceway, such as elevator entranceway 300. A fastener surfaces may be a flat, substantially 2D, or planer surface.
After protective pad 370 is de-coupled from elevator entranceway 300, each of the jamb fastener surfaces may be removed from the jamb surfaces, without the epoxy leaving a significant residue behind. In the event that any of the adhesive is left behind, the residual adhesive may be removed from jamb surfaces, such as stainless steel, aluminum, granite, or marble, by lightly scraping it off in such a way that will not mar or otherwise visibly damage the surface. The residue may alternatively be removed with a cleaning agent.
As shown in
First pad fastener surface 334 may be coupled to more than one inner jamb fastener surface 344, to increase and secure the stability and strength of coupling protective pad 370 to right inner jamb 314. Likewise, second pad fastener surface 336 may be coupled to more than one outer jamb fastener surface 346. In a preferred embodiment, enough jamb fastener surfaces are employed, on both right inner jamb 314 and right outer jamb 316, to support the weight of protective pad 370 and to securely stabilize protective pad 370 in the event of any collisions with massive objects passing through elevator entranceway 300.
In a preferred embodiment, to enable the alignment of the first and the second pad fastener surfaces 334/336 with the inner and outer jamb fastener surfaces 344/346 respectively, the width of the jamb fastener surfaces 344/346 are wider than the widths of the first and the second pad fastener surfaces 334/336. For instances, the width of each of the jamb fastener surfaces may be 2 inches and the width of each of the pad fastener surfaces may be 1 inch. In an alternative embodiment, the width of the pad fastener surfaces are wider than the width of the jamb fastener surfaces.
Although not shown, in order to enhance the ease of aligning the first and second pad fastener surfaces 334/336 with inner and outer jamb fastener surfaces 344/346 respectively, outlines or other visual representations of the positioning and/or orientation of the pad fastener surfaces, on the backside 340, may be shown of the front side 342 of protective pad 370. This may be helpful, because when installing protective pad 370, the installer may have a better view of the front side 342, as compared to the backside 340, of protective pad 370.
In at least one of the preferred embodiments, the first and second pad fastener surfaces 334/336 include hook material to couple with the loop material of the inner and outer jamb fastener surfaces 344/346 respectively. In other embodiments, the pad fastener surface may include loop material and the jamb fastener surfaces may include hook material.
In some embodiments, protective pad 370 includes folding stitch line 338. Folding stitch line 338 may couple the backside 340 to the front side 342 of protective pad 370. Folding stitch line 338 may be visible from both the backside 340 and the front side 342 of protective pad 370. Folding stitch line 338 enables a crisp fold in protective pad 370 so that the pad may wrap around the corner formed by right inner jamb 314 and right outer jam 316. Other stitch lines may be adapted for other corners or entranceway geometries.
Folding stitch line 338 is disposed intermediate the longitudinal edges of protective pad 370. As shown in
Means other than folding stitch line 338 may be employed for creating crisp folds in protective pad 370. For instance, although not shown, protective pad 370 may include segmented or at least partially segmented portions that allow for folding, bending, or otherwise articulating protective pad 370. Likewise, the density of padding material may be varied throughout protective pad 370 to create portions that are more or less flexible than other portions. The non-uniform distribution of padding material may be secured with the use of baffles or other stitch lines.
In various embodiments, protective pad 370 includes numerous padding stitch lines 332, to form padding baffles 330, or padding channels. Padding baffles 330 may serve to stabilize, secure, and/or anchor padding material located between the backside 340 and the front side 342 of protective pad 370. As with folding stitch line 338, padding stitch lines 332 may couple and be visible from both the backside 340 and the front side 342 of protective pad 370. In a preferred embodiment, folding stitch line 338 is constructed with at least one of a heavier stitch gauge and/or heavier thread than the padding stitch lines 332.
Also shown in
Protective pad 470 includes folding stitch line 438 that enables the crisp folding of protective pad 470. The folding or bending of protective pad 470 allows for covering of the entranceway corner that is created by the generally orthogonal surfaces of right inner jamb 414 and right outer jamb 416.
The front side 442 of protective pad 470 is shown in
As show in
Protective pad 470 also includes tailored longitudinal edge 452. Although, hidden from view, a fastener, such as first pad fastener surface 334 of
When coupled to entranceway 400, tailored longitudinal edge 452 is adjacent to, but does not interfere the operation of, elevator door 402. Thus, protective pad 470 protects substantially the entirety of right inner jamb 414, but leaves enough gap between protective pad 470 and elevator door 402 to ensure proper operation of the elevator. Also, note that the low profile of protective pad 470 does not interfere with, or otherwise substantially reduce the clearance of entranceway 400.
Various embodiments include a display means 450 to display a floor number or other pertinent information of the front side 452 of protective pad 470. As shown in
In various other embodiments, display means 450 may include a transparent, translucent, or partially transparent envelop provided on the front side 442 of the protective panel 470, such that an information-bearing sheet, placard, or other surface may be inserted into the envelope. In this way, information on the information-bearing surface is plainly visible when protective pad 470 is coupled to entranceway 400. In at least one embodiment, the display means 450 may be an isinglass envelope.
In at least one embodiment, display means 450 includes a fastener coupled to the front surface of protective pad 470. Such fasteners may include a swatch or area of material fastener such as hook or loop material. An information-bearing surface such as a placard, sheet, or another swatch of material may be removably coupled to the fastener material to outwardly display the information included on the information-bearing surface. For instance, a swatch of loop material may be coupled to the front side 442 of protective pad 470, with the use of stitches, adhesives, or any other suitable coupling means. An information-bearing swatch of material may be removably coupled to the loop material with mating hook material included on the side of the information-bearing swatch that does not include the information to make displayable.
The front side 542 of protective pad 570 is shown in
Protective pad 570 has been tailored to fit entranceway 500, including tailored lateral edge 556. As shown in
Entranceway 500 additionally includes inner lintel 524 and outer lintel 526. Although not shown, these surfaces may be protected with the various embodiments of entranceway protection kits and protection methods disclosed here. As is readily apparent, once jamb fasteners, such as inner jamb fasteners 344 and outer jamb fasteners 346 of
An alternative embodiment of a protective pad 670 is shown partially coupled to and partially protecting right inner jamb 614 and right outer jamb 616. Protective pad 670 includes at least one inner magnet 634. In some embodiments, protective pad 670 includes a plurality of inner magnets, aligned along the inner edge of protective pad 670, as illustrated in
Each of these magnets is coupled to protective pad 670. Magnets may be coupled to the backside surface 640 of protective pad 670. Such coupling may be enabled with an adhesive or epoxy, such as a glue. In other embodiments, the magnets are sewn into or onto a surface of protective pad 670. The magnets may be embedded inside protective pad 670, between the inner and outer surfaces, such that the magnets are not visible from the outside of protective pad 670. When embedded inside protective pad 670, the magnets may be stabilized with stitches or tackings. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the magnets is coupled, with an adhesive or stitches, to the front side surface 642 of protective pad 670.
The magnets may be a fastener surface. As shown in
In some embodiments, the number and longitudinal spacing of the magnets are based on the strength of the magnets and the mass of the protective pad 670. For instance, if protective pad 670 is relatively massive, more magnets and/or closer spacing of the magnets may be employed. Likewise, if the dipole strength of the magnets is relatively strong, less magnets and/or greater spacing of the magnets may be employed. Accordingly, various embodiments may include a greater number or a lesser number of magnets as illustrated in
Protective pad 670 includes folding stitch lines 638. Protective pad 670 may also include a plurality of padding stitch lines 632 that form padding baffles 630. The thickness 648 of protective pad may be such that protective pad 670 is a low profile pad.
All of the embodiments and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.