초록 ▼

A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surfac

A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In a manual gripping activity where a user wears a slip control inhibiting glove to create a frictional interface between the user's glove and a surface of an article being gripped, the improvement which comprises:disposing identical material surfaces on opposed contacting surfaces of the glove a

1. In a manual gripping activity where a user wears a slip control inhibiting glove to create a frictional interface between the user's glove and a surface of an article being gripped, the improvement which comprises:disposing identical material surfaces on opposed contacting surfaces of the glove and article being gripped to define an effective frictional interface therebetween in both wet and dry conditions, each surface being a stem web defined by an array of 100 to 10,000 upstanding stems/inch2 molded at least partially integrally with a backing layer, each upstanding stem being formed from an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A, having a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.003 to 0.030 inches, and having a height of less than 0.050 inches, so that each stem is highly flexible, each stem web having a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6, and each stem web individually having a soft and pleasant feel for skin contact, and when the opposed contacting surfaces of the glove and the article being gripped are engaged, each stem web having a dynamic shear strength of at least 16,805 dynes/centimeter2, a peel strength of substantially zero and a tensile strength of substantially zero. 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the static coefficient of friction when dry is at least 1.3.3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the static coefficient of friction when dry is at least 2.0.4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each stem web has a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of its static coefficient of friction when dry.5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the backing layer comprises an elastomeric material integrally formed with the upstanding stems.6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the backing layer comprises additional layers of at least one of a reinforcing web, a foam layer, a substantially inelastic polymeric layer, or an adhesive layer.7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the backing layer comprises a blend polyurethane and a polystyrene material with elastomeric segments.8. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the backing layer comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of elastomeric materials, polyvinyl, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylic, polycarbonate, and polyolefin.9. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises a elastic block copolymer, styrene isoprene styrene, styrene butadiene styrene, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene, or a blend thereof.10. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the backing layer has a plurality of holes therethrough.11. The improvement of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the upstanding stems comprise one of hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties.12. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each upstanding stem has an aspect ratio of at least 1.25.13. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the opposed contacting surface on the article being gripped is formed as a molded grip.14. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material forming the backing layer and upstanding stems of the molded grip are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated block copolymers, polymer blends containing styrene/hydrogenated butadiene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-isoprene copolymers, and polystyrene materials with elastomeric segments.15. The improvement of claim 1, and further comprising:micro-channels on at least the first surface. 16. The improvement of claim 15, and further comprising:an absorbent material in fluid communication with the micro-channels. 17. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the total stem area of each stem web is less than about 45%.18. The improvement of claim 17 wherein the total stem area of each stem web is less than about 40%.19. The improvement of claim 18 wherein the total stem area of each stem web is less than about 35%.20. The improvement of claim 19 wherein the total stem area of each stem web is about 30%.21. A method of defining a frictional interface between opposed first and second surfaces, the method comprising:aligning a first surface for contact with a second surface, wherein the first surface is formed as a stem web defined by at least 2000 upstanding stems per square inch molded at least partially integrally with a backing layer and occupying no grater than about 24.8% of the total area of the first surface, each stem being formed from an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A, having a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.030 inches, and having a height of less than 0.050 inches, wherein the elastomeric material and stem geometry provide an array of highly flexible stems which define a soft and pleasant feel for skin contact with the first surface, the stem web further having a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and wherein the stem web, when engaged with a stem web having the same defined characteristics, has a peel strength of substantially zero, a tensile strength of substantially zero and an average dynamic shear strength of about 80% of its peak dynamic shear strength; applying a pressure force to urge the first and second surfaces together, causing the flexible stems of the stem web that are under pressure to bend thereby exposing additional stem surface area for frictional engagement relative to the second surface; and releasing the applied pressure force between the first and second surfaces whereby the bent flexible stems resume their original upstanding positions. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the second surface is a stem web having the same defined characteristics as the stem web of the first surface, and further comprising:as the stem webs of the first and second surfaces are urged together, interfitting their respective and opposed stems; and while the stem webs are urged together, applying a lateral displacement force of one surface relative to the other surface, with the interfitting opposed stems resisting relative motion of the two surfaces by mechanical interference with one another, by the force required to bend the stems, and by frictional engagement between the sides of opposed and bent stems. 23. The method of claim 21, and further comprising:defining the second surface as a stem web having the same ranges of limitations as the stem web of the first surface but not necessarily identical in actual structure and composition. 24. The method of claim 21 wherein the first surface is at least a part of a user contacted surface such as a handle, grip, or operative surface on a sporting apparatus.25. The method of claim 21 wherein the first surface exhibits a pseudo-coefficient of friction of at least 6, at 100 grams/inch2 load.26. The method of claim 21 wherein the backing layer of the stem web has a stem side surface and an opposite back side surface, and further comprising:forming the backing layer so that at least a portion thereof is transparent; and disposing images on the back side surface of the transparent portion of the backing layer so that the images are viewable through the transparent backing layer to an observer on the stem side surface thereof. 27. The method of claim 21, and further comprising:forming the stems as generally cylindrical stems. 28. A method for joining two opposed surfaces in mated frictional engagement comprises:defining a first article having a backing layer with a first surface and a second surface, wherein the backing layer of the first article has a first array of 900 or greater upstanding stems/inch2 projecting from its first surface, wherein the stems of the first array are molded at least partly integrally with the backing layer of the first article out of an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A and occupy no greater than 45% of the total area of the first surface of the first article, and wherein the elastomeric material and stem geometry provide an array of highly flexible upstanding stems which establish a soft tactile feel on the first surface of the first article; defining a second article having a backing layer with a first surface and a second surface, wherein the backing layer of the second article has a second array of 900 or greater upstanding stems/inch2 projecting from its first surface, wherein the stems of the second array are molded at least partly integrally with the backing layer of the second article out of an elastomeric material having a shore hardness of less than about 90A and occupy no greater than 45% of the total area of the first surface of the second article, and wherein the elastomeric material and stem geometry provide an array of highly flexible upstanding sterns which establish a soft tactile feel on the first surface of the second article; and aligning the first and second arrays of stems in opposed, contacting and interfitting relation when a normal force is applied therebetween so that, upon application of a relative lateral displacement force, the stems of at least one of the stem arrays bend and relative lateral movement of the articles is resisted by the spatial interference of the opposed stems, the force required to bend those stems and the frictional interference between opposed contacting stems wherein at least one of the articles has stems having maximum cross sectional dimensions of 0.003 to 0.030 inches and heights of less than 0.050 inches, and wherein when aligned in opposed relation, at least one of the arrays of stems has an average dynamic shear strength of about 80% of its peak dynamic shear strength, a peel strength of substantially zero and a tensile strength of substantially zero. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein each of the arrays has greater than 2000 stems/inch2.30. The method of claim 28 wherein each stem array has 3100 or more stems/inch2.31. The method of claim 28 wherein the first article is a glove and the second article is a handle adapted to be gripped by a user.32. The method of claim 28 wherein the backing layer of the stem web has a stem side surface and a back side surface, and further comprising:forming the backing layer so that at least a portion thereof is transparent; and disposing images on the back side surface of the backing layer so that the images are viewable through the transparent backing layer to an observer on the stem side surface thereof. 33. The method of claim 28 wherein the first article is formed as a molded grip.34. The method of claim 33 wherein the molded grip is selected from the group consisting of golf club grips, baseball bat grips, racquet grips, bicycle handlebar grips, exercise equipment grips, and tool grips.35. A method of defining a frictional interface between opposed first and second surfaces, the method comprising:aligning a first surface for contact with a second surface, wherein the first surface is formed as a stem web defined by array of 900 or greater upstanding stems per square inch molded at least partially integrally with a backing layer and occupying no greater than about one third of the total area of the first surface, each stem being formed from an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A, having a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.003 to 0.030 inches, and having a height of less than 0.050 inches, so that each stem is highly flexible, wherein the array of such elastomeric stems defines a soft and pleasant feel for skin contact, the stem web further having a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6, and the stem web, when engaged with a stem web having the same defined characteristics, having a dynamic shear strength of at least 16,805 dynes per square centimeter, a peel strength of substantially zero, and a tensile strength of substantially zero; applying a pressure force to urge the first and second surfaces together, causing the flexible stems of the stem web that are under pressure to bend thereby exposing additional stem surface area for frictional engagement relative to the second surface; and releasing the applied pressure force between the first and second surfaces whereby the bent flexible stems resume their original upstanding positions. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the second surface is a stem web having the same defined characteristics as the stem web of the first surface, and further comprising:as the stem webs of the first and second surfaces are urged together, interfitting their respective and opposed stems; and while the stem webs are urged together, applying a lateral displacement force of one surface relative to the other surface, with the interfitting opposed stems resisting relative motion of the two surfaces by mechanical interference with one another, by the force required to bend the stems, and by frictional engagement between the sides of opposed and bent stems. 37. The method of claim 35, and further comprising:defining the second surface as a stem web having the same ranges of limitations as the stem web of the first surface but not necessarily identical in actual structure and composition. 38. The method of claim 35 wherein the first surface is at least a part of a user contacted surface such as a handle, grip, or operative surface on a sporting apparatus.39. The method of claim 35 wherein the first surface exhibits a pseudo-coefficient of friction of at least 6, at 100 grams/inch2 load.40. A method for generating desired surface contact between two opposed contacting surfaces, the method comprising:providing a first major surface having a stem web defined by an array of 900 or greater upstanding stems per square inch and occupying no greater than about one third of the total area of the first surface, wherein: each stem has a side surface defining the upstanding perimeter of the stem and a top surface on a tip of the stem facing away from the first major surface; each stem is formed from an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A, has a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.003 to 0.030 inches, and has a height of less than 0.050 inches, so that each stem is flexible; ?the stem web has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6, the stem web, when engaged with a stem web having the defined characteristics, has a dynamic shear strength of at least 16,805 dynes per square centimeter, has a peel strength of substantially zero, and has a tensile strength of substantially zero, and the stem web defines a soft and pleasant feel for skin contact; allowing some of the stems of the stem web to bend upon application of a relative lateral displacement force through a contact between a second major surface and the first major surface, the bending of the stems facilitating direct local contact between the second major surface and at least a portion of the side surface of those stems, the direct local contact creating on each corresponding stein a frictional surface inclining by a measurable angle from a direction perpendicular to the first major surface; and allowing exertion of a reaction force on the second major surface at each local contact by the corresponding stem upon application of the relative lateral displacement force, such that relative lateral movement of the first and the second major surfaces is resisted, wherein the reaction force exerted on the second major surface is primarily contributed by a resistant force required to bend the stems and a frictional force along the frictional surface. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the reaction force exerted on the second major surface is primarily contributed by the frictional force along the frictional surface.42. The method of claim 40, and further comprising:providing the second major surface with a stem web thereon, the stem web of the second major surface having the same ranges of limitations as the stem web of the first major surfaces, but not necessarily being identical in actual structure and composition to the stem web of the first major surface. 43. The method of claim 40 wherein the first major surface exhibits a pseudo-coefficient of friction of at least 6, at 100 grams/inch2 load.44. In a manual gripping activity where a user wears a slip control inhibiting glove to create a frictional interface between the user's glove and a surface of an article being gripped, the improvement which comprises:disposing identical material surfaces on opposed contacting surfaces of the glove and article being gripped to define an effective frictional interface therebetween in both wet and dry conditions, each surface being a stem web defined by an array of about 3500 upstanding stems/inch2 molded at least partially integrally with a backing layer with the stems occupying no greater than about one third of the total area of the first surface of the backing layer, each upstanding stem being formed from an elastomeric material having a Shore hardness of less than about 90A, having a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.003 to 0.030 inches, and having a height of less than 0.050 inches, so that each stem is highly flexible, each stem web having a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0.6 and each stem web having a soft and pleasant feel for skin contact, and wherein when the opposed contacting surfaces of the glove and the article being gripped are engaged, the frictional interface therebetween has a peel strength of substantially zero, a tensile strength of substantially zero, and an average dynamic shear strength of about 80% of its peak dynamic shear strength. 45. The improvement of claim 44 wherein the opposed contacting surface on the article being gripped is formed as a molded grip.46. The improvement of claim 44 wherein the backing layer of each stem web has a back surface opposite the stems thereon, and further comprising:the backing layer of at least a portion of a first one of the stem webs being transparent; and images disposed on the back surface of the transparent backing layer so that the images are viewable through the transparent backing layer to an observer on the stem side thereof. 47. The improvement of claim 44 wherein each material surface exhibits a pseudo-coefficient of friction of at least 6, at 100 grams/inch2 load.