Athletic floor panel system

Abstract

A spring-biased floor for gymnastic and cheerleading competitions is formed from a plurality of interlocked panels having overlapping edges. Springs are mounted on the bottom of the panels, including beneath the overlapped edges. The primary panels include L-shaped ledges extending along two adjacent sides, while finishing panels include a ledge along only one side. The springs mount onto heads extending downwardly from the panels and having a 360° lip over which the springs are snap fit.

1 . An athletic floor, comprising:
 a plurality of interlocked panels, with adjacent panels having overlapping edges;   a plurality of springs mounted on the bottom of the panels to provide bias for the floor; and   some of the springs being located beneath the overlapped edges.   
   
   
       2 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  wherein each panel is one piece molded plastic. 
   
   
       3 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  further comprising pins extending downwardly through the overlapped edges to lock adjacent panels together. 
   
   
       4 . The athletic floor of  claim 3  wherein the pins twist lock to secure the panels together. 
   
   
       5 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of heads on the bottom of the panels for mounting the springs. 
   
   
       6 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  wherein the panels include primary panels and finishing panels. 
   
   
       7 . The athletic floor of  claim 6  wherein each primary panel locks to at least three adjacent panels. 
   
   
       8 . The athletic floor of  claim 6  wherein the primary panels each have an L-shaped ledge extending from two adjacent sides. 
   
   
       9 . The athletic floor of  claim 8  wherein each L-shaped ledge of each primary panel locks to three adjacent panels. 
   
   
       10 . The athletic floor of  claim 6  wherein each finishing panel includes a ledge extending from only one side. 
   
   
       11 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  wherein the overlapping edges include male and female connections. 
   
   
       12 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  wherein the springs snap fit onto the bottom of the panels. 
   
   
       13 . The athletic floor of  claim 1  wherein the overlapped edges of adjacent panels have mating beveled surfaces. 
   
   
       14 . A spring-biased floor, comprising:
 a plurality of primary panels each having L-shaped ledges extending along two adjacent sides;   adjacent panels having overlapping edges; and   springs mounted on the bottom of each panel.   
   
   
       15 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of finishing panels each having a ledge extending along only one side for connection to one of the primary panels. 
   
   
       16 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  wherein each primary panel locks to three adjacent panels. 
   
   
       17 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  wherein the overlapping edges include male and female connections. 
   
   
       18 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  wherein the springs press fit onto the bottom of the panels. 
   
   
       19 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  further comprising pins extending downwardly through the overlapped edges to lock adjacent panels together. 
   
   
       20 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  wherein each panel includes a body having an edge which extends approximately midway between the springs. 
   
   
       21 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 14  wherein the overlapped edges of adjacent panels have mating beveled surfaces. 
   
   
       22 . A spring-biased floor, comprising:
 a plurality of interlocked panels;   a plurality of heads on the bottom of the panels; and   a plurality of springs mounted on the heads.   
   
   
       23 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 22  wherein each of the heads has a lip extending 360° to retain one of the springs on the head. 
   
   
       24 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 22  wherein the springs are snap fit on the heads. 
   
   
       25 . The spring-biased floor of  claim 22  wherein the heads are integrally formed on the panels.