Extruded, polymeric underlayment pads

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides an extruded, polymeric underlayment pad including: a substrate; a first plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending perpendicularly from a first side of the substrate; and a second plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending from a second side of the extruded polymeric substrate.

1 . An extruded, polymeric underlayment pad comprising:
 a substrate;   a first plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending perpendicularly from a first side of the substrate; and   a second plurality of at least four intersecting ridges extending from a second side of the extruded polymeric substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of at least four intersecting ridges form a perpendicular grid. 
     
     
         3 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of at least four intersecting ridges form a perpendicular grid. 
     
     
         4 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is sufficiently compliant so as to lie against an underlying surface. 
     
     
         5 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is sufficiently compliant so as to conform to an underlying surface. 
     
     
         6 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the extruded, polymeric underlayment pad comprises one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polybutene-1, polyisobutylene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, perfluoroelastomer, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, polyester urethane, polyether urethane, natural rubber, polyacrylate rubber, ethylene acrylic, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene oxide epichlorodrine rubber, chlorosulfonated polytethylene, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, and butyl rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the extruded, polymeric underlayment pad comprises a polyolefin. 
     
     
         8 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the extruded, polymeric underlayment pad comprises post-consumer tire particles. 
     
     
         9 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the extruded, polymeric underlayment pad is rollable.