Abstract
A detachable grip panel for a real or simulated firearm according to the present invention includes an onlaid or inlaid aggressively textured surface layer on top of an adhesive layer nested into a specially formed recessed area on the grip panel. Additionally, the recessed area along with other geometry of the grip panel may be configured to provide an aggressive gripping surface while reducing the tendency to snag. Furthermore, the recessed region along with the chosen adhesive may provide for an ultra-slim profile while also offering thermal insulation.
Claims
1. A panel configured to be affixed to a gun having a panel interface point, the panel comprising: a panel base having an attaching side and a grip side; said attaching side having at least one fastener securing said panel base to said panel interface point; said grip side having at least one recessed region having a predetermined depth; said recessed region having recessed region walls and being covered with an adhesive layer having a predetermined height; said adhesive layer being covered with an inlaid textured surface layer having a predetermined height, and whereby the combined predetermined height of said adhesive layer and predetermined height of said inlaid textured surface layer are approximately equal to the predetermined depth of said recessed region.
2. The panel of claim 1, wherein one or more deep trenches are substantially proximal to said recessed region walls.
3. The panel of claim 1, wherein one or more shallow trenches are substantially proximal to said recessed region walls.
4. The panel of claim 1, wherein said recessed region walls are inclined.
5. The panel of claim 1, wherein one or more mounds surround said fasteners.
6. The panel of claim 1, wherein said inlaid textured surface layer comprises of silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or boron carbide, and said adhesive layer comprises of epoxy resin.
7. The panel of claim 1, wherein one or more anti-snag ridges are substantially proximal to said inlaid textured surface layer.
8. The panel of claim 1, wherein said panel base has a raised panel base and the top of said panel has an inclined outward-facing surface.
9. The panel of claim 1 wherein said panel base further includes a thermal barrier between said gun interface region and said recessed region.
10. A panel configured to be affixed to a gun having a panel interface point, the panel comprising: a panel base having an attaching side and a grip side; said attaching side having at least one fastener securing said panel base to said panel interface point; said grip side having at least one curved recessed region having a predetermined depth; said curved recessed region having recessed region walls and being covered with an adhesive layer having a predetermined height; said adhesive layer being covered with an inlaid textured surface layer having a predetermined height, and whereby the combined predetermined height of said adhesive layer and predetermined height of said inlaid textured surface layer are approximately equal to the predetermined depth of said curved recessed region and due to the curvature of said curved recessed region, said inlaid textured surface layer becomes curved in a concave manner.
11. The panel of claim 10, wherein one or more deep trenches are substantially proximal to said recessed region walls.
12. The panel of claim 10, wherein one or more shallow trenches are substantially proximal to said recessed region walls.
13. The panel of claim 10, wherein said recessed region walls are inclined.
14. The panel of claim 10, wherein one or more mounds surround said fasteners.
15. The panel of claim 10, wherein said inlaid textured surface layer comprises of silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or boron carbide, and said adhesive layer comprises of epoxy resin.
16. The panel of claim 10, wherein one or more anti-snag ridges are substantially proximal to said inlaid textured surface layer.
17. The panel of claim 10, wherein said panel base has a raised panel base and the top of said panel has an inclined outward-facing surface.
18. A panel configured to be affixed to a gun having a panel interface point, the panel comprising: a panel base having attaching side and a grip side; said attaching side having at least one fastener securing said panel base to said panel interface point; said grip side substantially covered with an adhesive layer having a predetermined height; said adhesive layer comprising of an adhesive whose thermal conductivity is low being covered with an onlaid textured surface layer, and whereby the said panel base limits the propagation of heat transfer from said panel base to said onlaid textured surface layer.
19. The panel of claim 18, wherein said panel base further includes one or more deep trenches proximal to said onlaid textured surface layer.
20. The panel of claim 18, wherein one or more anti-snag ridges are substantially proximal to said onlaid textured surface layer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the handguard panel affixed to the handguard of a gun.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the panel in FIG. 1 isolated with axes defined.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with deep trenches.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with shallow trenches.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with inclined walls.
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with a thermal barrier.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with anti-snag ridges.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with a raised panel base.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 featuring a hand-stop.
[0026] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 with a curved recessed region.
[0027] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 1 configured for use on the grip region of a handgun.
[0028] FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel in FIG. 2 configured for using an onlaid textured surface layer.
DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0029] 10 gun [0030] 12 handguard [0031] 14 panel [0032] 16 textured surface layer [0033] 18 fastener [0034] 20 panel interface point [0035] 22 horizontal axis [0036] 24 vertical axis [0037] 26 lateral axis [0038] 28 mound [0039] 30 adhesive layer [0040] 32 recessed region wall [0041] 34 panel base [0042] 36 recessed region [0043] 40 top of recessed region wall [0044] 42 gun interface region [0045] 44 deep trench [0046] 46 shallow trench [0047] 48 inclined walls [0048] 50 top of the inclined wall [0049] 52 thermal barrier [0050] 54 anti-snag ridge [0051] 56 raised panel base [0052] 58 inclined outward-facing surface [0053] 60 hand-stop [0054] 62 curved recessed region [0055] 64 handgun [0056] 66 handgun grip region
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] In FIG. 1, a gun 10 having a handguard 12 is depicted with an embodiment of the panel 14 as a handguard panel (also referred to more simply as “the panel”) at a side view. In this view, the panel 14 can be seen in the context of how it may be commonly embodied. While the handguard 12 depicted here is of the M-LOK variety, various other handguard types may be used as this is not a limiting factor for how the panel 14 may interface with the handguard 12. The handguard 12 may also be referred to as a panel engagement region. The panel 14 covers an area of the handguard 12 and provides a conspicuous place for the shooter's hand (not shown) to grip. Additional anatomy may be seen on this view, such as the textured surface layer 16 and fasteners 18 which affix the panel 14 to the handguard 12. In this embodiment, the textured surface layer 16 is inlaid into a recessed region (not shown) of the panel 14. While the length of the panel 14 is shown to be relatively long compared to its width, it is contemplated the panel 14 may be various sizes in terms of length and width. Additionally, in this view, this embodiment of the panel 14 is installed onto a handguard 12 having multiple panel interface points 20 with which the handguard panel 14 affixes itself to the handguard 12 via fasteners 18. A panel interface point 20 is depicted in FIG. 1 as an M-LOK slot but it may refer to any feature or anatomy designed to engage a panel including but not limited to common accessory interface standards such as Keymod, Picatinny, etc.
[0058] In FIG. 2, a perspective view of the embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 1 is isolated with axes defined. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 22 indicates the horizontal axis, the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis, and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. In this embodiment, the panel 14 has a plurality of textured surface layers 16 on the vertical top-most surface of the panel 14. It is contemplated that the textured surface layers 16 may be comprised of one or more grits of silicon carbide blast media or boron carbide blast media that is permanently attached to the panel 14 via an epoxy-like adhesive (not shown). In this embodiment, it is further contemplated that an aggressive grade of grit such as silicon carbide granules in 60 grit may comprise the textured surface layers 16 to achieve a notably abrasive surface that gives the shooter's hand (not shown) the ideal gripping surface, though this specific grit is not a limiting aspect of the panel 14. As a non-limiting alternative to silicon carbide, boron carbide, aluminum oxide, or other blast media may alternatively be used for the texture of the textured surface layer 16. Different materials for the textured surface layer 16 may be chosen to impart additional advantages beyond simply being abrasive; for example, not only does boron carbide provide an abrasive surface, but it is thermally non-conductive relatively speaking—this characteristic will further resist heat propagating through the panel 14.
[0059] In this embodiment, the panel 14 additionally comprises of a panel base 34, fasteners 18, and mounds 28 surrounding the fasteners 18. While this embodiment depicts two fasteners 18 and two mounds 28, it is contemplated that the panel 14 may comprise one or more fasteners 18. The fasteners 18 serve to secure the panel 14 handguard (not shown). While the fasteners 18 are depicted as screws in this embodiment, the fasteners 18 may comprise of any common hardware type or commonly accepted attachment method (e.g. MLOK, Keymod, snapping into place from the bottom without the use of screws, quick disconnect, etc.) to fasten a panel 14 to a handguard (not shown). The mounds 28 are depicted immediately surrounding the fasteners 14 and serve to distance the shooter's hand (not shown) from easily touching the fasteners 18 themselves which may become hot during rapid fire. Additionally, the vertical top-most portion of the mounds 28 are vertically higher than the top-most portion of the fasteners 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the difference in vertical height between the top-most portion of the fasteners 18 and the mounds 28 create an empty space just above the fasteners 18 that allows the shooter's hand (not shown) to potentially place a finger (not shown) right on top of the mound 28 and use it as an indexing point while also lowering the likelihood of burning the finger.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. From this view, additional anatomy can be seen. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The panel 14 features a textured surface layer 16 vertically above and adjacent to an adhesive layer 30. Both the textured surface layer 16 as well as the adhesive layer 30 reside inside a recessed region 36—in this configuration, the textured surface layer 16 is said to be inlaid because it is embedded into the recessed region 36 on top of the adhesive layer 30. The inlaid textured surface layer 16 is bonded to the adhesive layer 30 on a permanent or nearly permanent manner. The textured surface layer 16 may comprise of silicon carbide granules in one or more grit sizes or boron carbide granules in one or more grit sizes—or a combination of both types of granules. The adhesive layer 30 may comprise of a permanent or mostly permanent adhesive with low thermal conductivity such as a one or two-part epoxy resin. Additionally, the adhesive layer 30 firmly binds the textured surface layer 16 with the recessed region 36 at the panel base 34 and the recessed region wall 32. In the embodiment of the panel 14 disclosed in FIG. 3, it is anticipated that the adhesive layer 30 could be applied with a small brush (not shown) and spread throughout the recessed region 36 without the need for masking tape (not shown).
[0061] For additional clarity, the panel 14 refers to the entirety of the assembly of all components comprising it, whereas the panel base 34 refers to the area beneath the adhesive layer 30 and extends down to the vertical bottom of the panel to the gun interface region 42. As the name implies, the gun interface region 42 is the portion of the panel 14 that would directly connect with a gun (not shown), and likely via the handguard (not shown) at its panel interface point (not shown). For additional clarity, the vertical bottom-most portion of the panel 14 wherein the gun interface region 42 is located can be referred to as the attachment side, and the vertical top-most side of the panel 14, where the textured surface layer 16 is located as the gripping side. It is anticipated that the panel base 34 may be comprised of temperature-resistant polymers, nylon, G10, or other commonly used materials though these examples are not a limitation of what the panel base 34 may be made from. The top of the recessed region wall 40 is very close relative to the vertical position of the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16—this relationship provides a key advantage. The top of the recessed region wall 40 being close in vertical height to the top-most portion of the inlaid textured surface layer 16 prevents whatever comprises the textured surface layer 16 (whether that is silicon carbide granules or another aggressively abrasive surface) from making the panel 14 too large and thick in appearance. Additionally, this relationship reduces the occurrences of the textured surface layer 16 snagging or scratching objects (not shown) such as clothing that may brush by the panel 14. If the possibility of snagging on the inlaid textured surface layer 16 must be minimized, the vertical height of the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16 may be decreased relative to the top of the recessed region wall 40 to the point where the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16 is beneath the top of the recessed region wall 40. It is anticipated that this relationship can also be adjusted, for example, to offer additional grip. In that case, the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16 may increase in vertical height relative to the top of the recessed region wall 40, thereby giving the textured surface layer 16 greater exposure.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The panel base 34 features a deep trench 44 that is characterized by being substantially proximal to the recessed region wall 32 and vertically beneath the adhesive layer 30. The deep trench 44 is envisioned to be vertically deep yet thin in terms of lateral width. When the panel 14 is being manufactured and the desired technique to add in the adhesive layer 30 and the textured surface layer 16 to the panel 14 is to use masking tape (not shown) or a similar item by masking off a recessed region 36, the primary purpose of the deep trench 44 is to engage the sharp point of a knife (not shown). When the knife's sharp point pierces through the masking tape, the user can then drag the knife's edge along the deep trench 44 within the recessed region 36, thereby using it as a highly precise guide. The result will be an efficiently masked-off panel 14 wherein the adhesive (such as a two-part epoxy, for example) comprising the adhesive layer 30 can be spread or slathered into the recessed region 36, followed by adding the granules of media that comprise the textured surface layer 16 (such as silicon carbide or boron carbide 60-grit granules, for example) in such a way that when the masking tape is removed from the panel 14, the result is a textured surface layer 16 with lines and edges that are very clean in aesthetic appearance.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The panel base 34 features a shallow trench 46 that is substantially proximal to the recessed region wall 32 and vertically beneath the adhesive layer 30. The shallow trench 46 may be vertically shallow yet laterally wide with gentle edges as the recessed region 36 transitions into the shallow trench 46. When the panel 14 is being manufactured and the desired technique to add in the adhesive layer 30 and the textured surface layer 16 to the panel 14 includes avoiding the use of masking tape (not shown) or a similar item by masking off a recessed region 36, the primary purpose of the shallow trench 46 is to easily allow the adhesive (such as a two-part epoxy, for example) comprising the adhesive layer 30 to be spread or slathered into the recessed region 36 using a small brush or toothpick-like tool (not shown). The gentle sloping of the shallow trench 46 allows the spreading of the adhesive layer 30 to “pool” and collect at a lower point (i.e. at the bottom of the shallow trench 46) so that when the adhesive layer 30 is spread into and pushed up against the recessed region wall 32, the adhesive layer 30 tends not to cling as vertically high up on the recessed region wall 32. It is the role of the shallow trench 46 to make the adhesive layer 30 more difficult to adhere to the top of recessed region wall 40 as simply spreading the adhesive layer 30 within the recessed region 36 tends to have the adhesive layer 30 “bulge” upward when being pushed up against the recessed region wall 32. If this bulge occurs (not shown) with the adhesive layer 30, when it comes time to apply the textured surface layer 16, will not allow the textured surface layer 16 to have a uniform or professional appearance and may cause it to wear unevenly. In short, the shallow trench 46 facilitates the application of the adhesive layer 30 without the need to mask off the recessed region 36 while also making it more difficult for the adhesive layer 30 to be applied accidentally on the areas of the recessed region walls 32 that are too close to the top of the recessed region wall 40. In short, using a shallow trench 46 in close proximity to the recessed region walls 32 helps ultimately to ensure a neat, clean, and professional-looking textured surface layer 16 without the need to mask of the recessed region 36, thereby saving significant time and money during the manufacturing of the panel 14.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The panel base 34 features inclined walls 48 for the recessed region 36. The top of the inclined wall 50 inclines toward the recessed region 36 and laterally overhangs a small portion of the inlaid textured surface layer 16 and adhesive layer 30. The inclined walls 48 provide a key advantage for large scale production of the panel 14 by allowing the adhesive layer 30 to be applied to the recessed region 36 and pushed directly up against the inclined walls 48, making it virtually impossible for the adhesive layer 30 to be spread too high up the inclined wall 48 (thereby preventing the adhesive layer 30 from bulging). The inclined walls 48 allow for the application of the adhesive layer 30 to be rapidly accomplished and naturally allow for the textured surface layer 16 to be quickly applied without the need for masking off regions of the panel 14 or requiring a tedious, slow pace of fabrication—all the while allowing for an ultra-clean, professional aesthetic for where the textured surface layer 16 has been applied.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. The panel 14 features a thermal barrier 52 within the panel base 34. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. It is anticipated that the thermal barrier 52 may be made from a material of low thermal conductivity but it is not a requirement. Being positioned within the panel base 34, the thermal barrier 52 has the purpose of slowing the propagation of heat through the panel 14 and minimizing the heat transfer into the shooter's hand (not shown). The thermal barrier 52 may be made from many elements including but not limited to an epoxy resin, a vacuum (void), a vacant area (such as an air pocket), a sealed gas-filled area, aerogel, etc. It is anticipated that the thermal barrier 52 may also be located at the very vertical bottom of the panel base 34 where it would serve as a radiant barrier in that it would reflect radiant heat coming from the gun (not shown) and handguard (not shown) the panel 14 is attached to. It is anticipated that if the thermal barrier 52 is being used as a radiant barrier, it may be made from, but is not limited to, aluminum or another polished metal.
[0066] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. The panel 14 features an anti-snag ridge 54. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The anti-snag ridge 54 may be described as a vertically short mound-like ridge proximal to the textured surface layer 16 whose placement may be vertically above the recessed region wall 40. Additionally, the anti-snag ridge 54 may be vertically higher than the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16. In its ideal configuration, the anti-snag ridge 54 is approximately 1-2 mm above the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16 and surrounds it on all sides. The greater the difference in vertical height between the anti-snag ridge 54 and the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16 (where the anti-snag ridge 54 is vertically higher than the top-most portion of the textured surface layer 16), the more difficult it is for the textured surface layer 16, whose surface is comprised of an aggressively abrasive substance, to accidentally snag a nearby item (not shown) such as clothing.
[0067] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 with a raised panel base 56. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 22 indicates the horizontal axis, the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis, and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. For clarity in describing the raised panel base 56, there is only one textured surface layer 16 present on this embodiment. The raised panel base 56 causes the textured surface layer 16 which is inlaid on the inclined outward-facing surface 58 to incline at an angle. When the shooter's hand (not shown) engages the textured surface layer 16 while the panel 14 is installed on a firearm's handguard (not shown), the inclined nature of the textured surface layer 16 allows the shooter's hand to achieve a more secure grip and a therefore control the firearm (not shown) more easily. It is contemplated that the raised panel base 56 would raise up the maximum vertical height of the panel 14 by several millimeters and may cause the inclined outward-facing surface 58 have an inclined angle of between 5-30 degrees, though the inclined outward-facing surface 58 is not limited to that angle range. The higher the angle of the inclined outward-facing surface 58, the more aggressively the textured surface layer 16 engages the shooter's hand.
[0068] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 with a hand-stop 60. To assist in this description, an axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 22 indicates the horizontal axis, the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis, and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The hand-stop 60 juts out vertically from the panel 14 and may feature one or more inlaid textured surface layers 16. The hand-stop 60 may vary in vertical height but it is contemplated that the hand-stop's 60 vertical height may be between 3 mm to 15 mm in some embodiments. The hand-stop 60 has several functions. Firstly, the hand-stop 60 may be used to allow the shooter's hand (not shown) to apply direct, rearward force according to the horizontal axis 22 upon the panel 14, thereby allowing the shooter (not shown) to better control recoil of the gun (not shown). Secondly, it may be used as an anchor point on inanimate objects (not shown) such as using the top-most part of the hand-stop 60 to push into a sandbag (not shown) to increase stability. Because the hand-stop 60 juts outward vertically in a prominent manner and because the hand-stop 60 may feature one or more inlaid textured surface layers 16, it is contemplated that the hand-stop 60 may incorporate one or more anti-snag ridges 54 in close proximity to the textured surface layer. The use of an inlaid textured surface layer 16 on the hand-stop 60 will boost the direct-rearward force the hand-stop 60 is able to generate while an anti-snag ridge 54 prevents the textured surface layer 16 from contacting unintended objects (not shown).
[0069] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. An axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. The panel 14 features a curved recessed region 62. The curved recessed region 62 has its vertically lowest point near the middle point of the curved recessed region 62 as opposed to its outermost edges. The curved nature of the curved recessed region 62 causes the adhesive layer 30 to assume the same slope as the curved recessed region 62. In turn, the curved recessed region 62 not only causes the adhesive layer 30 to slope accordingly but also causes the textured surface layer 16 to do the same. Imparting a curve to the inlaid textured surface layer 16 increases its surface area and causes the shooter's hand (not shown) to better engage the textured surface layer 16 resulting in a dramatically firm grip from using an approximately concave shape.
[0070] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 1 configured for use on the handgun grip region 66 of a handgun 64. As opposed to being affixed to a handguard (not shown) as FIG. 1 illustrates, FIG. 12 shows the panel shaped according to the handgun grip region 66 and is affixed to the handgun 64 and is shaped accordingly. In this embodiment of the panel 14, the inlaid textured surface layers 16 can be seen along with fasteners 18 which attached the panel base 34 to the handgun 66. Surrounding each fastener 18 are mounds 28 to prevent lessen the shooter's hand (not shown) from directly contacting the fasteners 18. The advantage of the inlaid textured surface layers 16 on a panel 14 mounted to a handgun 66 is immense—not only does the inlaid texture surface 16 provide aggressive grip, but their inlaid nature reduces the overall width of the panel 14 and reduces snagging when the handgun 66 is worn in a holster (not shown).
[0071] FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the panel 14 in FIG. 2 taken at the sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section lines 3-3. The panel 14 features a textured surface layer 16 that is onlaid (as opposed to an inlaid). An axes system is defined whereby the arrow at 24 indicates the vertical axis and the arrow at 26 indicates the lateral axis. To maximize grip as well as thermal resistance of the panel 14, the adhesive layer 30 is atop the panel base 34 and substantially covers most of the vertical-facing top-most portion of it. On top of the adhesive layer 30, the textured surface layer 16 is added. The result is a textured surface layer with a large surface area that therefore offers plenty of grip, yet due to the generous amount of adhesive layer 30, which is contemplated to have low thermal conductivity, prevents heat from propagating quickly through the panel 14. Additionally, and optionally, to assist with manufacturing, it is contemplated that, when using an onlaid method (as opposed to inlaid) of inserting the adhesive layer 30 and then the textured surface layer 16, it is likely that the panel 14 would need to be masked off with some sort of masking tape (not shown). To assist with this, it is anticipated that the use of deep trenches 44 may be placed where the edges of the textured surface layer 16 are expected to begin or end. These deep trenches 44 are laterally thin but vertically deep and allow for a knife's edge (not shown) to engage them, thereby cutting through any masking tape (not shown) with precision and ease.
[0072] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed panel. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed panel. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
[0073] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.
