Patent ID: 6948440
Filing Date: 2005-09-27
Classification: B63B,E02B,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A fender for protecting an object from being damaged by impact or rubbing loads caused by contact with another object, comprising: an elongate mounting portion for mounting to the object, the mounting portion having a length, a rear side for facing the object, a front side opposite the rear side, and first and second opposing longitudinal margins extending along the length of the mounting portion; and an elongate resilient leaf spring portion made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material and connected to the mounting portion along one of the longitudinal margins, the leaf spring portion projecting outwardly from the front side of the mounting portion to extend over at least part of the front side and then back toward the front side to terminate in a free end, the leaf spring portion defining a compression space located between the leaf spring portion and the mounting portion into which the leaf spring portion collapses when under load to thereby absorb a substantial amount of energy, the free end of the leaf spring portion sliding along the front side of the mounting portion when the leaf spring portion collapses under load, in which the mounting portion includes multiple mounting holes positioned under the leaf spring portion for receiving mounting fasteners for mounting the fender to the object; and in which the leaf spring portion includes multiple access openings aligned with the mounting holes, the access openings each being sized to admit a tool for tightening the mounting fasteners, to thereby facilitate attachment of the fender to the object.