Patent ID: 8458854
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
1. A device comprising: at least a body; and a bumper which is movably attached to the body so as to protect the body from shock caused by collision with an obstacle during movement of the device across a surface, wherein the bumper is attached to the body via at least one spring extending in a direction which is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction into which the bumper is movable with respect to the body, wherein the at least one spring (a)(i) guides movement of the bumper with respect to the body so that no separate guides are necessary and (a)(ii) will be bent in response to the bumper being moved with respect to the body, the at least one spring being bendable in all directions parallel to the surface so that the bumper is moveable with respect to the body in all X-, Y-, and φ-directions parallel to the surface across which the device is movable, wherein the body further comprises a funnel-shaped surface having a lowest point and on which an element, which is connected to the bumper via an end of the at least one spring remote from the bumper, is slidable or rollable across the funnel-shaped surface (b)(i) from an initial position at the lowest point, in an upward direction, in response to a force exerted on the bumper that causes displacement of the bumper with respect to the body (b)(ii) to the initial position in response to removal of the force exerted on the bumper.