Abstract:
A protective bumper strip assembly for protecting surfaces such as walls, display cases, furniture, and the like, from damage caused by inadvertent impact. The protective bumper strip assembly comprises a base member attachable to a supporting surface to be protected and a bumper that is press-fit or snap-fit to the base member. The press-fit interconnection is formed from male and female interconnecting elements to form a mechanical connection therebetween. The male and female interconnecting elements include a high friction material to prevent slippage therebetween when the bumper is impacted. The interengagement between the base member and the bumper requires no additional interconnecting or attachment members. The base member includes a pair of elongated arcuate male members which receive arcuate complementary female interconnecting elements extending from the bumper. Free end portions of the assembly may include cap elements of flat or spherical shape to enclose the ends of the strip assemblies.

Description:
[0001]     This is a complete application claiming benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/473,467 filed May 28, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to protective bumper systems, and relates more particularly to strip assemblies for protecting surfaces such as walls, display cases, furniture, and the like, from damage caused by inadvertent impact.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Wall surfaces in hallways, particularly in heavily trafficked areas such as hospital corridors, airport walkways and the like, are commonly exposed to impact damage resulting from misguided carts, gurneys, people movers and the like. Likewise, grocery island cases, freezer chests, merchandise display cases, and other such items found in supermarkets, pharmacies, and department and specialty stores are often damaged in a similar manner.  
         [0006]     To minimize such damage, bumper guards or strip assemblies of various designs have been proposed for surface mounting as chair rails, or to otherwise absorb impacts on flat walls or about corners of such structures. Protective devices of this nature must not only be functionally effective to absorb repeated impacts from different directions, but they must be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize, and aesthetically pleasing, as well.  
         [0007]     Bumper guards and the like commercially available heretofore tend to compromise one or more of the foregoing criteria. For example, in order to improve impact resistance, some products are unduly complex, making them relatively expensive to manufacture. To minimize manufacturing costs, other products may not provide adequate protection to the surfaces on which they are mounted, or may tend to deteriorate quickly in use. Finally, some such strip assemblies fail to hide the mounting hardware or otherwise present an unsightly appearance which is commercially undesirable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is a primary object of this invention to provide several embodiments of bumper assemblies, each of which include a base member to be attached to a surface to be protected with a top or bumper which is easily and securely affixed to the base without the need for tools to reduce installation time while providing a functionally effective, active locking, assembly where the bumper element will not be easily disengaged from the base regardless of the angle of impact against the arched surface of the bumper.  
         [0009]     Another object of this invention is to provide an impact deflection system which includes mechanical and frictional anti-slip and anti-shrink properties to preclude or significantly reduce inadvertent lateral movement between the bumper and the base in use even after repeated impacts.  
         [0010]     A further object of this invention is the provision of a protective strip assembly with a vinyl top or bumper element which, in some embodiments, is “rigid”, providing high impact strength in an inexpensive manner and, in other embodiments, is “flexible”, providing superior radius capability while maintaining its geometry to insure maximum protection where it is needed most. Extended lengths of such bumpers can be flexed to permit access to the underside so that the screws or the like securing the base to the surface to be protected can be hidden in the final assembly.  
         [0011]     Still another object of this invention is to provide a bumper construction which, in addition, to the interengageable locking base and bumper elements, is designed to interact with a full range of injection molded flexible vinyl caps and corners to enable the bumper assembly to be used in a straight run or continuously around corners of a square or rectangular unit, or even a hexagonal, or other shaped unit.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a bumper construction of the type described wherein the bumper elements can be extruded from relatively rigid plastics materials or co-extruded from relatively rigid and relatively flexible plastics materials and the bases can be pre-slotted and extruded aluminum or plastics materials for straight runs or radius application, producing an assembly of parts which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install and use, offers high shatter resistance with a professional finish in a variety of colors to produce a highly attractive appearance in the final product.  
         [0013]     It is to be understood that the instant inventive concepts are not limited by size or materials although, to facilitate a better understanding of the invention, illustrative embodiments of 1″ and 2″ bumper construction elements are illustrated and preferred materials for each of the elements are disclosed.  
         [0014]     Upon further study of the specification, additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be better understood by those with ordinary skill in the art in connection with the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a 1″ base element according to the instant inventive concepts;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is an end elevational view of the base element of  FIG. 1  with a frictional coating such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) schematically shown on the bulbous projections to minimize movement of the bumper relative to the base even after repeated impact from different directions;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view of a 1″ top or bumper element formed of relatively “rigid” plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC);  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the assembly of the bumper element of  FIG. 2  with the base element of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an end elevational view of a 1″ bumper element including a relatively “flexible” PVC or the like arch co-extruded with a relatively “rigid” PVC or the like bridge according to the instant inventive concepts;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an end elevational view of the assembly of the bumper element of  FIG. 4  with the base element of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an end elevational view of a 2″ base element according to the instant inventive concepts;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a view similar to  FIG. 1A  showing the bulbous projections of the base element of  FIG. 6  coated with a frictional material;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an end elevational view of a 2″ “rigid” bumper element;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an end elevational view of the assembly of the bumper element of  FIG. 7  with the base element of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view through a 2″ co-extruded “flexible” bumper element according to this invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view through the assembly of the bumper element of  FIG. 9  with the base element of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view through the bumper assembly of  FIG. 10  attached to a wall or fixture, the surface of which is to be protected;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is an end elevational view of a 1″ “quick stop” cap for use with a bumper assembly according to this invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the stop cap of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is an end elevational view showing the stop cap of  FIGS. 12-14  engaged with a bumper assembly as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 16-19  are views of a 2″ “quick stop” cap similar to the views of the 1″ quick stop cap illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is an end elevational view of a 1″ “snap-on” cap for % use with a bumper assembly according to this invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is an enlarged detail of the female connector of the bumper element shown within the dotted circle in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the 1″ snap-on cap of  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 24  is an end elevational view showing the snap-on cap of  FIGS. 20-23  engaged with a bumper assembly such as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0039]      FIGS. 25-29  are views of a 2″ snap-on cap similar to the views of the 1″ snap-on cap illustrated in  FIGS. 20-24 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 30  is an end elevational view of a 1″ “snap-on 90°” cap for use with a bumper assembly according to this invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 32  is an enlarged detail view of the female connector of the bumper element shown within the dotted circle in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 33  is an end elevational view of one end of the snap-on 90° cap of  FIG. 30  engaged with a bumper assembly such as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0044]      FIGS. 34-37  are views of a 2″ snap-on 90° cap similar to the views of the 1″, snap-on 90° cap shown in  FIGS. 30-33 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 38  is an end elevational view of an illustrative 1″ “snap-on” cap of a different angle according to this invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 38 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 40  is an enlarged detail of the female connector of the bumper element shown within the dotted circle in  FIG. 38 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 41  is an end elevational view of one end of the snap-on cap of  FIG. 38  engaged with a bumper assembly such as shown in  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0049]      FIGS. 42-45  are views of a 2″, snap-on cap similar to the views of the 1″ snap-on cap illustrated in  FIGS. 38-41 . 
     
    
       [0050]     Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments or the exact construction and operation of the preferred embodiments shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.  
         [0052]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a preferred form of base element according to the instant inventive concepts is designated generally by the reference numeral  50  and, although only a short portion is illustratively seen in  FIG. 1 , the element  50  can be of indeterminate length depending upon its application. The base element  50  is preferably extruded, either from a “rigid” plastics material such as PVC or from aluminum, although other materials may be substituted therefor without departing from the instant inventive concepts. The term “rigid” PVC is well understood by those with ordinary skill in this art.  
         [0053]     The base element  50  comprises a floor portion  52 , and a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced, male connectors  54 , each comprising a stem portion  56  and a bulbous head  58 . Although not shown, the floor  52  can be pre-slotted or scored for passage or location of screws or the like adapted to attach the base element  50  to a wall or a fixture to be protected.  
         [0054]     With reference now to  FIG. 1A , the upper surfaces of the bulbous heads  58  of the male elements  54  may be coated with a friction-producing material  59  such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for a purpose to be described further hereinafter. If the base element  50  is formed of a plastics material such as PVC, the TPU may be co-extruded with the PVC in a well known manner.  
         [0055]     With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one form of a top or bumper element according to this invention is shown at  70  as comprising an extruded arch  71  preferably formed of a “rigid” PVC. The lower inner longitudinal edges of the bumper element  70  are angled as seen at  72  and a pair of inwardly extending arcuate female connectors  74 , whose internal surfaces are complementary to the bulbous heads  58  of the male elements  54  on the base element  50 , are integrally extruded with the arch  71 .  
         [0056]     In use, the base element  50  is screwed or otherwise attached as by screws  60  to a supporting surface schematically seen at  65 , and the female connectors  74  of the top or bumper element  70  are simply pressed into place on the bulbous heads  58  of the male connectors  54  to form the assembly  75  seen in  FIG. 3 . Thus, once the base element and the caps or corners to be discussed below are secured to the supporting surface, no tools are necessary to complete the assembly. Moreover, the unique complementary nature of the arcuate female connectors  74  provides both inner and outer engagement with the bulbous heads  58  of the male connectors  54  to resist disengagement or damage to the bumper assembly  75  from repeated impacts, regardless of the angle of impact. Moreover, the frictional TPU coating  59  enhances the engagement of the base element  50  and the bumper element  70  to preclude “shrinkage”, that is, compression of the bumper element  70  which can result from repeated impacts causing the bumper element  70  to slide along the base element  50  causing separation at the ends of the bumper assembly  75 . If desired, the upper surfaces of the male connectors  54  or the inner surfaces of the female connectors  74  or both can be grooved or ribbed to enhance the mechanical engagement between these elements.  
         [0057]     The manner in which the angled surfaces  72  of the bumper element  70  extend down along the outside edges  52 ′ of the base element  52 , and the hidden screws  60  attaching the base element  50  to the supporting surface  65 , allows the aesthetic value to be maintained well after installation.  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a “flexible” 1″ bumper element  80  is shown as a co-extrusion of a more resilient plastics material such as PVC forming the arch  81  with an internal, co-extruded, more rigid, PVC bridge  82  defining the female connectors  84  for attachment to the base element  50  to form the assembly  85  as seen in  FIG. 5 . In this manner, while the connection between the base element  50  and the bumper element  80  is between relatively rigid plastics materials, the more resilient material of the arch  81  provides a superior radius capability which maintains its geometry to ensure maximum protection where it is needed most. Once again, however, particularly with a coating  59  of TPU or the like on the bulbous heads  58  of the base element  50 , the assembly  85  seen in  FIG. 5  resists “shrinkage” and slippage between the elements even with repeated impacts from different directions.  
         [0059]     With reference to  FIGS. 6, 6A  and  7 - 10 , parts of a 2″ bumper assembly similar to the bumper assembly of  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  2 - 5 , are identified by the same reference characters followed by the suffix “a”. For all intents and purposes, other than the size and curvature of the parts, the elements are substantially identical with the exception that, in the rigid bumper element  70   a  of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a bridge  76   a  interconnects the female connectors  74   a  to the arch  71   a.    
         [0060]     For illustrative purposes, the flexible 2″ bumper element  80   a  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  has been cross-hatched for two different types of plastics material and the base element  50   a  has been cross-hatched for metal, e.g., aluminum. However, it is to be understood that the materials of the various elements can be varied within the skill of the art. Additionally, the drawings are not to be considered to scale and, as noted above, the 1″ and 2″ bumper assemblies have been shown merely as illustrative of the variations in size and construction of the elements of the impact deflection system of this invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates the manner in which a bumper assembly, in this instance, the 2″ flexible bumper assembly  85   a  of  FIG. 10 , is attached to a vertical supporting surface  65 .  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-15 , a 1″ injection molded “quick stop” cap is designated generally by the reference numeral  90  and comprises an end or facing element  92  and a perpendicularly extending tab element  94 . Depressions  96  are formed in the rear surface  92 ′ of the end element  92  for reception of the ends of the male connectors  54  on a base element such as the element  50  of  FIG. 1 . An opening  98  can be formed through the tab element  94  for reception of a screw of the like (not shown) to attach the same to a supporting surface through the floor  52  of the base element  50 .  
         [0062]     The quick stop cap  90  may be used to cover the end or ends of a bumper assembly, particularly adjacent a flat surface such as an intersecting wall or a door frame (not shown). Following the attachment of a base element such as  50  to the supporting surface, a first quick stop cap such as  90  may be affixed at one end by drilling or otherwise attaching a screw (not shown) through the opening  98  and the floor  52  of the base element  50  to secure the stop cap  90  directly to the supporting surface. It is to be noted that the tab  94  is spaced slightly upwardly from the lower end  92 ″ of the end element  92  to permit the floor element  52  of the base element to underly the same, and the width of the tab element  94  is such as to fit between the stems  56  of the male connectors  54 .  
         [0063]     The other ends of the male connectors  54  of bumper can then be engaged in the depressions. 0.96 of a further quick stop cap and screwed through the tab element  94  to a supporting surface. A bumper element  70  can then be seated on the base element  50  by simple pressure on the arch  71  of the bumper element  70 .  
         [0064]     Alternatively, at the opposite end of a run, if necessary, the bumper element can be lifted slightly so that one of the other accessories to be discussed hereinbelow can be secured to the bumper assembly and the bumper element  70  pressed into position on the base element  50  adjacent thereto.  
         [0065]     With reference now to  FIGS. 16-19 , the construction and assembly of a 2″ quick stop cap  92   a  are designated by the same reference characters as the 1″ quick stop cap of  FIGS. 12-15 , followed by the suffix “a”.  
         [0066]     With reference now to  FIGS. 20-24 , an injection molded 1″, “snap-on” cap is identified by the reference numeral  100  which, in part, is similar to the stop cap  90 , but includes an arcuate end portion for aesthetic purposes as illustrated at  100 . The snap-on cap  100  is similar to the stop cap  90  in having a slightly raised tab element  102  with an opening  104  therethrough affixed to an element  106 , but includes a pair of integrally molded arcuate female connectors  108  to snap over the male connectors  54  of a base element such as shown at  50  and an arcuate extension  110  to provide a more aesthetic appearance where a flat end cap is not necessary.  
         [0067]     In  FIGS. 25-29 , a 2″ snap-on cap  100   a  is designated by the same reference characters as the 1″ snap-on cap  100  of  FIGS. 20-24 , followed by the suffix “a”.  
         [0068]     With reference to  FIGS. 30-33 , a 1″ injection molded “snap-on 90°” cap is seen at  120  and is adapted to interconnect a pair of bumper assemblies such as shown at  75  in  FIG. 3  on perpendicular sides of a square or rectangular item to be protected from impact such as a grocery island, a freezer case or a merchandise display case (not shown). The 90° cap  120  is similar to the snap-on cap  100  of  FIGS. 20-24 , but includes a pair of snap-on sections  122 ,  122  perpendicularly connected by a 90° arcuate connecting section  124  to enable the same to pass around a corner. Each section  122  includes a tab element  125  with an aperture  128  and a pair of arcuate female connectors  130 .  
         [0069]     In  FIGS. 34-37 , a 2′ snap-on 90° cap  120   a  is designated by the same reference characters as the 1″ snap-on  90 ′ cap  100  followed by the suffix “a”.  
         [0070]     In  FIGS. 38-41  and  42 - 45 , illustrative injection molded 1″ and 2″ snap-on caps are designated by the same reference characters as the 1″ 90°, illustratively shown as 135°, snap-on cap  120  followed by the suffixes “c” and “d”, respectively, These caps are substantially identical to the 90° caps, except that the arcuate connecting sections have angles other than 90° to enable bumper assemblies to be interconnected around a hexagonal or other shaped unit to be protected, rather than a square or rectangular unit. Obviously, snap-on caps of various angular orientations can be provided for unique display cases or the like.  
         [0071]     The use and operation, as well as the attendant advantages, of the bumper assemblies and the above-described accessories will be obvious to the skilled artisan. A base element and selected end cap or corner are first screwed or otherwise connected to the surface to be protected. One end of a bumper element is then engaged against the end cap or corner and pressed against the base element over its length. The opposite end of the bumper element may be lifted sufficiently to secure another end cap or corner and the assembly is then completed.  
         [0072]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.