Bumper system for limiting the mobility of a wheeled device

• US 6,302,382 B2
• Filed: 12/22/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albert Santelli Jr
• Original Assignee: Albert Santelli Jr
• Inventors: Santelli, Albert Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Application Number:
  US09/471,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 403/165, 403/164, 403/155, 403/154, 403/150, 403/119, 256/24, 256/25, 521/02, 163/86
• US Class Current: 256/25
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/043 Baby walkers with a seat
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/026 specially adapted for cushioning impacts

Abstract

A bumper for limiting the limiting the mobility of a wheeled device. The bumper is an elongated member having a base wall and an elastically resilient wheel engagement wall coupled to the base wall. The wheel engagement wall includes an outer surface and an inner surface, one of which includes reliefs for aiding the wall to conform to and stop the rolling action of a wheel of a wheeled device when impacted thereby. The energy stored in the engagement wall when impacted by the wheel of the wheeled device returns the engagement wall to its original shape thereby pushing the wheel of the wheeled device away from the elongated member. A bumper system may be fabricated by connecting two or more of the bumpers together in a desired configuration using adjustable, straight, or bent connectors.

Claims

1. An angle adjustable bumper connector for connecting bumpers of a bumper system that limits the mobility of a wheeled device, the bumper connector comprising:

a hub for mounting the bumper connector to a support surface, the hub having a top member defining a first cylindrical outer surface and a base member defining a second cylindrical outer surface which is disposed below a lowermost end of the first cylindrical outer surface of the top member, the top and base members being rotatively connected to one another; and

first and second arms extending radially from the hub in a single plane, the arms for frictionally attaching the bumpers to the connector, thereby connecting the bumpers of the bumper system, the first arm integral with the top member and the second arm integral with the base member;

wherein the top and base members permit the arms to be adjustably angled relative to one another.

2. The bumper connector according to claim 1, wherein the top and base members of the hub define a fastener receiving aperture for attaching the bumper connector to the support surface.

3. The bumper connector according to 1, claim wherein the hub includes means for removably attaching the bumper connector to the support surface.

4. An angle adjustable bumper connector for connecting bumpers of a bumper system that limits the mobility of a baby walker, the bumper connector comprising:

a top member;

a base member disposed below the top member;

an axle extending from the base member, the axle rotatively coupling the top and base members so that the top member can be selectively rotated relative to the base member;

a first arm extending from the top member, the first arm for frictionally attaching one of the bumpers to the connector;

a second arm extending from the base member, the second arm for frictionally attaching another one of the bumpers to the connector;

the arms extending in a single plane; and

the rotatively coupled top and base members permitting the arms to be selectively angled relative to one another.