US 11,084,672 B2Granted

Dock bumpers and/or vehicles bumpers

AssigneeProduits Hevea Inc.

InventorJean Deslauriers

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Abstract

A composite bumper for the dampening of impact forces applied to a structure to be protected. The composite bumper comprises a first element of a rigid material; a second element resistant to impacts and mechanical abrasions and made of at least one of a first vulcanized rubber and a rigid material; and a third element having the ability to undergo reversible elastic deformations and made of a second vulcanized rubber. The third element is at least in part positioned between the first and the second element. The third element is bound to the first element and the second element because of the vulcanization of unvulcanized rubber composition(s). The first element is provided with means adapted to cooperate with means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected. A use thereof, and a method for the manufacture of the composite bumper.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A composite bumper for the dampening of impact forces applied to a structure to be protected the composite bumper being a dock bumper or a vehicle bumper, the composite bumper comprising:

(i) a first element made of a metallic rigid material;
(ii) a second element that is resistant to impacts and mechanical abrasions, the second element being made of at least one of a first vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a first unvulcanized rubber composition and/or made of a metallic rigid material;
and
(iii) a third element having the ability to undergo reversible elastic deformations, the third element being made of a second vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a second unvulcanized rubber composition,
wherein the third element is at least in part positioned between the first element and the second element;
wherein the third element is bound to the first element and the second element;
wherein:
the second unvulcanized rubber composition is vulcanized while in contact to at least a portion of the first element and at least a portion of the rigid material of the second element,
the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition are simultaneously vulcanized while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts the first unvulcanized rubber composition and at least a portion of the first element, or
the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition are simultaneously vulcanized while the first unvulcanized rubber composition contacts at least a portion of the rigid material of the second element, and while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts at least a portion the rigid material of the second element and contacts at least a portion of the first element;
and
wherein the first element is provided with at least one means adapted to cooperate with at least one fastening means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected.

9 more elements

A method for the manufacture of a composite bumper useful for the dampening of impact forces applied to a structure to be protected, the composite bumper being a dock bumper or a vehicle bumper, the composite bumper comprising:

(i) a first element made of a metallic rigid material;
(ii) a second element that is resistant to impacts and mechanical abrasions, the second element being made of at least one of a first vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a first unvulcanized rubber composition, and/or being made of a metallic rigid material;
and
(iii) a third element having the ability to undergo reversible elastic deformations, the third element being made of a second vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a second unvulcanized rubber composition,
the third element being at least in part positioned between the first element and the second element;
the third element being bound to the first element and the second element;
and
the first element being provided with at least one means adapted to cooperate with at least one fastening means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected;
and
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the first element, said first element being further provided with at least one means adapted to cooperate with at least one fastening means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected;
(b) providing the first unvulcanized rubber composition and/or a metallic rigid material defining the second element;
(c) providing the second unvulcanized rubber composition;
(d) positioning the second unvulcanized rubber composition to contact the first unvulcanized rubber composition and/or at least a portion of the metallic rigid material of the second element, and at least a portion of the first element;
and
(e) vulcanizing the second unvulcanized rubber composition while in contact with at least a portion of the first element and/or at least a portion of the metallic rigid material of the second element, or
simultaneously vulcanizing the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition, while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts the first unvulcanized rubber composition and at least a portion of the first element, or
simultaneously vulcanizing the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition while the first unvulcanized composition contacts at least a portion of the metallic rigid material of the second element, and while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts at least a portion the rigid material of the second element and contacts at least a portion of the first element.

15 more elements

a first element made of a metallic rigid material;
(ii) a second element that is resistant to impacts and mechanical abrasions, the second element being made of at least one of a first vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a first unvulcanized rubber composition, and of a metallic rigid material;
and
(iii) a third element having the ability to undergo reversible elastic deformations, the third element being made of a second vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a second unvulcanized rubber composition,
(iv) a fourth element that is resistant to impacts and mechanical abrasions, the fourth element being made of a third vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanization of a third unvulcanized rubber composition;
the third element being at least in part positioned between the first element and the second element;
the third element being bound to the first element and the second element;
the fourth element being bound to the first element to have the first element positioned between the second element and the fourth element;
and
the first element being further provided with at least one means adapted to cooperate with at least one fastening means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected;
and
said method comprising the steps of:
(A) providing the first element made of a rigid material and provided with at least one means adapted to cooperate with at least one fastening means for the fastening of the composite bumper to the structure to be protected;
(B) providing the first unvulcanized rubber composition;
(C) providing the second unvulcanized rubber composition and/or a plate of rigid material;
(D) providing the third unvulcanized rubber composition;
(E) positioning the second unvulcanized rubber composition to contact the first unvulcanized rubber composition and at least a first portion of the first element;
(F) positioning the third unvulcanized rubber composition to contact at least a second portion of the at least one element, the first portion of the first element being opposite to the second portion of the at least one element;
and
(G) vulcanizing the second unvulcanized rubber composition while in contact with at least a portion of the first element and the plate of a metallic rigid material of the second element,
simultaneously vulcanizing the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition;
while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts the first unvulcanized rubber composition and at least a portion of the first element,
simultaneously vulcanizing the first unvulcanized rubber composition and the second unvulcanized rubber composition while the first unvulcanized composition contacts at least a portion of the plate of the rigid material of the second element, and while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts at least a portion the plate of the metallic rigid material of the second element and contacts at least a portion of the first element, and
simultaneously vulcanizing the third unvulcanized rubber composition;
while the second unvulcanized rubber composition contacts at least the first portion of the first element, and while the third unvulcanized rubber composition contacts the at least a second portion of the at least one element.

22 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/251,961Filed 18 Jan 2019 · us provisional application
Priority: 24 Oct 2018
Published: US 2020/0130967 A130 Apr 2020
Granted: 10 Aug 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B65G 69/001
Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading: buffers for vehicles at loading stations
F16F 1/377
Characterised by having a particular shape: having holes or openings
F16F 1/3849
Method of assembly, production or treatment; Mounting thereof: mounting brackets therefor, e.g. stamped steel brackets; Restraining links
F16F 1/3856
Method of assembly, production or treatment; Mounting thereof: vulcanisation or gluing of interface between rigid and elastic sleeves