# US 11,897,532 B2 · Bumpers for carts

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- Number: US 11,897,532 B2
- Document ID: US11897532B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/043,496
- Filed: 2019-04-05
- Published: 2021-04-22
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-06
- Assignees: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
- Applicants: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
- Inventors: Hillary A Pullen; Ryan M. Baker; Jeffrey S. Bertucci; Earle Cramer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897532B2

## CPC

- B62B 5/0006: {Bumpers; Safety devices}
- B60B 9/26: comprising resilient spokes
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION

## Abstract

Cart bumpers and carts including cart bumpers are described. In aspects, a cart bumper includes an outer contact wall, an inner rim, and a plurality of spokes extending from the inner rim to the outer contact wall, each spoke of the plurality of spokes defining a respective path. The outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes are configured to collapse in response to a mechanical force applied on the outer contact wall above a predetermined threshold force.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cart bumper comprising:
an outer contact wall;
an inner rim;
and a plurality of spokes extending from the inner rim to the outer contact wall and about the inner rim;
wherein each spoke of the plurality of spokes defines a respective path, and
wherein the outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes are configured to collapse in response to a mechanical force applied on the outer contact wall, and
a mounting ring;
wherein an outer surface defined by the mounting ring is in contact with an inner surface defined by the inner rim,
wherein the outer surface of the mounting ring defines a plurality of protruding ribs configured to securely engage with the inner surface of the inner rim, and
wherein the inner surface of the inner rim defines a plurality of recesses configured to receive a respective protruding rib.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes are configured to collapse inwardly toward the inner rim.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes are configured to collapse inwardly by at least 1 inch toward the inner rim.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes are configured to collapse inwardly by at least 1.5 inch toward the inner rim.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the respective path comprises at least one of a circular arc, an elliptical arc, a parabolic arc, a hyperbolic arc, a spiral arc, or a sinusoid arc.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the respective path comprises at least one linear segment or at least one zig-zag segment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the respective path of each spoke of the plurality of spokes is substantially the same.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the cart bumper defines a rotational axis extending through the inner rim and perpendicular to the respective paths of the plurality of spokes, and wherein the outer contact wall, the inner rim, and the plurality of spokes extend in a direction along the rotational axis between a first plane and a second plane.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the mounting ring is secured to the inner rim by at least one of a frictional joint, a mechanical joint, an adhesive joint, an overmold, or a weld.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein each protruding rib of the plurality of protruding ribs extends between a first plane and a second plane and outward from the mounting ring and toward the inner surface of the inner rim.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The cart bumper of claim 1, wherein the outer contact wall and the plurality of spokes comprise a flexible material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The cart bumper of claim 11, wherein the inner rim comprises the flexible material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The cart bumper of claim 12, wherein the outer contact wall, the plurality of spokes, and the inner rim are unitary.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The cart bumper of claim 11, wherein the flexible material comprises a polyurethane.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The cart bumper of claim 14, wherein the flexible material consists essentially of the polyurethane.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

A cart comprising:
a bumper axle, and
the cart bumper of claim 1,
wherein the bumper axle passes through the inner rim such that the spokes and the outer contact wall are disposed about the bumper axle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The cart of claim 16, wherein the cart bumper is rotatable about the bumper axle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The cart of claim 16, wherein the bumper axle is aligned with a direction of gravity.