# US 9,752,291 B2 · Upright protector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,291 B2 - Document ID: US9752291B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/157,121 - Filed: 2014-01-16 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc. - Applicants: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc. - Inventors: Robert J. Michael; James A. Courtwright - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752291B2 ## CPC - E01F 15/141: {for column or post protection} - B65G 2207/40: Safety features of loads, equipment or persons - E01F: ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A protector allows for the engagement and protection of a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force. The protector comprises a protector body and a shim. The protector body allows engagement and positioning of the protector on at least a segment of the upright. The protector body is also partially constructed of an energy absorbing and damping material and having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface is positionable to receive the impact force from the external object. The inner surface is positionable to abut the upright, when the protector is in engagement with the upright. The shim is least partially embedded in the protector body and provides increased structural support for the protector body. The shim also has a stiffness different than the stiffness of the protector body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protector for engaging and protecting a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force traveling through said protector, said protector comprising: a protector body, said protector body being at least partially constructed of an energy absorbing and damping material, said protector body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said protector body allowing engagement and positioning of said protector on at least a segment of the upright; said outer surface of said protector body being positionable to receive the impact force from the external object when positioned on the upright; said inner surface of said protector body being positionable to abut the upright when said protector is in engagement with the upright; a shim, said shim being at least partially embedded in said protector body, said shim having a stiffness that is different than the stiffness of said protector body, said shim providing increased structural support for said protector body; and at least one column spacer molded into said inner surface of said protector body, each said at least one column spacer partially buckling when said outer surface of said protector body has received the impact force from the external object, and each said at least one column spacer does not pass beyond said shim to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 in which each said at least one column spacer comprises a waffle-shaped pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said at least one column spacer comprises a plurality of column spacers molded into the inner surface of said protector body, said plurality of column spacers partially buckling when said outer surface of said protector body has received the impact force from the external object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tabs joined to said protector body, said plurality of tabs assists said protector in engagement with the upright. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 further comprising a second shim partially embedded in said protector body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 further comprising a high-visibility plate releasably joinable to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 further comprising a joining mechanism for permanently mounting the protector to the upright. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein the stiffness of said shim is greater than the stiffness of said protector body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing and damping material is at least partially elastomeric material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said protector body has a continuous volume of energy absorbing and damping material between said inner surface and said outer surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said protector body comprising a plurality of contours. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim is constructed of rigid material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim is constructed of either metallic material or plastic material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim comprising an upset at least partially securing said shim in said protector body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 in which said shim has a series of holes in a dual row pattern. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said protector body comprising an internal core. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein: said protector body comprising an internal core; and said internal core is filled with damping material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused by friction between said shim and said protector body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused through hysteresis. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said shim partially deflecting the impact force from reaching said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said protector is partially fabricated through an injection molding process or extrusion process. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said protector body comprising a series of mounting devices assisting said protector in engaging with the upright. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The protector of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said protector body creates an opening that has a cross-section that is substantially one of square, circular, or octagonal. ### Claim 26 A protector for engaging and protecting a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force traveling through said protector, said protector comprising: a protector body, said protector body being at least partially constructed of an energy absorbing and damping material, said protector body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said protector body allowing engagement and positioning of said protector on at least a segment of the upright; said outer surface of said protector body being positionable to receive the impact force from the external object when positioned on the upright; said inner surface of said protector body being positionable to abut the upright when said protector is in engagement with the upright; a shim, said shim being at least partially embedded in said protector body, said shim having a stiffness that is different than the stiffness of said protector body, said shim providing increased structural support for said protector body; and a column spacer molded into said inner surface of said protector body, said column spacer does not pass beyond said shim to said outer surface of said protector body, and said column spacer partially buckling when said outer surface has received the impact force. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of tabs joined to said protector body, said plurality of tabs assists said protector in engagement with the upright. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 further comprising a second shim partially embedded in said protector body. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 further comprising a high-visibility plate releasably joinable to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 further comprising a joining mechanism for permanently mounting the protector to the upright. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein the stiffness of said shim is greater than the stiffness of said protector body. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 in which said column spacer comprises a waffle-shaped pattern. ### Claim 33 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said outer surface of said protector body comprising a plurality of contours. ### Claim 34 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said energy absorbing and damping material is at least partially elastomeric material. ### Claim 35 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said protector body has a continuous volume of energy absorbing and damping material between said inner surface and said outer surface. ### Claim 36 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim is constructed of rigid material. ### Claim 37 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim is constructed of either metallic material or plastic material. ### Claim 38 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 39 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 40 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim comprising an upset at least partially securing said shim in said protector. ### Claim 41 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 in which said shim has a series of holes in a dual row pattern. ### Claim 42 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said protector body comprising an internal core. ### Claim 43 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein: said protector comprising an internal core; and said internal core is filled with damping material. ### Claim 44 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused by friction between said shim and said protector body. ### Claim 45 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector is caused through hysteresis. ### Claim 46 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said shim partially deflecting the impact force from reaching said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 47 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said protector is partially fabricated through an injection molding process or extrusion process. ### Claim 48 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 wherein said inner surface of said protector body comprising a series of mounting devices assisting said protector in engaging with the upright. ### Claim 49 (depends on 26) The protector of claim 26 said inner surface of said protector body creates an opening that has a cross-section that is substantially one of square, circular, or octagonal. ### Claim 50 A protector for engaging and protecting a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force traveling through said protector, said protector comprising: a protector body, said protector body being at least partially constructed of an energy absorbing and damping material that substantially and resiliently deforms when receiving the impact force from the external object, said protector body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said protector body allowing engagement and positioning of said protector on at least a segment of the upright; said outer surface of said protector body being positionable to receive the impact force from the external object when positioned on the upright; said inner surface of said protector body being positionable to abut the upright when said protector is in engagement with the upright; a shim, said shim being at least partially embedded in said protector body, said shim being made of a rigid material and having a stiffness that is different than the stiffness of said protector body, said shim providing increased structural support for said protector body; said shim at least partially deflecting the impact force while traveling through said protector body; and at least one column spacer molded into said inner surface of said protector body, each said at least one column spacer does not pass beyond said shim to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 in which each said at least one column spacer comprises a waffle-shaped pattern. ### Claim 52 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said at least one column spacer comprises a plurality of column spacers molded into the inner surface of said protector body, said plurality of column spacers partially buckling when said outer surface of said protector body has received the impact force. ### Claim 53 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 further comprising a plurality of tabs joined to said protector body, said plurality of tabs assists said protector in engagement with the upright. ### Claim 54 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 further comprising a second shim partially embedded in said protector body. ### Claim 55 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 further comprising a high-visibility plate releasably joinable to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 56 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 further comprising a joining mechanism for permanently mounting said protector to the upright. ### Claim 57 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein the stiffness of said shim is greater than the stiffness of said protector body. ### Claim 58 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said outer surface of said protector body comprising a plurality of contours. ### Claim 59 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said energy absorbing and damping material is at least partially elastomeric material. ### Claim 60 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said protector body has a continuous volume of energy absorbing and damping material between said inner surface and said outer surface. ### Claim 61 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said shim is constructed of either metallic material or plastic material. ### Claim 62 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 63 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said shim is approximately equidistant from said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 64 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said shim comprising an upset at least partially securing said shim in said protector body. ### Claim 65 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 in which said shim has a series of holes in a dual row pattern. ### Claim 66 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said protector comprising an internal core. ### Claim 67 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein: said protector comprising an internal core; and said internal core is filled with damping material. ### Claim 68 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused by friction between said shim and said protector body. ### Claim 69 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused through hysteresis. ### Claim 70 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said shim partially deflecting the impact force from reaching said inner surface of said protector body. ### Claim 71 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said protector is partially fabricated through an injection molding process or extrusion process. ### Claim 72 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said inner surface of said protector body comprising a series of mounting devices assisting said protector in engaging with the upright. ### Claim 73 (depends on 50) The protector of claim 50 wherein said inner surface of said protector body creates an opening that has a cross-section that is substantially one of square, circular, or octagonal. ### Claim 74 A protector for engaging and protecting a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force traveling through said protector, said protector comprising: a protector body, said protector body being at least partially constructed of an elastomeric material that substantially and resiliently deforms when receiving the impact force from the external object, said protector body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said protector body allowing engagement and positioning of said protector on at least a segment of the upright; said outer surface of said protector body being positionable to receive the impact force from the external object when positioned on the upright; said inner surface of said protector body being positionable to abut the upright when said protector is in engagement with the upright, said inner surface creating an opening with a substantially square-shaped cross section and plurality of corners; a shim, said shim being at least partially embedded in said protector body, said shim being made of a rigid material and having a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of said protector body, said shim providing increased structural support for said protector body, said shim is approximately equidistant from said opening of said inner surface of said protector body, said shim at least partially deflecting the impact force while traveling through said protector body and transferring the remaining impact force to each of said corners of said opening; a column spacer molded into one side of said inner surface, said column spacer does not pass beyond said shim to said outer surface, said column spacer is detached from said shim, said column spacer comprising a waffle-shaped pattern, said column spacer partially buckling when said outer surface receives the impact force; and a plurality of tabs joined to said protector body, said plurality of tabs assists said protector in engagement with the upright. ### Claim 75 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 further comprising a second shim partially embedded in said protector body. ### Claim 76 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 further comprising a high-visibility plate releasably joinable to said outer surface of said protector body. ### Claim 77 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 further comprising a joining mechanism for permanently mounting the protector to the upright. ### Claim 78 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said outer surface of said protector body comprising a plurality of contours. ### Claim 79 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said protector body has a continuous volume of elastomeric material between said inner surface and said outer surface. ### Claim 80 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said shim is constructed of either metallic material or plastic material. ### Claim 81 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said shim comprising an upset at least partially securing said shim embedded in said protector body. ### Claim 82 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 in which said shim has a series of holes in a dual row pattern. ### Claim 83 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said protector comprising an internal core. ### Claim 84 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein: said protector comprising an internal core; and said internal core is filled with damping material. ### Claim 85 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 said protector is partially fabricated through an injection molding process or extrusion process. ### Claim 86 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said inner surface of said protector body comprising a series of mounting devices assisting said protector in engaging with the upright. ### Claim 87 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein the damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused by friction between said shim and said protector body. ### Claim 88 (depends on 74) The protector of claim 74 wherein said damping of the impact force in said protector body is caused through hysteresis.