Abstract: A car door protector includes a base member configured to extend along the width of the door of the car, a moveable bumper, and a plurality of links connecting the base member to the moveable bumper. The moveable bumper can be disposed within a slot of the base member in a first configuration, and moved outside of the slot in a second configuration. The base can be attached to a door of a parked car. The magnet can be pulled towards the moving door of a car parked in an adjacent space when the door approaches a predetermined distance. The attraction between the magnet and the moving door can cause the bumper to move out of the slot towards the moving door and, thereby, absorb an impact from the moving door.

Abstract: Generally discussed herein are magnetically suspended vehicle apparatuses, vehicles, and techniques related thereto. In one or more embodiments a vehicle configured to be magnetically suspended may include a steering mechanism, a propulsion mechanism coupled to the steering mechanism, a first end of a stem coupled to the propulsion mechanism, at least one wheel coupled to the propulsion mechanism, and at least one magnet coupled to the stem, wherein the magnet is configured to suspend the vehicle from a ferrous surface when the magnet is situated at or near the ferrous surface.

Abstract: A bumper apparatus and system for use with vehicles, particularly law enforcement vehicles such as police cars and the like, that is configured to allow the user to easily and quickly remove the apparatus from the vehicle and to protect the vehicle from damage when executing a PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique). The bumper apparatus comprises a bumper guard and one or more attachment mechanisms configured to removably attach the bumper guard to the vehicle with the bumper guard disposed outwardly of the bumper at an end of the vehicle and outwardly from a side of the vehicle. The bumper guard has a side section which extends across a forward or rearward portion of the vehicle. The bumper guard can extend across the back wheel and rear door of the vehicle. The attachment mechanisms have mounting members that engage the frame of the vehicle at one or more existing connectors thereon.

Abstract: A retractable impact protection system for use with a vehicle body having two cylindrical housings with telescopic extensions concentrically located at the ends of each housing that are able to secure the housings in a vertical position within the trunk of an automobile. A retractable protector-band is wound onto and off of a spool located inside the housing, and is rewound via a spring rewinder. The protector band is a resilient material and when in an extended position is able to protect the vehicle body from impact damage by creating a barrier. The left side retractable impact protection belt assembly and the right side retractable impact protection belt assembly extend from the trunk, down the sides of the automobile, and attach either to points on the vehicle front or attach to each other via hooks attached to the ends of the protector-bands.

Abstract: A vehicle protection device comprises at least one strip of impact absorbing material and means for attaching the device temporarily in position along the side of a vehicle (C). The strip is in the form of a flexible resilient continuous band (1). The attachment means is constituted by the resilience of the band. The device avoids damage to the vehicle in a carpark.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises at least a body (2) and a bumper (6) which is movably attached to the body so as to protect the body from shock caused by collision with an obstacle during movement of the device across a surface. The bumper is attached to the body by means of at least one spring (9) extending in a direction which is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction into which the bumper is movable with respect to the body. Furthermore,a robot cleaner comprising such a device is provided.

Abstract: An inflatable bumper car has an inflatable structure having a seating area and a lower cavity. The frame structure fits within the lower cavity of the inflatable structure. The steering wheel has an electrical control. The wheels are mounted on the frame structure. Optionally, the inflatable bumper car has a separately inflatable seat cell and a separately inflatable skirt cell that substantially surrounds the car. The bumper car has a battery, motor and steering wheel.

Abstract: A knockdown nerf bar for replaceably and adjustably protecting a side of a vehicle from dings and dents. A frame replaceably and adjustably mounts to the vehicle. Mounting apparatus is operatively connected to the frame and mounts the frame to the vehicle. Adjusting apparatus is operatively connected to the frame and replaceably and adjustably attaches the frame to the vehicle. The frame has a pair of subframes connected to each other by a plurality of transverse portions that extend horizontally across the side of the vehicle. Each subframe has a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion mounts to, and extends outwardly from, the underside of the vehicle by the mounting apparatus. The movable portion is replaceably and adjustably connected to the stationary portion by the adjusting apparatus and extends vertically along the side of the vehicle. The mounting apparatus attaches to the underside of, and the panel flange of the underside of, the vehicle.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can be attached to a parked vehicle along its sides and protect the vehicle from dings or dents that might be caused by activity adjacent to the vehicle such as the opening and closing of the doors of an adjacent vehicle. The device has telescoping sections that allow it to be extended when it is attached to a vehicle. The device detachably connects to the vehicle and when not needed can be removed from the side of the vehicle and compacted for storage. In a preferred embodiment magnets are embedded in the device to allow it to detachably connect to the vehicle. Progressively smaller hollow telescoping sections of the device retract into the next larger section to achieve a compacted and easily stored device. An interlocking mechanism is incorporated into each section to prevent the sections of the device from becoming disjointed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a human-powered bumper car are shown and described, each embodiment allowing the occupant of the car to power the car's movement on a surface with his/her feet. Preferably, no motor, fuel, electricity, or pedal mechanism are needed, and no moving parts are needed except for the wheel assemblies and a seat belt. The bottom of the car has an opening which allows the occupant's feet to reach through the car to the ground. The bumper of the car encircles the car and is typically raised up slightly above the elevation of the driver's seat. The resulting distribution of mass of the car and its occupant results in a safe and fun bumper car that is not prone to leaving its stable, horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A mechanic's creeper is provided with a surrounding skirt that serves to deflect tools and other objects lying on the floor, thereby maintaining them accessible to the mechanic.

Abstract: An inflatable bumper is disposed about a circular outer wall of a vehicle with a cover urging the bumper into wall engagement. The cover has sleeve portions through which extend cables for drawing the cover snug urging the bumper into wall engagement. Upper and lower ring members on the wall position the bumper and cover and serve to support clamp assemblies for locking the cables in a tensioned condition. A tensioning device includes provision for reception of a wrench for winding of a cable end segment to tension same prior to clamping.

Abstract: The shock-absorbing safety device has lateral protection elements which extend along the sides of a truck. Actuation devices move the lateral protection elements transversely with respect to the truck between a loading position, in which the lateral protection elements are adjacent to the sides of the truck, and a transport position in which the lateral protection elements are spaced therefrom. End protection elements provide, in the transport position, substantial continuity with the lateral protection elements, and control devices detect any collisions transmitted by the lateral protection elements and the end protection elements.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle having a very low center of gravity and compact overall size which facilitates travel in narrow hallways and in negotiating sharp turns as into a doorway along a narrow hall. The vehicle includes a generally horizontally disposed preferably circular, disc-shaped frame supported in close proximity above the ground by a steerable, motor-driven rear wheel and two spaced front wheels. A battery arrangement is connected to and supported by the frame and operably connected between a control lever in electrical communication with an electronic circuit and the motors for propelling and steering the rear wheel. A seat is provided whereby a user's feet may be comfortably supported on the frame. A circular cushioning ring, either fixed or preferably rotatably mounted and extending radially from the perimeter of the frame, contacts fixed objects such as walls, doorways and the like to facilitate tight maneuvers not heretofore possible with other such vehicles.

Abstract: A protective collision guard for a vehicle includes a continuous hollow member which is attached to the outside of the vehicle and which extends continuously around the outer perimeter thereof. The guard is constructed of an elastomeric material which encloses one or more elongated air chambers therein. The upper edge of the guard extends above the seating surface of the passenger seats inside the vehicle and remains below the lower edge of the access doors to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle side protector which comprises a plurality of detachable interconnected rods forming a side bumper which extends along at least a portion of the length of a side of a vehicle at a distance outward from the vehicle. The protector is particularly useful for protecting the sides of a car, truck, or van from being damaged as a result of the impact often caused by other vehicle doors in parking lots.

Abstract: A detachable bumper guard is provided for use with a baby walker, the baby walker includes a lower circular base having an outer perimetrical surface and wheel mechanisms attached to the ower circular base. The bumper guard comprises a longitudinal cushioning main body sufficient in length to substantially encircle the perimentrical surface and a slot disposed longitudinally in the main body adapted to receive at least a portion of the outer perimetrical surface. Also provided is a mechanism for releasably attaching the main body to the lower circular base such that the perimetrical surface is in receiving relationship with the slot and the main body substantially encircles the perimetrical surface when the main body is attached to the lower circular base.

Abstract: A bumper-like member for a vehicle that surrounds the vehicle is formed of a closed flexible, hollow container with a tube or bladder filled with compressed air. The air-filled encompassing bumper is attached to a backing plate. The backing plate is attached to a supporting brace which is mounted to the frame of an automobile employing a rubber spacer to further absorb impact energy. Compressed air for the bumper unit(s) is supplied through a shraeder valve appendage. This surrounding unit serves as a safety device by providing a significant amount of flotation to allow passenger(s) escape if the vehicle enters deep water.

Abstract: An amusement vehicle incorporating impact-absorbing features. An amusement vehicle with sophisticated impact-absorbing features is disclosed. Included among these features are a resilient bumper designed to absorb impact shocks without damage to the vehicle, a restorable, collapsible steering column assembly and a push-pull cable steering system.

Abstract: A tactile bumper is configured to obtain sensory information for impact dction and collision avoidance from the entire perimeter of an associated autonomous mobile robot or platform. The tactile bumper comprises a plurality of free-floating strips encased in a housing and is disposed in a spring-loaded fashion so as to normally be in an extended position. A plurality of microswitches are affixed to the housing and are arranged behind the plurality of free-floating strips in such a fashion so as to be activated by any displacement thereof. The most significant component(s) of the tactile bumper are a plurality of free-floating corner pieces, each of which is configured with an angled cut at its ends so as to mate with complementary angled cuts of juxtaposed ones of the plurality of free-floating strips.

Abstract: A platform hand truck having a molded thermoplastic deck cover with an integrally molded bumper extending about the periphery of a metal deck. An interchangeable handle is disclosed that may be attached to either the pivot end of the turning end of the truck.

Abstract: A bumper assembly (12) is disclosed for use with a self-propelled vehicle (10) and includes a bumper (18) mounted to a bumper frame (16) pendulously suspended from a vehicle frame (14) by means of a plurality of hangers (20). When the vehicle (10) collides with an obstacle in its path, the bumper (18) and the bumper frame (16) pendulously swing and deflect at least one spring-loaded arm (32), thereby activating corresponding electrical switch assemblies (30) connected thereto to disconnect the driving power to the vehicle motor and decelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: A bumper car amusement ride includes a floor to which is adhesively bonded over their entire under surfaces a plurality of elongated electrically conductive plates separated by electrically non-conductive strips and with adjacent plates connected across a source of alternating current. A bumper car is supported for movement over the plates and strips by a pair of laterally spaced drive wheels and a pair of longitudinally spaced caster wheels, each of the drive wheels being coupled to the reversible, variable speed output of a hydrostatic transmission, the inputs of which are both coupled to the output of a direct current constant speed electric motor. The motor is connected through a rectifier to a plurality of contacts mounted on the car for sliding engagement with the floor plates.