Edge Protector

Abstract

An edge protector for an object such as a table or other surface, comprising a plurality of edge members, which are joined by an attachment structure is provided. The edge protector is designed to be removaby attached to the edge of an object, and is also designed to be cut to size to fit a variety of differently sized objects. A method of removably cushioning the edge of an object is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND

Safety bumpers for tables and countertops are used to protect young children and old or handicapped persons. Young children, especially when learning to walk, during active play, running or climbing are at particular risk of injury from the sharp edges of tables, furniture, countertops and cabinets.

The use of safety bumpers for furniture and other edges, such as counters and fireplace hearths are known. Examples of such safety bumpers may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,960,354; 4,938,357; 5,496609; 5,508,078; 5,639,072; 6,278,831; 6,708,941; 7,182,993; U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0164445 and UK Patent Publication No. GB 2,378,129.

However, known safety bumpers suffer from one or more of the disadvantages of i) being poorly sized to fit a variety of sizes of furniture; and/or ii) being semi-permanently affixed to furniture with adhesive, such as double sided tape, which can damage furniture or leave adhesive residue on the surface; and/or iv) not easily removed and stored from furniture when the safety bumper is not in use.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that can protect children and old or handicapped persons from sharp edges which is adaptable to a variety of sizes of furniture. There is also a need for an edge protector that is easily removed from furniture and other edges and broken down for easy storage when not in use.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention an edge protector for protecting people from impact with a solid edge, such as a table edge is provided. The edge protector of the invention satisfies the above-identified needs, in that the edge protector is adaptable to fit a variety of sizes of furniture and is not permanently attached (i.e., the edge protector is removably affixed to an object). The edge protector is formed from multiple pieces such that the edge protector may be broken down and stored when not in use, and reinstalled at a later date. Accordingly, the edge protector of the invention is ideal for situations where edge cushioning is not in constant need (i.e., a grandparent's house, or a temporary caregiver). Also, the edge protector is sturdy enough for daily use, but can be removed when a child is no longer in need of edge cushioning, and then re-installed at a later date, such as when a younger sibling is in need of the device. Further, since the edge protector of the invention is removably applied to an object, it will not damage furniture when it is removed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the edge protector comprises a plurality of edge members, where each edge member has an attachment structure comprising a channel. An energy absorbing material is secured to the attachment structure to provide a cushion from impact with an edge, and the attachment structure and energy absorbing material are formed to be applied to and to cover an edge of an object. The edge protector is formed in a series of edge member segments, which are joined together. The edge members are joined together by joining the attachment structure of a first edge member to an attachment structure of a second edge member, the first edge member and the second edge member being joined with a joining member.

In one embodiment, the first edge member is an elongated edge member and the second edge member is a corner edge member. According to this embodiment, the corner edge member may also have a leg section. The leg section may also have means for securing the leg section to the object (e.g., a table leg). In a preferred embodiment, the means for securing the leg section to the object is a hook and loop fastener, such as a Velcro™ strip.

The energy absorbing material is preferably a foam material. In one embodiment, the edge member has a substantially L-shape. In another embodiment, the edge member has a top side and a bottom side, and the top side of the edge member has a substantially rounded shape.

The edge members are joined together through a channel in each attachment structure, with a joining member, connecting the two channels. The channel may have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the channel is substantially planar, and the attachment structure has a lip. In another embodiment, the attachment structure is formed with a first lip and a second lip, and the joining member is held under both the first lip and the second lip of the attachment structures of the first and second edge members. According to these embodiments, the joining member is a plate or other substantially planar structure. In another embodiment, the channel is rounded or circular shaped, and the joining member is rounded, either hollow or solid, and conforms to the rounded or circular shape of the channel.

In one embodiment, the edge protector is assembled to be substantially form-fitted to an object. The edge protector may also have means for securing the edge protector the object. In a preferred embodiment, the edge protector is removably attached to the object.

According to another embodiment, a method of removably cushioning the edge of a surface of an object is provided. According to this embodiment, the method comprises first applying a first edge member to a surface edge. Then, a second edge member is applied to the surface edge. The first edge member is then joined to the second edge member, and the joined first and second edge members are removably secured to the object. The first or second edge members may be sized such that the joined first and second edge members fit a length of the object.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, each edge member comprises an attachment structure and an energy absorbing material is secured to the attachment structure. The attachment structure and energy absorbing material are formed to be removably applied to and to cover the edge of the object. Further, the first edge member and the second edge member are joined adjacent by joining the attachment structures of the first and second edge members with a joining member.

In a more preferred embodiment of the method, each attachment structure comprises a channel, and the first and second edge members are joined adjacent by the joining member being positioned within the channel of the attachment structures of the first and second edge members.

FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 is an edge protector shown secured to a table, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a top isometric view of a corner of a table to which is attached a cut away corner version of the edge protector according to the invention;

FIG. 2B is a bottom side corner section of the edge protector according to the invention;

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of two attachment structures joined with a joining member according to the invention;

FIG. 3A is a side cut away views of an L-shaped edge member affixed on top of an object according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3B is a side cut away views of a circular edge member affixed on top of an object according to another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an edge protector for an object such as a table or other surface, comprising a plurality of edge members, which are joined by an attachment structure is provided. The edge protector has advantages over other known edge guards and other systems for protecting children, the elderly, and handicapped persons, in that it is easily detached from the object. Further, the edge protector is formed in sections which can be shortened to a desired length. The sections of the edge protector are then joined to each other, such that the edge protector may be easily sized to fit a variety of differently sized objects.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an edge protector 10, according to the invention, is shown secured to a table 20. Each edge protector 10 comprises a plurality of edge members 12a-h. The edge members 12 may be an elongated edge member, such as edge members 12a, 12c, 12e, and 12g, or the edge member may be a corner edge member, such as edge members 12b, 12d, 12f, and 12h. According to one embodiment, the edge protector 10 may be a series of two or more horizontal elongated edge members, joined adjacent, in an end to end manner. According to another embodiment, the edge protector 10 may be one or more horizontal elongated edge members, combined with one or more corner edge members.

The edge members 12 may be sized to fit different sized objects, such as different sized coffee tables, or dining tables. This may be done by pre-sizing the edge members 12 to conform to standard table sizes, such as 36 inches. Alternately, in a preferred embodiment, the edge members are formed such that they may be cut to size by the end user, i.e, the consumer, to custom fit a variety of objects in a variety of sizes.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the edge protector 10 may also have leg sections 14a-d, which protect the leg of an object such as a table. The edge protector may also have one or more means 16a-d for securing the edge members to the object, such as a strap, a hook and loop fastener, e.g., a Velcro™ strap, suction cups, and/or double sided tape. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the edge protector 10 is employed to protect a table 20, the edge protector 10 has leg sections 14a-d, a strap is employed to secure the edge protector to the leg 18 of the table.

The leg sections 14a-d may extend any length beyond the edge members 12. For example, when the invention is used with a short table 20, such as a coffee table or an end table, the leg sections 14 of the edge protector 10 are shortened to accommodate the height of the short table. Alternately, when the invention is used with a tall table 20, such as a dining table, the leg sections 14 of the edge protector 10 may be sized longer to accommodate the height of the tall table. The leg sections 14 may be pre-cut by a manufacturer, or designed to be sized by the end user, i.e., the consumer. The leg sections 14 may be attached to an edge member 12, by adhering the attachment structure 22 to an edge member, or by other means of attachment, as will be understood by those of skill in the art by reference to this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a top isometric view of a corner of a table 20 to which is attached a cut away corner version of the edge protector 10 according to the invention, and FIG. 2B, a bottom side corner section of the edge protector 10 according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, each edge member 12 comprises an attachment structure 22. Preferably, each attachment structure has a channel 24 and an energy absorbing material 30 secured to the attachment structure 22.

Referring again to FIG. 2B, according to the invention, edge members 12a, 12g are attached to another edge member 12h by joining first edge members 12a, 12g adjacent to the second edge member 12h, by joining the attachment structure 22 of the first edge members 12a, 12g to an attachment member 22 of the second edge member 12h. The first edge members 12a, 12g and the second edge member 12h, being joined with a joining member 32.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, in one embodiment, the channel 24 is substantially planar, as shown FIG. 2C, and runs along distance of the horizontal axis of the edge member 12. As shown in FIG. 2C, the edge member 12 may have a first lip 26 and/or a second lip 28 and the joining member 32 may be placed within the channel 24 of each edge member 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, different embodiments of the channel 24 according to the invention are shown. FIG. 3A shows an attachment structure 22 having a substantially planar channel 24, the attachment structure 22 having a first lip 26 and a second lip 28. In another embodiment, not shown, the attachment structure 22 has one lip, lip 26 or lip 28. According to these embodiments, the joining member 32 is a plate or other substantially planar structure. In yet another embodiment, not shown, the attachment structure 22 has no lip, and may be configured with an indentation, or groove, or conversely, a protrusion. According to these embodiments, the joining member 32 is configured to conform to the indentation or groove of the attachment structure 22, or the joining member 32 is configured itself with an indentation or groove that will conform to a protrusion or groove in the attachment structure 22. Referring again to FIG. 3B, a channel 24, which is circular, having no lips is shown. In another embodiment, not shown, the channel 24 is a partial circle, either with or without lips. According to these embodiments, the joining member 32 is rounded, either hollow or solid, and conforms to the rounded or circular shape of the channel. However, as will be understood by those of skill in the art by reference to this disclosure, the channel 24 may have other configurations than those described herein, but is shaped such that it may join two sections of edge members 12 together to complete a form fitting edge protector 10, which can then be placed onto a surface without any permanent attaching mechanism.

Referring again to FIGS. 2B and 2C, according to one embodiment, the joining member 32 is held under both the first lip 26 and the second lip 28 of the attachment structures 22 of the first edge member 12a, 12g, and second edge members 12h. As shown in FIG. 2C, a bottom view of two attachment structures 22 joined with a joining member 32 is shown. The joining member 32 may be a rectangular plate (i.e., a connecting tab) which is slid into the channel 24 and underneath the lips 26 and 28 of the two attachment structures 22, thus joining two sections of edge members. However, the attachment structure 22, the channel 24, lips 24 and 26, and the joining member 32 are not limited to the structures shown in FIG. 2C and may have other configurations, as described also above, as will be understood by those of skill in the art by reference to this disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the leg sections 14a-d may also comprise an attachment structure 22, having a channel 24, and alternately, one or more lips 26 and 28, and an energy absorbing material 30, which is secured to the attachment structure 22.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a side cut away view of an edge member 12 affixed on top of an object 38 having an edge, according to the invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the edge member 12 has a top side 34 and a bottom side 36 and the attachment structure 22 and the energy absorbing material 30 are formed to be applied to and to cover an edge of an object 38. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing material 30 is formed such that the top side 34 of the edge member 12 has a substantially L-shape. In another embodiment, the top side 34 of the edge member 12 has a substantially rounded shape, and the bottom side 24 of the energy absorbing material 30 is substantially L-shaped, i.e., conforms to a 90 degree angle of an object 38.

According to the invention, the energy absorbing material 30 is a material which will provide a cushion from an edge, such as a table edge when a person makes contact with the edge. Preferably, the energy absorbing material 30 is a resilient polymeric foam material, or Urethane, PE/EVA Copolymers such as Mantec Services, Inc. molded cushions. However, other resilient materials may be used as the energy absorbing material 30 as will be understood by those of skill in the art by reference to this disclosure.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of removably cushioning the edge of a surface of an object. In one embodiment, the method comprises first, applying a first edge member to a surface edge. Then, a second edge member is applied to the surface edge. The first edge member and the second edge member are then joined, and the joined first and second edge members are removably secured to the object. The method may further comprise sizing the first or second edge member such that the joined first and second edge members fit a length of the object.

According to the method of the invention, each edge member comprises an attachment structure and an energy absorbing material secured to the attachment structure, the attachment structure and energy absorbing material being formed to be removably applied to and to cover the edge of the object. The first edge member and the second edge member may be joined adjacent, at each end, by joining the attachment structures of the first and second edge members with a joining member. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment structure comprises a channel, a first lip and a second lip, and the first and second edge members are joined adjacent by the joining member being positioned under both the first lip and the second lip of the attachment structures of the first and second edge members.

Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained herein.

Claims

1. An edge protector comprising a plurality of edge members, each edge member comprising:

an attachment structure having a channel; and

an energy absorbing material secured to the attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure and energy absorbing material are formed to be applied to and to cover an edge of an object, and wherein one or more of a first edge member is joined adjacent to one or more of a second edge member by joining the attachment structure of the first edge member to an attachment structure of the second edge member, the first edge member and the second edge member being joined with a joining member.

2. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the channel is substantially planar.

3. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the channel is substantially circular.

4. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the channel further comprises one or more lips.

5. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the first edge member is an elongated edge member and the second edge member is a corner edge member.

6. An edge protector according to claim 5 wherein the corner edge member further comprises a leg section.

7. An edge protector according to claim 6 wherein the leg section further comprises means for securing the leg section to the object.

8. An edge protector according to claim 7 wherein the means for securing the leg section to the object is a hook and loop fastener.

9. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the energy absorbing material is a foam material.

10. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the edge member has a substantially L-shape.

11. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the edge member has a top side and a bottom side, and wherein the top side has a substantially rounded shape.

12. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the joining member is a plate.

13. An edge protector according to claim 1 wherein the joining member is at least partially of a circular shape.

14. An edge protector according to claim 1 further comprising means for securing the edge protector the object.

15. An edge protector for removably attaching to an edge of an object, the edge protector comprising:

a) one or more elongated edge members; and

b) one or more corner edge members, wherein

each elongated edge member and each corner edge member comprise: i) an attachment structure comprising a channel; and ii) an energy absorbing material secured to the attachment structure, the attachment structure and energy absorbing material being formed to be removably applied to and to cover an edge of an object, and wherein

one or more of the elongated edge members is joined adjacent to one or more of the corner edge members by joining the attachment structure of the elongated edge member to the attachment structure of the corner edge member, the attachment structures being joined with a joining member.

16. An edge protector according to claim 15 wherein the corner edge member further comprises a leg section.

17. An edge protector according to claim 16 wherein the leg section further comprises means for securing the leg section to the table.

18. An edge protector according to claim 17 wherein the means for securing the leg section to the table is a hook and loop fastener.

19. An edge protector according to claim 15 further comprising means for securing the edge protector the table.

20. A method of removably cushioning the edge of a surface of an object, the method comprising:

applying a first edge member to a surface edge;

applying a second edge member to the surface edge;

joining the first edge member to the second edge member;

removably securing the joined first and second joined edge members to the object.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising sizing the first or second edge member such that the joined first and second edge members fit a length of the object.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein each edge member comprises an attachment structure and an energy absorbing material secured to the attachment structure, the attachment structure and energy absorbing material being formed to be removably applied to and to cover the edge of the object, and wherein first edge member and the second edge member are joined adjacent by joining the attachment structures of the first and second edge member with a joining member.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein each attachment structure comprises a channel, and the first and second edge members are joined adjacent by the joining member being positioned within the channel of the first and second edge members.