Finger guard for a roller and a system incorporating the same
A finger guard for blocking a pinch point in a system including a base, at least one roller pin coupled to the base, a roller rotatably supported on the at least one roller pin, and a movable structure supported on the roller and movable over the roller relative to the base. The finger guard includes a side wall extending from a front wall, whereby the side wall and the front wall at least partially define a cavity for receiving the roller. The finger guard further includes a roller pin opening extending through the front wall for receiving the roller pin. A fastener may be coupled to the roller pin to couple the finger guard to the base.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a base;
a roller pin coupled to the base;
a roller rotatably supported on the at least one roller pin;
a movable structure supported on the roller and movable over the roller relative to the base;
a finger guard comprising;
a front wall having an apex at a bottom of the finger guard and a base edge at the top of the finger guard,
a side wall extending from the front wall, whereby the side wall, the front wall and the base at least partially define a cavity, and
a roller pin opening extending through the front wall,
the roller being at least partially disposed in the cavity with the roller pin extending through the roller pin opening, wherein a top of the roller extends above the base edge of the front wall for supporting the movable structure; and
a fastener coupled to the roller pin to couple the finger guard to the base,
wherein the side wall extends under a perimeter of the base to prevent access to the cavity from the bottom of the finger guard.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extends from the perimeter of the front wall and toward the base.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extends around a first side, a bottom, and a second side of the finger guard.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the side wall extends from the front wall by a first distance at the first side and the second side of the finger guard and extends from the front wall by a second distance greater than the first distance at the bottom of the finger guard.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front wall includes a depression therein circumferentially disposed around the roller pin opening to define a shelf, and wherein the fastener is coupled to the roller pin and positioned against the shelf.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front wall has a triangular shape.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a front wall of the movable structure is configured to pass in front of the front wall of the finger guard as the movable structure is moved over the roller relative to the base.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the side wall is configured to contact a user's finger to prevent pinching of the finger between the movable structure and the roller when the movable structure is moved over the roller.
9 . An apparatus comprising:
a base;
a roller pin coupled to the base;
a roller rotatably supported on the at least one roller pin;
a movable structure supported on the roller and movable over the roller relative to the base;
a finger guard comprising;
a front wall having an apex at a bottom of the finger guard and a base edge at a top of the finger guard,
a side wall extending from a perimeter of the front wall and toward the base, the sidewall extending around a first side, a bottom, and a second side of the finger guard, whereby the side wall, the front wall and the base at least partially define a cavity, and
a roller pin opening extending through the front wall,
the roller being at least partially disposed in the cavity with a top of the roller extending above the base edge of the front wall for supporting the movable structure and with the roller pin extending through the roller pin opening; and
a fastener coupled to the roller pin to couple the finger guard to the base, whereby a front wall of the movable structure is positioned to pass in front of the front wall of the finger guard as the movable structure is moved over the roller relative to the base,
wherein the side wall extends under a perimeter of the base to prevent access to the cavity from the bottom of the finger guard.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the side wall extends from the front wall of the finger guard by a first distance at the first side and the second side of the finger guard and extends from the front wall by a second distance greater than the first distance at the bottom of the finger guard.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the front wall of the finger guard includes a depression therein circumferentially disposed around the roller pin opening to define a shelf, and wherein the fastener is coupled to the roller pin and positioned against the shelf.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the front wall of the finger guard has a triangular.