Apparatus for dispersing impact forces
A device for reducing impact forces upon a surface includes a base comprising a first contact portion and a transition portion, a contact member disposed between the base and the surface; and a biasing portion disposed between the first contact portion of the base and the surface. At least a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the base, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.
1. A device for reducing impact forces upon a surface, comprising:
a base comprising a first contact portion and a transition portion;
a contact member disposed between the base and the surface, the contact member being temporarily separable from the surface;
and a biasing portion disposed between the first contact portion of the base and the surface;
wherein at least a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the base, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the contact member is disposed between the transition portion and the surface, the transition portion biasing the contact member towards the surface.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the contact member is flexible.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the contact member comprises rubber.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the contact member comprises a hollow sphere.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the contact member comprises a hollow sphere.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the biasing portion is an adhesive.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the biasing portion is an adhesive.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the contact member is flexible.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the contact member comprises rubber.
11. A device for reducing impact forces upon a glass surface, comprising:
a base comprising a contact portion, the contact portion comprising an adhesive for securing the base to the glass surface; and
a contact member disposed between the base and the glass surface, the contact member being temporarily separable from the glass surface;
wherein a first portion of an impact force upon the glass surface is transferred from the contact member to the base, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the glass surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the contact member is flexible.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the contact member comprises rubber.
14. The device of claim 11 , wherein the contact member and the base are of a unitary construction.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the contact member and the base are co-molded to form a unitary construction.
16. The device of claim 11 , wherein the base comprises at least one leg comprising the contact portion, and a biasing member; and wherein the biasing member biases the contact member towards the glass surface.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is flexible.
18. A method for reducing an impact upon a surface, comprising:
providing a impact reduction device, comprising:
a base comprising a contact portion; and
a contact member extending from the base;
adhering the base to the surface via the contact portion such that the contact member is positioned between the base and the surface;
transferring an impact force from the surface to the contact member such that the contact member temporarily separates from the surface.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the contact member is flexible.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the contact member is hollow.