FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a protective rubber bumper arrangement, and to a related method of assembling such a bumper arrangement.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Rubber bumper arrangements as such are not new, and have been used for many years to minimize or reduce damage to moving equipment as a result of the equipment accidentally bumping into another object. Conventional rubber bumper arrangements comprise a D-section rubber body that are secured to the equipment via brackets that have been welded in place. Bolts and nuts are then used to secure the D-section in place. However, this conventional arrangement is both bulky and time consuming to fit. In addition, a corrosive area is formed between mounting points, resulting in a wear area forming over time.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective rubber bumper arrangement that at least partly addresses the problems associated with existing rubber bumper arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a protective rubber bumper arrangement, for protecting an item of equipment, the rubber bumper arrangement comprising: an elongate rubber body having a base and a curved wall extending from a first side of the base to define a cavity, with a recess being defined on a second side of the base; at least one magnet located in the recess on the second side of the base, each magnet including, or being fitted with, a securing stem that can extend through the base and protrude into the cavity on the first side of the base; and securing means for securing the magnet/s to the base.

In an embodiment, the securing means comprises a strip that can be supported on the first side of the base, the strip defining a plurality of apertures through which the protruding ends of the securing stems of the magnets can extend.

In an embodiment, a securing member that can be securely fastened to the securing stems of the magnets is used to secure the magnets and the strip to the base.

In an embodiment, the rubber body has a height of approximately 100 mm, a width of approximately 1 15 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 1 8 mm.

In an embodiment, the recess on the second side of the base has a depth of 10 mm to accommodate the magnets which have a typical diameter of 80 mm and a typical thickness of 10 mm.

In an embodiment, the aluminium strips are 25 mm in length by 2.5 mm in width and have been drilled and tapped to take an 8 mm by 25 mm bolt.

In an embodiment, the rubber body may be made from a SBR/NR compound.

In an embodiment, five magnets are provided per metre length of the elongate rubber body.

In an embodiment, each magnet comprises a body enclosing a plurality of magnetic components, with a tapped recess from which the securing stem extends.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a protective rubber bumper arrangement, the method comprising: obtaining or providing a rubber body of a predetermined length, the rubber body having a base with a curved wall extending on a first side of the base to define a cavity; forming a recess on a second side of the base; fitting at least one magnet into the recess in the second side of the base, each magnet including, or being fitted with, a securing stem that can extend through an aperture in the base of the rubber body so that it extends into the cavity of the rubber body; obtaining or providing a strip having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with the securing stems of the magnets; locating the strip within the cavity of the body so that the stems of the magnets extend through the apertures in the aluminium strip, and allowing the strip to be supported on top of the first side of the base of the rubber body; and securing the magnets and the strip to the base of the rubber body.

In an embodiment, the rubber body is manufactured using an extrusion process, in which a suitable extrusion dye is fitted onto the head of an extruder with a rubber compound then been fed into the extruder and through the dye. This produces a rubber profile of the type defined above, with the rubber body typically being cut to lengths of 1 metre.

In an embodiment, the step of forming the recess on the second side of the rubber body comprises fitting the rubber body to an aluminium plate, and then vulcanising the rubber body in a steam autoclave for a period of 30 minutes. After the vulcanising process is complete, the rubber profile is allowed to cool and then trimmed to length. In an embodiment, the method comprises drilling holes in the base of the rubber body to accept the securing stems extending from the magnets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a protective rubber bumper arrangement in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows front and top views, and a cross-sectional side view taken along line A-A, of the rubber bumper arrangement shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 shows top and cross-sectional side views of the magnet used in the rubber bumper arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a protective rubber bumper arrangement 10, for protecting an item of equipment, is shown. The rubber bumper arrangement 10 comprises an elongate D-shaped rubber body 12 having a base 14 and a curved wall 16 extending from a first side 18 of the base 14 to define a cavity 20. A recess 22 is defined on a second side 24 of the base 14.

In an embodiment, the rubber body 12 may be made from a SBR/NR compound.

The arrangement 10 further comprises a plurality of magnets 26 located in the recess 22 on the second side 24 of the base 14, each magnet 26 including, or being fitted with, a securing stem 28 that can extend through the base 14 and protrude into the cavity 20 on the first side 18 of the base 14. As best shown in Figure 3, each magnet 26 comprises a circular body 30 enclosing a plurality of circularly arranged magnetic components 32, with a tapped recess 34 from which the securing stem 28 can extends. Securing means 36 is provided for securing the magnets 26 to the base 14. In an embodiment, the securing means 36 comprises an aluminium strip 38 that can be supported on the first side 18 of the base 14, the strip 38 defining a plurality of apertures 40 through which the protruding ends of the securing stems 28 of the magnets 26 can extend.

In an embodiment, a securing member that can be securely fastened to the securing stems 28 of the magnets 26 is used to secure the magnets 26 and the strip 38 to the base 14, with the strip 38 effectively acting as a washer component.

In an embodiment, the D-shaped rubber body 12 has a height of approximately 100 mm, a width of approximately 1 15 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 18 mm. In an embodiment, the recess 22 on the second side 24 of the base 14 has a depth of 10 mm to accommodate the magnets 26 which have a typical diameter of 80 mm and a typical thickness of 10 mm. In an embodiment, the aluminium strips are 25 mm in length by 2.5 mm in width and have been drilled and tapped to take an 8 mm by 25 mm bolt 28 (the bolt corresponding to the securing stem 28 extending from the magnets 26).

In an embodiment, five magnets 26 are provided per metre length of the elongate rubber body 12.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a protective rubber bumper arrangement. The method comprises obtaining or providing a D-shaped rubber body of a predetermined length, the rubber body having a base with a curved wall extending on a first side of the base to define a cavity.

A recess is then formed on a second side of the base.

The method then comprises fitting a plurality of magnets into the recess in the second side of the base, each magnet including, or being fitted with, a securing stem that can extend through an aperture in the base of the rubber body so that it extends into the cavity of the rubber body. An aluminium strip is provided that includes a plurality of apertures that are aligned with the securing stems of the magnets. The aluminium strip is then located within the cavity of the body so that the stems of the magnets extend through the apertures in the aluminium strip, thereby allowing the strip to be supported on top of the first side of the base of the rubber body.

The method concluded by securing the magnets and the strip to the base of the rubber body.

In an embodiment, the D-shaped rubber body is manufactured using an extrusion process, in which a suitable extrusion dye is fitted onto the head of an extruder with a rubber compound then been fed into the extruder and through the dye. This produces a rubber profile of the type defined above, with the rubber body typically being cut to lengths of 1 metre.

In an embodiment, the step of forming the recess on the second side of the rubber body comprises fitting the rubber body to an aluminium plate, and then vulcanising the rubber body in a steam autoclave for a period of 30 minutes. After the vulcanising process is complete, the rubber profile is allowed to cool and then trimmed to length.

In an embodiment, the method comprises drilling holes in the base of the rubber body to accept the securing stems (i.e. bolts) extending from the magnets.

The rubber bumper arrangement of the present invention thus provides a simple and robust securing arrangement that can be quickly and safely attached to an item of equipment.