Apparatus for Dispersing Impact Forces

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for reducing impact forces upon a surface, comprising:
 a base comprising a contact portion, the contact portion comprising an adhesive for securing the base to the surface;   a contact member adjacent the contact portion, the contact member being movable away from and toward the surface; and   a biasing member biasing the contact member toward the surface;   wherein a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the biasing member as the contact member moves away from the surface, 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 movement of the contact member away from the surface temporarily separates the contact member from the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the contact portion is annular. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the contact member is spherical. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a helical spring. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a magnet. 
     
     
         8 . A device for inhibiting breakage, consisting of:
 a housing having a contact end and a distal end, the contact end having adhesive for securing the contact end to a surface;   a contact member at least primarily disposed inside the housing, the contact member being movable inside the housing; and   a biasing member biasing the contact member toward the contact end and away from the distal end;   wherein a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the biasing member as the contact member moves away from the surface, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein movement of the contact member away from the surface temporarily separates the contact member from the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing member is adjustable. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing member is a helical spring. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing member is a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the contact member is spherical. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive is disposed on the contact end in an annular configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the surface is glass. 
     
     
         16 . A device for inhibiting a surface from breaking, comprising:
 a housing having a contact end and a distal end, the contact end having adhesive for securing the contact end to the surface, the housing having a cavity;   a contact member at least primarily disposed inside the cavity, the contact member being movable inside the housing toward and away from the contact end; and   a biasing member biasing the contact member toward the contact end and away from the distal end;   wherein the housing has means for preventing the contact member from fully exiting the cavity; and   wherein a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the biasing member as the contact member moves away from the surface, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein movement of the contact member away from the surface temporarily separates the contact member from the surface. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the contact end is annular. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the contact member is spherical. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is at least one item selected from the group consisting of a helical spring, a flat spring, a gas spring, a hydraulic spring, and a magnetic spring.