Mower deck bumper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bumper for use with a mower deck. The bumper may include an elongate strip of material having first and second ends and a bend section extending between the first and second ends. The bumper is configured so that at least the first end of the bumper is capable of being secured to a mower deck with the bend section positioned over at least a portion of a trim surface of the mower deck. The bend section of the bumper is capable of absorbing forces when brought into contact with an object that would otherwise contact the trim surface.

1 . A mower deck bumper comprising first and second ends and a bend section between the first and second ends, at least the first end of the mower deck bumper being configured for mounting to a mower deck so as to position the bend section over at least a portion of a trim surface of the mower deck, the bend section being spaced apart from the trim surface when the mower deck bumper is in a rest state, wherein the mower deck bumper is configured to absorb forces when brought into contact with an object that moves the bend section towards the trim surface.  
   
   
       2 . The mower deck bumper of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture formed in the first end that is sized to receive a fastener for securing the first end of the mower deck bumper to the mower deck.  
   
   
       3 . The mower deck bumper of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends are configured for mounting the mower deck bumper to the mower deck.  
   
   
       4 . The mower deck bumper of  claim 1 , wherein the mower deck bumper comprises an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) material.  
   
   
       5 . A method of protecting an exposed surface of a mower deck with a mower deck bumper, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming the mower deck bumper with a bend section between first and second ends of the mower deck bumper; and    securing at least one end of the mower deck bumper to the mower deck so as to position the bend section adjacent to and spaced apart from a trim surface of the mower deck, whereby the bend section is configured and arranged to engage objects in close proximity to the trim surface that would otherwise contact the trim surface and bend towards the trim surface upon contact with the objects.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the securing step includes securing the first and second ends of the mower deck bumper to the mower deck.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forming step includes pre-forming the bend section using a drape molding process.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forming step includes forming the mower deck bumper from an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) material.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forming step includes forming a curved contact surface at the second end of the mower deck bumper, and the securing step includes securing the first end to the mower deck so as to contact the curved surface with the trim surface of the mower deck.  
   
   
       10 . A mower deck bumper kit, comprising: 
 a package;    a mower deck bumper positioned within the package, the mower deck bumper having first and second ends and a flexible bend section interposed between the first and second ends, the mower deck bumper being configured to mount to a mower deck with the bend section positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from at least a portion of a trim surface of the mower deck; and    a fastener positioned within the package and configured to secure the mower deck bumper to the mower deck.    
   
   
       11 . A bumper member suited for use with a motorized lawn care vehicle, the bumper member comprising first and second ends and a bend section oriented between the first and second ends, at least one end of the bumper member being adapted and configured for mounting to the vehicle so as to position the bend section adjacent to but not engaging an exposed surface of the vehicle when the bumper member is in a rest state, the bumper member being configured to absorb forces by bending toward the exposed surface when the bumper member is brought into contact with an object that would otherwise contact the exposed surface.