Cushion for carriage of sheet materials

Abstract

A cushion made of resilient polymer is a push fit onto the edge or corner of a sheet of glass or other sheet material susceptible to chipping. The cushion is of modified U-section having a shock absorbing bed and upstanding legs which define a sheet receiving slot. The legs diverge when the sheet is inserted and exert a gripping force sufficient to retain the cushion when the sheet is carried.

1 . A reusable cushion for the edge of a sheet of glass comprising a body of resilient polymeric material of modified U-section having a shock absorbing bed and upstanding legs projecting up from the bed, the upstanding legs defining a sheet receiving slot, the leg divergence caused by sheet insertion creating a gripping force sufficient to support the weight of the cushion. 
     
     
         2 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the legs converge as they project up from the bed before diverging towards the entrance of the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 2  wherein the legs are formed with a modified S-curve and reverse modified S-curve respectively, the bases of which are joined to form the shock absorbing bed. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 3  wherein the body is a strip. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 3  wherein the body is L-shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 3  wherein the slot width is 5-35 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable cushion according to preceding  claim 4  wherein the bed is of enlarged width in relation to the width of the legs in order to increase the cushioning effect. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the cushion's co-efficient of friction is large enough to sustain the mass of the cushion. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the base has a row of integral studs projecting from the base into the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 9  wherein the integral studs are substantially quadrangular shaped bulges. 
     
     
         11 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 9  wherein the integral studs are substantially semispherical in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 3  wherein the base has a ridge projecting from the base into the slot. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the legs are resilient so as to close on the glass once inserted into the cushion. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the entrance to the slot is tapered in order to facilitate admission of the leading edge of the sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 13  wherein the cushion is suitable for mounting on glass sheets of 10 to 20 mm thickness. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the cushion is made of natural or synthetic rubber or polyurethane. 
     
     
         17 . A mould for casting a reusable cushion in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)