Table soccer game bumper structure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to table soccer or fussball game structures.
More particularly, one aspect of the invention relates to an improved bumper for positioning outwardly adjacent an outermost playing figure on a table soccer actuation rod.
The bumper is disposed upon the rod in a position to receive the impact forces from the adjacent playing figure through axial movement of the actuation rod into the side wall of the soccer table.
The bumper is constructed with a series of apertures formed therein reducing the mass thereof and weakening the structure of the bumper.
With a structurally weakened bumper, the impact forces from the playing figure and actuation rod are more readily accommodated by the compression of the bumper, which compression is facilitated by the apertures formed therein.
In a preferred embodiment thereof, the improved bumper of the present invention has a cylindrical configuration and is formed from a solid, relatively hard, molded rubber material, preferably having a hardness rating within the range of from about 35 durometer to about 45 durometer.
A circularly cross-sectioned central passage is formed axially through the bumper and is radially sized to snugly receive a longitudinal portion of the actuating rod.
Circumscribing the central bumper passage are a circumferentially spaced series of smaller diameter circularly cross-sectioned passages that axially extend through one end of the bumper to inwardly adjacent its opposite end which abuts the outermost playing figure.
A metal washer is coaxially molded within such opposite end of the bumper and functions to limit its radially outward expansion, upon axial impact, thereby preventing it from riding up over the outermost playing figure side portion which it abuts.
The outer passages serve to structurally weaken the bumper in a manner increasing its longitudinal flexibility and shock absorbing capability.
The improved bumper of the present invention is thus uniquely provided with the mechanical durability of hard rubber and the shock-absorbing capability of a much softer, but less durable material