Protector for sheet metal coils

A stackable protector for sheet material formed as a coil having oppositely disposed spaced apart edges extending about an open, generally cylindrically shaped core having a core surface exhibiting an internal core diameter, comprising:

• a generally planar annulus-shaped polymeric flange having a central axis and extending from an outwardly disposed edge to an inwardly disposed generally annular shaped ridge portion exhibiting a ridge diameter generally corresponding with said core diameter;
• an inwardly open sleeve having a top portion formed integrally with said ridge portion and having an outer sleeve surface extending inwardly therefrom along said axis with a generally converging taper a sleeve length to a sleeve edge exhibiting a diametric extent less than said core diameter;
• at least two stacking tab access openings arranged within a first pattern within said sleeve, each extending from a lower side spaced from said sleeve edge through said ridge portion;
• at least two fingers, each having a stacking receiver surface, each said finger extending angularly outwardly from said lower side of one of said stacking tab access openings;
• at least two stacking openings arranged within a second pattern shifted about said axis from said first pattern to space said stacking openings from said stacking tab access openings and dimensioned to insertably receive the fingers of a second protector when associated therewith in stacking relationship;
• and
• at least two stacking tabs extending along said outer sleeve surface toward said sleeve edge, arranged within a third pattern shifted about said axis from said first pattern to space said stacking tabs from said stacking openings and said stacking tab access openings, each said stacking tab having an engagement surface configured for abutting engagement with a said finger stacking receiver surface of said second protector when associated therewith in stacking relationship.

A protector for sheet material formed as a coil having oppositely disposed spaced apart edges extending about an open generally cylindrically shaped core having a core surface exhibiting an internal core diameter, comprising:

• a generally planar polymeric flange having a central axis and extending from an outwardly disposed edge a flange width to an inwardly disposed generally annular shaped ridge portion exhibiting a ridge diameter generally corresponding with said core diameter;
• an inwardly extending open insertion sleeve having a top portion formed integrally with said ridge portion and having an outer sleeve surface extending axially inwardly therefrom with a generally converging taper a sleeve length to a sleeve edge exhibiting a diametric extent less than said core diameter;
• at least two stacking access openings within said insertion sleeve, extending from a lower end located in spaced adjacency from said sleeve edge through said flange ridge portion to define a stacking offset opening;
• a stacking tongue generally aligned with said insertion sleeve and extending axially outwardly from each said access opening lower end;
• and
• a stacking socket extending radially outwardly from said insertion sleeve, having a receiving chamber axially aligned with a said stacking tongue at each said access opening, dimensioned for receiving the stacking tongue of a second protector when associated therewith in stacking relationship.