# US 9,039,337 B2 · Lifting member edge protector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,337 B2 - Document ID: US9039337B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/205,773 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: Lift-All Company, Inc. - Applicants: Lift-All Company, Inc. - Inventors: Gregory S. Babinchak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039337B2 ## CPC - B66C 1/122: {Sling or load protectors} - B65D 71/04: with protecting or supporting elements arranged between binder and articles or materials, e.g. for preventing chafing of binder - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract An edge protector for insertion between a load to be lifted and a lifting member which facilitates the lifting of the load, preventing damage to either the load or the lifting member. The edge protector has a pair of flanges which extend from a radiused or curved center portion. Each flange has an inner surface and an outer surface. A portion of each respective outer surface of each flange is spaced from and is essentially parallel to the inner surface of the respective flange. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An edge protector for insertion between a load to be lifted and a lifting member, the edge protector comprising: a load bearing, extruded compression member having a pair of flanges which extend from a radiused or curved center portion, with inner surfaces of the flanges oriented essentially perpendicular to each other, and retaining end caps affixed to ends of the compression member, each of the retaining end caps having body portions with recesses for receiving and maintaining the compression member in the retaining end caps. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein an arcuate surface is provided proximate a free end of each flange, the arcuate surface extends from an outer surface of each flange to the inner surface of each flange. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein a sloped surface is provided proximate a free end of each flange, the sloped surface extends from an outer surface of each flange to the inner surface of each flange. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the respective flanges intersect at a line, the distance between an outside surface of the radiused or curved center portion and the line is equal to approximately one-half of a length of the outer surface of the radiused or curved center portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiused or curved center portion has a radius of at least 3/16 of an inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiused or curved center portion has a radius not larger than 2 inches. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one recess is provided in each respective flange of the pair of flanges, each of the at least one recess extends from the inner surface toward an outer surface of each respective flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The edge protector as recited in claim 7, wherein an insert is provided in at least one of the recesses, the insert provides a resilient surface which cooperates with and engages the load while providing sufficient resiliency to conform to the load, thereby helping to prevent damage to the load. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The edge protector as recited in claim 8, wherein the insert has an inner rubber core and an outer plastic cover. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The edge protector as recited in claim 7, wherein an attachment member is provided in at least one of the recesses, the attachment member having magnetic characteristics which cooperate with the load to maintain the edge protector in position prior to securing the lifting member thereto. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The edge protector as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment member has one or more magnets. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein each flange has an outer surface, a portion of each respective outer surface of each flange is spaced from and is essentially parallel to the inner surface of the respective flange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein the end caps cooperate with the lifting member to prevent the lifting member from sliding off of the edge protector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The edge protector as recited in claim 1, wherein securing strip attachment members extend from the end caps, the securing strip attachment members are configured to receive securing strips therethrough, the securing strips attached to the securing strip attachment members of the edge protector to prevent the lifting member from being removed from the edge protector, such that when pressure has been released from the lifting member, the edge protector is removed from the load but remains in proximity with the lifting member. ### Claim 15 An edge protector for insertion between a load to be lifted and a lifting member, the edge protector comprising: a load bearing, extruded compression member having a pair of flanges which extend from a radiused or curved center portion, with inner surfaces of the flanges oriented essentially perpendicular to each other, and retaining end caps affixed to ends of the compression member; at least one recess provided in each respective flange of the pair of flanges, each of the at least one recess extends from the inner surface toward an outer surface of each respective flange; an insert provided in at least one of the recesses, the insert provides a resilient surface which cooperates with and engages the load while providing sufficient resiliency to conform to the load, thereby helping to prevent damage to the load. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The edge protector as recited in claim 15, wherein the insert has an inner rubber core and an outer plastic cover. ### Claim 17 An edge protector for insertion between a load to be lifted and a lifting member, the edge protector comprising: a load bearing, extruded compression member having a pair of flanges which extend from a radiused or curved center portion, with inner surfaces of the flanges oriented essentially perpendicular to each other, and retaining end caps affixed to ends of the compression member; at least one recess provided in each respective flange of the pair of flanges, each of the at least one recess extends from the inner surface toward an outer surface of each respective flange; an attachment member provided in the at least one of the recesses, the attachment member having magnetic characteristics which cooperate with the load to maintain the edge protector in position prior to securing the lifting member thereto. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The edge protector as recited in claim 17, wherein the attachment member has one or more magnets.