# US 9,751,451 B1 · Protective device useful in transporting and lifting objects having easily damaged surfaces, including delicate, coated, painted, and polished surfaces

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- Number: US 9,751,451 B1
- Document ID: US9751451B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/189,570
- Filed: 2016-06-22
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-22
- Assignees: The Paintsmiths, Inc of Springfield
- Applicants: The PaintSmiths, Inc. of Springfield
- Inventors: William L. Tillman; Kevin W. Tillman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751451B1

## CPC

- B60P 7/0869: {Protecting the strap or the load from wear}
- B66C 1/122: {Sling or load protectors}
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)
- 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)

## Abstract

A protective device in the form of a strap including an outermost layer having a first rigidity and a first coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction selected to permit a rigging line to self-center between two points when the rigging line is in contact with the outer layer and under tension and an innermost layer having a second, different lower rigidity and a second different coefficient of friction, the second different coefficient of friction selected to prevent movement of the protective device relative to an object as the rigging line self-centers. The protective device prevents damage to the coated surface, including but not limited to telegraphing of the strap onto the coated surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of protecting a coated object during transport, the method comprising:
placing a protective device between a rigging line and a coated portion of the coated object, the protective device comprising a strap including:
an outermost layer having a first rigidity and a first coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction selected to permit a rigging line to self-center between two points when the rigging line is in contact with the outermost layer and under tension; and
an innermost layer having a second rigidity that is lower than the first rigidity and a second coefficient of friction that is different from the first coefficient of friction, the second coefficient of friction selected to prevent movement of the protective device relative to the coated object as the rigging line self-centers,
wherein the outermost and innermost layers of the strap are bonded to one another.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the outermost layer is a metallic material and the innermost layer is a non-metallic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the innermost and outermost layers are a non-metallic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the outermost layer partially overlapping the innermost layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the innermost layer includes a face surface coated with a non-stick material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the innermost layer is infused with a non-stick material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 further comprising the placing step including the using a handle connected to the outermost layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7 wherein the handle is a loop.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7 further comprising at least one of attaching and removing the handle, wherein the handle is temporarily attached to the outermost layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the coated portion is dry-to-touch.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the coated portion is dry-to-hard.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the coated portion is dry-to-handle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1 wherein the coated portion is dry-to-recoat.